Part 1 The Water Protector
Xiǎo Hǎiyáng took a deep breath as he stepped out of the school gates, clutching the pouch containing his 88 gold coins. The path to the Household Beast Merchant Store seemed daunting, not because of the distance but due to the relentless stares and whispers from those he passed.
"Look, isn't that the so-called XF Tamer?"
"He really has the audacity to walk around with his head up?"
"Who knows what trash beast he'll end up with? Probably something worse than useless."
Hǎiyáng kept his gaze forward, ignoring the ridicule. Their words stung, but he refused to let them define him. With each step, he reminded himself of his goals—to change his fate, to prove his worth, and to show that he, too, could make a place in this unforgiving world of tamers.
When he finally arrived, a grand sign hung over the entrance of the merchant store, glowing faintly with a magical inscription: Bái Yuán Shēng Hù Zhě Shāngdiàn (White Origin Household Beast Store). The building stood tall and proud; its sleek stone walls adorned with intricate carvings of humanoid beasts. The store exuded an air of luxury, a sharp contrast to the tattered image Hǎiyáng felt he portrayed as he stepped inside.
The store's interior was as impressive as its exterior. Spacious and organized, the front area had polished wooden floors, glowing crystal lamps, and shelves lined with manuals and tools for beast care. Customers milled about, discussing potential purchases with the well-dressed staff. At first glance, it was almost peaceful. However, Hǎiyáng's sharp eyes caught the true heart of the operation—the back section.
The faint hum of enchanted metal echoed through the air. Rows of cages lined the rear of the store, each holding beasts of various tribes. Some cages housed groups of beasts—such as the small and nimble monkey tribes, whose humanoid forms had long tails and sharp claws. Others held insect tribes, their humanoid figures retaining iridescent wings and segmented arms. Single-beast cages were scattered between them, typically housing beasts with strong magical potential, visible injuries, or behavioral problems.
These solitary beasts were striking—some still bearing the scars of old battles, others sitting listlessly with hollow eyes. Their humanoid forms wore simple clothing, a reminder of their subjugation. Despite their physical limitations, there was an air of dignity about them.
A loud voice broke Hǎiyáng's observations.
"Welcome, young master!" A woman with bright eyes and a tight smile greeted him near the entrance. She waved to a younger servant nearby. "Lán Yù, assist this customer. He's new."
Lán Yù, a nervous trainee with a clipboard in hand, hesitated before approaching Hǎiyáng. His polite smile didn't quite hide his inexperience. "Good day, sir. I'll be your guide today. Is there... anything specific you're looking for?"
Hǎiyáng shifted uncomfortably under the gazes of the other customers. He felt their disdain as though it were a weight pressing on his back. "I need a household beast. One strong enough to manage daily tasks... and maybe help me prepare potions."
Lán Yù's face lit up. "Ah, we have several beasts that might fit your needs. If you'll follow me, I can show you around."
Hǎiyáng nodded and trailed behind the young servant, weaving past groups of wealthy customers discussing the finer points of beast selection. "This one's from the bear tribe—excellent strength for carrying heavy loads," a salesman boasted to a noblewoman.
Another customer scoffed, pointing at a cage where a lion-tribe beast sat quietly. "This one looks worn out. I'd prefer something with a bit more fight left in it."
Hǎiyáng clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus. This wasn't just a transaction for him—it was a step toward building the life he wanted.
Lán Yù led Hǎiyáng to the row of cages, stopping before a few promising options. "These beasts are all well-suited for household tasks," he explained, gesturing to a fox-tribe
beast with sleek hair and sharp eyes. "This one is known for intelligence and agility. However, she's recovering from a broken leg, so her movement might be limited for a while."
He pointed to another cage, where a humanoid sea-lion beast lounged lazily. "This one has great stamina and can manage physical labor efficiently. But, uh... he's a bit stubborn."
The descriptions blurred together in Hǎiyáng's mind as they moved down the line. He tried to focus on the beasts themselves, searching for some spark of connection, but he struggled to make a decision.
