Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Memories of the Last Rain

As they walked toward their cave, Su Qinglan’s mind was full of thoughts.

The priest’s words, the system’s new mission, and now, the severe rain... it all felt like a lot to take in.

After a while, she looked up at Hu Yan and asked softly,

"Hu Yan... last year, when it rained, was it really that bad? Did our cave get flooded too?"

Hu Yan’s steps slowed a little. He turned his head and looked at her. His expression turned serious, and there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"Yes," he said quietly. "Last year, the rain was also very heavy. It didn’t stop for many days. The river overflowed, and water came rushing into the lower caves. Even our cave was flooded. Most of our food was washed away. We barely survived that time."

Su Qinglan’s eyes widened in shock. "It got that bad?"

Hu Yan nodded, his face darkening with memories.

"When the water rose, we had no choice but to move to the upper mountain. But the problem was, there were no caves up there big enough for everyone. The place was rocky and steep. We could only find a few dry spots."

He sighed deeply before continuing.

"At that time, we got help from the Bird Tribe. They allowed us to stay on the edge of the mountain where at least the females and cubs could be safe. But for us beastmen... we had to sleep on the trees or on open ground. The rain never stopped, and we were soaked most of the time. It was really hard to find food."

Su Qinglan felt a sharp pain in her chest as she listened. She couldn’t even imagine what that must have been like — living under heavy rain without any roof, food, or warmth.

Hu Yan’s voice lowered even more.

"Many got sick that time. Some never recovered. Even the witch doctor couldn’t do much. The females got sick from drinking dirty water, and the cubs... some didn’t survive. It was pure chaos."

Su Qinglan’s steps slowed. She looked at Hu Yan with wide eyes.

To think that the proud and strong beastmen had to suffer like that, it made her heart ache. She couldn’t imagine how they would have faced such a situation, losing their lives in front of their eyes and they could do nothing.

Hu Yan noticed her sad expression. He smiled faintly and gently reached out to knock her forehead with his finger.

"Don’t look at me like that," he said softly. "This time, it will be different. I’ll make sure you and our cubs are safe."

Su Qinglan blinked and looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Hu Yan said with determination, "this time, we’ll seek refuge with the Bird Tribe before the rain starts. You’re pregnant, and we can’t risk staying in the lower caves. I’ll make sure we pay them enough prey so they’ll let us stay for the entire rainy season."

She frowned slightly. "But what about the rest of the tribe? They can’t all go, right?"

Hu Yan shook his head.

"No. Usually, only the families with pregnant females or cubs seek refuge. The others stay behind to protect the tribe, especially orphans and single beastmen or females. The tribe can’t leave everyone unguarded."

Su Qinglan’s heart sank even more. She bit her lip as she imagined the scattered tribe — some staying behind in danger, others paying heavy prices just to survive the storm, just to protect the lives of their young ones.

And most importantly, after finding out just how dangerous this rain could be, she had to plan early. They didn’t have much time left.

She looked ahead at the faint outline of the mountain through the dark night and thought to herself, "This time... I’ll make sure no one has to sleep under the rain again."

The path toward their cave was quiet for a long time. Only the sound of their footsteps and the rustling leaves filled the air.

Hu Yan walked beside Su Qinglan, still holding her hand. Rong Ye followed silently behind them, his face calm but thoughtful.

After a while, Rong Ye finally spoke in a serious voice, his playful tone was nowhere to be found.

"Hu Yan... even if we want to gather a hundred prey, we can’t do it alone. We only have twenty-five solar days before the rainy season begins. Even if we hunt every single day, it won’t be enough."

Hu Yan glanced at him and nodded slowly. "You’re right," he said quietly.

Rong Ye continued, his brows furrowed. "And not just that. Everyone in the tribe will be out hunting now. Every beastman wants to prepare for the rainy season. The number of prey in the forest will drop fast. Soon there won’t be much left to catch."

The three of them fell into silence again. The mood grew heavy.

Su Qinglan looked down at the ground, her mind filled with worry. She didn’t want to see them struggle so hard. Twenty-five days was not much time. Even if they hunted with all their strength, they could never gather so much prey.

Just as the air grew tense, a low and hoarse voice broke the silence.

"I know a place where there are still many prey."