Chapter 144 — An Encounter
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 6 of 8
Little Grey scratched its head, blinked all three eyes at once, then pointed at the boar, and then at itself. Mingli could not help but laugh at its antics; the weight in his heart lifted a good deal. He smiled and said, "All right, I'll help you."
Little Grey's face broke into a beaming smile at once; clearly it knew Mingli's skill was no small thing, and that this was its favorite. Mingli rolled up his sleeve, joined his fingers like a blade, and lightly slit the boar's belly, opening the tough hide in one stroke. His movements were deft: in two or three strokes he had skinned and boned the boar, then flew off to find a place with spring water, washed the meat clean, and brought it back. He set up a wooden frame, kindled a fire, and began roasting the pig.
The firelight grew stronger, flushing both Little Grey's and Mingli's faces with a rosy glow. By now Little Grey had eaten every one of the wild fruits clean, and its eyes were fixed on the roast pig atop the flames, from which savory aromas were gradually rising. Mingli slowly drew from his waist the various seasonings he had made himself and sprinkled a little onto the meat, then found a small bottle of sesame oil and began to drip it lightly over the pork. The oil slid slowly along the meat, and under the roasting of the flames below seeped gradually into the flesh. Soon the surface of the pork began to turn a pale golden yellow; the meat itself exuded clear beads of oil, and a mouthwatering fragrance drifted out upon the air.
The firelight flickered softly, lighting the faces of monkey and man, and lighting too the small clearing and the trees around them. The tall reflections of the forest swayed as though a wind were howling through. Mingli gazed at the leaping flames before him and gradually fell into a trance, while Little Grey, wearing an expression of pure gluttonous longing, watched the roast pig, scratching its ears and cheeks, now and then running off to snap dry branches and feed them to the fire.
The still air was steeped in a strange and enticing fragrance.
From deep in the forest, a low growl suddenly came: "Hoooaaaa!"
The growl was deep and powerful, seemingly far away, yet it carried clearly to them, and a murderous chill spread swiftly through the air. Mingli started sharply from his brooding, his brows slowly knitting. He did not move his body, but his gaze grew deep and heavy as he looked toward the direction of the growl. Little Grey, with a swish, leaped onto Mingli's shoulder; there was no fear on its face, and it too turned to look.
In the fire came a crack; a branch burst apart, and the fragrance of the boar grew stronger.
Three feet away lay the dark forest. The wind above the trees seemed suddenly to rise, moaning loud. After that single low growl there was no further sound, yet that cold, murderous intent came rushing toward them almost as something tangible.
Mingli's pupils contracted slightly, and his brows knit tighter still.
"Crack!" Another small branch finally burst apart as well.
Suddenly the howling wind lost its voice. The whole forest seemed in an instant to go still, without the slightest sound. Ahead in the darkness, the dense trees and tangled thorns suddenly fell away to either side, revealing a narrow passage just wide enough for one man to walk.
A youth clad in bright silk garments stepped out of the darkness, one step at a time. His face was handsome, almost to the point of a bewitching beauty. In the midst of the night he was so conspicuous that the world around him seemed to brighten for his sake. Mingli did not rise or stir; he remained seated on the ground, his gaze fixed straight upon the youth.
The youth looked at Mingli, then his gaze fell upon Little Grey. He paused slightly and said with an "Oh?": "A Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey!"