NOVEL WEB Chapter 27: Chapter 20 Hundred Households
The pangolin, a charming creature with a long history of use in medicine. It was first mentioned in the "Records of Famous Physicians" by Tao Hongjing of the Southern Dynasties, which described it as "slightly cold. It mainly treats the fright of five evils, crying, and sorrow. Burn it to ash, and mix it with alcohol or water to make a square-inch spoonful to cure ant-induced paralysis." Moreover, the pangolin's whole body is valuable; its scales can activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, while its internal organs can also be used in medicine.
Of course, that's another story when it comes to the Pangolin Spirit.
"Can you shape-shift back and forth?"
Zhou Li squatted in front of Li Ci, examining him closely and noticing that Li Ci had only partially transformed. Most of his body was still covered in scales, and he had a rather youthful appearance, like that of a child. After hearing Zhou Li's question, Li Ci paused for a moment, then scratched his cheek and said,
"I... think I can."
"Then give it a try."
Li Ci frowned and grimaced, then slowly curled into a ball, his body beginning to emit a stone-like sheen.
Moments later, under the watchful eyes of Zhou Li and Tang Wan, Li Ci gradually shrank, eventually turning into a long-bodied creature with a conical head, a pointed snout, small ears, and no teeth.
"Does this look all right?"
Lifting his head and squinting his small eyes, the pangolin timidly asked, "I... can only change this much."
"That'll do."
Zhou Li looked him over, then nodded and said, "You should know that we definitely can't let you go."
The pangolin wasn't stupid; he had known for some time that these two people weren't going to release him. Although it was hard to say whether it was him who attacked Zhou Li and his companion or the other way around, he had intended to ambush the two of them.
What's more important is that, after all this trouble, the pangolin had gotten a rough idea of who the two in front of him were and knew full well that these two sly characters were certainly no greenhorns to the pugilistic world. They would never let him off easily.
But he was also scared, afraid of the harsh handiwork these two unusual people he had met could dish out. The brief encounter from just a few minutes ago left a psychological scar on the pangolin that he would never be able to erase in this lifetime.
After all, even if the Snake Gu acted up again, it would only slow his heartbeat and make it hard to breathe, at worst leading to a quick death. But the methods of these two people were utterly abhorrent to both humans and gods.
In his unease, the pangolin awaited the conclusion that was to come. As a timid and submissive spirit who had never resisted since he was little, his only act of defiance occurred when the Monster Hunter was capturing him and his mother, releasing his scales as he had done moments before.
The Monster Hunter remained unscathed, safeguarded by divine skills. However, Li Ci's mother died in the aftermath of that storm.
Since then, the fire inside Li Ci had been completely extinguished.
"Let's do this."
It was unknown how much time had passed before Li Ci heard Zhou Li's voice. He shook the scales on his body, and a resolute expression appeared on the narrow face of the small pangolin.
"Obviously, we can't simply let you go. You'll come with me to Beiliang City. You'll find a place for yourself there."
Looking at the pangolin's stunned little green bean eyes, Zhou Li chuckled and said,
"Don't worry, we're not taking you for research or for medicine. The Imperial Academy Mansion in Beiliang is being expanded, and they need workers. You can lend a hand, get food and lodging, and some money. And I'll rest assured you won't go back and spill our secrets."
The pangolin was stunned, and Zhou Li's words struck him as particularly jarring—not because he felt looked down upon, but because he could tell that Zhou Li wasn't treating him like a beast.
When he spoke to himself, he spoke of "needing workers," of "lending a hand." Not like when he served under the Golden Snake Lady and all he ever heard was "digging beast," "hurry up and work," those kinds of words.
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you completely,"
The Pangolin Spirit bowed his head and repeatedly agreed. He wasn't stupid—he knew Zhou Li must not trust him, given that he alone could use his earth-burrowing abilities to leave without notice and easily go back to report. Therefore, handing him over to the Imperial Academy Mansion was certainly meant to keep an eye on him.
But Li Ci also understood that if anyone could keep him safe from the power of the Golden Snake Lady, it would only be the Imperial Academy Mansion protected by the Dragon Tiger Qi.
Thus, without needing Zhou Li to say it, the Pangolin Spirit honestly took the lead. Along the way, the Pangolin Spirit did not speak much, just occasionally sniffing the soil and checking for the scent of other spirits or monsters.
With the Pangolin Spirit leading the way, Zhou Li and Tang Wan quickly arrived at the nearest Zongmu Town. The town was small, with few people in sight, but the ground was covered with neatly stacked timber.
Only after Zhou Li and his companions managed to find a woodkeeper to ask for directions on the main street did they locate Gaoma Station through several twists and turns.
"Heh, you guys are quite lucky,"
Handing out two wooden plaques with red background and white lettering, the Gaoma Station attendant wearing a blue hat looked at Zhou Li and Tang Wan, whose forehead was level with the counter, and said,
"There is indeed a carriage coming this time, passing by here in thirty minutes. You can wait with these plaques."
"Thank you."
After handing the other party two large Copper Coins, which is two hundred Copper Coins, Zhou Li and Tang Wan sat down on a bench near the platform with the Pangolin Spirit, idly chatting about the events that had occurred in their lives over the past few years, while waiting for the high horse carriage to arrive.
About fifteen minutes later, steady footsteps sounded from not far away. Zhou Li and Tang Wan immediately reacted. They didn't assume a ready stance poised to strike, but both stood up and looked in the direction of the footsteps, with their hands on their waists.
A moment later, the silhouette of a person emerged slowly from the station entrance. When Zhou Li and Tang Wan saw the large red Brocade Robe on the other's body, they were momentarily taken aback, then exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat solemn.
Large red Brocade Robe, a Flying Fish devouring the sun, brocade and Chun Se with hidden blades.
Jinyiwei...
Zhou Li had seen the Jinyiwei before and had dealt with them not a few times. He knew that within the ranks of the Jinyiwei, only very few could wear the Flying Fish Attire. After all, this kind of large red Brocade Robe was second only to the Python Robe—it meant that one had earned the appreciation of The Royal Family and was halfway into the dragon's pool.
Maintaining a steady gait, the Jinyiwei whose face shone brilliantly under the crystalline moonlight approached. He had a square face, level brows, slightly round eyes, a straight and prominent nose ridge, and calm lips. His looks were not exceptionally handsome, but he gave off an aura of righteousness and calm, very steady.
This Jinyiwei, in facing the two individuals without official rank, did not perform a disdainfully slight return salute but instead brought his hands together, executed a bow of equal standing. He looked at them, his voice steady, and said, "Encountering you two tonight is indeed serendipitous. May I know your names?"
"Certainly,"
Zhou Li also responded straightforwardly, "Beiliang Monster Hunter, Zhou Li."
Seeing Zhou Li speak, Tang Wan also folded her hands and said crisply and delicately, "Central Shichuan's Tang Sect, Tang Wan."
After hearing the names and origins of Zhou Li and Tang Wan, the Jinyiwei did not put on airs. He gently pushed his hands forward and said calmly,
"Hundred Households from the Northern Town Pacification Office."
"Guo Lingyun."