Chapter 4 Legendary Tree
Though it was said the snake had over a mile length and had lived several hundred years old. But it was never confirmed nor seen again. It should be exaggerated.
As someone who had followed the family around, mingling with celebrities, businessmen, politicians, and even armies, he never knew nor heard of any creature even remotely resemble the various legends.
Who knows, somehow his grandfather had overreacted too much, and now it seemed like a frighten rabbits.
'Don't tell me that's a real Qilin? If it's a real Qilin, then where's the antler? Did the family cut it out to make some medicine or something?'
'Wouldn't the Qilin be mad of they cut its antler? Don't they give him some face?'
'How would the Qilin go out later and meet its brethren? Wouldn't they laugh at him and mock for being the ugly duckling of the herd?'
The little guy kept mumbling in his heart.
If his grandfather knows what he was thinking about, he would be pull off his beard in a fit of madness. How could he accuse the family of such crime? And what herd and ugly duckling nonsenses he is talking about.
Fortunately, his grandfather didn't hear his grumbling. After cleaning up himself he just looked to the front, hoping things won't go wrong.
But unknown to the two, the Qilin did hear what they were talking about.
It even heard the small whisper the teenager was mumbling about.
Though it couldn't have known what the young teen was thinking about afterwards, from its keen perception, how could it not know that the teenager was not thinking any good thing.
As a beast that had inherited the proud bloodline of its ancestors and a sacred beast who was said to be of similar rank with the White Tiger, Azure Dragon and the others, how could its intelligence be low.
And his proud self wouldn't others to insult his ungrown antler!
He had been concerned about it since years ago, and this kid dare to mock him?
'Snort! If it wasn't for Sir Frank's face, I would not help tow the carriage.'
'You lowly creature with only two feeble legs. I could easily stomp you with my hindleg. Humph!'
Sir Frank who was quietly sitting in the front, also heard what the two was talking about.
Even though the carriage door was tightly shut, with his keen hearing and perception, it was as if the door or walls of the carriage never existed. He could easily hear and look what's happening inside very clearly.
But he just sat and merely showed a gentle smile and didn't care nor comment on it.
Glancing at the Qilin in front of him, he knows this little beast was offended.
So, he could only shake his head and give a small laugh. He knows the temperament of this young Qilin. This is also a child with a temper of its own.
Don't look at its docile and smart appearance it shows in front of him and the others.
But inside, it retains the pride of its race.
The stubbornness and pride born from the noble bloodline flowing through its vein.
He guesses the teenager would experience some hardship in the future if the little Qilin bear a grudge.
But although he knew it, he wouldn't go out of his way to prevent or advice against it. It was not a bad idea to have the kid face some hardship.
This is all part of accumulating experience when growing up.
---
The group soon reached a small wide opening. Here was a flat land with various trees and plants being planted.
These plots of land were cultivated to plant many types of specialized plants, trees, herbs, and flowers. From observing around, it feels amazing that there's several dozen acres of land high up on the mountain.
The slope of the mountaintop's backside was gentle. Coupled with moderate temperature, fresh air and good environment, it seems like here is suitable for plantation. As expected from virgin mountain range.
After disembarking from the carriage, the two followed Sir Frank into the enclosed garden. The Qilin glanced at the teenager and snort behind them. It later went on to walk into another side of the mountain, where it lived.
The teenager looked around carefully while keeping up to the footstep of the two adults. The garden was wide, and there were many varieties of plants and trees around. Some of them were popular medical herbs, while most were unknown to him.
And some of them were grown in a cold climate.
No, wait. Did he just saw snow? Cold climate?
He looked to the sky and looked back to that plot of land.
Only then he reacted. Looking at the ice and snow piling inside, there's obviously something wrong here.
He wondered how their ancestors were able to make only that part cold. Is there mechanism that was hidden somewhere?
There were indeed many ways to create such environment. Like the ice-hockey field created within a shopping complex. Or like the ice world in some large-scale amusement park. Or the greenhouses with controlled weather and temperature setting. In these places, they can indeed artificially create cold climate setting and there's ice and snow.
But this place obviously not. This was obviously different from all those places.
The sun was out, high above the sky. The breeze was warm and refreshing. Everywhere was green and colorful picture. And then, there's a plot of land at the corner of the garden, with snow and ice.
No matter how you think about it, that's certainly something that shouldn't exist in this place. Besides having a 3-feet enclosure surrounding it, there's no other structure or mechanism visible.
You must know that the now is the late summer season. The weather may start to be slight cold, but it won't snow! And most importantly, all around temperature was still warm and moderate. How could there be snow in that area!
So, he won't deceive himself saying it's the weather! He is not a child anymore! It is obvious there's something going on here.
So, he gave his grandfather a glance with a look of enquiry, expecting that his grandfather would explain to him.
But after looking at his grandfather for quite a while, the old guy seems to be oblivious pretending not to see his glance and ignore him. This really frustrated him. He's mad at him!
So, he also ignored his grandfather and walked quickly forward leaving the old man behind. Humph!
'This brat!'
Looking at his grandson reaction, the old man mere shook his head and smiled happily. He likes to see his grandson making various faces and expression. Especially when he was angry but pouting at the same time.
The old man was always amused and happy to see his grandson being 'angry but helpless'.
The little guy was clearly angry a moment ago and wants to do something to him, but as always, he could only, helplessly, give up because he is unable to beat nor force his grandfather.
---
The garden area was very large. It might be considered a small estate. It took a while for them to walk through the garden.
At the center of the garden, there's a large and wide pavilion building. Behind it there's building looking like a dome.
"There is the main building of the Lin Family."
"Many old ancestors and people in power had used that building for handling any matters related to the Lin Family."
'Used?'
The teenager still had some doubts, but he didn't bother to inquire his grandfather about it. Because he was already excited.
This time, for sure, his dream would come true.
He would get to meet the legendary tree!