Women, how could they disturb my Martial Arts heart!
With great determination, Tang Wen refused their offers to undress him and warm his bed.
He sent the three women out of his room.
Just the foot washing and massage had already excited him to the point of sleeplessness.
He had no choice but to perform several rounds of the Eight Section Brocade to expend his energy and divert his attention.
Early the next morning, Tang Wen instructed the three women not to come to serve him with foot washing in the evening.
He wanted to focus on practicing Martial Arts, striving to become an Awakened as soon as possible.
Mainly, he knew his willpower was rather ordinary.
At his core, he was just an average office worker.
Back in the city, the only reason he could restrain himself and not indulge was because of his "poverty."
Last night, his dreams were hotter than Tokyo.
He really had no confidence in withstanding the temptation, so he decided to stay away from it until he broke through to become an Awakened.
If you're afraid of getting your shoes wet, don't go near the river!
Today was a rest day.
Tang Wen focused on practicing in the courtyard.
[Earth Fire Stance (Entering Stillness), Proficient (2831/3000)]
[Breathing Technique, Beginner (411/500)]
The Earth Fire Stance and Breathing Technique were nearing full experience, so Tang Wen allocated more time to them, aiming for a quick breakthrough.
Next was the Iron Body Skill.
[Iron Body Skill, Intermediate (909/1000)]
Thinking back to the recent battle, those three Armor-Piercing Arrows, their tips reeking of a foul stench, were clearly poisoned.
Tang Wen felt a lingering fear and silently decided that he would never remove the two layers of Scale Armor until he mastered the Iron Body Skill.
No, even after mastering it, he would still wear them.
"Commander Tang Wen, Commander Zhou Bing! Please come to the palace for a meeting immediately!"
In the evening, a messenger suddenly arrived.
Breaking the day's tranquility.
Tang Wen sheathed his sword, and Zhou Bing put away her spear.
After being attended to by the three women, the two of them tidied up and headed to the palace.
In the meeting hall.
All the commanders were seated, their eyes fixed on General Zhao.
Once everyone had gathered, General Zhao spoke: "We have reached an agreement with Old Crow, who is both a Beast Tamer and a pharmacist. The camp will treat him well in exchange for him teaching us the skills of beast taming and medicine making."
"Starting tomorrow, he will first teach beast taming. All commanders should attend if they have time. Oh, and this matter must be kept confidential. We don't want the Black Mountain Camp to find out before we've even learned it…"
Beast taming?
Recalling how the Slave Hunter Gang had outmaneuvered them with the help of the Blood Ravens.
Tang Wen and Zhou Bing discussed it and decided that, while managing their duties in the hunting camp, they would take turns attending the lessons.
The next morning, Tang Wen arrived at a heavily guarded courtyard gate.
Before even entering, he heard the "caw caw caw" of Blood Ravens.
Upon entering, he saw rows of tables and chairs, each with a birdcage containing half-grown Blood Ravens.
These Blood Ravens were not unfamiliar to Tang Wen.
He was the one who had ordered them to be moved from Old Crow's home.
"It's you!"
Old Crow lay on a reclining chair, looking at the young man who had captured him, showing no intention of getting up. He swayed leisurely, occasionally taking a sip from his gourd.
"The wine your camp brews is just average!"
Tang Wen picked up the booklet on the table and casually remarked, "If you don't like it, then don't drink it."
"Hmph, young people these days have no respect for their elders. Kid, you're not even eighteen yet, right? To think such a genius would emerge from this backwater place! However, being a genius in martial arts doesn't mean you can master Beast Taming. I advise you not to waste your time and focus on your martial arts training instead!"
Old Crow grumbled to himself.
Seven or eight more people gradually arrived in the courtyard.
Apart from the Commander, there were several team leaders.
Tang Wen had arrived the earliest and was seated in the front row.
He had already skimmed through the booklet on raising Blood Ravens.
