Days passed in a cycle of repetitive labor and tense standoffs. Gu Liang moved like a silent puppet, completing every task assigned to him. Calluses thickened on his palms, his movements grew skilled, yet he maintained a detached silence.
He no longer openly defied A Lie. Whenever the powerful male approached, Gu Liang merely lowered his eyes, his body rigid with an unapproachable stiffness. This silent resistance irritated A Lie far more than fierce defiance, and discontent grew daily in his golden pupils.
Gu Liang began observing the tribe closely. He noticed that despite A Lie's formidable strength and the awe he commanded, he remained an outsider. The leopard warriors hunted with him and shared their prey, yet rarely shared laughter. The true ruler of the tribe was Chief Mo Zong, the male with claw scars on his face.
One evening, while washing hides by the riverbank, Gu Liang unexpectedly witnessed a confrontation. Several young leopard warriors surrounded A Lie, the tension palpable. Leading them was the tall youth who had previously challenged Gu Liang.
They gestured heatedly, fingers pointing alternately toward the camp, then at A Lie, finally settling on Gu Liang not far away, their eyes brimming with hostility. Though Gu Liang couldn't understand their language, the recurring syllable—"outsider"—and the dismissive gestures spoke volumes.
A Lie stood rooted to the spot, his expression cold and stern. Though he hadn't shifted into his beast form, the oppressive aura radiating from him made the surrounding air feel thick and heavy. He took just one step forward, letting out a low, warning growl from his throat.
The young beastmen instantly paled, involuntarily retreating backward. They exchanged a look of resentment before finally slinking away.
As A Lie turned, his gaze locked with Gu Liang's, who hadn't managed to look away. His golden pupils narrowed slightly. He strode over, roughly grabbed Gu Liang's arm, and dragged him away from the riverbank.
He jabbed a finger sharply at Gu Liang's eyes, then pointed at himself, making a "no" gesture. Each movement carried an unquestionable threat.
That night, A Lie's mood was visibly foul. He flung Gu Liang onto the animal hide, leaning in close as his fingers roughly traced the scarred brand.
He slammed his finger onto the brand, then onto his own chest, uttering the syllable of possession in a low, dangerous voice.
Gu Liang offered no resistance, merely turning his head away and closing his eyes. This passive submission only infuriated A Lie further. He growled lowly and tore at Gu Liang's clothing—
Sudden, hurried footsteps and anxious shouts erupted outside the tent. A Lie's movements froze.
The animal-skin curtain was violently flung aside. A young Leopard Clan warrior stood outside, panting heavily, his face bearing a rare look of panic. He rattled off a string of words urgently, his finger pointing frantically toward the camp's perimeter.
A Lie sprang to his feet, all desire and rage instantly replaced by alertness. Grabbing his stone axe, he strode out of the tent without a single glance back at Gu Liang.
Gu Liang quickly pulled his clothes into place, quietly moved to the tent entrance, and cautiously lifted a corner of the curtain.
Chaos reigned in the camp. Torches flickered wildly, and the shouts of beastmen echoed in waves. In the distant darkness, several pairs of glowing eyes could be faintly discerned—they were not those of the Leopard Clan.
Chief Mo Zong had already organized his warriors into a defensive line. A Lie stood beside him, the two communicating with rapid hand gestures and short, staccato syllables. Gu Liang noticed that when Mo Zong spoke to A Lie, he carried a rare, almost equal respect.
Suddenly, a piercing scream rent the night sky. Chaos escalated.
Gu Liang saw several dark figures break through the outer defenses with astonishing speed, charging straight for the center of the camp. They moved with lightning speed, resembling giant wolves but leaner, more sinister.
A female beast-person stumbled in panic, her cub wailing in terror. An invader lunged toward her, fangs gleaming coldly in the firelight.
At that critical moment, a massive golden-brown figure lunged like lightning. A Lie—no, it was a colossal golden-brown tiger, larger and more powerful than any leopard—slammed the intruder away with a single paw. Its claws glinted with deadly light in the firelight.
Gu Liang held his breath. This was the first time he had witnessed A Lie shift before his eyes.
The tiger let out a deafening roar, its sheer power silencing the entire battlefield.
The invaders were clearly stunned by this unexpected formidable foe, their assault noticeably faltering.
A Lie's tiger form pounced mercilessly on the next enemy, swift and precise. Wherever he went, foes were either killed or wounded. The leopard warriors' morale soared as they followed the tiger's lead in a counterattack.
The battle ended swiftly. The remaining invaders fled in panic into the darkness.
The tiger stood in the center of the camp, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings in the firelight, confirming the threat was neutralized. His fur, stained with enemy blood, radiated an oppressive aura.
All the beastmen—including the black panther who had reverted to human form—watched the colossal tiger with reverence, none daring to approach.
The tiger turned and strode toward A Lie's tent. With each step, its form shrank until it stood before the tent as A Lie once more. His naked body was covered in blood and claw marks, his breath heavy, the wildness in his golden eyes not yet fully extinguished.
He lifted the tent flap, his gaze locking directly onto Gu Liang, who remained crouched behind the entrance.
Their eyes met, and the tent fell deathly silent. Yet this stillness was instantly shattered by A Lie's heavy panting. The thick, pungent smell of blood filling the air transformed this small space into another battlefield.
Gu Liang was transfixed by those vertical golden pupils, still warm from the kill. For the first time, he realized with brutal clarity how naive and futile all his previous confrontations and resistance had been.