Chapter 8: Arriving at An Lou City
Chapter 8: Arriving at An Lou City
Next morning Feng Wu took Tian Ke and Little Bun to stock up on supplies. They purchased meat buns, cooked corn, rice, various seasonings and spices, bags of water skin, kitchenware, a large tent, a quilt, and a few other miscellaneous items. Aside from the spice, all her food stuffs were in the hundreds in quantity. Everything together totalled less than five gold coins. Fortunately her storage ring was spacious and could fit everything.
Tian Ke followed behind Feng Wu in a daze watching her shopping spree. It was obvious that she was really stingy with her money, what with how careful she was with their accommodations. But this Feng Wu was a complete one-eighty, spending money like there was no tomorrow. He felt he didnt know her at all, as though he was lost in an alternate dimension. Fortunately they were soon finished and he could relax his spinning head.
Looking at the map, they could see that Magic Beast mountain was the biggest mountain in the mountain range. It would take a long time to pass through it and reach An Luo city. There were no routes marked inside the mountain range itself, only routes leading to it. Perhaps it was because few people had the ability to leave the mountain successfully. Those that were strong enough may not have had the ability or the time to sketch a complete route. This meant that once they entered they would create their own route.
Look. Why are there two kids here? There was a mercenary group hunting low level beasts on the outskirts of the mountain. Someone noticed Feng Wu and Tian Ke, so had pointed them out to the others. They had not noticed small bun on Feng Wus back. The warmth of the sun was very comfortable and made Little Bun yawn, lulling him to sleep.
From the looks of it, it looks like they are going into the mountains. They must be seeking death. Dont know whose family they are from. Children act so recklessly these days!
The female mercenaries who were mothers themselves, couldnt bear to stand by and let the children walk to their graves. A chorus of, Hey kids! Dont go into the mountains! Its very dangerous! rang out from various people.
Unfortunately Feng Wu didnt realize they were talking to her, so she didnt stop. Tian Ke knew, but he also knew that it wouldnt have changed Feng Wus mind. Plus it wasnt like he knew the people that were calling, so he also didnt stop. The mercenary group continued calling until Feng Wu and Tian Ke disappeared from sight.
Theyre going to die if we dont stop them. A female mercenary frowned.
You cant control what other people do. If they want to seek death, then thats their business. Besides, its not like theyre your children.
But they- The female mercenary wanted to say more but was interrupted by the leader of their group.
Say no more. We tried our best to warn them. Thats all we can do.
Since their team leader made his stance clear no one else in the group dared say anymore regarding the children, instead they began to seriously search for low-level magic beasts.
Three months later.. .
Tian Ke couldnt believe he was really standing in front of An Lou city gates. They made it through the mountain safely. Along the journey he realized Feng Wu was incredibly unusual. Although they encountered many ferocious high level magic beasts along the way, none attacked them. In fact, when they needed it she would even search for them and ask for directions! Some gave them directions while those with free time even escorted them. It was clear Feng Wu could communicate with them.
The experience completely upended his world-view. Since he was born, he had always held the belief that magic beasts could not coexist peacefully with people, that it was a mutual relationship of destruction. People hunted magic beasts because their magical core was an essential ingredient for enchanting weapons, while magic beasts hunted and devoured human flesh because it increased their strength. This naturally led to a strong animosity between the two races. The Feng Wu experience contradicted this view and left a deep impression on him.
Tian Ke began to wonder if Feng Wu was from the legendary Imperial Beast Master division. The fabled division was supposed to be comprised of magicians who had the ability to tame and command wild magic beasts. This was called contracting. There were two ways to this. The first way was a contract of equal footing that required the beasts consent. The magician needed to prove his or her worth by using strength to defeat and suppress the beast. Only then would the beast willingly submit to the authority of the magician.
The second method involved using an imperial beast master as an intermediary. The beast would first be defeated by the master then forced to submit to a different magician. The level of the tamed beast needed to be considered so it would not overwhelm the receiving magician. This usually meant that it would be weaker than the magician, which in turn limited the growth potential of the beast.
Of the two, the first method was the best because the beast's growth would not be restrained by the level of the magician.
Tian Ke wanted to confirm his guess so he asked Feng Wu if she was a beastmaster.
No.
He didnt believe her at first, but upon further consideration he realized there was no reason for him not to believe her. Hed been with her long enough to know that she wouldnt lie. Feng Wu was too stu ah simple-minded to lie. If she didnt want to answer she would have stayed silent. So since she answered, then she had to be speaking the truth. Tian Ke couldnt think of any other reasons why she would be so popular with the beasts though. Ah whatever! He decided to not bother with it anymore.
An Lou bordered the ancient eastern countries on one side and Zhongyong on the other. Because of this, An Lou was a very prosperous city with a constant stream of people coming and going. Feng Wu and Tian Ke gazed left and right looking at one house here, another house there, a carriage passing by here, a fancy dress on sale there, food stalls everywhere Their eyes grew bigger and rounder with each new sight. The city was quite astounding! They realized that the hometown they originally thought was big was in fact quite small.
Wow! Its such a big city! Tian Ke sighed in amazement.
Pretty. Feng Wu felt the city was beautiful. In her previous life the farthest she had gone was the town under Yuehua mountain. She didnt know such a bustling place could exist.
Hey country bumpkins dont block the road. Honestly acting as though youve never seen the world before. How disgraceful.
Feng Wu and Tian Ke turned around and found a blue haired girl. Her hands were on her chest and she had a look of disdain on her face. It was obvious she was the one scolding them just then.
Ugly girl. Youre a bumpkin, your whole family are bumpkins! Although Tian Ke was embarrassed he was also angry.
Stupid kid! How dare you speak to me like that. Do you know who I am?! Her agitation caused her chest to heave up and down, creating quite a spectacle for the men around. They ogled her with wide eyes and drooling mouths.