Chapter 48: The Arrogant Female

When Fengzhu had just brought several females over, she had intended to teach this outsider female a lesson. But unexpectedly, Fengyu’s protective power was so strong that no one could come within half a meter of her, which drove Fengzhu into a jealous frenzy. The others could only stand around and curse her, yet the female did not utter a single word.

“Your home is next door; please leave,” Fengyu replied bluntly.

“But I’ve lived here for ten years,” Fengzhu said, surprised by his coldness.

“Oh? Is that so? Fengchi, set this place on fire,” Qiyue said, brushing off the nonexistent dust on herself as if she had caught something dirty, then patted Fengyu to transform.

Fengyu had no choice but to rise, gathering the grass mat he had taken out for Qiyue to rest on and all his belongings, then led the mother and child out.

As Fengyu carried them out of the house, Fengchi turned back and breathed a stream of fire, igniting the entire tree. Since arriving at Fengyan, Mother’s tone had been somewhat unusual. Hearing her speak like this made him break out in cold sweat; he dared not disobey her now. Besides, this wasn’t his home; if it burned, it would not trouble him at all.

Fengchi was terrified inside, never having seen Mother like this before. He no longer cared about his sacred beast dignity, though no one else could tell.

When Fengxiao saw Fengchi just breathe fire, his heart skipped a beat. He grabbed Fengzhu and flew out quickly. Fortunately, he reacted swiftly; judging by the color of the flames, even as a fire phoenix, he could not endure it. The nearby beastmen also fled further away.

Outside, due to Fengchi’s fire, more and more tribe members gathered. The females who had been chased away earlier returned with their parents for revenge.

The tribe’s elder approached and questioned, “Fengyu, what are you doing?”

[It’s the elder, nothing serious. Just that a female angered my son and he set a fire. Luckily, only my house was burned, no one else was harmed.] Fengyu explained clearly, leaving no room for the elder to twist the matter.

“Since it’s burned, then let him stay with the shaman,” the elder decreed.

“We’re not sick, why would we stay there?” Qiyue asked in confusion.

“Beastmen speak, what business does a female have to interrupt? Besides, it’s for the divine phoenix to stay there. Our tribe doesn’t welcome you,” the elder sneered at Qiyue, as if speaking to her lowered his own status.

With that, Qiyue understood the implication. She turned to the beastman who resembled Fengyu somewhat and said, “You’re Fengyu’s sire, right? We came to see you. Now that we have, take care of yourself. We’re leaving.”

Fengyu nodded to his father and prepared to fly off.

The elder immediately ordered several beastmen to block the way. “You may leave, but the divine phoenix must remain!”

“Nonsense! If someone wanted your cubs, would you agree? Stay out of the way if you don’t want to get hurt!” Qiyue couldn’t help but curse fiercely.

“You’re really arrogant! But does Fengyu have the strength alone to face so many beastmen? I advise you to cooperate,” the elder said disdainfully.

“Want to try? Chi’er, how many can withstand the Vermilion Bird fire tempered with lava veins?” Qiyue teased, stroking her son’s soft hair.

Hearing Qiyue, Fengyu grew anxious. [Yue, this is no joke! I wouldn’t dare touch lava fire, let alone Chi’er’s divine phoenix flame. Father, make them get out of the way! That fire just now was casual from Chi’er, already so fierce. If he gets serious, no one in the tribe can stand it.]

“We’re not bluffing! Fengyu, don’t put on airs. Taking the divine phoenix away isn’t that easy,” the elder scoffed.

“Heh, is that so? Chi’er, Mother thinks those beastmen’s tail feathers look pretty. Shall we burn a few to decorate the house?” Qiyue joked.

“Mother, if you want phoenix tail feathers, you can look at Father’s or mine. What’s so special about theirs? They’re not as beautiful as ours,” Chi’er said curiously.

“Mother wants them for decoration or to make a phoenix feather fan. Pulling Father’s would hurt terribly! Chi’er’s feathers, I’m even more reluctant. I also heard that long-tailed birds like you use tail feathers for navigation. If broken, you can’t fly—then you’re useless,” the beastmen blocking them shuddered at her words.

“Mother, you’re talking about an ordinary phoenix. Father and I are fire phoenixes; our feathers can regenerate, but if broken, they turn into a ball of fire. Also, Mother, Chi’er is still young and can’t control the flame well. If you let me burn theirs, I’d just set them all on fire,” Fengchi said awkwardly. The beastmen nearby fled even further. What a terrifying mother and son!

While the pair chatted happily, Fengyu quietly told his father, ‘Father, Chi’er was born with a defect and only recovered after eighty-one days in lava. He is a divine phoenix Vermilion Bird; his divine flame is fearsome. He feels his sacred beast dignity has been challenged. Don’t test him or someone will die. If there are casualties, it will be even harder to handle.’

Fengxiao knew Fengyu was truthful and shouted, “By the authority of Fengyan’s clan leader, I order you to let them pass!”

The elder shouted, “Leader, you can’t!”

Fengxiao sternly ordered, “Let them pass!” The blocking phoenixes reluctantly moved aside.

Fengyu carried the mother and son as they flew out of the tribe.

[Yue, I’m sorry for the troubles you faced.] Fengyu said sadly.

“I’m not angry; I don’t know those people. Getting mad at them is pointless. I just feel sorry you have no home to return to,” Qiyue said. She wasn’t truly angry; she had expected this outcome.

“Since we bonded, I no longer consider myself part of Fengyan. So you don’t need to worry,” Fengyu said, relieved that Qiyue wasn’t upset.

“Fengyu, should we find a cave nearby to stay for a few days? Maybe your father can get closer to Chi’er?” Qiyue asked after some thought.

“No need. Father is probably being questioned by other elders now; it’s inconvenient. Let’s leave quickly. If conflict breaks out causing casualties, it’s something none of us want,” Fengyu said. He was happy Qiyue was thinking of his welfare.

“Alright then. Once we fly far away, you fly lower so I can see if I can find some good things; it’s harvest season after all,” Qiyue said optimistically, no longer dwelling on what happened in Fengyan. After all, they only wanted to keep Fengchi; there was nothing more to say. The inevitable conclusion was that they left.