Chapter 12: A Flock of Ducks Waiting for Their Friends

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

There were currently three types of webcasters.

The first type of webcaster were those who had signed a contract with a webcast platform. To begin with, these webcasters would have a high level of skills and ability, but they were scarce. Those who were able to land a contract would be heavily supported by their webcast platform. They received a good number of resources and support, and they would be able to take at least half of the earnings.

It was extremely hard to land a contract. In the case of Ning Fei, who had received offers from several platforms after a mere two days of doing his livestream, there was hardly anyone in the industry who had such luck or ability.

The second type of webcaster were those who had signed with a management company or a union.

Their situations would be more complex as, sometimes, the management company or union would cheat them. And many such fraudulent companies existed.

If a webcaster were to sign a contract with a management company or union, the platform would take 50 percent of the earnings. Then, the remaining profits would be split after a discussion between the company and the webcaster. If a company were out to cheat, it might even demand up to 40 percent, and the webcaster would be left with 10 percent.

But the pros of signing with a union was that the webcaster would be promoted extensively and be guaranteed a certain degree of popularity.

To be frank, most unions were out to suck in money for themselves. After signing new amateurs, the union would act like a vicious wolf that would exploit and take a majority of the webcaster’s earnings. If the webcaster were to break the contract in less than three months, he or she would have to compensate at least 10,000 yuan. Therefore, most unions thrived on these sums of compensation.

For the more popular webcasters, they would definitely choose the bigger or more prominent management companies.

As for the third category of webcasters, they were free to host their livestream wherever they wanted. To the platform, these webcasters were simply there to make up the numbers.

Battling Birds Webcast Platform was currently the biggest player in the industry and had left its competitors trailing behind in its dust. Its popularity had far exceeded the other major players, and therefore, they were very demanding. For webcasters who didn’t sign with them, they were entitled to only 40 percent of their earnings.

If there was no contract that satisfied his terms, then Ning Fei would not sign any.

He believed that as long as he had the ability and the talent, the various platforms would offer him more attractive terms. After all, talent and remuneration would be equal, and that was fair. If he were to recklessly be bound to a company for several years, he might come to regret his decision. And by then, it would be too late.

The next morning at 6:00 a.m., Ning Fei woke up and began to tend to his vegetables.

That was the life and routine for those living in the mountains.

The reason was simple. The sun would blaze at 9:00 a.m, and it would be too hot for anyone to work, with the sunlight shining relentlessly for hours. Thus, the villagers all woke up before the crack of dawn and would finish their work before the sun rose. In the afternoon, they would retreat to their houses to rest.

Ning Fei began to sow the seeds that he had won from the lucky draw yesterday.

In order to eat the watermelons as soon as possible, he took the fertile magical black soil that he had obtained and added it to a plot of land. Next, he planted the watermelon seeds before he scattered the special silver fertilizer to boost their growth.

Ning Fei busied himself with the garden till 7:00 a.m. before he took a shower. He ate breakfast, did his revision, and meditated.

As Ning Fei didn’t belong to an official clan or prominent temple, he didn’t have to adhere to a strict regime or schedule. His daily habits and practices were all cultivated by his master.

If he had belonged to a major clan, he would have had strict times for his studies both in the morning and at night.

His master felt that if everything were to be restricted and fixed, it would be going against one’s heart.

He remembered that his master had said this before, “That group of people will never understand that the true belief of a Taoist is to be free and unfettered in life. It would be too tiring to live like that. I don’t want to be associated with them.”

After breakfast, Ning Fei thought about what he wanted to show during his livestream today.

He first looked at the messages.

“The name of the host is Ning Fei.”

“Strength is 13.5.” An ordinary person’s level of strength was 10.

“Agility is 13.5.” An ordinary person’s level of agility was 10.

“Endurance is 12.5.” An ordinary person’s level of endurance was 10.

“Current popularity level is 14,500 points. You have used up 12,000 points. You have 2,500 points remaining.”

“Skills available are the skill of angling, an encyclopedia on fishes, and the ultimate skill of slicing.”

Ning Fei’s strength, agility, and endurance level had all improved by 0.5 points. This was all attributed to the fact that he had consumed five pills in order to strengthen himself.

“I still don’t have that many skills, so it would seem forced if I try to display new content. I should behave according to how I am usually. I shall bring everyone to view the Magical Tree.”

After Ning Fei made up his mind, he felt much more relaxed.

He took a break before starting his livestream at 9:00 a.m.

The drone flew upward, while the phone was ready on the tripod.

Ning Fei knew that no one would watch his show so early. He would have to be patient and accumulate his popularity.

100, 200, 300, 1,000, 5,000…

As time passed, the number of viewers increased exponentially.

Ning Fei didn’t wave hello right away. Instead, he chose to display the view from the drone. He found a suitable spot and began to practice with his sword.

As usual, he did his practice slowly. Other than the years in university, he had been practicing this set of swordplay for more than a decade. He had reached the highest level where his moves were natural and fluid.

‘Good morning, Host!’

