Blue Phoenix Chapter 62 – The Outside World

A big bonfire was roaring into the sky, illuminating the campsite in the dusk of night. The water was slowly floating down the river, allowing the calming sounds to set a tranquil atmosphere.

It was the final night that the youngsters and the snake-woman would be camping in the Magical Forest before all of them returned to the bustling city. Liquor and snacks had been found, and they spent their time comparing who had gotten the most beast cores, as well as who had gained the most progress in their cultivation.

Deng Wu was still having trouble breaking into the realm of the Master rank, but even so, he was not dispirited at all. Instead, he was playing around with Sha Yun, getting her drunk, before convincing her to dance around the bonfire together with him. Laughter rang out from everyone present as they enjoyed the sight of the beautiful Sha Yun slithering around as she danced along with the less-graceful Deng Wu, who had been drinking far too much.

Two less-than-thrilled individuals were standing at the edge of the campsite, one white, the other blue. These two were Sha Yun’s sisters, and neither of them was happy with their elder sister’s decision to follow these unknown cultivators into the outside world. Especially aggravating was the fact that she had voluntarily initiated the beast pledge.

Although these two female beasts had been hesitant at first, Hui Yue managed to coerce them into coming closer by handing them medicinal pills. Although Hui Yue knew that these pills were important, he still felt it was more important to end their visit with a good relationship between himself and the stronger beasts from the Magical Forest. This would encourage them to leave his family’s village alone, rather than venting their anger on his defenseless parents and friends.

The night sky slowly dimmed and after hours of drinking, dancing, and chatting they finally broke up the gathering. They packed up their items and started making their way back to the village where they had left their mounts.

Entering in the village caused chaos to break out as Sha Yun arrived with them. No one believed that she was truly friendly. As none of them were cultivators, none of them knew of a beast pledge.

Seeing the fear and doubt in the villagers’ eyes, Hui Yue could not help but sigh. No matter what he said, he knew that the villagers would never accept this beast woman, even though she was a very gentle, although slightly naïve, woman.

“Let us change our plans, then,” Hui Yue said with a sigh. “We have to start traveling towards Riluo City. However, even if we make it there tonight, the city gates will obviously be closed. Let us find one of the smaller cities on the way which has an inn.”

Upon hearing this, the others nodded in unison. Although they had planned on staying in the village for a short while longer, Sha Yun caused too much fear. It was unnecessary to cause any problems for the villagers; they preferred that Sha Yun leave immediately.

Sha Yun looked around, her big silvery eyes filled with disdain. She understood the situation perfectly well. Finally, she started to comprehend that this outside world might be even more hostile than the Magical Forest from where she was born.

“Don’t worry,” Hui Yue said with a low voice as he grabbed her hand, and dragged her towards an old shack which was located at the edge of the village itself. After having arrived at this house, Sha Yun’s eyes were filled with doubt and confusion. She could not understand the purpose in visiting yet another home with prejudiced villagers.

However, Hui Yue brought her there anyway. Even if it hurt her to be shunned, she was still a proud magical beast from the Magical Forest. Sha Yun stood straight. Her face looked forward and in no way did she cower while thinking about the possibilities of insults that could be coming her way.

Next, to Sha Yun, Hui Yue smiled gently as he saw the determined look on her face and he nodded in approval before knocking on the door.

“Come in,” a tired voice sounded from within. Hui Yue pushed the worn-out wooden door open. He walked through first to announce who it was, after which he made sure to drag Sha Yun with him.

“Hello, Mother,” he said politely as he looked at the beautiful woman who was currently seated in the kitchen. Her stomach was so big that Hui Yue thought that it might just explode, rather than give birth to a child.

Hui Lifen narrowed her brows when she noticed that Hui Yue had brought in a woman with a snake-body. There was no fear shown on her face, only curiosity. After all, the one who had brought this strange woman was her son, and Hui Lifen blindly trusted her son. He would never intentionally put her in danger.

“Mother I would like to introduce you to Sha Yun,” Hui Yue stated, as he sat down in the chair next to his mother and gestured for the snake-woman to follow suit, which she did quickly. She appeared as though she was not the slightest bit nervous as if the other’s opinion did not matter. Nevertheless, Hui Yue noticed how the tip of her tail started slowly to tap the floor as if to calm herself down.

“Sha Yun is a magical beast who has human blood in her veins. She is as intelligent as you and me, although she is not able to speak our language yet. She has pledged to follow me wherever I go, and she will protect me.” Hearing this, Hui Lifen’s estimation of Sha Yun soared multiple times as she grabbed the hands of the snake-person and looked into those silvery eyes with her brown ones.