Old Crow stood up, puffing his cheeks and glaring as he began his lecture.
"To tame a Blood Raven, you must first understand it. Do you understand? Do you? All you understand is the bird in your own pants!"
When it came to his expertise, Old Crow was full of energy.
His demeanor was as if he were asking someone if they needed a key made.
Given his genuine knowledge, no one bothered to argue with him.
Old Crow continued his sharp-tongued mockery: "Many of you aren't even as good as these Blood Ravens."
Someone snorted, signaling him to stop.
But he went on: "Don't get cocky. Blood Ravens are monogamous for life. If the female dies, the male lives alone until the end! Can any of you do that?"
"Hah! As if that's true."
"Heh, old man, are you a crow in disguise?"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
The courtyard erupted in cheerful laughter.
Old Crow glared in anger, wanting to curse, but seeing the unfriendly looks from everyone, he could only sulk in silence.
The content of the lesson was simple.
It mainly involved observing Blood Ravens, understanding their habits, and feeding them.
Old Crow covered some key points, and after about an hour, the lesson ended. Each Commander left carrying a squawking Blood Raven.
They cast doubtful glances at Old Crow, muttering as they left.
"That old man, did he even teach us anything real?"
"I think so too. All he taught was how to raise birds."
Only Tang Wen remained. He took out a fire starter, used tweezers to hold a plump green worm over the flame, and roasted it for a few seconds.
Then, he fed the worm into the gaping mouth of the young Blood Raven.
Next, he took a stone bowl the size of a wine cup from the cage, heated it, and poured in clean water.
"Kid, have you raised birds before?"
Old Crow looked puzzled. Feeding warm food was very friendly to young birds.
Tang Wen smiled, carefully stroking the well-fed young Blood Raven with his finger.
The young Blood Raven, smarter than ordinary birds, began to feel a sense of familiarity with him.
After eating and drinking, it also nuzzled its small head against his fingertip.
The Attribute Panel popped up: [Beast Taming Art, Beginner (0/500)]
Now, the young Blood Raven felt even closer to him.
It kept nuzzling its small head and pecked gently at Tang Wen's finger with its tender beak.
"Kid, you're really lucky."
Old Crow's face showed a hint of embarrassment. His earlier advice to Tang Wen still echoed in his ears.
Blood Ravens were notoriously temperamental and usually didn't get so close to humans.
"Aside from daily feeding, is there anything else you need to teach me?"
"Hmph! We're just getting started. Take good care of it, and we'll talk again in a week."
Tang Wen didn't mind, picked up the birdcage, and left the courtyard.
In the afternoon, Zhou Bing returned from her class empty-handed.
She explained, "I want to focus all my energy on Martial Arts."
Tang Wen held her hand and said, "Yes, strive to become an Awakened as soon as possible."
Tang Wen planned to continue learning Beast Taming.
For him, it was just a side task.
Others raise Blood Ravens, and when the ravens caw, they can't understand the meaning.
But when Tang Wen's Blood Raven caws, he first feeds it. If his experience increases, it means he fed it correctly.
With instant feedback, learning beast taming is like playing a game.
He tried various foods for the Blood Raven and finally discovered that the little creature loves a mix of sheep's blood, minced meat, and foxtail millet.
Seven days passed, and it was time for the second beast taming class.
The number of people had decreased by more than half.
Apart from Tang Wen, not a single Commander had come; only Captains and ordinary soldiers were present.
Watching Tang Wen reach into the cage and freely tousle the Blood Raven's little head, Old Crow's eyes were far from calm.
When I was learning, to make the Blood Raven not reject me, I had to smear my entire hand with bird droppings.
Then, with that pungent smell, it took me half a month to reach this point.
How come, before I even taught the trick of smearing bird droppings, this Blood Raven is already lying down and letting him rub it?
Stand up!
Peck him!
You're a Mutated Beast, even if a low-level one, you're still a Mutated Beast!
(End of Chapter)