As they passed a solitary cage area in the far corner, a sudden growl broke the air.
Single-beast cages were scattered between them, typically housing beasts with strong magical potential, visible injuries, or behavioral problems. These solitary beasts were striking—some still bearing the scars of old battles, others sitting listlessly with hollow eyes. Their humanoid forms wore simple clothing, a reminder of their subjugation.
Despite their physical limitations, there was an air of dignity about them.
A loud voice suddenly broke through the hum of chatter in the store, clear and mocking.
"Another rich boy come to buy a toy?"
The deep voice rumbled in the air, though to ordinary ears, it sounded like the sharp bark of a dog.
Unconsciously, Hǎiyáng retorted, his frustration flaring. "I am not a rich boy!"
He froze, startled by his own outburst. Realizing the voice wasn't human, he quickly switched on his beast communication skill. The air around him buzzed with the cacophony of the beasts' chatter, a dizzying mixture of complaints, curiosity, and resignation.
Taking a deep breath, he asked loudly, "Who just scolded me as if I'm some spoiled rich kid?"
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him. The other customers whispered among themselves, sneering.
"Is he crazy? No wonder he's an XF tamer," one said.
"Maybe it's because he was thrown out of his family house and now lives nowhere," another added mockingly.
The humiliation burned in Hǎiyáng's chest, but before he could respond, the deep voice came again, dripping with disdain.
"Spoiled rich kid!"
This time, Hǎiyáng recognized the source of the voice.
He stopped in front of a solitary cage near the far corner. His curiosity was piqued, and he leaned closer.
Inside stood a humanoid Doberman beast. Its sharp features, sleek black-and-tan form, and
piercing amber eyes gave it an air of quiet authority. Unlike the other beasts, this one didn't appear resigned or defiant—it looked proud, almost regal, even within the confines of its cage.
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him. The other customers whispered among themselves, sneering.
"Is he crazy? No wonder he's an XF tamer," one said.
"Maybe it's because he was thrown out of his family house and now lives nowhere," another added mockingly.
The humiliation burned in Hǎiyáng's chest, but before he could respond, the deep voice came again, dripping with disdain.
"Spoiled rich kid!"
This time, Hǎiyáng recognized the source of the voice.
He stopped in front of a solitary cage near the far corner. His curiosity was piqued, and he leaned closer.
Inside stood a humanoid Doberman beast. Its sharp features, sleek black-and-tan form, and piercing amber eyes gave it an air of quiet authority. Unlike the other beasts, this one didn't appear resigned or defiant—it looked proud, almost regal, even within the confines of its cage.
Hǎiyáng's voice hardened as he addressed the creature. "Are you the one talking to me, old dog?"
The Doberman beast stepped forward, its piercing gaze locking onto him. Its voice, deep and resonant, cut through the air like a blade.
"You dare mock me, the First Servant of the Thoth Lord, kid?" the beast growled, its tone laced with both anger and curiosity.
Hǎiyáng froze, momentarily at a loss for words. "Mock you? I don't even know who you are!" he shot back.
The beast tilted its head slightly, studying Hǎiyáng with a keen intensity. Then, as if struck by realization, its expression shifted. It stepped closer to the front of the cage, its movements deliberate and purposeful.
"You…" the Doberman said, its voice trembling slightly. "You're not just any human, are you?"
Hǎiyáng frowned, confused. "What are you talking about? I'm just here to buy a beast. That's all."
The Doberman beast let out a low growl, more of a hum than a threat. "It cannot be coincidence. You are… my Lord."
Hǎiyáng blinked. "Your Lord? What nonsense are you spouting?"
Before Hǎiyáng could say more, the beast suddenly knelt, bowing deeply with its head nearly touching the ground. Its proud demeanor melted away, replaced by something almost reverent.
"My Lord," it said, its voice trembling, "finally, I have been waiting for you for the past fifty years. I have maintained my devotion without becoming the servant of any human or beast in all this time."
The Doberman's amber eyes glistened with tears as it kept bowing. "Please, my Lord, allow me to serve you once more. I beg you to take me from this wretched place."
