Chapter 15: The Lion Tribe’s Accusation and a Very Awkward Awakening

The little panda’s paws were covered in dust, and its back had been torn open by the wolves. After hitting the ground, its shoulders twitched several times, but it couldn’t straighten its back. Its claws dug into the cracks in the stone floor, desperately trying to stand, but its arms had been broken by the wolf tribe; standing was impossible.

Its tender paws were scraped raw by the jagged rocks, and tiny pebbles were embedded in the bloody flesh. Yet, it kept clawing at the stone, refusing to stay down. In those black pupils, there was only stubbornness and unyielding will—there was no fear, no retreat.

It was the heart of a true warrior.

Lin Mo marveled at its resilience, but she felt more heartbreak than anything else. She grieved for this little panda that grew up wild, without the protection of parents. It had no warm cave when it rained, had to endure sickness alone, and never backed down when bullied. She couldn’t imagine how much more suffering it had endured. Without family, without help, it was its own king.

But Lin Mo didn’t want it to be this strong. A panda should be a national treasure, pampered and loved. It should have a roof during storms, someone to care for it when ill, and a protector when bullied. She wanted it to stay cute forever.

But in this moment, the little panda’s only reliance was itself. Lin Mo hugged the phantom of the little panda tightly, tears streaming silently down her face.

As the circle of wolves closed in to its smallest point, three wolves leaped simultaneously from behind the panda. The lead white wolf’s gaze was locked on the panda’s neck; its sharp fangs were already brushing against the fur.

Lin Mo prayed for a miracle.

Suddenly, a flash of green light erupted from behind the little panda. Boom! The three wolves were slammed hundreds of meters away against a stone wall, sliding down like limp noodles.

A miracle had happened!

Lin Mo wiped her eyes, filled with joy. She looked around but saw no one—only the rustle of bamboo leaves. The little panda turned its head and saw the immobilized wolves. It seemed to understand something; its eyes shimmered with ripples of emotion.

It turned back and looked up at the towering green bamboo in the center of the valley, using its hind legs to crawl toward it with everything it had. It hadn’t cried when surrounded by a dozen wolves, but looking at that bamboo, it seemed ready to burst into tears.

Lin Mo realized: Had the bamboo saved the panda? Had the panda risked its life not to escape, but to protect that very tree?

As the panda reached the base, hundreds of thick green energy tendrils reached out like tentacles, connecting to its broken arms and wounded back. It was healing. Lin Mo let out a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, a noisy clamor reached her ears. Her vision blurred, and her head began to spin. She tried to stay conscious, blinking hard, only to find her view blocked by a piece of white fabric.

Wait… wasn’t I in the bamboo forest? Where’s my panda?

Lin Mo shook her head. Her face rubbed against the fabric, and she felt the soft skin beneath it. She realized she was no longer in her dream. She pulled back slightly and looked up—she had been lying directly on Mo Jin’s chest.

Furthermore, her legs were tightly entwined with Mo Jin’s long legs.

Lin Mo shuddered, instantly awake. She looked at the still-sleeping Mo Jin. With her eyes closed and her red lips pursed, the “Iceberg” had lost its sharp edges, looking instead like a gentle, lazy Sleeping Beauty. However, her white shirt was wrinkled, the collar was open, and—most alarmingly—there was a faint red mark on her collarbone.

It looked… suspicious. Like the aftermath of a “certain kind” of scene.

Lin Mo panicked. There were only two people here. Mo Jin wouldn’t scratch herself; the only suspect was Lin Mo. If Mo Jin wakes up and sees this, I’m a goner!

Thinking fast, Lin Mo bit her lip and leaned in cautiously. She reached out with trembling fingers to pull Mo Jin’s collar together, hoping to hide the mark and pretend nothing happened.

Zzzzt! The tent door was suddenly zipped open.

Blinding white light flooded in, illuminating the interior. Lin Mo’s fingers froze. She turned her head to see a group of lion-faced humanoids standing there.

Both sides stared at each other in stunned silence. A moment later, the lion-men vanished from the entrance. Lin Mo heard frantic whispering from outside.

“Did we just interrupt something?” “Were they doing… ‘inharmonious’ things?” “I think so.” “So, do we still gang up on them? They stole our water last night.” “Maybe we should wait a bit…” “Yeah, let’s give them a minute.”

Wait! There’s a huge misunderstanding here! Lin Mo thought, her face burning. I was just fixing a collar!

And who were these lion-men? It sounded like they were looking for a fight. Forgetting her embarrassment, Lin Mo shook Mo Jin. “Mo Jin! Wake up! People are here to cause trouble!”

But Mo Jin wouldn’t wake. In a stroke of genius, Lin Mo plucked a bamboo leaf from her head and tickled Mo Jin’s nose. Mo Jin’s nose twitched, her brow furrowing. Lin Mo fanned the leaf, making sure the bamboo scent reached her.

Mo Jin’s nose moved again, as if tracking the leaf. Suddenly, she lunged forward and bit down on Lin Mo’s fanning finger.

The warmth of Mo Jin’s lips on her fingertip sent a jolt straight to Lin Mo’s heart. Stunned, she pulled her hand back. The bamboo leaf fluttered down, landing right over Mo Jin’s eyes.

Mo Jin finally woke up. She reached up, took the leaf, popped it into her mouth, and looked at Lin Mo.

“You… you’re awake?” Lin Mo stammered.

Mo Jin narrowed her eyes, catching the guilt on Lin Mo’s face. She finished the leaf and asked calmly, “What is it?”

Lin Mo twisted her fingers. “I… I saw a bunch of lion-headed spirits outside the tent.”

“I know,” Mo Jin said flatly.

Before Lin Mo could ask how, the whispering started again: “Why are their ‘inharmonious things’ taking so long?” “Should we just rush in and hit them?”

I want to die, Lin Mo thought. Her embarrassment turned into a fierce, “do-or-die” rage. She gripped her fists and looked at Mo Jin. “I’ll handle the ones outside! You stay here. I’m going!”

She zipped open the tent and marched out.

Mo Jin watched her go, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. The little bamboo is acting strange today. Two days ago she was clinging to my leg in fear of a lynx; today she’s charging at lions?

Curious, Mo Jin followed her out.

Lin Mo stood before the Lion Tribe members, who were squatting nearby. “If you have something to say, say it to my face! Stop whispering behind our backs!”

The lion spirits blinked, looking sheepish. A smaller one whispered, “Chief, we’re here to jump them.”

The massive Lion Chief stood up, snorting through his nose. “Did you two steal the Lion Tribe’s water last night?”

A large crowd of lion spirits stood up behind him, looking very imposing—and very dim-witted.

Lin Mo stood her ground. “Who saw me steal your water?”

The Lion Chief, who had been about to order an attack, froze. His raised hand hung in mid-air.

Wait… yeah, who saw her do it?

The scene fell into a dead silence as the Lion Tribe looked at one another, completely stumped.