The Urban Dao Child

Yang Dao came to the backyard and found a Leopard looking around cautiously. He asked, “Are you hungry again?”

The leopard looked at him and growled. In this barren land, where will they find food easily? That is why the population was scarce and they were mysterious. The boy beckoned the leopard close and served her food in a big pail. He said, “You know this is not very good. You are a proud feline, be more arrogant. In the coming future, the population of wildlife will increase you will have enough food then.”

The leopard did not understand his complex talks and focused on food. Sushi peaked out from his hair and said, “Master, when can Sushi eat food?”

Yang Dao asked, “What do you eat?”

Sushi said, “Source Energy. I have never tried anything else. What do you think master? Can Sushi eat those human foods?”

The boy asked, “I don’t know. I will ask Mr. Jinshi later. Okay?” the reason he did not actually shove the food in her mouth was that he did not know whether it will have any bad effects on her or not.

Sushi said in an awe-inspiring tone, “Master, you can talk to the Wind-God so easily. It must be a good feeling no?”

Yang Dao smiled and did not say anything. He did not want to tell her that the guy she called the Wind-God was actually his subordinate. Although he treated them with respect he was not very close to the men in the group. He was lost in thought when suddenly his cell phone rang.

He picked it out and saw that the caller was Laohu Bai. The call connected and the boy said, “Baibai, how come you missed me?”

The other side said, “You would only miss when you forget someone, Dao. I never forgot you.” her soft and calm voice shocked the boy. Then he smiled and said, “Now you really seem to have become one with the earth. Tell me, what happened?”

Laohu Bai replied, “Nothing happened, I just completely undid my seals. Sister Yun is also close to doing it. I thought I should check on you while I share this news. So, where are you and what are you doing, Dao?”

The boy smiled and said, “Congratulations, I am sitting in the backyard of Orlenko Mansion here in Diamond Desert. You were in seclusion when we came here. Also, Baibai, I made a new friend. She is a Smoke Leopard, she likes my cooking.”

Laohu Bai smiled and said, “That is a good thing for that leopard. Do you like her?” ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀ​ꪶ​

“Yes, I do, she has two cubs. I don’t know why but one is black and the other is white. I wanted to find out the reason but I have not yet found the time. Yesterday night only the three were almost hunted. Sushi rescued them.” he replied.

Laohu Bai said, “They could be of such colors because of some genetic pigmentation, or do one thing, click a picture of them and send it to me later. Okay? And who is Sushi?” she asked, but her usual curiosity was gone, she was calm and patient.

The boy replied, “Sushi is a sylph, Baibai. Also, you did let go of your seals and not your balance. The earth is firm but it can also be soft and flexible. You know.” his words made the girl chuckle.

She said, “I expected you to say that. I will maintain balance, Dao. Don’t worry. Just be careful out there and come home soon. I also miss your cooking, and driving.” she spoke with a smile on her face.

Yang Dao asked, “Are you sure you want to go on a drive with me?” and chuckled. The two joked with each other and the call disconnected. The leopard had also finished eating the food. After rubbing her head to Yang Dao’s leg she walked out of the backyard as well.

The boy stood up and went back in. Ayaka Gust came rushing to his side. She said, “We have been talking to the Cycling Association for the past few days. After negotiations, they have allowed you to ride on Silence, that condition is that you do not use the top front gear.”

The whole cycling team cheered with a hurray but the boy was calm. He asked, “What is the point of it then? The bike needs a precise operation to shift gears and stuff. Would I ride her just to make things difficult for me? They are playing you.”

It was only now that everyone paid attention to it. Ayaka said, “Well, they did allow us the top gear, but the condition was for you alone to start from the last place. They said it was to make it fair. I mean, are we fools? So I rejected.”

Icarus said, “You did the right thing. Inter-University has at least 500 participants from all over the country and the event will last for a whole week. It is a marathon around the whole country and in this situation they want him to start from the last place? Bastards.”

Thomas and the rest nodded. Kiya suddenly spoke up, “If Dao can catch up with the leaders, then it would be fine right?”

Ray said, “What you said may be achievable, but between the leaders and the tail lies a dead zone. That zone is called the hive. A hive is a group of average riders, who tag along to survive. The more people, the faster they are, and the hive is so densely packed that you cannot pass them. This is worthless risk-taking.”

Ayaka said, “Unless, Dao unlocks his seal.”

Everybody focused their gaze on her and even Yang Dao looked at her. Ayaka gulped from the sudden pressure and said, “For the next two weeks, you wear a weight-suit and you ride silence in the mountains for sixteen hours a day. You are not allowed to take off the weight suit until the final three days. This training will make you so fast that you might, I repeat, you might get away from the hive before it starts buzzing. What do you say?”

Everyone was scared at the mention of this training regime and they thought Yang Dao will say no, and when they turned to face the guy they all sighed and said together, “Knew it.”

The boy had a sunny smile on his face and his eyes were crescent. He was nodding in agreement as if it was not hell training mode but a walk in a park.