ATPnovel Chapter 15 Water Cat
Chapter 15 Water Cat
Lu Xingzhou led Ni Yang and Sanjiangshui to a simple dock on the banks of the Xiliao River.
This was originally built by Yu Wendou to transport grain and supplies. Although it is somewhat damaged, it is still largely usable.
Upon approaching, Sanjiangshui warned, "Young Master, don't let its small size fool you, this little water cat is actually quite fierce! Be careful it doesn't bite you!"
"Water cat" is what the locals call an otter.
Lu Xingzhou certainly knew how ferocious otters, belonging to the weasel family, were.
I'm just curious about what the Liaohe River otter looks like.
After all, in 2025, they can only be seen in Northeast China, such as deep in the Greater Khingan Mountains and a few areas with excellent ecology. He has never seen this little thing in the wild before.
Without the three of them having to search so hard, they easily found seven or eight otters under the broken wooden planks at the dock.
"They're just ordinary Eurasian otters, but these little creatures are really fierce!"
More than half a meter long, its slender, glossy, and powerful body was taut, staring intently at Lu Xingzhou and his companions in the water, as if it were about to launch an attack at any moment.
But as the saying goes, when someone is cute, even when they throw a tantrum, it looks like they're just being adorable.
The otter, which has consistently ranked among the world's top ten cutest animals, is a prime example.
The combination of light brown back fur and off-white belly fur is not scary at all; on the contrary, it looks somewhat harmless.
With webbed paws, a round, flat head that doesn't show its ears, and a pair of bright black, beady eyes that are excessively cute, it poses absolutely no threat to humans.
Lu Xingzhou, who already loved small animals, fell in love instantly.
"I'm sorry, don't be angry. I'll build you a new house somewhere else later."
First of all, these eight little creatures are very cute. Lu Xingzhou cannot kill them just because they are fierce and might hurt the children in the enclosure. This is not in line with the concept of environmental protection.
Secondly, they are really cute.
Therefore, Lu Xingzhou did not use violence as he did with Si Huzi; instead, he was very reasonable.
The dock pier, which had been unused for three years, was transformed into a den by otters. In the past few days, Chen Damangzi and others have been going back and forth to fetch water, trampling a large hole in the 'roof' of the otters' den.
How could you not be worried if your roof collapsed?
But the otter didn't appreciate it at all and continued to make threatening "squeak squeak squeak" sounds.
Seeing that they were barking more and more fiercely, Sanjiangshui took out his M1911 and pointed it at the leader:
"These scoundrels are so rude! Young master, step aside and let me teach them a lesson!"
Lu Xingzhou was speechless.
How could you bear to kill such a cute otter? Wouldn't that bullet shatter it into pieces?
"Trying to show off? Hide aside and watch how your young master teaches them to obey!"
The two looked at him curiously. Could this thing understand human speech?
Lu Xingzhou snapped his fingers, and the eight otters stood frozen in place as if under a spell.
"Eh?!" ×2
Is it really that amazing?!
Half a minute later, the otters, who had been standing there in a daze, regained their senses and frantically climbed onto the pier and rushed towards Lu Xingzhou.
This terrified Ni Yang, who quickly stepped in front of him:
"Young master, run!"
"It's alright, you two just don't do anything reckless!"
Despite the danger, Lu Xingzhou remained calm and pressed down on Sanjiang's arm, which was holding a gun, to prevent his first batch of loyal followers from being injured.
Eight otters, ranging from half a meter to one meter in length, climbed onto the pier, bypassed the three rivers and Ni Yang blocking their way, and came to Lu Xingzhou's side.
It did nothing to harm him; instead, it rubbed against his thigh frantically, chattering excitedly as if it had seen its own father.
The two of them immediately looked like they'd seen a ghost.
Lu Xingzhou patted each one's head to comfort them, pretending to be serious:
"Your young master is not only skilled at farming, but also quite adept at training animals!"
It's not just a set of skills, it's an absolute mastery!
After confirming that these water cats really didn't attack people, Sanjiangshui couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, can I...can I pet them too?"
Even petty thugs are human, and few humans can resist the temptation of a fluffy, cute little thing.
Lu Xingzhou said to the otter:
"You're not allowed to bite people anymore, especially children. Remember to stay away from them!"
The otters responded with squeaking.
"Okay, you can pet them now. They won't bite anymore."
The two stroked the otter's soft, smooth fur, but the otters, focused on fawning over Lu Xingzhou, had no time to pay any attention to them.
This miraculous change is undoubtedly due to the power of the [Yi Yang Ding].
The primordial energy absorbed by the Yi Yang Cauldron will be stored in the space inside the cauldron.
The exact size of the space inside the cauldron is unknown. Lu Xingzhou's belongings were suspended in mid-air inside, and no matter how he moved them, he could not touch the boundary.
However, the absorbed primordial energy of heaven and earth cannot fill the entire space.
