I Got Cheated On and Ended Up in A Beast World

Chapter 179: Chapter 179

The war council hall was silent. Dozens of generals stood on both sides of the enormous jade chamber, each one wearing heavy battle armor marked with scars from countless campaigns.

A giant map floated above the center of the hall, displaying mountains, rivers, and ancient teleportation arrays as every important territory of the Upper Realm glowed with different colors.

Cassian stood before the map with both hands behind his back while no one dared speak first. An elderly minister finally stepped forward, pointing out that the Silver Leopard Clan had moved again.

A point of silver light flashed on the floating map to show they had occupied another mountain pass.

Another general frowned and added that their scouts also reported several wandering clans joining Patriarch Wang. Cassian’s golden eyes remained calm as he asked for the numbers.

The general replied that they had approximately eighty thousand warriors, and that the number was increasing every day while they destroyed every spatial gate connected to the northern border.

Cassian looked at the glowing map without changing his expression, noting that they were simply buying time. The generals exchanged glances before one cautiously asked what they were buying time for. Cassian answered quietly, explaining it was for Wang.

Everyone understood immediately. Only one reason could make the Silver Leopard Patriarch leave his territory after spending years cleansing the northern lands, and that was the female.

A younger commander stepped forward and suggested they attack first to strike before more clans could gather, destroy their supply routes, and force them back.

The hall became filled with discussion while Cassian simply listened. Then, his spiritual pressure spread across the chamber, causing every voice to disappear instantly. He stated that if they wanted war, they should let them walk all the way here.

Several commanders looked confused, but Cassian explained that if the enemy traveled farther, they would become tired, hungry, and exposed. He slowly turned toward the enormous palace window where snow covered the mountains outside, stating that he would choose the battlefield himself. No one questioned him again.

A shadow guard suddenly appeared beside the entrance and knelt immediately. Cassian glanced toward him and asked what he wanted. The guard reported that the royal physician requested permission to strengthen the protective formations around her courtyard.

Several elders looked surprised, and Cassian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he asked for the reason. The guard explained that the physician believed loud spiritual fluctuations might disturb her recovery.

Cassian approved it without hesitation, ordering them to double every protective formation and ensure no one trained within five hundred meters of her tower.

The generals quietly lowered their heads, realizing their king was changing. Before, he would never interrupt a war council over a single female. Now, every report eventually returned to her, though no one dared comment.

Far away outside the northern border, a cold wind swept across endless grasslands. Thousands of tents stretched toward the horizon, and silver banners fluttered proudly beneath the gray sky.

The enormous Silver Leopard Clan camp was busy as warriors sharpened blades, blacksmiths repaired armor, and messenger birds flew constantly between command tents.

At the center stood the largest pavilion where Wang stood before another floating map. His silver robes were simple, and only the clan emblem embroidered across his shoulder revealed his high position.

Several clan elders surrounded him, with one old elder frowning deeply and arguing that their warriors were growing impatient and should attack.

Another elder disagreed, noting that the Citadel was heavily defended and rushing forward would cost thousands of lives. Silence followed before Wang finally spoke, asking how many reports they had received from their scouts today. A guard stepped forward, announcing there were seven reports.

Wang told him to read them. The guard opened the scroll, stating there was no movement from the eastern fortress or the western ridge, and that the Citadel had reinforced every outer formation.

He hesitated before adding that there was one additional report stating the female had not left her tower.

The room became quiet as the guard continued, explaining their informant said she had remained inside since returning, with no visitors except physicians and no public appearances. Wang slowly closed his eyes, his hands tightening behind his back as he realized she was trapped, just as Wei Xiang had described.

One elder carefully asked if they should continue gathering allies, and Wang opened his eyes to confirm they should, knowing the Manticore King would not release her willingly. Another elder frowned, mentioning that the Dragon Clan had not replied and the Snake Valley remained silent.

Wang looked toward the distant mountains and stated with complete certainty that they would answer eventually, as they were likely searching for them.

Several hundred kilometers away, Wei Xiang finally opened his eyes. He lay inside a small wooden cabin hidden deep within a mountain forest, his body wrapped in fresh bandages while every breath still hurt. A young healer noticed him waking and told him he should not move.

Wei Xiang slowly sat up anyway, his shoulder screaming with pain as he asked how long he had been out. The healer replied that it had been three days and that he had nearly died. Wei Xiang ignored the warning and asked where Patriarch Wang was, learning he was just outside.

Without another word, Wei Xiang climbed out of bed even though his legs nearly collapsed beneath him.

The healer hurried forward, warning him that he would reopen his wounds, but Wei Xiang steadied himself against the wall and muttered that he did not have time. He pushed open the wooden door, and cold mountain air immediately hit his face.

Outside, hundreds of Silver Leopard warriors trained across the valley with absolute discipline. Wei Xiang slowly walked toward the highest cliff where Wang stood alone, looking south toward the distant Citadel. Without turning around, Wang noted that Wei Xiang should still be resting.

Wei Xiang stopped beside him and replied that he had rested enough. Silence settled between them until Wei Xiang quietly asked when they were leaving. Wang’s golden eyes never left the horizon as he answered that they would move when everyone was ready.

Wei Xiang frowned, pointing out that she did not have that much time. Wang admitted he knew, and Wei Xiang’s voice became rough as he added that he had seen her and she looked terrible, though he could not finish the sentence. Wang understood anyway as the wind carried only silence between them.

