The Yuanrang Monster Hunter
14. Baby Lipan Massacre
When they reached the field, they cut the carcass of the mother centipede into pieces. Then transport to the cart. After all was done, they continued to enter the forest and walked towards the cave.
“Smart also you, Miaocai,” said Yudhistira who saw a lump of ice wrapped around the body of a giant centipede “Curing the body of a carcass.”
“I myself do not know whether centipedes recognize cannibalism or not,” said Miaocai.
“Entah,” said Yudhistira, “But to my knowledge, if we analogize with small centipedes, normally they eat meat or plants. Generally they attack animals smaller than themselves. So, most likely they will eat their mother's body. As long as it smells meat. I don't know anymore about giant centipedes. I did kill a giant centipede in the north. Just for their eating habits, not that detailed.”
“What animals are predators of centipedes?” ask Yuanrang.
“Some kinds of meat-eating birds or insects,” Yudhistria replied, “If the giant centipede means we need a giant bird.”
“Means we need help Zhuque,” Mengde said.
“No need to summon such a holy creature. We just beat the mother centipede,” said Yuanrang.
“But it is very effective if we are helped Zhuque,” Mengde replied
Zhuque is an animal in Chinese mythology. Maybe their size is huge. It falls into the category of bird monster. But it's not really. Including the sacred animals. It is a giant bird and is physically similar to many tails. Each tail can melt fire like an arrow. Zhuque itself is symbolized by the element of fire.
“Speaking about monster birds. Have you ever heard of simurgh and roc?” ask Yudhistira.
“Do not know. If Garuda I know.”
“Hey, it's different, Yuanrang.”
“Can you please explain, teacher?”
Yudhistira also explains simurgh and roc. The Simurgh, which can also be spelled as "Simorgh" or "Simorg", is a legendary bird in Persian mythology. It is often described as a benevolent mythical creature with the ability to speak and endowed with extraordinary wisdom. According to the story, Simurgh lived on a tree in the Alborz mountains and had knowledge of the times. It is said that the bird has feathers of various colors, a body the size of a giant eagle, and a head like a dog. It is believed that Simurgh had the power to heal the sick, and was often sought for guidance and advice. The Roc, also spelled Rukh, is a legendary bird of prey in Arabic mythology. The bird is believed to be very large, with a wingspan that can span many miles, and the power to carry elephants and other large animals. In some legends, Roc is said to be able to create a gust of wind so powerful that it could carry an elephant into the sky. It is also said to have a beak and sharp claws that can easily tear through metal.
“If we go to the Roman Empire, we will go through the silk route. Obviously we will pass through the land of Arabia or Persia. Prepare to face the two monster birds. The two centipedes you are facing are nothing,” said Yudhistira, “Now I ask, what is your strategy if facing them?”
“Destroy his legs!” Yuanrang.
“Yes. That way they can not grip us,” said Miaocai, “If we are gripped and taken flying, it will be difficult. Even if we managed to crush their legs while in the air, we would not be able to live when falling from a height.”
“Ah, your smart,” said Yudhistira, “In general, usually a group of silk track protectors will target beak, wings and two legs. They will prioritize the feet first.”
“What do silk track protectors do when there is a friend of theirs who is carried away by Roc?” ask Yuanrang.
“Many possibilities, Yuanrang. Depends on what your friends will be like. Some are just left out. If you have a good team, they will chase you even up mountains and hills,” said Yudhistira.
Three warriors and Yudhishthira had already arrived in front of the cave. They had previously spread pieces of meat in front of the mouth of the cave. There are four more pieces. After making sure the surface condition of the cave and the ceiling of the cave was safe, the four of them entered the cave and placed one piece on the inside of the cave close to the mouth of the cave. Then walk again until you meet the intersection.
“That's the teacher,” said Yuanrang who pointed to the path where the strigoi escaped.
“Good. We'll wait right here. Let the smell of meat go further into the nest of baby centipedes,” Yudhistira said.
