Chapter 59: The Change in Lu Chen’s State of Mind

Lying on the riverbank, gazing at the crimson eyes reflected in the water, Lu Chen sensed something amiss within himself, as if a savage ferocity was gradually taking root. For instance, the events he had just experienced left him utterly unperturbed. A few months ago, he would never have acted this way.

Hunting, training, fighting… These had been Lu Chen's existence for more than half a year as a bay crocodile, living entirely apart from human society. Unbeknownst to him, his thought patterns and actions were changing, and he hadn't realized it at all.

For most wild animals, life is simply about survival, filling their bellies; if possible, finding a strong mate or mates to breed and further their species. That is the sum of their desires.

But Lu Chen, a bay crocodile with a human soul, saw eating, drinking, and the like as only the most basic needs. He had always harbored his own ideas about the path he would walk in the future.

To paraphrase the famous words of Mr. Lu Xun: "If humans lose their thoughts, what separates them from animals?"

Since fate had bestowed upon him this body, Lu Chen intended to live a colorful life, unlike any other crocodile.

Of course, he didn't think he had done anything wrong tonight, but he feared that one day he would become accustomed to it, lose his reverence for humanity, and ultimately be consumed by bloodlust, solving all problems through killing.

Often, once there is a first time, a second and third will follow…

When that day comes, death may truly be near.

After pondering for a long time, the confusion in Lu Chen’s heart remained unresolved.

Ah… these matters can wait for another day; it's best to return home early.

Home?

Images of Big Croc, Second Croc, and Little Sister Croc floated through Lu Chen's mind.

Perhaps it was their companionship that kept him from feeling utterly lonely and empty, allowing him to hold onto a measure of reason.

With these thoughts, Lu Chen drifted downstream, crossing over a hundred miles of river to return to the valley.

Hearing the steady breathing inside the cave, he quietly slipped in.

Almost simultaneously, the three bay crocodiles opened their eyes, filled with alertness.

Upon recognizing Third Croc, they relaxed, greeting him with low hisses. Second Croc shifted aside, leaving the middle spot free.

Lu Chen moved over without hesitation and lay down. Little Sister Croc immediately nudged her head against him, pressing her body closer.

The feeling of coming home—how wonderful it was.

Before returning last night, Lu Chen had nearly devoured all the remaining flesh of the hunting dogs.

Upon waking at dawn, he felt not the slightest hunger.

As usual, he began with a kilometer run through the valley, followed by tree-climbing practice. Only when his strength was nearly spent did Lu Chen swim into the warm lake, eyes half-closed as he rested.

"Chitter-chitter, chitter-chitter…"

Outside the valley, the sharp, piercing cries of macaques rang out.

Having lived among the monkey troop for a long time, Lu Chen was now familiar with some of their habits.

Like many animals that gather in groups, monkeys always have a few members keeping watch while others play or forage.

If any danger is detected nearby, they alert the whole troop at once.

Lu Chen paid little attention at first, but the cries grew urgent, followed by a sudden clamor.

Within half a minute, the monkeys fled into the valley, panic-stricken.

What was it?

Curious, Lu Chen looked up at the sky, but saw no large raptors. In fact, ever since he had hunted down that giant golden eagle, no other birds of prey had appeared for quite some time.

A low growl echoed from the mouth of the valley, bringing a strange scent.

It was the unique odor of a carnivore, thick with blood.

Lu Chen quietly raised his head above the water and saw a lithe big cat moving through the dense foliage.

Its golden fur was as smooth and glossy as silk, adorned with dark rosette spots—a stunning creature, by any measure.

It was a fully-grown leopard! Lu Chen recognized it at a glance.

The leopard, a large carnivore of the panther genus, can weigh more than a hundred kilograms. However, this particular one was not so massive, just over a meter long and about eighty kilos.

It was probably passing through by chance, or had recently expanded its territory to this area, unaware that another major ruler already claimed these woods.

Though it was Lu Chen's first encounter with this animal, he felt no fear whatsoever.

He watched the scene unfold with calm interest…

Their weights were roughly equal, but in terms of length, the leopard was like a child compared to him.

What surprised Lu Chen was that, upon seeing him, the monkeys immediately began chittering excitedly. They jumped from the trees and rushed to the lakeshore.

Some of the bolder ones even turned to bare their teeth and shriek at the leopard.

Witnessing the monkeys’ reckless behavior, the leopard’s eyes flickered with bewilderment.

These creatures were astonishingly brave, daring to provoke it—truly ignorant of danger.

It would have to teach them a lesson.

The leopard sprang lightly from the tree trunk, landing gracefully on the ground.

Then, with elegant, steady steps, it walked slowly toward the lakeshore.

After only ten meters, it suddenly stopped.

A strange scent wafted through the air, bringing with it an uneasy sense of danger.

The leopard’s eyes widened as it cautiously scanned its surroundings. Soon it spotted a piece of driftwood floating on the lake.

But it was no driftwood—it was a bizarre reptile the leopard had never seen before!

The creature's jet-black back was armored in scales, floating motionless on the water, appearing utterly harmless. Yet the leopard did not attack impulsively; instead, its eyes brimmed with caution.

It weighed the difference between itself and the reptile, seemingly considering whether the risk was worthwhile.

While the leopard hesitated, Lu Chen made his move.

He slowly climbed ashore, his movements sluggish, almost comically clumsy.

"Chitter-chitter, chitter-chitter!"

Seeing Lu Chen emerge from the water, the monkeys grew even more excited, openly taunting—if you have the guts, come over here!

As one of the jungle’s rulers, the leopard had never suffered such indignity.

It growled low, crouched in attack posture.

Then turned tail and bolted.

Before Lu Chen could react, the leopard had already scrambled up a tree.

Good grief… He was at a loss.

Just now, it had startled him; he’d thought he might get a chance to taste leopard for the first time.

But this was it?

Lu Chen didn’t plan on hunting; recent experience had shown him that trying to catch a feline in dense jungle was impossible with his speed.

Unless the animal made a foolish mistake and gave up its advantage, agreeing to a one-on-one duel on land.

For now, his only goal was to drive it away completely—to make it clear the valley was under his protection, and to keep their boundaries separate.

With that in mind, Lu Chen leaped and climbed the tree as deftly as the leopard.

Sure enough, the leopard was startled again, swiftly jumping to another tree.

A few quick bounds, and it vanished from sight.