Chapter 669: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 669: The Decision to Accept (2)
Aside from its enormous size and terrifying aura, Mao Tuan's adorable appearance resembled that of a domesticated cat.
Mo Yan patted Mao Tuan and called it back, then had the remaining four beasts step forward to greet the villagers.
The longer the Five Beasts stayed in the human environment, the more they understood human customs and etiquette. Mo Yan treated them as equals, so they didn’t feel it was demeaning to greet these people. If all went well, the Five Beasts would be able to walk freely among the people in the future. Mo Yan understood this, and so did they.
Thus, the four beasts stepped forward, lined up in front of the villagers. Except for Chi Mang, who had no legs and could only stand on its hind parts while nodding its head, the other three beasts stood on their hind legs and bowed with their forepaws, mimicking Mao Tuan.
In the villagers’ incredulous gaze, the four beasts then stepped back and stood behind Mo Yan, looking at her with gentle eyes that were far from the fierce demeanor of wild beasts.
Seeing that the villagers were no longer as frightened as they had been at the beginning, Mo Yan’s smile grew wider. “Uncles and aunts, you see for yourselves, the Five Beasts are very intelligent and gentle. As long as no one deliberately harms them, they will not attack people on their own! Moreover, if it weren’t for them tonight, I wouldn’t have been able to rescue your children from the clutches of forty or fifty bandits.”
She then recounted in detail how the Five Beasts had rescued the children from the bandits. However, she chose to conceal the true motives of the bandits and only mentioned that the bandits were frightened away by the Five Beasts and would not dare to commit evil here again.
Her intent was partly selfish; she didn’t want the villagers to develop negative feelings towards her family. But more importantly, the kidnapping involved complexities that were impossible to explain to the villagers. Even if she did, they might not understand and could develop undue fear.
The villagers did not doubt her account. Although they were poor, if the bandits had demanded ransom for the children, they would have scraped together every last penny to pay. Given the large sum of ransom required for twelve children, if the bandits had been more ruthless and sold the children, they would have made a substantial amount of money. The villagers would have felt it worth their while to rescue their children.
At present, what captivated the villagers most was the well-behaved Five Beasts standing behind Mo Yan. The thought that their children’s rescue was thanks to these beasts made them grateful. Moreover, the bowing gesture earlier confirmed that the beasts were indeed intelligent, easing their fears further.
However, there was always the possibility of changing moods, and they worried that without Mo Yan’s restraint, the beasts might wreak havoc in the village. If that were to happen, no one would be able to stop them.
Yet, the villagers were hesitant to voice these concerns. After all, the beasts had just saved their children. To accuse them of such things would be like biting the hand that fed them.
Mo Yan, aware of their doubts, didn’t rush to explain. Instead, she smiled and said, “Having raised them for so many days, I need to prepare at least fifty chickens daily. With a chicken farm at home, they can also hunt wild boars and sheep in the mountains, or else I wouldn’t be able to afford their upkeep.”
The villagers were not foolish and understood the implication immediately. Someone spoke up, “They’re all good. I’ll bring two chickens over tomorrow. Although it won’t be enough for a full meal, it’s a gesture of goodwill. Don’t refuse, Yan girl.”
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