Departing Early, Choosing Mounts

After dinner, Ning Xiu sat on a bamboo chair in the courtyard, leisurely closing his eyes to calm his mind, listening to the rustling of bamboo and the sound of wind chimes in the yard.

He had to admit, the residence the Demon Subduing Bureau assigned him was in a truly excellent location.

It was quiet and peaceful, much better than the courtyard he lived in before. If his previous place was like a crowded tenement, this new one was like a small villa.

Perfect.

"Excuse me, is Ning Xiu residing here?"

Just then, a familiar voice sounded from outside the courtyard. Ning Xiu immediately opened his eyes and looked towards the courtyard entrance.

He saw Ren Qianxing and Monk Zhengwu, along with Ren Qianxing's two puppets, peeking in. Their gazes met Ning Xiu's.

"It's you two. How did you find your way here?" Ning Xiu quickly got up from the bamboo chair and walked over to greet them with a smile.

After wolfing down his meal at the restaurant, Ning Xiu learned from the shopkeeper that his recent breakthrough in opening Martial Apertures had taken a full day.

According to the date agreed upon with Monk Zhengwu, they were supposed to depart tomorrow. He hadn't expected these two to come looking for him today.

"It's really hard to find you when you suddenly change residences. I inquired with the official in charge of the Demon Subduing Bureau residences and found out you've been promoted to Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captain and moved to Bamboo Residence Garden," Ren Qianxing said with a smile, cupping his fist. "Congratulations, Brother Ning. I suppose I should call you Master Ning from now on."

"Ah, Brother Ren, please don't be so formal. It makes my ears uncomfortable. Let's just call each other as we did before," Ning Xiu said, shaking his head.

"Benefactor Ning, the last time I saw you at the Three Saints Hall, you were at Martial Dao Seventh Rank. In just one day, you've reached Martial Dao Fifth Rank. Such astonishing progress, could the person who caused the triple-rank cross phenomenon the other day be you?" Monk Zhengwu asked curiously.

Hearing his words, Ren Qianxing immediately noticed this blind spot he had just overlooked.

Good heavens! In just two days, he went from Martial Dao Seventh Rank directly to Martial Dao Fifth Rank. Even the Martial Saints of hundreds of years ago might not have achieved such a remarkable feat.

A thought immediately popped into Ren Qianxing's mind: Could Brother Ning possess the potential of a Martial Saint?

"It was indeed me. I hope you two can keep this a secret to avoid any unnecessary trouble," Ning Xiu nodded in agreement.

Ren Qianxing and Monk Zhengwu's expressions instantly became quite interesting. They both said, "Certainly, we will keep our mouths shut."

The news of someone within the Demon Subduing Bureau causing a triple-rank cross phenomenon had already spread throughout the entire bureau.

Everyone was curious about who that person was, and Ren Qianxing and Monk Zhengwu were no exception.

"What brings you two to see me today? Didn't we agree to set off for Cloud Mist Mountain tomorrow?" Ning Xiu asked.

Ren Qianxing explained, "Things have changed. A Demon Subduing Captain returning from an outer trip brought back news that the official path to Cloud Mist Mountain suffered a landslide a few days ago, blocking the entire road with fallen rocks. To go to Cloud Mist Mountain now, we'll have to take a long detour, which will definitely delay us. So, I thought I'd come with Zhengwu to inform you and depart today."

"Something like that..." Ning Xiu was quite surprised.

However, natural disasters were unavoidable and unpredictable. There was nothing that could be done. Ning Xiu happened to have no pressing matters, so a day or two wouldn't make much difference.

Ning Xiu went back to his room to get the Startling Thunder Hammer and a bundle containing spare clothes, then followed Ren Qianxing and Monk Zhengwu out of his home.

"For this trip to Cloud Mist Mountain, we've also invited two friends. One does not work for the Demon Subduing Bureau but will wait for us along the way. The other is already waiting for us at the Beast Taming Workshop," Ren Qianxing introduced as they walked.

"Beast Taming Workshop? Is there such a place within the Demon Subduing Bureau?" Ning Xiu had never heard the name before and was naturally a bit confused.

"You haven't undertaken missions that require you to go to other prefectures, so it's normal that you don't know about the Beast Taming Workshop.

Ordinary horses can at most travel a few hundred miles a day. Although a swift horse can travel a thousand miles, it lacks stamina and is not very useful. It can only be used when carrying out missions within Jingzhou, where Chaotian Capital is located.

To improve travel efficiency, the Demon Subduing Bureau specifically established the Beast Taming Workshop 160 years ago. They capture strange beasts with peculiar physiques from all over and tame them before they develop intelligence and become demons.

