Tiger wife

Tiger Tribe Thunder

Chapter 8: Tiger Tribe Thunder

Although all walks of life had reopened for business, according to folk customs, the New Year period still extended until the Lantern Festival.

There were still many stalls selling New Year's goods and festive trinkets on the streets of the capital. In anticipation of the upcoming Lantern Festival, all sorts of small lanterns had been put on display. Some stalls had even invited master craftsmen to make them on-site, with completed works hanging on the racks in red and green, creating a lively and beautiful scene.

"Young Madam, we've arrived at Guangji Tang." Outside the sedan chair, a servant reported. Hu Wa snapped back to attention. Just moments ago, through the small window, she had been captivated by the lively people and scenes on the street, to the point of not realizing the sedan chair had stopped.

The servant lifted the sedan curtain, and she quickly composed herself, blinking to appear more alert and capable before moving out. Before she could even steady herself, a large, stout figure approached with clasped hands.

"A rare visitor, a rare visitor! I am Zhao Dade, the manager of Guangji Tang. Your visit to Guangji Tang, Young Madam Chang, truly illuminates this place!" He was a man of smooth words and adept at social graces, and it was unclear how he had learned of Hu Wa's arrival, as he had come out to greet her in advance.

Hu Wa was straightforward, her emotions clear on her face. Recalling her past ordeal, being tied up here and nearly losing her life, her face instantly turned frosty. Then, remembering the purpose of her visit, she wanted to obtain the prescription that Guangji Tang had previously given to Tian Ci for his treatment, and also to clarify the root cause of Tian Ci's illness, and whether it was truly incurable for life.

She had asked Chang Tian Ci about this several times, but he always brushed it off in a few words. If he wouldn't tell her, she was determined to know, so she had taken advantage of Tian Ci's absence to order two servants to secretly bring her here.

Today, she had a favor to ask. She took a deep breath and forced a smile at Zhao Dade, whose own smile was stretched to its limit.

"Mr. Zhao, your foresight is truly remarkable, to come out and wait for me. I am truly undeserving." *Well, that sounded decent enough,* she thought, trying hard to hide her sharp teeth and suppress the urge to pounce on him and bite him to death. *Ugh... this is so hard!*

Zhao Dade rubbed the back of his neck, a chill running down his spine for no apparent reason. He cautiously observed the shift in Hu Wa's expression, cleared his throat, and quickly beckoned, "Oh... you are too kind. Let's go inside the hall to talk. We have prepared fragrant tea. If you have something to discuss, let's sit down and talk it over slowly." He had seen many people; he had never seen a woman with such large eyes, like those of a predatory beast, with a faint golden glint in her dark pupils. *This Young Madam Chang wants to kill someone?!*

Upon entering Guangji Tang, Zhao Dade chose a seat slightly farther from Hu Wa, thinking that with people coming and going, it would be easier for him to call for help if anything were to happen.

Hu Wa sat down with a thud. Without waiting for pleasantries, she got straight to the point, "Mr. Zhao, I know my husband obtained a prescription from Guangji Tang. List the ingredients, I want it." Thankfully, no tigers were brought in upside down to Guangji Tang today, otherwise... She gritted her teeth.

Zhao Dade was taken aback at first, not understanding her intention.

"Are you going to give it to me or not?!" Hu Wa thought he was also going to be evasive like Chang Tian Ci, refusing to let her know. Her tone naturally rose, and with the lingering resentment from their past encounter, her beautiful eyes revealed a fierce glint as she glared at him.

Zhao Dade was stunned. He swallowed before saying, "Give... give it... I'll have the doctor copy... copy a set for... for you..." Rumor had it that Miss Yulan of Wen Family Fort in the northeast was gentle and virtuous. Seeing her today, how could she be like a fierce demon? Could it be... could it be a substitute?! he couldn't help but think.

"Then hurry up." Hearing him agree, her expression softened slightly, knowing she had startled him.

