Under One Person: Rebuilding the Glory of the Beast Master

Chapter 49 The Shaman and the Beast Master

"Oh my god! A beastly master? That's a rare sight in the world of supernatural beings!" Guan Shihua exclaimed in surprise.

Especially in the Northeast, there are even fewer beast masters, since those great immortals are essentially beasts themselves, and there's not much fertile ground for beast masters to survive.

Of course, this does not mean that shamans are hostile to beast masters; in fact, there is some connection between shamans and beast masters.

Of course, this is the old almanac. After all, the shamans are still a major force in the world of supernatural beings, while the beast masters have long since disappeared to who knows where.

"I've never met a beastly master before, but you smell really good!" Guan Shihua continued, even trying to lean closer to smell Zeng Su again.

However, Zeng Su dodged it this time, and he got goosebumps all over his body.

"Don't be so shy, you big man!" Guan Shihua said boldly, and reached out a hand to straighten Zeng Su.

"Since you say you're a beast master, what about your beasts? What kind of beasts do you raise? What breeds are they?" Guan Shihua asked a series of questions.

Zeng Su was helpless. He really couldn't stand Guan Shihua's overly familiar personality, but Guan Shihua hadn't done anything to him. He had even recognized him as his younger brother and wanted to protect him.

So how could he possibly speak ill of them? He could only explain, "Um, it's inconvenient to carry beasts around. I currently have three exotic beasts: a pig, an eagle, and a tortoise!"

Guan Shihua was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, a hearty laugh that could be heard throughout the entire restaurant.

"Wow, my goodness, you're something else! Everyone else raises tigers, leopards, wolves, and jackals, but you've gone and raised pigs and turtles? What can you do with those two together? Open a farm?"

Zeng Su was somewhat helpless at her laughter, but he didn't explain anything. If we're just talking about species, his three exotic beasts really weren't anything special.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Guan Shihua waved her hand and said to Lu Jin, "Young Master Lu, we can borrow your junior brother for a bit. We'll treat him to a meal. You don't mind, do you?"

Lu Jin glanced at the unfinished ribs in his bowl, then at Guan Shihua's face, which seemed to say "You dare say no and try it," and nodded knowingly, "No problem, no problem. Please go ahead."

"Shihua, aren't you supposed to be eating with me?!" Wang Ai couldn't take it anymore and said.

"I told you not to call me Shihua'er." Guan Shihua glared at him. "Don't try to get close to me, we're not that familiar."

Wang Ai choked again, but this time he felt like crying.

Guan Shihua didn't care about Wang Ai's expression. She pulled Zeng Su's sleeve and sat down at the previous table. At this time, the dishes that Wang Ai had ordered were served.

"Come on, bro, eat up."

Guan Shihua filled Zeng Su's bowl with vegetables, all of which were meat.

"People need to eat meat; eating more meat helps you grow tall and strong. Little brother, you're still young, you need to supplement your nutrition, eat up!"

"Thank you, Sister Shihua." What else could Zeng Su say but softly express his gratitude?

He glanced at Lu Jin at the next table.

Lu Jin shrugged and spread his hands, indicating that he was powerless to help. If Guan Shihua were a man, he might have stepped in to save his junior brother. But she was a girl, and Lu Jin was a gentleman; how could he possibly go against a girl?

He glanced at Wang Ai again, but quickly looked away.

Because Wang Ai was now holding a pair of chopsticks in her mouth, and the flames in her eyes were burning bright red, almost solidifying.

"Don't be afraid, Fatty Wang won't dare to lay a hand on you. With your sister Shihua here, you'll be fine." Guan Shihua glared fiercely at Wang Ai, then said to Zeng Su.

"Brother, tell me, how did you raise that beast you mentioned? Our family's spirits are quite precious; even getting them to possess us depends on their mood. Is your beast obedient?"

"They're fairly obedient," Zeng Su said. "We have a very good relationship, and they generally don't go against my wishes."

"That would be wonderful!" Guan Shihua slapped her thigh. "If only our spirit mediums were this obedient! You wouldn't believe it, the other day we asked Grandpa Liu to possess us, and he insisted on going out for barbecue. What would people think if they saw me, a young, unmarried woman, squatting by the roadside eating skewers in the middle of the night?"

Zeng Su imagined the scene and couldn't help but chuckle.

"What are you laughing at? Don't laugh. Let me tell you, being a shaman may seem glamorous, but it's actually quite stifling. Once a spirit possesses you, you're no longer yourself; you have to serve them like royalty. If they get unhappy one day and quit, you're nothing."

