Chapter 70 - 69: Hoodwinking a Little Tiger
"Meeeow~"
The Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger certainly knew it couldn’t escape, nor could it defeat the human before it. So, it could only gaze pitifully at Tang Yi, hoping he would let it off the hook.
The Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger already looked similar to a pet cat from Earth, except it was even more beautiful and adorable. So when it put on such a pathetic expression, it was about as cute as cute could get.
If Tang Yi were a woman who liked cute pets, he might have immediately softened and let the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger go.
"Heh~"
Tang Yi chuckled. He could tell the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger was quite afraid of him, so he deliberately dangled his Shadow Remnant Sword before its eyes, intimidating the cute beast. He found it quite amusing.
Although the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger before him was a Level 5 Demon Beast and would give him a considerable amount of Experience Value, Tang Yi was in no hurry to kill it.
"You want me to let you go?"
Although Tang Yi didn’t know if the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger could understand him, he still asked with a smile.
"Meeeow~"
The Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger nodded its head. It was very human-like, showing a high level of intelligence, as if to say, ’Yes, please, I beg you to let me go.’
Seeing Tang Yi holding a gleaming weapon with a fierce look in his eyes, it shrunk back its cute little head, obviously terrified. Its pathetic appearance was enough to melt anyone’s heart.
Seeing the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger act so human-like, Tang Yi thought to himself, ’As expected of a Level 8 Demon Beast’s descendant. Its intelligence is truly high.’
After a moment of thought, Tang Yi said with a smile, "Letting you go isn’t out of the question, but can you understand what I’m saying? If you can, you have to answer a few questions for me first."
"Meeeow~"
The Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger let out an obedient cry and stood still, seemingly waiting for Tang Yi’s questions.
"Looks like you can understand." Tang Yi smiled, then asked, "Since you can understand, that’s good. Let me ask you, you seem to be just a cub right now, so how did you... how did a beast like you end up here all alone?"
"Meeeow~"
The Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger first shook its head, then pointed at itself pitifully before holding out a small paw, as if to say, ’I don’t know why I’m here alone either.’
Tang Yi understood its meaning and continued to ask, "Did you get separated from your mother?"
The Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger tilted its head, seemingly not understanding the meaning of the word "mother."
"The Demon Beast that gave birth to you, the one that looks exactly like you," Tang Yi added.
This time, the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger understood and nodded its little head.
"I knew it was strange for a Level 8 Demon Beast’s cub to be in the Wind Moon Forest. So it got separated from its mother." Tang Yi muttered to himself, then glanced at the pitiful Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger and fell into deep thought.
"Meeeow~"
Seeing that Tang Yi didn’t seem to intend it any harm, the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger, though still afraid, took tiny steps to Tang Yi’s feet. It tugged at his pant leg with its small paw, seemingly begging him once again to let it go.
Both its expression and actions were very human-like and had a hint of coquettishness, making it extremely cute.
Seeing the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger like this, even someone as hard-hearted as Tang Yi couldn’t help but soften.
In truth, it didn’t matter to Tang Yi whether he killed this Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger or not. A few hundred thousand Experience points was nothing. After all, the Experience needed to advance from a Battle Spirit to a Battle King was in the tens of millions. A single Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger wouldn’t provide him with much Experience at all—it was just a drop in the ocean.
But it would be too much of a pity to just let it go. He had to get something out of it. Finally, an idea flashed in Tang Yi’s mind, and he thought of a solution.
"Little Tiger, if I let you go, where would you go? Would you continue living in the Wind Moon Forest?" Tang Yi asked, setting a trap.
Hearing the name "Little Tiger," the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger first tilted its head in confusion, not knowing who was being addressed. Then it looked around and saw no other Demon Beasts, realizing Tang Yi was talking to it.
Hearing Tang Yi’s question, the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger fell silent for a moment before lifting its little head and shaking it at Tang Yi. With a lost expression, it indicated that it didn’t know where it should go either.
It had been separated from its mother. For as long as it could remember, it had lived alone in the Wind Moon Forest in a daze, its days spent doing nothing but eating and fleeing from the pursuit of larger Demon Beasts.
The Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger was extremely tired of this chaotic life.
Thus, the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger had no idea where it would go if Tang Yi were to let it leave.
Seeing that the trap was set, Tang Yi began to close the net. He coaxed the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger, "Look, you’re a beast all by yourself, with no mother to protect you. There are so many powerful Demon Beasts in the forest—it’s very dangerous. If I let you go, you’ll eventually be killed by another powerful Demon Beast sooner or later."
"How about this? I get pretty bored hunting monsters by myself, and I happen to be looking for a partner. If you’re willing to be my partner, not only will I protect you, but I’ll also help you find your mother. What do you think?"
After speaking, Tang Yi smiled, waiting for the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger’s reply. He looked just like the big bad wolf tricking Little Red Riding Hood—as sly as could be.
He was actually trying to trick a Level 5 Demon Beast—a Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger that could reach Level 8 as an adult—into becoming his pet. This was simply audacious.
A Level 5 Demon Beast already possessed the strength of the Battle King Level.
If he actually succeeded, Tang Yi would possess a Battle King Level pet, one that might even become a Beast Venerable in the future. The very thought was exciting.
"Meeeow~"
But the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger had a simple mind. Although its intelligence was high, it was no match for a human’s. Hearing Tang Yi say he would protect it and even help it find its mother, it nodded and agreed, not realizing at all that Tang Yi was tricking it. In its heart, it was even moved to tears with gratitude.
At this moment, the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger was thinking: ’This human is so nice! Not only did he save me from that big bird’s claws, but he didn’t hurt me either. Now he wants to protect me and help me find my mother. How can such a kind-hearted human exist in this world? It’s my good fortune to become his partner.’
Many years later, the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger would realize just how naive its thoughts were today, and how foolish it had been to be tricked by Tang Yi. But, it had no regrets. After all, Tang Yi brought it a lifetime of glory.
Of course, that was all in the future. Right now, the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger was completely taken in by Tang Yi’s smooth talk, believing every word he said.
"Mm, alright then. From now on, you’re my partner."
Seeing the grateful look in the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger’s eyes, Tang Yi nodded in satisfaction, feeling secretly delighted.
Tricking a Level 5 Demon Beast—a creature that could become a Level 8 Demon Beast in the future—with just a few simple sentences. This was a massive win.
’Where in the world could you find such a gullible and pure Demon Beast? To think I’d actually run into one today.’
Faced with such a Demon Beast, Tang Yi just wanted to say to it, ’Come into my arms!’
"Meeeow~"
The Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger didn’t know what Tang Yi was thinking. Seeing the delight on his face, it assumed Tang Yi was very fond of it. It too became overjoyed and began to happily circle around him on its little paws, expressing its cheerfulness.
"Mm, since you’ve become my little partner, I should give you a name. Hmm... I think ’Little Tiger’ has a nice ring to it. Let’s just call you Little Tiger," Tang Yi said after a moment’s thought, naming it quite casually.
"Meeeow~" the Golden Blood Green-eyed Tiger cried out, very satisfied. It was quite happy to have its own name.