"Xian'Er, Xian'Er, Xian again, what's going on with you, hanging them all up in the trees."
Seeing the culprit behind the kidnapping of Tang Lian and Dage the Sheep, Ansheng immediately put on a bored expression. From the very first moment one sees a Spirit Beast, one can actually make a rough guess about its character and habits.
This nearly-transforming tiger in front of me, even though it tied up Dage and Tang Lian, doesn't seem hostile, nor does it have the vicious aura common to fierce beasts.
This creature might not be a good one, but the worst thing it's probably done is stealing a couple of car batteries.
"They're hard to communicate with, so I made them cry." The tiger hiding behind the tree said matter-of-factly.
Ansheng looked at Tang Lian and Dage the Sheep.
"......" Tang Lian and Dage the Sheep remained silent, feeling aggrieved but not knowing how to begin speaking.
Such a big tiger, breathing heavily like a racing car's V8 engine, passing at one hundred thirty an hour, is it not normal to stop it?
Even if the tiger isn't an intruder, can't you at least admit that it was speeding?
"Where I live, people usually call me Medicine Spring Mountain Lord."
The tiger, still hiding behind the tree, observed Master Fuli's demeanor, and confirmed there were no signs of hostility before gradually coming out from behind the tree, introducing itself.
As the tiger walked out, Ansheng also saw its full form. Its height should be around 1.9 meters. Its figure is the complete embodiment of a graceful female, with white fur on its chest bulging, and a tail as thick as a baby's arm wagging behind.
"They all call me Master Fuli." Ansheng glanced at the self-claimed Medicine Spring Mountain Lord tiger and said, "Release them first, then we can talk about other things. I didn't fly all the way here just to find you."
"Okay."
Upon hearing this, the Medicine Spring Mountain Lord responded, walked over, and released the woodcutter and the Spirit Beast.
Dage the Sheep, hung on a tree, watched as the tiger walked over, kicked the trunk, shook him down, caught the flailing Dage the Sheep in mid-air, and placed him on the ground.
"Rumble——"
Then, the Medicine Spring Mountain Lord moved towards the bushes, doing what seemed like a pulling action, emulating the sound of an electric saw. A black-skinned rabbit sat on a lawnmower, operating it with "rumbling" sounds as it drove out.
The mower cut the grass as it moved forward, and some particularly tender grass flew up.
Sitting on the mower, the black-skinned rabbit reached out to grab the flying tender grass, stuffed it into its mouth, and showed a blissful expression.
"Goodness..."
Seeing the black-skinned rabbit drive out, Ansheng, who was pushing the Medicine Spring Mountain Lord to restore the surroundings, couldn't help but appear dumbfounded, inwardly complaining:
"Just joined government work yesterday, and already driving an official vehicle today? Your boss sure values you!"
......
Once the Medicine Spring Mountain Lord released everyone, the helicopter hovering in the sky landed, and medical personnel disembarked.
Ansheng found a shady spot, raised a hand, and let the Forest Ranger sister open a cold cola for him.
"Tell me, what's all this Xian these, Xian those, and how did you end up on the Northern Plain?" Ansheng looked towards the Medicine Spring Mountain Lord, sitting on a stump, resembling a human.
"The bed shook hard before, I smelled food in the air, so headed north, intending to feast, but, people outnumbered the beasts."
The Medicine Spring Mountain Lord began recounting its experiences over the recent period.
Its reference to the bed shaking clearly speaks of the major earthquake that revealed ruins in Outer regions.
Before a major earthquake, there's usually a foreshock to release stress, and it was during that time it went over.
The Medicine Spring Mountain Lord found more people than beasts outside, so it made do in the Outer capital.
It actually wanted to return home last night. Back at Medicine Spring Mountain, it had a house, as local villagers had built it a temple, providing daily meals.
But the battle between Master Fuli and Miyel attracted it as it passed by.
Seeing Master Fuli transform from a fox to a human was awe-inspiring, and it wanted to pay respects, yet hesitated amidst the bustling scene, planning to secretly visit when Master Fuli had available time.
As it turned out.
Master Fuli left via helicopter.
Following the trail, the Medicine Spring Mountain Lord ran across the wilderness all night to reach the Northern Great Prairie.
Upon entering, it was spotted by drones, followed by Tang Lian, Dage the Sheep, and others, reenacting a tale of "Grandpa Saved by Calabash Brothers."
"They had phones, I asked them to call the police." The Medicine Spring Mountain Lord said assuredly, a slight look of pride on its face: "Back in Xia Country, if in trouble, find the police uncle for sure. My choice was correct."
Only to.
As the Medicine Spring Mountain Lord spoke, neither Tang Lian nor the other two woodcutters could hold it in, their expressions resembling those of a revolving light in a barbershop.
So you tied us up just to call the police.
Then....what does that make us? Speak up!
Isn't our Security Bureau better than their Police Bureau?
"......."
Master Fuli raised a trembling hand, took a sip of iced cola to suppress his rising smile, lightly coughed twice, and continued to ask, "Alright....I somewhat understand why you're here, but, I'm still puzzled, why are you so intent on becoming human?"
"Logically speaking, you have a car and a house, with locals delivering food and drinks to you daily, paying your electricity bill, even setting up a TV for you."
"You're already living the life of a pampered orange cat."
Upon hearing this, the Medicine Spring Mountain Lord clenched its fists, recollecting content from the television, and somberly stated:
"Because..."
"The mountain is just a starting point in life; beyond it lies endless possibilities. I want to step out from the mountains!"
"Everyone says reading changes one's destiny, that one can't rely on living off tourist land rents day by day. Those who only collect rents will gradually become aimless people without dreams or goals...."
"I want to study! But to study, I need to have a normal human form. I don't want to become the useless tiger everyone talks about, I want to change my destiny!"
The Medicine Spring Mountain Lord appeared sorrowful, recalling daily life of lying in bed, merely reaching out for clothes, expecting food to come mouth-to-mouth, feeling deeply pained.
It...
Even forgot how to hunt, naturally picking up chopsticks or forks during meals.
Dreams... The Medicine Spring Mountain Lord couldn't fathom, beyond eating, doing anything but strolling on a treadmill, wandering around the scenic spot, or scaring people at the automated pool room, which was very boring.
Master Fuli's face showed a dazed look, his mouth slightly open from being overly stunned.
"Ah, no.... Didn't you misunderstand something? Your circumstances clearly suggest wealth deeply connected to distant relatives."
"And not what you said..."
"No misunderstanding!" The Medicine Spring Mountain Lord said with a resolute expression, speaking firmly: "I want to change my destiny through studying!"
"I have a dream, I don't want to be a useless tiger!"
"Everything else is inferior, only reading is noble!"
Master Fuli was stumped by the Medicine Spring Mountain Lord, at a loss for words for the moment.