Beast Taming: I'm Really Just a Forest Ranger - Chapter 71: The Three Little Liars

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: The Three Little Liars

The sun sets in the west.

Looking at Xuanhe Village bathed in the afterglow of the sunset from afar, Chen Yuan finally let out a long breath: “Finally, almost home.”

This forest patrol took quite a long time; setting out from the farm yesterday morning, and only returning this evening.

After all, this was Chen Yuan’s first solo mountain patrol, unfamiliar with the route, compounded by the numerous unexpected events encountered along the way.

A snack party by Crescent Lake, a nighttime wolf chase, and checking out that strange forest this morning—it all took a lot of time.

Chen Yuan pressed his slightly sore and swollen thighs, looked back at the rolling hills under the setting sun, and mused, “It would be great to have a mount.”

The mountain paths were rugged and uneven, with many sections full of gravel, and the constant uphill climb wasn’t easy.

It would be great to have a Pet Beast that was adept at traversing the mountains.

Thinking of this, Chen Yuan glanced at Cola beside him, but quickly looked away.

Forget Cola; it’s too lean, and it moves so fast that riding on it would definitely be a bumpy experience.

Suddenly, Chen Yuan’s eyes lit up: “The Star Moon Deer might be perfect.”

Chen Yuan remembered the Star Moon Deer he encountered yesterday, a Pet Beast that’s tall and robust, with a wide back, a smooth gait, and adept at navigating the mountains—perfect as a mount.

Chen Yuan made a mental note of this and quickly headed towards his farm.

Moments later,

Before darkness fell, Chen Yuan finally arrived back at the farm.

Just stepping through the gate, Chen Yuan suspiciously glanced towards the fish pond—under the gradually darkening sky, three figures sat shoulder to shoulder at the pond’s edge, the last traces of sunset outlining their small silhouettes.

Rubbing his eyes, Chen Yuan found it hard to believe: “Run Run Duck, Iron Head, and Electric Flying Cat are actually sitting together?”

Chen Yuan could understand Run Run Duck sitting with Electric Flying Cat; though they initially clashed, they reconciled after building a tree house.

But why was Iron Head there?

Iron Head was always diligent and honest, silent and aloof, preferring to stay quietly in its nest.

Chen Yuan’s expression changed slightly and he said sternly, “My best employee won’t be led astray by them, will he?”

Run Run Duck was always adept at pulling other Pet Beasts along, somewhat sly, while Electric Flying Cat was clever and cunning. The blend of the two could cause some magical chemistry, creating chaos throughout the farm.

With that thought, Chen Yuan quickened his pace towards the fish pond, looking displeased.

“Ow ow.”

Seeing this, Cola hastily trotted after him, wearing a smirk of schadenfreude.

“What’s going on with you three?”

Chen Yuan walked up behind the three little ones, frowned, and asked in a low voice.

“Quack quack～”

But before Chen Yuan could hold them accountable, Duck Duck was the first to turn its head. Seeing the farm owner return, Duck Duck immediately hugged Chen Yuan’s leg, let out a loud quack, and burst into tears.

Farm owner, you’re finally back. I thought I’d never see you again.

“Dian Dian～”

Electric Flying Cat mimicked Duck Duck’s actions, hugging Chen Yuan’s other leg earnestly, with teardrops falling from its round eyes, looking utterly wronged.

Wuu wuu wuu!

We almost died! The farm almost got wrecked!

Chen Yuan stood there dazed.

Hold on.

Why doesn’t this story seem right?

Chen Yuan looked skeptically at the two tearfully dramatic little ones, then turned his gaze to the silent Iron Head and asked, “You tell me, what happened while I wasn’t here?”

“Ka…..”

Iron Head hesitated for a moment, but suddenly noticed Run Run Duck sneaking a gesture of “one” when Chen Yuan wasn’t looking, swallowed nervously, and awkwardly said, “Ka ka ka.”

Spark, as the Extraordinary Creature’s translator, came online promptly.

According to Iron Head, towards nightfall yesterday, a flock of birds suddenly attacked from above, trying to seize the Luminous Fruit in the yard.

Luckily, the three little ones sprang into action, fought bravely, and finally drove off the intruders.

Hearing this, Chen Yuan turned to look at the two little creatures—Run Run Duck puffing out its chest, and Electric Flying Cat raising its head, tail swaying gently.

“Iron Head, describe these birds in detail,” Chen Yuan asked.

“Ka ka ka.” Iron Head carefully recalled the appearance of the Violent Cloud Sparrows, with Run Run Duck and Electric Flying Cat chiming in with additional details.

“They must be Violent Cloud Sparrows, which are known to be aggressive,” Chen Yuan said thoughtfully, nodding.

Then he inquired, “A large flock of Violent Cloud Sparrows, how many exactly?”

“Ka.”

Ten.

“Dian Dian!”

Twenty!

“Quack quack quack～”

Thirty!

The three little ones simultaneously answered Chen Yuan’s question, but their answers were completely different, causing a moment of confusion and stiffening smiles.

At once,

The three exchanged glances, and Run Run Duck quickly gestured a three.

“Ka ka ka.” Iron Head’s face grew even more awkward, and noticing Chen Yuan looking at him, he lowered his head in shame.

“Dian Dian.” Electric Flying Cat raised its head, showing no fear under Chen Yuan’s scrutiny, its eyes sincere.

The trio’s antics didn’t escape Chen Yuan’s notice; he secretly laughed but pretended not to see: “Wow, you’re amazing! Together you managed to fend off thirty Violent Cloud Sparrows.”

Iron Head buried his head even lower, while Run Run Duck and Electric Flying Cat grinned foolishly.

“So, what reward do you want?” Chen Yuan asked with a smile, watching the trio’s reaction.

“Duck Duck!”

“Dian Dian!”

Run Run Duck and Electric Flying Cat simultaneously gazed at the Luminous Fruit.

Ah, so they had their eyes on the fruit.

Chen Yuan first nodded, then abruptly changed his previously mild expression to a stern face: “I’ll ask you one last time, how many were there?”

“You know, if you lie, you might be kicked out of the farm.”

Iron Head raised his head abruptly.

Run Run Duck and Electric Flying Cat exchanged a glance, both seeing the panic in each other’s eyes.

What do we do, what do we do?

This isn’t going as planned!

Suddenly, Run Run Duck noticed Iron Head’s face reflecting great anxiety, with fine sweat beading on the forehead, and promptly nudged Electric Flying Cat with its elbow.

Electric Flying Cat turned its head, noticing Iron Head’s frantic state, and suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

At this point, Run Run Duck raised its head to look at Chen Yuan, patting its chest with a look of brave sacrifice: “Quack quack quack!”

It was me, Duck Duck, who coerced them into lying. Punish just me if you must.

“Dian Dian!”

Electric Flying Cat immediately chimed in, stepping in front of Run Run Duck with a determined look.

No, it was me who forced them!

“Quack quack!”

It was clearly me!

“Dian Dian!”

It was me, it was me, it was me!

Chen Yuan reached out with both hands, pressing down on the little heads of the two creatures, then looked towards Iron Head, and gently said, “Alright, I’m not teasing you anymore.”

“I never planned to kick anyone out.”

“You lied, so of course I have to scare you a little, to teach you a lesson.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll all get rewards.”

“Thank you for guarding the farm so well.”