Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off novel Chapter 357

Chapter 357: Chapter 357: The Grief of Leaving Home Behind

The sun had already hidden behind clouds as the darkness slowly crawled at the forest, but the Fox Tribe was already a ghost of its former self.

No one had realized just how quickly twelve hours could vanish when your life depended on every second.

The forest, which was usually filled with the sounds of chirping insects, was now filled with the heavy, rhythmic thud of hundreds of paws and the quiet, muffled sobbing of females.

The evacuation happened without any delay; it was pure chaos. Following the absolute command of the Tribe Leader, Su Mingxuan, everyone had abandoned their homes.

They didn’t pack their beautiful stone bowls, their woven basket, or their carved wood items.

They only took what mattered: dried meat, hides to keep the children warm, and their lives.

Looking back at the mountain, the sight was heartbreaking.

The once-bustling tribe looked hollow. Doors were left hanging open, and fires were left to burn out into cold ash.

Some of the older beastmen had eyes that were bloodshot and red.

They had spent their whole lives on this mountain, defending it from predators and building a home for their children. Now, they were fleeing like prey.

"Is this really it?" a young fox beastman whispered, his voice cracking.

He stood at the edge of the descending path, his heavy pack pulling at his shoulders. He was barely an adult, and his eyes were overflowing with tears.

To him, the mountain wasn’t just dirt and trees. It was the place where his mother and father were buried.

Every cave and every stream held a memory of them.

He could still hear his father’s last words ringing in his ears...

"My child, live well. This is the blessing of our ancestors. Protect this tribe, for it is our lifeline. We live only so the Fox Tribe can survive."

The young man felt like he was failing his ancestors. By leaving, was he giving up their legacy?

He suddenly burst into tears, his chest heaving with the pain of a thousand "goodbyes." He felt like his heart was being torn out of his chest and left behind on the rocky cliffs.

Suddenly, a large, warm hand gripped his shoulder from behind. It was firm and steady, grounding him in the middle of his grief.

The young fox turned his head, his vision blurry with tears, to find a tall lion beastman standing there.

It was Shi Kuang, the younger brother of Shi Feng. The lion wasn’t looking at him with pity but with a deep, knowing sadness.

"It is hard to leave your home," Shi Kuang said, his voice low and rumbling like distant thunder.

"It feels like you are leaving your soul behind, doesn’t it?"

The young fox nodded weakly, unable to speak.

"But for survival, it is a must," Shi Kuang continued, giving the boy’s shoulder a supportive squeeze.

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