Building a Civilization and Raising Cubs in the Beast World – CH47

Chapter 47

When Bai Tu stepped outside, the beastman responsible for looking after the Cat Tribe’s cubs was frantically sweating bullets, about to go find Mao Lin.

Having just arrived at the Snow Rabbit Tribe, Mao Lin had been busy coordinating with Bai An to arrange housing for the Cats. After showing Bai Tu the injured members of her tribe, she was called away again, leaving the cubs in the care of another Cat.

That beastman, named Mao Lan, was Mao Lin’s younger sister. 

She had previously only helped care for the cubs but was now forced to take over after the former caretaker—another Cat—had been fatally injured by a beastman during a territorial dispute. 

Black-footed cat cubs were exceptionally energetic, darting around and leaping with incredible speed. Mao Lan had taken her eyes off them for just a moment, and when she turned back, one of the cubs was missing. She nearly jumped out of her skin.

A missing cub was no small matter, especially since this was their first day at the Snow Rabbit Tribe. 

Many of the Rabbits didn’t know them yet, and there was the risk that someone might mistake the cub for a wild beast or, worse, an enemy tribe’s young. 

To make matters worse, all the healthy members of the Cat Tribe had been taken by Mao Lin to collect food for the day, leaving Mao Lan with no one to help.

By the time Mao Lan had gathered the remaining four cubs in her arms, the missing cub had already been gone for a while. 

She had searched several caves but found no trace of it. 

On the verge of tears, Mao Lan, scared and panicked, was preparing to seek out Mao Lin for help. Since she didn’t know the Rabbits well yet, she figured the safest option was to find the Cat Tribe’s leader.

But just as she started walking, she saw Bai Tu emerge from a cave with the missing cub in his arms. 

Overwhelmed with relief, Mao Lan nearly burst into tears. Looking at the little cub safe and sound, she almost collapsed to the ground in sheer joy. “Found it!” she exclaimed.

The Cat Tribe was small in number, but their cubs were their future. 

This year, twelve cubs had been born after the snow season, but three hadn’t survived their first month. 

Of the nine remaining, three didn’t make it through the rainy season, and one had passed away during the journey. That left only five cubs. They were the tribe’s hope for survival. Mao Lan let out a long sigh of relief. Thankfully, this one was safe.

“He ran over here on his own,” Bai Tu said as he handed the cub back to her. 

But the little cub wasn’t cooperating. Its tiny claws hooked onto Bai Tu’s animal-hide clothing, clinging stubbornly. Somehow, its claws had found a gap in the fabric, even though the only opening was a small slit for a button.

“Meow~” The cub held onto Bai Tu, clearly unwilling to leave.

Bai Tu couldn’t help but want to hold the cub for a little longer, but seeing the tears welling up in Mao Lan’s eyes, he decided against it. 

She was clearly shaken. Gently coaxing and prying the cub’s claws from his clothes, Bai Tu said softly, “Be good. I’ll make you something delicious later.” His tone involuntarily softened a few degrees when speaking to the cub.

The little cub seemed to understand him, obediently retracting its claws. Mao Lan quickly took the cub, looking as though a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Once back in Mao Lan’s arms, the cub’s lively nature reasserted itself. Even though it was now wrapped snugly in animal hide, it squirmed and struggled, trying to push its way out and start another adventure.

Having learned her lesson, Mao Lan tightened the wrap securely.

“It might be too hot for him like that,” Bai Tu reminded her gently. 

He understood Mao Lan’s intention to prevent the cub from escaping, but with the current heat, wrapping it in animal hide could make it uncomfortable. The temperature was simply too high.

The cubs of the Cat Tribe were undeniably livelier than the Rabbit Tribe’s cubs. 

Bai Tu thought for a moment, then called out to Tu You, who was nearby. “You, go find Cai and ask for a bamboo basket meant for cubs. Get a taller one, and make sure it has a lid,” he added seriously.

“Got it!” Tu You replied cheerfully and hopped off to find Tu Cai for the basket.

Tu Cai always had a stockpile of bamboo baskets, bamboo hampers, and wicker backpacks. Some she made herself, while the rest were crafted by idle beastmen in the tribe and delivered to her. This system made it easier for everyone to grab what they needed directly from her.

The bamboo basket was brought back quickly. It was a tall one, slightly larger than a regular basket. Knowing it was for the Cat Tribe’s cubs, Tu Cai had also brought along a few toys normally used by Rabbit cubs.

