Chapter 4: The Beastman Who Judges by Appearance!

A flicker of hesitation appeared on Slade’s face. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it again, glancing first at Kiyue and then at Huli’er, his thoughts unsettled.

Kiyue stepped forward. “Chieftain, I have no objections. I agree to dissolve the contract immediately.”

Hearing Kiyue’s firm and resolute words, Slade felt a surge of frustration. Could she truly have no feelings for him? It wounded his pride deeply—especially since she had once wronged him. No, he couldn’t bear to be the only one suffering. He stepped forward and said, “Chieftain, I do not agree to dissolve the contract!”

“What? You don’t agree?” The chieftain looked at Slade in surprise. He had assumed Slade would be the last to oppose the dissolution. Why was he doing this? Was he going to betray Huli’er? “Do you want to keep Huli’er in a nameless, positionless status by your side?” Hu Wei demanded angrily.

“I… I still have feelings for Kiyue. I don’t want to end the contract just yet. Can I have more time to think?” Slade looked at Hu Wei with hopeful eyes.

Hu Wei glanced at his daughter, then at Kiyue. “Chieftain, a bonded contract is a pact between partners based on mutual love and trust, forged under the witness of the Beast God,” Kiyue explained, her voice calm yet unwavering.

Hu Wei listened but wasn’t sure where she was going with this.

Kiyue continued, “Chieftain, do you believe that love and trust can still exist between Slade and me? It is impossible. To not dissolve the contract would be to deceive the Beast God, to desecrate the sacred vows of companionship. What consequences might that bring? I believe you, the shaman, and the elders here understand this far better than I do.”

Kiyue’s words stunned the five elders present. They had always seen her as a quiet, reserved female, much like her mother. None expected such a clear and resounding declaration upon her awakening from unconsciousness.

Of course, the elders saw even further ahead and agreed with the dissolution. However, “Kiyue, we all understand what you mean, but whether it is to form or dissolve a contract, both parties must consent,” Hu Wei said with some difficulty, looking at the two.

“Slade, why do you oppose the dissolution?” Kiyue asked.

“Kiyue, I still love you.” Slade’s gaze lingered on her large eyes and the exposed skin he adored—though he couldn’t understand why she was hiding her face.

“Love me, even like this?” Kiyue removed the snake skin that had covered her face, revealing a large, red blotch just below her left eye. Like a pearl gathering dust, her beauty was marred by the blemish, shattering Slade’s infatuation.

Everyone present, except Ling’er, showed shock. Of course, Lu Li thought for a moment and understood—Kiyue’s determination to dissolve the contract was resolute, though its success remained uncertain.

Slade’s infatuated gaze vanished, replaced by disdain in Huli’er’s eyes.

“What happened? This wasn’t here two years ago?” Slade pressed.

“You knew it was two years ago?” Ling’er mocked. “Sister Yue developed a small red spot after laying eggs, which gradually grew over the past two years.”

Slade, trusting Ling’er who had cared for Kiyue, believed her and stepped forward. “Then let’s dissolve the contract. Chieftain, I leave it to you.”

Hu Wei frowned. What kind of matter was this? Slade had only valued Kiyue’s appearance, judging her by looks alone—such conduct was a disgrace to their kind. Could vows be so easily broken?

Seeing his daughter’s eyes filled with contempt for Kiyue, but none for Slade, Hu Wei felt disappointed. “Since both of you agree to dissolve the contract, Kiyue, please remove the protective stone from your chest.”

Kiyue took off a pale green stone, intertwined with brown and blue patterns, embedded on her chest, and handed it to Hu Wei.

Hu Wei placed the stone into the sacred flame on the stone altar. After fifteen minutes, he retrieved it—the patterns had all vanished. Returning the stone to Slade, he said, “It is done. Slade and Kiyue are now officially released from the bonded contract. From this day forth, the male and female shall be no longer connected.”

At these words, Kiyue felt a wave of relief, as if a shackle had been lifted—finally free from this unreliable beast. In her eyes, such a beast, lacking responsibility and steadfastness, did not deserve the name of their kind. To be a true beast, one must be brave and resolute, like her father.

“Father, please perform the bonding ceremony for Huli’er and me!” Huli’er suddenly stepped forward.

“Uh… Huli’er, don’t you want to reconsider?” Hu Wei asked his daughter, still struggling to accept Slade.

“No need to reconsider. I’ve waited long enough,” Huli’er said confidently. Surely Slade would not refuse her now.

“Slade, do you agree to bond with Huli’er?” Hu Wei asked helplessly. In their world, if both parties consented, the ceremony could proceed. Even the father could not prevent it.

Slade looked at Huli’er. Though her appearance did not match Kiyue’s former beauty, she was still the tribe’s second most beautiful female and had lived with him for two years. Now was the time to give her an answer. Besides, Kiyue’s ruined appearance no longer suited him. “I agree.”

“Since both of you agree, in the presence of myself, the shaman, and the three elders, Slade and Huli’er, you shall drip your blood onto the protective stone and swear your vows to the Beast God,” Hu Wei continued.

Slade and Huli’er knelt before the stone altar and each let blood drip onto the protective stone. They raised their hands and swore, “Beast God above, I, Slade (Huli’er), voluntarily swear to respect and love each other, bonding as companions.”

The protective stone emitted a pale green glow, absorbing the blood stains. Then brown and red patterns intertwined across its surface, before the glow faded.

“From this moment on, Slade and Huli’er are officially bonded as companions. You must love and support each other and bear offspring as soon as possible. This is our inescapable duty of propagation,” Hu Wei declared as the contract patterns fully spread across the stone.

Kiyue watched the patterns calmly. She had considered leaving when they announced the ceremony but had stayed to speak privately with the chieftain and to avoid seeming petty or constrained.

After the ceremony, Huli’er was eager to drag her father away. “Father, hurry, we have the bonding gathering to prepare for tonight.”

At that moment, Kiyue called out, stopping the chieftain. “Chieftain, there is something I wish to discuss with you.”

“What could you possibly want to say? Don’t delay my bonding gathering! You’re not trying to seduce my father, are you?” Huli’er sneered upon seeing Kiyue, speaking with no kindness at all.