In the woods, Giant DongDong cautiously lifted his hand to support the canopy above his head.
Because he was so tall, supporting the canopy felt like he was bending down to hold up a curtain...
Qing Chen smiled, not knowing why but every time he saw this adorable giant, he felt an undeniable joy from deep within.
"How have you been lately?" Qing Chen sized up DongDong, who was wearing only vine-made "shorts" despite the cold season, seemingly unaffected by the chill.
He wanted to pat the giant, but realized he could only reach up to his waist.
In front of the over four-meter-tall giant, Qing Chen felt like a little kid.
The honest-looking DongDong turned to Qing Chen and grinned, saying, "Ding Dong!"
(I've been good lately. A couple days ago, I helped the big firebird deep in the territory build a nest since it's getting a bit grumpy, it's going to have babies. But I'm not scared, it never pecks me. How about you?)
Qing Chen was momentarily stunned, as this was the first time DongDong had spoken.
Although he only said 'Ding Dong,' such extensive meaning flooded his mind.
Up until then, he had thought that the other couldn't speak.
"I've been good too," Qing Chen said apologetically, "Sorry for the trouble of having you play the bad guy; but don't worry, I'll explain it later and tell them you are not a bad guy."
DengDong: "Ding Dong!"
Qing Chen felt relieved because DongDong was so kind. Hence, he felt somewhat guilty for asking DongDong to pretend to be the bad guy to 'create an opportunity.'
But it was necessary—the Federal Group forces were not exactly cooperative.
Qing Chen and DongDong walked toward the big willow tree. The giant was very careful, avoiding insects on the ground as he walked, seemingly afraid his foot, bigger than a car wheel, might crush them.
He occasionally knocked bird nests off the branches as they passed, and the clumsy giant would hurry to catch them, then carefully place the baby birds and the nests back on the branches.
The old man on Qing Chen's back stared, astonished: "Such a fierce appearance, but possessing such a kind heart. Qing Chen, is he your friend from Taboo Land?"
Qing Chen replied with a smile, "Yes, a friend."
Upon hearing this, DongDong immediately perked up: "Ding Dong!"
As they talked, DongDong accidentally knocked a snake from a tree but quickly caught it and gently placed it back on the branch.
The speckled snake seemed rather annoyed, biting into DongDong's palm.
To everyone's astonishment, it didn't manage to break the skin.
DongDong didn't seem to care about it either.
The old man turned to DongDong and asked Qing Chen, "Is he a native from Taboo Land number 002?"
"Yes," Qing Chen nodded.
"He communicates his thoughts by making the sound 'Ding Dong,' and you understand him?" the old man asked, intrigued.
He found this mode of communication utterly fascinating, previously amazed that Qing Chen could understand what Qing Shan Falcon said, and now 'Ding Dong' seemed to convey all sorts of meanings, which was incredibly magical.
Qing Chen explained, "Each Taboo Land is actually like a Taboo itself, having its own containment conditions. The condition for 002 Taboo Land is to become a Knight in order to understand their language ... well, it's not really a containment condition, it's more like the key to unlocking a door. Once you find this key, the rules of the Taboo Land no longer apply to you, and the creatures within Taboo Land will not naturally view you as an enemy."
The old man suddenly fell silent.
Qing Chen asked, "Why have you stopped talking?"
The old man reflected, "The world is so wonderful, and yet I've wasted my life."
Qing Chen asked, "Do you have regrets?"
"No regrets. I did what I needed to do, just a bit of remorse," the old man said, "But I'm a bit curious, are there only one of such giants in the 002 Taboo Land, or are there many?"
DongDong: "Ding Dong!"
(There is also my little brother, Gudong!)
Qing Chen was stunned; it turned out that DongDong had a younger brother named Gudong.
Until then, he had never thought that DongDong had any family; he assumed that DongDong was alone here.
But that name—wasn't it quite hastily chosen?! Moreover, while DongDong sounded cute, Gudong sounded like the noise made when one accidentally falls over.
"Who named you guys?" Qing Chen wondered.
DongDong chuckled and then pointed towards the deep parts of the Taboo Land.
Qing Chen realized—it was the elderly Knights who had given them those names, definitely matching their style.
"Is your brother deep in the territory?" Qing Chen was curious.
But DongDong shook his head, "Ding Dong."
(No, he went to another Taboo Land to play.)
Qing Chen faltered again, "Can you freely leave the Taboo Land?"
"Wait, are you subject to the rules when you go to other Taboo Lands?" Qing Chen asked.
(What rules? I've gone out to play too, but I don't know about any rules. Are we not allowed to go out?)
Qing Chen realized that the natives of 002 Taboo Land, when visiting other Taboo Lands, were also not bound by the rules. No wonder Gudong went to play in other Taboo Lands.
He looked at DongDong, pondering whether he could invite DongDong to join him in exploring other Taboo Lands in the future.
At that moment, Qing Chen asked, "Have you seen a group of youngsters coming to 002 Taboo Land recently?"