Chapter 16 : Poisoned?

Xue called Lia and Bei, informing them about the food they cooked. He also visited some elders to invite them to eat. Xue also didn't forget to call the trio; he noticed that Tangtang had a close relationship with the three females, and for the other ten people who were blocking the entrance earlier, he planned to call them once they were eating halfway.

What Xue didn't expect was that when he returned, the ten people were already eagerly waiting outside the tent carrying their bowls.

The twenty or so people wouldn't fit inside the tent. Xue, together with Gal and Dio, carried large flat rocks outside where they could place the dishes.

Lia and the trio take all the food out, placing it on the makeshift table, attracting everyone. The aroma and appearance make them salivate.

"Can we eat now?" Tin anxiously asked. She had already eaten before coming back to Tangtang's tent, but when she smelled again the fragrant aroma coming from the food they had taken out, her stomach started growling again.

"Calm down, or I will tie you with a rope," Qiu said. She was annoyed with Tin's constant fidgeting beside her.

The two were the same age, and they always quarreled, but this time Tin ignored Qiu and scooted beside Yan. She doesn't have enough energy to exchange banter with Qiu because all of her focus is on the food in front of her.

Tangtang first introduced each dish and told them all the plants and types of monsters used in cooking it. After that, he asked them to line up and let them choose one dish they wanted to try, and as long as there was still food left, they could return for another serving or try the others.

Tangtang wanted to laugh with the current setup. It felt like they were having a feeding program, a government program for malnourished students, when he was in middle school.

Tangtang provides a place for the tribe heads and elders inside the tent to show respect, but they insist on eating outside with them. Once everyone started eating, the lively and noisy surroundings quieted down, and only the hurried munching of food could be heard.

After a few minutes, someone shouts. "Delicious!" followed by "More! I want more!"

Xue, who already predicted this, took Tangtang's position and swiftly stopped the crowd rushing to get another serving.

"Can I have one more?"

"I want to taste the others!"

"Me too! I want more!"

People started surrounding Xue, forgetting how they were scared of him on normal days. Even Lia and Bei were eager to get more. The elders tried to restrain themselves, but the food that melted in their mouths made them want to shake Xue and urge him to move faster.

The commotion started to attract passersby. Upon seeing their Patriarch and High Priest, more and more people came to inquire what was happening.

Tin was pulled and asked by a female she knows. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, continue what you were doing. Don't mind us here," Tin answered and left, trying to squeeze in the crowd. The food was limited, and it wouldn't be enough for them. How could she have the heart to invite others? She needs to have a taste of everything first.

The female was confused and decided to observe before leaving. Then she saw Tin return with a bowl of food. Tin wolfed down the food in a few bites and returned to line up again.

This also happened to the others. Those passersby who have great reflexes were fortunate to taste some leftovers, but those people who hesitated were unlucky because nothing was left when it was their turn.

"Is there anything left?" A beast who only tasted the leftover soup asked.

"There is nothing left. The ingredients were limited. I could only make this much for now. I'm sorry," Tangtang apologetically said.

The people who heard this felt ashamed and guilty. How could they make Tangtang apologize? The sub-beast found all the ingredients and cooked it himself, letting them taste new kinds of food. They have eaten without doing anything and even made Tangtang feel he owed them. How shameless they could be!

Many glared at the beast who asked the question, causing the man to shrink back.

'What did I do wrong? I am just asking for more!' The man thought. He felt wronged, but the soup that he had just drunk was really delicious.

"Why are you apologizing? We were the ones who benefitted from your hard work. We should be thanking you," Elder Yun, a one-eyed beast, sternly said.

"You sound like a green tea," Ero said, laughing.

"Hey, I'm not! I really felt bad for them." Tangtang looked at the empty pots and the people around; they all looked unsatisfied. There were still ingredients left, enough to make a few more dishes, but cooking would take time.

Tangtang had previously discussed the matter with Xue, and the beast assured him that he did not need to be concerned. However, the crowd's appearance was concerning; they appeared to be inclined to lick the pots.

Lia came up to him and clasped his hands. "Thank you for the delicious food." He then looked at his legs. "You should have rest now for your bruises to heal faster," he added.

The crowd was stunned. They forgot that Tangtang had an accident earlier but still cooked for them. They felt more guilty as they followed their high priest in thanking Tangtang.

"Thank you, Tangtang!"

"Tangtang, that was the best dinner I ever had. Thank you!"

"Thank you!"

Tangtang was suddenly overwhelmed by the gratitude the crowd was showing.

Tangtang promised to cook other different dishes next time before the crowd reluctantly dispersed and went home to eat their unappetizing roasted meat or boiled red root to satisfy their stomachs.

While Xue brought all the pots and tools they used to wash on the stream, Tangtang led Bei, Lia, and five elders inside. He placed a large bowl of sunflower seeds and a pot of diluted lume fruit he had prepared earlier as drinks in front of them.

