Seven Cubs, Seven Fathers, Zero Days Off

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Big Brother Has Waited for You for So Long, Not a Day Went By That I Didn’t Hope to Find You

After returning to the cave, Shen Yue soothed the cubs.

”Female Mother, did Ancient Bear Father go fight bad guys?”

”Female Mother, will Ancient Bear Father be in danger?”

The cubs were all a little scared.

Shen Yue comforted them:

”Ancient Bear Father will come back safely. Don’t be afraid, Female Mother is here!”

After being soothed, the little ones quieted down and quickly fell asleep in her arms.

But as time ticked by, she grew more and more anxious.

’I wonder how Si Muye is doing.’

Si Muye was the first person she’d met since arriving in this world. Thinking back on their time together, she recalled how, despite being shy, reserved, and a man of few words, he had been genuinely good to her.

At least in this Otherworld, he was her only acquaintance and companion—the only one who made her feel safe enough to let down her guard.

She did not want him to get hurt.

「Meanwhile, with Si Muye.」

He rushed in the direction his spiritual power had indicated. About half an hour later, he came to a sudden stop.

The surrounding woods fell utterly silent.

Even the wind seemed to carry a dangerous, still presence.

The air was so tense it put anyone on high alert.

He narrowed his eyes and twitched his ears, listening intently for the faintest breath as he readied himself for a fight.

The next second...

A figure shot toward him. Before he could get a clear look, a fist whistled past his ear, trailing a cold draft.

Instantly tensing, he sidestepped and aimed a clean sweep kick at the person’s legs.

As if anticipating the move, his opponent planted a foot on a tree trunk and launched into the air, kicking down at him.

He blocked the kick with both arms, then grabbed the attacker’s arm and sent them flying with a shoulder throw.

But the attacker locked his wrist in a reverse grip, using the momentum to land steadily on their feet.

A fist flew at his face again, accompanied by a vicious gust of wind.

Si Muye clenched his own fist and met the attack head-on, smashing it forward.

The two fists collided, creating a massive shockwave.

The aftershock rippled outward, causing the surrounding trees to sway as if in a gale.

The force sent them both stumbling back several steps.

Just then, seven or eight more agile figures leaped from the shadows and charged at him.

The first attacker rejoined the fray.

Si Muye focused his spiritual power, pushing his body to peak agility. His eyes narrowed, radiating the bloodlust and ferocity that were etched into his very bones.

He plunged into their midst, fighting as if he hadn’t had such a satisfying, all-out brawl in a long, long time.

The group became a tangled mess of brawling bodies. Every punch landed with a meaty thud, and the sheer force of the fight shook the surrounding trees and the very ground beneath them.

The powerful aura radiating from the high-level males’ battle sent every member of the Beast Clan within kilometers scurrying back into their caves in terror.

The battle raged for over an hour. The surroundings were devastated to varying degrees—shattered trees, flying boulders, and the constant sound of explosions.

It was a truly spectacular and thrilling sight.

Hidden in the shadows, the subordinates of both Huang Ziyue and Mu Silin fought the urge to applaud.

’As expected of the Royal City’s former number one warrior. His spiritual power might not be the absolute strongest, but his raw power, combat techniques, and sheer skill are breathtaking.’

’What’s more, he’s been fighting for a full hour, yet he only seems to grow stronger, showing no signs of fatigue.’

’A man like that... you’d be lucky to have him as a friend. As an enemy, he would be a formidable foe.’

Just as Si Muye was getting into the rhythm of the fight, not yet having had his fill...

A voice rang out:

”That’s enough! All of you, stop!”

A tall figure appeared along with the voice.

The man had the same long, brown hair as Si Muye and bore a noticeable resemblance to him.

The man looked at Si Muye, his expression a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

”Third Brother, it’s really you! It seems I didn’t make this trip in vain!”

It was as if seeing Si Muye was a long-awaited dream come true; his voice overflowed with irrepressible joy.

Si Muye looked at him, his gaze lowering slightly. His voice was stiff.

”Big Brother, long time no see.”

The man looked at him, stepping closer.

”Third Brother, come here! Let me get a good look at you. You’ve suffered all these years!”

