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Chapter 11: Useless Rewards

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"We should return," suggested Wonlai. At the end, this Cao cat reminded him of those rare geniuses from the great families, so overly thinking was useless. He was simply an odder version.

His three followers agreed with the idea, but Kyu Cao had a matter to discuss.

"What should I do with this?" He opened his bloodied paw, and revealed a small rock within.

It was covered in blood and pieces of brain; Kyu Cao was a bit queasy holding it. However, from it he could feel a strange energy coming in contact with his skin.

This was something he'd coincidentally grasped inside the three-clawed grizzly's head, which meant it was something from inside it.

The others didn't need to observe it closer or clean the grime to know what it was.

"It is the beast's core. Senior Cao can just... throw it away if he wants," Li Ling explained with a bit of hesitation. To think he wouldn't know what it was, she was surprised but no longer shocked.

"Throw it away? It doesn't have any use?"

"An Alchemist may use a martial beast's core to refine a Martial Pill however, only high-grade martial beasts' cores can produce good results. A grade one core simply isn't worth an esteemed Alchemist's time, not even an apprentice's."

At the snake's patient explanation, Kyu Cao regarded the beast core on his paw with curiosity.

The snake didn't explain it, but he could infer that this rock was the congregated shape of a martial beast's Cultivation, its Qi taking physical form. That would explain the flow of strange energy that he was feeling.

He could faintly feel it, but he didn't interact with it. There was also something evidently dangerous about this energy, so he did not carelessly try to probe it with his own Qi.

As if reading his mind, Li Ling spoke again. "It's also not possible to use it to cultivate. The energy within a beast core contains an astonishing savage intent. Anyone who tries to use it will end with their minds corrupted and consumed by this savageness, turning them into animal worse than beasts. Only when refined into a Martial Pill will this savage intent be mellowed, and it'll even be beneficial for one's comprehension of battle, but like I said..."

"The core from a grade one martial beast is not worth anyone's time," Kyu Cao completed, receiving a nod from the snake.

He gave the beast core a last look before lowering his arm, but didn't throw it away. Then he turned back toward the corpse of the three-clawed grizzly.

"And this body..."

The group understood what he meant, but only showed slightly regretful expressions and left Li Ling to be the one continuing to explain. "This Three-clawed Woody Grizzly's body is of not much use either. The meat is tough and unsavory, and hard to digest. It will actually start to rot soon. Even with preservation measures, it won't last long. The meat, the skin, even the bones will turn to dust before half a year."

"Trying to make weapons or anything out of a martial beast's remains is impractical too. These will degrade before long and completely crumble away. Using materials from Mysterious Plants to produce goods is actually better," Wonlai added. They had already begun to treat Kyu Cao as someone who didn't know much about the outside world.

"I see. Thank you." Kyu Cao gave a nod that was also a sign of gratitude, though this was more out of habit.

"Let's go then. We don't want to be here when the other beasts start arriving." Treating it as a closure, Wonlai gave the call to move.

The group didn't sheath their weapons. After such commotion, which could've alerted the nearby dwellers, it was better to be ready for any surprises.

With the tiger as the lead the group moved in direction to back to the outer area. Kyu Cao gave a pondering stare to the bear's corpse, before turning away and following too.

The core is not useful, neither is the flesh. We are not using anything from it.

Then why did we kill it?

Such question crossed Kyu Cao mind.

Their return was uneventful, arriving to the outer area with ease.

"Let's divide the spoils here," Wonlai turned and faced the others. He gave a glance to Ti Ping, and this one stepped forward with a sack as tall as him.

The rat youth opened the sac in front of everyone. Inside, there was an assortment of various plants and mineral rocks, with a single precious looking stone. These were their spoils from their battle with the three-clawed grizzly.

It was only after the fight that Kyu Cao learned that Cultivators fight martial beasts for this.

The body of a martial beast was practically completely useless, but their dwellings were like treasure chests.

Martial beast had a natural sense for collecting natural treasures beneficial for Cultivation. They greedily collected these treasures, even the ones that they didn't need, and accumulated precious and sparkling mountains.

Of course, this was talking about high-grade beasts.

Not only was the three-clawed woody grizzly a mere grade one martial beast, the Backdoor's Forest was an area highly frequented and constantly pillaged by theriopes. Thus, the rewards this time were much more modest.

Still, they were good enough for Cultivators their level.

The three-clawed grizzly had collected a great number of quasi spirit herbs and medicinal salts, even a small chunk of Cloud Silver. The four young theriopes' eyes lit with joy, their harvest better than they'd expected.

