Gentle Beast

Gentle Beast Chapter 57

【螳螂捕蝉 – Mantis Stalking The Cicada】

Laurence wasn’t dead???

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu remembered being seriously injured by Laurence, and when she woke up, she never asked about his whereabouts.

She had subconsciously thought that he had been resolved by Ryan. . . if he wasn’t dead, why was he coming back now?

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu’s heart sunk and her little hand at her side trembled slightly. She lifted it to cover her stomach.

Though it had faded, there were three clear, hideous claw marks.

She saw them every time she took a bath. An inch above her navel, her scars were ugly and alien to the rest of her skin.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu once asked Batan about getting rid of scars, and he told her about several herbs that could help fade the scars.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu tried them one by one, but it was a pity. The scar only faded a little and turned pinkish, but it was still there and visible at a glance.

There was no laser scar removal and the medicine here was very limited. It was impossible to completely erase those three scars.

Now, at the mention of Laurence, there was a dull pain there.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu also wanted to ask what the problem was, but the beastman had turned away to continue searching for Ryan.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu had to stay in the courtyard and anxiously wait for news on Ryan.

Meanwhile, at the edge of Camuda Valley.

An agile black figure stood at the top of a tree, his tail sweeping silently behind him. His amber pupils stared at the leopard tribe that was walking toward him.

Suddenly, his eyes shifted to the leopard that stood in front and, snarling his sharp teeth, he jumped down!

The panther attacked without warning, waning to rush Ryan. Ryan jerked back several steps.

The panther threw a blank stare at him and stopped a few paces ahead.

Ryan stood still, watching the black leopard in front of him, and blinked, “Laurence?”

In the next instant, Laurence transformed into his human form. He was slender and wore black leather, his facial features cold with indifference.

His lips quirked up and he said, “Sorry to let you down, Ryan. I’m still alive.”

His head was once slammed by Ryan’s claws, and he was thrown down the hillside, where he remained half-dead in a coma for three days and three nights.

Fortunately, there was a cave below the hill with a rotted snow leopard corpse inside it.

The snow leopard had been dead for several days. Perhaps because the cave was well hidden, the body hadn’t been carried off as prey. Laurence didn’t care if he was bitten to death by wild animals, or for whatever reason. But he relied on the body of his companion and survived the deadliest of days because of it.

Ryan’s complexion didn’t change and he licked his teeth, “Indeed. It’s a bit disappointing.”

Laurence swept his gaze across the people behind Ryan and said indifferently, “How is that you are still the chief? Has the leopard’s strength fallen so low that no tribesmen dare challenge you?”

Ryan’s long, striped tail hung behind him, slouching calmly against the ground, as was his attitude. “Of course,” said Ryan, “On the premise that they beat me.”

Laurence’s eyes were sharp and cold, “In that cause, there should not be more than one.”

He said: “If you don’t mind, I’ll take your place as leader.”

Ryan smiled, an bestial bloodthirst hidden in his blue eyes, and he willingly accepted the fight, “If you have the strength.”

“Tomorrow morning, the competitive highlands, I hope you don’t flake,” Laurence finished and twisted, jumping back up the tree and leaving.

*

Laurence’s house wasn’t that far away from Ryan’s and was only separated by a wall. That was one of the main reasons for his discord with Ryan.

One mountain could not contain two tigers. How could one piece of land accommodate two strong players?

When Laurence passed Ryan’s gate, he paused, wondering what to think, and suddenly jumped up onto the wall and looked into the courtyard.

The courtyard was empty, and it was quiet.

A bamboo frame was placed in the center of the courtyard, the shelves covered with cotton and dried bamboo shoots were drying out.

In addition, the yard was completely tidy and traces of female arrangements everywhere.

Laurence’s claws pierced the wall and he walked along it slowly, never seeing any kind of movement in the yard.

When he was about to leave, suddenly the bedroom door was pulled open and a female rushed out, looking at the door in surprise, “Ryan. . .”

The door closed behind her and Ryan had yet to come back.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu had lost her head, and just now she clearly heard footsteps, how could there was nothing there?

She looked at her watch and it was 5:50. Ryan never returned and it was dark again.

Laurence stood on the wall at Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu’s side, and there was a roof in front of him. Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu could not see him.

It was chilly and spring. The girl wore a grey, half-length cashmere sweater with a needlepoint work on the front in the shape of an elk. She wore a pair of jeans and sneakers on her feet. Strangely dressed, Laurence was pleasantly surprised. She hadn’t died and was rather large at life.