When he first came into this world, he could only absorb 5 cubic meters every 3 days and then stop increasing. Later, he nourished his body to the limit of human potential and could only absorb 14 cubic meters every 3 days before stopping.
Moreover, the [Yi Yang Cauldron] is not like some treasures in novels, which are initially absorbed slowly and of poor quality, but whose absorption speed and quality improve over time.
The quality of the Heaven and Earth Source Qi is fixed, and whether it is 5 cubic meters or 14 cubic meters, it only takes 3 days to refill after it is completely consumed.
It fills up easily, so you won't feel bad using it.
He had long ago discovered that the more essence released to animals, the stronger their dependence and the higher their obedience.
Those who wanted to solve the problem at once used more of the product on the otters, which made them apply it like crazy.
After playing with the otters for a few minutes, Lu Xingzhou shooed them away:
"Alright, alright, you've soaked my pants! Let's find somewhere to move before it gets dark!"
The dock is bustling with people coming and going, making it unsuitable for them to continue using it as a nesting place.
Upon hearing this, the eight otters turned around without hesitation and plunged into the water through the hole in the collapsed wooden plank. A moment later, they pulled out five cubs whose eyes had not yet opened.
The crickets, wagging their large, rounded tails, swam more than a hundred meters upstream and ventured into the mudflats more than ten meters into the water.
Overwhelmed with shock, Ni Yang let out a groan:
"My goodness~ How can you understand such complicated language?!"
Lu Xingzhou followed, carrying a shovel, and at the same time figured out why these otters were unwilling to leave.
Not only was its home destroyed, but it had also just bred its young, no wonder it was so aggressive.
Follow the otters to the mudflats and dig burrows together.
The otters, which he had enhanced to the extreme, would need several more days to fully digest the source energy within their bodies. But the sharp claws on their little paws had already begun to gleam with a cold light, and they were digging holes quickly and fiercely.
In less than half an hour, they dug a hole big enough to accommodate the entire tribe, which they used as a temporary nest.
"It's dark now, so you can stay here for now. I'll come back tomorrow to build you a mansion."
Seeing that Lu Xingzhou was about to leave, several otters each held a cub and blocked his way, raising them high for him as if presenting treasures.
Lu Xingzhou thought they also wanted to ask the cubs for the essence, so he snapped his fingers and left.
The otters still refused to give way, and instead called out even more urgently.
Seeing his confusion, a clever glint flashed in the eyes of the lead otter. It held the cub in one paw, stroked it frantically with the other, and then handed it to Lu Xingzhou.
"So you just wanted me to touch it!" Lu Xingzhou chuckled.
Having owned cats before, he assumed that otters also disliked unfamiliar scents sticking to their cubs, and never considered that possibility.
After touching each of the cubs, the otters finally showed a satisfied expression on their round faces, picked up the cubs, and wiggled their little bottoms as they returned to their den.
The sight of the three rivers and Niyang left everyone speechless!
"Could these water cats have become sentient?!"
"I think so too!"
Even if a couple of days later, they climb onto the bedside table and ask, "Do I look like a human or a god?", they wouldn't be too surprised.
Lu Xingzhou's image became increasingly lofty and mysterious in their minds.
Back at the enclosure, Lu Xingzhou explained the situation to the farmhands who were eating:
"Although water buffalo are fierce, they don't usually attack people unprovoked. This time, it was because we trampled their nest that they reacted so strongly. I've already talked to them and we've built them a new home upstream. They definitely won't hurt the babies anymore, so please don't worry!"
He addressed the problem immediately, regardless of whether the outcome was as he claimed, at least convincing the farmhands that he was responsible.
Despite their small size, otters can pose a significant threat.
If the safety of the children who come with their families to work as long-term laborers cannot be guaranteed, the fragile trust that has just been established can easily collapse.
Fortunately, Lu Xingzhou solved the problem much better than everyone expected.
the next day.
Lu Xingzhou took some discarded wooden planks from doors and windows and cut dozens of kilograms of dried reeds to build a spacious and sturdy "mansion" structure for the otters.
Otter dens are indeed considered mansions in the animal kingdom.
Not only do they need to be divided into indoor and outdoor areas, above and below water, and variable and constant temperatures, each otter also has different requirements for the decoration and functions of its den, so the "soft furnishings" have to be done by the otters themselves.
Lu Xingzhou not only repaired their nest, but also had Wen's mother cut ten catties of beef strips to treat them.
This den of otters is now his most loyal subordinate, so naturally he'd treat his 'otters' better.
After repairing the otter den and watching the otters feast, they were about to head back when five large wooden boats came sailing upstream.
Upon seeing the "Fengjuchang" flag on the boat, Lu Xingzhou, with his excellent eyesight, knew that it was Second Brother Yu who had come to deliver goods to him.
"Ni Yang!"
"What is it, young master?"
"Go and tell everyone to hitch up the horse-drawn carriages and come to the dock to unload the goods."
"Alright, I'm off!"