Chapter 16: Come With Me, Da Bao

Da Bao’s awakening surprised the village chief, but he still provided Da Bao with sufficient food, as Chu Danqing requested.

Even so, Da Bao’s condition remained poor; the crimson aura on his body grew denser, and his rage and violent emotions were nearly uncontrollable.

His physique changed as well.

His height increased by another half a meter, and long, primate-like hair sprouted across his skin.

The color was an unnatural blood-red, not the normal hue.

Even the village chief marveled at it, unable to help but remark that the White Dragon Fish was truly extraordinary.

In the past, village guardians who became Cave Beasts had already lost their sanity by this stage, and their hair was white, not blood-red.

Later, the nails on his fingers and toes gradually fused into his flesh, growing into sharp claws, and his forearms began to elongate.

He looked like a gorilla with arms hanging to his knees, his cheeks slightly protruding, resembling a half-beast.

This transformation was not limited to his face—it altered his entire bodily structure, including vocal organs.

As a result, Da Bao found speech extremely difficult, his words coming out disjointed.

Yet because he now knew the truth, Da Bao had been unusually quiet these past two days.

“Still… hungry…” Da Bao looked at Chu Danqing, pain etched on his face.

Hunger, combined with uncontrollable emotions and the struggle against his own instincts, made Da Bao’s expression grotesque.

Hearing this, Chu Danqing’s expression grew anxious.

Food had been supplied continuously for two days—it helped, but something crucial was missing to trigger Da Bao’s fundamental transformation.

Otherwise, no matter how much food he consumed, it would only add quantity, not cure the root cause.

“Perhaps, Young Master Chu, you could try giving Da Bao the White Dragon Fish egg,” the village chief said as he entered. “The day’s food is outside.”

At this point, Chu Danqing and Da Bao no longer lived in the village chief’s house.

The reason was that, according to tradition, a village guardian who became a Cave Beast would lose human reason and cause unnecessary casualties within the village.

So when his physical changes began, they were moved under cover of night to a secluded hut outside the village.

Da Bao was indeed unusual, but the village chief could not risk his own life and the entire village’s on that possibility.

Chu Danqing did not object; Da Bao’s transformation was drastic, and after the hair covered him, his appearance was indistinguishable from a monster.

“Alright, I understand,” Chu Danqing said without elaboration, then asked: “My payment? You promised it today.”

“Young Master Chu, you don’t need to be so wary of me,” the village chief said, placing a leather-lined garment on the table. “You brought back my grandson’s bones—you are my family’s benefactor.”

“We certainly wronged Da Bao, but have we wronged you?”

Chu Danqing replied: “No. But I hate your attitude.”

He dared say this for two reasons: first, he had value; second, to vent for Da Bao.

From his two days with Da Bao, it was already certain he would form a contract with him.

He could still tell friend from stranger.

“Young Master, you’re a good man. Hating us is natural,” the village chief said calmly. “It’s a necessary cost.”

“Since you find me annoying, I won’t overstay.”

“The item has been delivered.”

“What you need will be finished tonight and delivered tomorrow with the final day’s food.”

“Then, Young Master, we’ll rely on you for the Luohua Cave matter.”

With that, the village chief turned and left without a trace of hesitation.

Chu Danqing sighed, then helped Da Bao carry the food inside.

Da Bao ate in silence; Chu Danqing sat on a chair, examining the garment made from White Dragon Fish skin, pondering the village chief’s words.

[Silver Scale Cloud Brocade]

[Type: Equipment · Undergarment]

[Quality: Excellent]

[Durability: 100/100]

[Defense: 10]

[Qishang (Passive): Defense +10]

[Equipment Requirement: Strength 5, Constitution 5, Agility 5]

An undergarment is the inner layer of a garment, sewn between the outer and inner fabric.

Chu Danqing had never imagined this could be equipment.

But the question before him was how to use it?

He knew how to sew, but altering a shirt and pants so drastically was beyond his skill.

After much thought, he decided to try.

This was twenty points of defense—what did a few ruined clothes matter?

So, while clumsily working on it himself, he used the opportunity to begin discussing the contract with Da Bao.

“Da Bao, the White Dragon Fish egg is vital to me. If I give it to you, I won’t live long,” Chu Danqing began, appealing to emotion.

But he spoke the truth: without a summoned creature, a Summoner was little more than a living piece of meat.

Da Bao paused his eating, then struggled to speak: “It’s fine, Young Chu.”

“What I mean is, since Xianghua Village has abandoned you, come with me. Replace the White Dragon Fish and protect me—I’ll give you the White Dragon Fish egg.”

“But I must warn you: coming with me will be dangerous. One misstep, and you’ll die.” Chu Danqing cut off Da Bao’s words.

“Staying here is different. I’ll help you kill the White Ape. With your father, the Cave God, you’ll become the next priest.”

“Combined with the White Dragon Fish’s power, you’ll never fear danger or hunger—you can live happily forever.”

He laid out both the dangers of leaving and the benefits of staying.

After all, Da Bao’s intellect was flawed; even now, Chu Danqing still felt conflicted.

“Black Hole isn’t my father,” Da Bao corrected Chu Danqing. Then he said: “I… I want to go with Young Chu.”

“Danger? I’m not afraid!”

Da Bao spoke urgently, as if clutching a lifeline.

In his mind, he had been abandoned by Xianghua Village; now someone was willing to take him in—he would accept.

And Chu Danqing had treated him well—he knew that too.

The thing that woke him must be incredibly precious, let alone one that endangered Chu Danqing’s own life.

“A gentleman’s word is binding.”

“Once you agree, there will be no turning back,” Chu Danqing said, pulling out the White Dragon Fish egg and handing it to Da Bao.

He wasn’t stingy—he’d wait until Da Bao finished eating the egg before signing the contract.

Since they were now allies, there was no need for excessive formality.

Mostly, he trusted Da Bao’s character.

“No regrets,” Da Bao opened his fanged mouth and swallowed the White Dragon Fish egg in one gulp.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing also pulled out a standard Summoned Creature Contract Scroll and formed the contract with Da Bao.

(End of Chapter)