These are used as mounts for Demon Subduing Captains carrying out missions across prefectures. Using strange beasts as mounts greatly increases travel efficiency, several times faster than horses.

Cloud Mist Mountain is located in Yunze Prefecture. Using strange beasts will help us reach Cloud Mist Mountain faster," Ren Qianxing explained patiently.

Although Ning Xiu was at Martial Dao Fifth Rank, he had joined the Demon Subduing Bureau not long ago and knew very little.

Having someone like Ren Qianxing explain things to him saved Ning Xiu a lot of time in understanding the Demon Subduing Bureau.

It's worth mentioning that Ning Xiu should actually call Ren Qianxing "Senior Brother." Both were apprentices at the Champion Camp, but Ren Qianxing was selected one or two years earlier than him.

Upon arriving at the Beast Taming Workshop, it was a large courtyard built in a secluded corner to the north of the Demon Subduing Bureau.

Except for the main gate, the courtyard walls were all made of iron pillars, each as thick as a person and three times as tall. This seemed to be to prevent something from escaping from within.

"Roar!"

"Grrr!"

"Moo!"

"Baa~~"

"Aaa~~~"

Even before entering the main gate of the Beast Taming Workshop, Ning Xiu could hear various strange calls coming from inside.

Some sounded like lions or tigers, some like cattle or sheep, and some were impossible to identify.

Most of the strange beasts in the Beast Taming Workshop are descendants of rare and exotic beasts captured by the ancestors of the Demon Subduing Bureau from dangerous areas in various prefectures during the early construction. They have now been domesticated for several generations and have lost their wild nature. If you encounter wild strange beasts on your future missions, feel free to capture them and hand them over to the Beast Taming Workshop if you don't mind the trouble. It will also increase your merit points at the end of the month.

Ren Qianxing led the way into the workshop. Passing through a wide path, the three of them arrived inside the Beast Taming Workshop.

This place truly could be described as a world of its own. At the end of the path, Ning Xiu saw a single iron bridge leading to the opposite bank.

Beneath the bridge was a vast pond filled with dark green duckweed, its depth unknown.

Dragonflies could be seen flying low over the water's surface, occasionally touching the water or resting briefly on lotus leaves.

Ning Xiu couldn't help but marvel internally, wondering just how much of Chaotian Capital the Demon Subduing Bureau occupied.

Just as Ning Xiu was about to step onto the bridge, ripples suddenly appeared on the water to his left, spreading outwards.

A large green crab, whose shell alone was as big as a round dining table, emerged from beneath the water.

Immediately after, the crab's entire body rose above the water's surface, as if walking on water, striding across the pond with an uncanny, divine presence.

However, before Ning Xiu could voice his admiration, it suddenly plunged back into the pond with a splash. In the spot where the crab had appeared, a massive dark shadow materialized.

As it bulged above the water, Ning Xiu finally got a clear look: it was a giant turtle, at least twenty feet long.

"These are aquatic Oddities, used specifically for subduing demons and spirits in rivers, lakes, and seas. I recall there should be two more types below, giant conch crabs and red-armored toads, but they're rarely seen in daily life."

Ren Qianxing and Monk Zhengwu clearly weren't visiting this place for the first time. Upon seeing the giant turtle and the green crab, neither of them showed the slightest change in expression.

Ning Xiu secretly marveled, feeling a surge of anticipation about which Oddity they would choose for their journey.

After crossing the iron bridge, they entered a large hall, where a tall woman clad in Mysterious Silver Lock Armor immediately approached them.

This woman had sharp, almond-shaped eyes and willow-leaf eyebrows, exuding a heroic and spirited aura. Even though she wore the same Mysterious Silver Lock Armor as all the other Demon Subduing Captains, her long legs were incredibly eye-catching.

"Why are you only arriving now? I've been waiting here for ages." the tall woman complained.

"Apologies, Senior Sister Xia. We were slightly delayed on the road. Let me introduce you, this is the newly promoted Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captain, Ning Xiu." Ren Qianxing said, pointing at Ning Xiu.

"Martial Dao Fifth Rank! Your subordinate, Xia Yunsi, greets you, sir." The tall woman quickly bowed.

"No need. You're Brother Ren's friend, just call me Ning Xiu."

Although he was now a Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captain, a rank higher than Ren Qianxing and Xia Yunsi's Iron Horse Demon Subduing Captain rank, Ning Xiu disliked people he knew addressing him as "sir" or "mister," finding it somewhat awkward.

"Senior Sister Xia, have you chosen your Oddity yet?" Ren Qianxing asked.

"I chose a black tiger long ago. We can depart as soon as you all make your selections."

Ren Qianxing nodded. "Then I'll choose Black Wind, as always, with Zhengwu. Brother Ning, which Oddity would you like to choose?"

