Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Chapter 08: Bewitching or Bewitched?

The tide shifted rapidly. Where there had been only hostility and suspicion, now came cautious approval.

Su Qinglan’s lips curled ever so slightly. Her fox-like eyes glittered as she turned toward the woman who had spoken up for her.

Her aunt.

The only one in this entire tribe who had always treated her kindly, who had spoiled her despite her reputation, who had raised her like a daughter because she herself had none.

Su Qinglan softened her expression, letting her eyes shine sweetly as she bowed her head.

"Thank you, Aunt," she said gently.

Then she walked down to the wounded wolf.

Han Jue lay sprawled in the dirt, his breaths shallow, his fur matted with blood. His body twitched faintly, but his ice-blue eyes were glassy and unfocused. He was half-unconscious now. He didn’t even react when she tugged the blood-soaked hide free from the gaping wound in his side.

Su Qinglan wrinkled her nose at the stench of iron but moved quickly, her hands steady and sure. She poured clean water over the hide, wiping away blood with the clean hide. Her movements were swift, efficient, and well practiced. Exactly like the witch doctor.

The onlookers exchanged glances. Their earlier doubts faltered. She really does look like she knows what she’s doing...

When the worst of the blood was cleared, Su Qinglan leaned back with a thoughtful hum. "I’ll need medicine. Keep him still. I’ll return soon." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

No one doubted her.

She slipped away into the forest. Once alone, she scanned the underbrush, sharp eyes searching until she found what she needed, the most common bleeding stopper, an herb almost everyone knew how to use in an apocalypse. She plucked a handful, washed them clean with water, then crouched by a flat stone to grind them into a green pulp.

Carrying it back, she crouched beside Han Jue once more. She pressed the poultice gently into the torn flesh. The crowd watched closely, but no one noticed the faint shimmer that flickered around her palm, like dew glinting in sunlight.

Su Qinglan was using her plant-type healing ability on him. Soon the gentle energy seeped into the wound to knit the wolf’s inner wounds together, sealing what the herbs alone could not.

Su Qinglan’s face remained serene, but sweat beaded her forehead. She pulled her hand back sharply before she healed too much, letting only the worst damage fade enough to keep him alive.

Careful, Su Qinglan, she scolded herself silently. As she realizes her energy was almost sucked out by the greedy wolf.

She wiped her damp palms on her hide, then calmly bound the wound with clean animal hide. Her voice carried steady authority as she straightened.

"Take him to rest. Don’t disturb him. I’ll check his wound again later."

The warriors nodded, already convinced.

She handed the remaining herbs to them. "Use these on the others. Do as I did just now."

They obeyed instantly, scattering to treat the less injured.

Su Qinglan exhaled quietly, wiping sweat from her brow. To the crowd, she appeared calm, dutiful, and even admirable. Inside, she was rolling her eyes.

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