People often harbor grudges while feigning friendship, burying their resentment deep. Even if they develop hatred towards someone, they must maintain a facade of peace and then seek an opportunity for revenge. These things were indeed difficult for her.

At this moment, Zhao Dade beckoned a servant, asking him to get the prescription from a certain doctor. As he was giving the instructions, an apprentice ran over from behind, holding a piece of oiled paper. It was dark and emitted a strong medicinal scent. Upon seeing Zhao Dade, he asked, "Mr. Zhao, Dr. Li said the new ointment is ready and asked me to bring it for you to see. He's going to change into clean clothes and will be out shortly." As he spoke, his expression was quite excited, "This time, we've roasted tiger bone powder using a special method and mixed it with over a dozen herbs for reducing bruises and relieving pain. Dr. Li says it has incredible therapeutic effects for chronic rheumatism and joint swelling. If we launch—uh—eh—" His words abruptly stopped. He felt a gust of wind sweep past, as if something had lunged at him. Before he could react, the sensation was over. He stared in bewilderment at his empty hands and then looked up at the woman who had snatched the dark oiled paper.

Hu Wa's action left everyone present completely bewildered. Several pairs of eyes had seen her swift movements, like lightning, and then watched her pretty face turn pale blue as she held the oiled paper to her nose and sniffed it, her actions bizarre and inexplicable.

"Madam, this is ointment... not food. Please don't—"

Hu Wa suddenly looked up, her gaze like a torch sweeping over the apprentice, who immediately fell silent, his legs trembling.

Her gaze shifted to Zhao Dade, and she asked in a deep voice, "You killed tigers again?!"

Old and new grudges alike surged forth. The suppressed anger now broke free. She advanced, and Zhao Dade seemed nailed to his chair, too terrified to move.

"You killed tigers again!" Hu Wa shouted sternly, then angrily asked, "The main ingredient in the prescription you gave Tian Ci was also tiger bone. Why did you make him drink that medicine? Must it be tiger bone?" She did not want Chang Tian Ci to take such medicine. She felt as if he had also become her enemy. She would find a way to cure his illness and help him recover completely. She was sure that somewhere in heaven and earth, there would be other medicinal ingredients that could replace tiger bone.

"No, no, no! Young... Young Madam... Young Master Chang's medicine... prescription does not contain tiger... tiger bone," Even though Zhao Dade had seen a lot, this Young Madam Chang was clearly here to cause trouble at Guangji Tang. He couldn't react immediately and could only answer along with her words. "There is no tiger bone. That... that tiger bone is usually ground into powder and used externally, not for decoction. So, so, so..." His "so" became quieter and quieter as he shrewdly observed this plague-like woman. He saw that her expression was uncertain, as if she hadn't figured things out.

"You're saying that medicine doesn't contain tiger bone?!" she asked in shock, the oiled paper falling to the ground without her noticing, her emotions in turmoil.

"Yes, yes. Tiger bone is for external application, not internal consumption."

"But Tian Ci said..." *He's lying, a liar!* Hu Wa suddenly realized, but she didn't know why he would do that!

However, whether it was for external or internal use, to her, killing tigers was unacceptable, flaying them for their bones was unacceptable, and grinding tiger bones into powder was also unacceptable. Her beautiful eyes burned, and she gritted her teeth, "You... all of you are bad people!"

Saying this, her sharp fangs emerged, shining with a fierce light. She roared and lunged forward. However, she had only jumped a foot high when her collar was grabbed from behind and she was pulled back.

In a flash, she was subdued.

"I want to bite people, get away!" Hu Wa's feet couldn't touch the ground. She was greatly startled, cursed, and twisted her body, but she couldn't break free from the restraint, nor could she turn her head.

Her mission had failed before it even began, how infuriating.

"If you don't get away, I'll bite you too!" she roared. Then, the grip on her collar loosened. She jumped down and spun around. The harsh words were already at the tip of her tongue, but she saw the man squinting at her, his brows furrowed—

"Tian... Tian Ci..." Her fangs automatically retracted, her momentum disappearing like a thousand miles.

