When the Beastmen saw Ling Hong return with a female, their anxious expressions vanished. A few of them hurried forward to speak with him.
After getting his consent, they waved their hands, signaling for all the Beastmen to rush back to the tribe.
An Jin was also forced back to the tribe.
The tribe was situated on a plain with no mountains for backing. A wide, long river ran through it, connecting to the sea to the north. As far as the eye could see, there were only thatched huts huddled together.
Night was about to fall, and the bonfires lit in front of some thatched huts indicated that their owners had returned and were preparing their meals.
Carrying the gaunt, dark-skinned female, Ling Hong took several long strides, lifted the beast-hide curtain, and entered the only dwelling made of earth and stone.
The room was massive, several hundred square meters in size. It was built from a sturdy mixture of stone and earth. All sorts of things were hanging on the walls—ox horns, tiger pelts, sharp fangs, and a jumble of other primitive objects, all displaying the owner's status.
High on a stone throne, a grown man with a face full of coarse hair sat looking down on everyone. 'He must be the tribe's leader, or something similar,' An Jin realized.
The man appeared to be in his thirties or forties. Years of being in a position of power had given him an air of steady dominance. When he saw An Jin and Ling Hong return safely, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but it relaxed just as quickly, replaced by a hearty smile.
"Ling Hong! You are truly worthy of being our tribe's greatest warrior. I knew you could do it! To face that Fifth Rank Poisonous Snake Beastman and still get away unscathed... you're far stronger than I was in my day!"
The man's words were filled with admiration and praise, and his hearty laughter lent him an air of magnanimity and integrity. He clapped his hands, not holding back his compliments.
Ling Hong set An Jin down on the ground. His cold, indifferent eyes held no trace of joy. In the face of the man's praise, he merely grunted in acknowledgment. "It was the Clan Leader's command. I will always see it through."
At these words, the smile in the man's eyes deepened. "Ling Hong is indeed an obedient and powerful warrior, widely supported by everyone. And... haha, your strength is already close to surpassing my own! What an excellent young man!"
"Given time, the position of Clan Leader will surely be yours!"
Although the Clan Leader's words were filled with recognition and praise, An Jin's sharp senses detected an unusual undercurrent.
Ling Hong's eyes darkened slightly. He replied impassively, "You jest, Clan Leader. You are in your prime; the position of Clan Leader is not yet for me to consider. I only wish to do my duty and repay the tribe."
"I've brought her back. If the Clan Leader has no other business, I will take my leave."
With that, Ling Hong turned and walked away. His tall, straight back radiated a steady and resolute aura—truly the presence of a warrior.
The Clan Leader watched him go, the smile in his eyes deepening, but he said nothing.
Even though she was a rare and precious female, it was as if she were invisible. After her rescue, not a single person paid her any attention.
An Jin had always been very good at reading people. Ling Hong had just left in a hurry. Though his gait was still steady and seemed flawless at first glance, the blackened wound she had glimpsed on his arm made her wary.
She slipped out the door and followed him.
Back inside, once everyone had left, the smile on the Clan Leader's face vanished instantly. He dug his fingers into the armrest of his stone throne, the veins on his forearm bulging. 'I never expected this. Ling Hong's rate of growth is astounding, far exceeding my predictions. Even I couldn't guarantee victory against that Fifth Rank Poisonous Snake Beastman, and yet he returned completely unscathed…'
The Clan Leader's golden eyes turned sinister and terrifying, a stark contrast to his earlier approachable demeanor. He seemed like a different person.
'If I let him continue to grow at this unnatural pace, it won't be long before he takes my place as Clan Leader!'
'I absolutely cannot allow such a threat to remain in my tribe!!'
A nearby Beastman chuckled sinisterly. "There's no need to worry, Clan Leader. You saw the wound on Ling Hong when he left, didn't you?"
Ling Hong had stolen his position as the tribe's greatest warrior. The Beastman's eyes flashed with venom and jealousy; he couldn't wait for Ling Hong to die.
"That wound is from a Fifth Rank Poisonous Snake Beastman. The venom has no antidote. I doubt he'll last more than a few days. He'll just... disappear."