The Yuanrang Monster Hunter
13. Strigoi and Lukanthropos

            “Actually, what makes me curious, why strigoi and lukanthropos come all the way to China?” said Yudhistira, “Is it difficult in Europe to find prey? Or was Roman rule increasingly repressive against them?”

            “Lukan ... what?” ask Mengde.

            “Lukanthropos, Mengde,” says Yudhistira, “That's what the Romans called werewolves.”

            “Awhile, there's something I don't understand. If the lukanthropos came from Europe, surely the lukanthropos have a physical appearance typical of Europeans. I mean, when in human form. However, the lukanthropos we saw, ethnically they resemble East Asians. Just like us,” said Mengde.

            “Is it really like that?” yudhistira asked Miaocai and Yuanrang.

            The nods from Miaocai and Yuanrang made Yudhistira even more dizzy. How could? It doesn't make sense. Yudhishthira, who in the beginning used the word lukanthropos, is now uncertain. In general, the natural lukanthropos are indeed able to transform themselves into humans or a mixture between humans and wolves. There is no medicine or magic capable of turning ordinary humans into lukanthropos. If logic can. Likely, there were lukanthropos who married ordinary humans. So that the child who is born has half the nature of lukanthropos. However, can this theoretical argument be realistically valid? How can a flesh-eating creature marry a man and control his appetite? At this point, Yudhishthira began to regret his decision to leave the Roman Empire. To focus more on studying East Asia. Apparently, on European soil there are still things that have not been mastered.

            “I don't know,” said Yudhistira who shook his head, “This is beyond my knowledge. I am thousands of years old and there is something beyond my knowledge. Now I ask, are the two strigoi you see in the cave also East Asian ethnic?”

            Yuanrang frowned, “If this one is, we are a bit hard to be sure for some reason. First because of the lack of light. We only rely on Mengde's fire as illumination. Second, because they move so fast. As soon as Mengde's fire lit up, they instantly turned their bodies and entered into the depths of the cave. Third, we were too surprised to see them in more detail. We only focus on their peculiar characteristics.”

            “Hhmm,” said Yudhistira who frowned, “Begini, as you know, the characteristic of Europeans is blonde. Although not all. Quite a lot of black-haired Europeans like us. But at the very least, we can make information to complete this puzzle. How is their hair color?”

            The disciples of Yudhistira shook their heads. Then Miaocai said, “For this one also do not dare to be sure, guru.”

“Ah, okay. No problem,” Yudhistira shook his head, “It seems that I will have to stay in the Roman Empire longer. A lot of knowledge that has not been mastered. Did the strigoi come here through si chou zhi? How did they escape the watchful eyes of the hunters who protected si chou zhi?”

Si chou zhigentou if translated in modern language means the silk path. The Silk Road was a trade route through Asia that connected the East as represented by the Han Dynasty and the West as represented by the Roman Empire. Not to forget there are also two great civilizations in the middle of the silk path. Like Persia and India. It was linked by merchants, travelers, monks, warriors, nomads using caravans and ships, and connected Chang'an, People's Republic of China, with Antioch, Syria, and other places at varying times. The influence of this line carried over to Korea and Japan. This exchange was important not only for the cultural development of China, India and Rome but also was the basis of the modern world. The silk path had already begun to be active three hundred years before these three warriors were born.

            Yudhishthira opened the bag and picked up the five breads of mantou. Each gets one. Except Yuanrang got two. Yudhistira was well versed in Yuanrang's nature as a bread lover.

Yuanrang laughed as soon as he received the bread and immediately leaned back, “Teacher knows for himself that the bread business, I cannot compromise with my own appetite.”

            “I've heard, have not tasted directly, he said the bread of the Romans is quite tasty. You don't want to taste it, Yuanrang?” said Mengde.

            “Yes. I heard so,” said Yuanrang, “If desire, obviously want. I even want to visit the Roman Empire.”

            “Teacher Yudhistira, can I accompany a teacher in the Roman Empire?” tanya Yuanrang, “I want to taste bread made in Rome.”

“Hah?” an unexpected request took Yudhistira by surprise.

“Bby, yes, guru?” Yuanrang.

Yudhistira sighed, “Yes. You can, anyway. But remember, don't expect the monsters and all the weirdness there exactly the same as those in China huh? You have to learn from the beginning how to monster there.”

“No problem, Guru.”

“Now we discuss our plan,” said Yudhistira, “We start from easy first. The eradication of centipedes babies. We'll fight in the cave. But for the beginning, we'll just lure the centipedes out. Of course with animal meat. Surely the centipedes are now starving after not eating all day because their two mothers are dead. As soon as we put the raw meat, they will smell the meat and will come.”

            “Teacher, the forest there has run out of deer and other animals. Our guess is, all have been eaten by centipedes,” said Miaocai, “It is not difficult also if we have to find animals.”

            “For that matter, good thing you guys already told Xing Lian,” said Yudhistira, “He will be here soon. The mission will start after Xing Lian until.”