"Who told Guangji Tang to use tiger bone as medicine?! I just like tigers, I don't want anyone to hurt them!" In the Chang family mansion, Young Madam Chang's hand was held tightly by her husband. She liked his closeness, but this was no ordinary moment. She knew he was angry. Her small hand tried to pull away, but it was in vain. She could only be half-dragged, half-pulled into the room by the man.

"So you just barged in, wanting to bite them to death?!" Chang Tian Ci's voice rose slightly. He was not a person who showed his emotions, but the force he used on her was not light.

"You're hurting me!" Hu Wa was both angry and wronged. She slapped his arm with her other hand, planting her feet stubbornly, not wanting to move. Suddenly, the world spun. He simply picked her up by the waist and kicked the door open.

Hu Wa was stunned. It wasn't until she was thrown onto the soft mattress that her senses returned. A question surfaced in her mind—

Why did his strength suddenly increase so much? He had subdued her at Guangji Tang, and the force with which he held her small hand was also difficult for her to break free from. Although she had spiritual energy stored in her Yuan Xu, it was only enough to protect his body, not enough to give him the strength of a thousand jin. The current situation was truly too strange.

Strange. The word flashed through her mind, and Hu Wa couldn't help but feel a little worried, secretly wondering if he had glimpsed her tiger fangs transforming. She didn't want to either, but her heart was angry. Pity for the tigers that had died, she couldn't control herself.

Getting up from the soft cushion, she sat up straight and glanced at the man. Feeling a little guilty, she was about to speak when she saw him lean over, sit on the edge of the bed, and reach out his large hand to hold hers. This time, the force was extremely light and gentle as he slowly massaged it for her.

"Does it hurt here?!" he asked, his expression displeased.

"Ah?!" Hu Wa was dumbfounded, but her heart slowly melted.

"Is it here that I hurt you?" He glanced at her.

"Mm."

A moment of silence followed. He was so focused on massaging her hand that the corners of his lips relaxed unconsciously, and his anger seemed to dissipate considerably.

She gazed at him, her affection blossoming. She flipped her hand over, which was being massaged, and instead actively grasped his large hand, looking into his deep eyes. "Tian Ci, I have something to ask you."

He liked the warmth emanating from her delicate hand, his expression finally warming up. His voice was steady, "What is it?"

"You... why did you lie? I asked Guangji Tang, and their prescription for you did not contain tiger bone. You lied to me that day, deliberately deceiving me. Why did you lie?"

*Lied?!* Chang Tian Ci smiled faintly. He didn't remember when he had lied, but he remembered a certain tigress.

"If you don't speak, it means you're guilty." Although her tone was soft, her bright, sparkling eyes accused him.

"I lied to you, deliberately teasing you."

"Why?" It was her turn to firmly grasp his hand.

He suddenly leaned forward and pecked her red lips. They separated immediately. Seeing her stunned face again, he found it amusing. "If it was deliberate, why would there be any other reason?"

"You, you, you—" This man is truly wicked. The thought flashed through her mind, and she bit the back of his hand. However, she couldn't bring herself to bite hard, leaving only a shallow tooth mark on his skin.

As she relaxed, Chang Tian Ci actually brought his hand to his lips and licked the tooth mark with his tongue. His eyes deepened, the light within them complex and ever-changing, fixed on the woman before him. Such an expression and action were both familiar and natural. Hu Wa was momentarily dazed, a certain matter flashing through her mind like a fleeting shadow, gone as quickly as it appeared, impossible to grasp.

"Why are you l*****g the back of your hand?!" That was the gentlest gesture of an animal.

"Learning from you." He smiled at her, stopped l*****g his hand, and instead gently licked her tender cheek.

"Chang Tian Ci?!" Hu Wa covered her cheek, her large eyes round, her small face flushed like red clouds.

They gazed at each other for a while longer. He seemed to have something to say. He sighed first, then cupped her hand in his palm.

"Hu Wa, I know you love tigers very much, and it pains you to see them injured or killed. But you can't be so impulsive like today, without asking questions, threatening to bite people to death at the slightest provocation."

