Chapter 34: The Mountain-Calling Hound, the "Howling Celestial Dog" of the Mountain Walkers!

Zhang Hao’s eyes were fixed, his gaze locked tightly onto the little creature huddled in the cage.

Its four paws were snow-white, and the fur atop its head was a distinct, different color. Its body was pitch black, interspersed with a few stray golden hairs. The sickly creature was curled into a ball, looking so wretched that it was hard not to feel a surge of pity.

"Big brother, this puppy..." Li Siyu raised her head, her eyes filled with sympathy as she asked.

The man was taken aback, his expression turning strange. After a long moment, he sighed. "This dog... well, it was born in the same litter as all these others."

Li Siyu paused, then asked instinctively, "Then why does it look so weak?"

The man sighed silently. "Who’s to say? It’s been weak since it was born. It couldn't compete with the other puppies for milk, and even when we tried to feed it, it didn't have the strength to eat. It’s been listless all the time. While all the other puppies have opened their eyes, this one still keeps them shut. Honestly, I thought it wouldn't last long. I never expected it to still be alive."

He glanced at the puppy huddled in the cage, then back at Li Siyu, waving his hand. "If you want it, take it. I’ll give it to you for free. No charge."

"Of course," he added, "I’m not including any dog food or other supplies, and if it dies, I’m not taking responsibility."

Li Siyu’s eyes softened. She crouched before the cage and whispered, "Zhang Hao, why don't we take this little one home?"

Looking at the shivering creature, her heart ached. She had been sickly and frail since childhood; while other children were already running about, she could only struggle to crawl on the *kang*. Seeing this puppy, she saw a reflection of her younger self. If she could take this little one away from the dog trader, it would be like saving its life.

Zhang Hao was still immersed in his astonishment. Hearing her, he snapped back to reality and nodded without hesitation. "Alright!"

To be honest, even if Li Siyu hadn't asked, he would have bought the dog regardless. Because this dog—let alone a dog trader, even experts and veterinarians—knew nothing about it. Only a true "Mountain Walker" could discern its uniqueness.

In the *Chronicles of the Mountain Walker*, there is a record of a specific canine.

It is called: the Mountain-Calling Hound. It is also known as the "Howling Celestial Dog" of the Mountain Walkers.

[The Mountain-Calling Hound: four paws snow-white, a different color of fur on the top of its head... This dog is rare in the world, one in ten million. It has no lineage; it is born of heaven and earth, born of fate...]

According to the ancient records, its primary features are four snow-white paws and a distinctly colored patch of fur on its head, which is highly recognizable—mostly grayish-white. Its pitch-black coat is occasionally streaked with golden hairs. Its eyes are grayish-green with no visible whites, and the fur on its belly is exceptionally dense.

Since the puppy hadn't opened its eyes and remained curled up in the cage, Zhang Hao couldn't verify the eye color or the belly fur. But the snow-white paws, the distinct fur on its head, and the hidden golden strands were enough to confirm his suspicions.

The ancient texts claim this hound is extremely rare, a treasure seldom seen in the world. Generations of Mountain Walkers have searched for it; some found one, while others spent their entire lives in vain.

The main reason for its rarity is that this breed cannot be passed down through bloodlines. Simply put, it cannot be obtained through breeding. Its birth is a matter of "responding to heaven and fate." It might appear in any ordinary litter of puppies, or it might not be seen for a thousand years. Any native dog in the lands of Kyushu could potentially give birth to one, but the probability is so low that winning a multi-million-dollar lottery is statistically guaranteed compared to the birth of this dog.

It is said that if a Mountain Walker encounters such a dog, they should sacrifice everything to take it home as their "Howling Celestial Dog." Having such a companion while traversing the mountains provides immense advantages.

According to the records, the hound is born with an innate ability to recognize mountain treasures. Its nose is incredibly sensitive, capable of sniffing out rare herbs from a hundred paces away—and that is merely a minor utility. Most importantly, if properly raised, the Mountain-Calling Hound can even intimidate common mountain spirits and wild monsters; a single sharp howl is enough to terrify them. Other tasks, such as hunting, tracking treasures, or guiding its master home, are second nature to it.

As long as it is trained according to the methods in the *Chronicles of the Mountain Walker*, this hound is undeniably the most formidable dog in the world—bar none.

Zhang Hao stood up, hesitated for a moment, then took out his phone and scanned a payment of 100 yuan, feeling a twinge of regret for the money. "Big brother, consider this payment for the cage." A strained smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

The man was stunned, a smile spreading across his face. "Little brother, you’re a generous one."

As he spoke, he carefully lifted the cage. "Here, hold this for a second. I’ll get you some goat milk powder. This little guy can drink that; it can't handle dry food yet."

Zhang Hao carried the cage, Li Siyu held the milk powder, and after a brief farewell to the man, they turned and left immediately.

After walking several hundred meters and nearly exiting the park, Zhang Hao set the cage down to examine the little creature closely. When he saw the thick fur on its belly, tinged with a hint of gold, his long-suppressed excitement finally erupted.

This puppy was truly a Mountain-Calling Hound! As long as its eyes proved to be grayish-green, there would be no doubt. He had struck gold!

Beside him, Li Siyu whispered, "Can we raise it well?"

Zhang Hao pondered for a moment, then smiled confidently. "We definitely can. Don't let its sickly appearance fool you; it’s just that the trader didn't know how to care for it. I happen to know how to raise this specific breed. Don't worry."

It was the truth. The Mountain-Calling Hound requires specialized care. If raised like an ordinary dog, it would be ruined, likely not surviving more than two years. But if raised and trained according to the *Chronicles of the Mountain Walker*, it would be a completely different creature.

Li Siyu looked at him with skepticism, but regardless, if Zhang Hao had a way to save the little one, that was for the best. She wanted to save it, not send it to its grave.

Zhang Hao picked up the cage, looking at the hound with joy, then turned to Li Siyu. "Let's go. We had good luck today. Time to head home!"

"Let's take the bus," Li Siyu suggested.

"Why not just take a taxi?"

"Let's take the bus; we need to save money."

"…Alright."