The wicked female is extremely fierce, but she's pampered by her seven beast husbands.

Chapter 284 Father Returns
Because Chang Tianchen was very bloodthirsty, Ling Chengen entrusted him with the task of forming an army, but he was worried that he would mistreat and kill prisoners of war. So after thinking it over, he decided to restrain him.

First and foremost, prisoners of war must not be killed.

Although Chang Tianchen didn't understand, he thought for a moment and said, "It only applies to prisoners of war who do not resist. If they are the kind of people who pretend to surrender but intend to find an opportunity to resist, I will not show them any mercy."

Ling Chengen nodded and said, "Of course."

"Regarding prisoners of war, there are more than two thousand of them. If we were to feed them a full meal every day, our food supplies would be incredibly limited. So for now, we'll only feed them one meal a day. And only the first thousand or so people in line can eat after they've finished their labor or training."

Chang Tianchen frowned and said, "The physical attributes of orcs are generally related to their race, so doing this will actually..."

“I know,” Ling Chengen said. “There will definitely be some people with very poor health who won’t be able to get a single meal.”

"This policy will last for three days. If someone goes three days without eating, they will be singled out."

"Moreover, you need to find a way to prevent them from banding together and to make them competitors. This will help to divide them and reduce the possibility of riots caused by discontent."

Chang Tianchen vaguely discerned her intentions from her words and hesitated before asking, "You want to train the first batch of soldiers from these prisoners of war?"

His brows furrowed quickly, and he crossed his arms, reminding us, "They probably still have tribespeople and relatives in other tribes. Even if they are trained, they won't be of any use to us. You're being a bit naive."

Ling Chengen: "Then let's take down their tribes too."

"That way, you won't have any worries."

She spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and Chang Tianchen was amused by her arrogant remarks. He plopped down on the cut-down tree trunk, propped his chin up with one hand, and laughed, "You're thinking too simply. The clansmen and relatives of these prisoners of war are all in the south. With Shilin's current strength, even if Sheshan surrenders, the chances of winning are not great."

"There are too few high-level warriors. If we really fight them, our chances of winning are slim."

"Don't underestimate those major tribes in the south. They're not simple characters. Otherwise, how could they have occupied the most resource-rich south for so many years?"

"Although the Uga tribe is considered a large tribe, its scale cannot compare with that of the Cruma or the Great Xing. You should know that a tribe is called a large tribe not only because of its large population, but also because it can make many small and medium-sized tribes dependent on them and obey their commands."

"Although the Uga tribe lost this battle, it wasn't crippled. They still have about a dozen small and medium-sized tribes that rely on them. You managed to burn down the Mulan Plain once, and you had the advantage of timing, location, and popular support. They will be more wary of your next tactics, and you won't be able to replicate this victory..."

"Have you considered what would happen to you if they suddenly deployed all their available troops?"

Ling Chengen asked curiously, "Where did you get this information from? How do you know so much detail?"

Although Bai Xi had a lot of information, it seemed to be mostly rumors and gossip, unlike the targeted information he provided, which was also very accurate.

Chang Tianchen pulled something resembling a finger bone from his neck and blew on it.

Soon a small, dark green snake emerged from the grass.

Lin Jing transformed into a half-human, half-snake form and asked with a curious expression, "Clan leader, you were looking for me?"

Chang Tianchen pointed at Lin Jing: "If you want to know any information, you can ask him. Even if he doesn't know, he can still find out for you."

Ling Chengen looked at Lin Jing curiously, staring at his small face and thin upper body. She felt that he looked a bit malnourished, especially since she knew that this guy and that Daogu Chengshe Linquan were brothers born in the same litter. The two looked like worlds apart.

"Is any kind of message acceptable?"

"It's related to his innate abilities." Chang Tianchen simply said this without explaining Lin Jing's abilities in detail. She would have a chance to learn about these things later; it would be too troublesome to explain them now.

Chang Tianchen also explained his plans and the subsequent arrangements for Snake Mountain to Lin Jing.

Ling Chengen thought Lin Jing was going to try to persuade Chang Tianchen, but after listening to him, he straightened his back calmly and said, "Clan leader, you acted even faster than I expected!"

Ling Chengen asked curiously, "I don't plan to try to persuade him. After all, once Snake Mountain is merged into Stone Forest, your snake clan will have to listen to our arrangements."

Lin Jing said calmly, "It was destined from the beginning, so what's there to be unable to accept?"

