Chapter 105 The Doctor Is In 1 (1/2)

A few days after the near self-destruction scare, Zero was skipping along the path excitedly. Hua Tuo told him that they would be arriving at the village by afternoon and Zero simply couldn't wait! He'd pestered Hua Tuo to tell him stories about the villagers during their breaks.

From what he heard, the village was a very small one with about forty people living in it. Unlike other villages, this village had no name as it was formed by outcasts. However, Hua Tuo gave it a name after he decided to become their doctor. It was now known as Half Moon Village because it usually takes Hua Tuo half a moon to travel there each time. Occasionally, some new villagers ended up joining. They were usually exiled by their original hometown for being different and stumble upon the village by chance. Zero could already see the work of fate behind the scenes for that to happen.

Hua Tuo mentioned that the village chief was a strong female warrior with the mixed heritage of elves and beastmen. Her name was Zenobia and she had white rabbit ears. Hua Tuo mentioned that Zenobia was a fierce warrior who protected the village from enemies. Hua Tuo didn't mention who the enemies were but from the stories of Zenobia's many fights, Zero figured that Half Moon village had many enemies.

Other than the village chief, Hua Tuo explained that he was making the trip this time to check on a pregnant villager by the name of Karris. Zero was excited when Hua Tuo explained to Zero about how babies grew and were delivered. Zero was also curious to find out how Karris' children would turn out. According to his teacher, Karris was human. However, she was chased out of the human village she lived in because she was impregnated by a vampire. When Zero asked what happened to the vampire, Hua Tuo simply shook his head, refusing to answer further. He only said that the child wasn't one made from love and Zero felt sad. Love was something everyone deserved but for a child to not be made out of love, Zero felt that it was a very pitiful thing.

There were children in the village too and Zero was curious to meet them. Hua Tuo told Zero that he should learn how to play like normal children and Zero couldn't agree more. Playing sounded like a wonderful thing and he was excited to make new friends too. Truen was a great friend but he never played with Zero. The brunet really wanted to know what it was like to be able to play with someone else. Would they run through the forest finding leaves and mushroom? Or would they simply throw stones into the river to try and hit a fish? Zero couldn't wait to find out.

Just before the last bend, Hua Tuo pulled Zero to a side.

”Zero, we're reaching the village soon,” he began and Zero hooted in joy. The doctor had to wait for his student to calm down a little before continuing.

”Some ground rules before we enter,” he said sternly.

At this point, Zero became equally serious and gave Hua Tuo his full attention.

”One, do not probe further about anyone's background if they are not comfortable sharing it. I know you are curious but many of them have difficult pasts and it would be rude to demand answers.”

Zero nodded. Respect was important and he agreed.

”Two,” Hua Tuo held up a second finger. ”You must not reveal your real identity. They are usually hostile towards humans and you look very much like one. They know me as an immortal hermit living in Endow Hill and trust me as their doctor. Whatever they ask, you are to answer that you are an apprentice I picked up from Endow Hill and cannot remember much about your past.”

Zero nodded again. It wasn't in his nature to lie but not omission wasn't lying. If Sedna were here, she would be shocked by Zero's way of thinking. Luckily for Zero, he didn't have to explain his sudden matured way of thinking. If it weren't for a certain someone introducing Zero to the other side of the world, he wouldn't have known that there were such convenient ways of evading questions.

”Last but not least,” Hua Tuo narrowed his eyes. ”You are not to go around taking things apart or touching things that do not belong to you. Any wrong move and you'll become the main course for their next feast. Understood?”

”Yes, sir!” Zero saluted. He didn't think that the villagers were capable of turning him into dinner with Hua Tuo around but he didn't want to test that theory out either. The brunet was determined to be on his best behaviour and create a good impression. After all, they would be back in a few months and Zero wanted to make new friends who would play with him when he returned. Nobody wanted to become friends with someone who made them upset. That much, Zero knew.

Seeing that Zero understood everything, Hua Tuo resumed their travels. In no time, a small village could be spotted in a distance.

Zero forgot how to breathe for a moment. The village was nothing like he'd imagined. According to the books he read on the reading device, villages usually consisted of many huts that looked similar to Hua Tuo's. Although there were other villages that were built specially, most houses were built on the ground.

This village was built into the trees. The trees were very tall and Zero didn't know how they got up there. Maybe the villagers had wings to fly up. Then again, Zenobia didn't have wings. Perhaps there was a secret passage somewhere. Zero couldn't wait to find out.

”Stop right there!” a young voice shouted and Zero froze. Hua Tuo didn't seem fazed and halted in his step.

From the branches above, a teenage boy swooped down with a spear in hand. He wasn't wearing a shirt and Zero marvelled at the feathers protruding from the boy's arms. They helped slow his fall but didn't seem to help him fly. Zero noted how the boy didn't have feet even though he had hands. In place of feet were sharp and scary-looking talons. His eyes were yellow and slit like a snake's, his teeth sharp like a tiger's.

”State your business,” he growled.

”Stand down, Clowis! He is our doctor.”

From behind him, a man who had similar weird feathers landed and smacked Clowis over the head with the back of his hand. The young warrior screeched in pain much to Zero's amusement.

”I apologise for my nephew's behaviour, doctor. Please, come on in.”

Hua Tuo smiled and followed the man. Zero trailed behind and stayed closer to Hua Tuo when Clowis growled at him. He didn't know what he did to warrant such a hostile behaviour but he didn't want to antagonise anyone further.

”Karris has gotten quite huge and has lost a lot of weight. Living arrangements have been prepared as per your letter. However, Zenobia requests to meet your young apprentice.”

Zero's eyes brightened at Zenobia's name. He became excited at having an opportunity to meet the warrior and beamed. Hua Tuo took a good look at Zero and sighed silently. Although he didn't think that Zenobia would have anything against Zero, he didn't know if he should be more worried about the warrior or his student. After all, Zenobia was known to be very fond of children and Zero was very adorable despite his sudden growth.

”Very well, his name is Zero and I'm sure he's also eager to meet Lady Zenobia after hearing stories about her heroic battles.”

The man bowed and smiled at Zero. ”Greeting, young Zero. I am Lowis, head warrior of Half Moon Village. Please follow me, I will lead you to see Chieftess Zenobia.”

Zero beamed. ”I am Zero, a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for leading the way!”

Lowis was slightly surprised by Zero's good manners in contrast to his childish behaviour but brushed the thought aside. Wordlessly, he bowed and led Zero away. Hua Tuo watched his student go and turned to the sulking Clowis.

”I see you've improved yet again. How is your sister?”