The decision of Xuebao and Meizhou to look for a huge cave in preparation for the snowstorm during the winter season have been approved by the tribe leader and all elders in the Lune Tribe. But there are some conditions attached to it. First, Meizhou and Xuebao must lead the hunting group consisting of male warriors as well as the gathering team made of female beastmen.
The gathering team would follow Tuzi and Xiong commands while half of the warriors are to protect the gathering team no matter what. The second in command in the hunting team would be Warrior Lang and Warrior Laohu. Doctor Sheya and his apprentices would join the gathering team and look for herbs at the same time.
The other half of the hunting team would listen to Warrior Meizhou and facilitate this team to look for wild beasts while scouting the area. But among the group, Xuebao's authority is the highest. During incidental encounters with savage beasts everyone is entitled to follow Xuebao's command without question. The reason for this is because among everyone in the group Xuebao is able to differentiate the savage beasts and also knows the weakness of each kind.
The goals of this huge hunting group are two. First is to gather enough food for winter and Second, Xuebao needs to look for a cave they could use during the snowstorm. The elders asked the first goal to be prioritized but Xuebao chose the second one as his priority.
At dawn.
Everyone in the team was provided by the hunting clothes and gears, Tuzi and the other craftsmen of the tribe had prepared overnight. Every warrior was asked to wear the fully clothed camouflage uniform Xuebao first wore during his first hunting. But this time there are some padded lining above their vitals for extra protection. They were equipped with hardened wood shields and sharpened stone knives. Some had hammers or spears with them as well.
In front of the team Meizhou stood straight and firm as a mountain. His clothes were unlike the others. He didn't have the same camouflage pattern as the rest. Instead his clothes were given a design of a jaguar melanistic shade with white cobwebs pattern on it. On his shoulder a petite young man wearing the opposite color of what Meizhou is wearing sat above him.
This young man is Xuebao. He is wearing a snow leopard pattern. Pure white overall clothes with light grey spotted patterns on it. Obviously these two leaders were wearing what you call a couple clothes. This is a personal ordered hunting clothes from Xuebao to Tuzi last night. But unlike Meizhou who is holding a spear in his possession, Xuebao only has a pair of twin short blades hanging on his side.
Everyone could hear Xuebao humming within the silence area.
Humming~
Meizhou stabbed his spear beside him as he held his chosen female's thigh which are hanging on his shoulders. He could even wrap his large hands around his female's slim ankles.
"Are you happy, Bao'er?" asked Meizhou, unlike his usual cold tone, his voice was made gentle and tender whenever he spoke with his beloved.
"Hum~ I have a feeling that my luck today would be good~~ Hehe~" replied Xuebao as played with his husband's hair which is now soft thanks to the homemade hair treatments he prepared for them. There's even a scent of mint added in it.
Meizhou took his beloved's hand and landed a kiss on it, "As long as you're happy." he said with a doting gaze.
Within this whole month as a tribe leader's proxy, many things were invented thanks to Xuebao's ideas. The sewage system was planned to be developed after the snow storm. He had invented necessities like homemade shampoos, conditioners and soap which the female beastmen ended up liking. Some men who like cleanliness like Doctor Sheya had welcomed this product with open arms. He even taught them how to make cheese, butter and other dairy products which made the cooking evolve to another level.
As a person who loves cleanliness, he asked Meizhou to make a bathroom in his place as this the house he would live in the future. Some tribesmen heard about this and informed the tribe elders, asking whether they could do the same thing. Which in the end, made those old men to once again capture their young leader for house arrest to ask him for more of his ideas. Thanks to this house arrest, Xuebao's ideas for a sewage and drainage system were talked about. Even animal breeding for wild pheasants, pigs, cows and buffalos were recorded by the tribe authorities.
The Tribe Priest especially loves Xuebao's idea of creating papers and even asked his apprentices to watch for the materials Xuebao had listed for making homemade papers. The plan to improve the houses was planned as well. While looking for natural cement, Xuebao had improvised them with the idea of using animal skin and hardened woods for house foundations for now.
A lot of things have been done in a month and the whole tribe was busy thanks to the ideas their young leader has. Because of this Xuebao's position as the tribe leader's successor was finally set in stone.
Tuzi who just finished equipping the gathering group with a big basket had come over in front to report. Following him is warrior Lang and warrior Xiong completely geared. Doctor Sheya and warrior Laohu are also standing not far from them waiting for their young leader's command.
"Baobao, hah~ I've got everyone bring a basket with us as you ordered. sigh~ so tired~" said Tuzi.
"Good job. Orders for the gathering team. Split your group into three. First team will gather fruits, the second one vegetables and the last one follow Sheya and his apprentice and gather as much herbs as you can. Tuzi and Sheya will lead the gathering team, understood?" said Xuebao.
"As you order, Young leader!" Tuzi and Sheya accepted their task.