Still, Laurence did not leave.

The warm sunshine flooded the courtyard and basked over her head, layering her in gold.

Her white cheeks were illuminated by sunlight and were clean and clear.

Her thick eyelashes drooped and cast a shadow on her cheeks. When they lifted, dark eyes were filled with worry and she didn’t leave the entrance of the courtyard. The young girl stood for a moment, simply holding her cheek and sitting on the threshold, waiting for Ryan to come back.

Perhaps the sun was too warm, but she didn’t sit for long when her eyes gradually fell and covered her bright eyes, her head slanting to the side, asleep.

Laurence stepped out from the corner, stared at the girl’s sleeping face for a moment, then turned to jump neatly off the wall and walked in the direction of his own home.

. . .

The sky was dark and concealed in a curtain of night, the leopard race was silent.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu woke up in a pair of arms, being carried back toward the house.

She stretched her hand to rub her eyes, saw Ryan’s face, and was instantly awake, “Ryan, there was someone looking for you today. . .”

Ryan’s long legs crossed the threshold and his low voice was smooth, “I know.”

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu looked up at him, “Did you see Laurence? Did he do anything to you, I heard that he wanted to challenge you for leadership? Is it true?”

Ryan put Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu on the bed and bowed his head and saw the worry and tension hidden in her eyes. He suddenly smiled, “You worried about me?”

The little girl was not shy, and she lowered her head, pondering. Raising her small face, she nodded seriously, “Yeah.”

She was worried about him.

Worried that Laurence had caused trouble with him, worried that he was hurt, and worried about his everything.

Ryan’s heart was hot, and he clutched Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu’s waist. His upper body was folded over her and he bent to kiss her warmly.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu couldn’t avoid it and was mercilessly kissed for a good while.

Until her tongue was soured by him, and her breathing became more and more urgent, then Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu turneda way and reminded him, “Hey, you haven’t answered my question. . .”

Ryan’s forehead hit her shoulder and his voice was accompanied by a rough breath, also drilling into into Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu’s ear, “Eh?”

He had completely forgotten what Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu just asked.

After all, he just wanted to have sex with her.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu repeated, “I heard that Laurence had to challenge your leadership. . .”

Ryan didn’t dare deny it, but he rested a hand on Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu’s face, “That’s right.”

“You agreed?”

“It’s the rules of the race. The leader must accept the challenge of anyone in the race.”

“. . .” Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu hesitated, staring at Ryan’s dark eyes, but couldn’t help but ask, “Then. . . are you going to lose?”

Ryan licked at her unpleasant little mouth, “Lose to this kind of guy, don’t you have any confidence in your man?”

Ryan hadn’t retracted the barbs on his tongue so the lick hurt Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu and she shrunk, complaining, “I was just worried you’d get hurt.”

Ryan sometimes didn’t know what to do with her. Her small mouth was like a hook with honey on it. It would poke at his heart blood, sweet, and his heart would shake.

“Rest assured, your man con’t bear to worry you,” Ryan kissed her lips again and his voice was thick and heavy.

*

Each leader of the leopard’s was selected in the competitive highlands behind the tribe.

This was not the first challenge Ryan had received since he took over the rank, but this was definitely the most valuable one.

There was no one in the race that didn’t know that Laurence was equal to Ryan in strength.

Ten years ago, when he competed for the leadership position, Laurence fought against Ryan for a long time and eventually lost to him with a small gap.

Over the ten years when Laurence was in the lower ranks, he was always thought about that.

Ryan was wounded and had disappeared a while ago, and no one knew about his whereabouts. Laurence encouraged the tribe to elect a new leader.

The tribe gradually accepted the news of Ryan’s death, and everyone thought that Laurence would replace him. But when he became the new leader, Laurence also lerned some new news unexpectedly. Surprisingly, Ryan returned to the race safely.

Now the two leopards stood together and the ten-year duel was going to happen again.

Yesterday evening, Ryan told Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu that she wasn’t allowed to go watch, but Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu did not trust it. When she opened her eyes that morning, she secretly went to the highlands.

But when Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu arrived, the beastmen were already crowding the area.

The beasts were taller than her, and Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu’s sight was obscured. She could see nothing in front of her.

Luckily, she was petite and had the cheek to stoop under the beastmen to squeeze up to the front.

She looked up just in time to see the panther leap high and fly at the opposite side, striking out with his claws to stab at the other’s abdomen——

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu’s heart was surprised and the image of Laurence slashing at her flashed over and over. She opened her mouth and almost shouted, “Ryan.”

