HPDBC Chapter 13 – Stepping into the Cloud Mountains, First Encounter with a Monster
Chapter 13 – Stepping into the Cloud Mountains, First Encounter with a Monster
The next day, before dawn, Chen Xun and Black Bull set out on the road, heading westward until they gradually disappeared deep into the streets.
Upon waking and taking to the streets, the locals all heard that Chen Xun had left the medical hall. Some were inexplicably happy, feeling as if they had driven away a villain.
Others felt a sense of loss, believing that Chen Xun was indeed a good doctor who had done no evil.
However, after a few days, everyone forgot about it. Whether Chen Xun left or not, it wouldn't add a single copper coin to their households. In these times, no one had the energy to care about a stranger.
...
The Cloud Mountains stood tall between heaven and earth, inspiring all things for thousands of years, their age unknown.
The dark, endless cliffs rose sharply, like they were carved by axes, and the winding mountain ridges snaked around like a slumbering giant dragon.
Looking down from above, white clouds were thick, and the peaks were shrouded in mist.
On a mountain path, a young man with a bamboo basket on his back was searching for medicinal materials, followed by a large Black Bull.
Over the past three years, Chen Xun had continued to invest his longevity points in speed, curious to see if it would stop increasing after reaching 20 points.
Their current longevity points: Strength, 21. Speed, 18.
With extraordinary speed, if Chen Xun ran with all his might, he would become a blur to the naked eye, quite an exaggeration.
"Bull, let's search carefully," Chen Xun said, his basket full of herbs. "We might even find a legendary spiritual herb that cures all diseases."
Locals often found spiritual herbs in the Cloud Mountains, some even centuries old, which they sold in the city and made a fortune.
Moo moo!
Black Bull ran around joyfully, recognizing many of the herbs, a testament to the power of knowledge. Its mind was much clearer now.
"But let's not venture too deep. There are rumored to be demonic beasts, and they're not like ordinary wild beasts."
Chen Xun said nervously, "If we run into cultivators who take a dislike to us, they might just finish us off."
Moo!
Black Bull responded, understanding.
"Ah!!"
A scream came from the jungle, startling countless birds. Chen Xun instinctively covered his face with a bandit scarf, and Black Bull paused, their eyes meeting.
"There's a demonic beast!"
Locals ran from a distance, shouting in panic. They were taken aback by Chen Xun's headscarf, then screamed, "Run, it's a... demonic beast!"
"Bull, run!"
Chen Xun was already behind the beast, walking away, a bloodied axe in hand, his bandit scarf revealing only cold eyes.
The beast felt a sharp pain in its abdomen and fell to the ground, howling in agony, blood pooling around it.
Black Bull leaped high, Black Bull Slam! With a thud, the ground cratered, the beast's entrails crushed, dead beyond doubt.
Chen Xun was ruthless, blood splattering again.
"Is that all? Ah, is that all?!"
"Moo! Moo!"
"Scaring your dads, why aren't you barking now?!"
"Moo moo!"
Man and bull furiously desecrated the corpse, venting their fear, saliva flying everywhere. They had truly been terrified by the beast.
A pot was set up, water boiled, and they feasted directly.
"Old Bull, we were lucky this time. This beast knew demonic arts, like Ice and Fire Dual Extremes," Chen Xun mused, recalling the legends of demonic beasts he had heard in the city, "Such creatures are usually for cultivators to kill, but this meat is really delicious."
"Moo moo~~"
Black Bull made contented sounds, the meat was too delicious, it had never tasted anything like it.
After eating, they quickly buried the remains and packed the leftover meat, even filling the hole.
Chen Xun was meticulous, arranging the scene of the crime, scattering the beast's ashes, making it look like nothing had happened.
A quick look at " will leave you more fulfilled.
They ran far away, finding a spot in the jungle where wild beasts were scarce.
"Old Bull, even a crafty rabbit has three burrows, we can't be outdone by rabbits, let's dig!"
"Moo!"
With great strength, digging was easy. Chen Xun was skilled in various wilderness digging techniques, like laying foundations and digging clay, never sleeping on the ground.
Finally, Chen Xun carefully placed a large rock on top, leaving a small gap, covered with grass and leaves, making the hole indiscernible.
Inside the hole, a candle was lit, and the world felt safe.
"Comfortable."
"Moo moo!"
Chen Xun leaned against Black Bull, lost in thought. This world was full of dangers, especially today's encounter with the demonic beast that nearly scared them to death.
After much hesitation, he took out the book Old Sun had given him— "Qi Refining Techniques."