Chapter 23

The three hunters silently ate what was likely the first Beggar's Chicken in history. They all found the taste peculiar, perhaps because it was given by Lin Bei. Despite the lack of salt, it was definitely much better than many other foods.

What made the hunters even more curious was Lin Bei's eating method. The long worm ate everything whole, skin, bones, and all, but the adult in front of them completely subverted their understanding. The adult used a sharp stick to pick out the tender meat before eating it, and it seemed that the adult would not eat the pheasant bones at all. Additionally, the chicken neck and chicken butt were also not eaten.

"This adult is really... like a human." The same thought flashed through the minds of the three hunters.

If someone resembled a monster in ancient times, they might be drowned in a river or burned to death. However, no one dared to have such thoughts about a monster that looked human; instead, they could only be more respectful. People could stay far away from monsters, but they had to be afraid.

Cui Ailan felt fortunate again, grateful that this Lord Long had a good personality and no habit of eating people. This was simply wonderful. She hoped Lord Long would remain pure and simple. Eating people was the worst.

A wild pheasant weighed at least seven pounds, and even after removing the organs, it was still about five pounds. The hunters naturally couldn't finish it. Cui Ailan carefully wrapped the remaining chicken meat. Seeing that Lin Bei didn't care, the other two followed suit. Lin Bei then pointed to the spring.

"Lord? Are you telling us to drink the water?"

Lin Bei nodded.

The three hunters nervously took a sip of the spring water. Hu Tou stammered, "Lord, this place is truly worthy of being your residence. Even the spring water is so delicious."

Lin Bei looked at him, then at the expressions of the three, and couldn't help but laugh. These three were a bit scared, but it was good that they were. People needed to have a sense of reverence. Lin Bei hoped these hunters wouldn't have any bad thoughts.

After eating and drinking, it was time to do some serious work, like finding the Bone-Growing Grass.

Lin Bei had Cui Ailan take out the rabbit skin scroll and lay it on the ground. He glanced at it and felt a bit embarrassed. He understood the map, but the text was incomprehensible, perhaps in some form of seal script or traditional characters. Lin Bei was completely baffled.

After a moment of silence, Lin Bei swept his tail over the text and asked Cui Ailan. She was prepared: "Lord, I don't recognize these characters either, but Doctor Bai said that the Bone-Growing Grass is red, about three inches tall, with four leaves. It usually grows on cliff edges and likes sunlight. Do you have any memory of it, Lord?"

Lin Bei thought for a moment. In the past ten days, he hadn't paid much attention to the cliffs around him, but there weren't many cliffs nearby, mostly small hills like Feilong Wall. Perhaps it was because they hadn't entered the true forest.

Seeing Lin Bei's silence, Cui Ailan added, "Lord, the Bone-Growing Grass is very rare. It's quite normal that you haven't seen it. But please help Ailan. My elder brother has been depressed since he woke up. If not for Father's encouragement, he might have considered suicide. Ailan can't bear to see my brother like this."

Lin Bei wanted to scratch his head. He wanted to help, but he had two little ones at home. If he went into the deep mountains, who would take care of them? If he could speak, he wouldn't have this problem, but he couldn't. How could he communicate? By gesturing? How? Lin Bei had never felt communication was so difficult, but he had to try. He needed them to build a house for him.

First, he pointed to the locust tree, then suddenly picked up Cui Ailan, causing the other two hunters to be surprised. Lin Bei climbed the locust tree with Cui Ailan and then put her down.

"Lord, I thought you were going to eat me," Cui Ailan said with a bitter smile.

Lin Bei shook his head seriously.

"Lord, you mean you don't eat people?"

Lin Bei nodded.

The three hunters all breathed a sigh of relief.

After explaining that he didn't eat people, Lin Bei lifted the vine cover. The two little ones were sleeping soundly, even with the extra people around. Lin Bei pointed to them and then to Cui Ailan.

Cui Ailan guessed for a while before realizing that Lin Bei wanted her to take care of the two little birds while he went to find the Bone-Growing Grass. She quickly agreed.

Lin Bei then prepared more meat paste for the two little ones and showed the three hunters how to take care of them. While doing this, he continued to gesture, asking the hunters to help build a wooden house.

He drew a circle, then lay down in it as if sleeping. After a few times, Jiu Lang was the first to guess Lin Bei's intention. The hunters finally understood that Lin Bei wanted them to build a house.

Lin Bei's good nature made the hunters more relaxed. Jiu Lang even asked, "Lord, aren't houses like yours usually made of gold? Why use wood?"

Lin Bei wanted to roll his eyes. A gold house? You give me one? A wooden house is good enough, and if properly maintained, it can last for hundreds of years, much better than a stone house.

After giving instructions, Lin Bei looked at the two little ones again and finally set off. Before leaving, he turned to look at the three hunters. Cui Ailan, being more meticulous, said, "Lord, go with peace of mind. We will take good care of everything here until you return."

Only then did Lin Bei leave.

"Ailan, what's on the tree?" Jiu Lang and Hu Tou had been holding back their curiosity.

"Two little birds."

"Ah? Could Lord have been a bird monster in the past, and now he's a long worm monster?" Jiu Lang asked in surprise.

"Lord is truly unpredictable," Hu Tou murmured.