Ryan promptly extended his hand to block Laurence’s offensive. His hind leg suppressed Laurence’s body. He turned over and pressed Laurence under his body, instantly reversing the situation.

Dark blue eyes stared at Laurence’s neck and opened his beastly mouth to bite into his throat!

Laurence stretched out his claws to hold Ryan’s shoulders and forced his legs up to kick Ryan’s body away.

Ryan landed firmly, sticking his tongue out to lick his sharp fangs, looking thoughtful.

——Laurence’s strength had increased a lot.

In Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu’s space, his physical strength had been enhanced a lot, but Laurence was still able to par with him.

What happened in the period of time that Laurence had disappeared?

Panther and leopard occupied the two sides of the competitive highlands, staring at each other, the scene arrogant.

Suddenly, Laurence jumped and attacked Ryan from the side.

Ryan quickly evaded and his long tail swept across Laurence’s face, hitting it heavily.

Gradually, Laurence’s strength was obviously exhausted and his panting became disordered.

After a round, Ryan was forced to fall to the ground and he pressed his claws on top of his head, and one paw stretched out the claws. Like when he had stabbed him at the stomach.

As the claws penetrated through flesh, Laurence scrambled and his eyes turned to Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu who was standing in front of him. A smile suddenly pulled at the corner of his mouth and cleared his throat to speak, only in a tone he and Ryan could hear, “If I guess right, that so called ‘Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu’ female is human, right?”

His voice had just fallen when Ryan’s nails pierced his abdomen heavily.

Laurence’s mouth overflowed with blood and he continued without hesitation, “To change the rules for her, it seems that you care so much about her. . .” He paused and gritted his teeth, “But, Ryan, if the people know about this, how do you think she would be treated?”

Humanity was a species that the world was long extinct, intelligent, wise, and the ability to compete with nature.

At the same time, they were also the natural enemy of animals.

Ryan’s eyes turned deep, “I advise you not to seek death, Laurence.”

Laurence noticed Ryan’s momentary relaxation, and his eyes flashed. Holding Ryan’s front paws, his hind legs forced upward to mercilessly kick Ryan far!

Behind Ryan was the mountain peak, with a steep cliff-side and the bottom was covered in sharp, rugged stones.

Ryan fell off the peak in that moment, but his tail tangled with Laurence’s forelimbs and dragged him off the cliff——

. . .

. . .

!!!

The chief and Laurence dropped off the cliff together?!

The beastmen around were stunned. Not yet recovered from the fierce fighting, they saw the empty top of the competitive highlands. Ryan and Laurence had disappeared.

Elder Berson quickly regained his composure and commanded, “Quick, call a few people and go down to find the chief!”

Winter heard the order and immediately went to arrange the people going down the cliff.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu stood and quickly jumped to the side. She saw Laurence saw something to Ryan and Ryan had paused, the opportunity then exploited by Laurence.

Without regard for Laurence’s despicable personality, Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu also wanted to follow the leopards but was stopped by Winter, “The road down the mountain is rugged. You stay here and wait for the news. Should we let you get hurt, the Chief will tear us apart.”

“Besides. . .” Winter scratched his head and said, “You’d just slow down our search.”

“. . .” Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu had to give up and stay on the cliff waiting.

After about a hour, there was no news.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu was becoming more and more concerned. Winter said that down below was rubble. Wouldn’t Ryan get hurt?

Laurence was also down there. Would he not be against Ryan? Could Winter find Ryan?

. . .

Over the last half-hour, a male beastman arrived and went to Elder Berson, “Elder. . .”

Elder Berson: “Is there news about the leader?”

The beastman shook his head and pointed to the entrance of Camuda Valley, “Holden’s led the wolves to attack us!”

*

At Camuda Valley’s entrance, lines of the wolf race were lined up facing the tribe, raising their heads and howling loudly.

“Woo——”

The sound echoed deep into the open valley, directly reaching Elder Berson’s ear.

The elder was a veteran but this was the first time he’d had to deal with this kind of thing. Now Ryan wasn’t here and he wasn’t sure what to do. He hurriedly asked another leopard, “Have you found the Chief?”

The male beastman said, “No, Winter hasn’t come back yet.”

The wolves howled for a while longer, as if winding around Elder Berson’s head, tightening continually until his brain hurt.

This damned wolf not only came late, but why’d they come back now!

Of course, Elder Berson didn’t know that Holden had counted on this time.

