The Yuanrang Monster Hunter
7. Xing Lian's
l“We need to relax,” said Yuanrang.
“Iya. That's obvious. But when it comes to these baby centipedes, we have to go into the cave. When we entered the cave, we had no one guarding the mouth of the cave. Besides the baby centipede, inside the cave were also two strange pale humans and fanged? What if the mysterious animal broke into the cave and stalked our backs? We risk fighting against three objects at once. We were lucky you were not attacked by three objects at once when entering the cave.”
“Ah, true too. It is not good if we always rely on luck,” Yuanrang said.
Pensively facing some of these potential problems, Mengde fell silent and thought. Miaocai's risk analysis makes sense. It is also impossible to fight against two mysterious objects and a collection of baby centipedes at the same time and in an area they do not recognize. Not to mention the three of them still did not know any information about the two mysterious objects living within the forest. Baby centipedes may not be as violent as their two mothers. Even so, their numbers are quite a lot. In other words, baby centipedes are already winning in numbers. They only killed three baby centipedes. Mengde believes that three baby centipedes are only a few percent of the total. Just imagine, one cycle of childbearing alone could produce ten to fifty new centipedes.
“Omonganmu is right too, Miaocai,” said Yuanrang, “Our initial plan was to camp near the mouth of the forest right? What if the two mysterious objects work together and attack us while sleeping. We better break it again. Let's just sleep in the village we passed. The village was abandoned by all its owners, right?”
“Ya for a while. If this centipede problem is finished also they will come back again,” said Miaocai.
“Ya is right like that. But the point is they will only come back after we bring two head centipedes right? As long as we have not brought the head, we can freely sleep there,” Yuanrang said.
“We sleep in the village only,” firmly Mengde.
“Good. We just observe first now the condition of this forest. Don't go into the cave just yet,” said Miaocai.
“No. No, Miaocai! The forest is tomorrow! We better get back to the village!” said Mengde.
Of course this sentence of Mengde made Yuanrang and Miaocai astonished. Though the condition is still daytime. Still not in the afternoon. They have plenty of time to recognize the forest until the sun goes down. The physical condition is not completely tired. Maybe enough water to relieve fatigue. According to the principles Yudhishthira taught. If war must recognize the geographical condition of a region first.
“Why?” ask Yuanrang.
“We make all possible risks and problems that could potentially strike us. Then we make strategic and alternative steps in accordance with the possibility of risk,” said Mengde.
“Ah, just fishing rod centipedes in the same way,” said Miaocai, “Then we slaughter the baby centipedes after they come out.”
“True too. It is good to pay for work. If today is not finished, we continue tomorrow,” support Yuanrang, “Just take the carcass of these female centipedes and we take them. No need to find any other fuel. The body of this centipede is quite large. We cut into pieces to make it easier.”
“We do all tomorrow only, friends,” said Mengde, “There are those that bother my mind.”
“What is it?” ask Yuanrang.
Standing up and unsheathing the sword, “I'll explain later in the village. Let's just cut off the head of this centipede and we'll go back to the village.”
The warriors also carried out Mengde's plan. On the way back to the village, the three of them did not say much. Miaocai is exhausted from freezing a large carcass with a thick layer of ice that requires a lot of energy. Yuanrang tried to meditate. But the mind is unable to calm down because it is still curious. While Mengde thinks about various potential problems, risks and strategies to deal with all potential problems.
“Well, we've arrived,” Yuanrang said as the new horse entered the north side of the village, “Now tell me what is troubling your mind, Mengde.”
Conscious Yuanrang had already suppressed his curiosity, Mengde explained as well, “As you know, the black-haired beast was watching us. I also have plans for tonight. But I'll explain what's bothering me.
“First, I don't know what purpose the beast is stalking us for? If indeed he was a beast, once he saw the prey, it would definitely attack. What's strange, when we manage to kill the female centipede until we leave here, the beast still doesn't attack? We calculated also he waited for us to finish the female centipede, then he attacked us when exhausted. Then what I wonder is, even though we have finished the female centipede, why did the beast even disappear and leave?”
Yuanrang began to catch Mengde's confusion, “You mean ... the animal was not ..”
“You're starting to understand,” Mengde cut, “My question is, is the black-haired animal really an animal? Are you sure it's an animal? Not something else? Something from the land of the Huns we don't know about? The world is big, friends. Are the animals alone? What if there are some of them here?”
“OK. We understand my anxiety. Then the second one?” ask Yuanrang.
“The second, two fanged and pale-bodied men. How could they live in a house with such savage centipedes? What kind of madness? They're acting like pet centipedes? I suspect, lest they bring the centipedes here. If indeed the possibility is true, then we are dealing with an enemy that is more troublesome and much more resourceful than centipedes,” said Mengde,
“Is there a third?” ask Miaocai.
