Crossing to Live in the Wilderness Plains 014
Chapter 14
The coyotes were obviously not afraid of the old lion. Between bites of meat, they bared their teeth at Chen Qi in the tree. Their eyes were full of greed and desire, apparently considering how to turn the beastman into their food as well.
The lion was too old. If it were a little younger, the coyotes would just be insignificant specks in its eyes. But right now it knew that it was no match for them. It gave the coyotes a light glance and went to the other side of the impala to take a couple of bites. Both sides wanted to eat as much as they could before other predators came. It was a rare harmony.
However Chen Qi, who was still in the tree, felt a little more somber. He could almost imagine that the impala’s end would also be his in a little while. More and more predators would soon gather here. Chen Qi, who had never encountered this kind of situation, could not think of any way to save himself. The only thing he could do now was to stay in the tree and try to hold out as best as he could until Aze came back in time and found him. That would be the best result.
The vultures here were obviously a little different than those that Chen Qi was used to. They not only made horrible shrieking noises, but their cries spread a long distance, causing more and more vultures, who heard them, to fly over from a distance. A few of the powerful vultures even began to swoop down from the sky, intending to drive off the coyotes and the lion and monopolize the impala meal for themselves.
But how could the coyotes let the vultures get their way? Whenever a vulture approached them, they bared their teeth ferociously, intending to snap at the vulture at the first chance. The vultures also didn’t plan to confront the coyotes directly. They flapped their wings and flew to the sky after harassing them with their sharp talons. The coyotes couldn’t really do anything to them. The vultures were too annoying. The pair of coyotes could only split duties and have one of them eat while the other kept the vultures away. After a couple of bites, they would swap roles to let the other eat as well. Relatively speaking, the lion was much more miserable. He didn’t manage to eat but a few mouthfuls before he was scratched up by a vulture’s sharp talons. No matter how angry and irritated it was, it was helpless against those annoying winged creatures. Thus, he could only retreat, and with every three steps, it turned back to look longingly at the impala on the ground. If more vultures gathered together, it could easily imagine that it would no longer have the problem of not being able to eat the food, but rather, it would become the food itself.
After watching the cruel food fight of the animal world at close range, Chen Qi swallowed his saliva with fear and took stock of the banyan tree he was in. He chose a spot with more branches and leaves, then tried to ease himself over to it. Fortunately, the vultures were still focusing their attention on the fight for the impala, which was already almost half eaten, and had no time to deal with Chen Qi in the tree.
Crossing to Live in the Wilderness Plains (CLWP) is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.
Although the coyotes had not eaten their fill, seeing more and more vultures show up, they glanced at each other and retreated as well, fleeing into the withered grass. Subsequently, more than 20 vultures swarmed down, surrounding the impala that had almost been gnawed clean. The swarm was packed airtight, the vultures stepping over one another, with the innermost vultures eating their fill before giving way to the others.
The impala was quickly wiped out by the flock, and even the fur and blood on the ground were not spared. When the vultures stepped away from the impala, Chen Qi saw that only the dense white bones remained.
Chen Qi tensed up again, his back tightly attached to the rough bough of the banyan tree, and after a pause, he held the dragon-horn knife in front of him and moved into a defensive posture. The 20 or more vultures were all standing on the ground less than 50 meters away from Chen Qi, leaning back their ugly bald heads, with their pitch-black eyes staring greedily at Chen Qi, as if considering what angle they should start at to eat this delicious beastman dish.
Aren’t all vultures scavengers? Why can’t the vultures here just eat dead animals like they do on TV? When did vultures, these freeloaders, learn to hunt like hawks? Chen Qi was raving frantically. How he missed the normal creatures of his past at this moment.
A lone, lean vulture was obviously unable to contain itself. It took two steps back, spread its huge wings out, and flapped them a few times. Suddenly, it charged straight at Chen Qi with its hooked beak slightly open, making a threatening, ear-piercing shriek. Chen Qi held on to a branch he’d bent towards himself, forming an arc. When the vulture entered his range, Chen Qi suddenly let go of the branch. It swung out, hitting the vulture directly, making a dull thump as the vulture was thrown straight out. Fortunately, it narrowly flapped its wings a few times to stabilize itself, and this prevented it from falling to the ground.
Chen Qi made a regretful tsk and pulled the branch back to protect himself again.
The vultures were obviously angered, stretching their necks and shrieking. The vultures nearby who heard the cries all raised their wings at the same time and spread them out wide. As long as their companions commanded, they would rush together at the cunning beastman hiding in the tree and drag him down with their hard beaks.
A few drops of cold sweat slid down the side of Chen Qi’s forehead. If this many vultures rushed at him at the same time, he wouldn’t be able to withstand the attack. Even if he was not dragged down from the tree, he would still end up getting injured.
At the moment the vultures launched their attack, there was a sudden roar not far away. A tall black shadow suddenly appeared in front of Chen Qi and abruptly stopped the vulture at the head of the charge with one hand grabbing the vulture’s neck while the other hand grabbed the vulture’s flapping wings. With a hard pull, the vulture’s long, soft neck was ripped off, blood splattering not quite noticeably over his black fur coat.