“Put them in,” Bai Tu gestured to the cubs. “From now on, place the cubs in here and remember to cover the lid. It’ll make things easier for you.”

The lid wasn’t completely sealed—it was a custom design by Tu Cai, created for a few particularly adventurous Rabbit cubs who always managed to climb out of their baskets. 

The lid was made from smooth, clean bamboo strips arranged in a crisscross pattern, spaced about three fingers apart. This ensured that the cubs couldn’t squeeze through while still allowing air to circulate freely.

Bai Tu liked energetic cubs, but with the tribe so busy these days, the outside was chaotic. 

A cub running off wasn’t a minor issue—far more dangerous than a modern kitten slipping out through an open window. 

With beastmen rushing around carelessly, often in a hurry, no one paid much attention to what was underfoot. Until Bai Tu could come up with a better way to keep the cubs safe, they’d just have to endure this temporary restriction.

The little black-footed cat cub placed into the basket immediately began mewling incessantly. 

Seeing that it was getting late, Bai Tu decided to prepare dinner for the cubs. 

There were many cubs in the tribe, and while Tu Cai and a few others usually handled most of their care, Bai Tu often included food for the cubs while preparing meals for the tribe.

Since the cubs had already eaten steamed eggs in the morning, Bai Tu made fish soup for their dinner. 

As soon as the Cat Tribe cubs tasted the fish soup, they quieted down completely. 

After finishing their meal, they began licking each other’s faces clean. 

When they were placed back into the bamboo basket, they didn’t try to escape or meow incessantly. Instead, they playfully chased each other around the basket for a bit before their movements slowed. Soon after, they fell asleep.

Moving from their home territory to an unfamiliar place was a challenge for both adult beastmen and cubs. 

Beastmen rarely left their territories—not just because they preferred familiar surroundings but because the outcomes of leaving were often dire.

Mao Lin’s decision to bring the Cat Tribe to join the Rabbits had been born out of desperation. 

Every day, they woke up wondering where to hide next, constantly worried about the safety of their cubs, while also caring for their injured and hunting for food. Life on the outskirts of other tribes’ territories was grueling.

Now, having arrived at the Rabbit Tribe, the Cats collectively felt a sense of relief. 

The caves the Rabbits had prepared for them were clean and comfortable. Many tribes that joined others mid-journey faced poor treatment—being given the worst tasks, the worst food, and the worst caves. 

Some small tribes that sought refuge with larger ones were forced to cram their entire group into a single cave. In contrast, the Cats’ current situation was already far better.

And that wasn’t all—after dividing the caves, Bai An immediately began distributing food, clearly aware of how difficult life had been for the Cat Tribe before their arrival. Seeing Bai An’s attitude, the Cats’ wariness eased, and their tense hearts gradually relaxed.

Mao Lin remained cautious but couldn’t deny that Bai An’s behavior had been nothing but kind. 

The defenses in her heart softened slightly—but only when dealing with the Rabbits. Her wariness of the Wolf Tribe, however, remained as strong as ever.

Mao Lin’s interactions with the Snow Rabbit Tribe could be summed up in three attitudes. She was the most agreeable when dealing with Bai Tu, maintained a neutral yet cautious stance with other Rabbits, but the moment she saw the Wolves, her fur practically bristled, and she was ready to retaliate at any time.

Lang Ze generally didn’t concern himself with the Cats, but whenever a Cat came near Bai Tu, he would appear out of nowhere. 

Mao Lin had tried several times to find an opportunity to speak privately with Bai Tu, but every time she managed to start a conversation, Lang Ze would immediately interrupt, leaving her both frustrated and annoyed. 

Still, she understood that clashing with the Wolves in front of the Rabbits would only put the Cats at a disadvantage. 

The Rabbit Tribe was clearly more familiar with the Wolves; the Wolves were treated as if they were part of the tribe, with similar accommodations and privileges.

The more Mao Lin observed this dynamic, the more she wanted to ask when the Wolves were leaving. 

The Cats liked the Rabbits, but the Wolves’ presence made things complicated. 

Seeing Lang Ze on one side of Bai Tu and Lang Qi, who had just arrived, on the other, Mao Lin began to suspect that she might never get an answer to her question.

If it were ordinary wolves staying with another tribe, it could mean some agreement had been reached between the two tribes, and they would likely leave once the arrangement’s time was up. 

But wolf kings didn’t leave their tribes lightly. Most leaders rarely left their territories, even for trade, as their absence could inspire opportunistic power grabs by others. Though the chances of that happening were low, it wasn’t impossible.

