Free Web NovelChapter 394: Chapter 394: Is She Really Her Birth Mother?
What Huang Yue didn’t say was that Qiao Yi hadn’t just saved him, but the entire Phoenix Clan.
Back then, the Wing Demon Clan had been on a rampage, even attacking as far as Wing Beast City. He had only just come of age, and while not weak, his strength was nothing compared to the powerful Wing Demon Clan.
Under the Wing Demon Clan’s relentless assault, the Phoenix Clan was on the verge of collapse.
Qiao Yi appeared at the critical moment and saved them.
Since Qiao Yi couldn’t fly, Huang Yue had willingly carried him on his back, soaring into the sky to battle the Wing Demon Clan. His trust and admiration for Qiao Yi had deepened through their many battles together.
This was also why he never pressured or acted against Qiao Xixi, even though he knew she was connected to Huang Ying’s death.
He had secretly sworn an oath to the Beast God to endure anything Qiao Yi might do to the Phoenix Clan, because they owed their very lives to him.
When Huang Yue left, he took almost half of Qiao Xixi’s fruit with him, an expression of utter satisfaction on his face as he walked out the door.
After closing the door, Qiao Xixi and the others sat down in the living room. No one spoke. They were all waiting for her.
Qiao Xixi pursed her lips. Looking up, she found Jin Ling and the others staring intently at her. She blinked in confusion.
"What’s wrong?"
Jin Ling sat down beside her, his large palm enveloping her hand.
"Xixi, whatever you plan to do, we’ll be with you."
Seeing the determined look in their eyes, Qiao Xixi couldn’t help but smile.
Until now, they had no idea what crime Qiao Yi had committed that would cause Beast King City to send such powerful beast guards after him.
Now, she knew with certainty that rescuing Qiao Yi meant making an enemy of Beast King City...
Qiao Xixi exhaled softly and squeezed Jin Ling’s hand back. "Yes. No matter what happens, we’ll face it together. And no matter what kind of enemy we’re up against, I will never give up the chance to save my father."
"Good."
The next day, Qiao Xixi woke up before dawn.
The moment she stirred, Sunxiao’s slightly hoarse voice came from above her. "You’re awake?"
Qiao Xixi turned and leaned against him, squinting contentedly as she enjoyed the natural coolness of his body. "Mhm. We’re going to Beast King City today. We should leave early to see if we can scout the area."
"Alright."
Sunxiao helped her up, and once they were both dressed, they went outside.
Except for Feiyan, who was resting after his night watch, Jin Ling and the others were already up.
After breakfast, Huang Yue and his group arrived at the door.
"It’s about time. Let’s get going."
"Okay."
All the beastmen on this street were here for the ritual, and today they all had to go to the palace for an audience with the Beast King.
Sunxiao and the others guarded Qiao Xixi as they moved with the crowd. When they reached the end of the street, they saw beast guards leading the way.
"Is it far to the palace from here?"
Huang Yue looked up, pointing to a structure nearly hidden in the clouds. "It’s right there. It’s not far if I fly, but walking will take a while."
Hearing her conversation with Huang Yue, Sunxiao glanced at her. "Tired?"
Qiao Xixi shook her head. "I’m not tired."
’Walking is fine. At least this way we can memorize the lay of the land.’
As the huge procession marched down the main street, many of the city’s beastmen watched them with curiosity.
"More males coming to die... Mmph!"
"Keep your voice down! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
Qiao Xixi glanced at the male Deer Beast, whose companion was clamping a hand over his mouth, and frowned.
They didn’t have to walk for long before the beast guards had them stop in a large, open area.
"Wow, the Beast King Palace is huge! I’ve never seen such a beautiful building."
"Me neither. I wonder what it’s like inside."
’Looking at the palace’s towering stone walls, Qiao Xixi thought that even the most powerful beastmen would find it nearly impossible to escape. She couldn’t imagine how her father had managed to get her out of this place all those years ago.’
As they waited, the towering wooden doors slowly swung open, and a male Golden Lion dressed in golden pelts stepped out.
He came before the crowd, his amber eyes sweeping over their faces. "The Beast King is waiting in the palace. Please, follow me."
The crowd followed the male Golden Lion in an orderly fashion.
Qiao Xixi and her companions were near the back of the procession. Once they were inside, the wooden doors slowly closed behind them.
She glanced over and saw that it took five or six males pushing together just to close the two massive doors.
Huang Yue slowed his pace to walk beside Qiao Xixi, lowering his voice. "Remember, don’t wander off inside the palace, and don’t get caught alone with the Beast King."
’Qiao Xixi nodded in understanding. She knew Huang Yue was telling her not to reveal that she was Qiao Yi’s daughter. She wasn’t foolish enough to let the Beast King discover who she was right now.’
Qiao Xixi’s eyes darted around the palace. The architecture was oppressive; even the tallest beastmen seemed tiny within its walls.
After ascending a high flight of stone steps, they finally reached the doors of the main hall.
The beast guards stopped outside the doors, gesturing for the visitors to enter on their own.
Many of the beastmen from the outer tribes, experiencing such an event for the first time, looked visibly nervous and uneasy.
Qiao Xixi followed the others into the great hall, and from afar, she could see the Beast King seated on the throne.
’On the way here, she had imagined what the Beast King would look like—perhaps imposing and domineering, or shrewd and calculating. She had never expected her to look so... gentle?’
’Yes, gentle.’
She wore a snow-white fur garment that made her stunning face seem all the more sacred and inviolable. The ornaments on her head, which looked like red Crystal Stones, made her complexion appear even more fair and rosy.
As she drew closer, Qiao Xixi got a better look at her face. She had arched brows, an elegant oval face, and perfectly proportioned red lips, which added a bewitching allure to her otherwise gentle features.
’The reason Qiao Xixi found her so gentle was because of her eyes. They seemed to smile, and when they looked at you, they were brimming with mirth.’
"We pay our respects to the Beast King."
Everyone crossed their arms over their chests and bowed respectfully to the Beast King.
Yu Qing’s eyes curved into a smile as she nodded. "Please, rise. Your journey to Beast King City must have been difficult."
"It is our honor to come to Beast King City for the ritual and to serve the Beast King."
’No matter the society, there’s never a shortage of sycophants in front of those in power.’
Amid the chorus of flattery, Qiao Xixi studied Yu Qing once more.
’Looking at her features, she really couldn’t see any resemblance between them.’
’The only similarity, if she had to name one, was that her own eyes curved when she smiled, just like the Beast King’s.’
’Is this woman really my birth mother?’
