Chapter 16: Come with Me, Da Bao

The awakening of Dabao took the village chief by surprise, yet he still provided Dabao with ample food as Chu Danqing had requested.

Despite this, Dabao’s condition worsened; the blood-colored aura around him grew increasingly intense, and his anger and ferocity threatened to overwhelm him.

His body shape began to change as well.

He grew taller by roughly half a meter, and long hair resembling that of an ape sprouted across his skin.

The color was a strange, blood red rather than a natural hue.

Even the village chief was astonished, marveling at how unique the white dragon fish truly was.

Ordinarily, when a guardian of the village transformed into a cave beast, they would lose their sanity at this stage, and their hair would turn white rather than blood red.

Soon after, the nails on his fingers and toes began to embed into the flesh, forming sharp claws, and his forearms started to elongate.

He resembled a long-armed, crouching ape, with slightly protruding cheeks, almost like a half-beast.

This transformation was not limited to his face but altered his entire body structure, including his vocal cords and other organs used for speech.

Speaking became extremely difficult for Dabao, and his words were often disjointed.

Yet, knowing the truth, Dabao had been rather quiet over the past two days.

“Still... hungry...” Dabao looked at Chu Danqing, pain etched across his face.

The hunger, combined with uncontrollable emotions and the struggle against his own instincts, made his expression quite fierce.

Upon hearing this, Chu Danqing’s face grew anxious.

They had been providing a steady supply of food for two days, which helped, but Dabao lacked some crucial element needed to fundamentally change his condition.

No matter how much food he consumed, it would only address the symptoms, not the root cause.

“Perhaps, Brother Chu, you could try giving Dabao the white dragon fish egg,” the village chief said as he entered. “Today’s food is outside the house.”

By this time, Chu Danqing and Dabao no longer lived in the village chief’s home.

Because Dabao was turning into a cave beast, and according to past experience, he would lose his human rationality, staying in the village risked unnecessary casualties.

So when the physical changes began, the two of them were quietly moved to a secluded house outside the village under the cover of night.

Dabao was indeed different, but the village chief could not gamble the lives of himself and the entire village on this possibility.

Chu Danqing did not object; Dabao’s transformation was significant, and with the fur covering him, he looked no different from a monster.

“Alright, I understand,” Chu Danqing replied without much elaboration, then asked, “What about my payment? You said it would be given today.”

“Brother Chu, there’s no need to be so guarded with me,” the village chief said calmly, pulling out a leather-lined garment and placing it on the table. “After all, you brought back my grandson’s bones—you are a benefactor to my family.”

“We did wrong by Dabao, but we haven’t wronged you, have we?”

Chu Danqing responded, “No, but I dislike your attitude.”

He dared to say this for two reasons: first, he had value; second, he wanted to vent on their behalf.

After these two days with Dabao, his contract with him was a foregone conclusion.

He could still distinguish between his own people and outsiders.

“You’re a good person, Brother Chu. It’s normal for you to dislike us,” the village chief said without anger, his tone peaceful. “It’s a necessary price.”

“Since you find me bothersome, I won’t keep you any longer.”

“The items have been delivered.”

“What you need will be completed tonight and sent along with tomorrow’s final meal.”

“When the time comes, Brother Chu, I’ll leave the matter of Luohua Cave to you.”

After speaking, the village chief turned and left without a hint of reluctance.

Chu Danqing sighed and together with Dabao, brought the food inside.

Dabao ate in silence while Chu Danqing sat, examining the white dragon fish leather lining before him and pondering the village chief’s words.

[Silver Scale Cloud Brocade]

[Type: Equipment - Lining]

[Quality: Excellent]

[Durability: 100/100]

[Attributes]

[Defense: 10]

[Effect]

[Splendid Garment (Passive): Defense +10]

[Equip Requirements: Strength 5, Constitution 5, Agility 5]

A lining is the inner layer sewn into clothes.

Chu Danqing hadn’t expected this to be considered equipment.

But the question was how to use it?

He knew how to sew, but making such extensive alterations to a jacket and trousers was beyond his skill.

After much thought, he decided to give it a try.

Twenty points of defense was nothing to scoff at; a few ruined clothes were inconsequential.

So, despite his clumsy hands, he began his work and took the opportunity to discuss the contract with Dabao.

“Dabao, the white dragon fish egg is very important to me. If I give it to you, I won’t live much longer,” Chu Danqing appealed to his emotions first.

What he said was true; without a summon, a summoner was little more than a mere piece of flesh—only living, but powerless.

Dabao’s eating faltered, then he struggled to say, “It... doesn’t matter, Little Chu...”

“I mean, since Xianghua Village no longer wants you, come with me. In exchange for protecting me in place of the white dragon fish, I’ll give you its egg.”

“But I have to warn you in advance—coming with me will be dangerous. One careless step could mean death.” Chu Danqing interrupted.

“Staying here is different. I helped you kill the Great White Ape, with your father, the Cave Spirit, you would become the new priest.”

“Plus, with the power of the white dragon fish, you’d never have to worry about danger or food for your entire life, and you could live happily.”

He explained both the dangers of leaving and the benefits of staying.

Since Dabao was intellectually impaired, even now Chu Danqing felt conflicted.

“Black Hole... is not my... father,” Dabao corrected him, then said, “I, I want to go with Little Chu.”

“Danger? I’m not afraid!”

At this moment, Dabao seemed to have grasped a lifeline, speaking urgently.

To him, having been abandoned by Xianghua Village, anyone willing to take him in was naturally welcome.

And he knew Chu Danqing treated him well.

Anything that could awaken him must be precious, especially since it concerned Chu Danqing’s own safety.

“A gentleman’s word is as good as a promise,” Chu Danqing said.

“Since you’ve agreed, there will be no room for regrets.”

He then took out a standard summoning contract scroll and prepared to bind Dabao.

He was not stingy; there was no rush to sign the contract before Dabao had eaten the white dragon fish egg.

Since he considered Dabao one of his own, there was no need to be overly formal.

More importantly, he trusted Dabao’s character.

“No regrets,” Dabao declared, baring his fangs, and swallowed the white dragon fish egg in one bite.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing drew out the summoning contract scroll and proceeded to bind Dabao.