Chapter 6 : Hot and Cold

'His smile is so beautiful!'

'His hand is so soft!'

Hou let Tangtang pull him. He still can't believe that the sub-beast was talking to him and even held his rough and callused hand.

Along the way, Tangtang asks some random question about Hou and the Winged Tiger Tribe, which the beast answers enthusiastically.

Tangtang knows what he should and shouldn't say to lighten up the mood. It became easier for him to make up an excuse for ignoring Hou earlier.

Sub-beasts were innately weak and emotional. It is normal for them to be scared and avoid a beast that isn't their mate.

Hou also believed that what happened earlier was his fault and doesn't mind Tangtang for ignoring him. He was much more surprised when Tangtang talked to him. Whatever the reason is, the fact that the sub-beast is no longer afraid of him is what matters.

The atmosphere between them became harmonious, as if they had known each other for a long time.

Tangtang let Hou lead the way when they arrived at the tribe's entrance. The moment they entered, he immediately garnered attention from other beasts.

Other than Tangtang's appearance being really eye-catching, it is also the first time they saw the hot-blooded Hou get close to a sub-beast. They look intimate and even hold each other's hands.

A duel was happening at the center of the tribe, but when Hou and Tangtang passed by, the intense fight abruptly stopped and the crowd cheers quieted down.

Hou glares at those people who openly stare at Tangtang. He suddenly had an urge to hide the sub-beast, afraid that someone would snatch Tangtang from him.

When they arrived in front of the biggest tent in the tribe, a few people were already following them. Some were enticed by the beautiful appearance of the unknown sub-beast, and some were just curious and wanted to gossip, but they immediately dispersed when they saw the person who had come out of the tent.

Hou also instinctively hides Tangtang behind him as his hold on the sub-beast tightens.

"Are mother and father inside?" Hou asked, his voice full of impatience.

"Yes. They were resting," the man answered, ignoring the other's attitude.

The cold and unfeeling voice sent shivers down Tangtang's spine. He took a peek to see who it was, just to find another handsome man.

The man has fair skin, silvery hair, and blue eyes. He looks like an aristocratic prince that was lost on the land of barbarians, truly a standout in the midst of these people.

"He is Hou's twin brother Xue," Gae informed him.

'Two handsome twin brothers! They both very well fit my aesthetic.'

"Many say that he is the most handsome man in Gaia," Ero added.

'But they don't look alike.' Tangtang looked intently at the two men, finding a little bit of resemblance to each other.

Meeting the curious gaze of the sub-beast behind Hou, Xue was momentarily stunned. With a gloomy face, Hou tried to block the line of sight of Xue, which made the latter immediately avert his gaze.

Upon looking away, Xue notices the odd behavior of the people around them.

"Bring him inside," he said before entering the tent first.

Hou gently holds Tangtang's shoulder as he guides him inside the tent. 

Leaving the curious onlookers behind.

_______________.

Sitting in front of Tangtang is a burly and brooding middle-aged man. The man's upper body is full of deep and shallow scars. On his head was a dead tiger-like monster with three horns; its large fangs are bared as if ready to swallow the man whole. The intact paws of the monster are hanging on his shoulders like a cape. Beside him is a beautiful and gentle-looking man wearing white fur, adorned with different colored crystals.

"These are my parents. My father is the patriarch, and my mother is the high priest of our tribe," Hou introduces to Tangtang.

"Hello, I am Tangtang. Nice meeting you." Tangtang greeted with a smile.

"I am Lia, and this is my husband, Bei," Lia said as he lightly patted his husband's arm. His movement was gentle and exuded elegance.

Bei expressionlessly nodded.

The Winged Tiger Tribe is one of the five large tribes on the Gaia Continent.

As per the four fluff balls, the Winged Tiger Tribe is also known as the second strongest tribe.

He thought that he really lucked out.

Tangtang is ready to accept any tribe just to pass the night and complete the quest. He didn't expect that the first tribe he would find was one of the largest and strongest.

"I'm Xue."

"Hello." Tangtang was about to offer his hand to Xue when it was stopped by the man beside.

"No one asking." Hou clasped Tangtang's soft hand as he furiously asked Xue. "Aren't you leaving?"

"No," Xue flatly answered.

'Are the two of them in dispute?' Tangtang asks the four fluff balls roaming inside the tent as he looks at the two men, puzzled.

"Unlike other twins, they were not very close," Ero answered.

'Why?'

"Hmmm. We don't know Tangtang."

"You're not needed here," Hou continued.

"Don't mind me."

Looking at Xue and Hou, Tangtang realized that the twins names suit them well. One has a cold demeanor, and the other is hot-tempered. Whoever named them was a genius.

"Ignore them, Tangtang," Lia said with a smile, already used to the banter of the twins. "Can you tell us what tribe you came from?"

Hearing his mother's question, Hou stopped arguing with Xue.

Tangtang already consulted the four guardians about what he would answer if he was asked this kind of question, and they said that except for their existence, he can be honest about everything.

Of course, Tangtang doesn't want to say that he already died once and transmigrated here, or they might think that he was a god that can resurrect the dead. If not needed, he will not proactively tell his story and will only answer what is asked.