*I really wanted to bite people to death,* she thought secretly. Tian Ci must have thought she was just speaking in anger.

"But... but they are very bad, using tiger bones to make medicine. So more hunters will go into the mountains to hunt and kill tigers, and sell them to them. This cycle will continue, it's just, it's just too bad." She wasn't good with words, struggling to organize her thoughts, expressing what she believed to be the truth.

"So, you also think I am a bad person?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Wa's heart trembled.

He continued, "The Chang family's medicinal business is somewhat involved. Besides hunting, we also buy tigers from other hunters, flay them for their bones. Do you also think I am utterly bad? Detestable and hateful?"

Her small mouth opened and closed several times, finally squeezing out the words with difficulty, "The Chang family doing this... is also wrong."

The response was a deep sigh, tinged with helplessness and worry. He thought it would take much longer to completely change her mind.

This was understandable. Who told her she was naturally passionate and impulsive, and could never let go of her affection for her kin? But he and she were now husband and wife in this world, and for the sake of their future years, he couldn't let her get into any accidents.

Today, she had almost used her spiritual energy to transform at Guangji Tang. If he hadn't arrived in time, he feared he wouldn't have been able to clean up the mess.

"The Chang family is wrong, so are you planning to bite my father to death, bite my stepmother to death, and then bite me to death, and then bite every person in the world who kills tigers, trades in tigers, or uses tiger bones as medicine?"

Hu Wa hadn't expected him to say this. For some reason, a wave of grievance washed over her, her eyes welled up with tears, making her look pitiful yet stubborn. "I haven't bitten anyone to death... Why are you so fierce?!"

*How am I fierce?!* His tone remained steady, but his questions were aggressive.

Seeing her throw a tantrum, looking so pitiable, Chang Tian Ci was instantly speechless. He recalled what she had said to her great-aunt on the snowy mountain, proving her deep affection for him... Was he being too demanding? If she had chosen to return to her clan, she would not have suffered the pain of worldly emotions. Yet, she had ultimately decided to stay for him, and he had continuously demanded things without clearly expressing his feelings.

"Hu Wa, don't cry anymore." He sighed deeply, not knowing what else he could do but sigh. He said that with time, he could treat her well. Then, his tone lightened, "I know you haven't bitten anyone to death. Your teeth are small and delicate, like white seashells. They can only leave a mark on the back of my hand, but they don't have the strength to bite anyone to death."

"You, you—" Hu Wa blinked her large eyes and suddenly threw herself into his arms, actively wrapping her arms around his waist, and whimpered with tears, "Tian Ci, don't be angry. I promise you... I won't be so impulsive anymore, I won't scare anyone at the slightest provocation!" She had wanted to say "bite anyone to death," but she thought this man wouldn't understand such phrasing, so she changed her words at the last moment. "I will try my best to control my temper, Tian Ci... Don't be angry..."

"I'm not angry," he said softly, stroking her hair with his palm and massaging her delicate shoulders.

Hearing her promise, Chang Tian Ci's heart trembled, and his affection increased greatly. He slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, embracing her warm fragrance.

"Tiger bones are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, and their price in the market is too high. I have already asked several renowned physicians in the capital to jointly research and find medicinal ingredients that can replace the efficacy of tiger bones. You promised to try your best to control your temper, and you must keep your word. And you don't like people killing tigers, so I will also try my best to do it for you, okay?"

Hu Wa suddenly looked up, tears streaking her cheeks, her eyes clear. "Are you telling the truth..."

Chang Tian Ci smiled and nodded.

The next second, a joyful exclamation rang out. She cupped his face and kissed him heavily and clumsily, kissing his eyes, his cheeks, the tip of his nose, and his broad forehead, finally pressing her lips repeatedly against his handsome, thin lips.

He let out a soft hum, not expecting such a generous reward for a little appeasement. He parted his lips and changed from passive to active, deepening their embrace, the beating of their two hearts.