Si Muye remained rooted to the spot, the fists he’d used in battle still clenched tightly. His expression was unreadable.

The man’s deep-set eyes swept over the surrounding warriors.

The Ancient Bear Family warriors, who had just been locked in a fierce battle with Si Muye, immediately dropped to one knee.

”Greetings, Third Young Master! Welcome back!”

Si Muye froze.

’How long has it been since I heard that title? Third Young Master of the Ancient Bear Family.’

’Everyone used to call me Third Young Master. Now, the people in the family have probably long forgotten I even exist.’

A lump formed in his throat, and he remained silent.

The men on the ground remained kneeling.

The man looked at him. ”Third Brother, I was actually the one who ordered them to attack you. You’ve been missing for so many years that when I first sensed your aura, I couldn’t be sure it was really you. That’s why I resorted to this crude test. You won’t blame your big brother, will you? I’ve waited so long for you, not a single day went by when I wasn’t hoping to find you!”

Si Muye’s clenched fists relaxed slightly as he looked at the approaching man. The familiar face, the familiar aura...

’This was the big brother I once trusted most, the one who helped me more than anyone.’

’Maybe that battle was just an accident. I shouldn’t have suspected him.’

He took a deep breath.

”Of course not. How could I be angry with you, Big Brother.”

With that, he looked at the men on the ground.

”All of you, rise.”

Hearing this, no one rose immediately. Instead, they all looked to the other man.

The man’s eyebrows shot up.

”Didn’t you hear him? The Third Young Master isn’t holding a grudge against you. Now get up!”

”Yes! Thank you, Third Young Master!”

The men stood up, clearing a path.

The man looked at Si Muye, his voice filled with delight.

”Third Brother, I’m so happy I was able to find you. Thank goodness I never gave up all these years. Come, come here and let me see how you’ve been.”

Si Muye listened and took two steps forward, but then he suddenly stopped. There was one thing he couldn’t figure out.

”Big Brother, how did you know I was here? How did you find me?”

’And how did he know I was still alive?’

Seeing him stop, the man’s eyes flickered slightly before he explained:

”Didn’t I just tell you? I’ve been looking for you all these years. I simply refused to believe that my third brother died in that battle, and I never believed the rumors that you’d been captured by the Sand Sea Insect Clan. So, I kept searching for you in secret. This time, my search led me to this borderland. I sensed your aura and came straight here. I never expected it would really be you! Thank the heavens and thank the Beast God you’re all right!”

As Si Muye listened, the tension in his handsome brow eased.

’So that’s how it was.’

’It seems what my subordinates reported back then wasn’t true. Big Brother is still the same as always, treating me with genuine sincerity.’

The man looked at him, spreading his arms wide.

”Why are you being so distant? Come on, come over here. It’s been too long since we brothers have seen each other. I’ve really missed you!”

Si Muye looked at the open embrace. When they were children, he had loved jumping into his big brother’s arms.

His brother would lift him high into the air.

When he grew older, before every battle, his brother would give him a proper Ancient Bear Family bear hug, a blessing for his triumphant return.

He stepped forward, walking toward the man with a sense of relief. It felt like coming home.

’After all these years, I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to have a family. But ultimately, I am homesick. There are people back home I care about: Grandpa, the patriarch, Father, female mother... and this brother.’

Si Muye walked up to the man, looking at his open embrace.

His eyes filled with joy.

”Big Brother!”

The man smiled warmly. ”Third Brother!”

Si Muye reached out and embraced him tightly, just like in the old days.

But as he looked at the man’s beaming smile, A Yue’s parting words suddenly flashed through his mind.

’How can it be such a coincidence?’

’Could A Yue have known my brother would hug me?’

’But A Yue isn’t a god. How could she possibly know the future?’

A sense of alarm suddenly shot through him.

The man held him in the embrace of a good older brother.

”This is great. It’s good to have you back.”

Just as suspicion took root in Si Muye’s heart...

The man’s eyes, hidden from Si Muye’s view, suddenly hardened. A pitch-black dagger appeared from his sleeve...

...and plunged unexpectedly toward his chest.