Beastlord: Tribal System

Before long, Meng Yuqing heard faint shouting from outside the woven bag. He could sense Xuan picking up speed, and the voices became clearer.

"Xuan, you're finally back! You've been gone so long—we were all worried!"

"Yeah, Xuan! Most people finish their coming-of-age hunts in six or seven days, but you've been gone nearly a month! The chief was about to organize a search party for you."

"Wow! Look at the size of that beast! Is this your kill? You're amazing, Xuan!"

"What's in your mouth? Is it food? Can I have a taste?"

"I can't wait to grow up and go on my own coming-of-age hunt! It must be so exciting!"

From inside the bag, Meng Yuqing could hear the energetic voices of several young boys. One voice, the one asking to try the thing Xuan was holding in his mouth, grew closer. Xuan suddenly stepped back, avoiding the speaker, and set the bag down.

"Mu, it's not food. Everyone, step back. Don't scare him," Xuan said, nudging the bag lightly with his snout. "Meng Yuqing, do you want to come out?"

Meng Yuqing hesitated, debating whether to show himself and clarify that he wasn't food. Hearing Xuan's gentle prompt, he decided to stop overthinking. Pulling the bag open, he poked his head out.

Whoa! So many giant animals! A lion, two spotted leopards, and a black bear surrounded him, all slightly smaller than Xuan. The bear, who had come closest earlier, loomed right next to him.

The four massive beasts, along with Xuan, formed a circle around Meng Yuqing. While Xuan sat quietly, the others were brimming with curiosity, inching closer before being shooed back.

"It's a sub-beast! Oh my! Xuan, where did you find one?" one of the leopards exclaimed.

"Xuan! Did you steal him from another tribe? That's incredible! You actually managed to pull it off!" said the other leopard, his imagination running wild.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Our tribe is getting a new sub-beast! Xuan, you're amazing—not only did you hunt such a huge beast, but you brought back a sub-beast safe and sound!" The black bear plopped down excitedly, clapping his paws.

"Great news, everyone! Xuan's back! He brought a giant beast and stole a sub-beast from another tribe! Spread the word!" The lion dashed off toward the tribe, his booming announcement echoing behind him.

Meng Yuqing could only blink in silent disbelief.

As Xuan led Meng Yuqing toward the tribe, the remaining three animals followed closely, occasionally peeking at Meng Yuqing in the bag. Feeling uncomfortable under their scrutiny, Meng Yuqing shrank further into the bag. Xuan, noticing this, shot the group a sharp glare, immediately silencing their curiosity.

At the tribe's entrance, Xuan gently set the bag down. Meng Yuqing climbed out, stretching his limbs. He glanced at the four beasts, who were now transforming into their human forms. They appeared to be young men in their late teens, all standing over 1.9 meters tall, with well-defined muscles and youthful energy.

Standing at the gate were patrol members—adult beastmen. Their leader, a towering man nearly 2 meters tall, approached Xuan. He looked Xuan over and patted his shoulder.

"Good lad. You made it back safely and brought down a beast like that. Looks like you're the leader of your generation, no doubt about it!"

The leader then turned to Meng Yuqing with a smile that was probably meant to be friendly but came off as intimidating. Unsure how to react, Meng Yuqing offered a stiff, polite smile before shrinking behind Xuan. The number of unfamiliar faces was overwhelming, and his social anxiety began to kick in.

The young beastmen exchanged knowing looks, winking and smirking at Xuan. But Meng Yuqing, too preoccupied with his anxiety, didn't notice. If he had, he would've been flustered enough to explode.

Xuan scratched his nose, ignoring the teasing glances, and turned to the Shadow Beast. "Let's carry it in together. It's too big to drag, and we don't want to damage the pelt."

The patrol leader nodded. "Take it straight to the square. The whole tribe knows you're back, thanks to Dan shouting about it. The chief should be there waiting for you. Your sub-father's been worried sick. We'll leave you to it—we've got patrol duty to finish."

The young beastmen quickly took their positions, lifting the Shadow Beast together. Xuan carried the head while Meng Yuqing walked beside him, offering to help. Xuan, however, refused—letting a sub-beast carry such a massive animal? Never.

The group soon reached the square, a massive space about the size of five or six football fields. At its center was a platform made of stone and wood, where many tribespeople were already gathered.

At the forefront stood the chief, a robust man in his 30s with light brown hair and a leopard-print skirt. Beside him was a shorter man with black hair and eyes, whose gentle, worried gaze remained fixed on Xuan.

As the Shadow Beast was set down, the black-haired man rushed forward, grabbing Xuan's arm. He examined him carefully, his expression a mix of relief and affection.

"You're back. That's all that matters. We were so worried," he said, his voice warm. But his eyes darkened with concern when they landed on Xuan's shoulder, still bearing a half-healed wound.

"It's nothing, Sub-Father. I'm fine. Don't worry," Xuan said softly, trying to reassure him.

The chief approached as well, his stern face betraying a flicker of joy. After ensuring Xuan was unharmed, his expression relaxed. "Good work, lad. Let's see what you've brought back. Dan said it's quite the catch."

