Chapter 238: The Difference Between Barbarians and Ancient Barbarians
Chapter 238: The Difference Between Barbarians and Ancient Barbarians
Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii
This was the most rugged and heroic city the two had ever seen. Constructed with large, refined steel stones, it was impregnable and exuded a murderous aura. Like a towering figure, it stood at the border between the human and demon realms, ready to annihilate any invading enemies.
The three characters "Demon Suppression Pass" were not merely decorative. This was a rare treasure capable of distinguishing between humans and shape-shifting demons. Anyone entering the city had to pass through its illumination to prove their innocence, and Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were no exception.
"My uncle guards the Demon Lock Pass, so it seems we won't be able to see him," Meng Jingzhou said regretfully, shaking his head.
"Make way, make way! My brother is injured and needs a healer!" Just as the two were about to enter the city, they heard shouts from behind. Two sturdy men were carrying a stretcher, with a frail person on it moaning in pain.
The crowd instinctively made way, but as the group prepared to enter the Demon Suppression Pass, the three characters "Demon Suppression Pass" shone down on them. The three screamed, white smoke rising from their bodies, revealing their true forms.
The two sturdy men were actually giant wolves, and the one on the stretcher was an uninjured old jackal.
The soldiers guarding the Demon Suppression Pass reacted swiftly and decisively, raising their spears and weapons to kill the three beasts without hesitation.
Attempts to sneak into the Demon Suppression Pass by demons were not uncommon, but they all met the same fate: death.
Inside the Demon Suppression Pass, they saw people selling beast hides and inner cores on the streets, hawking healing pills at a twenty percent discount compared to stores, and offering high-level bodyguard services.
These people, like the city itself, were rough and uninhibited.
The two found an inn to rest for the night, regaining their energy and understanding the current situation.
Lu Yang pointed at the map, analyzing the gathered intelligence.
"This is the Demon Suppression Pass, twenty thousand miles from the Demon Lock Pass where your uncle is stationed. The forest we just entered is the boundary between the Great Xia Dynasty and the demon realm, isolating the two sides and acting as a neutral zone, not belonging to any faction."
"Passing through the forest and navigating through a foggy area, you can reach the true demon realm. I also asked the newspaper vendor, who said this is a major trade hub for demons. The Land of Gold Commerce Guild's airship regularly flies here. There's a flight tomorrow at noon. What do you think? Should we go back?"
Meng Jingzhou was about to say, of course, they should go back, but changed his mind at the last moment.
"Go back? Why should we go back? We've suffered so much in that forest. If we don't show those beasts a thing or two, how will we live it down in the future?"
Lu Yang smiled broadly. "That's exactly what I was thinking."
The two hit it off, deciding to stay for a while and make a name for themselves before going back.
Returning in such a disheveled state didn't fit their style.
"It's a pity that little Barbarian Bone didn't come along. His ancient barbarian bloodline naturally suppresses beasts," Everlasting Fairy lamented in Lu Yang's mind.
Lu Yang suspected that Everlasting Fairy had known all along when Eldest Senior Sister stood behind them and hadn't warned him just to watch him make a fool of himself.
A reasonable suspicion.
Lu Yang was soon captivated by Everlasting Fairy's topic. "Is there such a thing?" he asked.
Proudly, Everlasting Fairy put one hand on her hip, looking quite regal. "Of course! Did you think I just raised the intelligence cap for barbarians by giving them wisdom? I also shared a small portion of my power!"
"Who do you think I am? Do you know how many ancient beasts I've eaten while making 'The Complete Book of Cooking'?"
"The ancient beasts feared me because of an inherent bloodline terror. The Barbarian race gained a minuscule part of my power and thus indirectly acquired this ability, which naturally suppresses beasts!"
"Thanks to my gifts, the ancient barbarians could practically flaunt their strength in front of the demon clan. Facing opponents a full level lower, they could make them cower just with the pressure of their bloodline. Against those of the same level, they could easily fight two at once!"
Lu Yang was about to praise Everlasting Fairy's might and power when another question occurred to him:
"Can this suppression be temporarily hidden? For example, if an ancient barbarian were hunting and hiding in the dark, would approaching beasts instinctively fear the ancient barbarian's bloodline and run away, even without seeing them?"
Everlasting Fairy first calmly pondered for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha, you are thorough in your thinking! With my protection, how could the barbarians ever lack food?"
"Please stop laughing and answer my question."
"Hahaha, the barbarians are under my protection!"
Lu Yang: "..."
Lu Yang had always been curious about the difference between the ancient barbarians and the current ones. He had asked Barbarian Bone, but he couldn't answer, only saying that the ancient barbarians had a mysterious power that granted them various abilities, greatly aiding them. However, this power was so strong that it defied the natural order and gradually faded away over time.
As for what this mysterious power was, Barbarian Bone himself didn't know. The elders in his tribe couldn't explain it either, only calling it a gift from the heavens.
Thinking back, could this mysterious power be Everlasting Fairy's doing?
Why there was only one Barbarian Bone left of the ancient barbarian lineage—whether it was natural selection, survival of the fittest, or the dilution of Everlasting Fairy's power over generations—remained unknown.
"In fact, I was very popular among the demon clan," Everlasting Fairy boasted.
Lu Yang looked at Everlasting Fairy skeptically. Really? Were the demons hit on the head?
"Why don't you believe me? The Qiongqi clan said the Taotie clan would be very pleased to have me, and the Taotie clan said the Qiongqi clan would welcome me with open arms. I traveled through the demon realm, and everywhere I went, there was laughter and cheers, sending me off." (TL Note: The Taotie and Qiongqi are part of the Four Perils in Chinese mythology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Perils)
"Well, it's understandable. After all, the arrival of an immortal is like a divine blessing to the demon clan."
"Now you see, having me in your mental space is an incredible fortune! Just talking about ancient secrets, I can casually mention things no one else could."
"Is there a single ancient secret you've mentioned that's been useful?"
Lu Yang felt that he couldn't handle this 'fortune' and should find someone with a stronger fate to bear it.
Someone like Eldest Senior Sister would be perfect.
In reality, Lu Yang sighed softly, "Poor Barbarian Bone." Meng Jingzhou was puzzled, "What's wrong with Barbarian Bone?"
They had suffered in the forest, so why was Barbarian Bone pitiful?
(End of the chapter)