“Yes, I understand obtaining the core of a Demi-God is nearly an impossible task. However, I must try.”

Doubtful as Biyu was, she knew it was not her place to oppose the foreigner’s ambitions, no matter how absurd they sounded to her. “Miss, do be careful. The wrath of Divine Beasts are not to be trifled with.”

“Thank you for your concerns. I will take the utmost precaution.”

Biyu sighed. There was one alternative way to obtain the core of the Divine Black Tortoise, but that method was also nearly impossible. Focusing on the more immediate issue at hand, Biyu asked the merchant lady, “My son tells me my dear husband negotiated an exchange of two cores for two years of room and board. Is that true?”

“Yes. I should have thought more deeply and asked whether you agreed to the transaction as well since I would be encroaching on your home.”

“The fault is not with you, Miss. That duty belonged to someone else.” Biyu glared at her husband. “It is not the lady’s fault, correct, dear husband? As she didn’t know your wife might have wanted a say in the matter.”

Panicking, Luen hurriedly jumped into the conversation. “Honey, I should have discussed this decision with you first, but I could not miss a lifechanging opportunity for Fuen. You know Resonance with a Beast Core is such a rare occurrence, and all those who have the luck to experience the phenomenon all became important and powerful figures. Most of them were given titles as nobles by the Ansui Royal Family.”

Biyu frowned, unable to argue with the fact. “I know, I am merely giving you a hard time, Luen. Your decision was not wrong. I guess I was taking out my sudden shock on you, dear.”

“So I don’t have to sleep on the floor?” Luen asked with some hope in his voice.

“I’ll think about it,” Biyu giggled, turning to Leandra and said, “Miss, honestly, you have given a boon to our son. Thank you. Let’s get you settled in your room. I do not know if my cooking will be up to your tastes, but to celebrate Fuen acquiring his first core, I have cooked a meal for us.”

Leandra’s eyes lit up, stomach growling ever since walking through the doors of the manor and smelling the savory fragrance of delicious food. “Your cooking is bound to be a delight. Just the aroma has my mouth watering.”

Biyu laughed. “Well then, let me take you to your room and you can use the bath to clean up. Follow me.”

Leandra nodded with a smile, wanting to eat right away. Luen looked at his wife and said, “How about me, honey?”

“What about you? Don’t you have to butcher your snake?”

“Are you still mad at me?”

“You can talk to me from the floor tonight. Make sure to clean yourselves after you finish butchering, dear husband. I want washed bodies without the lingering smell of raw snake meat while I’m eating. Are we clear?”

“Yes, honey,” Luen said, defeated. His wife still was not over the ordeal.

“Crystal clear, Mom.” Fuen was not going to argue or face similar punishment.

“Good.” Leading ahead, Biyu said to Leandra, “Follow me, Miss. I will show you to your room and your personal bathroom.”

Luen sighed but got immediately to work as the two women walked away. “No time to waste. Your mother’s cooking is waiting for us. Knowing you, you probably already had a taste. What did your mother make, Fuen?”

“Mom made lots of food! All my favorites! Roasted boar, pickled sprouts and shredded veggies, stir fried garlic with greens and dark sauce, fried egg rolls with an array of dipping sauces, dumpling soup was boiling on the stove…there were some more, too.”

Swallowing down his hunger, Luen ordered his son. “Alright! Let us make this quick so we can clean up and eat! Fuen, help me hold the body down. I need one good continuous cut.”

Fuen looked at the snake carcass with apprehension, but forced himself for the sake of the feast his mother’s prepared. He walked over and gripped the neck of the lengthy snake, but was unable to hold onto the body that was nearly the size of his waist. Groaning, Fuen grunted as he mounted the snake, using both legs and hands to strap down the carcass.

Luen followed suit, sitting down on stomach and using his massive hand to press down the body. Piercing through the scales with his dagger, Luen made the first incision. He slowly waddled backwards on his knees as he continued slicing open the python.

“Move towards me, Fuen. Keep holding the sides near me so I can make firm cuts.”

“Okay. Give me a second. You know, Dad? If I absorbed the core of that Minotaur, this would probably be no problem.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Not happening. Less chit chatting and more moving.”

Fuen pouted and slowly crawled forward, but he did not give up on trying to convince his father. “If only I could grow a body like yours, I wouldn’t be bullied at the Academy.”

Luen stopped cutting and turned to look up at his son. His face darkened as he coldly asked, “Who dares bully my son?”

Fuen gulped, not wanting to cause his parents any issues. “It’s nothing, Dad. Just some rich showoffs who already absorbed their first Beast making dumb comments. They won’t bother me after I absorb my first core.”

“Hmph. The Academy is supposed to be a place where rank or fortune does not exist. The Ansui Royal Family declared it so. If they try anything more, report it. Their families would be investigated and reprimanded.”

“Sure…” Fuen said, but he knew better. The nobles were petty and vengeful. Just like a snake. If one attempts to kill the creature, they best crush the head to ensure it does not bite them later. The same went for the nobles. If he was going to get back at his bullies, they could not know who did it. Or else, Fuen would be in greater trouble.

