Lu Fei looked somewhat blankly at the drunkard, who casually picked his nose and flicked it away.
The "Irritable Bear" had shown two completely different sides of its strength. When it was not controlled by anyone, it was like a simpleton, not dodging even when directly attacked by Tie Tou Wa, but when it had the drunkard's command, the battle underwent a drastic change.
So, this drunkard had just said he wasn't a beast tamer?
He was clearly a master!
Lu Fei's expression shifted instantly, and he put on a friendly face. "Handsome guy! So you're a hidden beast taming master! How did you train a contracted beast to be so outstanding!"
The term "handsome guy" was quite appealing to the drunkard in front of him, and a hint of pleasure flickered across his face inadvertently.
But his tone remained casual. "I told you, this isn't my contracted beast, and I'm not a beast tamer."
Lu Fei was stunned and was about to speak when he heard the drunkard continue, "This 'Irritable Bear' is wild. It's a thief that specifically comes to my yard to steal meat."
Lu Fei was slightly dazed, but judging by the man's tone, he didn't seem to be joking. "Then why... does it listen to you so well?"
The drunkard pursed his lips. "You think everyone is like you, unable to even control a sword guard?"
Lu Fei felt a bit embarrassed. But in a flash, he shamelessly ran up to the drunkard, untied the wine gourd from his waist, and said with a grin, "Handsome guy, there's no place to buy wine around here. Why don't you wait here for me for a moment, and I'll go get you some wine right away."
The drunkard nodded and said, "You can't just let your sword guard lie there, can you? Take him to my house first, then you go out for wine."
Lu Fei nodded emphatically, seizing the opportunity to flatter him. "Handsome guy, you're right to remind me!"
As the sun set, Lu Fei, carrying Tie Tou Wa on his back, followed the drunkard step by step. After walking for about half an hour, they finally arrived at a quaint little courtyard.
Although Tie Tou Wa wasn't tall, his body was all muscle, and his weight was no less than his own. Lu Fei was already sweating profusely and couldn't even lift his head from carrying him all the way.
"We're here," the drunkard called out.
Lu Fei looked up as if relieved from a great burden. The scene before him completely stunned him. The courtyard wasn't large, but it was surrounded by strange and peculiar contracted beasts. Lu Fei scanned them and estimated there were at least a hundred! Among them were contracted beasts he was familiar with, such as "Three-Headed Pup," "Vine Demon," "Naughty Panda," and "Golden-Horned Ape," among others.
"Are these all yours?" Lu Fei's eyes widened in astonishment.
"What are you thinking? Do you think this is a breeding farm?"
"Then these contracted beasts?" The drunkard shrugged helplessly. "They're all freeloaders and thieves."
As he spoke, the two walked into the courtyard. The wild contracted beasts, which had been crowding the path, parted ways, their eyes narrowed into slits and smiling amiably, as if welcoming the drunkard home.
Upon entering the inner room, Lu Fei placed Tie Tou Wa on a small bed. The drunkard called out to the outside, "Rose, come in for treatment."
Lu Fei was still confused when a contracted beast resembling a rose walked in. Its limbs were made of leaves and branches, and its flower bud had grown facial features, with crimson lips and a vibrant blush. This was a wood-attribute, plant-type contracted beast named "Fragrant Rose." While its combat power wasn't high, it was a very good support contracted beast. As "Fragrant Rose" waved its hands, a fragrant mist drifted towards Tie Tou Wa. Soon, Tie Tou Wa regained consciousness from his coma, and most of his injuries healed. Although it wasn't as overpowered as Leng Tou She's "Divine Heal," it had a significant and immediate effect.
"Stop dawdling! Hurry up and get the wine!" the drunkard urged.
Lu Fei snapped back to reality with a sound of "oh" and walked out of the courtyard, still bewildered.
Lu Fei
"Wait."
Lu Fei turned back in surprise. "The city is twenty-odd kilometers from here. Are you planning to walk back?"
Lu Fei blinked. His thoughts had been entirely consumed by the courtyard full of contracted beasts. Didn't contracted beasts not listen so well? Yet, this courtyard full of contracted beasts acted like guards for the drunkard.
The drunkard exhaled through his nostrils and sighed. Impatiently, he said, "Di Di Ma is waiting for you at the entrance. Hurry up!"
Lu Fei's face lit up. "Alright!"
Watching Lu Fei's receding back, the drunkard shook his head with a look of disdain. The drunkard slowly turned his head, his gaze falling upon Tie Tou Wa, and finally settled on its broken sword.
"Bring the sword over and let me see it."
Tie Tou Wa immediately became alert, holding the broken sword defensively across its chest, staring menacingly at the drunkard.
The drunkard lowered his eyes. His tone remained neither too light nor too heavy. "Don't be nervous. I know you're from the Sword Demon Ruins."
At these words, Tie Tou Wa's eyes widened. It bared its teeth and let out a low growl, as if an unknown secret in its heart had been revealed. Its eyes were filled with hostility and fear.
The drunkard let out a breath and hissed. "So stingy. Fine, if you don't want to show me, then don't." He then walked towards the door, scratching his head, still somewhat curious, and muttered to himself, "It's truly a miracle that a little guy like you could come out alive from the Sword Demon Ruins."
Outside the courtyard, the contracted beasts were resting on the ground, having clearly made this place their home. Just then, several "Tender Lilies" came out carrying contracted beast food, greeting them with smiles. The contracted beasts that had been resting on the ground lined up orderly to receive their food. Although these contracted beasts were not raised by the drunkard, their current orderly behavior was all his doing.
It all started when he built a small courtyard here. After he retreated to this place, various contracted beasts came to steal food. But who could withstand that? Within a few days, all the food was gone. Later, the drunkard came up with a plan: if they wanted to freeload, they had to find their own ingredients, prepare their own rations, and clean the courtyard while they were at it. If the houses weren't sturdy, they also had to be responsible for repairs. Of course, if any evil wild contracted beasts came here, they had to be driven away. The "Irritable Bear" from earlier was one that had gone out to find ingredients...
Even capitalists wouldn't dare to exploit people this much... But these wild contracted beasts were happy to do it, and even invited their friends to join them. Over time, hundreds of contracted beasts gathered here.
Outside the courtyard, the contracted beasts began their meal. At the same time, the sound of "dududu" horse hooves approached. Lu Fei jumped off the back of the Di Di Ma and walked towards the house. The drunkard was lying on a rocking chair, his eyes closed, dozing. Lu Fei deliberately softened his footsteps. Suddenly, a hand reached out.
"Wine."
Lu Fei grinned and handed him the wine. He then waved towards the outside of the house, and soon, Ji Ge and Leng Tou She entered, each carrying a box of wine. The drunkard glanced at them from the corner of his eye, and his eyes immediately lit up. But he felt that there must be a trick involved. He asked suspiciously, "What's the meaning of this?"
Lu Fei playfully tapped the drunkard's shoulder with his little fist and said with a smile, "Handsome guy, why don't you teach me how to make such a large group of contracted beasts obey me?"