Chapter 4
The next day, around five to seven am, Ling Xia got out of the bed and meets up with Wan Yan and the others assigned with him to feed those Bald Eagles.
Level five Bald Eagles already possesses certain amount of intelligence, and the place where they are being raised is much bigger than that of the Green Wings, though it was situated farther to the back of the mountains and near the steep cliffs. Even though the numbers of this species are dwindling, but the chicks of the bald eagle are in life and death situation early on since the mature Bald Eagles rarely rear them. They are out almost the entire day and when they return, the young chicks may have suffered from starvation and dies. This is where the people in charge of feeding comes in and take care of the chicks.
Ling Xia and Wan Yan hopped inside the cart pulled by a magic beast. There were containers inside the cart that are filled with fresh red meat in various sizes——but all were feed for the eagles. The other two men that was with them were in separate cart and was following behind.
They were traveling for about half an hour in a bumpy ride until finally, they arrived at the back of the mountain. During the journey, Wan Yan was telling Ling Xia important pointers in rearing一一Ling Xia memorizes it all. Once they were done talking, they remained quiet for the rest of the journey. The reason was they are not far from where the mature eagles are nesting all year round——If their noise agitated it, everyone’s life might be in peril.
Everyone packed their own respective share of meat into their bamboo baskets and carried it on their backs. They throws down the rope at the edge of the cliff, then proceeded to climb down cautiously. Even though Ling Xia had never participated in any activities relating to mountain climbing, but with his now light and strengthen body as well as his fast and keen sense, he climbed down smoothly.
They quickly reached the cracks on the crevice, where every eagle nests are located.
Wan Yan pointed at a cave on an overhanging stone platform down below, he implied that it was a cave where a mature Bald Eagle lives, and asks Ling Xia to be extra careful.
Those young chicks had grown into a size comparable to mature ducks and chickens. Their beaks were sharp and pointed, but they haven’t develop their wings that looked similar to a bat, yet looked more ferocious. Ling Xia counted them, totaling to about thirty chicks.
As what Wan Yan explained before, there are more male Bald Eagles than female ones. And the duration of incubation took around three years, that’s why there are only few of them. If they didn’t feed those chicks in time, its possible that this chicks might resort to cannibalism.
The chicks smelled the scent of meat, and immediately chirps loudly. Ling Xia quickly imitated the way they throw the meat at those chicks. Those chicks appetite are enormous. And even if they are done eating their fill, they are compelled by their greediness and would snatch the meat of other chicks and take it on their own nest. Ling Xia watches the fierce fight between chicks as if it was a cockfight, and it made his scalp tingle——They were already this ferocious at such a young age, what more if they grow into a mature Bald Eagle?
Once the meat has been distributed, Ling Xia uses a leaf to wipe the grease off his hands and followed Wan Yan in leaving the place.
This work was done for ten consecutive days. Ling Xia felt that his strength became stronger and his foothold became steadier that he thought he don’t even need a rope to climb up and down on the edge of the cliff anymore. It’s just that, he never reveal it towards Wan Yan and other’s while he’s with them.
The morning came and Ling Xia and the others are on their way to climb the mountain. But the strong torrent of rain has yet to ceased from the night before, making the river current flows violently, and turn the dirt mountain road muddy and difficult to travel on. The schedule of feeding the eagle chicks cannot be delayed, so Ling Xia and the others hopped down from the cart, and carried the baskets containing the feed on their backs as they climbed up the mountains.
Despite the situation, they arrived at the eagle’s nest without a hitch. But because of hunger, those eagle chicks had already started fighting with each other so everyone hastily throws the meat to them.
On their way down to the mountain, Wan Yan was carelessly walking and slipped. It was difficult for him to maintain his balance because of the muddy ground, and with a loud ‘Ahh!’ he came tumbling down.