Hǎiyáng stared, utterly bewildered by the sudden shift in the creature's behavior. Around him, the murmurs of the crowd grew louder, people clearly unsettled by the beast's display.
Just then, Lán Yù, the trainee servant assigned to him, approached cautiously. His face was pale, his hands clutching the clipboard tightly. "Sir," he said hesitantly, "this Doberman beast… it's been here for decades.
No one has been able to tame it, and it's known for being… difficult. But it's strong, and its loyalty is unparalleled. The price is eight gold coins and five copper coins—a fair deal, considering its history."
Hǎiyáng glanced at Lán Yù, then back at the Doberman beast, who remained kneeling before him. The beast's unwavering gaze and heartfelt plea stirred something within him.
"I'll take him," Hǎiyáng said firmly.
The room fell silent, the decision shocking both the staff and the other customers.
The room fell silent, the decision shocking both the staff and the other customers.
As the paperwork was processed and the cage unlocked, the Doberman beast stepped out, standing tall and proud once more. It knelt before Hǎiyáng again, tears of gratitude streaming down its face.
"Thank you, my Lord," it said solemnly. "From this moment onward, my life is yours."
Hǎiyáng nodded, still grappling with the enormity of what had just happened. Together, they left the store, their bond sealed by fate.
"You won't regret this, my Lord," Gǒu Bǎohù Zhě said, his voice low and resolute.
As Hǎiyáng stood still, processing the weight of his decision, murmurs of disbelief rippled through the store.
"What's wrong with him? Talking to beasts like they're people?" a customer whispered loudly, shaking their head.
Another snickered. "That's the poor orphan boy, isn't it? The one they say got thrown out by his own family? No wonder he's lost his mind—an XF tamer who thinks he's special!"
Several noblewomen in fine robes sneered, their voices sharp. "A crazy orphan and a crazy beast—what a pair! Perhaps they deserve each other!"
Even the staff exchanged uneasy glances, whispering among themselves. Lán Yù, still holding his clipboard, looked increasingly uncomfortable. His hands fidgeted nervously, and he hesitated before speaking. "Uh… Sir, are you certain about this choice? There are… other options you might find more suitable?"
Hǎiyáng shot him a sharp look, silencing him. "I said I've made my decision. Prepare the paperwork."
Lán Yù's lips parted as if to protest, but he thought better of it and quickly moved to comply.
The mocking voices grew louder, filling the spacious store with derision. Gǒu Bǎohù Zhě stood silently, his amber eyes fixed on Hǎiyáng, radiating an unshakable faith that steadied the boy's resolve.
But the beasts weren't done.
The feline from earlier sneered again, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh yes, take the decrepit old mutt. He can barely stand. Enjoy carrying him around like dead weight!"
The reptilian beast hissed from its corner. "Fifty years of waiting for a *child*? No wonder he's lost it. You might as well buy me instead—I've got fewer screws loose!"
A bird-like beast cackled, its laugh grating. "What a circus! This boy doesn't know what he's doing. If I were in that cage, I'd chew his arm off for wasting my time!"
The cacophony grew unbearable, a mixture of insults, mockery, and pleading from beasts vying for Hǎiyáng's attention.
Hǎiyáng, though tense, tried his best to ignore them, but the commotion drew the attention of the *cage security head*. A burly man in his forties with a scar running down his cheek, named Zhào Gang, stormed over, his baton crackling faintly with enchantments.
"What's going on here?" Zhào Gang barked, his sharp eyes scanning the area. Behind him, a team of security personnel followed, their electric whips coiled at their sides.
The sight of the enforcers quieted most of the beasts, though some continued muttering under their breath. Zhào Gang approached Hǎiyáng, his expression stern. "Boy, are you here to buy or make a mess? This isn't a zoo."
Hǎiyáng straightened his back, his voice steady despite the stares boring into him. "I'm here to buy. And I've already made my choice."
