Chương 11: Azure Boar (Part I)

"Tell me more about the boar," Lucian ordered from within his robes when he noticed that the pair recognized the beast. Wang Chen frowned, organizing his thoughts before beginning his explanation.

"They are native to the Azure Magpie Forest. While ordinary boars can be found in mountains and forests everywhere, the Azure Boar exists only here. They feed on the azure leaves and breed inside underground caves—""They move most of the time slowly, but their sprints are powerful, nearly as fast as a horse," Bai Xiaomeng interrupted, prioritizing what she deemed most urgent for Lucian to know.

"They have long, sharp tusks, and although they are not demonic beasts, their fur is coated with a layer of Qi absorbed from the azure leaves, which makes them dangerous." Lucian nodded as they spoke, his gaze drifting briefly to the faint scar on his right hand. Shortly after he had awakened, he was attacked by one of those creatures. Still unaware of how weakened he was without Blood Essence, he had tried to brush it aside like an insect. Instead of wounding it, the creature's tusk had scraped his hand.

Qi-enhanced fur, right? That explains why I could not deal with it properly, he thought, his expression darkening. And why I had to resort to such unsightly methods to flee.

"The one nearby appears to be alone," Lucian said.

"From the sound, it is feeding." He then turned slightly toward Bai Xiaomeng.

"It doesn't make sense. These kinds of beasts should wander with a herd, to protect themselves from predators and hunters that can deal with their fur." Wang Chen gave a short chuckle, his expression dimming as if recalling something.

"I once asked Second Uncle about this," Wang Chen said.

"There are no real predators in the Azure Magpie Forest. Aside from the Azure Boars, the other animals are small game. As for hunters, once a boar dies, its fur loses its Qi property and becomes brittle and worthless. The other little animals are azure in colour, but have no Qi." Lucian nodded, then continued, "I saw no magpies yet."

"Uh…" Wang Chen blinked, slightly confused by the sudden statement.

"There must be some. I do not know."

"If they are this hard to find, this place should be called Azure Boar Forest instead of Azure Magpie Forest," Lucian frowned. The phrase stunned both Bai Xiaomeng and Wang Chen. They exchanged a glance and shook their heads. Lucian corked an eyebrow and pushed the matter aside for later consideration. Such an interesting place, he thought while walking ahead of them.

"Let us meet the beast," he said calmly.

"Bai Xiaomeng, help Wang Chen remove his ropes." She nodded and moved to untie the bindings from Wang Chen's torso and arms. Meanwhile, Wang Chen asked cautiously, "Benefactor, are you planning to fight it? Azure Boars are territorial. They will attack if they sense us. I believe you can win, of course, but it may be… a waste of time." Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"I will not fight it," Lucian replied. Wang Chen had been inwardly worried that they would have to battle every azure boar they encountered without reason, so he let out a quiet sigh of relief. Suddenly, a particular detail struck him. As Bai Xiaomeng untied the ropes around his torso, he leaned closer and whispered, "Little Meng, what is the Benefactor's name?" Bai Xiaomeng frowned and shook her head, biting her lower lip before whispering back, "I don't know, Young Master Wang. And I advise against asking.

The less we know, the better."

"Little Meng, you heard him. My life is already tied to his, and I need him to help us get revenge," Wang Chen insisted quietly.

"Or we could seek help from monks of the Everlasting Sun Monastery." Wang Chen felt a chill run down his spine. He glanced at Lucian, then glared at Bai Xiaomeng and mouthed, "Don't say such things," before finishing untying himself. Once free from the ropes, he hurried forward alongside Bai Xiaomeng and asked, "Benefactor, what should I do now?"

"We will go in that direction," Lucian said casually, pointing ahead, "and confront the beast."

"But you said you wouldn't fight the boar," Wang Chen winced. Lucian glanced at him, nodded once, and said flatly, "I will not. You will."

"What?" both Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng exclaimed at once.

"Benefactor, these boars are not like ordinary beasts. A commoner like me cannot deal with one—""Please, Grand Cultivator, I beg you to reconsider," Bai Xiaomeng interrupted.

"Young Master Wang nearly died. His body—" Lucian raised his hand, silencing them.

"You will not die," he said, looking directly at Wang Chen.

"I am allowing you to test your body's new capabilities. You can't be by my side only to serve as my burden animal, dragging goods during our travel." Wang Chen swallowed hard, gulping down his next words. He wanted to argue, but memories of the attack on the Bai Clan's caravan the previous day stopped him. Part of him didn't want to feel useless in case he had to protect the ones he held dear. Bai Xiaomeng, however, did not remain silent.

"But Young Master Wang does not know how to fight," she protested.

"He is a merchant! Being stronger does not mean he can defeat a wild beast! What if he injures himself?" Lucian stopped walking, forcing them to halt as well. Bai Xiaomeng's heart pounded as she noticed she had openly challenged a cultivator's decision. Worst, it was a cultivator who could turn a person into a monster! Still, she didn't regret her decision and stared at Lucian. Wang Chen instinctively pulled her slightly behind him, feeling tense.

"After this, I wish to speak with you both about your civilization and culture," Lucian said, shifting the topic.

"Your behavior does not align with your recent trauma." Before either could respond, Lucian pointed forward.

"For now, focus. Neither of you has time for nonsense talking." Bai Xiaomeng turned pale as she followed his gesture. Behind a bush, feeding on fallen azure leaves, stood an Azure Boar. Its back reached nearly to Wang Chen's waist, and two grayish tusks glinted under the sunlight. Lucian frowned slightly when seeing it.

"This one is smaller, but shall suffice." Next, he moved behind Wang Chen and pulled Bai Xiaomeng farther back.

"The beast is aware of us. Be quick," Lucian said as he retreated to a safer distance. Bai Xiaomeng struggled slightly but did not resist him outright.

"Please, Grand Cultivator, he will be hurt," she said, her eyes not leaving Wang Chen's back.

"Trust your man."

"He— he is not—" Flustered, Bai Xiaomeng could not finish her sentence as a deep, guttural grunt cut through the air. The azure boar had turned around and lowered its head. The beast's eyes were fixed on Wang Chen, muscles tensing for a charge. Meanwhile, Wang Chen clenched his fists, and his belly trembled slightly. Lowering his stance and getting ready for the battle, he was certain of one thing. In his personal opinion, he was going to die!