Just a few minutes waiting, there was already a sound creeping from the depths of the cave. They don't have to wait too long. Surely the baby centipedes starve after waiting for two mothers for so long.
“Let's go out,” says Yudhistira, “Let's not forget to count their bodies. I want to calculate the cycle of the appearance of baby centipedes and growth. Then compare with
Four fighters came out of the cave. They immediately moved away and waited again until the centipedes came out. Justright. The baby centipedes came out of the nest. Starting from one to three. Now it's dozens to dozens. The meat of animals was immediately eaten by centipedes greedily. Like haven't eaten in decades.
“Now!” Yudhistira.
The warriors came out of the bushes and began to slaughter the baby centipedes. This time it was pretty easy. Because the skin of the baby centipedes is not as hard as the skin of the two mothers. Yuanrang with sword ability, able to kill two to three centipedes at once with just one swing. Because it targets the face. Even Miaocai was enough to use spears and ice control.
Attacked by two centipedes at once, Yuanrang retreated a few steps. Before using the legs as a focus and jump. Slashing the eyes and brains of the centipedes once swung the sword. Then, he used the heads of the slain baby centipedes as a foothold. While jumping and stabbing the head of the centipede right in the brain. Because like living things in general, the brain controls all human nerves. There were even some baby centipedes whose heads were instantly shattered the instant Yuanrang's sword was struck. Maybe because the baby is too young.
While the way to fight Miaocai looks more lazy. He was quite silent on the spot alone and created an ice barricade. Waiting for baby centipedes to approach. As soon as it gets closer, a layer of pointed ice will puncture the jaw until it penetrates into the brain. Some of the baby centipedes, who were lucky not to have been hit by the ice barricade, were finished off by Miaocai with a spear. This time, Miaocai did not use the arrow once. Simply use a spear coated by ice control. Miaocai pierces the baby's mouth, then directs it to another baby centipede. Normally, baby centipedes are able to move faster. But their movement had been slowed down by the icy thorns piercing the skin.
“Lumayan can make sport,” says Miaoicai, “Twenty centipedes.”
Mengde spewed as much fire to make it faster and more effective because it targeted a large area. Even Mengde's fire spread to the plants. Mengde's wide-ranging attacks reprimanded him by Yudhistira.
“Hey, hey, hey, Mengde! Control your fire!” yudhistira said, “Even if you are able to kill all the centipedes and monsters in this forest, if the forest is burned by you, the villagers are unable to meet the needs of their lives! I know your intention is to be effective and faster. But not as brutal as this.”
“Good, Teacher,” says Mengde.
“Give me your sword and extinguish your own fire before spreading wider and destroying the forest!” said Yudhistira, “Yuanrang! A miaocai! Back off! Stand behind me!”
Yudhistira also began controlling the metal. He used his spear and Mengde's sword. Then rotate horizontally and vertically. In a short time, all the centipedes were torn apart. Helpless under Yudhistira's metal-control ability. Their bodies were scattered and broken. It actually kills centipedes an easy job. There was no need for Yudhishthira, just three of his disciples. All they worried about was the humans fanged up in the cave. Yudhistira looked around. All the fires burning the forest had been muted by Mengde.
Not yet directly into the cave, Yudhistira calculate first the number of carcasses of baby centipedes. After a minute, there were 62 in total. It can be concluded there are two times the reproductive cycle carried out by male and female centipedes. Even so, Yudhishthira had not completed the count. Because he's still on guard if there's another centipede in the cave that hasn't come out yet.
“Cube you guys a question,” said Yudhistira while returning Mengde's sword, “The fanged man is in the cave and there is also the possibility that there are still baby centipedes that have not been provoked. Remember, don't be too sure. Not necessarily all baby centipedes come out. There may be remains inside. Which should we face first?”
“Kill strigoi!” reply Yuanrang.
Yudhistira sighed, “Don't be too lustful, Yuanrang!”
“Why should check out centipedes babies first? Is there a teacher here?”