After a while, their breaths intertwined. He pressed his nose against hers, looking closely at the woman's flushed, drunkenly beautiful face, and couldn't help but murmur, "Hu Wa, you are so beautiful."

No woman dislikes being praised for her beauty. Hu Wa's face turned even redder, her brows filled with joy. She suddenly pursed her lips and paused slightly, as if recalling something. Then she heard her murmur, "More beautiful than Lady Yao Guang?"

"Who?!" He was lost in her beauty and softly uttered, "Who?"

"She was supposed to marry you..."

"I only know that you are beautiful. My eyes only want to look at you. How would I know if other girls are beautiful?" He replied abruptly, cutting off Hu Wa's slightly resentful words.

She was stunned for a moment, then a radiant smile bloomed, and she hugged him tightly.

At this moment, warmth and tenderness filled the air.

He had been lost in his cultivation, wandering in the heavens and earth for a long, long time, day after day, year after year. Finally, his heart had found direction, no longer like a kite with a broken string or duckweed on the water. He had found an eternal goal to uphold, to spend with a woman.

"Hu Wa, I also have something to ask you."

"Mm?!" she softly responded, her small tongue unconsciously extending again, habitually l*****g him.

Chang Tian Ci smiled faintly, gently tilting her face.

"Before you married me, did you have someone you liked in your heart? Did you imagine what your future husband should look like?" He wanted to know because his great-aunt had hinted to him that a hundred years ago, when he was still in the clan, this young girl had witnessed a battle between the Tiger Tribe and the Wolf Tribe, and since then, she had admired someone. Then, twenty-two years ago, when they met, in front of the small cabin in the deep mountains, the moonlight shone on her delicate face, and he heard her murmur a distant name...

A brief look of confusion crossed Hu Wa's small face. She looked at him, her thoughts like a galloping horse gradually settling into peace. She honestly said, "Tian Ci... since you've asked, I... I don't want to lie to you... Since a long, long time ago, there has always been someone in my heart. Mm... I can't say a person, he was just a figure. I've never seen his appearance... I thought that feeling was liking, but it wasn't, because you, you—" She paused, lowered her head, her demeanor so endearing. She took a deep breath and said, "I don't know how to say it... That person is still in my heart. My feeling towards him is admiration and longing. In this life, I truly hope to meet him once. And towards you... Tian Ci, I, I, I can't quite explain it for a moment, I only know that you are very, very, very important to me." The three consecutive "very important" were spoken with a light tone, but they struck Chang Tian Ci's chest like solid blows.

His heart churned like waves. He gazed at her without blinking for a long time before uttering a single sentence, a soft hum like a song, "You are really like a little doll." Her thoughts were so pure, her feelings so clearly displayed. Compared to her, he had deceived her too much.

Huh?! Hu Wa had no idea what he meant by that. Her beautiful eyes blinked innocently, a little unconvinced.

"I am not a little doll."

His smile was full of joy, gentle and soft, drawing her into a leisurely float in a watery expanse.

He raised his hand and stroked her round cheek, then whispered in her ear, intoxicating her.

"Hu Wa... let's have a baby, okay?"

Before she could react, the man had already embraced her, and they both fell onto the soft mattress, his lips kissing hers, ardent yet reverent.

*Have a baby?!*

She turned sideways, propped her head on her hand, and gazed at the man's serene sleeping face, a smile on her lips, unaware of it herself.

She wanted to be a worldly couple with him, and then, as he wished, have a litter of cute babies.

*A litter?!* She thought of the unit of counting she had just used and couldn't help but chuckle. She then remembered that he was a mortal, and she was a beast spirit. What would their offspring be like?

This question was extremely important to her. Her eyes narrowed as she pondered for a moment, and she had an idea.

She tiptoed away from him, got up, put on her clothes, and silently pushed the door open. She planned to return to Changbai Mountain again, thinking that her great-aunt, with her vast powers and unfathomable knowledge, would surely be able to resolve her doubts.

The night was very deep, and the moon was hidden behind the clouds, revealing only half of its face.