Then Wang quietly spoke, admitting he had failed her once but promised he would not fail her again. Far away, hidden behind snow-covered mountains, the golden towers of the Supreme Citadel shone beneath the afternoon sun.

Neither male noticed a pair of crimson eyes watching both armies from the shadows, smiling as though he wanted the coming war to happen.

The afternoon sun slowly disappeared behind the snow-covered peaks, stretching long shadows across the Supreme Citadel.

Inside the royal palace, servants hurried through the corridors with lowered heads, speaking only in whispers. Everyone had heard the news that the northern border was becoming restless and war was drawing closer, yet no one dared mention it in front of the female living inside the highest tower.

Lin Wan sat beside the crystal window with an unfinished piece of embroidery resting in her lap. Sister Yun had brought it earlier that morning, saying it would help pass the time, but after only a few stitches, Lin Wan had put the needle down.

Her thoughts were elsewhere as she gently rubbed her lower abdomen, whispering to ask if the child was hungry again.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, and after giving permission, the doors opened. Sister Yun walked in carrying another tray, which was filled with warm rice porridge, freshly steamed buns, boiled vegetables, and a small bowl of clear chicken broth. The smell was light and comforting, causing Lin Wan to feel no nausea.

Sister Yun noticed immediately and noted that today’s meal seemed suitable. Lin Wan nodded and thanked her before picking up the spoon.

She managed several bites before stopping, which was already far better than before, allowing Sister Yun to secretly let out a breath of relief.

Just then, another maid entered carrying several scrolls that His Majesty had ordered, placing them carefully onto a nearby table. Lin Wan looked over and saw books about flowers, mountain herbs, ancient music, painting, and even several romance novels.

She blinked in surprise and noted that he had sent them, but quickly looked away and stated she would not read them.

The younger maid hesitated, but Sister Yun gently raised a hand to stop her, telling her to leave the books. The maids quietly withdrew, leaving only Sister Yun behind. She looked at the lonely girl sitting by the window and softly suggested that she did not have to refuse everything.

Lin Wan smiled sadly, explaining that if she accepted one thing, they would expect her to accept everything. Sister Yun had no answer to this, and after a long silence, she quietly bowed and left the room.

Elsewhere inside the palace, Cassian walked alone through a quiet stone corridor after dismissing every attendant following him.

Soon, only his footsteps echoed through the space, and without realizing it, he found himself stopping outside Jarek’s memorial. A simple stone monument stood beneath a snow-covered pine tree to honor his former vanguard captain and most loyal soldier.

Cassian stood before the memorial for a long time as the cold wind stirred his black robes. Speaking into the silence, he noted that Jarek had disobeyed him and betrayed his order, yet he slowly closed his eyes and realized the captain believed he was protecting her. No answer came except for the falling snow.

Cassian opened his eyes again, remembering that Jarek had served him for over three hundred years before he killed him. The words sounded strangely heavy.

He had never regretted executing traitors until now, especially when he remembered Lin Wan’s tears and how she had cried that she never wanted the captain to die.

His jaw tightened as he wondered for the first time whether his anger that day had truly been justice or simply wounded pride. Night slowly fell, and far beyond the palace walls, a lone raven landed upon a dead pine tree overlooking the Citadel. Its crimson eyes glowed unnaturally, showing that someone was watching through it.

The raven tilted its head toward the highest tower before spreading its wings again. High above the clouds, a dark-robed figure stood upon an ancient floating platform, and the raven landed quietly on the figure’s arm. A low voice chuckled, noting that she was carrying the royal child.

The figure smiled beneath the hood, finding the situation very interesting. Stroking the raven’s feathers, the figure ordered it to continue watching, noting that if the child survived, the entire Upper Realm would become far more entertaining before sending the bird away.

Inside her chamber, Lin Wan could not sleep as moonlight poured through the crystal window. She quietly climbed out of bed and walked barefoot across the cold floor to watch the snowflakes drift beneath the silver moon.

She rested her forehead against the crystal barrier and whispered that she missed home.

She did not mean Earth, but rather the little cave where Wang used to cook, the way Qin Mo placed fruit beside her while pretending he did not care, and Long Zhan’s loud laughter.

She even missed Wei Xiang’s awkward smile and her overall freedom, causing a warm tear to roll down her cheek.

Behind her, the chamber door opened quietly as Cassian stepped inside after returning from the council much later than expected.

He immediately noticed her standing by the window, looking so small beneath the moonlight that she seemed ready to disappear. Neither of them spoke for several moments as they stood separated by only a few steps.

Finally, Lin Wan spoke without turning around, asking if he ever had a place he wanted to go that made him feel peaceful.

Cassian thought for a long moment before slowly answering that he did not. She wasn’t surprised and softly described the little waterfall near the cave, remembering how Wang complained about her wandering, how Qin Mo worried in secret, and how Long Zhan made too much noise.

The smile slowly disappeared from her face as she wondered if they were alright.

Cassian listened silently, and for once, he did not interrupt because he realized something painful. Every memory that made her smile did not include him, and every memory she had of him only brought tears.

Outside, the first distant horn echoed across the northern mountains, releasing a deep, ancient sound that rolled through the valleys like approaching thunder.

Cassian’s eyes immediately sharpened as he recognized the sound of war getting closer, while far beyond the endless snow, the Silver Leopard Clan continued its march toward the Supreme Citadel.