Chapter 51 - 47, Manli’s Resentment_1

Words : 1270 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 51: Chapter 47, Manli’s Resentment_1 "What? You were asked to gather the Fruit of Divine Punishment!" Manli laid on a beast skin covered with thickdry straw, avidly chewing on a bloody piece of meat from a green bull beast. Blood dripped from her chin onto the beast skin as six orcs squat or stood around in the cave. One of them, sturdy and indifferent, stood at the cave entrance, staring blankly at her. Manli struggled to her feet with the assistance of a gray-haired orc, and looked at Fu Yi with anger in her eyes. "Why should they assign you this task without asking me first? You’re my mate. Aren’t you supposed to discuss it with me before committing to anything? The winter will be harsh this year. Are you really okay with letting me and our cub starve instead of going out to hunt? I disagree!" Manli angrily flung her piece of meat on the ground, the sound of her voice grating on the ears. "We are not mates yet." The orc responded flatly, his tone unwavering. "Your parents took a whole yellow sheep from me. You’re mine now, and my word is final!" Fu Yi’s words only stoked Manli’s anger. She took a step forward, raising her bloody hand and digging her sharp nails into his face. Three bloody gashes appeared on Fu Yi’s tender young cheek, instantly puffing up. "This is a decision made by the Shaman and the Clan Leader. I also want to go." The boy seemed devoid of any sense of pain. He was indifferent to the wound on his cheek, remaining calm as ever. Manli glared at the young face she once adored, however, this face had never broken into a smile for her. Her eyes hardened: "Heh, you’re scared to pair with me after you come of age this winter isn’t it? But your parents have already given you to me. You’re mine." "This matter won’t be subject to any objection." The old and majestic voice of Grandma Shaman echoed at the entrance of the cave. Upon hearing her voice, Manli and her companions instantly stood erect, lowering their heads respectfully towards the slightly stooped figure standing at the cave’s entrance. "The tribe will give you two yellow sheep in exchange for Fu Yi’s freedom. From now on, he will have no connection with you whatsoever." The elderly Shaman’s gaze was cold, her stern look piercing through Manli like a sharp stick, freezing her in place. "But, I..." Manli was aggrieved, her prohibited resentment even extending to the usual revered Shaman. "No more buts, I’m taking Fu Yi with me." The Shaman turned and left, along with Fu Yi and the unnoticeable Ji Nuan. Manli knew that when Grandma Shaman had made a decision, she no longer had the privilege to object. A chill ran down Ji Nuan’s spine. Behind her, a cold resentful glare seemed to crawl up her back, inducing a sense of unease in her heart. She thought to herself: It seems that I must be wary of Manli from now on. She doesn’t dare to direct her resentment towards the Shaman, and so has shifted her hatred to me instead. Her thin eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. All she wanted was to survive in this world. Why was it so difficult? Fu Yi was taken back to the cave by Grandma Shaman and temporarily stayed with Uncle Bo. When Ji Nuan returned to the cave, the little cub Xiu Yan was so hungry that he could devour a green bull beast. His round head was pointed towards the cave entrance, his usually well-maintained golden fur was now listless, much like shriveled grass under the scorching sun. Ji Nuan lifted the beast skin curtain holding a torch, coming face to face with the cub’s pleading eyes. Upon seeing Ji Nuan, the famished cub Xiu Yan let out a weak "roar". The pitiful call immediately stirred a sense of guilt in Ji Nuan. Looking at the large leaves, which had been gnawed on several spots and laid on the stone bed only added to her heartache. She quickly placed the torch in the corner of the cave and walked over to the stone bed. She affectionately stroked the cub’s saggy fur: "It’s all my fault. I completely forgot to prepare food for you. Just wait a little longer, and I will make you delicious food." After comforting the now skin and bone cub, Ji Nuan quickly headed towards the food storage cave. She ground the Giggle Beast meat into small pieces, embellishing it with Ziran fruit, spicy fruit, and sour fruit which added color and flavor. She skillfully kneaded the dough made from the Stinky Fruit, wrapped it in large leaves, and set it aside. Hot steam began to rise from the water in the stone pot. Against the cool night breeze, it swayed like a graceful celestial maiden dancing in the sky, delicate and beautiful. However, Ji Nuan was too concerned about the cub to admire the sight. She took the bowl of marinated minced meat and poured it into the pot. The bright red Giggle Beast meat was enveloped by the hot water, soon turning into delicious smelling, plump white balls, rolling around inside the pot. She rolled out the dough, tore it into noodles, and served it effortlessly. A pot full of fragrant noodles was brought out under the hungry gaze of the little lion cub. The cub slurped the noodles fed by Ji Nuan, his little claws kept stretching and retracting, kneading the stone bed continuously. He wished he could upturn the stone pot and pour the noodles directly into his mouth. His hungry antics brought a wave of laughter to Ji Nuan’s heart. However, she had to keep this to herself as to not hurt the feelings of the prideful cub, which was causing her great discomfort. The atmosphere on this side was as warm as spring. However, Manli’s cave seemed to be caught in a bitter winter. After Grandma Shaman and Ji Nuan left with Fu Yi, Manli’s resentment only grew. Her ceaseless resentment was like claws in her heart, making her feel an unbearable mix of pain and itchiness that she couldn’t calm down. Listening to the rhythmic breathing of her companions, a shadow flickered in Manli’s eyes. She slowly rose with caution, putting her beast skin on, and silently moved towards the entrance of the cave. After leaving the cave, she paused to listen for a while. Confirming there was no sound, she then tiptoed towards the small forest at the edge of the tribe. As soon as Manli’s figure disappeared into the night, the orcs in the cave all opened their eyes in unison. The atmosphere in the cave became tense. Since leaving the Penalty Cave, Manli had often gone out at night, only returning at dawn. The orcs, with their heightened senses, were fully aware of her excursions. "Should we follow her to see what’s she’s up to?" A low voice echoed from a corner. A gaunt figure was sitting in the dark. All the orcs fell silent. "Don’t, let’s sleep. We can pretend to be unaware of it. Otherwise, we will have nothing to eat tomorrow." The orc who spoke was sleeping beside Manli. He was highly regarded by her, but his voice carried an undertone of coldness. The other orcs’ intentions to follow Manli were obliterated by his words. What could she be doing when she went out at night? With Manli’s personality, if anyone disrupted her plans, they would probably go hungry for several days.

Chapter 51 - 47, Manli’s Resentment_1

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