Free Web NovelChapter 143: Chapter 143: Touring the Mountain
"To us, this herd of beasts before you is no different from common livestock."
"Only those that show potential will receive our favor."
On Beast Taming Peak, the silhouettes of many beasts could be seen. They were mostly herbivorous quadrupeds, clearly separated and not interfering with one another.
Liu Ji pointed at the herds and explained to Bai Mo.
"The rest will only appear on the dinner tables of Cultivators, both inside and outside the sect. That is how they serve their final purpose."
Beast Taming Peak had always been a major supplier of beast meat for the surrounding Immortal Cities.
Bai Mo humbly asked, "If I may ask, Brother Liu, what do you mean by ’those with potential’?"
The man before him, Liu Ji, was a disciple stationed permanently on Beast Taming Peak. He possessed an excellent beast assessment technique and had a very enthusiastic personality.
Without a second thought, Liu Ji said, "Generally, it means they have the potential to become Demon Beasts, or they possess some other special talent."
"Brother Bai, you’re not in our line of work, so that’s the simplest way to understand it."
The way of beast taming had many twists and turns.
When assessing a beast, one didn’t just look at its potential to become a Demon Beast; it also involved factors like breeding, disease resistance, and temperament.
Liu Ji didn’t want to elaborate further.
Bai Mo nodded and asked another question.
"While I was resting last night, I heard a shrill roar. Judging by its power, it couldn’t have come from an ordinary herd of beasts."
"Is there a gathering place for Demon Beasts on the mountain?"
After coming up the mountain to pay a visit with Brother Shui yesterday, Bai Mo had been arranged to stay temporarily in a Wooden Building on the mountainside.
His neighbor in the next Wooden Building was this very disciple, Liu Ji, who held Shui Ziming in high regard.
"It’s mating season for the Demon Beasts right now. Don’t worry about it, Brother Bai."
Liu Ji thought for a moment.
"The Demon Beast that was crying out last night should be one of the Green Horses raised by Brother Mo. After we eat, I’ll take you to have a look."
Liu Ji knew that Bai Mo had come from a background as a Loose Cultivator; Bai Mo hadn’t hidden this fact himself.
He felt a sense of delight, as if meeting a kindred spirit, when encountering a Pill Master like this who had struggled his way up from an Immortal City.
"Haha, it’s natural for you to be curious, Brother. I’d be happy to show you around the mountain."
"But you must remember, don’t go wandering off on your own. If you cause a stampede, not even a Qi Refining Cultivator could stop it!"
Bai Mo listened to Liu Ji’s warning. In just a moment, the two returned to their Wooden Buildings.
There were two adjacent two-story Wooden Buildings with yards in front. Firewood was scattered about the yards, where some fruits and vegetables were also planted. The setup was quite simple.
It was said this was a tradition on Beast Taming Peak, meant to prevent the disciples from growing complacent.
The disciples of this peak had plenty of Spirit Stones. Although their cultivation realms weren’t high, within the sect, they were all considered first-class moneybags.
And yet, caring for the beasts was a job that allowed for no carelessness.
A single moment of negligence could lead to a huge disaster.
Once, there was a disciple who was entertaining a friend on the mountain. Reeking of alcohol, he brazenly went to add fodder for the beasts.
He even wanted to have a race with his friend, riding the Demon Beasts.
In the end, the normally docile herd of Green Horses was agitated by the strong smell of alcohol and went on a rampage. The other Demon Beasts followed suit, sweeping across half the mountainside in a massive wave.
By the time the other disciples found him, he and his friend had become two flat pieces of skin.
"Come, Brother Bai. Try my millet porridge. Paired with some pickles, it’s a great treat in the morning."
Liu Ji brought a clay pot out from his house, lifted the lid, and set it aside, revealing the thick porridge within.
Bai Mo could tell with a single glance that a lot of care had gone into it. He had no idea what time Liu Ji must have woken up to start preparing it.
’With such patience, no wonder he was chosen by the other disciples to be stationed permanently on the mountain.’
"The food here is naturally not as fancy as what you’d find outside. After all, I have to be careful that no spicy smells upset any of our ancestors..."
Liu Ji said as he ladled porridge for Bai Mo.
Bai Mo quickly took the bowl.