Ning Xiu was indifferent to this. In his mind, any Oddity would do; he didn't see much of a difference. He said, "I'll go with the same as you. Let's not waste time on choosing."

Hearing his words, Xia Yunsi cast him a look of admiration, her expression showing a hint of hesitation.

It seemed she wanted to say something but held back.

"Alright, this way." Ren Qianxing led everyone towards the back of the hall, where the Oddities used for land travel were kept.

When Ning Xiu saw the three Oddities confined in iron cages before him, his expression and mood became incredibly complex. He suddenly felt less inclined to embark on this journey.

"Oink! Oink!"

"Oink!"

Inside the iron cages were three wild boars with glossy black fur.

Their eyes were bright and piercing, their limbs muscled and powerful, and their tusks were as sharp as spears.

But... these were a far cry from the majestic Oddities Ning Xiu had imagined before arriving.

Ren Qianxing, you call this 'Black Wind'? Does your conscience not hurt?

"Don't let their appearance fool you, Black Winds are intelligent and excel at galloping and charging. They have incredible stamina, capable of traveling thousands of miles a day without tiring, and they're easy to care for. When traveling, they only need carrots and water for sustenance. They're the Oddities my subordinate Zhengwu and I always choose for missions." Ren Qianxing introduced them to Ning Xiu with evident pride.

"Oink!" The three wild boars immediately sat down, propped up by their front legs, and obediently raised their heads in response to Ren Qianxing's praise, their expressions proud.

They even winked a genuine "flirtatious glance" at Ning Xiu and the others.

"Demonic creatures, these are definitely Demonic creatures! What wild boar winks at people?" Ning Xiu pointed, astonished.

Ren Qianxing looked at the three wild boars, his face filled with satisfaction. "Brother Ning, rest assured, Black Winds are intelligent and learn quickly. I taught them these actions. Don't you find these Black Winds particularly charming? Besides this, they know other moves. Black Wind, strong and beautiful."

As soon as he finished speaking, the three wild boars stood up and strained their bodies. Their muscles bulged like inflated balloons, revealing clear muscle lines and full musculature everywhere.

Bang!

The three wild boars slapped their hindquarters together, producing a powerful, resonant collision.

The scene was, well... difficult to describe.

However, being able to teach wild boars such well-trained movements, Ren Qianxing was indeed quite a talent.

"Brother Ren, I suddenly want to change Oddities. I'll... I'll choose the one in that cage over there." Ning Xiu said, casually pointing to an iron cage not far away.

Although the Oddity in that cage was currently curled up, its black and white fur making it impossible to discern its true appearance.

He figured, no matter what, it had to be more normal than these three wild boars specially trained by Ren Qianxing.

Ren Qianxing turned to look at the cage Ning Xiu indicated. Upon seeing the Oddity confined within, he immediately advised, "Brother Ning, I'd advise you not to choose that Oddity. It has a dull personality, is slow-witted, and rather plump. While its travel speed is decent, it's not a good choice for an outdoor mount. Please, look here. Let me tell you about other advantages of the Black Winds."

"Hmm?"

As soon as he spoke, the Oddity, which had been motionless, instantly lifted its round head. Its eyes looked towards Ning Xiu and the others with a very bewildered expression.

Dark ears, a snow-white head, dark circles around its eyes...

"Isn't that... that big bear..." Ning Xiu exclaimed in shock.

"That's right, it's an Iron Eater Beast," Ren Qianxing said.

My goodness, you even captured the "Prison-Bottom-Sitting Beast" to use as a mount.

Ning Xiu quickly walked over and stood outside the iron cage to observe it.

This Iron Eater Beast was significantly larger than a giant panda, its back perfectly capable of carrying a person.

Judging by its thick back and strong limbs, it should have no problem accommodating his weight plus that of the Startling Thunder Hammer.

"Brother Ren, I've decided. I'll take this one," Ning Xiu said, pointing to the Iron Eater Beast in the cage.

"Mm-hmm." The Iron Eater Beast sat up, stretched, and leaned against the cage. It casually grabbed a bamboo stalk from the ground nearby, brought it to its mouth, and began chewing, looking at Ning Xiu with a vacant expression, completely unbothered.

It was just as Ren Qianxing had said – this fellow had a dull personality and was rather dim-witted.

Now that everyone had chosen their desired mounts, specialists from the Beast Taming Workshop came forward to select exotic beasts for Ning Xiu and the others. They were fitted with special saddles and reins to make them easier to control when traveling.

Mounted on their respective exotic beasts, the group swiftly departed the Demon Subduing Bureau through a special passage designated for exotic beasts. They rode straight out of Chaotian Capital and headed towards Yunze Prefecture.