‘Host, I’m here again!’

‘Yay! You’re practicing with the sword again. Great!’

‘I’m new here. Can I ask if you’re subduing monsters with your sword? What is the content of your livestream?’

‘This place is really beautiful. It’s green everywhere, and I’m so envious.’

‘I feel at peace whenever I watch the webcaster practice with his sword. It’s so bizarre.’

The comments piled up during the time Ning Fei practiced with his sword.

Ning Fei wielded his sword slowly, and his movements were precise. His every move seemed to have some peculiar magical power. Occasionally, he would move swiftly, and his actions seemed strong and forceful. He also exuded aggressiveness and charm.

Ten minutes later, Ning Fei completed his practice. He knew that he would have a number of viewers by now, so he switched the camera view back to his phone.

He waved at the phone and said cheerfully, “Hello, dear viewers. Good morning! Today, I plan to bring everyone to visit the magical tree in our mountains. I hope all of you will like it.”

The comments shot up instantaneously and furiously when he appeared on the screen.

‘Hi, Host! You’re so beautiful when you wield the sword!’

‘My goodness, this webcaster is too handsome!’

‘Christ. He looks as if he has just walked out from an ancient painting.’

‘Tsk. Why do I see so many people trying to fight with me for my hubby?’

‘I can’t believe this. This outdoor webcaster has amassed so many female fans?’

‘Everyone, be rational. I reckon that there are few who can be as good-looking as me and the webcaster.’ 

‘Hello, you on top. Are you kidding me?’

Ning Fei chuckled in helpless amusement when he saw the viewers bickering.

He walked out of the temple with the drone circling the air above him.

Even though the families lived a distance away from each other, they would often drop by for a visit. So after a day, news of the little priest with his drone had spread to the entire village. No one was surprised to hear that though.

“Good morning, Aunt Liu.”

“Hello, Ning Fei. Have you eaten? I made bread yesterday. I’ll go get some for you.”

“Aunt Liu, it’s fine. I’ve eaten.” Ning Fei smiled warmly at her.

The houses were all scattered around the village. There was a large stretch of flat land that housed several families. It was also the biggest place where people gathered in Taishan village. There were more than twenty families living in a row. The village head also lived here.

Ning Fei had to pass by this stretch of land to reach the magical tree.

As Ning Fei strode on the path, he would occasionally check the comments. Having the drone was a good idea as he didn’t have to hold the tripod with a hand like some other webcasters. His movements weren’t restricted, and the background and scenery wouldn’t be cut off.

There was an uptick in comments at this time.

‘Webcaster! Why is there a flock of ducks blocking your way?’

‘Indeed! Why are the five ducks not moving?’

‘Now that you’ve mentioned it, what’s wrong with those ducks?’

Ning Fei read the comments and was confused. He raised his head and realized that the five ducks were sitting in the middle of the path. They were all quacking in the direction of a family.

“Oh, these are Uncle Wang’s ducks. They are waiting for Uncle Li’s ducks to go swimming together,” Ning Fei answered cheerfully.

The moment the words left his lips, the comments shot up like flames.

‘What the hell? Ducks waiting for other ducks? Webcaster, are you joking?’

‘Did my ears fail me? Ducks from two households could still make an appointment to go swimming together?’ 

‘This webcaster has spun such a convincing story.’

‘Are you for real? Are ducks that affectionate?’ 

Ning Fei seemed helpless when everyone raised their doubts. He simply said, “Then let’s wait for a while, and everyone can see them.

“This happens every day. The flock of ducks who come out first would wait outside their house for the other group. They also come back together. Uncle Li’s ducks would go back to their own house, while Uncle Wang’s ducks would go back to him.”

Curiosity filled the viewers at Ning Fei’s explanation.

Was this real or a joke?

Why did it sound as though he was writing a novel?

The scene depicted reminded everyone of their childhood, where they would call out to their companions or friends to come out and play outside.

Amidst the suspicions and doubt, the door of a house flung open. Just as expected, five ducks came waddling towards the direction of the other ducks as they quacked loudly.

The ducks who had been waiting for some time quacked loudly back. Then, the 10 ducks huddled together closely and waddled towards Ning Fei.

“Everyone, did you see that? This flock of ducks really does this. If everyone is interested, I can show you how they come home in the afternoon,” Ning Fei said casually, as though he had seen this a thousand times.

This scene was undoubtedly novel and bizarre to the viewers.

A flock of ducks waiting for another flock? Did ducks really resemble humans in that sense?

‘Dear me. I’ve learned something new today. Bravo, Host!’

‘Splendid! I’ve gained new knowledge!’ 

‘So many strange and fun things happen to this webcaster. Yesterday, he met dogs fighting, and today, he chanced upon ducks who go swimming together. Amazing!’

‘Time to send rewards!’

‘Brothers! Let’s subscribe to this webcaster. He is truly a good and unpretentious one!’

Everyone typed frantically and excitedly.

The ducks waddled past Ning Fei noisily and got further away.

Ning Fei continued on his way.