Medicine, Trust, and the Ox Hunt Task

Kashi again divided the remaining meat into two portions, taking one half to Jin Ling. When Chow Chow approached him with the food, Jin Ling looked surprised.

"Can I ask you something?" Kashi said.

Jin Ling steadied himself. "It won't be for free?"

"Of course not." She gestured to the roasted meat. "Asking you something in exchange for this is fair."

He gave a dry smile. "Ask away."

"How far is it to the nearest tribe?"

"Cross three snow mountains and one frozen river. You'll reach Black Market Tribe."

"You know the way?"

Jin Ling frowned. "…Yes."

"That makes things easier," she said, stepping closer.

Jin Ling glanced at her dirty, wind-chapped face—almost unrecognizable—but for some reason, an image of her silver-white shoulders flashed through his mind. A sharp pain stabbed through his heart. He quickly leaned back, widening the distance.

"What do you want?"

"I want to make a deal," Kashi said, voice calm. "I heal you, and you escort me and my cubs to the Black Market Tribe."

Jin Ling blinked. Then let out a short laugh.

"You don't believe me?"

He did intend to mock her. She was a rogue female with cubs and nothing to her name. But it was also a bitter laugh—directed at himself. His heart illness was beyond curing. In the past, his clan's medicine helped suppress it, but the attacks had been growing more frequent. Once they came every half day, it meant death was close. His were now daily.

How could she possibly cure him?

"You can't cure me."

"How do you know if you don't try?"

Kashi's voice stayed steady. "If I had any other choice, I wouldn't ask. But I don't. In this sea of blood, we're already gambling just by surviving. Why not bet on me once?"

Something about her tone pierced through his defenses. Maybe it was her calm, maybe it was her desperation. Either way… he nodded.

"…Alright."

"Wait here. I'll go prepare the medicine."

She turned and walked back to the cubs.

Later, as Jin Ling slept, he stirred to find the cave empty.

His gaze scanned the dark. His golden pupils narrowed.

Gone. They had left. Even his half of the meat was gone.

A bitter sneer twisted his lips. He had been foolish to trust a female rogue beast.

When he first learned his illness was terminal, he had already resigned himself to die quietly in the snow. But after hearing Kashi say she could cure him… he'd dared to hope.

A fool's hope.

But then—her voice broke through the silence.

"You're awake? The meat's just roasted—eat quickly."

Jin Ling's eyes snapped open. Chow Chow stood near him, smiling. Kashi was crouched by the fire, poking at the meat. He stared in disbelief.

"You… didn't leave?"

"What's wrong?" Kashi asked. "Does your wound hurt?"

"I'm already making medicine. It'll be ready soon."

Kashi's cheeks flushed under his intense gaze. She quickly remembered how dirty her face must be and turned back to the meat.

Even if female beast people were rare, a five-star male like Jin Ling surely had no shortage of beautiful admirers. She didn't flatter herself.

"I woke up early," she added. "Took the cubs to dig a snow cave outside and roast all the meat. It'll store better for the journey."

She gestured to the roasting rack. "Your share isn't done yet. If you don't want it—"

"I want it," Jin Ling said.

A quiet warmth flickered in his chest.

"You can handle the prey however you want," he added.

"Alright. I'll finish roasting everything and then bring you your medicine."

She walked out, carrying more meat.

Jin Ling stared at the rack and, for the first time in days, felt hunger stir with something more than survival. A strange brilliance flashed in his golden eyes.

Outside, the three cubs huddled in the snow cave. The fire didn't scare them as much anymore. In fact, Chao Lie was even roasting meat himself. Chow Chow was melting ice into water. Kashi pulled out a small pill from her system space, dissolved it into the liquid, and handed the mixture to Chow Chow.

"Watch the fire. I'll be back."

Kashi returned to the main cave and brought the leaves to Jin Ling.

"Drink this. It'll help."

Jin Ling took the thick liquid without hesitation. It smelled faintly of herbs. The moment it passed his lips, a cold wave surged through his body—followed by an unbearable stabbing pain in his chest.

His body seized. He spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed.

Kashi panicked. She rushed forward and checked his pulse. Nothing.

"System!" she yelled mentally. "Didn't you say this medicine heals all illnesses? Why is he not breathing?!"

> "Host, don't worry. I'll scan him now."

Seconds passed. Then the system responded:

> "This beastman's heart meridian was previously damaged. The medicine is currently reconstructing it. While it looks like his heart stopped, he's not dead. He will wake once reconstruction is complete."

Kashi exhaled in relief and stayed by his side. Just in case.

Soon, golden light burst from Jin Ling's chest. Everywhere the light touched, wounds healed—visibly.

Even his leg wounds disappeared.

Kashi's eyes widened.

This pill is incredible.

Moments later, Jin Ling stirred. His chest rose and fell evenly. The deep lines in his hands glowed with golden sheen. He stood slowly, flexing his healed limbs. His golden eyes shone in the cave light.

"Are you… fully recovered?" Kashi asked.

He took a deep breath.

"No pain."

He looked at her, stunned.

Kashi lowered her gaze, suddenly unsure.

What if he goes back on his word now?

