Epoch 4

Epoch 4: Marriage, what?

"Tang Tang, can you tell us the name of your original tribe?" Lia asked after stopping the arguing twins.

Tang Tang hesitated before he answered. "I don't know."

Lei furrowed, and the three beasts looked at Tang Tang, confused.

Everyone who hears Tang Tang's answer will surely react the same. Because it is impossible for a tribe to reject or throw out a sub-beast, especially one as beautiful as Tang Tang.

'Here we go, Ude!'

Tang Tang looked down when he saw their reaction. His eyes reddened, and he hesitated several times, fearful of what they might say. With a trembling voice, he said. "I don't clearly remember."

When Hou saw that Tang Tang was about to cry, he worriedly held his hands and spoke as if coaxing a child. "It's okay. It's okay. You don't have to remember; you can stay here if you want."

[Why didn't you become an actor, Tang Tang? (⁠・⁠o⁠・⁠)]

'I was scouted before, but I rejected it.'

[Why?]

'Actors don't have any privacy; everyone will want to know your backstory.'

Xue wanted to say something when he saw how pitiful the sub-beast was, but when he saw Hou's action, he stopped.

"Please don't get me wrong; we just want to know if you already belong to a tribe to avoid trouble in the future," Lia explained, his voice softening. "Because if you want to stay in our tribe, we are willing to compensate your previous tribe," he added.

Sub-beasts are precious; no tribe would let a sub-beast go without any compensation.

Lia can clearly see Hou's attitude towards Tang Tang; not only Hou but also Xue are showing interest in the sub-beast.

That's why he is willing to make Tang Tang stay in their tribe.

At the same time, he is quite curious about Tang Tang's tribe. Because the clothes he is wearing are very unique and distinct. It is impossible not to remember if he saw the same kind before.

If it is also not made from the monster's skin or fur, then where is it made from?

"I'm sorry. All I can remember is that I fell asleep." He paused, as if trying to remember what really happened to him next. "Then, when I woke up, I was already in the forest, and around me were plants with heart-shaped leaves."

'I didn't lie, right?'

[╮⁠(⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)⁠╭]

The silent Bei suddenly asked. "Other than the heart-shaped plants, did you see anything?"

Tang Tang looked up and saw the Chieftain's curious gaze, then he tried to recall the other things he saw when he woke up. "There are a lot of tall trees and... several giant flying monsters."

Tang Tang didn't pay too much attention to the details earlier; that's why he cannot properly describe the place where he woke up. Other than the giant birds flying above him, the only thing he remembers are the peculiar plants with heart-shaped leaves.

Bei and Lia looked at each other with surprise. Everyone in the tent knows the place Tang Tang vaguely describes because only one place on the entire Gaia continent has flying monsters and heart-shaped plants.

"Did the guardian—the giant flying monster—attack you?" Hou asked anxiously. He wants to check if Tang Tang has any injuries.

There is a folklore that passes from generation to generation in every tribe. It is a story about the Beast God after he created Gaia.

It was said that, after the Beast, God created Gaia. He then gave wisdom to the beasts and the ability to freely transform into humans to improve their lives. But the females were weakened by this evolution, which is why the Beast God decided to create the sub-beasts.

The first sub-beast was described as the most beautiful sub-beast ever created, and even the Beast God himself fell in love with him.

It is also believed that the Beast God stayed in Gaia just to accompany his beloved. And the place where they have lived for 500 years is called hallowed ground.

That's why the leaves of all the plants on the hallowed ground are shaped like a heart; it is to show how much the Beast God loves the first sub-beast.

And the giant flying monsters are the guardians of the hallowed ground, left by the Beast God to protect it from intruders.

The hallowed ground is abundant with herbal plants, fruits, and prey. Many beasts tried to hunt there, but before they could even enter, the guardians would attack them indiscriminately.

"No, they just fly above me," Tang Tang said.

'They are so noisy too..'

This makes the four people more curious about Tang Tang's identity.

'Did I say something wrong?' Tang Tang can feel the sudden weird atmosphere.

[No?]

After a minute of silence, Lia spoke as he stood up. "Let me get you some fruits to eat."

Tang Tang hurriedly stopped Lia. "No need.."

Then he remembered the wrapped fruit he had been carrying since earlier.

"I have fruit here; it is really delicious."

He opened it and showed it to them. A strong, sweet smell was permitted in the air.

"T-that.."

"Where did you get this?" Xue asked. He took the fruit from Tang Tang's hand and checked it.

"I saw it hanging on a vine on the way here. I'm hungry, so I picked it and ate half of it," he explained.

