SWNOVELXO Chapter 62. Beast-men Never Submit
At this moment, Elder Ling approached the Iron-Eating Beast with a disciple.
The Iron-Eating Beast was quite fond of this caretaker and began whimpering pitifully.
Elder Ling gently stroked its head, then examined its body.
“The Iron-Eating Beast’s naturally energetic nature caused it to overexert itself during the frenzy, resulting in some injuries. It needs further treatment. Bring my silver needles; I need to heal it,” Elder Ling said.
He had devoted his life to these spirit beasts. Though cultivated to the Nascent Soul realm, he hadn’t mastered offensive techniques, instead specializing in mental soothing and physical healing methods to better care for these creatures.
The Iron-Eating Beast initially nodded obediently.
But the next moment, it heard the schadenfreude-filled voices of the surrounding beasts.
“Hee hee, I want to see the Iron-Eating Beast get needled!”
“Me too! It’s rare to see him in trouble.”
“But I’ve had the caretaker’s needles before, and they don’t hurt.”
“Even if it doesn’t hurt, I still want to watch the fun.”
The spirit beasts began chattering noisily.
The Iron-Eating Beast’s expression visibly changed!
Damn, it didn’t want to be a spectacle.
It grabbed Elder Ling’s robe hem, whimpering pitifully.
Elder Ling carefully sensed its emotions.
He could communicate with beasts since childhood, but spirit beasts and ordinary wild beasts were completely different concepts.
Spirit beast language was too complex, and it seemed the Heavenly Dao had created a barrier between spirit beast and human languages. Spirit beasts could only take human form and speak human language at the Dao Seeking stage. Before that, no matter how much research was done, the two languages simply couldn’t interconnect.
This could only be explained as a Heavenly Dao restriction.
Although Elder Ling could communicate simply with spirit beasts, he couldn’t directly understand their speech. Instead, he made reasonable guesses based on their behavior and emotions.
For instance, he sensed fear and panic from the Iron-Eating Beast before him.
Elder Ling thought it was afraid of the needles and stroked its head, gently reassuring, “Don’t worry, my needle technique is excellent. It won’t hurt at all.”
The Iron-Eating Beast grew more anxious: “It’s not about pain! I just don’t want them watching for fun!”
To Elder Ling’s ears, this was just meaningless noise.
He could only sense the Iron-Eating Beast’s increasing panic and patiently continued to comfort it.
Soon, the disciple returned with the silver needles.
The Iron-Eating Beast cried out more urgently.
Elder Ling could only say, “Iron-Eating Beast, your internal injuries are quite severe. We must treat them immediately, or there may be lasting effects. Be good, and I’ll be gentle. I promise it won’t hurt.”
Seeing it couldn’t communicate, the little Iron-Eating Beast lay down and started rolling around.
Wuu wuu wuu.
As a spirit beast, it had its dignity!
It would rather die than let the other spirit beasts watch for entertainment.
Seeing the little Iron-Eating Beast so stubborn, the other spirit beasts began to persuade it.
“Iron-Eating Beast, we were just joking. Be good and accept treatment. We promise not to laugh at you.”
“That’s right, injuries can be very painful.”
The group of spirit beasts chattered their reassurances.
But the Iron-Eating Beast inexplicably became more stubborn, squirming about, refusing to comply.
It waved its little paws, roaring with effort: “Beast-men never submit!”
“The glory of I, the great Iron-Eating Beast, overshadows all!”
“I! Iron-Eating Beast! Will never surrender!”
Yun Jin listened to these chuunibyou declarations.
She was amused.
Perfect. No need to choose anymore.
This Iron-Eating Beast was the one.
Wasn’t it tailor-made for her?
Yun Jin’s gaze shifted as she walked over.
“Junior Sister Yun!” The disciple accompanying her panicked. “Elder Ling dislikes strangers approaching the spirit beasts!”
Even though he had agreed Yun Jin could choose any beast, that was meant to follow proper procedures, not barging in like this.
Elder Ling heard the commotion and looked over.
Seeing Yun Jin, he paused, then said, “Wait a moment. I’ll come to you after I finish treating these spirit beasts.”
“Elder Ling,” Yun Jin said with a smile, “I thought, since I’m about to contract a spirit beast, I should learn some methods for raising them beforehand. Why not let me help out this time?”
Yun Jin’s initiative to learn demonstrated she took her future spirit beast contract seriously. Even if Elder Ling had been slightly displeased by her sudden intrusion, that feeling now dissipated.
Elder Ling considered, then said, “That’s fine. I’m about to use needles on this Iron-Eating Beast. You can watch.”
As he spoke, Elder Ling looked somewhat troubled.
If the Iron-Eating Beast kept making a fuss, it would likely waste time.
Seeing another person approach, the Iron-Eating Beast grunted twice.
“Skinny human, I could kill ten of you with one punch.”
Yun Jin pretended not to hear and said, “Elder Ling, may I try communicating with it?”
Elder Ling hesitated briefly, then agreed, figuring nothing would go wrong with him watching.
Yun Jin smiled slightly, bending down to approach the Iron-Eating Beast.
For some reason, the Iron-Eating Beast felt nervous, its body involuntarily tensing.
Yun Jin whispered in its ear, “Beast-men never submit.”
Iron-Eating Beast: “!!!!”
It forgot about throwing a tantrum and stared at Yun Jin in shock.
Meeting Yun Jin’s ambiguous, smiling gaze, shame washed over it.
The Iron-Eating Beast nearly cried!
It didn’t understand!
How could this human understand beast language?
Saying such things to its childish spirit beast companions made it feel impressive.
But…
Having this human hear it felt somewhat chuunibyou.
The Iron-Eating Beast flipped over, burying its face.
Who could understand its plight?
It, the Iron-Eating Beast!
Thoroughly didn’t want to face anyone today.
Seeing the Iron-Eating Beast’s reaction, Elder Ling was stunned. He looked at Yun Jin in surprise: “You seem to have said something to it?”
Out of politeness, he hadn’t eavesdropped, but now he was truly curious.
“It’s nothing. It’s just a bit shy. When I got close to it just now, I seemed to hear its inner voice. It said: Beast…”
Before Yun Jin could finish, the Iron-Eating Beast sat up abruptly, even using its gaze to urge Elder Ling.
Hurry, give it the needles!
It would rather be needled than suffer social death!
Now Elder Ling was truly shocked.
He couldn’t help but look at Yun Jin.
What had this disciple done to make the Iron-Eating Beast suddenly so obedient?
“Little Jin, what did you hear?” Elder Ling hastily asked.
Yun Jin’s smile grew brighter as she glanced at the Iron-Eating Beast, which wore an expression of utter despair.
It was over. Its social death was unavoidable.
But then it heard the human say, “It seems to want the needles in a private room. It’s a bit embarrassed in front of so many spirit beasts.”
“I see!” Elder Ling had a sudden realization.
The Iron-Eating Beast looked sharply at the smiling Yun Jin.
Yun Jin smiled back at it.
The Iron-Eating Beast lowered its head, suddenly feeling bashful.
This human didn’t seem so detestable after all.
(End of Chapter)