Chapter 160: Raiding The Evil Woman’s Hiding place
The men met Ming Tao just where he wanted not long after the other beast men he gave the task to had left.
In the short while that Ming Tao stood alone by the farm, he let his gaze rest on the product of their hardwork, amazement still in his mind. The air there scented fresh. The land seemed calm.
He thought of digging a well and creating a place where water could be fetched into so the farm animals drank out of without having to leave the farm but that was something to be considered right after dealing with Hye Yang.
"You sent for us, Mighty Cheetah." One of the beast men said to Ming Tao, standing behind him. The two of them did not bother to walk in front of him and Ming Tao knew they were on their knees, bowed down behind him.
Ming Tao turned to face them, he wanted to see the faces of the men he would send out on such a serious task.
"Yes I did, please, rise." Ming Tao said to the two of them. Now more than ever, he was really skeptical on the things he said out loud. While his suspicions were on a high rise, he also would be dumb to assume that there was no one watching him or around him that was on Hye Yang’s side. A spy who could relay to her anything he had done and said within the hours he was not with her and as far as Ming Tao knew, Hye Yang had been occupied by other beast ladies. She had not even noticed that he was not by her side.
The men rose up and stood at a respectful distance from Ming Tao.
"I want to send you both on an errand. Carry it out like your lives depend on it." Ming Tao stated.
The beast men’s faces immediately became serious. Carved into their eyebrows was worry that they did not voice out in front of Ming Tao. "Do not fret, your lives are not in danger. All you are to do is deliver a message to The Alpha Wolf Wei Jie." Ming Tao stated. He noticed the flickering of their gazes into a more relaxed look and he sighed.
His people truly knew how to mask their fear, it was concerning in a way.
"What message would you like us to relay, Mighty Cheetah?" One of the beast men’s asked while the other one stared eagerly at Ming Tao. Ming Tao knew he could not say what he truly wanted Wei Jie to know word for word out loud so he thought deeply about a message that Wei Jie would understand.
Ming Tao’s lips parted to say the words, "Tell him. . ." He took a pause, still trying to figure out the right words. "An animal had birthed its young and had gone on a journey to provide for the young. In that search, it deviated on a path that led to deceit and had not been found since the day it took the journey." Ming Tao stopped to think of something to add to this that would signify that the animal was the Lion King Jia Hao. "The animal was dear to me and its family are scattered in the forest. The young in its birthplace and the mother in my resting place. One with teeth as strong as knives and body fit for hunting. Hairy and dangerous to all who threaten it. I am afraid it may be hurt if found by other tribes and I cannot find it anywhere near my clan." Ming Tao finally finished his statement. He hoped that if Wei Jie did not understand what he said, that at least Wei Jie would send a servant over to the cheetah clan.
Someone whom Ming Tao could talk to a bit more freely and maybe carve the definition into the sand with some sticks. Better yet, he hoped Wei Jie would come himself.
"Add this as you relay the message to The Alpha Wolf. The animal is one all rulers of the clans were nurtured with side by side." Ming Tao added. "Do not miss a single word I have said and return back to me as soon as possible."
Ming Tao did not want to alert the Snake King and the Mighty Eagle even though he knew he needed eyes from the sky and the ground and water. He knew sending beast men to meet all rulers in the clan would raise a suspicion. Plus, the Ruling Oracle were still living in his land.
"Yes, Mighty Cheetah." One of the beast men said.
"We would leave at once." The other one uttered. They both folded their fists gently and put their hands on their chest, like an allegiance pledge.
"Good." Ming Tao stated. "Ensure not to delay to reach your destination but if the hour is late after you have arrived, request that the Alpha Wolf allows you to spend the night there as a favour to his friend, Ming Tao. He would not refuse to let you stay once you mention my name." Ming Tao said. Under normal circumstances, Wei Jie would not mind having beast cousins spending a night in his clan, but Ming Tao had to ensure that tonight would not be the night he chooses to not let outsiders into his clan so he needed to make sure that if such a thing had happened, his people would be safe.
"Yes, Mighty Cheetah." One of the beast men said.
"Thank you for thinking of us, Mighty Cheetah." The other remarked.
A smile curled at the end of Ming Tao’s lips. He always thought about the welfare of his people and he hoped this Hye Yang issue was sorted out quickly so that he would not suspect them any longer. He hated that he had to be cautious in his own clan and amidst his own people. They did not deserve that.
"And when you are back, a feast would be held in your honour." Ming Tao added. His tone was more cheerful than the gloominess in his earlier speech as he told them the errand he needed them to go for.
The beast men’s eyes brightened. They looked happy to hear that. Ming Tao wanted to motivate them further.
"And you can choose the fattest animal you wish to slaughter for the feast. It will be a special treat to you and your families for all your hard work." Ming Tao added.
Both beast men dropped to their knees and bowed down before him. "We are honoured for your kindness, great leader!" Both of them chorused gleefully.
"We shall deliver your message to the Alpha Wolf and return without delay. In fact, if we find the animal you hold so dear on our way, we shall bring it with us back if we can!" One of them added immediately, the joyfulness in his tone was not missed. He surely loved the idea of having a feast.
Ming Tao chuckled at the man’s words. This man did not get the hidden message behind his statement and Ming Tao was glad about it. He could only hope that Wei Jie would understand it.
"Thank you, now you can go and prepare to embark on your journey. Spend some time with your wives or wife and cubs before you leave. Remember who you’re going on an errand for and who you will come back to." Ming Tao said to them. The men looked up to face him at the same time then bowed their heads back down before getting up.
The both scurried away. Ming Tao could not help but shake his head as the charged further away from him to the main population of the cheetah clan. He redirected his attention back to the farm.
Now was the time to raid Hye Yang’s hiding place and secure as many evidence as he could get. Also, he could secure Mu Yang and get the bastard to spill out all he knew. It would be easier to prove to the Ruling Oracle of Hye Yang’s evil deeds if the one man who was with her during all of it attests to her crimes.
After all, Mu Yang was a fox just like Hye Yang and for him to be in the cheetah clan at the same time could only mean that he was also an ally.
Ming Tao shifted into his beast and began to run. He headed straight in the direction his memory led him to where he and Hye Yang camped while he was hypnotised.
It was a good hiding spot to habit without being noticed and he had to admire her effort in finding this place, he just hated that someone outside of his clan was able to scout the area well enough to know where to hide. He needed to change that, and quickly.
With Ming Tao’s pace, it was not long till he arrived at Hye Yang’s resting place. To his benefit, the place was empty. Now it was time to raid the place.