Epoch 12: Hou's Return.
When Xue saw Tang Tang looking at the dead monster, he thought that the sub-beast might be scared. He plans to clean up the monster before Tang Tang comes back, but he didn't expect that he would return soon.
Xue was about to carry the one-horned monster away when he heard Tang Tang call him.
"Xue wait!"
Tang Tang looked at the dead monster on the ground. It looks like a wild boar but is as big as a cow—at least 6 feet tall and almost 3500 pounds.
It's gut is ripped and oozing with blood. The strong smell of iron in the air is suffocating. Despite that, Tang Tang crouched down in front of it.
The monster's mouth is still wide open, and a brown, cylindrical-shaped thing is slightly sticking out, as if it were killed while eating.
"Aren't you scared?" Xue asked when he saw Tang Tang put his hands inside the dead monster's mouth.
"No," he nonchalantly answered.
'Of course not!' Tang Tang will not take nursing if he can be easily scared of blood and corpses.
He already asked Ude to check if it was edible, and he received a positive response, but he still didn't know what kind of vegetable it was similar to Earth.
[2nd Quest Progress:
Find 6 more fruits and 5 more vegetables.]
The progress of his second quest today is really great. It is still early, but he already found three kinds of vegetables.
"Xue, where did you catch this monster?" Tang Tang asked the ice cube beside him.
"Why?"
"The plants it was eating are edible. I just want to gather some and check what kind of food we can make from them," he explained.
Xue told him where he caught the monster and wanted to accompany the sub-beast, but Tang Tang declined. First, the place is just a few meters away from where they are staying. Second, it is better to work separately so they can finish faster.
While Tang Tang is gathering some of the cylindrical-shaped vegetables.
Xue finished carving the pots and pans; he also cleaned the prey in the pool and buried the unwanted parts. Tang Tang asked him to keep the white fat for making lard and some of the bones for making soup.
Xue knows the use of lard, but he doesn't have any idea about the soup.
When Tang Tang returned, he was so happy to see the pots and pans Xue had carved. The final product is so satisfying; the inside is smooth, not too thick or too thin, and there is also a small handle on each side. The two pots can boil at least 3 liters of water each, while the pan can fry a large piece of meat. Tang Tang thought that it was enough for now.
They can make a bigger pot in the future for the tribe's use. Since the winged tiger tribe likes to eat together at least once a month.
"What do you used to carve this? It feels like it was made by a machine," Tang Tang asked.
"I just used my claws." After saying that, Xue's right hand transformed into a silver paw with big, sharp claws.
Xue wants to test what the sub-beast reaction will be.
"Wow!" Tang Tang said, his eyes full of amazement.
After staying in this world for almost half a month, he never saw a beast transform yet, because most of the time they only transform when they are going to hunt. Unfortunately, sub-beasts are not allowed to join a hunting group.
Tang Tang also never thought that the beast could control which part of their body to transform. He loves to have that kind of ability; it is surely convenient to transform anytime.
Xue remained expressionless, but his eyes brightened after seeing the sub-beast's reaction. He then asked. "What is a machine?"
"In my previous place, we used machines to make our lives easier. There are many kinds of machines. I will tell them to you later. Let me prepare our lunch first. I am so excited to use these pots," he said and started preparing to cook.
"Okay." Xue nodded. He is pleased to know that Tang Tang is not scared of the beast's transformation.
Tang Tang wants to make bone soup, but it will take a long time to create one. That's why he decided to make a simple mushroom soup with a lot of meat. On the other pot, he boiled some cylindrical-shaped vegetables.
Xue was tasked with creating bowls, plates, spoons, and other utensils using wood with a smooth inner bark.
After Tang Tang finished cooking, he immediately tasted the newly discovered unknown vegetables, only to realize that they tasted like potatoes. Because of this, he plans to harvest more before they leave the place.
"It's delicious," Xue said while they were eating. He was so satisfied with the soup; he never thought that boiled food would be this delicious.
