Chapter 196 - 198: Forming a Pact with Si Cheng

Chapter 196: Chapter 198: Forming a Pact with Si Cheng

"Ahem, what are you two doing?"

Seeing the two were about to start a fight, Su Luoluo couldn’t just watch the show. She gave a light cough and walked over.

Fu Feng didn’t turn his head when he heard her, just huffed, "See for yourself!"

Su Luoluo glanced at the table and saw it was covered with all sorts of wild fruits.

She asked, puzzled, "This is..."

When Si Cheng saw Su Luoluo approach, he lowered his raised tail. With his eyes downcast, he said in a gentle voice, "Leader, the people of the tribe prepared a small token of our appreciation for you. We hope you have a happy breakfast."

There were many kinds of wild fruits, at least seven or eight varieties at a rough glance. It was clear a lot of thought had been put into it.

It was just a shame she wasn’t very interested in wild fruits for breakfast.

Su Luoluo looked away and said coolly, "It’s a thoughtful gesture, but there’s no need to go to such trouble. If I want something to eat, I’ll get it myself."

Si Cheng paused. "Did I do something wrong? Why would you say that, Leader?"

Su Luoluo pursed her lips, just about to speak.

Fu Feng shot the other man a cold glare and said sarcastically, "If you’re going to suck up to someone, you should at least ask about their preferences first. Luoluo never eats wild fruits in the morning."

At his words, Si Cheng’s expression instantly grew tense, and he said apologetically, "My apologies, Leader. We didn’t know you don’t eat wild fruits. What would you like to eat? We’ll go make it right away."

Su Luoluo waved a hand dismissively. "There’s no need. The tribe provides breakfast every morning. I always go get my own."

"Exactly. No need to come here first thing in the morning to kiss up. It’s not like she’s helpless," Fu Feng added snarkily.

Seeing that Fu Feng was about to provoke another outburst, Su Luoluo changed the subject. She picked up a cluster of wild fruits from the table, took a bite, and said, "By the way, have you guys eaten breakfast?"

Si Cheng said, "We ate this morning."

Su Luoluo nodded. "That’s good. You don’t need to bring me breakfast in the future."

To be honest, this whole situation made Su Luoluo feel a bit awkward.

Even Su Yang, as the leader, always got his own food.

Si Cheng stiffened at her words. "Leader, is there something we’ve done wrong?"

Su Luoluo shook her head. "That’s not what I mean. It has nothing to do with you. I just mean you don’t have to go to all this trouble. Just focus on your own affairs. I like to do things for myself."

Hearing this, Si Cheng finally nodded. "I understand."

Worried he might take it the wrong way, Su Luoluo swallowed a mouthful of fruit and nodded. "This fruit is pretty good."

Seeing this, Si Cheng’s expression visibly relaxed.

Su Luoluo noticed he was still standing there and gave him a quizzical look. "Is there something else?"

Si Cheng shook his head.

"Then you can go about your business."

Si Cheng froze for a moment, then replied with a simple "Alright," and left.

After Si Cheng left, Xiao Ye picked a wild fruit from the table, took a bite, and commented, "This fruit tastes great. The Ring-tailed Lemurs really know how to get things done. Luoluo, you’re in luck. I wonder, what are you planning to do about these Ring-tailed Lemurs?"

"What else can I do? Send them back, of course. Having them here makes me uncomfortable, and it’s inconvenient for you all too."

"Send them back? You’re not planning to accept them?" Luan Ting sounded astonished when he heard this.

The Ring-tailed Lemurs weren’t weak. Aside from their rather unsavory reputation for doting on females, accepting them would be a good thing for Su Luoluo.

Fu Feng, however, was delighted to hear this. ’With us around, what’s the point of keeping those troublesome Fox Monkeys?’

Xiao Ye also seemed surprised. "Why not accept them?"

Su Luoluo said, "I don’t have the energy."

’She was already at her wit’s end dealing with Xi Yi’s business. Why would she bring in another leader to make things difficult for herself?’

Nantu’s eyes narrowed as he listened. He seemed to want to say something but held his tongue, instead saying, "But I doubt they’ll just leave like that."

They had been following them since yesterday, and the attitude of that Priest was very clear. He didn’t seem like someone who would give up easily.

