Chapter 57: The Taming of the Red Horned Beast

It was the weekend.

After Lin Ling set up a barrier in her room to prevent Lin Hui from barging in, she transformed back into her true form. She then settled in to enjoy the pleasant weekend, though her weekdays were often just as leisurely.

Lounging on her bed, she scrolled through her phone, sipping on a fizzy drink. Life, in this moment, was truly beautiful.

Lin Ling’s days were now filled with such ease, freedom, and utter tranquility.

“Master! This is terrible! The Little Pangolin has smashed another one of the Zhang family’s cars!” Little White’s piercing cry suddenly echoed through Lin Ling’s consciousness. (It was definitely on purpose.)

It should have been tranquil, indeed.

Upon hearing the news, the soda can in Lin Ling’s hand vanished into thin air.

Tranquil, my foot!

****

A few days prior,

After resolving the matter concerning Wu Hang, Lin Ling received a mental communication from Zhang Zhongjun, informing her of the Zhang family’s willingness to cooperate. To facilitate communication, she had specifically left him a special communication device, with the strict condition that he not reveal it to anyone else.

Receiving this message, Lin Ling immediately flew to Tianjing. She preferred to deal with matters promptly, disliking any delays.

After discussing important affairs with Old General Zhang, Zhang Xiuxin proceeded to question her about the giant beasts. To completely alleviate their concerns, Lin Ling unhesitatingly ‘sold’ the Little Pangolin.

She simply tossed the small creature into Zhang Xiuxin’s arms. It couldn’t stay at her home recently anyway, so it might as well be fostered by the Zhang family for a while.

She remembered the Zhang family members’ bewildered expressions when Lin Ling first produced the Little Pangolin.

However, when the Little Pangolin’s seal was lifted, the adorable pet instantly transformed into a massive beast, ten meters long and six meters tall, its body covered in a tough, dark brown carapace.

Witnessing the sight,

They were struck dumb with shock, their eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets. A few timid individuals even wet themselves. Lin Ling, present at the scene, struggled desperately to hold back her laughter; the scene was utterly comical.

Thus, after leaving the Red Horned Beast with the Zhang family, Lin Ling departed.

****

The flashback ended.

Now, Lin Ling found herself regretting that decision.

How to put it? She had initially thought that since the Red Horned Beast acted so docile, it would leave a good impression on the Zhang family. Then, using the Zhang family’s influence, the Red Horned Beast could be introduced to the public, changing their ingrained prejudice against giant beasts and laying a foundation for future harmonious coexistence.

But to her surprise, the Little Pangolin, which was submissive and well-behaved at home, instantly transformed into an arrogant and unruly Red Horned Beast – or perhaps a large husky would be a more fitting description – the moment it arrived at the Zhang family’s residence. Even though Lin Ling had instructed it to be obedient and not harm anyone…

It hadn’t ‘harmed’ anyone, true.

Yet, in just a few days, it had nearly torn the Zhang family’s home apart. This made Lin Ling, who had initially told the Zhang family that ‘giant beasts would become human companions,’ feel incredibly awkward. She now had no idea how to face the Zhang family members.

How embarrassing!

Although the Red Horned Beast always acted incredibly docile whenever she was around, the moment she left…

This simply wouldn’t do!

A frustrated Lin Ling hugged her pillow and began rolling around on the bed.

Unconsciously, her clothes shifted, revealing a flash of skin that made Little White’s face flush crimson. Despite being accustomed to such sights, it was still a little hard to control itself.

Suddenly, Lin Ling stopped rolling. She stared intently at the ceiling, as if an idea had just struck her.

These giant beasts obeyed her commands primarily because they feared her strength. Therefore, even with her instructions, the Red Horned Beast was unwilling to follow human arrangements, largely because humans were too weak. Its dignity as a giant beast prevented it from accepting orders from weaker creatures.

Raising their strength was clearly impractical.

In that case, if she left a trace of her aura on a few Zhang family members, wouldn’t that be enough to tame the Red Horned Beast?

As for the chosen individual, Lin Ling already had a decision in mind.

****

In Tianjing, at the Zhang family estate,

Watching the Red Horned Beast continuously wreak havoc in the courtyard, the Zhang family members felt utterly helpless. How many times had this happened now? At this rate, no matter how wealthy the Zhang family was, they wouldn’t have enough to cover its destructive tendencies!

“Ahhhhh!” A scream echoed from a distance.

However, the Zhang family members seemed accustomed to it. Such incidents had become so common these days that they were numb. It was probably someone’s car, or someone’s house, or perhaps a prized collectible that the Red Horned Beast had destroyed.

They had simply grown used to it.

As for taming it? That was virtually impossible. Every time someone approached it, the Red Horned Beast would become furious, making any contact impossible, let alone taming.

Most of those present had already given up hope.

If all else failed, they would simply report it to Miss Luo and ask her to take it back.

However, one person didn’t see it that way: Zhang Shuhan, Zhang Wu’s cousin. She could not accept her family’s passive attitude.

After Lin Ling saved her brother and grandfather, Zhang Shuhan had developed an inexplicable adoration for her.

In her view, this Red Horned Beast had already been tamed by Miss Luo and no longer harmed humans. It simply had some crude habits that hadn’t been fully eradicated, and Miss Luo wanted the Zhang family to complete this final step. If they failed, they would surely disappoint Miss Luo!

‘Huh?’

Lin Ling, sensing from her hidden perch on the rooftop, was utterly bewildered. ‘Was that what I was thinking? I didn’t even know myself…’

Just as Zhang Shuhan was racking her brain for ways to approach the Red Horned Beast, a familiar yet sacred voice appeared in her mind.