"You’re too kind, Brother. I’ve also come from a hard life. How could I dare call this food simple?"
Liu Ji immediately laughed. "I feel a real connection with you, Brother. We should visit each other more often in the future."
He had been a promising seed for cultivation, but alas, he had languished in the mortal world for too long. By the time a deacon with a keen eye for talent discovered him, his best years were already past.
With his path to immortality blocked, he could only come to Beast Taming Peak to live out his days in peace.
Over a bowl of millet porridge, the two chatted and laughed, taking a good half-hour to finish their meal.
Afterward, they washed up and even used some incense.
By the time they saw the so-called herd of Green Horses, an hour had passed.
The herd was not far away, strolling leisurely.
Their coats had a green sheen and their manes flowed gracefully, giving them a spiritual and ethereal air.
Looking at their build, they were powerful without being bulky—truly magnificent beasts.
Bai Mo’s eyes lit up. Even though he knew nothing about horses, he could see how extraordinary this breed was and couldn’t help but exclaim:
"In the mortal world, these would be considered the stuff of legends!"
Liu Ji lifted his head and said proudly:
"Putting aside everything else, it’s nearly impossible for mortals to ever encounter these horses. Even disciples within the sect have to get our approval if they want to borrow one."
Their conversation attracted the attention of a disciple who was currently washing a Green Horse’s back.
"So what if they’re magnificent? If we can’t rent them out to earn Spirit Stones, I’d rather just slaughter them for meat..."
He had two large, dark circles under his eyes and spoke in a weak, listless voice, looking utterly exhausted.
"Brother Mo, don’t joke around..."
Liu Ji’s gaze fell upon him, and his brows furrowed at once.
"Brother, why are you still so disheveled today?"
Brother Mo’s loose clothes hung from his frame. He held a brush in one hand and with the other, he pulled out a plant tucked into his lapel and waved it.
"I’ve got the mugwort right here."
"I’m quite fond of my handsome hide. I have no desire to be trampled into a flat piece of skin."
Liu Ji sighed.
"You should still be more careful, Brother Mo."
As he spoke, the Green Horse in front of Brother Mo seemed quite displeased. It snorted, threw its head back with a loud neigh, and prompted the others to respond in kind.
Brother Mo quickly resumed his work, the brush gliding swiftly across its back.
"Brother Liu, why don’t you talk to the deacon and see if we can swap jobs?"
"After all, that nest of Green Blood Snakes you’re watching is hibernating and hasn’t woken up yet."
His tone was rather mournful.
The Green Horses were not easy creatures to care for; they were highly intelligent.
It was one thing when they were out and about, enduring the sun and rain, wind and dust. They could put up with anything.
Their rider could go ten days without bathing, smelling so bad that even chickens and dogs would shun them, and the horse wouldn’t mind.
But once they had free time, they became pampered masters that could not be slighted in the least.
Not only did they need to be fed and watered well, but at the slightest sound from them, someone had to come out and attend to their needs.
And recently, it was the season when their passions flared. They were restless from morning till night, almost without a break.
Because of this, Brother Mo was being tormented terribly. He estimated he had lost five or six pounds.
Liu Ji could only console him, "No matter how difficult it is, once you get through this period, things should get better."
"My nest of Green Blood Snakes is different from the Green Horses. One moment of carelessness, and they’ll take your life."
Given Brother Mo’s personality, the deacon would naturally never agree to let him watch over them.
Brother Mo was used to such reassurances and turned his gaze to Bai Mo.
"The Green Horses are magnificent. Riding one out won’t lose you any face. Whether you want to show off your prestige or win a young lady’s heart, they’re the best choice."
"How about it, Brother? Care to rent one? Think of it as lightening my burden a little..."
Bai Mo quickly waved his hands.
"I’m just staying here temporarily and have nowhere to go. I don’t have a need for one yet."
Brother Mo had only said it casually and didn’t really care. Instead, he pointed to a few Green Horses in the corner.
"Since you’re here, Brother, help me take a look at these few."
"They’ve probably exhausted their vital essence. They’ve been listless these past few days, their appetites have waned, and they’ve lost a layer of weight."
He let out a huge sigh.
"With all this commotion, even I’m exhausted. I wonder if the mares are even pregnant..."