"I don't have a tribe."

Lei frowned, and the three beasts looked at Tangtang in confusion.

Sub-beasts are rare. It is impossible for any tribe to reject or leave behind a sub-beast except if he does an unforgivable and heinous crime. Tangtang, on the other hand, doesn't look like someone who can do such things.

"All I can remember is waking up in the middle of the forest." Tangtang narrated his adventure the whole day before finding his way to the tribe.

The family of four cannot believe what they heard.

Is it now safe for a sub-beast to travel alone in the forest?

"You didn't encounter any monsters?" Hou asked once again.

"Yes," Tangtang answered with a nod. With the help of the guardian's radar, it is possible not to encounter a monster if he doesn't want to.

"You mentioned earlier that you woke up in the middle of the forest. Can you tell us which part it is?" Lia asked.

Based on Tangtang's story, he might really be the person the Beast God sent.

Lia and Bei, like everyone else in Gaia, were looking for the person described in the oracle.

The oracle from the beast god said that they should all welcome the person who will greatly help Gaia. Finding that person is an important responsibility not only to their tribe but to every individual living on the continent.

Tangtang tried to recall which direction he came from, but because he turned left and right many times to avoid monsters, he cannot clearly remember it.

"I'm sorry, but all I can remember is that that place is full of plants and trees with heart-shaped leaves," Tangtang said hesitatingly. He doesn't know if that answers Lia's question.

"Other than the heart-shaped plants, did you see anything?" Lia asked once again, exchanging looks with the silent Bei.

"I got these fruits there." Tangtang takes out a bunch of heart-shaped berries from his pocket. "I also saw giant flying monsters."

The heart-shaped plants, also known as the love plants, were only growing in one place. This is common knowledge for everyone.

A legend has been passed down to every generation of each tribe. It is the love story between the Beast God and the first sub-beast after the creation of Gaia.

It is said that the Beast God takes pity on the people living in this world full of vicious monsters. To protect themselves, he gave them the ability to transform into their spirit animals. Unfortunately, the females were weakened by this evolution, which is why the Beast God decided to create a third gender.

The first sub-beast was said to be so beautiful that even the Beast God himself fell in love with him. It is also believed that the reason the Beast God stayed in Gaia was to accompany his beloved, and the place where they have lived for 500 years is now called the hallowed ground.

The Beast God made all the leaves and fruits inside the hallowed ground heart-shaped; this is to show his love for the first sub-beast. The giant flying monsters were the guardians of that place, protecting it from intruders.

The file of fruits taken out by Tangtang surprised the four.

These are undeniably fruits from the hallowed ground.

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

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

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

Lia thought that this proved Tangtang was the person sent by the Beast God. 

"You traveled so far. Let Hou bring you to Xue's tent to rest," Lia said, his smile becoming more gentle and his voice becoming softer.

"Oh." Tangtang was confused, but before he could react, an angry voice sounded beside him. "Eh!! Why does he need to stay in Xue's tent? He can stay in my tent."

"Tell that again if you already cleaned your tent! The last time I visited your place, the monster's skins were all over the place," Lia scolded.

"Mother! Please stop it already," Hou interrupted Lia. Hou felt embarrassed when he saw Tangtang covering his face while holding back his laughter.

"Don't laze around all day!" Lia said one last time to Hou before looking at Tangtang. "Rest for a while, and we will call you once the food is ready." His gentle smile never faded.

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

The whole tent fell into deep silence.

After a few minutes, "What do you think?" Lia asked.

"I don't think he's lying," Bei simply said.

"After visiting several tribes before, I have never seen the clothes he is wearing unless he came from the other side of the fog," Xue answered.

Lia nodded. Tangtang's clothes stand out compared to the monster's skin and fur they usually use. It looks beautiful and comfortable.

Bei picked a fallen fruit, wiped it clean, and gave it to Lia.

Tangtang wanted to give them some of the heart-shaped berries. Sub-beasts were known to love eating fruits, and Lia was not an exception. Smelling the sweet scent, his mouth started to water, but at the end, he politely declined.

"The guardians didn't attack him after taking so many fruits," Lia murmured, looking at the beautifully shaped fruit in his hand.

Many thought that everything on the hallowed ground was dedicated to the first sub-beast and that coveting it would result in the same punishment as those who attempted to trespass on the hallowed ground and were killed by the guardians' claws.

"Take care of him, and let him become familiar with our tribe," Bei instructed Xue.

"Yes," Xue affirmed.

Before Xue left, Lia added. "Let him do anything he wants. Just make sure of his safety." If he is really the person the Beast God sent, they cannot let any harm befall him.

Bei soon left to talk to the elders, leaving Lia alone.

Lia looked left and right before putting the fruit in his mouth. Then a sudden sweet and juicy taste burst inside his mouth. This is the first time Lia tastes such delicious fruit.

After savoring the sweet taste, Lia walked back and forth inside the tent. He was looking for a monster's hide and fur that he could gift to Tangtang. He might accidentally find some fallen fruits on his way.