Chương 18: Night Talks
Biên tập viên: EndlessFantasy Translation
"Those ducks are beautiful, Uncle Zhao. Can I play with them?" Shishi looked excited, her eyes lustrous. She was very likable.
"Uncle?"
Zhao Kuang's face twitched. He was only eighteen, for heaven's sake. But this little girl was too adorable. He could not bring himself to get angry with her. So he nodded his agreement with a smile that was worse than crying.
"Thanks, Uncle Zhao!"
Shishi scurried to the lakeside and reached her hand to touch the mandarin ducks. A stream of milky light flew out of her hand into those birds' bodies. Those ducks closed their eyes and appeared to enjoy it.
"The light being is indeed extraordinary," said Zhao Kuang admiringly.
After playing for a while, Shishi came back, looking a little depressed as she looked up. "I am kind of missing Buggy and Boltie. How I wish they were here."
"How about we go back to visit them after some time?" Wutian comforted her. She was young and still not used to leaving her longtime playmates.
"Ow, ow!" Yi made a low voice, snuggling up to Shishi with its head as if it was trying to comfort her.
"Hey, Yi. I know they couldn't be here. But I really miss them." Shishi looked sad.
"Don't be sad, little girl. Uncle… I mean, I will capture a few butterflies and birds tomorrow so you can have playmates." Zhao Kuang could not help but comfort Shishi. Anyone who saw a fairy-like girl like her in sadness would have wanted to take care and comfort her.
"I am fine, Uncle Zhao." Shishi was still unwilling to correct how she addressed him. Zhao Kuang had no word for it.
"I am tired now, Wutian. Shall we rest for the night?"
"You two will stay at the Ninth Heaven House. Let me walk you two there." Zhao Kuang was dispirited. He might not be the most handsome one among the young generation in Ironstone, but he was definitely high on the ranking. But hell, in the eyes of this little girl, he was only an uncle.
A long bridge, neat and smooth, made of ancient wood, connected both sides of the lake. Zhao Kuang hurried them as they walked on the bridge. Aqua beasts would occasionally come out of the lake and attack the pedestrians. So they had to make it quick.
A loud boom suddenly came as the water surface blew up with a dozen-feet-high wave. A water monster rushed out of the lake. It measured about five-meter-long, body covered in glinting black scales, looking extremely hideous.
"It comes at this time, damn it!" Zhao Kuang furrowed his brow and stood in front of others.
It was a Blackiron Alligator. Its skin was as tough as black iron, impenetrable to knives and swords. It had vicious, soul-sucking eyes that looked like a pair of lanterns. Its legs were big and strong. This two-meter-long beast was extremely terrifying.
"You two should run now. This beast will not give up until it gets to its prey!" Zhao Kuang's face grave. The Blackiron Alligators were kings of this lake, extremely vicious. He had hurried Wutian and Shishi to run.
Wutian was equally shocked. By the looks of it, this monster beast might not be as powerful as the Rainbow Viper or the Thunderbolt Eagle, but it was no less savage. Its scales glinted. This beast was extremely dangerous.
He reached to grab Shishi but missed, as Shishi had run out to the edge of the bridge. Her big round eyes were as reflective as the mirror with the stars and moon's reflection in them. She extended her hand to grab the Blackiron Alligator.
The alligator roared as it pounced at Shishi with its mouth wide open. Its five-inch fangs glinted heinously.
"Watch out, little girl!"
"Shishi!" Wutian's heart skipped a beat. He swept the girl in his arms and ran. But she got away from him and lunged at that beast.
"Hey, little fish. Don't get so worked up. Why not be my playmate?" Sadness had disappeared from her face. Her big eyes were crystal-clear, white dress fluttering. A milky glow shrouded her, making her seem like a fairy that descended on the earth, so divine and unadulterated.
The ferocious eyes of the Blackiron Alligator suddenly softened. It closed its mouth, pounced back, and floated in the water. Shishi landed on its back. The alligator roared but did not harm her. It did not look too happy because it could not eat the food that was right in front of it.
Shishi could not have cared less. She lay on the alligator's head and looked the Blackiron Alligator in the eye. "Hey, little fish, I'm so adorable, yet you still want to eat me. You make Shishi very sad."
The alligator cried in a low voice, stirring the water and creating waves as it swam into the distance. It did not harm Shishi and instead, became her playmate.
"Shishi has mentioned things like Buggy and Boltie. Are they the same monster beasts?" Zhao Kuang looked on in amazement. He knew better than anyone else how vicious Blackiron Alligators were. But this alligator was behaving out of character, as obedient as a baby as it became friendly with Shishi. He really could not wrap his brain around it.
"Shall you bring me to the house, Brother Zhao?" Wutian forced a smile and did not answer his question.
Zhao Kuang was stunned. "You are leaving your sister behind just like that?"
Wutian shrugged, looking nonchalant.