"I'm happy that you like it. Later, I will make boiled pork soup. I will use the bones you keep to make a much more flavorful broth," Tang Tang said with a smile.
Xue smiles back. "I'm looking forward."
"You are so much more handsome when you smile," Tang Tang said as he poked the man's cheeks.
Xue didn't answer and just averted his eyes. Being with the sub-beast for only 3 days let him experience new things, taste new foods, acquire new knowledge, and feel different emotions that he thought he was deprived of. The more Xue learns about Tang Tang, the more he wants to stay by his side.
He just hopes that Tang Tang feels the same.
After eating, Xue cleaned the place and washed all the things they used. While Tang Tang harvests more mushrooms and potatoes.
Their next destination is where the vines used in making baskets are located. It is a good thing that the place is not too far from the waterfalls.
Tang Tang plans to get enough vines to make at least 10 baskets, but he didn't expect that they would find a lot of things on their way. They are both carrying baskets on their backs, but his basket is only filled with mushrooms and some utensils, while all the heavy stuff is in Xue's basket. The man didn't let him carry more than that.
"It's fine. I can carry it all," Xue said.
"No! You are already carrying a lot of heavy things. Let's just get enough for the Yan trio."
Xue insists that it is not heavy and he can still use both of his hands, then he hears Tang Tang say. "How can we hold hands if you carry all of that?"
Tang Tang used his coquettish card to win the argument, and at the end, Xue'reluctantly' agreed.
Since all of their agenda for today has already been achieved, they decided to return to the tribe hand in hand.
____________.
Hou excitedly returned to the tribe after 3 days of hunting on Mount Nebo. When they landed at the center of the tribe, he transformed into his human form, carrying bright red fur. He immediately ran to Tang Tang's tent.
"Hey Hou!!" Cai shakes his head, smiling after being ignored by the excited beast.
Hou wanted to see Tang Tang as soon as possible. He really misses the sub-beast so much. Being away from Tang Tang for 3 days is tormenting.
Unfortunately, the tent was empty. He thought that Tang Tang might be still with Yan's group because the first team gathering red roots just arrived to store their first batch of harvest.
He walked around the tribe to look for someone he could ask about Tang Tang when he saw Kea and Gio walking towards him.
"Hou, your back!" Kea happily greeted, but when he saw the red fur Hou was holding, his beautiful face went dark.
Hou just nodded and was about to turn away when he heard Kea ask. "Are you looking for Tang Tang?"
"Yes. Is he still with the other sub-beasts? Where is he?" Hou immediately inquired, and a trace of excitement can be heard in his voice.
This is the reason why Kea hates Tang Tang, because ever since Tang Tang arrived in the tribe, everyone's attention and admiration have been poured towards him. Even Hou, the beast he had loved since they were children, started ignoring him.
"No. He has not been gathering red roots with us for 3 days now," Kea answered.
Hou frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Tang Tang and Xue were always together these past 3 days. They said that Tang Tang was looking for other plants that could be eaten."
Gio sneered. "I'm sure they're just enjoying themselves together."
"Where are they?" Xue asked with gritted teeth.
The two sub-beasts felt satisfied when they saw Hou's worsening expression.
"I saw them going to the east early this morning." Kea paused as if thinking, then innocently added. "I didn't know they were so close. They were even holding hands while walking."
Hou knew that Kea told this deliberately to make him feel jealous, but he couldn't control the wave of anxiety surging within him. Without paying attention to the two sub-beasts in front of him, he ran off to find Tang Tang and Xue.
Cai, together with the other beasts, were arranging the prey they hunted on Mount Nebo when they saw Hou running towards the forest.
"Where is Hou going?" Ren asked.
"I don't know. Let me follow him to drag him back," Cai said, grinning.
"Go ahead!" The others cheered, laughing.
"I'll leave this to you, Ren," Cai said before running in Hou's direction.
"Okay!"
Hou is the leader of the group; it is his responsibility to distribute equally the prey after offering one-third of it to the tribe.
But the beast responsible just ran off somewhere.