Beauty and the Beasts

With Third weighing tens of kilograms in her arms, Bai Qingqing walked towards her bonfire.

Curtis, Parker, and Winston were all there. White and fragrant smoke rose from the roasted prey, whose top layer had been cooked.

Gatherings here were similar to that of the City of Beastmen. Here, basically, it was also one female to one bonfire. There were more beastmen gathered around some bonfires and fewer around others. Bai Qingqing’s bonfire had one of the fewest people around it.

As there were few tiger beastmen, all the male beastmen were allowed to participate. Those without spouses came together and shared a bonfire.

Bai Qingqing walked to them and sat down between Parker and Curtis. She looked around and caught sight of Bluepool under a tree with no one around.

“Bluepool, come and eat with us.” Bai Qingqing sneaked a glance at Parker and Curtis as she spoke. Seeing that neither voiced objections, she heaved a sigh of relief.

Bluepool gazed at the bonfires laid around and, after a moment’s hesitation, transformed into a human and walked towards Bai Qingqing.

Many females would secretly peek at the merman. Upon seeing his revealed reproductive organ, they couldn’t help but look away.

Mermen’s reproductive organs were also very beautiful. While a land beastman’s reproductive organ could be described as a grotesque weapon, mermen’s reproductive organ was likened to exquisite fine jade.

The atmosphere changed subtly.

Even those males who hadn’t noticed Bluepool earlier couldn’t help but look towards him with a sense of enmity.

Bluepool ignored everyone’s gazes and merely cast a wary glance at Curtis. When he reached their bonfire, he wisely transformed his legs into a fishtail and sat slanted between Winston and Parker.

Parker nimbly sliced a piece of cooked meat and dipped it in salt before placing it in Bai Qingqing’s bowl. “Eat some. I’ll go home and bring the hotpot over, to cook a bowl of noodles for you.”

As she couldn’t bear to see Parker run about, she feigned nonchalance and said, “No need, I’ll just eat this today. It’s been a long time since I ate meat to my heart’s content.”

Taking her words for real, Parker sliced another large piece of meat for her.

Merfolk was like snake beastmen in that both species were afraid of heat. But in order to practice taking care of a female, Bluepool had developed a good understanding of fire and also liked to eat cooked food. In a skilled manner, he yanked off a chunk of meat.

“Roar~”

The cubs, too, stuck out their claws. Due to their short statures, the instant they stuck out their paws, their fur was burnt by the fire, making them so startled that they started swinging their legs wildly.

“Little rascals, don’t get the mud on your paws onto the food.” Parker howled at them, before ripping off a large chunk of meat and tossing it to the field. The three cubs instantly went to fight for it.

Everyone was having a merry time eating around the bonfire, and only Curtis was quietly gazing at Bai Qingqing.

She gazed around and asked, “Winston, are there still more prey?”

“Of course.” Winston glanced at Curtis and said, “There’s sufficient food for everyone today.”

“That’s good.”

Curtis didn’t care much about this and didn’t react upon hearing this.

After the beastmen more or less ate their fill, the tribal head walked to Bai Qingqing’s bonfire.

“Your Majesty, the salt in the village is nearly depleted. It’s time to go to the seaside to exchange for them.”

Winston asked, “How many males do you send every year?”

“Fifty.”

Winston pondered for a moment, before saying, “Right now, we need to be guarded against the invasion of the scorpion tribe. Let’s choose thirty males and set off tomorrow.”

“Thirty? That’s too heavy a burden!” said the tribal head with a frown.

“Those going are young males. To send fifty of them at one go, the village will be in danger.”

The tribal head let out a sigh and could only consent.

Bai Qingqing couldn’t help but look towards Bluepool as she listened to their conversation.

“Why are you looking at me?” asked Bluepool.

“How do you guys harvest salt? Can you tell us?” asked Bai Qingqing cautiously.

In order to exchange for salt, everyone in the village couldn’t bear to eat the smoked meat and would rather stay hungry. Once the cold season ended, they had to go to the seaside to exchange for salt. It was too tough on them.