Guan Shihua got so excited talking that she gestured wildly, and her spittle almost flew into the food plate.

"However, the spirits have been very good to me. It is thanks to their protection that we, as shamanic disciples, are where we are today."

Zeng Su listened very attentively.

The methods of cultivation for shamans are completely different from those of beast masters, but they share a common underlying logic: both rely on the power of beasts.

"Sister Shihua," he asked, "you said I smell very nice, can you tell me more specifically what's going on?"

"Guan Shihua closed her eyes and twitched her nose as if sensing something."

After a while, she opened her eyes, a look of confusion on her round face: "I can't explain it. It's just that the smell on you makes me feel—interested? Yes, interesting. Just like when we see something delicious or fun, we want to go closer and take a look."

She paused, then added in a low voice, "Our Uncle Liu almost possessed us just now, which gave us quite a fright. Uncle Liu is a big shot in our family's business, and he's usually not very active, but today, I don't know what happened, he was acting like he was on steroids."

This old man, Zeng Su, remembered very clearly that Liu Kunsheng, the shaman from Northeast China, was no ordinary shaman; he had lived in this world for countless years.

Although Liu Kunsheng made several moves in later generations, he did not demonstrate its formidable strength. In fact, it was easily manipulated by someone using one of the Eight Extraordinary Techniques, "Spirit Binding and Commanding Generals".

However, as one of the top spiritual masters in Northeast China, Liu Kunsheng's strength is certainly not that simple. Besides, the disciples who become spirit mediums only borrow the power of the immortals. And immortals have physical bodies, so Liu Kunsheng's true strength is difficult to estimate.

He then chatted with Guan Shihua for a long time and gradually discovered that this seemingly carefree chubby girl actually had a very delicate heart.

After the meal, Guan Shihua insisted on paying the bill.

"We've got money!" She patted the bulging money pouch at her waist. "Our dad said we can't let people look down on us when we're out in the world. Besides, you're our brother, it's only right for your sister to treat you to a meal."

Zeng Su didn't try to take the bill from her. He knew that with Guan Shihua's temper, if he insisted on paying, it would definitely cause a lot of trouble. It was better to accept her kindness.

Wang Ai sat at the next table the whole time, his face still contorted with resentment, especially since his chopsticks were already bitten into several pieces. If he could, he really wanted to bite Zeng Su a couple of times.

It was already dark when the four of them left the restaurant.

Red lanterns lit up the streets of Lujia Town, with strings of red lanterns bearing the character for longevity hanging from the doorways of each household, illuminating the streets in a bright red glow.

There were fewer people on the streets than during the day, but it was still lively. A grand performance was being held in the square in the distance.

"Sister Shihua, where do you live?" Zeng Su asked.

"The inn arranged by the Lu family is at the east end of town," Guan Shihua pointed in the direction. "And you?"

"I live with Senior Brother Lu."

"Alright, see you at the birthday banquet tomorrow." Guan Shihua patted Zeng Su on the shoulder. "Little brother, I'll protect you when you come to the Northeast. And aren't you from the Sanyi Sect? When I go home, I'll send you some good stuff, pine nuts and ginseng from the Northeast..."

"Ula grass, that's top-quality stuff."

"Thank you, Sister Shihua."

Guan Shihua waved her hand and turned to walk towards the east end of the town.

After taking a couple of steps, she turned back and called out, "Little brother, bring your beast taming device to see me tomorrow!"

"Okay, Sister Shihua, you'll definitely see it tomorrow," Zeng Su replied.

Guan Shihua smiled with satisfaction and strode away.

Wang Ai followed behind her, jogging to catch up: "Shihua, wait for me, I'll take you home." "No need!"

The two words were crisp and clear. Wang Ai paused for a moment, but still followed.

Lu Jin watched the two figures walk away and shook his head: "That Wang Ai, really—has perseverance."

"It seems like my senior brother doesn't like him very much?" Zeng Su asked.

Lu Jin thought for a moment and said, "It's not that I don't like her, it's that I can't see through her. Wang Ai has always been smiling since she was a child, and she always seems to be friendly and easy to get along with. But the more she is like that, the more uneasy I feel."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "My father said that the Wang family was able to stand firm among the four great families not because of strength, but because of their cunning."

Then Lu Jin changed the subject, "But today was completely different. I've never seen Wang Ai look so sour before. Throughout the meal, there wasn't a single smile on her round face."

Lu Jin's smile revealed all his pearly white teeth.

The two then walked back along the main street, no longer thinking about seeing any other sights.

"Junior brother," Lu Jin suddenly spoke up, "you and Guan Shihua get along quite well."