Refocusing on butchering, Luen used precise experienced movements, gutting open the soft belly of the snake. A stench of raw meat wafted into the air as Luen gained full access to the organs. Slowly cutting the tissues holding the insides in place, the farmer, now butcher, took them out one by one and put them in the container he brought along with his butchering knives.

After removing all the insides, Luen and Fuen scraped off the scales and chopped the carcass into sections. Standing up and stretching his back, Luen prepared to haul everything to their underground storage for meats and products that needed colder temperatures to not spoil.

Commanding his son, Luen said, “Fuen, go and shower first while I store away the meat and throw away the unwanted organs.” Digging out a bright red core from the mix of chopped meat, removed from near the python’s heart, Luen added, “Wash up this core and place it in the refining array that powers the barrier of our home. We need to find or buy some more cores to restore our reserves.”

“Okay, Dad,” Fuen replied, taking the core as he walked toward the steps and down the open hallway to the bathroom in his room.

The floorboards slightly creaked as he climbed the steps and walked to the first room on this right. Sliding the wooden door open, Fuen walked in and locked himself inside.

For someone so stuck on wanting a Beast Core to enhance his physique, his room had quite a lot of books, hand copied from the Academy’s library and placed neatly in the compact bookshelves across from the entrance. In front of the wall of books was Fuen’s desk, crafted by his father, where he spent most of his time when not in the fields. To his immediate right was a wood wardrobe set against the wall and then his bed placed in the corner of the room.

Fuen walked past the foot of his bed to another sliding door and stepped inside. In his small bathroom of glimmering artichoke-green clay tiles that he helped etch on patterns of turtles, Fuen washed the red core in the sink before he undressed and placed his dirty clothes in a rattan basket by the door. He looked in the mirror and frowned, seeing dirt and grime cover his long tanned face. He lifted his hands for a sniff and immediately pushed them away from his staunch nose that took after his father. The stench of raw meat and blood lingered on his body and especially his hands.

Hurrying past the porcelain toilet and into the shower area, he pressed a red core on the wall and a deluge of water poured from overhead. Fuen took a moment to enjoy a good soak. Grabbing the soap he helped his mother make, Fuen lathered himself and washed away the day’s worth of happenings, leaving a fresh scent of mint and lavender.

Drying himself with towels hanging from the wall near the door, Fuen got dressed with another earth-colored robe before heading out of his room and to the kitchen. Upon entering inside, Fuen’s father, mother, and Leandra waited on the dining table across from the cooking area.

“That was fast, Dad.”

“You just like to steep in the hot water too long. Come, sit down.”

Fuen shrugged, he did like to close his eyes and let the hot water pull away the fatigue in his muscles, relaxing them in the heated shower.

Sitting down, his mother said, “Congratulations, Fuen! You found a core that resonated with you! It is an unusual resonance, with the core being broken in half, but it is a resonance nonetheless. A bright future awaits you, honey.”

“Thanks, Mom! I hope I can help you and Dad on the farm once I absorb the core and enhance it with the other green core Miss Leandra is also giving me.”

“Do consider a government position, Fuen. But congratulations, son! Start us off by taking what you would like to eat, we can talk more as we feast.”

Fuen nodded, immediately reaching for roasted boar and egg rolls. Scooping out a sweet chili sauce and a spicy salty sauce, both mixed with fragrant aromatics, Fuen dipped and munched a mouthful before swallowing with a face that melted into happiness.

“Everything is so yummy, Mom. Thank you!”

Leandra also bit into an egg roll with a crunch. The crisp texture of the fried skin, and the juicy meaty insides exploded with a savory addictiveness. The merchant’s face lit up, quickly consuming the tasty morsel in a few bites.

“Mmm, Miss Biyu, this is so delicious!” The lady said, immediately grabbing two more before chowing down again.

Biyu smiled from ear to ear, happy to see the foreigner’s ravenous appetite for her cooking. Internally, Biyu was relieved that the food suited Leandra’s palate.

“You must show me how to make these later, Miss Biyu.” Leandra said with an eager look on her face.

“Just Biyu is fine, Miss. And I would love to show you later how to make the egg rolls.”

“Then please also call me Leandra, Biyu. I appreciate your willingness to teach me how to create such divine tasty food.”

“Haha, it’s not that great, Leandra, but I'm happy to do so.”

Leandra turned to Fuen and said, “You have great parents, Fuen. I hope the Beast Cores will aid you in helping them.”

Fuen smiled, replying, “Me too.” Gobbling up more food, Fuen continued, “After we finish eating, I’m going to absorb the core!”

“Sure, son. Fill up that belly of yours, and you can start afterwards.”

Leandra nodded, adding, “How most exciting! Not only will I get to see a rare resonance, but I will be one of the few to witness the Spirit of a Void Beast!”

Seeing the merchant lady’s excitement, the family of three could not help but be swayed by her positive energy. They were also curious about the mysterious Beast of the West, masters of Space.