“Our clan chief is determined to marry into the family, and it’s no secret that we’re talking about this.”

Chang Tianchen immediately kicked him and glared at him, saying, "If you can't speak properly, then get lost—"

Lin Jing calmly patted the dust off his backside, moved closer to Ling Chengen, introduced himself, and took out a bone whistle from the animal skin bag at his waist: "This is a bone whistle that can summon me. My hearing is extremely sharp. As long as you blow it, I will know where you are and then I will rush over."

"What if they are too far apart?" Ling Chengen asked.

Lin Jing casually pulled out a three-foot-long dark green snake from the animal skin bag at his waist: "My eyes and ears are all over the entire Northern Beast Plain. Wherever they are, I can find out information. If I can't get here in time, you can catch a snake like this and communicate with me."

"However, Chief Ling is from the Boshan Giant Tiger clan, and he may not understand our snake language. So if you need to gather information, it's best to bring a snake warrior with you so he can act as your translator. Of course, if you're worried about finding a small snake like the one I have, you can just carry one with you; they're very easy to raise."

"It's poisonous, so be careful not to get bitten."

Ling Chengen: "..."

Seeing her interest in Lin Jing, Chang Tianchen said with great interest, "I have quite a few very useful people under my command. If you need them, I can introduce them to you when I have the chance. However, most of them are not in the city today, so you won't be able to meet them."

"There will be opportunities in the future." Ling Chengen realized that he really did have something.

No wonder he carries this weakling Lin Jing with him everywhere he goes; turns out he's a technician.

On the contrary, Lin Quan, who was very strong in combat, was always sent out by him to do some time-consuming and laborious work.

Chang Tianchen said, "You might as well hear what I have to say about these prisoners of war."

"Detain them for a while first, and if there are any willing to submit, we'll accept them."

"But the rest is to have their people exchange goods, so you can stockpile a batch of supplies and solve the food shortage problem that may occur when the population of Beast City expands rapidly during the cold season."

“If you want to replenish the population of Beast City, you can certainly consider those tribes that were affected by the fire and forced to migrate.”

“Those tribes are all from our central region. Compared to the more complicated southern tribes, we know them quite well.”

"And weren't you trying to resolve their compensation issue?"

“Bring them into the Beast City, and perhaps we won’t even need to bring any supplies; we just need to provide them with a place to stay.”

"These tribes are not particularly strong in combat, but they are not weak either."

"Moreover, their strength is below that of Stone Forest and Snake Mountain, so it is not difficult to suppress them. Making them obedient and compliant is also a piece of cake."

Why bother gnawing on bones that are not only hard but also smelly?

Ling Chengen was convinced by him. After thinking for a while, he said, "What you said makes sense. I will consider it." "You can choose a house in the city that you like as your residence."

Chang Tianchen didn't know how the topic had suddenly jumped to this point, but he was good at going with the flow, so he smiled and said, "Can I move into your house?"

Chongzhen hadn't said a word until he heard him speak. He immediately rolled his eyes and snorted, "Wishful thinking! We didn't save any space for you in our yard."

Chang Tianchen glanced at him but ignored him, saying only to Ling Chengen, "I want to live next to your courtyard."

Ling Chengen tilted his head and asked, "Are there residences next to our courtyard?"

"There is a courtyard on each side, both of which are quite large. They were originally intended for meritorious officials who have made greater contributions to the city. Are you sure you want to give them to him now?" Chongzhen was still a little reluctant.

Ling Chengen turned his head to look at Chang Tianchen: "What should we do? He thinks you're not worth it."

"You need to prove your worth first. We can temporarily allocate the south-facing apartment in our house to you."

Chang Tianchen didn't think Ling Chengen was stingy; he simply said confidently, "That house is definitely mine, so it's okay for me to move in early, right?"

Ling Chengen turned to look at Chongzhen. Although she didn't say anything, Chongzhen felt that her expression said everything.

Chongzhen shook his head and sighed speechlessly. He took out a map of the city's houses from the spatial container, found the location of the house that Ling Chengen had mentioned, and then marked it with a charcoal pencil.

"It's yours. I'll have someone put up a sign for you on the door tomorrow and send you the keys."

Chang Tianchen realized that although Ling Chengen was the master of this beast city, most of the daily affairs were actually handled by the fox next to her.

He silently adjusted his opinion of Shigeaki.

