Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off - Chapter 282

Chapter 282: Chapter 282: Dragon Beast City?
The room was filled with a heavy, bewildered silence as Rong Ye continued his frantic search, his tail drooping with every “empty” patch of skin he inspected.

Su Qinglan, her face still burning from the sight of the scandalous totem on the fox’s abdomen, shifted uncomfortably in her furs.

Suddenly she felt a strange, rhythmic pulsing sensation…not of pain, but of a deep, humming warmth. It wasn’t on her back or her limbs. It was centered right over her heart.

Gulping, she turned her back to the beast men, shielding herself as she pulled the neckline of her clothes down just a few inches. Her breath caught.

“I… I found it,” she whispered.

Rong Ye was at her side in a heartbeat, his head darting around her shoulder. “Where? Where is it?”

There, resting perfectly on the curve of her left breast, was a miniature white fox.

It was breathtakingly beautiful, its fur rendered in shimmering ivory ink that seemed to glow against her skin. But the most striking part was the aura surrounding it: the little fox was wreathed in soft, flickering violet flames that danced whenever she took a breath.

“Oh…” Rong Ye breathed, his eyes wide and shimmering with a sudden, genuine awe. “It’s over your heart, Lan Lan. You put me right over your heart.”

The “kicked puppy” act vanished instantly.

Rong Ye looked like he wanted to jump high enough to hit the ceiling, his chest swelling with pride.

Su Qinglan ran a trembling finger over the mark. The violet flames felt warm, almost like a heartbeat.

She was genuinely surprised; why had the totems appeared in such… specific places?

Han Jue’s and Hu Yan’s were on their chests, strong and supportive. But this? One was hidden provocatively near the fox’s abdomen, and the other was nestled against her very heart. Was it random, or did the totems truly map out the nature of their connection?

“It’s so beautiful,” she murmured, captivated by the violet fire. “But why there?”

Rong Ye didn’t answer with words. Before she could react, he leaned down, his eyes dark with sudden affection, and pressed a quick, daring lick right against the mark on her breast.

“Rong Ye!” Su Qinglan shrieked, her face turning a shade of red that rivaled the sunset. She scrambled back, pulling her dress up and clutching the fabric to her chest. “Shameless! Absolutely shameless!”

“It’s my mark! I’m just claiming it!” he chirped, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“Get dressed!” she scolded, her voice cracking with embarrassment as she pointed at his discarded hide on the floor.

“And stay dressed! We are supposed to be having breakfast, not a… a fashion show!”

Han Jue, whose patience had finally reached its absolute limit, stepped forward and grabbed Rong Ye by the back of the neck, hauling him away from Su Qinglan before the fox could try anything else.

“Listen to your female,” Han Jue growled, though even he couldn’t hide the flicker of curiosity in his eyes as he glanced at the spot where the violet-flamed fox was now hidden.

“Put your clothes on before I use your tail as a dishcloth.”

***

Once the fish stew was simmering, the rich, savory aroma filled the entire treehouse.

Su Qinglan asked Hu Yan to prepare two large bowls; she wanted to share this meal with Lan Yue.

Hu Yan, always supportive of his mate’s kindness, packed the hot soup carefully. Su Qinglan made her way over to the guest house, her steps lighter now that her energy had been replenished.

When she entered, she was pleasantly surprised. Lan Yue was no longer huddled in the corner.

She was moving about, and the house had been tidied up; the furs were folded, and the floor was swept. It seemed the fog of grief was finally starting to lift.

“Lan Yue! Look what Hu Yan made,” Su Qinglan called out with a warm smile, waving the guest over.

“Eat the fish stew while it’s hot. It will definitely warm your stomach and make you feel better.”

Lan Yue smiled back, a genuine spark of life in her eyes. “Thank you, Qinglan.”

As they sat together, Lan Yue initiated the conversation for the first time. “Which tribe is this? Do you know how far we are from a Beast City?”

Su Qinglan was happy to share. “This is the Fox Tribe, nestled in the Mist-Veiled Mountains. My father is the Leader of the tribe.” She spoke with pride, though she noticed Lan Yue’s expression falter slightly when she failed to mention a mother.

“As for a Beast City,” Su Qinglan continued curiously, “I actually have no idea. I’ve never been outside these mountains. What is a Beast City like? Is it very different from here?”

Lan Yue took a spoonful of the stew and nearly gasped. The warmth spread through her chest instantly.

She couldn’t believe this was fish…usually, fish was stinky, slimy, and tasted like rotten mud. But this was creamy, seasoned, and delicious.

“A Beast City is a massive settlement,” Lan Yue explained, her voice soft. “It’s surrounded by giant walls made of stone. If a tribe grows to have more than 10,000 beastmen, it can be recognized as a city. It’s much more advanced than a simple tribe. There are markets for trading, and people don’t live in damp caves; they have stone houses and complex systems for food.”

As she spoke, Lan Yue’s voice trailed off. She looked around the beautifully crafted wooden house, felt the soft furs, and tasted the incredible food.

She realized she shouldn’t boast. This “remote” tribe seemed to have a quality of life far superior to the crowded, stone-walled cities she knew. They didn’t lack food, their cooking was magical, and their homes were cozy and dry.

“I’ll have to ask my husband about the locations,” Su Qinglan said, intrigued by the idea of 10,000 beastmen living together. “Hu Yan!”

Hu Yan, who had been lingering nearby to ensure his mate’s safety, stepped inside and sat beside her. He had overheard their talk.

“The only city I know nearby is a smaller Tiger Beast City,” he said, looking at Lan Yue with a piercing gaze. “It is several weeks’ journey from here. Which city do you belong to?”

Lan Yue looked down at her bowl before replying quietly, “I am from the Dragon Beast City.”

Hu Yan’s brow furrowed in confusion.

“Dragon? I have never heard of such a place. Dragons are a myth; they don’t exist in this world.”