"Thank you," he said. "My body has completely recovered. I'll escort you to the Black Market Tribe as promised. It's my debt to repay."

Kashi relaxed. "I'm Kashi," she said quietly.

Jin Ling gave a small nod. "I'll check the weather. We leave at dawn."

He stepped outside. Kashi turned back to the fire, only to find three pairs of eyes staring up at her.

Earlier, they had seen Jin Ling leave the cave—completely unharmed. Even the scent of death around him was gone.

"Mother," Chow Chow asked. "Is that big male coming with us?"

"Yes. He's taking us to the nearest tribe."

The cubs looked at each other.

They began roasting meat in silence.

There was a lot. Even by evening, half remained raw. When the cubs fell asleep, Kashi packed some of the half-cooked meat into the system's void space—a final safeguard, in case things went wrong again.

Jin Ling returned carrying a bundle of dry branches.

"Are these enough?"

"They are," Kashi nodded. "You rest."

But he didn't rest. He walked to her side.

"You can't make fire?"

She looked up in surprise. "You've used it before?"

"I have."

Kashi knew most small tribes didn't have fire knowledge, but she didn't press. They were just temporary partners. No need to dig.

Still, Jin Ling asked, "Where's your mate?"

"I don't have one."

He frowned. "But your hair has color marks."

"I still don't have one," she replied without flinching.

Jin Ling didn't pry further. He helped her grill the rest of the meat.

---

The next morning, the sky was already bright when Kashi awoke. Jin Ling was gone. She bolted upright, heart pounding.

Had he run off with the meat?

She sprinted to the cave entrance—only to crash into him.

"I—I just came to check the snow," she stammered.

He didn't question her.

"It's thicker than last night. I packed the food. We can leave when you're ready."

Kashi returned and woke the cubs. They ate obediently and followed her out.

Jin Ling shifted into his beast form: a massive golden tiger. He lay down for them to mount.

Kashi carried the cubs, taking turns seating them on his back. With the dried meat wrapped in bee skin and packed behind him, Jin Ling stepped into the snow.

Despite the depth, the snow barely reached a third of his body.

As they climbed, Kashi looked down at the ice plains.

Everything was white. Empty. Cold. Without Jin Ling, she never would've escaped this place.

"Wind's picking up. Hold tight," he said.

The gust slammed into them. The cubs ducked, clinging tightly.

"The wind is too strong. We have to move faster."

Halfway up the mountain, the gusts began to ease.

"Once we cross this mountain," Jin Ling said, "we'll leave the ice plains. It'll be warmer."

But suddenly, his front paw stepped on air. The ground gave way.

They were falling.

Kashi yanked the cubs into her arms. Jin Ling extended his claws, trying to grip the walls—but they were snow-covered.

"Hold on tight!" he roared.

Golden currents burst from his claws. The snow flew off, revealing the rock beneath. He managed to slow their fall—but then the rock broke.

They plummeted.

Kashi shielded the cubs with her body.

Then—nothing. No pain. Just cold.

She opened her eyes. They were lying in a deep pit.

"Are you hurt?" she asked the cubs.

They were pale but unharmed.

She looked down.

Jin Ling's arms were beneath them—he'd broken their fall.

"Jin Ling! Are you okay?!"

He grunted. "It's fine."

Blood soaked the snow beneath him.

"You're bleeding!"

"It's just a scratch."

She pressed beastkin to his waist. "You call this a scratch? Stop moving."

Jin Ling stared at the worried crease in her brow. He didn't stop her.

After she finished bandaging, she caught him staring.

"What is it? Does it hurt?"

"…A little."

A small head popped between them. Chow Chow blinked.

"If Mommy blows on it, it won't hurt anymore!"

Kashi flushed and scooped her away.

"No need for that," she muttered.

Jin Ling's eyes dimmed, just slightly.

Suddenly, a massive black bear poked its head into the pit above them.

"A fierce beast," Kashi whispered.

"Don't move," Jin Ling ordered. "I'll deal with it."

He transformed and leapt up, claws flashing. The battle began above.

In the pit, roars echoed. Time passed.

Then the system's voice chimed in her mind:

> "Limited-time mission: Successfully hunt a medium-sized prey with your cubs within 3 hours. Difficulty: four stars."

Kashi's eye twitched. Seriously? We're in a pit.

> "The reward is a beast soul essence. One of your cubs will awaken their beast soul."

She hesitated.

> "Raising cubs isn't just about protecting them. It's about making sure they can protect themselves."

Still, she didn't reply.

> "If you don't complete the mission, you'll be punished with electric shocks."

Her gaze narrowed. "Are you threatening me?"

> "No! No! These are system rules. But I can guide you to a safe location. I'll scan and track the target the entire time. I promise your safety."

Kashi considered it. The past few days had already shown her how cruel the beast world could be. If her children had even a small chance of defending themselves… maybe this was worth it.

"Alright," she said aloud.

She turned to the cubs.

"It's getting dark. This place isn't safe. Come—Mommy's taking you up."

The cubs looked at her in awe.

"Mother, can you climb up?"

"I have to try."

They prepared to scale the pit.