Xuebao gently pats Meizhou's face asking him to give the following orders to the hunting team. Even if the overall group's authority is under Xuebao's command, he wouldn't overstep in his partner's right of leadership.
Meizhou held his beloved's hand but his expression turned serious while looking at the hunting team before him. Feeling the heavy presence excluded by the strongest of their tribe, those warrior's wandering eyes had all turned firm as they looked in front. They were standing straight as a rod, looking tough and unified. Even Tuzi was frightened by Meizhou's aura hid himself behind Lang and Xiong unconsciously. In this past month his relationship with these two male beastmen have gone beyond friendship. They are now his guardians.
But the other male leads like Sheya and Laohu on the other hand had not gotten close to Tuzi. Doctor Sheya only treats Tuzi like an innocent naïve little brother and nothing beyond that. While on the other hand Laohu is giving him, Xuebao, a headache. He has been challenging Meizhou nonstop for the whole month. Ever since the day Xuebao had beaten him up, Laohu had become quite obsessed with Xuebao.
If not because Laohu is one of the tribe elders' son, Meizhou would have beaten him dead already. The Tribe Leader even personally comforts Meizhou about this. Meizhou only calmed down when the tribe leader promised to announce their engagement after winter.
"The hunting group will split into two teams. One will stay at the rear. Your task is to protect the whole group from danger coming from behind. Your priority is to protect the gathering group especially the females who can't fight. Lang and Xiong will lead this team." said Meizhou.
"Yes sir!" said Lang and Xiong.
Next he looked at Laohu and said, "Laohu will lead the second team. You are to closely follow me and Bao'er. Your priority is to hunt. The targets will be the ones Bao'er said yes to. Understand." said Meizhou.
Laohu gritted his teeth but still answered, "U-Understood." he said.
"By the way anyone who goes against my orders will be beaten up by me truly~ be careful~~" said Xuebao with a beautiful smile on his face but those who have seen it had a face that turned pale in that instant. The meaning of those words are 'Pissed me off and I'll beat you up. Tehehe~'
Xuebao exclaimed, "Well then! Let's go!"
With Xuebao and Meizhou in the lead the whole group had departed. Meanwhile within the group of female beastmen, a certain female is staring intently at Tuzi who was at the rear with Lang and Xiong.
This female had an evil smile on his face as he stared at Tuzi.
"You won't be able to laugh after today~ hehehe~"
Without him knowing his weird expression was seen by Sheya incidentally. Within those emerald eyes glints with craftiness as he stares at that weird female beastman.
The progress of the journey began at the right track. Wild boars and wild pheasants in herds were found thanks to Xuebao guiding the way, with the help of System Yue. Within three hours the group had already caught 10 wild boars and 40 pheasants. Most of it was caught alive by Xuebao's orders. The team is currently resting in the part of the forest where fruits, vegetables and herbs were abundant. Though this place is near the borders of those savage beasts' territory, with System Yue monitoring the surrounding, Xuebao will know if there is something approaching their team.
[Host we are about 10 meters away from that cave you wanted to see. I suggest you find a reason to separate from the group.]
"I think of something."
[Male lead Doctor Sheya is approaching the host.]
"This is one of the troublesome Male Leads that doesn't seem to be falling in love with that rabbit. What's wrong with him?" asked Xuebao.
[Actually I might know the reason for this. Host do you remember that soul which used to be your assistant in the past world. I've checked it with my boss and he seems connected with the God System before he was imprisoned in the Nether System.]
"That's surprising news. What is his identity?" asked Xuebao.
[He is a Prisoner #61305. Real name, Yun Ming.]
"Yun Ming? The former God of Fate. Hahaha~ isn't that the man who tried to forcefully tie his fate string with the God of Reincarnation even by going against the Divine Laws!?"
[God of Fate? God of Reincarnation?]
"Nothing much. That incident is just one of the most epic love stories in the whole God System. The God of Fate and God of Reincarnation were childhood friends. Rumors say they were childhood sweethearts but believe me, they are only friends. It was the God of Fate who is one-sidedly in love with the God of Reincarnation."
[Host seems to know both the God of Fate and God of Reincarnation well?]
"The God of Fate is a foodie like me though he is a very silent man. Not that close but barely an acquaintance. The God of Reincarnation on the other hand is just an annoying workaholic old man who couldn't even get a single vacation approved in these few millennia."
[How many Millenia did he work without taking a single vacation?]
"According to the data, it should be 5 millennia. He had been working nonstop for 5 000 years. Well he couldn't really take a vacation. It's hard to find someone to do his job after all." said Xuebao.
[Can Yue ask what kind of work does the God of Reincarnation does?]
"Oh~ no worries it's not even a secret. I can tell you. That fool works as the Main God in God System as well as my Uncle's disciple. He is someone who works directly under the Ruler Gods. So it is really impossible for him to take a vacation unless I took over his job which... I will never agree~ Hehehe~" said Xuebao.
