Beastmaster: I'm really just a forest ranger

Chapter 395 Departure from the Capital! A New Journey Begins!
Monday, October 1.

At the break of dawn.

The winter morning light, like diluted honey, slanted through the thin clouds and onto the farmyards on the edge of Xuanhe Town. The air was crisp and fresh, and the breath exhaled instantly condensed into tiny ice crystals.

The distant mountain ranges were shrouded in leaden-gray clouds, and the wind and snow could be vaguely seen rolling and surging like dragons.

Chen Yuan, who woke up naturally, pushed open the heavy wooden door. The hinges creaked softly, breaking the silence of dawn.

He took a deep breath of the cold air, feeling the coolness in his lungs, and stretched out a long yawn.

The old man was already squatting on the stone steps under the eaves, his eyebrows covered with frost. He was holding a large bowl and sipping the piping hot millet porridge. The rising steam from the bowl created a white mist in front of his rosy face.

The cold-blooded ox wagged its tail and lay down at the old man's feet, sometimes raising its head to yawn, sometimes closing its eyes to rest.

The two, a human and a pet, share a similar temperament: both are laid-back and easygoing, and their greatest hobby is strolling around town.

Even without special cultivation and training, thanks to the nourishment of the spiritual plants in the courtyard, the Frost Ox quietly broke through to the second tier.

Once the cold breath is unleashed, even a third-tier pet will suffer severe damage without any resistance.

Chen Yuan silently walked over, squatted down next to his grandfather, and picked up his own bowl of porridge.

Despite the cold winter weather, the abundant blood and energy within the two bodies circulated naturally, keeping the chill at bay.

They squatted there quietly, the soft slurping sounds of them drinking porridge blending with the distant howling of wind and snow, creating a strange yet harmonious winter morning scene.

Life is gradually emerging in the courtyard.

The domineering mother hen strode along, followed by a string of hopping chicks. They deftly scratched away the thin frost with their sharp claws, pecking at the grass seeds and insect eggs on the ground, emitting a contented "cluck cluck cluck."

Beside the fishpond, Runrun Duck lay sprawled on a large rock, one foot crossed in a standard pose, its flat beak slightly open, basking in the faint sunlight filtering through the chill, looking utterly carefree.

It's another beautiful day!

Under the shadow of the eaves, Electric Flying Cat and Youmi were locked in a tense standoff over their pre-meal snack.

The electric flying cat's fur stood on end, its cheek sacs emitted dazzling currents, and it hissed threateningly.
Yumi arched her back, her large amber eyes sparkling with cunning, her little paws tentatively reaching forward, and a low "gurgling" sound coming from her throat.

In mid-air, the tiny dragon's body gracefully circled.

The crystal-clear dragon horns shimmered with a faint light, and a light mist swirled around them.

A sizable dark cloud gathered as it wished, and a cool drizzle fell, casting a faint rainbow in the morning light.

Sprite turned into a rolling snowball, frantically circling around the soon-to-be-departed Coke, occasionally rubbing its head against Coke's leg, making a pitiful yet affectionate "woo woo" sound.

A hint of helplessness flashed in Cola's eyes. It not only had to comfort its little brother Sprite, who was always sticking to it, but also had to remind the Paw Patrol to stay on duty and protect the town while it was away.

The Wood Spirit Mouse family was even busier. They lined up in a row, their flexible and powerful tails sweeping away the snow in the yard like little brooms, clearing a clean path.

In the corner, the Fallen Horned Beast curled up its massive body, seemingly dozing. Its breathing was heavy and even, each breath sending ice crystals flying everywhere.

The frost giant, as large as a small mountain, was squatting at the edge of the yard, crunching on a pile of pet food.

After quickly finishing its meal, it patted its belly, which was covered with thick ice armor, with a satisfied look on its face, making a dull "thump" sound. Then it slowly stood up, first waving at Chen Yuan, and then walking towards the farm gate.

With each step, the ground trembled slightly, and the towering figure gradually blended into the chaotic snowy background and disappeared.

The construction of the new town has reached a critical stage. As the most reliable helper for the construction workers, the Frost Giant is busy every day and only returns to the farm to rest at night.

If the guys in the Giants' Court knew what the Frost Giants were currently doing, they would probably consider it a "disgrace to the Giants' Court".

"Leave after eating?"

After finishing the last mouthful of porridge, the old man wiped his mouth with the back of his rough hand. His voice was low and hoarse, but his gaze was as sharp as a hawk's as it fell on Chen Yuan's profile.