"She's alright," Zeng Su said. "Sister Shihua is straightforward and doesn't have many hidden agendas. She's easy to get along with."

"That's true." Lu Jin smiled. "Dealing with her is much easier than dealing with someone like Wang Ai."

As they talked, they unknowingly arrived at the entrance of the Lu family compound.

The stone lions at the entrance cast huge shadows in the lantern light. Two servants from the Lu family were standing on either side of the threshold. They bowed and greeted them as they returned.

"Young Master Jin."

"Mm." Lu Jin nodded and led Zeng Su through the door.

The Lu family compound was very large, with a front hall, a central hall, and a rear residence, layered upon each other, with winding corridors. Lu Jin skillfully navigated through several corridors and led Zeng Su to a guest room in the east courtyard.

"You'll stay here." Lu Jin pushed open the door. "I live next door. Call me if you need anything."

The room wasn't large, but it was decorated very tastefully.

A new brocade quilt was laid out on a carved wooden bed. There was also a mahogany desk with the Four Treasures of the Study on it. By the window, there was a small table with a pot of orchids on it, their delicate fragrance filling the room.

This is the grandeur of a large family, far surpassing the Zeng Family Village. For a family to develop to such a level is no easy feat. Maintaining it is even more remarkable.

"I'll have someone bring some food over in a bit. Brother Bai and Fei Peng haven't eaten yet!" Lu Jin suddenly said.

Zeng Su, the owner, hadn't brought this up yet, but Lu Jin did, which shows how much Lu Jin really cares for Baijiahei.

"Senior brother," Zeng Su called out.

"Um?"

"Thanks."

Lu Jin paused for a moment, then smiled and reached out to rub Zeng Su's head.

"What are you thanking me for? You're my junior brother, so you can't say 'thank you' anymore, or your senior brother will be unhappy."

After Lu Jin left, Zeng Su closed the door and let Bai Jiahei and Fei Peng out.

Bai Jiahei came out and circled around the room. Then he nudged the orchid on the small table with his nose. The more he smelled it, the more fragrant it seemed. Then, taking advantage of Zeng Su's inattention, he opened his mouth and swallowed the orchid whole.

"Hey, what are you doing?!"

Zeng Su scolded him and went over to see that only the roots of the orchid were left.

Baijiahei snorted aggrievedly, lay down on the ground and rested its head on its front hooves, but its mouth was still chewing, the taste was really good.

Feipeng landed on the bed, folded its wings, and tilted its head to look at Baijiahei. Its eyes were full of schadenfreude, as if it were mocking Baijiahei for being scolded.

Bai Jiahei glanced at Fei Peng, but he was thick-skinned and didn't care about the matter at all.

What can Zeng Su do? Even if Lu Jin sees it, he won't take it seriously. He might even find Bai Jiahei some more orchids to try.

He didn't rush to sleep; instead, he sat cross-legged on the bed and began practicing. Daily practice must not be interrupted; it's the foundation.

Besides, tomorrow is Old Master Lu's birthday banquet, and he might even get to face off against Zhang Zhiwei then. Despite his excitement, he wasn't entirely confident, but he had to be prepared, at least to withstand one slap.

After completing the three cycles of the Heavenly Cycle, there was a knock on his door; it was a servant from the Lu family.

There were more than a dozen people, each carrying a large wooden bucket filled with various kinds of food.

When the servants opened the door and saw Bai Jiahei and Fei Peng, they were all startled. Although they knew of the existence of strange people, strange beasts were not easy to see, especially Bai Jiahei, whose appearance was truly frightening.

Baijiahei paid no attention to these people. Its nose twitched as it smelled the aroma of food, and saliva dripped down its face.

Fei Peng also ran over, staring at a bucket of fresh beef. This was specially prepared for Fei Peng by Lu Jin, who had even carefully cut the meat into strips.

However, Lu Jin did not come. The servants said that he had been summoned by the elders of the Lu family, and his own master was still at the banquet.

There's no way around it; the Lu family now has a lot of top-tier figures in the world of supernatural beings, and as the leader of the Sanyi Sect, I have to communicate with these people.

As for Zeng Su, he's just a nobody, nobody cares.

Before long, the pig and the eagle were so full that their bellies were bulging.

The servants took away the wooden buckets and carefully cleaned the house as well.

Tonight, Baijiahei didn't sleep on its stomach, but rather on its back with its limbs in the air. Even Feipeng was the same, with its paws pointing upwards against Baijiahei's body, its tongue sticking out.

"You two!"

Zeng Su shook his head and continued his cultivation.