After quietly finishing their barbecue, the group decided to rest for a while, considering the long journey ahead that would still rely on the giant-toothed eagles. They also wanted to give the eagles a chance to catch their breath.
Tuge had gone to deliver food to Garo but hadn’t returned immediately. Sha Yi couldn’t be bothered to worry about it and instead leaned against Xi Yi, playing with the young hybrid wolf cub.
At first, the cub was a bit scared, but when it realized she meant no harm, it grew bolder.
Sha Yi laid it on its back in the grass, gently stroking its belly. The little one lolled its tongue to the side, its round eyes narrowing into slits as it thoroughly enjoyed the attention.
Amused by its adorable expression, Sha Yi couldn’t help but laugh. Xi Yi, however, seemed a bit jealous.
With a long stretch of his arm, he pulled her into his embrace, his possessiveness unmistakable.
But the sudden movement tugged at the wound on his back, making him wince in pain.
Though Sha Yi felt sorry for him, she couldn’t suppress a laugh. She knew he was drowning in jealousy but chose not to call him out on it. Instead, she cradled the hybrid wolf cub in her arms, gently smoothing its soft fur as she mused, “How about we give it a name?”
Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
She was deliberately provoking him, and he knew it—but he couldn’t resist taking the bait.
In the end, he grabbed the cub by the scruff of its neck and dangled it in the air.
Suddenly torn from her arms and held aloft, the little creature flailed its short legs helplessly, letting out tiny whimpers.
What Sha Yi saw as adorable, Xi Yi interpreted as the cub playing pitiful. After a moment of contemplation, he began to think that giving her the hybrid wolf cub might have been a mistake.
No matter how rare it was, he couldn’t stand the idea of it clinging to her all day.
Xi Yi started considering whether he should just ditch the little troublemaker.
Sha Yi immediately guessed his thoughts and snatched the furry cub back.
Defeated, Xi Yi had no choice but to relent.
Sha Yi, however, felt that as a newly appointed caretaker, naming the little wolf was of utmost importance.
But what to call it? She couldn’t come up with anything suitable right away.
She didn’t want to name it based on its fur color.
After a long moment of pondering, Sha Yi still hadn’t settled on a name. Frustrated, she went back to scratching its soft fur.
The cub, thinking she was playing with it, let out a few adorable yips and closed its eyes in bliss.
Sha Yi’s eyes lit up. “Since you love squinting so much, how about ‘Squinty’? No objections allowed!”
Xi Yi was torn between laughter and exasperation, but Sha Yi was thrilled with her choice. She hugged the little cub close, nuzzling her face against it.
Xi Yi’s barely formed smile instantly vanished.
Before long, Garo returned with Tuge. The group of four—plus the hybrid wolf cub—resumed their journey.
This flight lasted until dusk.
Just as Sha Yi was nodding off, Xi Yi gently shook her awake and pointed to a flat area below. “Look down there. The terrain is gentle, and I spotted a decent-sized cave. It should work as a temporary shelter.”
Sha Yi immediately understood—he wanted to stop here for the night.
Considering his severe injuries, the hardships they’d endured, the emotional blow of nearly losing his kin, and now this long flight on the giant-toothed eagle, he must have been exhausted.
With that in mind, Sha Yi smiled and agreed, “Then let’s stop here.”
Relieved, Xi Yi tugged at the eagle’s neck, signaling it to descend.
Now accustomed to being ridden, the giant-toothed eagle responded smoothly, diving toward the ground.
Garo and Tuge, following behind, did the same without hesitation.
This time, Xi Yi was prepared. With a firm grip, he guided the eagle to land smoothly on the water.
It was a brilliant idea.
Thanks to the water’s buoyancy and the eagle’s water-repellent feathers, they glided across the surface for a good distance before coming to a gentle stop.
Luckily, it was a smooth landing.
But Tuge and Garo weren’t as fortunate.
Tuge’s impaired vision made it hard for him to judge the distance between water and shore. He had intended to mimic Xi Yi’s water landing, but the result was disastrous—even worse than their crash in the forest.