[Wouldn't that mean he will have to work forever?]
"Well~ unless my uncles give me a cousin then he can only continue working like that. I really don't know what the God of Fate saw to that workaholic man. So what is wrong with this Sheya?" said Xuebao.
[Yes. This Sheya is that Yun Ming. But since he is a prisoner his whole memories were taken from him and he is tasked to complete the tasks without failure else he could only endlessly suffer within these never-ending worlds.]
Xuebao remembers that man who always ended up as Yun Ming's partner in every world. Based on this information about Yun Ming being a prisoner, this can only mean that person is his Executioner. But why is it instead of just watching his prisoner, he is even helping him with his task.
"If there's a prisoner which means he has an Executioner right?" asked Xuebao nonchalantly.
[Ah~ Yes of course. It is... hm? Eh? A warden. Why is it a warden instead of an Executioner!? What is happening here? Do I need to report this to the boss, Host?]
"Forget about it. It is more fun this way anyway~~" said Xuebao with an amused smile on his face.
---
Doctor Sheya approached Xuebao and saluted respectfully. Xuebao is currently seating on a low branched tree while Meizhou is giving orders to the hunting team not far from him. He is overlooked after the whole team.
"Young leader! Sheya gives his greeting." he said.
"What is it?" asked Xuebao.
"Actually there is something I need to report. It is about Tuzi. He might be in danger."
"Oh~ Tell me..."
"A female beastman named Sia seems to be planning against him. Please advise Tuzi to be careful. He might not believe me if it came from me." said Sheya.
"Sia is a tribe elder's female son. If I'm not wrong he should be an admirer of my A'Mei, but it seems he is only a jealous female who envies all other females with lovers. He can't afford to offend me for Meizhou but he is willing to give a fight for Lang and Xiong. Why don't you just seduce the kid?" said Xuebao with a sly smile.
Sheya smiled back and replied, "Should I?" he asked.
"Tsk! So fake. Keep an eye on him. Don't inform that silly rabbit or that straight forward block head. You can hint at Xiong instead. Catch him in the act. So I can pass punishment on him reasonably. There are only a few things he could do in this kind of setting anyway." said Xuebao.
"Then I will observe them from a distance and inform the young leader right away," said Sheya.
"You can inform me using this." said Xuebao who passed a small handmade flare and flint to Sheya. "You should know how to use it right?"
"Of course. You can leave it to me!" said Sheya.
Xuebao looked at Sheya with an observing gaze while the latter allowed the cold and intelligent young man before him to stare at him.
"You should just accept the fact of what you are. Even if you tried to cover up your scent with countless herbs there are those with sharp noses like I or A'Mei does. If not because of that, Meizhou wouldn't even allow you to approach this near me." said Xuebao.
Sheya flinched when he heard Xuebao's words. He then noticed a scrutinizing gaze from the distance which is coming from Meizhou. Sheya understood the hidden meaning of Xuebao's words.
"Thank you for your concern Young Leader. I will be careful." said Sheya before walking away after completing his report.
Meizhou went back to Xuebao's side and placed an arm around his waist in a possessive manner.
"Have they caught enough to last for the whole winter?" asked Xuebao as he caresses Meizhou's face with a loving gaze.
Meizhou hugged Xuebao as he placed his head on his beloved's lap.
"Should be enough for normal consumption." replied Meizhou.
Xuebao allowed this clingy guy to hug him while he played with his hair.
"I found the place I wanted. Do you wish to check it with me?" asked Xuebao.
Meizhou with his chin on his female's lap, looked up and said, "I will go with you."
"Next time I will just bring you with me without asking. You always reply with the same words." replied Xuebao with a pout on his face.
Seeing such adorable expressions Meizhou couldn't help but pull his beloved for a kiss. Ignoring all surrounding eyes on them as if they are the only people in the world.
"Don't you think those two are getting clingier with each other?" said Tuzi standing in between Lang and Xiong.
Sheya who just got back overheard his words and gave him a criticizing eyes especially at those hands clasped together with Lang and Xiong.
"You can say that to yourself. You even have two with you." said Sheya.
Hearing this Lang and Xiong couldn't help but blushed as they tried to hide their face. Only Tuzi responded trying to save face.
"I only hold hands in public. Those two hold hands, hug and kiss! So unfair!!" exclaimed Tuzi who just dug his own grave.
Sheya smiled at him sweetly and said, "You guys heard him."
Lang and Xiong nodded at each other and decided to pull this perverted rabbit behind that tree over there for a moment.
Lang carried their female by his waist, "Excuse us for a moment." he said while walking away from the crowd.
Before Xiong went along after the two, Sheya whispered something to his ears that made this adorable bear wear a serious expression for a moment. After giving a nod at Sheya, he also walked away to follow where their female was carried by his friend.