Everyone was too shocked except for Ling Xia, who quickly ran after him without much thought. He chases after Wan Yan for a couple of meters in distance until he managed to grab him by the arm to pull him back. The rope tied on him for support got loose, causing Ling Xia to get drag down with him. When Ling Xia fell at the edge of the cliff, he stopped his falling momentum by grabbing onto the protruding platform and standing onto it. Ling Xia looks down at the bottomless abyss, and quickly looked the other way, his head started to profuse with cold sweat.
The other men with him wasn’t brave enough to call out to him in a loud voice, and only yelled towards him with toned down voices: “Xiao Dao, stay put. We’ll climb up first and throw you a rope to climb on.
Ling Xia nodded to them. Pulling Wan Yan up didn’t tire him up, but because the cliff was too steep, Wan Yan was frightened and was squirming too much while grabbing tightly on Ling Xia’s wrist, making Ling Xia have difficult time getting a proper foothold.
Ling Xia suddenly sense an imposing feeling behind him, as if something was watching them!
He look around in vigilance, and suddenly jumped in fright——It turns out, they are currently located only seven to eight meters in distance near that cave where Ling Xia was told that a mature Bald Eagle dwells!
A humongous shadow of a bird slowly struts out of the mountain cave, and as expected, its entire body to its prominent head is white, with its sharp eagle eyes firmly staring at them. But something was strange. The plumage on this Bald Eagle’s upper body were scarce, to the point that it was not that much different than the eagle chicks. The bare pink skin was even peeking out, the look it gives was seemingly unsightly.
It was that Bald Eagle that had its plumage burned by Ah Li years ago. The damage on its burnt plumage did not improved, even though Chu Yin tried everything he could. Chu Yin could not solve its predicament on the following years, and because of that, it was more discouraged with its unsightly appearance. It hid on the nesting area of the Bald Eagles while mulling in self-inferiority everyday, only to come out at this moment.
Wan Yan couldn’t help but scream in fright. Those bloody rumors about the Bald Eagles scared him so much he was squirming his way to the rocks wanting to climb up. His abrupt movements caught the Bald Eagle’s attention more. It spreads it demonic-like wings, and flew straight to the two people hanging on the edge of the cliff like a meteor.
The strong gust it created practically prevented them from opening their eyes. The Bald Eagle sets its eyes at Wan Yan first and aimed its claw at him as it swoop over, wanting to tear him apart!
The other two men on top of the cliff saw what’s happening below. They recognized the eagle that was originally a level eight beast, but because it was seriously injured, its level dropped down to six. Even so, several average cultivators could not easily handle it, let alone common people?
The other two scampered cowardly on their own down the mountain. They did not have the courage to shout, fearing that they might attract its attention.
Ling Xia became aware that the situation is dire. He yelled loudly as he let go of his hold on the rocks and jumped up in time to grab tightly on the Bald Eagle’s talons, and dragging it towards them.
The Bald Eagle didn’t expect that this human would have the audacity to grab its talons, and was immediately infuriated, so it nosedive down the cliff in great speed to lose Ling Xia’s hold. That fast movement made Ling Xia disoriented, nevertheless, he still firmly held on to the Bald Eagle’s leg without loosening his grip. Wan Yan was almost stupefied from what he’s seeing, but he forces his trembling lips to call out to Ling Xia while holding firmly on to the ledge: “Xiao, Xiao Dao…..”
The Bald Eagle was rather impatient in throwing him off, so it lets out a sharp cry and flew towards the rocks. Ling Xia knew that it was not good. While he’s disconcerted, he finally remembered that energy flowing inside his body. He hastily evoke it, and applied that power to his waist as he swing upwards and jumped on top of the Bald Eagle’s body.
Ling Xia was nervous and thrilled at the same time. He quickly wrapped both of his legs firmly on the Bald Eagle’s neck, and recklessly clung on to the remaining plumage on its head with his hands.
The Bald Eagle bellowed a blood-curling screech, the sound was echoing in the sky. In reality, its plumage is very resilient, it won’t be pulled off by an average person. But it was traumatized by Ah Li, so it didn’t have the courage to move around carelessly, fearing that Ling Xia might pluck its very slowly growing plumage by clutching tightly on it.