Chen Yuan shoveled the last few grains of rice from the bottom of the bowl into his mouth, chewed them carefully, and nodded: "Yes, the car will be here soon."

The old man was silent for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of the bowl. "Okay."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, before finally raising his voice slightly: "Be careful, go early."

"Go early and return late, they are all waiting for your triumphant return."

"them?"

Chen Yuan felt a slight stirring in his heart and a hint of doubt, but he did not ask any further questions. He simply met his grandfather's gaze and nodded solemnly, as if accepting some kind of heavy expectation.

The first time I participated in the Taibai Cup exhibition match was in Baokun City. When I participated in the Dafeng Cup, I went to Fengcheng, which is hundreds of kilometers away. This time, I will even go thousands of kilometers away from Qin Province to the core of Donghuang - the capital.

It seems that the more competitions he participates in, the farther he goes, and the more expectations he bears.

Just after breakfast, a minivan rolled over the frost-covered dirt road and came to a steady stop outside the farm gate, its engine emitting a deep roar.

Chen Yuan stood up, patted off non-existent dust from his trousers, and slowly scanned the entire courtyard before finally settling on Runrun Duck and Dian Dian Flying Cat.

"I will be away for at least two weeks this time."

Upon hearing this, Runrun Duck's eyes widened and its wings flapped unconsciously. Dian Dian Flying Cat was overjoyed and almost couldn't help but shout out excitedly.

Once the farmer leaves, the boss and Cola will follow suit, and the whole farm will be theirs to rule.
But there's also that wretched Yumi!
Electric Flying Cat's eyes darted around. It decided to wait until the farmer left before challenging Youmi to a duel, letting the latter know who was truly the number one cat on the farm.

But when Electric Flying Cat looked around, it still couldn't find Youmi. It frowned slightly and muttered, "Electric?"

Did this guy run away before I showed up because he was afraid of my presence?
Hehe, that farm is truly my domain!

However, when Chen Yuan uttered his next sentence, the two smug little ones froze, their expressions turning to blankness.

"But in order to better care for you, I check the farm's surveillance footage every day."

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of each little one: "Duck, Electric Flying Cat, you've done quite well lately. I hope you'll keep up the good work and understand what you should and shouldn't do."

"If I find out you've caused trouble at home, humph, you'll be in for a world of hurt when I get back."

"hold head high?"

Egg was puzzled. Why should they be rewarded with good things after causing trouble?
Runrun Duck immediately put down her crossed legs, straightened her neck and chest, closed her beak tightly, and tried her best to make a serious expression;

Electric Flying Cat also stopped baring its teeth and grinning instantly, its ears drooping down, its face full of frustration.

Damn surveillance!
Damn surveillance!
Instantly intimidated by the farmer's imposing presence, the two little ones nodded frantically, their movements so rapid they were almost blurry, their eyes filled with obedience and understanding.

Seeing their reaction, Chen Yuan straightened up, nodded to his grandfather, and then said to Zhou Xu, who had come to pick him up, "Let's go."

For this trip, Chen Yuan's food, clothing, accommodation, and transportation were all taken care of by the Qin Province Beast Tamer Association. He didn't even need to bring any luggage, as everything had been meticulously arranged.

With the roar of the engine, Chen Yuan looked back through the car window at the farm that looked even warmer in the winter morning light.

The gate, the fence, the fishpond, and the figures gathered at the gate—the old man's figure was somewhat blurred in the backlight; Runrun Duck and Dian Dian Flying Cat huddled together laughing, then quickly feigned reluctance when they noticed Chen Yuan's gaze; and there stood the silently towering Iron-Headed Kid and the ever-silent Fallen Horned Beast.
All the farm members stood quietly at the gate, watching him leave.

Chen Yuan raised his hand and waved gently through the car window.

The old man's voice suddenly came into my ears: "Although you are representing Qin Province in this competition, in the end it is for yourself."

"Pressure is inevitable, but don't always think about what will happen if you don't win the championship."

"While I also hope you become the champion, I would prefer you to eat well and sleep well every day."

Chen Yuan waved with a smile and muttered, "Why is the old man getting sentimental too?"

The vehicle gradually drove out of the farm area and turned onto the main road leading out of the town, the reflection in the car window gradually fading into the distance.

At that moment, Chen Yuan and Zhou Xu were both stunned.

The roadside was now filled with villagers from Xuanhe Town.

