The resolute strength and commanding presence of the clan chieftain's heir!

Faced with Banai’s skepticism, Cang Qian was not flustered this time.

She picked up some food and said calmly, "That is just what you believe; it doesn't make it a fact. Do you live in my home every day to see for yourself? How can you be so certain that I have never cooked?"

"Just like my healing ability—you heard at the tribal assembly that I didn't have one, but the facts now prove that I do. So, seeing is not always believing, and hearing is not always the truth!"

Her words left Banai silent; indeed, she made a valid point. He began to recall many past incidents involving Cang Qian, realizing they were mostly things he had heard from others, or specifically from Sang Yingying. Yet, Cang Qian had never admitted to them herself, nor had he ever witnessed her doing those things.

He fell into deep contemplation, wondering if there was more to the past than he knew. And what about his legs? Cang Qian saw him lost in thought and chose not to disturb him.

Just then, a male beastman servant from the Chief’s household ran up and called out, "Miss Cang Qian, the Chief wants you to return at once. It’s an emergency!"

Cang Qian put down her chopsticks, stood up, and asked, "What is the emergency?"

The servant replied, "It is young female Che Baiyuan; she is going into labor. The Chief wants you to come and help immediately."

"Alright, I understand." She turned to Banai, who was still sitting with his bowl and chopsticks, and said, "Eat first. I will return once I have handled this."

She left immediately, following the servant toward the Che household. After a moment of hesitation, Banai set down his chopsticks and followed quickly behind.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the Che residence. A crowd of beastmen had already gathered outside. Whenever a young female went into labor, the villagers would gather to offer support. After all, offspring were vital in the beast world. Childbirth was also incredibly difficult for young females; a breech position could lead to obstructed labor, putting the mother’s life at risk.

The servant shouted to the crowd, "Make way, please! The Chief’s granddaughter is here. Let her through."

Instead of moving, the beastmen turned to glare at Cang Qian, some even openly criticizing her. "Why are you here? You don't have any healing ability; why are you causing trouble?"

"Exactly! It’s useless to let you in. You can’t help, so you’d be better off staying out of the way!"

"Where is Sang Yingying? She’s the one who needs to be here; she’s the only one who can help."

The beastmen continued to murmur, showing no intention of letting her pass.

"You..." The servant started to defend his mistress, but Cang Qian touched his sleeve and shook her head. She agreed with them; she wasn't a midwife, and her healing power couldn't help with the mechanics of birth, so she decided to wait outside.

Just then, Chief Cang Lian emerged from the house. The crowd swarmed him, asking for news. Cang Lian shook his head helplessly. "The situation is not good; there are signs of obstructed labor!"

As he spoke, he spotted Cang Qian standing at the back. Thinking she had just arrived, he walked over in frustration and scolded, "Xiao Qian, if you arrive this late, do you truly not want to be the heir to the Chief?"

Cang Qian explained, "Grandfather, I arrived a long time ago, but the crowd wouldn't let me through. If you don't believe me, ask him." She pointed to the servant.

The servant quickly added, "It’s true, Chief. Miss has been here for a while, wanting to help, but they wouldn't let her pass."

The crowd retorted, "It’s not that we wouldn't let her; it’s that she has no healing ability and doesn't know how to deliver a baby! What is the point of her going in?"

Cang Qian finally lost her patience and retorted, "As long as I am the heir to the Chief, I have the right to enter! Whether or not I am useful is a matter of my own ability, but blocking me is your fault!"

"Furthermore, while I may not understand childbirth, I know that a woman in labor needs quiet and ventilation. You are crowding the area, causing poor air circulation and unnecessary noise—are you being useful at all??"

The crowd fell silent. Cang Lian looked at her, a surge of pleasant surprise rising in his heart. His granddaughter had finally grown! In the past, she would have only lowered her head in silence, but today she displayed the dignity of an heir and even scolded the others.

Not far away, Sang Yingying stood behind a large tree, watching. She had stayed away on purpose, craving the vanity of being desperately called for. Nearby, Banai stood watching as well, observing not just Cang Qian, but Sang Yingying too.

He had been watching for about twenty minutes. He saw that when Cang Qian was being berated, she hadn't shown anger, but rather a look of anxious concern. Sang Yingying, by contrast, looked expectant. When the crowd mentioned they were waiting for her, she even smiled with smug satisfaction.

Banai’s brow furrowed deeper. Why did it feel like both Cang Qian and Sang Yingying had become different from the people he once knew?

Suddenly, the midwife ran out, screaming, "Chief, it’s bad! The female is suffering from obstructed labor and severe hemorrhaging!"

"What!!!" The crowd grew tense.

Cang Qian immediately steadied the Chief and said, "Grandfather, let’s go in."

Cang Lian nodded, and they hurried inside. This time, the crowd parted to let them through. Inside, the two beast-husbands, Na Wa and Quan Gang, were pacing anxiously. When they saw the Chief, Na Wa rushed over. "Chief, our female is hemorrhaging!"

"Where is your granddaughter? Tell her to stop the bleeding!"

Cang Qian asked, "Can a Level One healing ability stop bleeding?"

Dian Na, the High Priest, nodded. "It can, though it cannot correct the position of the cub or assist in the delivery itself."

Hearing this, Cang Qian headed toward the inner room without hesitation. Before she could take many steps, Quan Gang grabbed her arm, his tone hostile. "What are you doing, you wicked female? Are you trying to go in and harm our mate?!"

Cang Qian did not back down. She glared at him with sharp, piercing eyes and roared, "If you don't want your mate to die, let go of me right now!"

Quan Gang was stunned by her shout. He felt a chill run through him, wondering, *What is happening? Why does this woman suddenly possess such strength and authority?*