Zhào Gang frowned, his gaze shifting to the Doberman beast. He opened his mouth to say something, but Gǒu Bǎohù Zhě's piercing stare silenced him. Instead, he waved a hand at Lán Yù. "Then finish the transaction quickly and get out. You've caused enough trouble."
Hǎiyáng handed over the required 8 gold coins and 5 copper coins, ignoring the snickers from the other customers. As Lán Yù processed the paperwork, his hands trembling, Hǎiyáng turned to Gǒu Bǎohù Zhě.
"Let's go," he said firmly.
The Doberman beast nodded, stepping out of the cage with measured movements. Despite his weakened state, there was an unmistakable dignity in his posture.
Together, they left the store, the mocking laughter of both beasts and humans following them.
Part 2: The Emerging Ally
Unbeknownst to Hǎiyáng, as the door swung shut behind him, the commotion in the store wasn't over.
In a luxurious office overlooking the main floor, Qiàn Lì, the branch manager of Bái Yuán Shēng Hù Zhě Shāng Diàn, leaned against her desk, her sharp eyes watching the scene below. She was in her early thirties, a striking woman with long black hair coiled into an elegant bun and dressed in a fitted crimson qipao embroidered with gold.
Beside her stood Elder Wēn Shì, a frail but sharp-eyed man in his eighties, leaning on a carved wooden cane. His presence exuded wisdom, and his silence carried more weight than words.
Qiàn Lì slammed her hands on the desk, making the crystal ornaments atop it rattle. "Zhào Gang!" she called sharply.
The security head, still near the cages, looked up in surprise. He quickly made his way to her office, his expression confused. "Yes, Branch Manager?"
The moment he stepped inside, Qiàn Lì hurled a paperweight at him. Zhào Gang barely dodged, the object smashing against the doorframe. "You idiot!" she snapped.
Zhào Gang frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. "What did I do?"
Qiàn Lì's voice was sharp as a whip. "That boy. The one you scolded. Don't you realize what just happened? He was talking to the beasts!"
"So? Some tamers can do that."
Elder Wēn Shì finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "No, Zhào Gang. What she means is that it is not just one beast, buat any kind of beast. This isn't just a tamer ability. That boy understood the beasts as if their thoughts were his own. Such a gift hasn't been seen in generations."
Qiàn Lì nodded, her eyes flashing. "Do you know what this could mean? If that boy is truly special, he could reshape the entire relationship between humans and beasts. And instead of welcoming him, you treated him like a common troublemaker!"
Zhào Gang stiffened, realization dawning on him. "I… didn't know."
"Of course you didn't, you fool!" Qiàn Lì snapped. She turned to her desk, pulling out a drawer. "Where's his personal information? I need his name, his background—everything."
Zhào Gang hesitated. "I… I don't think Lán Yù took any personal data. He's new and—"
Qiàn Lì's eyes blazed with fury. "What? You let him leave without a record?"
Zhào Gang stammered, "I'll… I'll check with Lán Yù." He bolted out of the office, leaving Qiàn Lì pacing furiously.
Moments later, he returned, his face pale. "Lán Yù didn't record anything. He said no one trained him for such situations."
Qiàn Lì threw a vase this time, and Zhào Gang ducked. "Stupid! Incompetent!" she hissed.
Elder Wēn Shì raised a hand, calming her. "Enough. The boy will return. If what we suspect is true, he won't stay hidden for long. But when he does, we must be ready to welcome him properly."
Qiàn Lì took a deep breath, regaining her composure. She turned to Zhào Gang. "Next time he comes, I don't care what I'm doing. Someone must notify me immediately. And instruct every staff member to treat him with the utmost respect."
Zhào Gang nodded, sweating slightly. "Understood."
Qiàn Lì glanced at Elder Wēn Shì. "What do you think, Elder?"
The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully. "If that boy truly holds the key to bridging the gap between humans and beasts, then he is more valuable than gold or power.
He is the future. And we would be fools to make him our enemy."
Qiàn Lì nodded, her expression resolute. "Then we will ensure he becomes our ally. At any cost."
---------------------------------------End of Chapter 4-----------------------------