Men and women, young and old, many were still wearing their cotton-padded coats at home, their faces showing the sleepiness of the morning, but they all tried to open their eyes wide, their faces beaming with simple and warm smiles.

Little Zhao was lifted high by Little Zhao, while Little Peach nestled beside her grandmother. The two of them, along with other children, waved simple little flags they had made from colorful strips of cloth, and some even started playing cheerful gongs and drums.

"Keep it up, Xiao Chen!"

"Bring glory to our Xuanhe Town!"

Have a safe trip! We're waiting for your good news!

Shouts, blessings, and the sound of gongs and drums blended into a lively wave of sound, breaking the silence of the winter morning.

At the front of the crowd, led by Song Guohao, his former colleagues from the Beast Tamer's Office stood in a neat row.

They were all so excited their faces turned red, they cupped their hands to their mouths like megaphones, and roared with all their might, "Brother Yuan, when will you become the champion of Donghuang?!"

Their voices were loud and energetic, penetrating the car window and clearly reaching Chen Yuan's ears.

Although he was puzzled as to why his good friend Zhang Hao hadn't shown up, Chen Yuan looked out the window at the familiar and sincere faces, and at the expectant looks in everyone's eyes. Finally, a smile crept onto his usually calm face.

He rolled down the car window and stretched out his hand, waving vigorously at the villagers.

The wheels rolled on, gradually picking up speed. The scenery outside the window began to rush past: the faces of the villagers, their waving arms, and the colorful banners.
Everything gradually blurred, shrank, and finally disappeared around the corner of the road.

The vehicle officially entered the highway surrounded by mountains, leaving the warm and lively atmosphere behind.

The car returned to silence, with only the steady hum of the engine remaining.

"Ouch!"

Suddenly, a chorus of barking dogs echoed through the mountains. Chen Yuan turned around and immediately smiled: "It's Paw Patrol!"

Led by a Gale Hound, various canine pets chased after the vehicle, barking incessantly.

Every cry was filled with eager anticipation for the Cola Leader.

"唳~"

“Chirp chirp~”

The familiar screech sounded again. Chen Yuan rolled down the car window and looked up, seeing the familiar figure once more. He chuckled to himself, "The farewell procession is really huge, quite lively."

He leaned back in the soft seat in the back and closed his eyes to rest.

After driving for about fifteen minutes, passing through a long, dark tunnel, amidst the alternating light and shadow, Chen Yuan suddenly spoke, his voice calm and unwavering:

"Yumi, come out."

Zhou Xu, in the passenger seat, glanced subconsciously at the rearview mirror and the car interior. There were no other pets inside, and a look of doubt appeared on his face. Chen Yuan ignored Zhou Xu's doubt and continued, "Stop hiding. I knew from the moment you sneaked into the car and hid."

The air inside the car seemed to freeze for a moment.

Immediately afterwards, tiny ripples spread across the air around Chen Yuan's seat, like waves on water.

Yumi's purple figure slowly emerged from the void, gradually deepening in color.

It awkwardly covered its eyes with its two little paws, but couldn't help peeking at Chen Yuan's expression through its fingers.

Seeing Chen Yuan staring at it, it quickly looked away, pretending to be very interested in the withered trees rushing past the window, but its body was as stiff as a plush toy.

"So you really want to go outside together?" Chen Yuan stared at You Mi, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

Youmi suddenly turned her head, and her amber eyes instantly sparkled with dazzling light.

It nodded its little head vigorously, making urgent and earnest cries in its throat, and gesturing with its two little paws, trying its best to express its longing for the vast world outside the farm and its desire for freedom.

"Grrrrrrrr!"

The world is so big, Yumi wants to see it.

As she spoke, Youmi's cunning eyes darted around, her thoughts churning.

Once the farmer leaves, it will definitely be targeted by that wretched electric flying cat.

As a new employee, I can't compete with Electric Flying Cat in terms of connections, so I might as well just leave with the farm owner.

Gazing towards Xuanhe Town, which had long since disappeared behind the towering mountains, Chen Yuan remained silent for a few seconds before finally letting out a helpless sigh, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips:
"Alright, but remember to behave yourself out there. If you cause any trouble, I'll send you back immediately."

Although Yumi's strength is mediocre, its invisibility might be of great help to it outside.

With a serious expression, Youmi immediately raised a small paw and nodded repeatedly as if making an oath, making a solemn promise.

Almost simultaneously, Chen Yuan's cuff twitched slightly.