A partner who was highly valued by Ling Chengen.

Their positioning is not quite the same as Yuheng's.

Although Yuheng is very powerful, he doesn't actually have much power to interfere in Beast City, and he doesn't like to meddle in things. So, he is simply very capable and is Shilin's biggest support right now. His position can be said to be unshakable.

There is also a white-feathered bird.

He had witnessed Ling Chengen and Bai Qingyu's interactions, and he had also heard about some of their past romantic affairs.

Bai Qingyu is probably Ling Chengen's most favored beast husband.

It can be said that this partnership was basically free of any self-interest.

Is it true love?
Chang Tianchen had some doubts about this.

The Ling Chengen he knew didn't seem like a pure love warrior.

……

The organization of the army was not so smooth, because Chang Tianchen was the chieftain of the Snake Mountain clan. Before the Snake Mountain clan moved into the city, he had no resources in the Beast City. It was quite difficult for him to command the warriors in the city. It was not as simple as Ling Chengen making arrangements for him to take office immediately.

But Ling Chengen had already entrusted him with the task and didn't intend to interfere with how he planned to build a team capable of fighting in the north and south.

The hunting party returned before the Snake Mountain tribe moved into Beast City.

Ling Chengen stood at the city gate to welcome the hunting team returning with their bounty. Many orcs in the city moved with the wind and rushed to the south gate of the beast city, curiously watching the Stone Forest hunting team they had never seen before.

Standing next to Ling Chengen, Bai Qingyu said with a smile, "This trip south has been quite fruitful."

Ling Chengen was a little curious, but he wouldn't go into details right now, so she didn't press him further.

The return of the hunting party was quite a grand spectacle.

The procession stretched out in a long line, visible from afar as it marched from the south. The grasslands, scorched by wildfire, were a dark, inky black, like a sheet of black cardstock. The hunters, dressed in animal hides of various colors, carried heavy loads as they advanced step by step.

Some soldiers, eager to return home, quickened their pace upon seeing the Beast City, causing their formation to become slightly disordered.

But cheers and exclamations could be heard from afar.

Ling Xiao stopped at the entrance of the Beast City, looking at the unfamiliar words carved on it. He vaguely knew that it was En En who had made the writing, but he didn't recognize it.

However, this did not stop him from being filled with emotion, his complex feelings beyond words.

He covered his eyes with his hand, but quickly removed it, his smile widening.

I never expected that he would enjoy the benefits of his eldest daughter's life before his own daughter is even an adult.

He truly lives up to his reputation as Enen.

After spotting Ling Xiao in the crowd, Ling Chengen immediately abandoned Bai Qingyu beside him and strode towards Ling Xiao, but he couldn't outrun the rabbit-like Ling Xiaoxi.

The little girl squeezed through the adults' legs, then jumped up and pounced on Ling Xiao.

"Father—"

Ling Xiaoxi's voice was crisp and clear. She was at the age where she could eat a lot and was growing rapidly. When she bumped into Ling Xiao, she knocked him back a step before he could catch her strong momentum.

Ling Xiaoxi remained in her beast form, her two furry paws gripping Ling Xiao's shoulders, and she rubbed her round, furry head against Ling Xiao's cheek, as if she wanted to rub sparks off his wheat-colored face.

Ling Xiao couldn't resist his little girl's coquettishness, and immediately grinned from ear to ear. He reached out and ruffled Ling Xiaoxi's shiny fur, gently brushing aside her short tiger fur. He couldn't help but chuckle and ask, "Did you miss your father?"

"I miss it so much—"

Ling Xiaoxi didn't want to get off him. She turned her head and stared at him with her round tiger eyes, licked her lips and pink nose, and said with a smile, "Father, did you bring me anything fun when you came back?"

"Yes, I brought it. Have you been listening to your older sister and brother-in-law these past few days?"

Before Ling Xiao could finish speaking, Ling Chengen reached out and grabbed her by the back of the neck, pulling the half-grown tiger cub from Ling Xiao's arms. He scoffed, "Obey? Does that word even exist in her dictionary?"

Ling Xiaoxi immediately opened her mouth and grabbed her coat, trying to tear it off, and said angrily, "You're pulling my coat again? And you're talking bad about me!"

"Sister, do you believe I'll rip your skirt off?"

Ling Chengen lowered his head, clenched his fist, and threatened, "If you dare to tear my skirt off, see if I won't smash your round head!"

(End of this chapter)