Chapter 33: Is He Your Owner? Part 2

Seeing the little black cat find a good spot on a nearby rock to settle down, Feng Xixing withdrew his gaze. His Spirit Sword still had a month before completion. Until then, he could only continue practicing his swordsmanship with ice swords.

My little disciple really does look so good practicing swordsmanship.

Lin Chuyun sprawled on the rock, tail swaying contentedly as he watched Feng Xixing drill in the distance. Just then, he heard a strange series of cries from the grass behind him.

“Chirp chirp chirp chirp!!”

The little black cat hesitantly turned his head. His cat eyes swept over the area behind him and spotted a patch of grass shaking oddly. He glanced at his little disciple, immersed in sword practice. After a moment’s hesitation, he leaped down from the rock.

Anyway, he hadn’t taken today’s pill yet. In a real emergency, he could just transform into a human.

The grass on the Back Mountain was fairly tall. The little black cat disappeared completely upon landing in it. Fortunately, the chirping continued, so Lin Chuyun followed the sound all the way.

Rustling through the grass, if it weren’t for the bird-like cries, Lin Chuyun would have suspected he was stumbling upon something not suitable for children. Extending a paw to part the grass in front of him, Lin Chuyun finally saw the creature making the sounds.

It was a little red bird.

Although described as a little red bird, it was about the same size as the little black cat. It was entangled by a venomous snake, unable to fly, and could only chirp loudly while trying to peck at the snake, which only resulted in plucking off a couple of its own feathers.

“Chirp chirp!!” The little red bird was so angry the feathers on its head puffed up.

Lin Chuyun looked at the little red bird, then at the venomous snake. Having experienced a Giant Python before, he found this snake looked extremely small, easily swattable with one paw.

The little black cat thought it, and did it.

The venomous snake didn’t even get a clear look at what shot out of the grass before a paw swatted it flying. Smashing dizzily into a tree, it quickly scrambled to escape.

Freed from its predicament, the little red bird didn’t immediately look at Lin Chuyun. Instead, it first meticulously preened its ruffled feathers back into place.

It’s a beauty-conscious bird.

Lin Chuyun found it a bit amusing. Rescuing the little red bird had been a whim. Now that he came back to his senses, he worried his disciple might be searching for him and worry, so he turned to leave.

Having finally tidied itself up, the little red bird was just about to speak when it saw its savior beast about to leave. It hurriedly flapped its wings and flew over to land on the little black cat’s head.

“Chirp chirp chirp chirp?”

“Meow meow meow!” Feeling a creature suddenly land on his head, the little black cat’s tail fluffed up instantly. He unhappily swatted the little red bird off his head with a paw.

Seeing him meow like that, the little red bird seemed to realize something. It hesitated, then switched to a different tone of chirping. “Chirp chirp chirp chirp…?”

Are you a Demon Beast?

Lin Chuyun was startled to find he could understand the little red bird’s speech. He couldn’t help but circle around the red bird twice, attempting to speak. “Meow meow meow…?”

Can you understand me?

The little red bird realized: this was a Demon Beast who hadn’t yet learned the Demon Language.

The Demon Language was a form of communication that Demon Beasts could use with each other even before forming a core.

While the Demon Language was an instinct for Demon Beasts, maybe this little black cat was an orphan, and its inherited memories were faulty? Thinking this, a trace of pity showed in the little red bird’s eyes. It patted the little black cat’s head with a wing. “Chirp chirp chirp…”

Don’t worry. I’ll teach you.

The little red bird chirped earnestly for a long time, explaining how to speak the Demon Language to Lin Chuyun. Finally, it collapsed onto a rock, exhausted, bird feet pointed skyward.

Lin Chuyun followed its method, circulated his Demon Power within him, and then spoke softly. “Meow meow meow…?”

Like this?

“Chirp chirp chirp!” Correct!

The little red bird felt deeply gratified. This was a very clever little Cat Demon. But why was it here? The little red bird looked around, suspecting this little Cat Demon might have run out from the deeper parts of the Back Mountain.

“Chirp chirp chirp?” Where are your dad and mom?

Lin Chuyun was stunned by the question.

In his past life, Lin Chuyun had been adopted by an old man. He never knew who his birth parents were.

The old man treated him very well. Lin Chuyun had always regarded the old man as his only family. So even when the old man passed away when Lin Chuyun was in his teens, he never thought about searching for his parents.

And the original host… the original host’s memories only went back to the age of ten. Everything before that was a complete blank.

“Meow…” I don’t know…

The little black cat was visibly lost and held a vague, unspoken sadness. The cat eyes that had been so bright just moments ago slowly misted over.

I asked the wrong thing!

The little red bird was filled with regret, wanting to go back in time and smack its blabbermouth self. Seeing the little black cat’s tail droop, the red bird hastily tried to comfort him. “Chirp chirp chirp!”

It’s fine, I don’t know who my dad is either.

That wasn’t really a lie. It honestly didn’t know who its father was. In its clan, the eggs were incubated by the females; the males were chased out of the nest after mating.

Lin Chuyun knew the little red bird was trying to comfort him. He wasn’t really all that sad. The little black cat swished his tail and meowed softly.

Just then, footsteps sounded in the grass behind the little black cat. The little red bird immediately went on alert, the red plume feather on its head seeming to ignite. “Chirp chirp chirp!”

Get over here, quick!

Lin Chuyun, however, wasn’t panicked at all. He’d already caught Feng Xixing’s scent. Of course, he was still a little panicked—because his sneaky wandering had been discovered.

