Chapter 290: Chapter 288: Subduing
While Zhan Yang and the others were waiting...
HISS...
A screeching hiss suddenly echoed from the top of the cliff.
The color instantly drained from the faces of Zhan Yang and the others.
Looking up, they saw a colossal brown python on the clifftop. It was hissing at them from the cliff face, its crimson tongue flickering.
It radiated a terrifying, ferocious aura.
"This is bad! Jiang Chen must be dead!"
The moment they saw the Celestial Brown Ridge Python appear instead of Jiang Chen, Zhan Yang, JinLing, and the others were scared out of their wits.
By that logic, Jiang Chen had to be dead.
"Quick, run!"
Niu Tuo quickly hoisted Lu Beifeng onto his back. He, Zhan Yang, and JinLing broke into a sprint, fleeing into the distance.
At the same time, their hearts filled with regret.
’Jiang Chen’s dead. He’s actually dead.’
’We told him not to go, but he wouldn’t listen. What a shame.’
Zhan Yang had genuinely hoped to recruit Jiang Chen into their Warring States Mercenary Corps.
But with Jiang Chen nowhere to be seen, he could only assume the Celestial Brown Ridge Python had devoured him.
JinLing kept glancing back, trying to spot Jiang Chen.
"Wait!"
After fleeing a short distance, they realized the Celestial Brown Ridge Python hadn’t given chase. Instead, it was still clinging to the edge of the clifftop.
This took Zhan Yang by surprise.
’What’s going on? Aren’t Celestial Brown Ridge Pythons supposed to be ferocious?’
’Why isn’t it chasing us this time?’
Clearly, the python’s current behavior was a surprising departure from its earlier ferocity and cruelty.
"Hey, where are you all going?"
Just then, a voice called out from the distance.
"Hm?"
The four of them, fleeing for their lives, froze.
’That voice is so familiar.’
It was a voice they would never forget.
"It’s him! It’s Jiang Chen!"
"He’s alive!"
JinLing exclaimed, whirling around.
Everyone turned around.
Zhan Yang, and Niu Tuo, who was still carrying Lu Beifeng.
They looked back the way they came—toward the steep cliffs where the Celestial Brown Ridge Python was.
As they watched, a figure in white slowly emerged from behind the Celestial Brown Ridge Python.
It was Jiang Chen. He stood beside the Celestial Brown Ridge Python, looking utterly at ease.
"Er..."
’It really is him.’
’But why is he standing with the Celestial Brown Ridge Python? They look like they’re coexisting peacefully.’
The four of them were completely baffled.
They couldn’t comprehend how Jiang Chen and the Celestial Brown Ridge Python could stand together without attacking each other.
They had expected one of two outcomes: either Jiang Chen would be eaten by the python, or he would kill it. This peaceful scene of man and serpent coexisting was simply bizarre.
As if sensing their confusion, Jiang Chen chuckled. He reached out and gently stroked the Celestial Brown Ridge Python’s massive body.
He smiled and said, "From now on, the Celestial Brown Ridge Python will be our partner."
"I’ve tamed it."
At that moment, Zhan Yang and the others nearly fell over in shock.
’Tamed. He tamed it.’
The fact that Jiang Chen had tamed the Celestial Brown Ridge Python was utterly dumbfounding.
They stared at Jiang Chen as if they were seeing a ghost, still finding it hard to believe.
But the reality before them proved it was true.
Standing on the clifftop, Jiang Chen called out, "Come on back! It’s safe now."
Finally, the four of them—JinLing, Zhan Yang, and the others—cautiously made their way back to the cliff face.
They stopped at the bottom of the cliff, gazing up at Jiang Chen and the Celestial Brown Ridge Python.
The Celestial Brown Ridge Python had now obediently slithered down and was coiled submissively beside Jiang Chen.
It had long since submitted to him.
As for how Jiang Chen had managed to tame the Celestial Brown Ridge Python, Zhan Yang and the others would never find out.
"Come on up. I found the Moyang Flower."
Then, to the four’s amazement, Jiang Chen patted the Celestial Brown Ridge Python.
"Go down and bring them up."
Without a moment’s hesitation, the Celestial Brown Ridge Python turned and slowly lowered its twenty-meter-long body down the cliff.
It came to rest before Zhan Yang and the others.
’Is this really happening?’
The four of them still felt as if they were dreaming. A Celestial Brown Ridge Python at the level of a Martial Master Third Heaven, tamed by Jiang Chen—it was simply unbelievable.
JinLing, however, was the first to act. She cautiously reached out and touched the body of the once-ferocious Celestial Brown Ridge Python, finding its skin unnaturally cold.
But it didn’t attack.
Only then, her mouth agape, did she finally believe that Jiang Chen had truly tamed the Celestial Brown Ridge Python.
She leaped onto its slightly curled tail.
The Celestial Brown Ridge Python’s body was incredibly hard. Riding on it felt no different from sitting on a rock.
"It’s really safe! Come on up!"
JinLing called happily to the others.
Once they were certain there was no danger, Zhan Yang and Niu Tuo, still carrying Lu Beifeng, climbed on.
All four of them settled onto the python’s tail. With a single contraction, the Celestial Brown Ridge Python lifted them to the clifftop in an instant.
"WOW..."
The moment she jumped off, JinLing let out an exaggerated cheer for Jiang Chen.
She ran up to him and gave him a light, playful punch on the chest with her pale fist.
Grinning, she said, "Jiang Chen, I never knew you were so incredible."
"You’re just ridiculously amazing."
"I’m in total awe."
In her short skirt, JinLing’s youthful face was filled with adoration.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
"It was nothing."
Jiang Chen chuckled, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at her antics.
But JinLing did have a very free-spirited personality, so her behavior wasn’t surprising.
Zhan Yang and Niu Tuo came to stand before Jiang Chen, the way they looked at him completely changed.
The same was true for Lu Beifeng.
All four of them now realized that Jiang Chen was the strongest one among them.
"You really tamed it?"
Zhan Yang asked, his voice filled with emotion.
As he waited for Jiang Chen’s confirmation, he felt a bit foolish for asking such an unnecessary question when the truth was already so obvious.
Still, the whole experience felt incredible.
He joyfully looked the Celestial Brown Ridge Python up and down, even reaching out to touch it several times.
JinLing was as happy as a child.
"Amazing."
It was unclear if she was praising Jiang Chen or marveling at the Celestial Brown Ridge Python.
The Celestial Brown Ridge Python was now as docile as a little lamb.
However, its nature was cold and ruthless. It always had an icy demeanor and looked fierce.
But that did nothing to dampen JinLing’s enthusiasm.
"The Moyang Flower is still there. We should go take a look."
Jiang Chen said to Zhan Yang, pointing toward the cave entrance.
After all, he knew their main goal was the Moyang Flower. While Jiang Chen also wanted it, it wasn’t of much use to him at the moment.
There would be plenty of other opportunities to get a Moyang Flower.
Zhan Yang shot Jiang Chen a grateful look before hurrying over to check.
He was instantly overjoyed. "The Moyang Flower is still here!"
"But it won’t bloom for a few more days."
JinLing, Niu Tuo, and even Lu Beifeng on Niu Tuo’s back—all four of them went to look at the Moyang Flower.
They were clearly thrilled.
They could finally obtain the Moyang Flower.
’Looks like we were really lucky this time,’ they thought. ’Meeting Jiang Chen has allowed us to complete our mission.’
’And when we do, the Warring States Mercenary Corps will be promoted to a Three-Star Mercenary Corps!’
They never once forgot their mission.
This was the spirit of a Mercenary Team.