Ling Xia was amazed to discover that the Bald Eagle slowed down into a steady flight, but he wasn’t still confident in letting go, in fact, he clutches on tighter. The Bald Eagle pitifully cried, since it no longer wanted to attack him, but it didn’t know how to communicate in human language. So in what way could it make peace with him!
One man and one eagle was suddenly in a deadlock. The Bald Eagle was cooped up in its nest for far too long, so it steadily flew up with anticipation, bringing Ling Xia along in an ascending height.
Ling Xia was astounded to see the vast blue sky as if it was almost within his reach. The clumps of white misty clouds surrounded him. The sun even seemed like it was much bigger than usual. He looked down below him and saw the layers of cloud beneath him. How much higher does this Bald Eagle intended to bring him into?
He had never seen such a beautiful scene before, so he was actually somewhat dumbfounded at the sight.
The Bald eagle was hovering up and down in its flight, but it made sure that it was smooth and steady. Ling Xia who was rigidly holding on gradually relaxes. He even shifted his butt in a more comfortable sitting position. He was somehow astonished, did this Bald Eagle unexpectedly turned docile? He simple couldn’t fathom it…….
His palms were soaked with cold sweat, so he unwittingly let go of his hold on the Bald Eagle’s neck to wipe it off. The Bald Eagle paused for a moment, and immediately thought of throwing Ling Xia off, so it rotated sideways in a beautifully executed turns.
Ling Xia shouted “Ahh!” as his body involuntarily swerved towards the right. He hastily grabbed onto the Bald Eagle’s neck firmly. He almost vomited at the sudden movements. He didn’t know why the Bald Eagle suddenly went wild, so he just tightened his hold onto it. And because of that, Bald Eagle became more rowdy and violent.
Ling Xia accidentally clutches onto the Bald Eagle’s plumage, making the rage of this Bald Eagle deflate like a ball and became calm once more.
As a result, Ling Xia finally realizes this Bald Eagle’s weak point. So it was deeply affected whenever he touches those gloomy and dull feathers on its head! Those feathers that doesn’t really compliment the eagle at all!
He tugged at those feathers several time with force, and threateningly yelled out: “Bring me back! Now!”
The Bald Eagle droop its head and hovered in circles for a few times before diving down. It was filled with frustrations but had nowhere to vent it on.
It soon flew back to that cliff, on the ledge where Wan Yan was still pitifully stranded. He saw that Bald Eagle flying towards him and almost fainted from fright. But when he saw Ling Xia riding that Bald Eagle, his jaw dropped so low a chicken egg could fit in it!
“Senior Brother Wan Yan, jump up!” Ling Xia did not dare to loosen his grip, and only ushered the Bald Eagle to get closer.
Wan Yan unconsciously shook his head, but his hand holding onto the rocks are already starting to tremble, and will soon no longer be able to hold on.
Ling Xia creases his brow and said: “Hurry!”
Wan Yan finally gathered his courage and jumped up. The Bald Eagle was fuming with rage as it took them up the cliff.
Ling Xia signaled Wan Yan to escape first. Since the moment he let go of his hand, this Bald Eagle’s temperament quickly changes. It was hard to say, but they might get attacked once they jumped down.
Wan Yan looked at Ling Xia with hesitation, but in the end, he ran away in a rush.
He watches as Wan Yan’s silhouette gradually disappeared into the distance, and once he’s gone, Ling Xia breathed a sigh of relief. At this moment, he had yet to think of a way to handle this Bald Eagle. He was quiet for some time until he asked: “Will you still attack me once I let go?”
Upon talking, he can’t help but laugh at himself. He was talking to this feather lopped beast, but will the bird understand any of it?
It understood what he just said, as the Bald Eagle softly uttered a sound like it was admitting defeat.
Would they have to be in constant standstill here?
Another half an hour had passed. Ling Xia evoked his energy towards his legs, and jumped straight down the mountain. He knows that the Bald Eagle will catches up soon, so he made his way straight to the dense woods, and was frantically running away without looking back.