A small, exquisite, crystal-clear dragon head peeked out. Egg looked curiously at Youmi, who had just successfully "sneaked in," and let out a soft dragon roar with a hint of greeting: "Huh?"

Yumi's eyes sparkled, and she immediately flashed a "sincere" smile: "Goo-choo!"

Boss, I came here specifically to follow you!

Seeing Yumi's loyal expression, Egg was deeply moved and quickly patted the latter's shoulder with its paw: "Awoo~"

Good little brother, I will protect you from now on!

Seeing the interaction between the two little ones, Chen Yuan chuckled to himself.

After nearly a week of rigorous training, Egg's strength has made a qualitative leap, and he has learned a new skill from Spark: [Any Ability].

From then on, the egg, which had grown to two meters long, could shrink itself to the size of a figurine and hide silently in Chen Yuan's sleeve to avoid causing a sensation by appearing in public.

Strangely enough, Cola couldn't master this skill, but Egg learned it right away, as if it was no challenge for it at all.

Chen Yuan guessed that this might be due to racial differences; Cola's size limit was fixed, but Egg could grow into a behemoth.

The journey continued with the sound of wheels.

When the vehicle finally arrived in Fengcheng, Qin Province, and the magnificent headquarters building of the Beast Tamer Association came into view, the atmosphere inside the vehicle quietly became formal.

At the same time, in the rooftop lounge of the association's headquarters building.

Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the scenery of Fengcheng is spread out before your eyes, and the winter sun casts a pale golden hue over the city.

Inside the hall, the smooth, mirror-like dark marble floor reflects the soaring dome and the brilliance of the crystal chandelier, while the air is filled with the subtle scent of sandalwood and the sweet aroma of fine tea and pastries.

More than thirty beast tamers have arrived at the rest hall and are gathering in twos and threes.

They were dressed in different ways, some in crisp association uniforms, others in practical field combat gear, but without exception, they all exuded competence and confidence.

The staff, dressed in uniform, carried silver trays and moved silently among the guests, serving tea and water with light and precise movements.

Zhuang Jianbai stood by the window with several college students, their backs straight, each holding a steaming cup of tea, chatting quietly with one another.

Shi Gang was sitting on a comfortable leather sofa, talking in hushed tones with several older beast tamers. He occasionally let out a calm laugh, and his fingers sometimes unconsciously stroked the leather texture of the sofa armrests.

Huo Hong leaned against a pillar, his travel-worn attire somewhat out of place with the slightly formal atmosphere around him. He crossed his arms and scanned the entire room with sharp eyes.

In a relatively quiet corner of the hall, Xia Heng sat alone in an armchair.

His eyes were slightly closed, as if he were resting, yet he was impossible to ignore. He had just successfully certified as a Morning Star Beast Tamer, making him undoubtedly the most eye-catching focus of the team besides Chen Yuan.

Not far away, two relatively young beast tamers were talking in hushed tones, their eyes occasionally glancing in Xia Heng's direction.

"See that? Xia Heng seems to be much stronger than he was during the Great Wind Cup," one of the beast tamers in the blue uniform said in a low voice.

"Yes, I heard he's been undergoing intensive training lately and has made tremendous progress." Another beast tamer in brown nodded, his eyes filled with inquiry. "I just wonder how much worse he is now compared to Consultant Chen?"

Just then, their attention was drawn to a figure.

A young man wearing a casual jacket and a bright smile walked straight toward Xia Heng in the corner. Xia Heng, who was resting with his eyes closed, opened his eyes when he saw him and also showed a rare smile. The two exchanged a few words in hushed tones, their attitudes quite familiar.

Then, the man naturally walked towards Zhuang Jianbai by the window. Zhuang Jianbai turned around, smiled, and shook hands with him, as if old friends were reuniting.

He then approached Shi Gang, Huo Hong, and others. Each of them showed varying degrees of enthusiasm and familiarity upon seeing him, and the atmosphere of their conversation was relaxed and pleasant.

"Huh? Who's this guy?" The beast tamer in the blue uniform looked curious and tilted his head to say to his companion, "I don't think he's one of the contestants. How come he's so familiar with these big shots?"

The beast tamer in brown squinted at him for a moment, then said uncertainly, "I heard the staff mention him. He seems to be one of our deputy team leaders, responsible for itinerary coordination and some logistical support. He'll be flying to the capital with us."

"Deputy team leader?"

The beast tamer who had asked the question earlier nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this, then subtly curled his lips and muttered under his breath, "Hmph, since he's the deputy leader, he should focus on his duties. Arranging everyone's meals and accommodations is his job. He should avoid engaging in such socializing and chatting."