The little black cat flattened his ears and turned around obediently, letting out a soft call. “Meow…”

You’re here.

The little red bird froze upon seeing the newcomer, not even noticing what the little black cat said. When it saw that human crouch down and reach for the little black cat, a flash of anger shot through its eyes. “Chirp chirp chirp!”

Let go of it!

The little red bird shot towards Feng Xixing, spitting a wisp of flame from its beak.

“Meow!” Lin Chuyun jumped in fright, immediately dashing forward to block the flame for Feng Xixing. But Feng Xixing scooped him back, sheltering him safely in his palm.

As for the wisp of flame, it was blocked by a shield of Ice Crystal that manifested in front of Feng Xixing.

Feng Xixing frowned, glancing at the bird demon that had appeared out of nowhere, then down at the little black cat in his hand. “Is this a friend of yours?”

The little black cat didn’t even have time to answer Feng Xixing; he was busy being angry at the little red bird. Why had this little red bird suddenly attacked someone? If his little disciple hadn’t reacted so fast, he’d have been hurt.

“Meow meow meow meow meow!” Why did you attack him!

The little red bird looked at Feng Xixing, then at the little black cat crouched in his palm. It asked hesitantly, “Chirp chirp chirp chirp?”

You… know this human?

The little black cat replied angrily, “Meow meow meow!”

Of course I know him, we live together!

The little red bird had a sudden epiphany. It asked, “Chirp chirp chirp?”

Is he your owner?

The little black cat froze. The little black cat stiffened. The little black cat’s fur puffed up as he lunged to claw the bird.

Feng Xixing hurriedly restrained his suddenly irate teacher, his gaze towards the red bird far from friendly. The two of them had been chirping and meowing at each other right in front of him for ages, clearly understanding each other perfectly.

And he couldn’t understand a thing.

Annoying.

“Chirp chirp chirp?” The little red bird flew up, dodging the little black cat’s claw strikes.

Did I say something wrong?

Lin Chuyun was now immensely grateful that Feng Xixing couldn’t understand them. If Feng Xixing had heard that… his dignity as a Shizun would be completely shattered!

The little black cat retorted furiously, “Meow meow meow meow!”

Of course not!!!

The little red bird landed on a neighboring rock, tilting its head in confusion.

In its mind, a Demon Beast living with a human cultivator could only mean that one thing.

“Chirp…” Just as it was about to open its beak to ask more, a Sound Transmission landed in its ear.

The little red bird’s voice faltered. It looked at the little black cat, then at Feng Xixing. Finally, it chirped twice at the little black cat. “Chirp chirp!”

I have to go now. I’ll come find you tomorrow!

With that, not waiting for Lin Chuyun’s reply, it flew off on its own.

“Shizun?” Feng Xixing watched the red bird fly away, then looked down at Lin Chuyun. “Who was that?”

The little black cat shook his head. He didn’t know either. Probably just some Demon Beast living in the Back Mountain.

…

On Spirit Beast Peak.

The moment the little red bird landed, it shimmered and transformed into a man dressed in red robes.

The man’s brows were tightly furrowed, phoenix eyes brimming with displeasure. He tugged impatiently at his sleeve, clearly unaccustomed to wearing these clothes.

“Tch, annoying.” The man forced himself to tolerate it, then looked up at the figure standing to the side. “What is it?”

Gu Jingshan sighed. “You were out tricking people again.”

No one knew what was up with this Phoenix’s personality. It always transformed into a little red bird to deceive unsuspecting disciples. Kind-hearted disciples who rescued the little red bird would receive a Plume Feather from it. But if a disciple harbored ill intentions… they would be thoroughly bullied by this little red bird.

Feng Wu had always disliked Gu Jingshan’s rigid personality. His frown didn’t ease. “Spit it out and get lost.”

Gu Jingshan wasn’t surprised by his attitude. Back when Feng Wu had chased Lin Chuyun all over the sect burning mountains, Gu Jingshan was the one who finally stopped him. Feng Wu had lumped him together with Lin Chuyun in his dislike ever since.

“I need a Demon Beast cultivation method,” Gu Jingshan stated his purpose.

Feng Wu raised an eyebrow. He didn’t take out any method, but instead shot back, “Gu Jingshan, you’re a human cultivator. What do you want a Demon Beast cultivation method for?”

Gu Jingshan fell silent.

He wasn’t good at lying. But he also knew: if he revealed this method was for Lin Chuyun, this Phoenix would never give it up.

However, Feng Wu was quite clever. Seeing Gu Jingshan’s silence, he instantly realized this involved Lin Chuyun. Thinking of Lin Chuyun made Feng Wu think of the three Tail Feathers that had been tricked out of him.

He had no idea why Lin Chuyun would want a Demon Beast cultivation method. But if Lin Chuyun wanted it, there was absolutely no way he would give it!

Seeing this, Feng Wu didn’t even bother asking more. With a wave of his sleeve, he threw Gu Jingshan right off Spirit Beast Peak.

Trick me out of my feathers and now you want my stuff? Dream on!

Feng Wu thought huffily. Then his mind turned to the Feng Xixing he’d just met.

Naturally, he recognized this disciple of Lin Chuyun’s. Because of Lin Chuyun, his impression of Feng Xixing had also been poor. He hadn’t expected Feng Xixing to actually protect a Demon Beast.

And that very clever little Cat Demon… Speaking of which, the little Cat Demon didn’t even know the Demon Language. Could it be he also didn’t know how Demon Beasts were supposed to cultivate?

Should he… pay the little Cat Demon a visit tomorrow to give him a cultivation method?