“Thank you,” Hui Lifen said, her voice trembling slightly. “I know that Little Yue has a lot of friends, but to know he has someone strong like you by him makes me feel much more at ease. Please, you must look after him for me.”

A smile appeared on Hui Yue’s face as he saw the relief which washed over his mother. He noticed how she had always been worried about her son leaving the village and fending for himself in the big world. Knowing that he had found friends was something which she had delighted in, but after seeing the fight against the three beast sisters, she once again began fearing the world in which Hui Yue traversed.

Now one of these beasts, the strongest of them even, had pledged that she would forever travel with Hui Yue and protect him. How could she not be happy?

Hui Lifen had lived within this village all her life. Although Rong Liang and Bu Huang were both incredibly strong, she had never seen them fight, so thus the strongest person she could think of was Sha Yun. How could Hui Yue not be safe when he had such a fierce companion?

Seeing the happy expression on Hui Lifen’s face, both Hui Yue and Sha Yun felt a great sense of relief. Hui Yue felt relief. He did not wish to cause his mother anymore worry when she was about to give birth to his sibling. She needed all her focus and energy on that, rather than worrying about Hui Yue’s safety.

Sha Yun was incredibly relieved to know that not all humans would hate her. That a human whom she did not know would clasp her hands gently and thank her was so abnormal that Sha Yun did not know what to think. Still, that simple action left behind a lingering warmth within her heart which caused her to feel great happiness.

“We must leave now,” Hui Yue said regretfully as he stood up. A hint of sadness appeared in the smile which Hui Lifen showed her son as she also stood up and walked her guests to the door.

“Promise me you will be careful,” she pleaded. “The life of a cultivator is long and dangerous. Death waits at every corner. I would rather have a weak son who lives, than a strong one who dies young.”

Hearing this, Hui Yue could not help but smile sadly before he gave his mother a big hug and looked over the very familiar shack one last time. It would likely be another year before he would be able to return to this poor village within the Magical Forest.

Catching up with the others was no problem. They all had waited at the corral they had created. Everything was packed so they were able to start on their way when Hui Yue and Sha Yun arrived.

While Hui Yue rode on a magical horse, Sha Yun did not wish to ride on anything. Being unable to understand her fully, Hui Yue could only accept her declining. Then he saw how quickly she followed them elegantly moving like a snake on the ground. In situations like these, Hui Yue perfectly understood that Sha Yun was indeed a magical beast and not an average cultivator.

The first few villages Hui Yue and his group traveled through, it was obvious that the villagers were deeply shocked to see the snake-like woman, who was moving as quickly as the magical horses and doing it in such an exquisite way. Any young boy or man who saw her curves twist as she moved would instantly stand still, mesmerized by the sight, and then stay there gaping until she had vanished into the distance.

The entourage traveled through village after village and eventually decided to go all the way to the City in one trip. If they were to be too late, then they would go straight to the academy instead and settle in.

Although it was currently summer vacation, the academy never closed its doors for its students. Hui Yue was already missing his courtyard with his favorite tree in the middle and his soft bed with bed sheets and pillows. They were much better than sleeping on the cold hard soil, as he had done many nights, not to mention the old bed at his parents’ place. No, Hui Yue missed his own bed at the academy. While thinking about it, exhaustion washed over him as he realized that he needed to buy a lot of things for Sha Yun. Although she was considered a beast, she was indeed more like a woman.

A woman needed a lot of things, but most importantly, she needed her own bed! Hui Yue had no wish to tempt Lan Feng, by sharing a bed with this enchantress and her long snake tail. Unfortunately, it was not only Lan Feng who was being tempted by the attractive woman who was following behind them.

During the majority of the trip, Sha Yun had been traveling together with Rong Xing. Although they could not have a proper conversation, it was possible for Rong Xing to explain the world of human females to the snake-woman, trying to prepare her for the world into which she was now entering.

Having the two beauties traveling together often caused Deng Wu to twist his head, looking behind him at the two women, his eyes getting moist as he tried to comprehend what he was watching.

Suddenly a large crash was heard, followed by someone wailing in shock. Hui Yue looked towards the sounds. He could not hold back his laughter as he saw his good friend, Deng Wu, laying on the ground entangled in his beast’s harness.

Although Deng Wu wished to blame it on the beast, it was obvious that he had lost his balance as he had been leaning back, looking at the two women behind him.

“Don’t laugh,” he said with a hurt expression on his face and with an indignant voice, as all present were giggling at him. “Look there,” he continued, and his hand pointed towards the top of a pagoda which could be seen in the distance.

“Miss Sha Yun, I hope you are ready for the outside world because there is no turning back now.”