Chapter 365: The Forest Keeper (1/2)
As they drew closer to the village, a few of the demon children noticed the Hua Xiong and Ming Yue.
”Look, Sister Hua Xiong is here!”
They all ran up to her with bright expressions on their faces, excitement in their eyes.
Crouching down, Hua Xiong showed a warm smile to them, patting one of them in the head.
”Sister is still a bit busy right now. When I'm done, I'll go and play with you all. Is that okay?” she asked.
Some looked down in disappointment, others looked at her and nodded.
”Okay, we'll wait”, they replied.
Just then, Ming Yue looked to Xiao Yin and Hei Yue, who locked eyes with her. She gave a slight nod and the two beasts moved up to the children. She then walked up to them and crouched down with a small smile.
”I know you can't play with her right now but maybe these two could play with you for a bit.”
Their long faces quickly turned into big smiles as the mismatched group of children and beasts began running about in the village.
Looking at her, Ming Yue and Hua Xiong shared a look before moving along.
”Thank you.”
She thanked Ming Yue in a manner of gratefulness, the latter nodded.
Finally entering the village, there were a fair number of things that she noticed about the village.
It wasn't extravagant or amazing in any way but it was well maintained and clean as well. The wooden houses were small but large enough to fit a family of three. There were various facilities from a communal eating area to a small pond and a well too. It reminded her of many things, one of them being her own home.
The older members of this village met Hua Xiong with open arms while some stood back and looked at Ming Yue. Some with curious eyes and others with wary stares.
”This way, the Forest Keeper lives here.”
Hua Xiong lead the way, taking her to the back of the village where a small hut stood. On the outside, it was the least impressive one but what truly mattered was what was inside. There was a slight pressure emanating from within, not hostile but felt as if this being was of another caliber. Like Elder of Heaven's Gate, the power she felt was faint but that small bit was enough to show the gap between her and the Forest Keeper.
By the hut were various pots and baskets filled with dried medicinal herbs, there was a faint sweetness to them.
”A doctor?” she thought.
”Let's go in.”
Hua Xiong opened the door gently and brought Ming Yue inside the little hut. When the door closed behind them, they were met with a strong medicinal smell, a flowery sweetness with notes of bitterness.
At the center of the hut was a large cauldron of boiling water from which she saw hundreds of different herbs swirling around.
Sitting cross- legged by the pot was an elderly demon, perhaps ancient even. His body was that of a tree's, with roots and leaves for limbs and hair. He wore no clothes, revealing his lanky figure to the two.* Ming Yue didn't even know what kind of demon he was but she was shocked to say the least. She had never seen such a being before.
”Senior Shu, I have returned and brought someone back.”
Hua Xiong sat down on her knees in front of the cauldron.
It was silent fro a mintue before the demon moved, turning his head to looked at her and Ming Yue. Opening his eyes, Ming Yue found them to be filled with an indescribable amount of experience and wisdom.
”Reminds me of the Ancestor from the Yao Clan”, she thought.
After looking at two, he went back and closed his eyes once more.
”I know”, he replied with a quiet and mellow voice, ”I was watching over you.”
”Yes, my guest and I have dealt with the problem but we were too late. Both beasts have been killed.”
Senior Shu sighed before he looked at Ming Yue.
”Come and sit, please.”
She complied, sitting next to Hua Xiong and watched quietly.
”So then, Hua Xiong, why have you brought a guest over?” he asked.
”She knows who I am and how I came to this continent.”
”I see, do you trust her?”
Hua Xiong nodded.
”Good, good.”