Xuan nodded and stepped aside, revealing the Shadow Beast. The chief's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Is it that thing?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"It is," Xuan confirmed.

The chief's expression turned grave. "Li, fetch Yang."

The named beastman nodded and quickly disappeared. The square fell silent as the onlookers exchanged confused glances. Some began murmuring.

"What's going on, Chief? We don't understand."

"Yeah, Xuan brought back such a big catch—why does this feel so serious?"

"Is there something wrong with the beast? Tell us, so we can help figure it out!"

Amid the rising chatter, the chief raised his hand. "Quiet. It's not a big deal. We'll explain when Yang arrives."

The crowd fell silent, though the tension remained thick.

Yang soon appeared, a towering, scarred beastman with striking golden hair and eyes. He walked with a limp, his face cold and somber as he approached.

"Summer, what's this about?" Yang's raspy voice matched his dour expression.

"Yang, stay calm when you see this," Summer warned, gesturing toward the Shadow Beast.

Yang's gaze followed, and the moment he saw the beast, his eyes widened in fury. His body trembled as veins bulged across his forehead. With a guttural roar, he lunged at the Shadow Beast, his hands transforming into claws as his face took on beastly features.

Yang's outburst caught everyone off guard. Summer reacted instantly, tackling him and holding him back.

"Let me go! I'll kill it! I'll crush its bones and tear it apart! Let me go!" Yang screamed, thrashing violently.

"Yang! It's already dead! Look—it's dead!" Summer shouted, struggling to restrain him. But Yang's rage only grew, and other beastmen had to step in to pin him down.

Amid the chaos, a young beastman, his voice trembling, cried out, "Father, calm down! It's me, Lie!"

Hearing his son's plea, Yang faltered. Summer seized the moment. "Yang, think of your child. Think of Chiyan. The Shadow Beast is dead. Its grudge has been avenged."

At the mention of Chiyan, Yang froze. His body slackened, and he muttered the name like a mantra. "Chiyan… Chiyan…"

Lie, stunned, looked at the Shadow Beast. "Is this… the one?"

No one answered, but the silence was enough.

Yang eventually stopped struggling, his face streaked with dust and tears. Summer signaled the others to release him. Hesitant at first, the beastmen slowly let go, their eyes remaining vigilant in case Yang lashed out again.

The crowd grew still, their attention divided between Yang, Xuan, and the Shadow Beast. Those old enough to recall the past seemed lost in thought, while the younger ones, except for Lie, looked on in bewilderment. They couldn't understand the gravity of the moment but sensed its weight.

The tense silence was broken by the sound of commotion at the village gate. The hunting party had returned. Leading them was Lan, the hunting captain, flanked by dozens of beastmen carrying their spoils.

From afar, Lan noticed the unusual scene at the square, and as his eyes fell on the Shadow Beast, he froze. Dropping his catch, he sprinted toward the group, his voice shaking.

"Is that a Shadow Beast?"

"It is," Yang replied, his voice hoarse but composed. He had risen to his feet, his demeanor once again cold and somber. Only the overturned nails on his hands and the dirt on his face betrayed his earlier outburst.

Lan stared at the Shadow Beast, then at Xuan. "What happened here, Chief? What does this mean?"

The crowd stirred with murmurs, some grasping the implications while others remained confused. All eyes turned to Summer for answers. He took a deep breath, glancing at Yang and then at Xuan.

"Many years ago, this beast brought disaster to our tribe and took lives we can never get back. Xuan has done what none of us could—he has slain it."

Gasps rippled through the audience. Some older members covered their mouths in shock, while younger ones whispered questions to their elders.

"Was it…?" someone began, but their voice trailed off as the memories of that time resurfaced.

Summer nodded gravely. "Yes. This is the one."

Yang clenched his fists, his eyes burning with suppressed emotion. "This creature… it destroyed everything. And now it's finally dead. But it doesn't bring them back. It doesn't change what happened."

The crowd fell silent once more, their collective grief palpable. Xuan, standing beside Meng Yuqing, finally spoke, his voice steady.

"I killed it not just for the hunt, but to protect the tribe. No one else will suffer because of it."

The chief placed a hand on Xuan's shoulder, pride and sorrow mingling in his gaze. "You've done more than protect us, Xuan. You've brought closure to a wound that's festered for too long."

Meng Yuqing, quietly observing from the sidelines, felt a chill run down his spine. This world's dangers were far greater than he had imagined. He realized Xuan's strength and determination had shielded him from perils he could hardly comprehend.

As the tribe slowly began to process the moment, Lan stepped forward, his voice steady and commanding. "Let's move the Shadow Beast to the ceremonial grounds. We need to prepare for its proper handling."

The beastmen moved into action, lifting the carcass with care. The younger ones, though still puzzled, followed the older generation's lead, their expressions turning somber.

Xuan turned to Meng Yuqing, his usual calm demeanor softening. "Let's head back. You've seen enough for today."

Meng Yuqing nodded, retreating to Xuan's side as they began walking away. Behind them, the tribe continued their solemn work, united in their shared history and the hope of healing.