He kept running away but upon not hearing any sound of commotion behind him, Ling Xia was unable to resist turning his head back to sneak a peek. From afar, that Bald Eagle was depressingly drooping its head down, with a look as if it was a child that was bullied, with no hints of having any intention to seek revenge at all.
Ling Xia was dumbstruck, but he still hastily went down the mountain. He was returning late so there could be people looking for him.
Just now, he surprisingly find that bald headed eagle kinda cute…..what the fuck!?
Subjected to a frightening experience, Wan Yan and the others seeks the disciple in charge for a request to change assignment, but that disciple in charge merely gave them an indifferent glance, and the three of them lost their courage to say more. Ling Xia consoled them with a few words, but he himself was not sure. Even though that Bald Eagle was violent, once he remembers that pitiful look as if it was a maltreated daughter in law, he finds it quite funny, and the fear in him slowly dissipated until nothing was left.
The next day, Ling Xia saw the other three staying still at the cart while trembling in fear. He chuckled and said: “You guys can wait for me on top, I’ll go down first.”
The other three valued their life first, so even if it was cowardly, they still remained at the top of the cliff. On the contrary, Ling Xia was quite relaxed as he went on his own. He quickly climbed down the cliff. and fed those hungry chicks. Later on, he urges the other three to go back first, because they might get more traumatized if they see what will happen next.
At the bottom of his basket are fully cooked chunk of meat that were flavored with different seasonings until it was very appetizing. He now had a few savings, so he specifically spent some money to have the disciple in the kitchen to cook it for him.
He was thinking of taming and training that Bald Eagle. What he realized during his stay in this world, is that most people had their own magic beast with mutually agreed contract signed between them. If he is to survive in this bizarre world, then he must become stronger.
Ling Xia climbed further down the cliff and carefully went near that cave’s mouth, he then throws that piece of cooked meat inside.
He waited for quite a long while, until that Bald Eagle appeared in a flash——It quickly took the meat into its mouth, but it didn’t gave him a glance. Even so, Ling Xia wasn’t discouraged. He lightly smiled and climbed up the cliff with the bamboo basket on his back.
But why does he suddenly feels like he had done the same thing before……
He continued to feed it for several days. And today, when he’s about to climb up after he’s done, he suddenly heard gust of wind behind him. He turned his head around, and was flabbergasted to see that Bald Eagle flapping his wings behind him not from afar, with its drooping head that gives an impression of a bullied child.
Ling Xia raises the corner of his mouth.
……Life, is strange. A life with the eagle should be very promising! But will that eagle have that crestfallen look every single day?
Bonbon wanted to say:
I had a blast reading all your interesting deductions and comments from the last chapter mystery. Some of you even got close to deducing the questions left in the last chapter~ I hope you aren’t reading spoilers for it though? And if you did, no spoiling to others ok? 😀
But I’m so happy to see Bonbon’s little community of danmei readers/campers slowly growing and seeing new people aside from my usual gang of commentators in the comment section. Excited to see how bigger will it be by the time I finish vol 4 (pressure is on for this bunny haha)
And poor Bald Eagle, just wanted to find some mate but Ah Li kept burning its plumage aka its chance in getting some girl eagles hahaha~ Will the Bald Eagle ever have the chance to love T.T? The magic beasts in this novel are just so adorable, but the eagle may have to suffer more in the future chapters by being close to Ling Xia because of you know who 😉
Anyway, this might not be chapter they meet again, but it won’t be too long now till our star-crossed lovers meets again. Maybe in the next chapter or the one after that? We have yet to know, but keep hanging in there my lovely readers x-D
Thanks for reading, stay tuned for the next chapter~
—Donation Section—
Special thanks to Lori Cillo and Shampalwe for the Ko-fi~ Not only you campers are active in comment section, but now you’re giving this bunny some caffeine to chug and keep awake to continue translating hahah~ Thanks again for the amazing support 😀