Mao Lin did a quick mental calculation: Lang Qi had been with the Rabbits for at least an entire day. Is he planning to stay indefinitely? Don’t the Wolves need to hunt?

These were all questions Mao Lin wouldn’t dare voice aloud. While keeping an eye on her surroundings, she noticed that the Rabbits, the Wolves, and Bai Tu, whose species she still hadn’t figured out, didn’t seem surprised at all by Lang Qi’s continued presence.

What a strange tribe, Mao Lin thought to herself.

The cubs needed to be fed first, so Bai Tu took care of their meals before turning his attention to the others. 

Everyone was exhausted—regardless of which tribe they belonged to. 

The Rabbits had been busy organizing housing, the Wolves had been hunting at night and accompanying them during the day, the Hawks were still out hunting for cubs, and the Cats, after days of fear and hiding, were in dire need of rest and nourishment.

The caves still held plenty of dried meat and frozen reserves. 

Bai Tu handed out the dried meat and began boiling the frozen meat. Stewed meat was quick to prepare, and along with a pot of bone broth, dinner was served in no time.

Just as everyone was about to eat, Hei Yan returned, carrying cubs on his back. As soon as he arrived, he placed them on the ground and proudly declared, “Look at what we got!” He directed his comment specifically at Lang Ze.

“Pfft,” Lang Ze scoffed, glancing at the number of cubs. “We caught way more than you!” 

The Wolves had managed to capture seven or eight cubs the previous night, not counting the chickens and ducks they had hunted, all without delaying their usual hunting activities. The Hawks, on the other hand, had only brought back cubs and no food.

“That’s only because there are fewer of us,” Hei Yan shot back. “If we had as many people as you Wolves, we’d have caught way more!”

As the two started bickering again, Bai Tu calmly picked a relatively quiet spot to sit down and eat. 

He was used to this by now—after all, this wasn’t the first time they’d argued. 

As long as they didn’t draw weapons, there wasn’t much to worry about. The only time they had come close to doing so had been over chopping meat for dumpling filling.

Bai Tu had long since stopped trying to mediate; it wasn’t worth the effort.

Mao Lin, observing the newly arrived beastman arguing with Lang Ze, initially thought they might belong to rival tribes. 

Given Lang Ze’s childish nature, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he had offended someone. However, the more she listened, the more it didn’t sound like they were enemies. She glanced curiously at Hei Yan, unsure of what to make of their dynamic.

Hei Yan, though focused on his argument with Lang Ze, didn’t completely drop his guard and immediately caught Mao Lin’s gaze. He raised an eyebrow and snapped, “What are you looking at me for?!”

In Hei Yan’s mind, there was no tribe he couldn’t challenge, whether it was the allied Rabbit Tribe, the rival Wolf Tribe, or the unfamiliar Cat Tribe that had just arrived. His approach was simple: if you’re unhappy, let’s fight.

The attitude of beastmen was always evident in their expressions and body language. 

Although Hei Yan’s words were phrased as a question, his tone and posture were anything but polite. His confrontational demeanor and readiness for a fight were unmistakable, no matter who was watching.

Mao Lin’s fur bristled immediately. 

For a moment, even the Wolves didn’t seem quite as annoying. 

As she saw Hei Yan spreading his wings, clearly ready to fight, she finally realized his species. So he’s one of those bird-types, she thought. Figures—beastmen with wings are just as irritating as Wolves. They should just be caught and eaten. 

Her gaze fixated on his wings. With the rainy season, there were fewer flying prey animals in the wild, and it had been a long time since she’d eaten any…

Hei Yan suddenly felt a chill down his wings. 

Without hesitation, Hei Xiao slapped him on the back, prompting Hei Yan to quickly retract his wings. He glanced at Mao Lin, who still hadn’t answered his earlier question, and then at Lang Ze. With a snort, he muttered to himself, These land-bound beastmen must be jealous of my wings. I should probably stop showing them off—they’re probably just waiting for a chance to ruin them out of envy.

“Let’s eat,” Hei Jian said, interrupting the situation. 

Normally, he wouldn’t involve himself in the squabbles of two childish beastmen, but the fact that Hei Yan had spread his wings… well, that needed to be dealt with. Hei Xiao fell silent for a moment.

Bai Tu, meanwhile, glanced curiously at the animal hide Hei Yan was wearing. 