As the leader of the group, Wonlai calmed himself and spoke first. "Fellow Brother Cao, this time, I would say the most merit goes to you. Please, pick first." He of course remembered their previous agreement, and since the cat was the one who ultimately killed the grizzly, it was fair for him to pick first.

Kyu Cao steeped forward and just gave the spoils a single glance, before setting on that piece of silvery rock. However, he first turned toward the tiger, "how do you usually divide the spoils?"

"Fellow Brother Cao should not worry about us. Pick whatever you like."

"I understand. Then, this," he extended his paw and picked up the chunk of Cloud Silver.

The others stared with envious, but resigned looks. The cat did kill the grizzly; moreover, he probably could've done it without them somehow.

They couldn't say that they had weakened it first. Not only it was an extremely shameless thing to say, it wasn't true either. Their combined efforts, compared to the three-clawed grizzly's monstrous vitality, had been like trying to dry a lake with a torch.

They really couldn't complain.

Seeing as how Kyu Cao didn't move to pick something else, Wonlai spoke again. "No need to be reserved, Fellow Brother Cao. You should pick another thing."

"No," Kyu Cao shook his head, "this is good."

The others were a bit surprised, but when they tried to speak to the cat again this refused firmly. They could only comply, and while they were glad to have the whole sac of herbs and salts for themselves, the feeling that they still got the short end of the stick didn't disappear.

Cloud Silver could be used to forge a precious weapon after all. As hot-blooded and young soldiers, weapons had a special allure for them.

Then, how would react, if they knew that the cat picked up the piece of Cloud Silver, only because it was pretty?

As for the quasi spirit herbs and medicinal salts, Kyu Cao hadd seen enough of them while studying Apothesy.

Honestly, when he saw the rewards of their efforts, he'd found it somewhat pitiful, and if the others knew, they would probably bellow and hiss in outrage.

"We'll be leaving now. Fellow Brother Cao, what will you do?"

"I will stay."

"You are not leaving?"

"I... need to wash myself again," he raised his arm, showing his bloodied sleeve and paw. Actually, all his clothes looked dirty, but that might be just a false impression because they were shredded beyond salvage.

The group thought back to their first encounter with the cat, Li Ling tail giving a slight jump, and didn't find his words strange, but they still tried to dissuade him.

"Senior Cao, even if this is the safe area, it might not be completely safe to do that. Why doesn't Senior wait till he returns to the barracks?"

Kyu Cao silently pondered it for a moment before shaking his head.

Truth is, he simply didn't want to leave the forest together with the four, so he came up with this excuse.

It was obvious that they didn't recognize him, but once they exited the woods and meet the guards his identity might be revealed.

He was highly reluctant to know what their reactions would be once they knew.

Wonlai and the others stared a bit confused. They had to wonder, if cleaning himself was that urgent. Maybe he was a bit of a neat freak.

"Then, maybe we could wait for Senior Cao for a bit?"

"You don't need to alter your plans because of me. I have learned quite a bit during this time, you have my thanks. I also... enjoyed myself. Take care." With that, Kyu Cao gave them a graceful nod, then turned around and calmly walked away before they could let out another word.

The group stared at that cat's back, not having the intention to stop him anymore. However, why was it, that they could not turn their eyes away?

At the wild lake's shore, Kyu Cao took off his clothes and inspected them closely.

His outer robe had so many slashes, it was a surprise it even held a semblance to something that once could be worn. His inner garments were much better, save for a nasty cut on the side where the green fabric had turned reddish black.

He hadn't come out as untouched as he initially though.

Actually, he'd been absurdly lucky. Glancing back to his tail, just a little movement of the bear would have been enough to sever it in two, probably more little meat chunks.

His face finally showed a somewhat aggrieved and fearful expression.

He really liked his tail, and if he lost it, he really might cry.

Fortunately, nothing mayor happened.

Kyu Cao carefully took off the rest of his clothes and placed them on top of a close rock. Then he began to walk toward the lake.

The cold water felt especially good against his body, easing his muscles and spirit.

However, when it touched the tender injury on his side, he couldn't hold back a hiss of pain.

Red ribbons appeared on the transparent water's surface. Wispy and oddly brilliant colored, it was like a beautiful ethereal flower was being born into the world.

He ignored the pain and proceeded to walk in deeper. When the water reached his neck, Kyu Cao stopped and allowed himself a moment's respite.