He and his eagle ended up flipping headfirst into the shallows, slamming onto the shore with the bird taking the brunt of the impact.
Tuge was fine, cushioned by the eagle, but the poor bird wasn’t so lucky. Sha Yi couldn’t help but mourn for it silently.
Before she could finish her moment of sympathy, the other eagle came crashing down, sending a massive splash that drenched her and Xi Yi. The resulting waves nearly capsized them.
Thankfully, their eagle spread its wings just in time to regain balance, or they might have ended up in the water.
Garo didn’t fare much better. Though he managed to land in the water, his posture mirrored Tuge’s disastrous entry. The buoyancy spared him from tumbling, but the eagle’s momentum drove its head straight into the muddy shallows.
In an instant, the clear water turned murky.
Not only did the eagle’s head plunge underwater, but Garo was also sent flying off its back with a startled yell.
The two cargo-carrying eagles, following closely behind, couldn’t avoid the chaos either. With two loud splashes, they crashed into the water. Without the added weight of riders, their landings weren’t as rough, and they bobbed back to the surface after a few wobbles.
Still, the entire area was now a muddy mess.
Meanwhile, the eagle carrying Sha Yi and Xi Yi paddled itself calmly to shore, stepping out of the water without a second glance at its unfortunate companions.
Understandable—all five were males drawn by Garo’s presence, making them natural rivals. That they had managed to travel together this far was impressive enough; expecting them to help each other was too much to ask.
Following the eagles’ lead, Sha Yi and Xi Yi set off to explore the cave he had spotted.
The cave wasn’t far from the riverbank, and Sha Yi found it quickly.
It was spacious and well-lit, situated on elevated ground that would keep it safe even during heavy rains. Outside, towering trees stood interspersed with shrubs, and the ground was carpeted with lush grass dotted with tiny, unnamed purple-red flowers—charming and inviting.
Surveying this new place that would soon be their home, Sha Yi couldn’t help but smile.
Looking back, she realized that Xi Yi and his people hadn’t necessarily needed to live in the serpent-infested area. But vast stretches of water had cut them off from other lands, and without the knowledge to build boats or rafts, they had been trapped in that small, dangerous territory.
The giant-toothed eagles, native to Garo’s distant homeland, were creatures most of Xi Yi’s original tribe had never even seen—let alone ridden.
Xi Yi had mentioned that he’d only encountered them during a flood-induced migration.
Though he possessed the robust physique, survival skills, and resilience of his people, swimming across such vast waters alone would have been impossible.
He must have stumbled upon the eagles mid-journey, hitching a ride that eventually led him to Garo’s homeland.
But that was in the past. Now, they had no intention of returning there. This new place was more than enough.
Besides, Xi Yi held great hope for Xigu and the others.
They quickly moved their belongings into the cave.
Dinner was more roasted meat, and everyone ate heartily—even Sha Yi, who usually had a small appetite, finished two whole servings.
Once their stomachs were full, Garo and Tuge seemed to deliberately avoid them, quickly disappearing from sight.
Left alone by the fire, Sha Yi sat in quiet contemplation. Squinty, afraid of the flames, had retreated deeper into the cave to gnaw on the meat she’d given it. Every now and then, it glanced up at her, as if worried she might abandon it.
Xi Yi soon finished tidying up.
With no distractions from Squinty or the other two, his more amorous tendencies resurfaced.
He sidled up to her without pretense, his warm hands settling on her waist—at first innocently, but soon wandering elsewhere.
Sha Yi sighed inwardly.
His techniques had improved dramatically, alternating between light and firm touches, expertly targeting her weak spots.
Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and scolded playfully, “You’re injured—shouldn’t you be resting?”
He ignored her completely.
Just as he’d told her by the lake in the saber-toothed tiger’s territory, the rainy season was ending, and he wanted a child with her.
Having only brought it up a couple of days ago, he was already eager to act.
Though exasperated, she had no intention of pushing him away.
For him, she was always willing.
In this world, no man could compare to him—his love and devotion surpassed all else.
But with the other two still nearby, his plans for unrestrained passion would have to wait.
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