She liked it very much and thanked them repeatedly. In return, she took out many excellent recipes and gifted them to the warriors.
These beastmen did not have many hobbies. They simply loved to eat. Whenever they had free time, they would secretly slip into the human world to learn cooking techniques and even brought back seeds of spices from there.
After that, Tang Guo moved into the tower. When she had nothing to do, she would sit at the top, cracking seeds and chewing dried fruit while looking at the distant scenery. With the forest blocking the view, she could not see what was happening inside unless someone came out. Even so, just looking like this made her quite happy.
In the blink of an eye, another ten years passed.
The beastmen of the Mata Kingdom were very curious. Was the scenery of that forest really so beautiful? Otherwise, why did their Sage Ah Guoguo always like to sit atop the tall tower after every meal, gazing into the distance with a smile on her face? This peculiar habit became one of the unsolved mysteries of the Mata Kingdom.
“The beast tide should be coming again, right?”
One day, Tang Guo sat on the tower, looking toward the distance. “They really are not planning to come out?”
“The former King Lari left too deep an impression with his cruelty.”
“But hiding for sixteen years is still a bit much.”
“It really is not,” Yin Yao said with a smile as he squatted beside her and held her hand. “Do not worry, Ah Guoguo. They will come out sooner or later.”
“I am not worried for myself. I am worried for them,” Tang Guo said. “If they keep hiding inside, they will eat that mountain bare. By the time they realize that everything outside belongs to the Mata Kingdom, where will they go then? Will they only be able to eat tree roots? And after the roots are gone, will they eat dirt?”
“Sage Ah Guoguo, the beast tide is coming again,” a warrior shouted from below. “Shall we go eat meat this year?” They invited her enthusiastically. Their cooking had grown better and better over the years.
Tang Guo replied with a smile, “No need. You go ahead and eat. Just remember, do not wipe them all out. Let some through.”
“Understood, Sage Ah Guoguo.”
They did not understand why, but following Sage Ah Guoguo’s instructions was enough.
Two days later, the beast tide finally arrived.
Recently, Tang Guo had been eating and drinking on the top level of the tower, staring unblinkingly toward the forest. She personally watched as the beasts charged inside.
She propped her chin on her hand, feeling a little expectant. Would they come out this year?
“Ah Guoguo, you are really idle,” Aoli said as she walked up, shaking her head and circling in front of Tang Guo. “Look at my new dress. Mike bought it for me. And this necklace and bracelet were bought by Mier.” She then pulled a small child behind her. “Look at my little daughter. Is she not dressed beautifully today?”
Tang Guo glanced at the child, who looked utterly resigned to life while being dressed up like a little girl, and burst out laughing. “You are going to ruin your son.”
“She is a daughter. A daughter,” Aoli said irritably. “I gave birth to five sons. Since I still do not have a daughter, he will be a girl until the day I do.”
The boy was so frightened that he ran behind Tang Guo at once. “Auntie Ah Guoguo, save me.”
“Aoli, you are too harsh. It is not Xiao Anji’s fault you do not have a daughter.”
Aoli pouted but did not argue. “Alright, Anji. Go back and change out of the dress.” Anji let out a sigh of relief, shot Tang Guo a grateful look, and ran off.
“Will they come out?” Aoli sat beside Tang Guo, smiling. “I really want to see them.” Those ungrateful people.
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