Crossing to Live in the Wilderness Plains (CLWP) is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.
The tall beastman crouched down and savagely threw the corpse in his hand into the pack of vultures, making threatening growls in his throat. The vulture with the largest body grabbed the corpse of its companion, gave a loud cry, then stretched out its huge wings and flew off into the sky. The other vultures followed its actions in a panic. In a short time, all the vultures completely disappeared. If it weren’t for the impala bones on the ground as proof, no one would be able to tell that Chen Qi had been in a situation where he was in fear for his own life and safety just a few minutes before.
The tall beastman turned around, wiped away the blood on his face with his finger, then put it into his mouth and licked it with a frown. “These annoying guys’ blood still tastes as bad as ever.” Looking up at Chen Qi, the corners of his good-looking lips slightly curled up, revealing a domineering and wild smile. “Can you get down?”
Chen Qi nodded stiffly. He had not yet recovered from the shock of the beastman tearing off the vulture’s neck with his bare hands. He climbed down the banyan tree with difficulty, although he did not forget to take the two clumps of roots with him. “Thank you for saving me.” Chen Qi expressed his gratitude sincerely.
“Are you Chen Qi?” The strange beastman looked at Chen Qi with sharp eyes. Although he was asking a question, his tone was very confident.
Chen Qi was surprised. “You know me?”
“I am Ka Luo’s mate, Ake.”
“A . . . . . . ke?” Chen Qi’s gaze fell onto the other’s flat and strong abdomen, which was covered by hide clothing, with a strong vine tied around it as a belt. No matter how he looked at it, this didn’t look like a pregnant stomach. And to think that such a tall, domineering man could be pregnant with a child? Although Chen Qi’s degree of acceptance towards the anomalies in this world was already very strong, his thoughts could not help but be all messed up this time.
“You shouldn’t have gone off this far alone when Aze is not around,” Ake scolded, his tone carrying an inherent loftiness.
Chen Qi subconsciously bowed his head and apologized, “I’m sorry.”
Crossing to Live in the Wilderness Plains (CLWP) is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.
Of course, Ake wasn’t actually trying to blame Chen Qi, but when he thought of the possible consequences if he had arrived a step late and that this bold male would be buried in a vulture’s belly, he couldn’t help getting a little angry. He didn’t know what kind of expression Aze would make once he found out that this male almost had an accident. The expression on his face softened a little at the thought. “Let’s go back.”
“Okay,” Chen Qi agreed. He didn’t want to stay in this place any longer either. He walked over to the banyan tree. Under it was the hide bag full of dandelions he’d gathered. Fortunately, the carnivores were not interested in these things, and the bag was still intact. Chen Qi folded the two long bundles of roots and hung them on his shoulder. Then he picked up the bag of dandelions and caught up with Ake.
Ake, who was walking in front, noticed that the male hadn’t followed him. As soon as he turned back, he saw Chen Qi holding a large bundle of things wrapped in some hide and asked grumpily, “What is that?”
“Dandelions.”
“Dandelions?” This was something he’d never heard of before. Beastmen wouldn’t deliberately name things they couldn’t eat, so Ake had no idea what Chen Qi meant. “What’s it for?”
“It can be eaten,” Chen Qi explained briefly.
Ake didn’t deign to comment further. Seeing that Chen Qi was catching up, he quickened his pace. Ka Luo was still waiting for them at Aze’s house. The vultures had appeared so close by, he wasn’t sure whether Aze’s home was safe. He had long encouraged Aze to move back to the tribe, but the stubborn guy just wouldn’t listen. He not only worried himself, but also worried Ka Luo. Thinking of this, Ake couldn’t help feeling an itch in his fists and wanting to give Aze a beating, but it was a pity that at best he could only reach a draw with that guy.
Earlier, Chen Qi had been gathering as he walked and he didn’t feel like he’d walked very far, but now, it took him more than ten minutes to get back home. Looking back at the banyan tree, which had long been blocked by the tall acacia tree, everything seemed to have regained tranquility.
“Why were you gone so long?” A man with heavy eyebrows and dressed in tiger fur clothes had his hands on his waist, akimbo as he fiercely demanded answers from the two approaching men.
Ake’s expression instantly became soft and gentle with an ingratiating smile on his face, he explained, “I met a few little birds and it took me some time to chase them off.”
Vultures are “little birds”? Sure, recalling how this person ripped the vulture’s head off with his bare hands, he supposed it really was no different from a little bird. Chen Qi looked at the new stranger. This person who could make Ake’s face change expressions instantly should be Aze’s brother, Ka Luo.
Chen Qi placed the bundle of hide by his feet and gave the other what he thought was a cordial smile. “Hello.”
Ka Luo obviously didn’t intend to pay Chen Qi any courtesy. With a light snort, he just turned around and simply walked into the room.
Ake shrugged his shoulders and followed Ka Luo into the house.
Words from the Translation Crew
Miiya: 1 of 3 for the week.
Translator: Miiya
Editor: Avalie
Proofreader: Yume
Editor stepping into the realm of MTL translating, starting with CLWP. Support this translation with a Ko-fi. Three Ko-fis will add an extra chapter from the stockpile to the next weekly release.