"All right, follow me." Zhao Kuang glanced at Shishi, who was having fun on the surface of the lake. "The light being is really incredible!"
Wutian shook his head. The ability to tame a Blackiron Alligator, aside from her identity as a light being, came from her pure heart and skill in communicating with monster beasts. Perhaps she was the only person in the world with that ability.
Soon, he came in front of a house. It was built of ancient wood with a zig-zagging, lifelike dragon engraving on the door.
The house was fronted by a body of water and backed by mountains. This quaint and elegant place was an ideal venue for practicing cultivation.
Creeeeak...
They entered the house and were greeted by a wall full of ancient-styled, beautiful paintings.
"This is where you will stay."
Zhao Kuang took out an emblem the size of a hand with the "Zhao" character on it. "This is a pass token, with which you can come and go freely. Oh, how should I address you?"
"Guyu." Wutian took the emblem, glancing at it before tucking it in his arms. For security's sake, he did not want to reveal his real name.
"For your information, Brother Guyu, others are also staying at the houses here. Just like you, they are here to participate in the test. Those people are geniuses from the various villages and towns. Inevitably, some of them might be a little eccentric. So if not necessary, please stay away from them to prevent any untoward conflict from happening."
"Thanks for the heads-up."
"Just tell me if you need anything. You have a pleasant stay." Zhao Kuang turned around and left.
Wutian saw Zhao Kuang out. Looking at Zhao Kuang walking away, Wutian frowned. He came to the lakeside after some thought. Sitting down on the ground, he took out an Essence elixir and swallowed it. Essence energy gushed out and turned the surroundings into a sea of fog.
Yi was lying beside him, its white fur glistening softly in the moonlight as it absorbed the Essence energy to strengthen itself.
Meanwhile, Little Tian had joined the fun with Shishi and the Blackiron Alligator. At first, the alligator was not too happy with it, wanting to drag it into the water. But Little Tian bit a chunk of flesh off with its steel teeth. The alligator was scared stiff and becoming timid like a baby.
Two hours later, Shishi seemed to have enough fun and was exhausted. She was completely soaked when she returned to the shore. Wutian quickly stopped his practice and carried her back into the house for fear that she might catch a cold.
It was an exhaustive day for her, and she fell asleep as soon as she got in bed. Yi snuggled up beside her, and Little Tian wanted to join it, too. But Wutian grabbed it and brought it back to his room.
Moonlight was giving the earth a coat of silver light at night.
It was dead quiet at the rear courtyard. But at this time, a faint footstep came. Wutian was sound asleep, but his ears flicked and he immediately became alert. Bouncing out of his bed and peeking through the window, he saw a shadow walking from the bridge.
"Zhao Kuang? What is he doing here at this hour?"
Wutian quickly put on his clothes and then carried Little Tian, who was still protesting, out of the room quietly. He tailed Zhao Kuang to the First Heaven House, the first building on the right.
Zhao Kuang was standing in front of the door as if he was hesitating. After a few breaths, he sighed, then lightly knocked on the door. As the door creaked open, Zhao Kuang stepped inside. There was no light, and it was dark.
Wutian placed Little Tian on his shoulder, putting his finger to his mouth to mime a "shush". He then crouched up under a window and listened. Little did he realize that there was also a shadow on the roof, looking at him curiously.
"The persons arriving at the Ninth Heaven House today—who are they?" A hoarse voice was heard speaking.
"They are just ordinary people coming for the test of the Yan Clan." The one who spoke was apparently Zhao Kuang.
"Ordinary people? How could ordinary people keep a Flying Fox? That girl must be a light being, right? What a lucky day. We have someone with a unique physique here. What did Zhao He say? Has he made up his mind?"
"Father sends me to bring words to you. He wants to cancel this year's plan. After all, we have raised the suspicion of the clan. If the same situation arises again, the Zhaos would risk being exterminated, and that doesn't benefit your side at all."
"Heck, you all are scared of the Yan Clan, but not of us? Father has ordered that if the mission isn't completed, you all will have to die."
"You are literally pushing us Zhaos into a pit of fire!" Zhao Kuang sounded furious.
"The Zhao family has been working for us for many years. I am not a heartless person. So long as you all complete the mission, I will tell Father to appoint Zhao He as an elder, and you a direct disciple of Father. Who knows, he might even get rid of the control over you guys."
Zhao Kuang was silent for a moment. "I can't make that decision. I must discuss this with Father."
"I am running out of time. You have got to give me your reply by tomorrow night." After that, there was the sound of footsteps.
Wutian quickly left and was back to his house. Standing in front of the window, he frowned. The voice of that mysterious figure sounded familiar to him. But he could not make out who he was.
Not long after, Zhao Kuang was walking past. Wutian could see his face in the faint moonlight; Zhao Kuang looked grave with his brows knitted together. He looked extremely troubled.
Something's not right here.
Wutian lay on the bed. He was more exhausted than Shishi today. So it fell asleep in no time.
-- Nhận quà