Chapter 1172: 18.10 First Grey Star - An extremely lonely being is not afraid of Death.
Ye Jieye realized the sky above his head had grown black and it was already dusk after traveling beyond the mist and daylight from the core region of the Death Forest. He left breakfast and lunch for his children and the two babysitters at home, but there is no dinner. He resolved to return to Numen Town as soon as possible.
On his way back, he came upon a herd of sheep pigs. Their size was 10 times that of an ordinary pig. His jogging woke up the sheep pigs that were asleep. He had no alternative but to slaughter these three pigs and add them to his inventory. He kept sprinting till he arrived at the location of the hibernating hill lamb.
It realized it was still suicidal as before, but it shifted its body near a mountain that had formerly been its mother. It murdered itself by removing its fur while still alive.
Ye Jieye couldn’t help but frown when he saw this sight. He can still hear the lamb breathing slowly and quietly. He sought for its head and softly patted it. After peeling itself, the lamb groggily opened its eyes and looked Ye Jieye in the eyes.
“You suicidal little thing. I will ask you, do you truly wish to die? If you do, I shall grant it to you. How about it? Make a sound if you mean yes,” Ye Jieye said.
BAAAA~
The gentle sound of ‘Baa’ can be heard after a few seconds. Even in immense suffering, it appears that the small lamb hasn’t forgotten its original purpose of wanting to die. A newborn hibernating hill lamb found it difficult to survive on Death Forest. This land is overrun with vicious, predatory animals. An adult hibernating mountain lamb would have devoured a portion of its body before decaying.
Decaying because it entails petrification and the transformation of a stone into a mountain. The adult hibernating lamb certainly developed into a perfect mountain since the small lamb safeguarded its mother’s carcass from being devoured until it totally turned to stone. That’s why it was a mountain range in the native habitat of hibernating lambs.
Ye Jieye sighs, “As you wish, this Lord shall grant it for you. A painless death. Sleep well.” He controlled his void as thin as possible. Like very thin needles, it targeted the heart and brain of the lamb, and in an instant, it took the life of the lonely lamb.
Urk!
As the hibernating hill lamb breathed its final breath, a glimmer of gratitude emerged in its dead eyes as it glanced at Ye Jieye. Most creatures can’t avoid the aroma of a dying hibernating lamb. Within a few minutes, roaring and snarling can be heard all around Ye Jieye’s location.
But, as if he didn’t see, it snatched the lamb’s body and placed it beside the stone mountain, which also houses its mother’s corpse.
“Since you wanted to accompany your mother until the end, then be together until the end and be reincarnated together in your next life. Silly Lamb, I will take your fur as a reward.”
—
ROOOARR~ GROAAN~ CAAWSS~ GRRR~
The sounds of roaring beasts can even be heard in the town of Numen. The old mayor was standing at the gates and looking at the forest with a serious expression.
Old Mayor Mu mumbles, “The death of a huge beast incites the appetite of countless beasts. I wonder if Xiao Ye is okay.”
—
Back to the forest…
ROOOARR~ GROAAN~ CAAWSS~ GRRR~
Ye Jieye was so preoccupied with hastening the decomposition of the lamb’s body that it turned to stone as quickly as possible. He was utilizing time components to the greatest extent possible in this universe, yet it still consumed time and took him half an hour to accomplish. Furthermore, some dumb critters dare to bare their teeth on him, making him angry.
“Scram!”
Ye Jieye’s tremendous aura of compulsion swept over the woodland. The weak perished on the spot, while those who survived sealed their lips and fled. These monsters have never encountered such a strong aura. Even if it was just for a second, it was enough to silence the entire woodland in horror.
Now Ye Jieye can gallop freely through the forest; it’s simply that not a single cricket will make a sound in his presence. Everyone wanted to shun and fear him as if he were the God of Hell.
The aging mayor and a few other middle-aged men gathered at the gates of Numen Town. When hunting, Ye Jieye took far too long. Normally, he would return before the sun set, but this evening had long passed, and the young guy had yet to return.
Old Mayor Mu stood at the gates, his face solemnly fixed on the forest. The middle-aged men behind him were also town residents. They number at least five. Mr. Butcher, Tofu Seller, and Fish Seller were two old guys who loved to play chess every morning under the willow tree in the middle of town. These ancient males had a positive relationship with the original and his pups.
There are more old men and old ladies in Numen Town than children or young men Ye Jieye’s age. Most old men, old ladies, uncles, and aunts appreciate Ye Jieye’s cubs because they are kind and adorable.
The tofu vendor, whose soy milk had become Ye Jingxia and Hei Anxia’s main drink, was the closest to the family and couldn’t help but be concerned.
He said, “Gramps, let’s go already. I don’t want Jingjing and Little Xia to be orphaned.”
“Boss, I think he is correct. Let’s go and save Xiao Ye as soon as possible,” the butcher said as he held a huge butcher knife in his hand. He might look fat and round, but his fierce and serious expression makes one think otherwise. The others also spoke out.
Old Mayor Mu regarded the Death Forest with a dismal gaze. He had felt the compulsion Ye Jieye had spread before, but he had stopped it before it reached the town. Ye Jieye had not expected the town’s elderly men and uncles to converge for his sake.
“Let me get my sword.”
Who would have guessed that just as he was going to turn around, he heard the sound of something rolling? Everyone turned to see Ye Jieye hauling a handcrafted wooden cart. The wooden tires would occasionally become caught owing to uneven pebbles on the route, generating loud noises.
The trolley was brimming with items. There’s a dead Sheep Pig, a couple baskets of assorted fruits, and Ye Jieye’s bag and cooler from before he went.
