37: Try to tame

As its name suggests, the Green Crane is a type of crane with green plumage, but it is incredibly large, standing as tall as a person.

Its beak is also as long as a human arm, making it look quite intimidating.

Fortunately, this type of demon beast is herbivorous and has a relatively docile temperament.

After Su Ze poured the grain from the iron bucket into the feeding trough, most of the Green Cranes stopped their cries and strode over to peck at the food, much like domesticated chickens and ducks.

Only one, the largest Green Crane, flapped its wings, even kicking over a nearby iron bucket with its claws and pecking at Su Ze with its beak.

"Clang!" A sound like steel striking steel rang out.

But it was actually the sound of the beak hitting a shield resembling a turtle shell. Su Ze had promptly manifested the Void Spirit Turtle into weapon form to block the attack.

The fierce impact directly caused the Green Crane to dizzily shake its head a few times.

"Well now, this Green Crane actually dares to attack its keeper. Looks like we can have an extra dish today, this Old man will have something to go with his drink."

After getting up from his recliner, Lin Xi first washed his hands at the faucet, then came bare-handed to stand before the agitated Green Crane.

Su Ze watched from the side with bated breath, fearing the bird might peck the Old man's bones to pieces.

Especially when he saw Lin Xi reach his hand towards the Green Crane's head, he tightened his grip on the void spirit shield, ready to block an attack for him at any moment.

After all, he vividly remembered how he had wanted to touch Feng Qingyi's head earlier and was fiercely pecked. Both are birds, so the Green Crane might not be much better than Feng Qingyi.

But to Su Ze's surprise, under his nervous gaze, Lin Xi's hand smoothly reached and touched the Green Crane's head.

Avoiding a few long, beautiful feathers, he gently stroked along its plumage.

After just a few strokes, the Green Crane began to close its eyes and affectionately nuzzle Lin Xi's palm.

It completely changed from its earlier aggressive demeanor, appearing very docile.

"master... Lin, how did you do that? Why did it become so obedient just from a few strokes?"

Lin Xi continued stroking while chuckling, "It's simple. These demon beasts aren't that different from cats and dogs; they also enjoy human touch. A few strokes and they're tamed."

He then gestured at the Green Crane's neck, muttering, "Such a long neck... It'll make a great drinking snack after being braised..."

Su Ze continued questioning, "To be honest, master, I actually have a... uh... avian-type demon beast. But today when I tried to pet it, I was fiercely pecked before I could even touch it. Why were you fine?"

Lin Xi withdrew his hand and looked at him, "Although not all avian-type demon beasts respond to this trick, the vast majority do. In your case... did you touch the Crest Feathers on its head?"

Su Ze asked puzzledly, "Crest Feathers? What are those?"

Lin Xi put his hands behind his back, putting on an air of a teacher, "Since you're my student now, I'll teach you this exclusive knowledge."

"While demon beasts share many similar habits with ordinary animals, they aren't completely the same. They are often much more prideful."

"Take avian-type demon beasts, for example. Besides some sensitive areas no one would be foolish enough to touch, there are three major untouchable spots."

"Which three?"

"The Crest Feathers, Tail Feathers, and Flight Feathers. Essentially, they are the few longer, more vibrant feathers on their heads, tails, and wings."

"Although these feathers might not differ functionally from others, avian demon beasts regard them as treasures and cannot be touched casually, not even by their master."

Su Ze recalled that earlier today, when he wanted to touch Feng Qingyi's head, he had felt hair with a feather-like texture.

He originally thought it was something like an ahoge, but now it seemed that was Feng Qingyi's Crest Feathers.

And it appeared that Feng Qingyi's long skirt hem and sleeves after taking human form corresponded to her Tail Feathers and Flight Feathers, which also shouldn't be touched casually.

Su Ze thought that was the end of it, but Lin Xi continued, "Just avoiding these areas isn't enough. Also remember, when petting, you must follow the direction of their feathers. If you mess up the plumage, it will anger the demon beast again. Your hands can't be too dirty either; they must be clean for it to allow your touch."

Su Ze nodded, firmly committing it to memory.

After completing a series of tasks in the breeding shed, Su Ze quietly slipped away to a secluded spot.

Meanwhile, Lin Xi, having gained the Green Crane's trust through a few strokes earlier, led it out of the shed, followed by a series of shrill crane cries.

Not long after, Lin Xi came out wiping blood from his hands, saying, "Boil some water, boil some water. It's a rule that demon beasts that attack people cannot be kept; it's not because this Old man is greedy. You can't blame me. Huh? Where's that kid?"

At that moment, Su Ze, having changed clothes, was hiding not far away. After carefully washing his hands, he summoned Feng Qingyi from his beast taming space.

As soon as she appeared, she frowned, "Where is this place? Why does it smell so awful..."

Then she noticed Su Ze standing before her with a mischievous look, "What do you think you're doing? Don't think I'm afraid of you just because you're the master. At worst, it's mutual destruction!"

Su Ze didn't speak. Instead, he extended his right hand as he had in the morning, attempting to tame her according to Lin Xi's instructions.

Feng Qingyi looked at his right hand, seemingly trying to see if he was hiding anything—a blade or pills—but there was nothing. Moreover, there was a faint, pleasant fragrance.

This was a small adjustment Su Ze made after considering Lin Xi's words. In his view, the more noble-blooded Golden Feather Phoenix Bird would likely be even more particular and demanding.

Just clean hands weren't enough. So, he picked some flowers, rubbed them thoroughly on his hands, rinsed them off, leaving only a faint, non-irritating fragrance.

Amidst the foul odors of the large shed, this hint of fragrance was especially precious.

Sure enough, smelling this fragrance that made her feel quite comfortable, Feng Qingyi did not avoid Su Ze's hand, though she remained vigilant.

Su Ze was also clever enough to avoid the few strands of her ahoge, gently stroking her head along the direction of her hair.

Feng Qingyi was taken aback. This indescribable feeling made her uncomfortable, but she didn't reject it.

In fact... she even felt some desire for it. After all, since hatching, she had never experienced parental care or touch.

Su Ze's hand stroking her head gave her a sliver of solace. Unconsciously, she closed her eyes, lowered her head, and let her guard down.

Seeing her lowered head reveal a smooth, clean, jade-white neck like a pillar of white jade, Su Ze became curious.

Feng Qingyi's current appearance was no different from an ordinary young girl. For human females, a head pat from someone close might be tolerable, but touching the neck was definitely not okay.

But according to what Lin Xi said, for demon beasts, this area seemed to be a permissible touch point.

After all, Lin Xi had just been stroking the Green Crane's neck while thinking about how to prepare it as a drinking snack.

But Feng Qingyi was now in human form. Would this still work?

Curious, Su Ze reached his hand over.

The moment he touched her, he felt Feng Qingyi's body tremble, but she didn't pull away or refuse.

The sensation under his hand was cool, incredibly smooth and delicate, truly like touching a piece of fine, soft white jade.

But before long, this cool jade suddenly grew warm.

Su Ze looked down and saw Feng Qingyi's cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes glistening as she looked at him, leaving him utterly flustered.

At that moment, Lin Xi found them, emerging from around a corner of the wall, saying, "Kid, come help me pluck some feathers... Whoa, who is this young lady?! What are you two doing here?!"