Lu Fei glanced at the unconscious sword guard, gazing at the face that remained furrowed even in slumber.
Exhaling, he said earnestly:
"Although this fellow is resilient and diligent, he is also extremely stubborn. With his temperament, he will either exhaust himself to death or challenge a stronger contract beast without knowing his limits and get killed. That's why I deliberately let Heng Toushe provoke it today."
Brother Ji nodded as if suddenly understanding.
"But aren't you afraid it will be discouraged from this setback?"
Lu Fei smiled slightly, "Shall we make a bet?"
"A bet on what?"
"Do you believe that when it wakes up, it won't be discouraged but will actually go out and look for Heng Toushe to fight?"
Brother Ji pondered for a moment.
"I'm not betting with you!" It felt Lu Fei made sense; this fellow was a true stubborn mule!
"Stubborn Mule!"
Brother Ji's eyes lit up.
"Old Lu! Let's give it a name!"
Lu Fei also became interested. Seeing Brother Ji's smug look, he guessed it likely already had a plan. He asked sideways, "Have you thought of one?"
Brother Ji nodded repeatedly.
"Let's call it Stubborn Mule!"
"Stubborn Mule?" Lu Fei savored the name.
A moment later, he slapped his thigh.
"Brilliant! Brother Ji!"
Brother Ji haughtily lifted its chin, thinking to itself that it had a Xinhua Dictionary in its belly!
After discussing the sword guard's name, Lu Fei entered the kitchen. Today, he was going to cook himself. Since only one of his hands could move, Brother Ji stood on a chair to assist.
An hour later, plates of delicious dishes were served.
Lu Fei took off his apron and looked at the still unconscious Stubborn Mule.
This fellow was exhausted today; it was time to wake it up for a meal. Thinking this, Lu Fei summoned Heng Toushe.
He smiled and said, "Heng Toushe, use [Divine Healing] on Stubborn Mule."
Upon hearing this, Heng Toushe's expression changed. It haughtily turned its head away, covering its ears with its short hands.
"I won't listen, I won't listen, the turtle is chanting scripture!"
Lu Fei, a little helpless, crouched down and stroked its head, coaxing it, "If you heal it, I'll buy you the best chicken feed later!"
Heng Toushe's eyes lit up, and it nodded in satisfaction.
A sacred light fell upon Stubborn Mule. The most majestic techniques are often simple, like waking a sleeping person for a meal.
A moment later, Stubborn Mule slowly woke up.
It looked around warily, then suddenly moved and jumped up.
It looked at its hands and then its entire body. All the injuries had miraculously disappeared.
Lu Fei smiled, "Stubborn Mule, Heng Toushe healed your injuries. You two should get along well from now on."
Heng Toushe turned its side, crossing its arms.
It looked like it had no intention of getting along with this fellow!
The sword guard was stunned and tilted its head.
"Stubborn Mule? Who are you calling?"
Brother Ji explained, but with little effect.
Stubborn Mule extended a middle finger, waving it in front of everyone, clearly not accepting the name Stubborn Mule.
Lu Fei seized the moment to change the subject, "Come, come, let's eat first."
Heng Toushe was the first to charge to the dining table and wolf down the food. Brother Ji was not far behind, rushing to compete for food.
Stubborn Mule still stood there blankly, somewhat at a loss.
"What, aren't you hungry?"
Stubborn Mule stubbornly turned its head, but its stomach rumbled ungraciously.
Brother, your mouth is even harder than your head... Lu Fei muttered.
"Heh, how can you train if you don't eat enough? Only when you're full can you defeat Heng Toushe."
Lu Fei offered Stubborn Mule a way out.
Upon hearing this, Stubborn Mule felt it made sense and walked towards the dining table self-consciously.
Lu Fei picked up a chicken drumstick and gave it to Stubborn Mule.
"Here, have a chicken drumstick to whet your appetite."
Brother Ji's expression instantly changed.
Then, Lu Fei ladled a bowl of soup.
"Here, drink this snake soup to cool your temper."
Heng Toushe froze, and the delicious food in its mouth suddenly lost its appeal.
"Wei! Wei! Wei!"
Stubborn Mule showed a rare smile, shouting happily.
After a chicken drumstick and a bowl of snake soup, its appetite was greatly whetted. It devoured the delicacies on the table with almost a whirlwind speed.
Only a few empty, still-spinning plates remained on the table.
Everyone was dumbfounded...
However, the little fellow was far from satisfied and continued to shout "Wei! Wei! Wei!"
Lu Fei had no choice but to take out beast-raising kibble.
Another whirlwind of eating ensued.
Several bags of beast-raising kibble were instantly consumed!
In this meal, Stubborn Mule not only ate all the dishes but also consumed over ten bags of beast-raising kibble. In terms of value, the meal cost over a thousand Yi Coins.
Lu Fei's lips trembled, and he suddenly felt a bit panicked!
...
That night, Lu Fei tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
He carefully calculated his current financial situation. He had over six hundred thousand Yi Coins left. If several contract beasts consumed fifteen hundred Yi Coins a day...
Well... Stubborn Mule accounted for fourteen hundred of that...
Then, in ten days, it would be fifteen thousand. With all other expenses added up, his current money could only last a year!
Lu Fei rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
He finally understood why many beast tamers focused on cultivating only one or two contract beasts their entire lives. Ordinary families couldn't afford the exorbitant training costs of contract beasts.
This wouldn't do... I need to find a way to make money, Lu Fei thought to himself.
At the same time, quick money-making ideas surfaced in his mind. He could ask the rich Xiao Ke Xin to support him, or perhaps visit Lin Yuansheng, Chen Zhanpeng, and Zhou Nanfeng's homes respectively...
Lu Fei shook his head abruptly, pushing these thoughts away. He didn't want to owe anyone any favors and would absolutely not use Chu Huainan's connections unless absolutely necessary.
Sigh... I should think about my MSG and shower gel. I'll go to the mall tomorrow for some research. Whether I can start a business and become a small boss depends on tomorrow...
Thinking about it, Lu Fei finally fell into a deep sleep.
The next day.
Lu Fei wasn't awakened by his dreams but by the calls from outside the window.
He put on his coat and yawned as he walked onto the balcony. In the small garden, Stubborn Mule was already practicing its swordplay.
But to his surprise, Brother Ji was also there.
And...
Brother Ji was teaching Stubborn Mule swordsmanship?
Lu Fei was stunned, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
Then he hurried towards the garden.
"This set of sword moves I have is very magical. Within all the profound variations, there are all sorts of changes. To embody the general principles, there are a total of three hundred and sixty variations. I will demonstrate only once; you must keenly observe!"
For the first time, Stubborn Mule did not retort but nodded seriously!
Next, Brother Ji, holding a broom, clumsily demonstrated the sword moves it spoke of.
After the demonstration, Brother Ji struck a pose like a master, inhaling and exhaling.
Stubborn Mule's eyes shone, filled with admiration.
Its hands holding the sword trembled slightly, completely awed by this set of sword moves!
This was far more profound than its [Seven-Character Slash]!
Lu Fei twitched the corner of his mouth, returning to his senses.
He walked up to Brother Ji and patted its shoulder.
"Brother Ji, what kind of nonsense are you pulling?"
Brother Ji's facade broke instantly.
It said in a low voice, feeling guilty:
"Dugu Nine Swords..."