CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40 TALES UNDERNEATH A CRIMSON SKY.

Chapter 40: Tales Under a Crimson Sky

After having fought their way through 3 more lesser packs, the first compromising of red jackals and the second and third being mutated rats, The group had managed to bag themselves more meat than they’d bargained for.

And this was all thanks to Lin Mu and Autumn Wind who this time only supported the other’s during the hunt to avoid exposing his strange secret. He didn’t want them to start asking questions because of the disappearance of a rat or two.

Though this gave the Lang brothers something to mock him with, Their useless squabble was drowned out by the multiple thanks he received from most of the hunting party, even some who had gone against him earlier today had long since gone over to his side after he had helped them several times during the hunts, even when it seemed completely disadvantaged to him. His chivalrous behavior naturally won over their simple tribe minds that mostly valued strength and honour.

The Serinerians dismounted their beasts, tending to their mounts or unpacking supplies, while making sure their game was in order. Lin Mu slid off Autumn Wind, patting her muscular flank. " I believe the person most deserving of thanks is you dear." He muttered with a warm smile. As if it could understand him, Autumn Wind snorted softly, her eyes scanning the horizon as if trying to feign nonchalance, but her obvious reaction only made Lin Mu’s smile grow even more.

With a light chuckle, he went to join the Serinerians who were gathering in a circle on the desert floor, sitting to regain some of their lost strength from having gone through consecutive fights.

" Can I take a seat as well." Lin Mu asked a Serinerian as he made his way over.

" Hahahaha, no need to be modest brother Lin, There’s plenty of room next to me." The Serinerian replied with a cheerful smile, fortunately his sharp dentures did nothing to diminish his smile.

" Don’t listen to that dumb fart, brother Lin, the rascal probably now smells like a bag of Asxian manure after having pushed himself so much today. You can happily sit next to me." Another Serinerian said with a chuckle.

" Oi, Big mouth Zhao, what’s that supposed to mean you shitty vermin." The Serinerian replied back with an annoyed countenance. " I don’t smell that bad do I?." The Serinerian unconsciously sniffed his armpits, his actions only made Big mouth Zhao chuckle the more.

Lin Mu himself struggled to hold back a stifled laugh when he arrived next to them. " Multiple thanks brother." Lin Mu clasped his hands in thanks before sitting down next to the first Serinerian

Everyone seemed down and out, yet the Lang brothers still seemed more energetic than most, continuing to shoot Lin Mu with withering glares, their pride still stinging.

It was one of the older tribesmen, a slim man with a braided beard, who finally broke the silence. "Hey I’ve got a good idea." he said, his voice loud enough to catch everyone’s attention, "Why don’t we lads tell some stories to lighten up the mood. Since we’re all basically tuckered out, we might as well have a blasted good time while we’re at it."

" Nice one Senior brother Zhang!" Another Serinerian grinned with obvious enthusiasm. "Got one for us, Brother Wang?"

The Serinerian sitting directly opposite Lin Mu chuckled. "Oh, You know I always do hehehe."

" Come, come, everyone lend me your ears now." He gestured for everyone to pay attention. Their feline ears perkin up all of a sudden while the retreating sun continued to cast long shadows around them. As they settled, Brother Wang began his tale.

"Long, Long Ago, back to the distant times of the past. There once was a warrior named Wang Chung, famous for his strength and fearlessness. But Wang Chung wasn’t like most warriors. You see, he had a habit of fighting everything. And i don’t mean just enemies, The stubborn headed mule also fought trees, boulders, even the wind if it dared blow too hard. He’d challenge the stars themselves if he thought they were looking at him wrong!"

The group chuckled at the absurdity, though the two Lang brothers simply harrumphed, though that still didn’t change the fact that the tension surrounding everyone had eased slightly.

"One day," Brother Wang continued, "Wang Chung heard about a ferocious beast terrorizing a nearby village. ’Finally,’ he thought, ’a worthy opponent!’ So he marched out into the vast dessert, bellowing threats, until he found the creature, a giant scaled king boar, with tusks sharp enough to split boulders and slay countless Peak stage Qi Condensation realm warriors with one sweep."

" They fought for hours, their battle shaking the very ground. Wang Chung finally bested the beast, but when he turned to claim his prize, he realized something. The two battle absorbed fools had fought for so long, transversing several territories that He was hopelessly lost."

The tribesmen burst into laughter, even some of Lin Mu’s detractors cracking smiles.

Brother Wang raised a finger. "The moral of the story? It doesn’t matter how strong you are if you don’t know where you’re going."

" Ok ok, quiet down my brothers."

The laughter grew louder, and when it subsided, Brother Wang turned to Lin Mu with a grin. "Your turn, Brother Lin. Surely someone as... unique as you, has a tale or two." he asked with eyes filled with obvious interest.

Lin Mu hesitated, unsure if the invitation was genuine or another setup for mockery. But before he could decline, a few of the friendlier tribesmen joined in.

"Yeah, Brother Lin, Tell us something from your land."

"Now that you mention it, We don’t even know where you come from. Enlighten us dear brother!"

"Come on, it’s not like we’ve got anything better to do."

Lin Mu sighed, realizing he wasn’t getting out of this. He sat up straighter, his mind racing for a story.

" Oh, I got one." Finally, he began." Forgive me my dear brothers."

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[1] Tuckered: it simply means his tired, exhausted, needs some rest.