She stood in the corridor outside the room, her gaze sweeping towards a small garden in front. The air was faintly tense. She couldn't pinpoint what was wrong. She tilted her ear slightly. The surroundings were extremely quiet. No insects chirped, no frogs croaked, not even the wind moved freely.

Eerie. It was as if someone was lurking in the shadows, secretly observing her with a pair of mysterious eyes.

"Who?!" she asked sharply, her feet involuntarily stepping down the corridor steps towards the small garden.

No one responded. It was still silent, but the surrounding airflow was tightening.

Something was unusual. She was startled and worried about the man sleeping in the room. She quickly turned back. After only a few steps, a powerful force blocked her path, violently flinging her back.

She let out a scream and flew towards the garden. Just as she was about to fall to the ground, a pair of strong arms caught her in the darkness, also restraining her.

"Hu Wa, I've finally found you." The voice was hoarse, shaking the soul.

She suddenly looked up, gazing into a face that emerged from the dark territory. Her eyes widened, and she exclaimed in shock, "Hei Lingxiao, what are you doing here?!"

"Taking you back." As he spoke, he waved his hand, effortlessly gripping Hu Wa's wrists.

"What are you doing! Let go! Hei Lingxiao, let me go!"

He ignored her struggles. Suddenly, his brows furrowed sharply. He sensed that Hu Wa's spiritual energy had greatly diminished. He asked fiercely, "Did you really give your Yuan Xu to that mortal?!" It was jealousy, so intense it almost choked him.

To them, the Yuan Xu silver bead was their life. She had actually given her life to someone else. How much weight did that mortal man hold in her heart?!

"That mortal is my husband!" Hu Wa struggled desperately, her wrists in extreme pain.

"I am your husband. You will marry me." To find her, he had gone to great lengths, not hesitating to enter the mortal capital. If anyone blocked him, he would kill them; if gods blocked him, he would destroy gods.

"The devil will marry you! Let go quickly! I don't want to go with you!" She panted, glaring at him. "I warn you, Great-Aunt is coming soon. Don't think no one can stop you!"

He looked at her deeply. Suddenly, his ferocity intensified, and he said gloomily, "You are unwilling to leave with me for that mortal. Well... hehe... very well... I will go kill him, so you won't have any worries." After saying this, he moved towards the room door.

"No!" Hu Wa cried out in terror, her face turning deathly pale. She struggled to stop him, but it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. "It has nothing to do with Tian Ci! Killing him is useless. I only love Tian Ci. Even if Tian Ci dies, I won't go with you, and I will never like you! Do you understand, Hei Lingxiao?" She couldn't help but cry, "I beg you... don't hurt him—"

These words were like adding fuel to the fire, igniting Hei Lingxiao's jealousy and shaping malice in his heart.

"The more you love him, the more I want him dead, in the most painful way."

"No—"

The room door flew open with a "bang," splitting into two halves and smashing violently. He dragged Hu Wa and strode inside.

The moment her toes touched the floor, in that fleeting instant, two sharp lights suddenly flashed before his eyes. The ground sank infinitesimally, and light came from all directions, piercing through layers of mist, swirling around him and Hu Wa.

They stepped into the room and fell into a transformed space.

"Who?!" Although Hei Lingxiao was startled, he quickly stabilized his mind in an instant, his hand still firmly gripping Hu Wa.

"Great-Aunt, save me!" Hu Wa cried out in joy, shouting towards the faint figure behind the white mist, "I'm not going with him, Great-Aunt, I don't want to go with him—"

But then she heard the white figure say, "Release my wife." Although the tone was light, it was clear.

Upon hearing this, both Hei Lingxiao and Hu Wa were inwardly stunned.

"Who are you?!" he asked again sternly, stepping forward aggressively.

At this moment, it was unclear where the wind came from. The white mist seemed to have a life of its own, swirling rapidly around the figure, then scattering, then becoming still, and then, the figure stepped out, appearing under the silver light, and replied—

"Tiger Tribe Ben Lei."