Absolute VOID
Chapter 52 Growing Tension.

Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Growing Tension.

Chapter 52: Growing Tension.

Opposite him to his left sat Mei, her slim, fairy like frame perched eagerly, her cute grin flashing as she eyed the food. On his right was Lian, her tall, imposing figure rigid, her nonchalant face betraying a quiet tension.

Lin Mu took his place between Mei and Lian, the fur-lined mat cushioning his frame as he settled in.

Hunger gnawed at him, not because of his exertion from cultivation but from the fact that he hadn’t had a good meal since coming here due to either having to save his life or fight a monstrous advisory. Unfortunately, even till now, it seemed he wouldn’t be fortunate enough to get a single bite.

’ Let’s dig in!’

The three Serinerians were stunned when he suddenly attacked the food with a ferocity that surprised even himself.

’ Wonderful!’ If one could see ones inner thoughts, they would easily see the broad grin in Lin Mu’s mind.

Each bite of tender, smoky beast meat vanished into his mouth, but unbeknownst to the others, he funneled it directly to the system, the meat being replaced by system coins, though municipal in size, their cumulative total would naturally be far greater than the 70 coins he received previously for the 7th stage 5kg beast meat.

Lin Mu reached for another piece, then another, his hands moving almost mechanically, driven by his desire for System Coins.

The tribal head’s voice broke through the haze of his focus, tinged with concern.

" Wait a moment, Are you sure you’re ok." His brows furrowed, his gaze searching Lin Mu’s face for answers. " If your injuries haven’t recovered there’s no need to worry, eat carefully, there’s plenty of food to go around."

’ Crap, I completely forgot myself.’

’ I definitely overdid it.’

Lin Mu froze mid-bite, a chunk of meat halfway to his mouth. His heart lurched, and he forced a smile, the expression stiff and unconvincing.

’ Come on! Let’s come up with a lie or something.’

" Forgive my rudeness."

"I’m just... overwhelmed with gratitude, Father-in-law." he said, the title slipping out awkwardly as he leaned into the lie.

"To be invited to such a gracious meal—it’s an honor I’ll be sure to repay." The words felt like pebbles in his mouth, but he held the chief’s gaze, praying the older man wouldn’t press further.

Lian let out a loud harrumph, her deep voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Gratitude, my foot. You could’ve told us you were starving from the very beginning... idiot" she muttered, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes narrowing at Lin Mu with a mix of suspicion and amusement when she recalled they already gave him 5 kilograms of beast meat prior.

’ Tsk... Of course she wouldn’t believe it.’ Lin Mu grimaced inwardly at her remark.

’ Just how much does he need to eat? are his injuries that severe?’ Lian wondered. A rare hint of worry on her face.

’ Looks like they’re getting along well.’

Mei, beside him, stifled a giggle, her hands clapping over her mouth as her face flushed with awkwardness.

The tribal head cleared his throat, the sound deliberate, a bid to dispel the tension that had settled.

" There’s no need to be embarrassed, Eat as much as you like." he said, his tone lighter now, though his eyes twinkled with something mischievous. " After all... You’ll need your strength if you’re to give me a grandson one day."

’ What did he just say?!’

Lin Mu nearly choked, a piece of bread lodging in his throat as he coughed violently, his face burning. Lian slammed both hands on the table, the wood groaning under the force, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment.

"Father!" she barked, her voice raw with indignation. Mei, meanwhile, buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter, her blush visible even through her fingers.

The chief raised a hand, undeterred, his voice warm but firm. "There’s no shame in it my dear." he said, addressing Lian and Mei with a paternal gentleness that clashed with his words. "Soon enough, you’ll both be proper women, tending to your young, as is our way."

Lian’s fist crashed against the ground, the impact sending a tremor through the tent. "Father!" she shouted, her voice cracking with fury. "What if I don’t want to be a ’proper’ female?" Her eyes blazed, her tall frame trembling with a defiance that seemed to fill the space.

" Not this again... Could we please not do this here." The Tribal head massaged his brows as if already tired.

’ Why is she so riled up all of a sudden.’ Lin Mu sat frozen, his mind confused.

The chief’s face darkened, his hand rising to cover his eyes as he sighed, a sound heavy with exhaustion. " Lian, Are you still hung up on that useless dream?" he said, his voice low, almost pleading. "A woman can’t learn martial arts. Your duty is to the tribe, to support the tribe and nurture more members while the men are tasked with protection, there’s no two ways around it."

’... Looks like their environment isn’t the only primitive thing they have.’ Lin Mu thought to himself as he took another big bite.

Lian’s voice rose, sharp and unyielding. "That’s a lie!" she snapped, leaning forward, her hands gripping the spreadsheet.

"You only think that because no woman’s ever been allowed to fight! The males see us as weak burdens, and after all these years since the tribe was founded, you all still think so, without giving anyone of us a chance!" Her words echoed, raw and piercing, a challenge that hung in the air.

The chief’s patience snapped. "Enough!" he roared, his voice a thunderclap that made the tent’s walls quiver. Lian flinched, her broad shoulders hunching as if struck, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. The silence that followed was suffocating, broken only by the faint crackle of the fire outside.

Lian’s lips trembled, her teeth sinking into them as she fought to hold back her tears. She shoved to her feet, the motion abrupt and forceful.

"... Lian sit down." The Tribal head let out

a sigh and said but Lian remained standing, staring at him with hatred and indignation.