It was probably because his cultivation method was ice attuned, but the chilly water of the lake didn't bother him as much as one would expect. Nonetheless, the coldness attacked his injury like little needles, until it grew somewhat numb.

This gave Kyu Cao an idea though.

Moving to a shallower part, he actually sat cross legged, the waterline below his collarbone. Then, he began to cultivate.

The Natural Qi around him began to be pulled and swirl around him. Afterwards, the Yang energies were separated and dispersed, leaving only the Yin, which was absorbed into his body.

The numbness on his body receded, and was replaced by a refreshing coolness. Even his injury felt a bit better.

The Yin Qi integrated with Kyu Cao's muscles, transforming them, filling them with power and vigor.

The first six levels of the Earthly Warrior Realm dealt with the refining of the muscles. The muscles would become tough and resilient, overflowing with stamina, and would also acquire a slight propriety conforming to one's attuned element.

Kyu Cao was not sure how it worked, but he was looking forward to it.

Time passed, and Kyu Cao ended meditating after about a full third of hour.

When he opened his eyes, amazed he looked down to the injury on his side.

He could feel that it had closed, the blood flow stopped. It wasn't completely healed though.

So Cultivation also helps with the healing of injuries. How convenient.

Recovering from his surprise, Kyu Cao finally realized something and turned his head around.

There, much like earlier this day, a group of young theriopes stood watching.

Shockingly, Kyu Cao's eyes opened wide and his jaw hung slightly, forming a clear expression of evident shock. This is turn shocked Wonlai, Ti Ping and Bi Gong, since it was the first time they had seen the cat's face show any sort of change.

This made evident that the cat's surprise was no small, but, was really that shocking that they came? They didn't know how to feel about this.

"Greetings, Fellow Brother Cao," Wonlai raised his paw and saluted. Bi Gong also waved, and Ti Ping nodded.

"... Greetings again." After rising to his feet, Kyu Cao returned the greeting, and his expression also calmed down, although inwardly, he was greatly puzzled about their apparition.

The trio's eyes twitched, meeting this unabashed scene again, but otherwise seemed unaffected.

"I hope we didn't interrupt Fellow Brother Cao's cultivation." Not only was interrupting someone else's cultivation extremely rude, but also dangerous. There was danger of suffering a backlash from the accumulated Qi, and while it was much less prone in the lower levels, it still could happen.

"No, I was just finished."

"Good. I hope Fellow Brother Cao doesn't mind that we returned."

"... Why?" This was the only question inside Kyu Cao's mind.

"Mmm... If I had to justify ourselves, we couldn't leave Fellow Brother Cao to stay here alone," said Wonlai somewhat embarrassedly.

After they separated, they realized the reason why they couldn't tear their eyes from that back.

It was because that figure struck them as simply too solitary.

It was not lonely, because there was no sadness or dejection weighting down those shoulders.

It was solitary, with a straight back, perked ears and a tail held proudly high.

In the army, they'd met people like that. Lunatic loners that hated being in other's company, and aloof loners who simply liked their space and quiet. There were also genius loners that were so far away from others, that their path had become a solitary one; and rejected loners, who had no other option but being isolated.

But they didn't get any of these impressions with this cat.

It was as if he didn't mind that there was no one at his side, and that being alone was simply something that was natural.

Not because he wanted it, not because he couldn't help it, it was simply how things were.

Something that solitary, it was their first time seeing it, and it left them with a knot in their throats.

Thus, they came back.

"... I see," Kyu Cao responded a bit dumbfounded.

A long silent pause followed.

The wind did not blow, and the only sound was that of water droplets falling from Kyu Cao's fur and dropping onto the lake, creating small ripples.

"You know what? This is uncomfortable," suddenly, Bi Gong spoke with a huff. Then, he untied the saber on his waist and put it against a rock. Next, he tugged on his light armor and began to untie it. "I am getting in too!"

Soon, under his practiced hands the armor came off and was let freely fall down. He grabbed the edges of his shirt, and in a single movement this was peeled off, not getting stuck at the young bull's growing horns at all.

A broad, dark brown chest was exposed to the cool air.

The short fur did nothing to hide the strong lines of bulging muscles, shaped under the constant onslaught of physical training.

Bi Gong was young, but he was of the ox race, and an especially big specimen at that.

His features were youthful, but his body was already comparable to a seasoned adult's. With arms as thick as carved columns, and a torso like a mountain ridge.

In the water, Kyu Cao stared mutedly, finding himself entranced. A peculiar feeling rose within him.