Beast Taming: Starting from Transmigration and Starting with a Cheat Code

"Qin Ming, do you think I did something wrong?"

Zeng Gui'an, who had just regained consciousness but then fainted from anger, was now somewhat uneasy. He squatted in the yard, holding his head.

Qin Ming leaned leisurely against the jujube tree and slowly replied, "It's alright. Your father is in good health after being cured of the poison and can handle it. Besides, this is how you father and son get along, so I won't say any more."

"but……"

"But what?" Zeng Guian looked up, his face tense.

"I won't take you as my eldest son," Qin Ming said with a slight smile. "Being your father isn't easy."

Zeng Guian froze for a second, then erupted in fury: "Get out!"

Qin Ming laughed as he dodged the branch that was thrown at him, in a very good mood.

……

A few days later, after confirming that Zeng's father was in good health, the two set off.

The morning sun shone on the cobblestone streets of the town. Zeng's mother got up early and cooked a pot of steaming dumplings, insisting that the two of them eat their fill before leaving.

Zeng Guian wolfed down his food, while Qin Ming ate slowly and deliberately, listening to the gossip coming from outside.

"The Zeng family lad is truly remarkable! Even Master Jing couldn't cure this acute illness, but they managed to heal him the moment they arrived!"

"That's right! I heard it's a rare herb brought back from the Magic City Academy; those aren't things just anyone can get their hands on!"

"The Zeng family is blessed; their son has made something of himself!"

Unlike when they arrived, on their return journey, when the neighboring women chatted and mentioned the Zeng family again, they were full of envy. Many even urged their sons to learn from the eldest brother of the Zeng family, to go out and broaden their horizons, and to bring honor to their ancestors.

Zeng Guian heard this and felt proud, which is only natural; but more than that, he calmed down his heart, which was filled with elation and uncertainty after unexpectedly acquiring the fire mastiff.

He recalled the events of the past few days: his father's accident, the precious materials, Cang Xuan's intervention, Po Jun's arrival... each one felt like a dream.

And all of this is inseparable from the person beside me.

"Qin Ming," he put down his chopsticks, looking at his friend with unusual seriousness, "we both need to become strong, strong enough to protect the people around us."

Qin Ming smiled, a smile that showed both satisfaction and understanding. "Of course, let's work hard together."

……

Before parting, Zeng's father called Zeng Gui'an to his side.

After several days of recuperation, his complexion has mostly recovered. Although he is still somewhat weak, his eyes have regained their former clarity.

He glanced at the plague-infested mastiff playing with Cang Xuan in the yard, his gaze complex.

"That mastiff of yours is no ordinary dog!" Father Zeng lowered his voice. "Although I'm not exactly an expert, I still have basic eyesight. The aura emanating from it is the most powerful and obscure I've ever seen among spirit beasts of the same stage. Your classmate just gave it to you like that?"

Zeng Guian scratched his head and chuckled, "Yeah."

He had no intention of hiding anything. He didn't want to hide anything from his father either.

Father Zeng remained silent for a while, his eyes filled with relief, gratitude, and other indescribable emotions.

"Your classmate is really something else. We can't let the Zeng family be looked down upon."

He took out an oil paper package from his pocket, opened it layer by layer, and inside was a yellowed map and an ancient jade key.

"Take this map and key," Father Zeng said, stuffing the items into his son's hands. "This was an opportunity I encountered when I was young. Back then, I was young and impetuous, wandering around, and I accidentally stumbled into a secret realm. Inside were rare ancient trees, whose fruits were rich in spiritual energy. I tasted one, and I broke through to the next level on the spot."

Zeng Guian's eyes lit up: "Such a good thing? Then why didn't you pick more?"

"The secret realm is restricted; you can only enter once. I didn't understand back then, I went in without a clue, and came out without a clue either." Father Zeng shook his head. "But recently, things have changed outside, and there are risks. I got injured this time because I wanted to scout out the situation and see if I could find some opportunities for you. And then..."

He didn't finish speaking, but Zeng Guian understood.

"Now that you were able to remove the foreign energy from my body, once we've improved our strength, we can consider whether to go and explore further." Father Zeng patted his son's shoulder. "I don't know what else is inside, but there are definitely treasures."

Zeng Guian's eyes lit up even more: "Dad, you had such a stroke of luck? Didn't you bring back any treasures?"

Father Zeng rolled his eyes at his good-for-nothing son: "I can't move those ancient trees there! I took the fruit, I can't destroy the trees, can I? That would be a sin against heaven. Besides, I searched carefully for a long time and only found a small sapling. It looked so bright and beautiful that I moved it back and put it by the door."

He pointed to the crooked jujube tree in the yard: "But looking at it now, I'm afraid I was mistaken. This tree has only borne jujubes all these years, and it doesn't seem to have any special spirit. I guess I was wrong back then."

Zeng Guian looked in the direction he was pointing, and saw the jujube tree swaying gently in the morning breeze, its branches and leaves rustling as if in agreement.

"Oh." Zeng Guian stopped laughing, his eyes filled with disappointment and doubt.

"Don't you believe me!" Father Zeng said, exasperated, slapping his son on the back of the head. "There really are treasures in that secret realm! I just didn't find the right place. When you're strong enough, go explore it yourselves, and you'll definitely reap great rewards!"

"Okay, okay," Zeng Guian rubbed the back of his head, grimacing. "Dad, go easy on me. I'm a top student now. You can't afford to pay for it if I break you."

Enraged, Zeng's father was about to hit him again, but Zeng Gui'an nimbly dodged, ran to the door, and waved to him, saying, "Dad, I'm leaving! Take good care of yourself! Don't run around again!"

Zeng's mother stood by, smiling, and kept giving her instructions.

On their way back, the two walked along the bluestone path out of town.

After walking a short distance, Zeng Guian couldn't hold back any longer.

He repeated his father's words verbatim, then scratched his head at the end, "That's about it. Whether there's any treasure or not is hard to say, but the danger is real."

Qin Ming paused slightly when he heard "the sapling by the door".

He glanced at Zeng Guian with a complicated look in his eyes, as if he had met a fool begging for food while holding a golden bowl.

"Let's wait until we've improved our strength a bit more," Qin Ming said slowly. "Besides, you really don't know how lucky you are."

"Huh?" Zeng Guian was taken aback. "You mean... he wasn't bragging? Does that mean the secret realm is real?"

Qin Ming looked at his self-doubting expression and fell silent.

In retrospect, the Myriad Spiritual Roots that pretended to be foolish at the entrance of the courtyard truly possessed great wisdom in self-preservation.

"Tell me more, stop playing games, or are you just teasing me?"

Qin Ming rolled his eyes, not wanting to answer, and simply changed the subject, "How's it going with your relationship with the Plaguefire Hound? Is it working properly? Are you confident in your battles back at the academy?"

Zeng Guian felt a sharp pain in his arm hidden under his sleeve and fell silent instantly.