’But he didn’t need to say it out loud,’ he thought. ’Luoluo is smart; she should understand that herself.’

Of course Su Luoluo knew they wouldn’t be easy to get rid of. Otherwise, they would have left as she’d told them to during the rice harvest yesterday, instead of continuing to follow them.

’Whatever. I’ll just take it one step at a time.’

’These people were so stubborn, following her around just because she saved their lives.’

’And it’s not like I was the only one who saved them that day.’

After eating, Su Luoluo went to the plaza, planning to find Su Yang and ask him to intervene and drive these people away.

But when she looked up, she saw a neat row of houses had been built just outside the tribe’s territory. That area had originally been an empty plot of land belonging to the Wolf Clan.

These people were fast, building all that in a single night. And surprisingly, no one from the Wolf Clan Tribe had given them any trouble.

’I have to admit, that Priest is pretty capable.’

As Su Luoluo was lost in thought, Si Cheng walked over. "Leader, has something happened? If there’s anything you need us to do, please don’t hesitate to ask."

Su Luoluo was about to shake her head when Si Cheng spoke first, "Do you not trust us, Leader? If that’s the case, we can forge a pact with you under the witness of the Heavenly God."

"A pact?" Su Luoluo was taken aback. ’What’s that?’

"After we forge the pact with you, Leader, if we were to ever betray you, you could activate the Heart-devouring Gu, and we would suffer its backlash."

’It sounds like being controlled by poison.’

She had no intention of doing something like that.

She had only asked out of curiosity.

And it suddenly occurred to her: it wasn’t convenient for her to find the Black Bear Foster Mother herself. If she entrusted this task to Si Cheng, wouldn’t it be more covert? It might prevent Xi Yi from finding out.

Seeing Su Luoluo fall silent, Si Cheng made a gesture to form an oath. A faint, ice-blue light suddenly appeared before Su Luoluo. Si Cheng waved it toward her, then pointed it at himself.

It happened so fast that Su Luoluo couldn’t react. She heard Si Cheng recite in a cold voice, "I, Si Cheng, swear to the Heavenly God to voluntarily become Leader Su Luoluo’s Guardian. I will never betray her, no matter what happens. If I break this vow, may I die by the torment of the Heart-devouring Gu."

After he spoke, the mark of an ice-blue lotus flower appeared on his forehead.

Su Luoluo was completely stunned by what had just happened. "What are you..."

Si Cheng said coolly, "The oath is complete. Leader, you can now entrust matters to me without worry."

’Wait, isn’t he moving way too fast? I haven’t even agreed yet!’

"Can this oath be undone? I... You don’t have to go this far for me."

"Leader, once a Heavenly Oath is sworn, it cannot be retracted."

’So it’s stuck like this.’

’What is even happening? How did things suddenly turn out this way?’

Su Luoluo felt her headache getting worse.

Si Cheng placed a hand on his chest and knelt on one knee. "Leader, if you have any task, please command me."

Su Luoluo was still hesitating when the System’s voice rang out: "Host, this is an excellent helper. Someone who has sworn a Heavenly Oath will never betray you. You can cover up the matter with the Black Bear Foster Mother. Host, your life is on the line!"

’That’s right, my life is on the line.’

’If Xi Yi manages to blackmail me, my mission will be in jeopardy.’

Su Luoluo looked intently at the man before her. "Is there anything you need my help with?"

Si Cheng shook his head. "It is enough that you are willing to acknowledge us, Leader."

Su Luoluo nodded, making a rare, solemn promise. "I will ensure the tribe thrives."

With that, she walked over to Si Cheng and whispered a few words in his ear.

Si Cheng nodded at her words and swiftly vanished from her sight.

Su Luoluo glanced at Su Yang’s house in the distance, then turned and started walking toward the Ring-tailed Monkey Foxes outside the tribe’s territory. Since she had decided to be their leader, she had to ensure they lived a good life.

But she had only taken a few steps when a voice descended from the sky. "You actually forged a pact with Si Cheng?"

Su Luoluo looked up to see a dark, sullen face glaring down at her, eyes filled with rage.

"Do you have any idea how a Ring-tailed Monkey Fox Beast’s pact is different from that of an ordinary Beastman?"