            “Wait? Xing Lian's? Will help us fight?” said Mengde, “To undergo this mission, we alone can fight and can control enough distress. Especially Xing Lian. We can't possibly sacrifice ordinary citizens to complain of life.”

            “Quiet, Mengde,” said Yuanrang, “Why are you so worried about Xing Lian?”

            Yudhistira smiled, “He did help us. But only act as a supporter of our logistics and a sender of messages for the ruler.”

            “There I forgot to ask, Master,” said Yuanrang, “Teachers say that strigoi are weak against the sun. Means we just drag them outside and let them take a sun bath. Good to nourish them.”

            “True. I used to hunt strigoi and that's what I do,” said Yudhistira, “But it is. In general, most strigoi are afraid of the sun. Only a small percentage can withstand the sun. Call it a special strigoi. This special form of strigoi was very similar to ordinary humans. So they are very easy to blend in. They also do not need much blood. This special strigoi is very rare and rare. Maybe just a few percent.”

            “Teacher ever met a special strigoi?” ask Yuanrang.

            “Entertainment. I even know some of them. Like humans, there are good and there are bad. Some are good friends and some I have killed too,” said Yudhistira, “All I met while still living in the Roman Empire. Strigoi are generally from there. I was shocked when I heard from you guys who met a strigoi here. Good thing yesterday you guys weren't in a hurry to chase them deeper into the cave. Lucky also the strigoi did not come to attack you last night.”

            “Yesterday night, maybe we can still survive if the three-on-three scenario appears,” said Yuanrang, “Teacher also finally came and helped us.”

Yudhistira sighed, “Salahku also never told you about strigoi and lukanthropos. I really never expected them to make it to this land of China. Ah, I got a lot of puzzles.”

            Because he had so many questions in his brain, Yudhishthira took the paper out of the bag. He started writing some questions that came up. First, why did so many monsters come from the north? Second, what's the two strigoi's business here? Third, what's the lukanthropos business here? Fourth, what is the relationship between two strigoi and lukanthropos? Fifth, what is the easy way to catch two strigoi? Sixth, is there a connection between creatures from Europe and the arrival of monsters in the north? Seventh, what is an easy way to ensure that the forest is completely safe after successfully killing the centipede babies and capturing two strigoi?

            Yudhistira closed the paper and said, “For a while, that occurred to me this is still first.”

            “Wait, catch strigoi, guru?” Miaocai.

            “There is indeed another way to find out information about them?” ask Yudhistira.

            Miaocai thought for a while then shook his head, “It seems like it should catch them.”

            “For enquiry number six,” says Mengde, “There are two options.  First, we need to ask the local army for help. They are cheap but also quite weak. The second option, I'm sure the teacher knows some monster hunters or silk path protectors. They may be more capable but it costs a lot.”

            “Indeed two options just now can be considered,” said Yudhistira, “After the forest mission is completed, we make a profit and loss analysis and we leave it to the ruler. We think later, Mengde.”

            These fighters were discussing each other about the assault operation. They create various scenarios, potential problems and various alternative solutions of each potential problem. They also make the worst case scenario. A scenario where they unexpectedly have to face powerful enemies and monsters. So strong that they can kill them. What was done was to activate the sound signal to be heard by Xing Lian. When a voice rang out, let Xing Lian report the news of the death to the local ruler.

            Before long, there was the sound of horse footsteps coming from the south. The fighters turned to the south and saw five men riding white horses. After the distance narrowed, they could see it was Xing Lian who had come. It was run by four soldiers. He came with a full weapon. Swords, bows, arrows and spears. In the back, it turned out that the girl was carrying a wagon as well. As Yudhistira had said earlier, Xing Lian brought in logistical assistance. After Xing Lian arrived, Yudhistira gave information on how she would play.

            “You mean to go into the cave?” ask Xing Lian.

            “In fact we want to stay outside, lure the enemy out,” said Mengde, “But, we have no choice anymore. Want to not have to enter.”

            “Do you wear full war clothes like that?” ask Yuanrang, “You want to go hunting?”

            “Just in case, right?” replied Xing Lian.

            Xing Lian's eyes unintentionally stared at the corpse of the lucanthropus propped up in front of a house. Xing Lian and the bodyguards of the ruling envoy approached the corpse. Xing Lian's bodyguards were instantly frightened and could not believe what they saw. Before they did not believe. Only Xing Lian smiled with satisfaction. With concrete evidence, Xing Lian could convince the villagers in the refugee camp that what she had seen all along was not a lie.

            “Can I take it to the refugee camp, Mr Yudhistira?” ask Xing Lian.

            “Please, Xing Lian,” says Yudhistira, “But, after that, please come back here immediately.”

            “Siap, Mr. Yudhistira.”

            “Wait. You brought meat and all kinds of bait, right?”

            “We bring everything we need. Maybe we need help to lower logistics.”

            “We use this house as our logistics place,” said Yudhistira while pointing to the house that was used last night to stay the warriors.