As they were talking, the young deputy team leader seemed to notice their gaze and quickly walked towards them.

"Hello, teachers!" The young man's voice was clear and bright as he extended his hand. "I'm Zhang Hao, the deputy leader of our team. I'll be mainly responsible for arranging everyone's itinerary and logistical support during our time in Beijing. Please feel free to contact me if you need anything!"

The beast tamer in the brown uniform immediately put on a polite smile and shook hands with Zhang Hao, exchanging pleasantries.

The blue-clad beast tamer who had previously expressed dissatisfaction simply nodded expressionlessly, his handshake was perfunctory, and the coldness in his eyes was almost undisguised.

He remembered the past.

At that time, he was just an ordinary company employee, working diligently every day, hoping to one day gain the appreciation of senior management.

My colleagues in the same department are focused on cultivating interpersonal relationships and flattering others all day long, without paying attention to their duties and business. Even so, their promotion speed is still far faster than mine.

Just as the atmosphere became slightly awkward—

"Advisor Chen is here!"

Someone let out a soft gasp of surprise.

In an instant, the entire lounge seemed to be muted; all conversations ceased abruptly, followed by the soft sound of tables and chairs being moved.

Almost everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to the entrance of the lounge.

"Advisor Chen!"

"Consultant Chen, you've arrived!"

Warm greetings rose and fell, converging into a wave of enthusiastic sound.

Chen Yuan appeared at the doorway, still dressed in simple clothes, his expression calm.

He nodded slightly to the enthusiastic crowd, his gaze habitually sweeping across the entire room. When his eyes fell on Zhang Hao, he paused noticeably, a hint of surprise appearing on his face.

He walked straight through the crowd to Zhang Hao, raising an eyebrow slightly: "Haozi? What are you doing here?"

When Zhang Hao saw him, his smile became even brighter: "Hey, don't even mention it. A few days ago, I suddenly received orders from my superiors saying that I had an important task assigned to me. It was all very mysterious. Later I found out that I was here specifically to be Brother Yuan's babysitter."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head: "You..."

He didn't say much, patted Zhang Hao on the shoulder, then turned and walked quickly toward Zhuang Jianbai and the others, greeting them familiarly.

This scene was witnessed by the two beast tamers standing nearby.

The blue-clad beast tamer, who had initially been very cold towards Zhang Hao, instantly melted the frost on his face, replaced by great surprise and a rapidly shifting warmth.

He couldn't help but take two steps closer and asked in a low voice, "Team Leader Zhang, are you very familiar with Consultant Chen?"

Zhang Hao turned his head, grinned, revealing two rows of neat white teeth, and said with a hint of self-satisfied pride, "Oh, you mean Brother Yuan?"

He gestured towards Chen Yuan with his lip, "We grew up together in Xuanhe Town, so you tell me, aren't we close?"

"My childhood friend?!"

The beast tamer in blue robes' pupils dilated slightly, then his face lit up with a bright smile. He immediately stepped forward, grasped Zhang Hao's hand tightly, shook it vigorously, and his face was full of sincere smiles:
"Oh dear, Team Leader Zhang! Look at me... Haha, my apologies! From now on, everything in the capital will depend on your help and care!"

Zhang Hao maintained his friendly smile and patted the other person's arm: "No problem, no problem, we're all on the same side, don't worry!"

After saying that, Zhang Hao's eyes darted around, and he smiled slightly at the other party: "Speaking of which, I do have a business deal I'd like to discuss with you."

The two were immediately puzzled: "Business?"

Zhang Hao smiled broadly: "Yes, I've started a small business and need some excellent beast tamers to help with advertising. I think the two of you are perfect candidates."

Soon after, the departure ceremony began.

President Jian personally attended and delivered a brief but powerful speech, encouraging everyone to compete with style and skill, and to bring glory to the province. After the ceremony, the group boarded a bus arranged by the association and headed to the airport.

The plane accelerated on the runway and roared off the ground.

Chen Yuan sat by the window, gazing calmly at the Qin Province landscape outside the porthole, which gradually shrank and eventually became a vast expanse of green.

Beside him, a miniature version of Egg peered curiously from his sleeve; Youmi, concealing herself, tried to suppress her excitement and nervousness about going to another place, clinging to the porthole, her big eyes reflecting the surging sea of ​​clouds below.

A new journey lies ahead.

(End of this chapter)