When Xue saw that his father and mother were looking at him, he nodded.

It is really the pitaya fruit that is guarded by a five-horned beast.

"Did you encounter any beasts?" Hou asked.

"I didn't." Tang Tang innocently shook his head. "Other than the one-horned beast I saw when I woke up, I didn't encounter any beasts on the way here."

[Of course, I am awesome 〜⁠(⁠꒪⁠꒳⁠꒪⁠)⁠〜]

'Yeah!'

Without Ude, he is sure that right now he is already a monster's lunch.

'Is it really safe now for a sub-beast to wander in the forest alone?' The family of four thought.

Lia smiled and said, "You traveled far; let Hou bring you to Xue's tent to rest."

"Eh!! Why does he need to stay in Xue's tent? He can stay in my tent," Hou said angrily.

"Tell that if you already cleaned your tent! The last time I checked it, it was so dirty, the monster's skins were all over the place, and..."

"Alright, mother!! Stop it already." Hou cut off Lia's nagging; he then saw Tang Tang covering his face and holding back his laughter.

"And don't laze around; you are scheduled to patrol around the tribe!!" Lia nags again.

"I know, mother." Hou is already used to Lia's nagging, but it is still embarrassing in Tang Tang's presence.

"Go now, so Tang Tang can still rest before dinner." After nagging his son, Lia's gentle demeanor returned.

Tang Tang slightly bowed and said. "Thank you!" to Bei and Lia before leaving with Hou.

"Don't forget to clean your tent. I will be staying with you tonight," Xue said before they left.

Hou glared at Xue. "Shut up! I know."

After the two left, Bei asked Xue. "What do you think?"

"I don't think he is lying," Xue replied flatly, staring at the pitaya fruit on his hands.

"How about you, Lia?"

"I think that he is the good fortune I foreshadowed yesterday." He is holding a bright blue gemstone in his hand.

"It makes sense; if he is really sent by the Beast God, the guardians didn't attack him; he is also able to get a fruit from the five-horned beast's nest and even arrived here without even a scratch," Bei said, the longest he has spoken today.

"Xue, take care of him."

"Yes."

___________.

It is getting dark outside, and the smell of roasted meat has slowly spread throughout the tribe.

On top of the soft grass that is covered by a soft monster's skin, a figure is quietly lying, dazed.

Tang Tang is not a fan of taking a nap; he is used to sleeping for 3 to 4 hours a day. That's why his mind is currently wandering, listening to the chitchat of the bustling crowd outside the tent.

'They sound lively.'

[Bored?]

'Yeah! I missed the internet; I want to watch K-dramas; I want to know the latest gossip in Hollywood; I miss listening to Taylor Swift songs...'

[(⁠｡⁠•́⁠︿⁠•̀⁠｡⁠)]

'Don't worry! I miss it, but it doesn't mean I want to go back.'

[Why don't you walk around the tribe? You might find something interesting.]

'I want to wash a little. I feel sticky.'

[There is a stream not far away from the chieftain's tent.]

'Okay!'

Tang Tang takes off his cardigan before he comes out of the tent.

When he came out, he was greeted by several curious eyes. He smiled politely and waved his hand in response, then he continued to walk in the direction of the stream.

When he arrived on the stream, he let Ude check the water first before washing his face.

The water is cold and refreshing to the skin. He now has an urge to take off his clothes and soak.

"Tang Tang!!" A familiar voice called him.

Before he could even turn around, he was hugged from behind.

"Hou?" The man didn't answer and just buried his head on his shoulder.

"What's wrong?" he inquired, but the man didn't answer and just gave him a hug.

He sighed.

He patted Hou's head and softly said, "Aren't you still happy when we parted earlier? Is there something that makes you upset?"

When Hou still didn't answer, Tang Tang didn't talk anymore and just let the man hug him.

After a few minutes, Tang Tang heard him mutter. "Everyone likes him; everyone wants to please him. He always has the first say; he always gets the best things. What is even good about that cold-faced guy?"

Even though Hou didn't mention the name of that person, Tang Tang already has a guess.

'The twins really have a dispute!'

"Tang Tang?"

"Hmm.."

Hou let him go and turned him over. Now, looking at the man's face, Tang Tang can see how frustrated he is.

"Don't marry him, okay?"

'eh?'

When Hou saw Tang Tang frown, he immediately added.

"If you want to marry him, you have to marry me first, okay?"

'Wait! What? Who will marry who?'

[I think he's talking about you.]

'No, I mean... This is my first day in this world, and why are we already talking about marriage?'