Xue already informed Bei and Lia about the farm; they agreed without thinking much before, but after tasting the food Tangtang cooked and learning its importance, they became enthusiastic about farming as soon as possible.

The five elders didn't have any objection; it was only an unused plot of land near their tribe, and just thinking of the immense benefits it would provide to their tribe in the future, of course, they were willing to help.

The farmers were one of the most important parts of farming, and with just him and Xue, it was impossible to plant a hundred acres of land. He cannot force people to work for him. It is better if they volunteer to take care of the farm. That was why Tangtang wanted many people to taste the food he cooked, because if people tasted something better, they would crave it and work hard to maintain eating it.

After discussing the plan for the farm, they continue to stay in Tangtang's tent for a while to enjoy the sunflower seeds and lume juice. Tangtang let them stay; he was happy he got his desired effect, and his hard work paid off.

Tangtang slept well that night, without knowing that his deeds that day spread in the whole tribe like wildfire overnight.

________________.

The next day, Tangtang and Xue go to the forest again, but they don't go too deep. Tangtang only wants to replenish his ingredients and doesn't want to stay long to wander around.

This is the sixth day since Hou left, and there might be a chance that their group would return today. Xue told him that it would take three days to go to Mount Nebo and three days to return to the tribe; six days would be the fastest, but if they, unfortunately, encounter some danger, it may take longer. Tangtang wanted to be there once the beast arrived, so he planned to look near the tribe so they could return immediately.

Tangtang doesn't know what his feelings are for Hou. He first gets angry at the man for leaving after confessing to him without even saying goodbye, triggering unwanted memories. Afterward, he learns the reasons after talking to Yan about the departure that midnight. Yan's husband, Ren, was a part of the hunting group; she said that the group left in a hurry at that time, almost missing him even though they were living together.

And because of that momentary anger, he intentionally seduces Xue. Tangtang now felt complicated.

Tangtang and Xue were talking while walking back to the tribe. Tangtang was carrying a bag full of sunflower seeds while Xue was carrying two baskets, one full of cabbage, onions, and potatoes. The other one was full of ginger, mushrooms, and chili, but his other hand was still free to hold the sub-beast's left hand.

Tangtang noticed that just one day after the blowjob, Xue behaved towards him more intimately. The man would proactively hold his hand, steal kisses, and hug him, actions that he didn't expect an aloof man like Xue would do. If he doesn't know Xue's character after interacting with him for the past few days, he wants to think that the man was making decisions using his crotch.

"What do you want to eat today?" Tangtang asked.

"Anything with chili," Xue answered without thinking. Xue liked the spiciness of chili, so he finished all the chili oil Tangtang made in one eating.

"Don't eat too much chili. It is not good for your health."

Xue nodded, "Okay." He bent and stole a kiss on his lips.

Tangtang was stunned for the Nth time today. 'This man is so bold!'

Ero and Phi laughed.

Ero can't believe that Xue has a great affinity with Gae. If Gae hadn't confirmed it himself, he would have thought that Xue had an affinity with him, but after checking it many times, Xue doesn't have any fluctuations towards him, which means that every time he kisses Tangtang, it is full of pure intentions.

On the contrary, Tangtang was the one radiating with lust every time Xue kissed him. 'What a lustful ward!' Ero chuckled.

At the tribe entrance, Yan was frantically waiting for Tangtang.

When she saw them, he immediately rushed to Tang Tang and clasped his hand. "Tangtang!" Yan's face is pale, and the hands holding him are slightly trembling.

"What happened?" Tangtang worriedly asked.

"P—pen... M—my brother was poisoned." Yan was so anxious. Pen is his younger brother and the only relative she has. If she loses even Pen, she doesn't know what to do anymore.

"Poisoned! Where is he? What happened?" Tangtang asked. Yan's anxious behavior influenced him.

"He is in the patriarch's tent." Yan started crying uncontrollably. "T–Tangtang, help him. Please help him."

Most of the people who were poisoned in the past always ended up dead, and when she learned what happened to her brother, she didn't want to accept it just like that. The first person he could think of to ask for help was Tangtang.

The sub-beast was different from them; he knew many things they didn't know. That's why she is putting all her hope in him.

Tangtang was worried that Yan would faint from crying. He was trying to support the female when a cold voice sounded. "Calm down, Yan! Let's go check Pen's situation first."

Yan stopped, as if under the spell of the commanding voice, but the tears were still streaming down her cheeks.

"Yan." Before anyone could react, Xue called and added. "You know that poison is hard to cure. Don't expect too much from Tangtang," he said as if he could hear Yan's thoughts.

"I—I am sorry," Yan said, trying to hold back her sobs.

Tangtang is trying to comfort Yan while they are hurriedly walking towards the center of the tribe, where the largest tent is located. He doesn't know how to cure a poisoned person. He was not a doctor but a financial student. How could he help Yan?

'Ero, Phi, can you check the situation there first?'

"Okay!" Ero said as he instantly vanished in thin air with Phi.