A question had popped into his mind: didn’t Hei Yan’s clothes not have holes in the back? How did the wings come out?

His question was soon answered.

Hei Xiao sighed. “Bai Tu, do you have any extra animal hides?”

“Hmm?” Bai Tu looked up. “Yeah, I do. Do you need a new one?”

Animal hides were essential in the Beast God Continent. 

Any tribe with even a bit of surplus would keep a stockpile of them. 

The quality and price varied greatly—some tribes specialized in tanning hides, and the type of animal used also influenced the characteristics of the finished product. 

The softest and warmest hides were the most expensive, while lesser ones were either warm but not soft, soft but not warm, or, in the worst cases, neither. Such poor-quality hides were little more than a covering, better than nothing but far from ideal.

The Rabbit Tribe’s hides hadn’t been particularly good in the past, but after trading for a significant amount of salt at the market, the tribe’s overall living standards had improved. 

Bai Tu himself now had several hides of varying quality. At Hei Xiao’s question, his first instinct was to grab the best one, but then he reconsidered. With the weather being so hot, warmth wasn’t necessary—softness alone would suffice.

“He’s the one wearing it,” Hei Xiao said helplessly, pointing at Hei Yan’s back. 

Almost as if to prove his point, Hei Yan stretched his arms, and the animal hide on his back suddenly split into three flaps, the shoulders still connected. For a moment, it looked like he was wearing a makeshift rag.

Bai Tu: “…” He had to admit, it was… unique.

“I’ll go get one,” Bai Tu said. 

Since the hide was for Hei Yan, there was no need to grab the best one. It wasn’t that Bai Tu didn’t care about his allies—it was just that every beastman knew that hunting team members shouldn’t wear expensive hides.

“Get the worst one,” Hei Xiao reminded him. “Who knows how long this next hide will last. We brought hides when we first arrived, but now we’re out of stock.”

Bai Tu: “…” 

He couldn’t quite bring himself to be that stingy, so he decided to grab the second-worst one instead. After all, there was still some sense of partnership to maintain.

“Hahaha—!” Lang Ze immediately burst out laughing without holding back.

Lang Qi glanced at his foolish brother and, for a moment, didn’t know how to describe his feelings.

When Lang Ze caught his brother’s gaze, he suddenly remembered the mountain of animal hides he’d personally shredded in the past. 

Wisely, he shut his mouth and buried himself in his meal. 

Still, he couldn’t help but chuckle internally. 

Soon enough, his brother wouldn’t be able to control him anymore—Lang Ze’s spirits soared at the thought. 

Tomorrow, Lang Qi was leaving! Once he was gone, Lang Ze would be in charge of the Wolves, free to laugh however he pleased. The idea made him so happy he almost couldn’t keep his composure.

“What are you doing?” Mao Lin’s seat at the dinner table was near Bai An’s, not far from Bai Tu, and only a short distance from Lang Ze. 

She had initially intended to mock Lang Ze for being cowed by a single glare from his older brother. 

But when she remembered the way Lang Qi had looked at her earlier that afternoon, she decided to let it go. Still, as she turned her gaze away, she noticed Lang Ze trembling. She froze in surprise.

Shaking from just a single glance from the wolf king? Are Wolves really this cowardly?

For a moment, Mao Lin reconsidered her earlier judgment of Lang Ze as childish. Could he actually be an immature wolf cub? 

Despite her dislike of the Wolves and her wish to move to the most remote cave to avoid them, if Lang Ze was indeed a cub, his earlier behavior wouldn’t seem so intolerable. 

After all, who would hold a grudge against a cub? In the Beast God Continent, most mistakes made by cubs were forgiven until they reached maturity—only then were they expected to grow up and take responsibility for their actions.

Hei Yan, meanwhile, was extremely displeased with Lang Ze’s earlier laughter at his expense. 

Seeing Lang Ze still trembling, he waited until the food in front of him was gone, then gave the chair Lang Ze was sitting on a solid kick.

Lang Ze, who had been suppressing laughter, suddenly found himself airborne. 

In the blink of an eye, he shifted into his beast form mid-fall, landing on all fours. Whipping around, he immediately locked eyes with the culprit and lunged at Hei Yan.

Hei Yan was slightly surprised by Lang Ze’s quick reaction but swiftly shifted into his beast form to retaliate.

In an instant, chaos erupted. Hawks flew, wolves pounced, and everyone else scrambled to protect their bowls of food.

Bai Tu: “…”

Wonderful. And now their pants were torn, too.