Chapter 22

The next day, Lin Bei went to the wooden shed near noon.

At this time, the hunters had not yet arrived. Although it was unknown how far Xishan Township was from here, the forest was difficult to navigate. Even if they set out early, it would still be quite a challenge to reach this place. Lin Bei glanced at the wooden shed, thought for a moment, and then swam over to push open the door.

The wooden shed was not very large, clean, and simple. There was only one large wooden bed, with some firewood piled under it. A few wooden sticks were placed in the corner. This was where the hunters rested.

Lin Bei knew that in ancient times, hunters sometimes went into the mountains for several days. They could carry food and water with them, but there were no tents in ancient times. Therefore, they relied on these wooden sheds to protect themselves from wild animal attacks. Although the sheds looked simple, the wood used was very sturdy, and it was pine, which generally did not attract insects.

Seeing the wooden bed, Lin Bei thought about whether he should ask the hunters to help him build a house this time. He didn’t want it to be luxurious, just a place to shelter from the wind and rain. Lin Bei didn’t want to keep sleeping in trees. As a concept of home, the Chinese generally placed great importance on it, and Lin Bei was no exception.

When the hunters arrived, they saw Lin Bei on the mountain wall, his body coiled into a small hill, his head slightly tilted, deep in thought.

"Lord Dragon," Cui Lan greeted.

Lin Bei looked down, nodded, and then looked at Cui Lan. This time, only three hunters came: Cui Lan, one he remembered was called Hu Tou, and another who should be Jiu Lang, the one with a scholar at home.

Cui Lan explained, "Originally, everyone was supposed to come, but it's very hot now, and the black bear's body needs to be dealt with. Besides, the only ones who can buy a whole black bear are the Zhen family's business in our county, so they went there."

Lin Bei had heard the name Zhen family's business before. In his memory, the most famous Zhen family was the one with Zhen Mi. He wanted to ask, but unfortunately, he couldn't express the word "Zhen family."

However, if it was indeed that Zhen family, then the current era must be the Three Kingdoms period, a time of abundant talent. It was a pity, though, because Lin Bei was now a python and wouldn't be treated as kindly as the high ancestor who cut the white snake.

Cui Lan continued, "Lord, there is no actual Shenggucao, so I brought a picture of it. I wonder if Lord can recognize it from the picture?" She carefully took out a scroll that looked like rabbit skin.

Seeing Lin Bei looking at her, Cui Lan smiled bitterly, "This is because Shenggucao is quite rare. We are near Fushan, and there are many hunters. Going into the mountains often leads to injuries, and Shenggucao is now in short supply."

Lin Bei accepted her explanation, slid down the cliff, passed by the three hunters, and crawled to the front. He turned around, wagged his tail, and gestured for them to follow. The three looked at each other and had no choice but to follow.

"Lord seems a bit unhappy?" Hu Tou whispered, glancing at Lin Bei, afraid that Lin Bei would hear. Little did he know that Lin Bei's sensory abilities were even stronger than radar. Within a hundred meters, even a needle dropping could be heard, let alone a whisper.

"Will Lord eat us?" Jiu Lang asked nervously.

Cui Lan sternly said, "Don't talk nonsense. Lord has his reasons for having us follow."

Cui Lan, as a woman, had become the leader of the hunters not only because of her outstanding abilities but also because of her keen observational skills. Although Lin Bei's snake face showed no expression, Cui Lan could discern his intentions from subtle cues, such as confusion, the need for explanation, or deep thought. This time, she did not detect any malice from Lin Bei.

After a while of silent travel, Jiu Lang couldn't help but ask, "Lan, why haven't we encountered any wild animals or snakes on the way?"

This was not normal. They had entered the mountains countless times, each time with great difficulty. They had to guard against snakes and insects, as well as wild animals, and use hunting knives to clear the way. The path they had taken before would be overgrown again, making it quite troublesome. This time, however, they were being cautious for nothing. It felt like they were walking on a main road to the county, with no danger at all.

Cui Lan looked at Lin Bei ahead, "This is because Lord is with us."

Due to her interactions with Lin Bei, Cui Lan had listened to the old people in the village talk about mountain spirits and wild monsters. According to these elders, mountain spirits and wild monsters were extremely powerful, with boundless magic. It was not strange for them to do anything, but most of the mountain spirits and wild monsters they talked about were evil.

"Grandpa, are there no good mountain spirits and wild monsters?" Cui Lan asked humbly.

Grandpa smiled, "Of course there are. So, Xiao Lan, if you encounter a good mountain spirit or wild monster, don't provoke it. They don't spit out bones when they eat people."

At that moment, Cui Lan naturally thought of Lin Bei. She wondered how she could dare to provoke him. This Lord Dragon had already颠覆了她对山精野怪的认知。

Combining all these thoughts, Cui Lan now considered Lin Bei to be quite powerful. As for how powerful, it was certainly beyond the capabilities of a few hunters to contend with. Therefore, the other hunters did not come this time, and Cui Lan was willing to take the risk. Since Lord was a good mountain spirit or wild monster, he probably wouldn't eat them.

Cui Lan's mind was filled with various thoughts, but her pace did not slow. Soon, Lin Bei had reached the Dragon Pool and stopped.

"Lord? Is this your... residence?"

The three hunters noticed a paddy field nearby, with plants growing in it. They recognized the plants as taro, which was also grown outside, but now, due to the drought, no one was planting this food. Even drinking water was a problem, let alone using water to grow crops.

Lin Bei nodded and swam to the fire pit, using a branch to poke at the fire. The three hunters hadn't noticed at first, but now they were startled. Lord Dragon had actually started a fire? And he knew how to bury it?

Lin Bei didn't care what the three were thinking. He slowly pulled out four black lumps from the fire. These were, of course, Lin Bei's improved Beggar's Chicken, and he gave one to each of the hunters.

"Lord, what is this?" Cui Lan was puzzled.

Lin Bei tapped the black lump with the branch, and the mud cracked open, revealing the white meat inside, with a fragrant aroma.

"Is this a wild chicken?" Jiu Lang was surprised. "Did Lord make it?"

Lin Bei nodded proudly. He was quite proud that he could make Beggar's Chicken in just one night.

Cui Lan and the other two looked at each other, feeling somewhat unable to accept it. Lord Dragon had called them from far away just to give them food? And it was a new and unique way of cooking, something they had never tasted before.

In the Three Kingdoms period, cooking methods were quite simple. Food was generally boiled, with everything mixed together. Roasting was also done, but it was not very common in China, more so among the nomadic tribes like the Turks, who would roast food over an open fire. Roasting in a pile of firewood was almost unheard of.

It was too amazing. Cui Lan's mind was filled with only one thought: Lord was truly a mountain spirit or wild monster, capable of coming up with such a magical recipe.

Fortunately, Lord was kind to them and seemed quite 'hospitable.' Cui Lan was relieved. If they had encountered a different mountain spirit or wild monster, wouldn't they have been eaten?

PS: Yesterday, I went to handle a contract. The nearby post office was closed, so I had to run a long way to find one.

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