How could the severely injured Laurence escape the snow-capped mountains? It was Holden that helped him come back.

Laurence’s strength was equal to Ryan’s and Holden guessed that after he was hurt, he would definitely return to the leopards and challenge Ryan.

Holden didn’t expect Laurence to defeat Ryan, so long as he could hold onto Ryan and both get lost.

Just like now, without Ryan, it would be much easier to capture the leopard tribe.

On the other side, Elder Berson settled down and said, “Assemble the young warriors of the race and listen to my instructions. Dole, Corey, you lead people to the entrance of Camuda Valley. Before the Chief returns, be sure to hold off the wolves’ attack!”

Dole and Corey took their orders and led the warriors of the clan to the entrance.

Both were strong warriors of the leopard race. Dole’s mind was active and he was good at defense. Corey was explosive and good at attacking.

The two leopards led a group of people to guard the entrance to the valley.

Just like when Ryan led the war, they were orderly.

Elder Berson listened to the tribe report. Dole and Corey were temporarily holding off the problem, now he could breath a sigh of relief.

However, it wasn’t long after this breath that another tribesman came over and said, “Elder, the wolves have crossed the swamp!”

The swamp was the boundary between the wolf and leopard territory. After passing through the swamp, they weren’t that far away to the leopard’s inheritance.

Ryan was always here, so the wolves hadn’t dared step into the swamp.

Berson was surprised, “Have they attacked?”

The tribesman said, “Not yet. The remaining males in the race are fighting against the wolves in the marshlands, but. . .”

The wolves had come prepared. The number of attacks was numerous, and the remaining members of the leopard race were no opponents at all.

Elder Berson knew this and could not help but curse. There was no way.

. . .

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu stood beside Elder Berson and heard their conversation from beginning to end.

Some of the words were spoken too quickly, and Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu knew little, but understand what they meant in generally.

“Elder, if you don’t mind, can you let me help you?” Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu hesitated but came forward anyway.

Although she promised Ryan that she wouldn’t use dynamite in front of others, if not, then this time, the leopards would be overrun by the wolves.

She did not want to see Ryan’s race fall into the hands of others.

*

The past few days, Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu had developed a number of explosives on the composition ratio recorded last time.

Because Ryan had forbidden her using them, Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu had been hiding them in her space and hadn’t tried it yet.

She didn’t know how much power they had, but they would definitely frighten back the wolves and help the leopards delay some time.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu and Elder Berson went together toward the marsh.

Not far off, the leopards were trying to stop the wolf invasion.

Unfortunately, they were outnumbered and the leopards were on the end of losing.

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu hurriedly lead four beastmen to plant the gunpowder on both sides of the swamp.

The wet mud of the marshland was rotting and one step into it would be immersed in struggling against sinking deeper. If the wolves wanted to pass, they could only walk on both sides.

The four didn’t know what Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu had them burying, and they wanted to ask, but they saw that Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu bit her lip and he could not ask them, so he swallowed them back down to his puzzled belly.

Never mind. . . she was the chief’s female, and what she wanted to do, she could do.

Once both side were buried with gunpowder, Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu immediately went to Elder Berson and hide behind a large, nearby stone.

Elder Berson asked with the puzzlement of all of them in mind, “What do you intend to use what you just buried for?”

Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu said, “. . . It can temporarily stall the wolves.”

“. . .”

To tell the truth, Berson had no confidence in Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu.

The female looked small and weak. It was difficult for her to defend herself, so how could she stall the wolf’s footsteps?

However, he had no choice now but to turn to that small, weak female.

Soon, more than a dozen leopards were defeated by the wolves. They broke through the perimeter and rushed towards the swampland!

Elder Berson were anxious and his hands were sweaty, his tail couldn’t stop beating the ground, “Woman, the wolves are coming!”

“Shh,” Jǐ Xiǎo Ōu made a silent gesture at Berson and bent to the ground, lighting the lead in front of her.

The lead began burning from the end, accompanied by a faint “Zzz,” and continued along the ground until it reached the buried gunpowder.

In the next moment,

“Boom——”

The grass suddenly sounded out in a huge explosion, two of the wolf beastmen that had reached it were thrown back.

A continuous explosion sounded and the surroundings were coated in plumes of smoke, the wolves trapped in the midst of the gunpowder and dilemma.

Seeing the wolves wounded by gunpowder, Elder Berson and the other leopards standing behind the stone were stunned.

What kind of magic was this?

How could it kill so many wolf beastmen in a single moment?

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