“There’s no need to rush.”

She was no stranger to this voice or the method of communication.

‘It’s Miss Luo!’

‘She really is watching over this place!’

Despite her excitement, Zhang Shuhan didn’t forget to maintain her ladylike composure. After calming herself, she mentally attempted to reply to Lin Ling: “Miss Luo, are you nearby?”

‘She calmed down pretty quickly. This is much better than her brain-dead fan of a cousin,’ Lin Ling mused, though she had to keep up the pretense. The same sacred and gentle voice reached Zhang Shuhan’s consciousness: “Don’t mind me; I’m just observing. I apologize for all the trouble the Red Horned Beast has caused you.”

“No, no, no! It is we who have disappointed you, Miss Luo! So many days have passed, and we still haven’t tamed this fellow, this Red Horned Beast!”

“That’s why I’ve come to help…”

“No, no, no! How could that be? If it is a test given by Miss Luo, we must naturally complete it ourselves!” Zhang Shuhan interrupted Lin Ling before she could finish speaking.

Lin Ling: ‘…A test, my ass,’ she thought, but unable to say so directly, she could only continue to fabricate.

“I didn’t mean to test you!”

Zhang Shuhan: “Oh, oh!” ‘Indeed, I am too shallow. How could I guess Miss Luo’s thoughts? There must be other, deeper considerations that she finds inconvenient to disclose!’

Lin Ling: ‘…I am not, I did not!’

“In any case, I will now teach you the secret to getting along with the Red Horned Beast. Listen carefully.”

“Understood!” Zhang Shuhan excitedly replied mentally.

‘How do I always end up misleading such a pure and earnest girl? I feel so guilty…’

****

After a period of Lin Ling’s ‘guidance,’ Zhang Shuhan’s confidence inexplicably soared. Thus, she eagerly walked towards the arrogant Red Horned Beast in the courtyard, continuously spurred on by Lin Ling.

However, this action scared her family half to death. They desperately tried to stop Zhang Shuhan’s ‘suicidal’ behavior.

But Zhang Shuhan herself,

Completely disregarded the heart-wrenching shouts of the Zhang family members around her. (Lin Ling had directly blocked them out.)

“Come back, Shuhan!”

“It’s dangerous!”

“Quick, find Old General Zhang!”

“Guards! Guards!”

…

Under the terrified gazes of everyone in the courtyard, and Old General Zhang and others who had just arrived, Zhang Shuhan slowly walked up to the Red Horned Beast and met its gaze.

Looking at the giant beast before her,

Zhang Shuhan’s heart rate was almost at its critical point. To say she wasn’t nervous? That was impossible. How could one remain calm when encountering such a fearsome giant beast up close for the very first time?

But remembering her goddess’s encouragement, her resolve hardened, and she bravely stepped forward.

Believing the giant beast would erupt in fury, the Zhang family members continued to shout desperately, hoping to stop Zhang Shuhan. A few bolder individuals even ran directly towards the Red Horned Beast’s location. Some women and children simply closed their eyes, unable to bear witnessing the impending tragedy.

Aside from Lin Ling, who watched the drama unfold from the rooftop, everyone’s hearts were pounding with extreme tension!

However, something unexpected happened. The previously ferocious Red Horned Beast, upon clearly seeing the approaching girl, did not launch an attack. After observing Zhang Shuhan for a moment, its violent crimson eyes instantly calmed, the brutality in its gaze vanishing without a trace. The intimidating heat radiating from its body gradually returned to a normal temperature, and then it slowly lowered itself.

It gazed at the girl before it with gentle eyes.

The next moment, the Red Horned Beast lowered its proud head and nudged the girl with its horns.

Zhang Shuhan, following the method her goddess had taught her, reached out and stroked the giant beast’s horns.

Feeling the affectionate caress from the horns, the Red Horned Beast involuntarily closed its eyes, seemingly enjoying the moment immensely.

‘Hahaha! I succeeded!’ Zhang Shuhan cheered internally, but on the surface, she maintained a calm and composed demeanor.

The dumbfounded Zhang family members: “…Is this ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in real life?”

Lin Ling, watching the scene quietly from the rooftop, also revealed a relieved smile.

‘It seems it’s settled. This Zhang Shuhan certainly has guts.’

“Master, what kind of secret method did you teach her? The Little Pangolin actually listened?” A cute little white cat diligently climbed onto Lin Ling’s shoulder, simultaneously transmitting a telepathic message.

“I just strung her along. Things like ‘expressionless,’ ‘walk slowly,’ ‘make eye contact with the Red Horned Beast,’ etc. Aside from stroking its horns, none of it had any real effect. It was just to make her appear more imposing.”

“Ah?? Then, Master, you must have placed your spiritual energy inside it, right?” As expected of Little White, it quickly guessed the answer.

Lin Ling chuckled softly, pulling Little White into her arms and stroking its fur. Little White, in turn, displayed a look of pure enjoyment.

“Indeed. The Little Pangolin is quite timid, you see.”

Little White: “Then what will happen in the future? The Little Pangolin will realize it sooner or later.”

Lin Ling: “That’s why I told her to stroke the Little Pangolin’s horns.”

This was essentially an experiment.

Most giant beasts were reluctant to interact with humans because they looked down on such weak creatures, preventing any opportunity for mutual communication. But if a friendly environment for coexistence were created, would the giant beasts choose to accept humans?

Once it became familiar with Zhang Shuhan, if she withdrew her spiritual energy, would the Little Pangolin turn hostile and refuse to acknowledge her?

Lin Ling was very curious about this as well.