Chapter 73

Chapter 73

A dual-headed mutant dog?!

Mutant animals are not rare, but one as tame and obedient as this is a rarity.

Both guards widened their eyes in astonishment, with the anglerfish-like one incredulously asking, “Did you find this one on the roadside too?”

Xie Linyuan’s smile deepened, “This dog has been with my lover since before the calamity.”

Wu Yin: “?”

Lover? Such an elegant term. Just say wife. The giant guard with grey-blue skin chuckled, “Lucky you, eh? Where's your wife now?”

“He…” Xie Linyuan lowered his lashes, a look of loss on his face, “was killed by a mutant half a month ago. By the time I got there, only half of his body was left…”

Wu Yin: “…”

“Oh, sorry about that,” the giant guard patted Xie Linyuan’s shoulder sympathetically. “Cheer up, bro. At least you still have this dog for company.”

The management of the beastman nation's subway station was quite lax. Compared to the vast, strictly ordered Wolf Smoke Sanctuary and the Southern Survivor Camp, it was merely a small, special gathering place.

The beastman nation had three entrances and exits, spread over two levels. The movement in and out was very casual, resulting in a chaotic interior rife with all sorts of characters.

The two guards casually registered Xie Linyuan's name, emphasizing that the motorcycle could not be brought in and was likely to be stolen if left outside. They offered to look after it for a fee.

“Any amount will do,” the anglerfish-like guard said, “You seem to be doing well in this world, with such a nice bike and clean clothes.”

Xie Linyuan handed them two small boxes of honey, no bigger than ice cubes, but still a rare luxury.

The guards’ friendly demeanor immediately turned enthusiastic. They positioned Xie Linyuan's motorcycle in a prime spot, well-sheltered from wind and rain, assuring him they would guard it well.

Xie Linyuan thanked them with a polite smile and headed into the station.

With nothing better to do, Wu Yin grumbled in Xie Linyuan's mind, “You’re quite generous, aren’t you? We only have one jar of honey, which makes about twenty small boxes, and you just gave away two.”

Xie Linyuan, leading Prince and stepping cautiously down the stairs, remained silent.

“I vaguely remember there was quite a lot in that supermarket warehouse,” Wu Yin suddenly asked, “Why did you only take so little? Trying to play the good guy?”

“…” Xie Linyuan couldn't tell Wu Yin that it was because he thought he was dead and lost the motivation to pick out goods, thinking it pointless to carry them back for no one to use, so he left everything behind.

Though Wu Yin was later revived inside him, Xie Linyuan didn't feel right going back to claim he regretted not taking more from those seven brothers.

Receiving no response, Wu Yin sighed with boredom. He knew Xie Linyuan wasn’t deliberately ignoring him, but rather couldn’t speak aloud without drawing suspicion. Nevertheless, Wu Yin still found it dull. He thought he should soon find a free body to inhabit; otherwise, he’d die of boredom…

As they took a few steps, a short fellow approached them with a smirk. He was a monkey-like man with a sly, if not outright sneaky, demeanor. His face was covered with patchy yellow fur, resembling a poorly done buzz cut, and he was thin and small. He had been waiting on the subway station stairs, his eyes fixed on Xie Linyuan, especially after noticing him casually giving away honey. Eager to engage, he approached as soon as Xie Linyuan entered.

“Mr. Cat,” the monkey-like man asked with a smile, “First time in the beastmen’s realm? Looking for someone or planning to stay? Feel free to ask me anything, I know this place well.”

Wu Yin: “Mr. Cat.”

Xie Linyuan tossed out a third box of honey: “Do you have any milk for sale? Dog milk or sheep milk would be best.”

Wu Yin: “Mr. Cat!”

Xie Linyuan: “...If not, cow milk will do.”

Wu Yin: “Meow Mister.”

Xie Linyuan: “...”

The monkey, excited and uncontrollable, emitted a squeaky sound from his throat. As he took the honey and prepared to answer, he heard his generous employer sternly say, “Shut up.”

Monkey: “...” Do you want me to speak or not?

“It's fine,” Xie Linyuan reassured, pulling on Prince's leash gently, “It’s too noisy, I was scolding it. Go ahead.”

Prince, silent throughout, was confused: “???”

The monkey man, oblivious to whether the two-headed dog had actually barked, focused on satisfying his employer's request, “Frida, lady with sheep gene modification.”

“She’s a great girl, beautiful and kind-hearted, with golden flowing hair,” said the monkey, “But her milk is very popular, you need to queue up and make a reservation. It’s uncertain if there's any left at this time... Follow me.”

The subway station smelled terrible, but after a few steps, only the stuffiness and heat remained. The ground was cluttered with sleeping people, curled up with all their belongings in their arms.

Some were awake, eating unknown food, sitting blankly or staring coldly at Xie Linyuan, the stranger in their midst.

The people had peculiar appearances; some faces were covered in fish-like brown scales, while others had broken deer antlers with hanging velvet...

The ticket machines were gone, but the station's barriers had been reinforced rather than removed. The turnstile scanners were sealed shut, leaving only one entry and exit point, with someone seemingly watching from a nearby seat.