Ye Jieye was looking at the evening sky while mumbling, “Oh~ I’m late. My cubs haven’t eaten dinner yet. I need to hurry.”
Ye Jieye was astonished to find a group of men staring at him with diverse emotions at the gates. The old man had a helpless expression. The tofu vendor was enraged, but the butcher and others chuckled. Of course, he recognizes them since he remembers the original.
“Eh? Old man, Uncle Cai (Tofu Seller), everyone, why are you here?” Ye Jieye asked, a bit bewildered.
Sigh~
“This child…”
Uncle Cai, the tofu seller, was pissed and took huge and heavy strides towards him. He hit him on the back of his head and said, “Can’t you come back early next time? We thought something happened to you! What will your children do if you’re gone!?”
“U-Uncle Cai, sorry, I got lost,” When his skull was struck, Ye Jieye did not become enraged. He remembered the uncle in front of him as one of the few individuals in town who assisted the original and his cubs when they had nothing on them. When his children were still weaning for milk, and this tofu vendor gave free soy milk for his cubs.
The Mayor said, “Caitou, let the boy enter the gates first before scolding him more.”
Hmp!
The Tofu Seller helped Ye Jieye push his wooden cart and was actually surprised to see the contents of it. Most of the fruits in the basket were rare-grade fruits. Those fruits were rare in the capital, but on borders like this, it’s not only scarce but extremely expensive.
Uncle Cai, the tofu seller’s thoughts, ‘Rare-grade fruits and there is even a Longevity Peach (Heavenly Peach). Just where did this brat go.’
Ye Jieye noticed Uncle Cai’s eyes on the peaches and knew that his family loved them as well. He grabbed a small basket in the cart, filled it with various fruits, and passed it to him.
“Uncle Cai, bring this home with you for Aunt and Brother’s children,” Ye Jieye said with a smile. Though it was different from his natural smile as the soul was replaced, the gratitude within those black eyes was evident.
The Tofu Seller was taken aback when he noticed the little basket stocked with rare products, including three Heavenly Peaches. Everyone else in the room was astounded as well. Even at their age, they would identify the Heavenly Peaches capable of extending life. This is an ingredient of legendary quality.
Ye Jieye, of course, noted the other person’s reaction and prepared them a tiny fruit basket as well. Only the elderly mayor, who was on his way to his residence for supper, did not get one. When they received such a lavish present, the others were overjoyed.
The butcher uncle named Ken pats Ye Jieye’s shoulder as his fatty face jingles as he laughs, “Good boy. Leave the Sheep Pig to Uncle Ken. I will help butcher it for you and send someone to bring it tomorrow.” He left the group with a small fruit basket on his left hand and a huge sheep pig on his right shoulder.
The other old men were similarly overjoyed, albeit they only accepted the peaches because the other fruits were useless to them. Furthermore, they saw a few baskets of scorching grapes and lava apples which Little Anxia needed the most and suppressed her physique.
“Boy, no need to give us some grapes and apples. These other fruits are enough.”
“Thanks right! The baby girl in your family needs it the most, don’t give any of the grapes and apples,” Uncle Cai said.
The old Mayor said, “Okay, you guys. Go home and return to your family. Disperse now.”
“Mayor, aren’t you going home too?”
“No, I promise to eat dinner with Xiao Ye’s cubs. I’m going to his house.” The Old Mayor said with a grin.
Everyone was envious of the old man’s invitation to lunch with the Ye. Ye Jieye’s little restaurant is the only one in town that sells rare-grade ingredients as regular meals. Furthermore, this proprietor was too sluggish to cook and only cooked after preparing meals for his children. His status as a cook is also great. Who wouldn’t want to consume cuisine prepared by such a talented chef?
The Old Mayor waves his hands at the others and says, “Go home now. Go. go. The restaurant will be open tomorrow anyway, just arrive on time so you can eat Xiao Ye’s cooking as well.”
They all departed to return home since they had no other option. Since Ye Jieye has returned home, they no longer need to enter the Death Forest in the twilight, which is the most perilous time. Ye Jieye pushed the wooden cart, which had an elderly guy smoking on its back.
On their way back, the old mayor and Ye Jieye had a small conversation.
White smoke was flying up from the tobacco in the old mayor’s hand who suddenly asked, “You’ve met the old turtle?”
“Is it your pet, Old Man?” Ye Jieye asked as he thought that he couldn’t capture the turtle if it was owned by the old man.
The Old Mayor suddenly said, “I will give you the Death Forest. It’s yours starting today.”
Ye Jieye didn’t show a startled expression but he paused his words. When he first met the Old Mayor at dawn, he noticed that this old man with thick white hair was an expert. He might not be a God but at least someone at peak strength in this world.
“It’s mine in name only. Everyone in the town can continue hunting there as they wish. As for strangers, please handle it yourself, Gramps,” Ye Jieye said.
The old mayor suddenly started laughing as he heard how Ye Jieye changed the way he called the old man. It seems that the original Ye Jieye had a blood relationship with this old man who pretends to be a mayor.
Mayor Mu said, “Hahaha~ I want to eat some Stewed Chicken.”
“Tsk! I’ll make it for you.” Ye Jieye said as he saw the old man eyeing his Snow Vermillion Pheasant.
The two entered the modest eatery and were greeted by the two cubs who were excitedly awaiting the return of their father. The old mayor liked children and joyfully played with them while their father was making dinner. Zhi Yue and Zhi Yang, on the other hand, reverted to their avatar form, which is only visible to the Ye Family.