“Iya it's true. I mean like this, as long as it's not too urgent, we finish the easy one first. Do not get, something that we think is easy even later becomes uncontrollable when we are facing a strong. What do you think?”
“Weakness of that tactic, what if we were slaughtering centipedes, but two strigoi attacked us from behind? We'll be wedged, teacher!” Miaocai.
“Good question. I like your critical attitude,” said Yudhistira, “Can you answer Miaocai's question?”
“I can,” said Mengde, “If the teacher pleases, the teacher alone explores the entrance to this left intersection. Minimizing the possibility of those two strigoi attacking us from behind. We don't know what the structure in the cave is like. Who knows the area of the cave where they live has another door. That allows it to spin around and instead attack us from the front. Indeed we do not know the conditions in the cave later. If that happens, we simply back off and go back to guru.”
“You told me to explore? Are you sure you're going forward without my protection? Why not take me forward with you guys? We don't know what's in this cave?” ask Yudhistira.
“And if we divide this task into two teams, all will be faster, teacher,” said Mengde, “Faster is better.”
“Quick is better. But it is not good also if we are fast but not careful,” said Yudhistira, “Let's go to the right side. Me and Mengde in front. Let Mengde light the way with fire. Yuanrang and Miaocai, keep the back.”
Inadvertently, Yudhistira's eyes saw the entrance of the cave. The brain begins to analyze the possibilities. The situation is full of uncertainty now. What if someone enters from the mouth of the cave. After they passed through the entrance, Yudhishthira ordered Miaocai to seal the mouth of the cave with ice.
“If the cave is not under control, we go straight back here. Just destroy the ice and we come out,” Yudhistira said after sealing was completed.
Four warriors continued their exploration of the cave. They started at the right intersection. Mengde continued to throw the fireballs as far as possible as the lights. If there was indeed a danger ahead, they had already realized it early. All they met were baby centipedes who were late to come out. All were killed by Yudhishthira. It was as if Yudhishthira was seen indulging his three disciples by finishing off all the baby centipedes by hand. Actually not so. Yudhishthira's goal was to keep the stamina of his three disciples awake before facing a more dangerous enemy.
“Stay watch your right and left sides!” said Yudhistira while piercing the face of a baby centipede, “I fear there is a strange abyss or surprise.”
Until finally, they passed through a fairly narrow cave door. Inside, there was a vast and high area like a hall. As soon as he entered, Mengde immediately shot towards the ceiling of the cave. This hall-like area was getting brighter. There was the sound of water droplets coming from the cave rocks. Even after a closer look, there was a pond-like place and it was filled with water. In addition, there is a collection of centipede eggs that have not yet hatched. The size and volume of a human foot. The eggs are clustered and attached to each other. At first glance it looks to form a formation like a grape. Some are white and some are yellow. Besides the eggs, they also saw some human bones scattered about.
“Air. It's worth it that they are at home here,” Yuanrang said.
“Yeah, as per theory. Where there is water, there is the potential of life,” said Yudhistira, “Murid-my students, I pity if these baby centipedes must hatch and face the cruel world without a father and mother. I felt it because my father died before I was born. There is only Mother Kunti and I as a father to guide my four younger siblings and fight against my cunning cousin brothers. I'm just an orphan like this is hard, especially centipedes who will be born orphans right? Therefore, save them from the cruel reality of the world. They won't be able to survive.”
Yuanrang laughed, “Padahat teacher only told us to slaughter them. Why use long and difficult sentences?”
Yudhistira laughs back too, “Lho, I showed you the art of imaging.”
Three warriors also worked to kill the prospective baby centipedes. It didn't take long for them. Because this time, Mengdelah played a dominant role. He was spitting out a lot of fire. Yudhistira did not hold Mengde back because there were no trees, plants or flammable objects here. Yuanrang and Miaocai only destroyed the eggs that did not burn completely. However, all came to a halt when there was someone capable of controlling the water in the cave.