“Third, the relationship between all the problem factors we know just now. Was the black beast related to the two fanged humans? If they do turn out to coordinate, wah .. can be critical!”
Having not had time to finish the argument, the three of them were startled by the sound of people sneezing. The sound just came from inside the house. Of course, the warriors immediately unsheathed every weapon. Just in case there are robbers, looters or bandits who take advantage of the opportunity to steal the belongings of the villagers.”
“Whoever you are, get out!!!” snapped Mengde.
“You are out ...” said Yuanrang in a high tone, “Or our sword and arrow coming in?”
“Sorry, sorry,” heard the voice of a girl from inside the house, “I didn't mean to listen to your conversation.”
“Jawab my question. What's your name and why are you still here?” ask Yuanrang.
“My name is Xing Lian. I'm still here because I still have to find my lost stuff,” said the girl.
“Do not be foolish. It's dangerous here!” yuanrang said, “Go from here!”
“Lipan it usually strikes every night. So during the day like this I'll be safe. I intend to evacuate once the sun starts to set. Afternoon. In the afternoon like this, I was worried that there were robbers or looters who knew this village had been abandoned.”
“A pair of centipedes we have killed,” said Miaocai, “Live the centipede babies only.”
Xing Lian frowned, “Masa? Boys like you? I can't believe.”
“We have proof,” Mengde replied.
“Mana? Can you please show me?”
Yuanrang took Xing Lian to the wagon. There are two piles of cloth. Before opening, they had already closed their noses withstanding the smell of the carcass which was clearly unpleasant. Yuanrang opened each cloth and showed it to Xing Lian. Xing Lian was stunned to see the two giant centipede heads. The farmer girl was silent for a few seconds. Then the smile expands. Then turn around and bow to the warriors.
“I'm sorry. I don't trust you guys,” said Xing Lian who kept her head down, “At the very least, the disaster in my village has already reduced by two.”
“Iya. As I confirmed earlier,” said Miaocai then repeated the sentence, “There are still centipede babies and three creatures that we have not been able to identify. We can't conclude they're monsters or humans.”
“Hairy black creature, right?” xing Lian said, “I just overheard your conversation. I already know that. But no one believes me.”
“Nobody per .. Wait, have you told the existence of creatures other than centipedes to the villagers?” said Mengde.
“Have already confirmed to them that some residents were kidnapped by black-haired animals. The movement of the black feather under the shadow of the centipede. Every centipede moved, the creature moved as well. So, no wonder the villagers only focus on centipedes. They also claimed they had never seen him. It was a little difficult to also convince the residents,” Xing Lian sighed, “I was lucky to meet you guys who have really seen the black-haired animals.”
“Then what do you know about the pale and fanged man?” ask Yuanrang.
“I don't know anything about that,” Xing Lian said, “So there's still another, huh?”
“Yes that's all we know. Large black-haired animal, two fanged humans and centipedes. We have not yet taken into account the possibility of other monsters still feasting in the forest.”
“Iya. For the two centipedes you guys killed, we are so grateful,” Xing Lian said, “You guys didn't come back? Oh yeah, had to kill centipede babies huh?”
Yuanrang nodded, “True. In addition, if we are lucky, maybe we can kill black-haired wild animals.”
“That became our anxiety,” said Mengde.
“To face such danger, should we not contact and consult with Master Yudhishthira? We are dealing with potential unexpected problems,” suggested Miaocai.
“Go home first then come here again? Isn't that a hassle?” Yuanrang.
“Don't be stupid, Yuanrang. We just write a letter,” said Miaocai who then pointed at Xing Lian, “Then we send it to this girl. Isn't Guru Yudhistira now in the refugee area?”
“Xing Lian, is it true that you will return to the refugee camp? Your stuff has been found?” ask Mengde.
Xing Lian nodded, “My date has met, I will return to the refugee camp and be ready to be your courier.”
“Free, Mengde,” says Yuanrang, “He does not know the face of Master Yudhistira.”
“I'll write the letter,” said Mengde, “Tell Xing Lian to meet the ruler of the territory. Let the ruler of the territory deliver to Guru Yudhistira. The ruler of the region recognized Guru Yudhistira. Teacher also recognizes our handwriting right?”
“Ah, if the ruler I know his face,” said Xing Lian, “Alright. I'll help you.”
“Before we search for stationery, Xing Lian, there is something I want to confirm again to you,” said Mengde who looked at Xing Lian seriously, “For her time, for her, is it true that wild animals attack at night.”
Xing Lian nodded, “Normally like that. If two centipedes have been slaughtered, I don't know if he's gonna keep moving or not. Because as I said earlier, the wild animal moved to use the centipede attack. So it's sort of camouflaged so. In short, take advantage of the panic of the population.”
“Alright, thank you, Xing Lian,” said Mengde, “I have a very good plan to welcome him.”