Chapter 78: The Demon-Beast Hunting Rite
Dà Hu had already reached the sixth layer of Qi-Refining nearly a year ago. Unfortunately, his luck was bad—he missed the Demon-Beast Hunting Rite by just a few days. Without that, he couldn't officially become a Demon Beast Hunter, and thus couldn't go into the mountains to hunt monsters.
Shuāng Hu and Xiǎo Hu had similar aptitude. Though both were rather playful, they were still diligent in their cultivation. Within the year, they too broke through, reaching the sixth layer of Qi-Refining.
The Demon-Beast Hunting Rite was held before the ancestral hall. Dà Hu, Shuāng Hu, Xiǎo Hu, and several other cultivators who had just reached the sixth layer participated in the ceremony under the guidance of a few highly respected elders.
The rite was rather elaborate—first, incense was lit to honor Heaven and Earth. Then came the blood oath: cutting one's palm with a blade, letting a drop of blood fall into the wine, and drinking it together.
The elder gave a speech. Mo Hua was standing too far away to catch all of it, only hearing bits and pieces.
Roughly, it meant: Though not kin by blood, you are bound as brothers by this blood oath. From this day on, stand shoulder to shoulder—share your strength, shed your blood together.
For the truth was, demonic beasts were far stronger than cultivators. Without unity and shared effort, no one could survive long as a Demon Beast Hunter, one careless moment, and they'd end up as monster fodder.
After the blood oath, the new Demon Beast Hunters each received a Demon-Beast Hunting Token from the elder.
These tokens were said to be crafted from the bones of special demonic beasts, palm-sized, and faintly white in color.
Every cultivator who became a Demon Beast Hunter received one. Each time a beast was slain, a crimson vein-like crack would appear on the token—the more beasts slain, the more visible the cracks became.
A token covered in cracks was a mark of a veteran, a Demon Beast Hunter's hard-earned honor.
Dà Hu and his brothers each received a token. After dripping their blood upon it, they hung it around their necks.
The blood-bonded token would accompany a Demon Beast Hunter for life. Many cherished it as dearly as their own heart—even in death, they would rather lose their life than their token. Losing it was like erasing one's record, one's pride, one's very life as a hunter.
After the blood oath and the distribution of tokens, the rite concluded.
The three brothers, who had been nervous the entire time, finally breathed in relief.
They wore new Daoist robes and rattan armor, each holding a freshly forged broadsword.
The robes were made of common cloth—cheap, but sturdy. The armor and blades, however, were spirit tools: the rattan armor protected the heart, and the broadsword was a standard weapon among Demon Beast Hunters.
Uncle Meng wasn't a wealthy man; he had practically emptied his savings to outfit all three of them. From now on, they would have to rely on these tools—and on themselves.
Mo Hua strolled through the streets with them, but seeing the boys looking glum, he asked worriedly,
"Hey, what's wrong? Not happy?"
They stopped at a small stone bridge, sitting by the railing as the sound of flowing water mingled with the distant glow of lanterns.
Shuāng Hu muttered, "I saw my mom crying last night."
Xiǎo Hu added softly, "Me too. I think… she was sad about the spirit stones. She spent years saving those little by little, and now they're all gone."
"Not just that," said Dà Hu. "I saw Dad borrowing spirit stones—from the hunters' team and from Uncle Mo too." He turned to Mo Hua. "Your family's not short on spirit stones, right?"
"Don't worry," Mo Hua reassured with a smile. "We've still got the eatery. We'll be fine for now."
"That's good." Dà Hu exhaled, though the three still looked dispirited.
Just a day ago, they had still been children. Now, after the Demon-Beast Hunting Rite, the burden of adulthood—and survival—had fallen on their shoulders. For the first time, they felt the true weight of life.
"Don't look so down," Mo Hua said. "This is actually a good thing."
The three lifted their heads, listening.
"Before, only Uncle Meng and Aunt Meng earned spirit stones while you spent them. But now, you can earn them yourselves—hunt beasts, bring back spoils. Aunt Meng's load will be lighter, and life will get better. Once you pay off the debts, you can buy her all sorts of good food."
Their eyes brightened immediately.
Shuāng Hu scratched his head. "But… can we really earn any spirit stones? My dad said new hunters mostly just follow and watch—they don't get a share."
Mo Hua chuckled. "You guys fight pretty well, don't you?"
"Yeah."
"Then just treat hunting like fighting. Before you fought people—now you fight beasts."
"But… hunting beasts isn't quite the same," Xiǎo Hu said hesitantly.
"Then learn from the experienced hunters," Mo Hua advised. "Nothing comes instantly. The faster you learn, the sooner you'll be useful, and the sooner you'll earn spirit stones. That'll make both Uncle Meng and Aunt Meng proud."
His words lifted their spirits.
"Though…" Dà Hu hesitated, "once we start hunting, we won't be able to come play with you often."
"Yeah," Xiǎo Hu said softly. "Maybe not at all, later…"
The three looked down, spirits sinking again.
Mo Hua smiled. "That's fine. In a year or two, maybe I'll reach the sixth layer too. Then I can become a Demon Beast Hunter and join you on the mountain."
"Right! Right!" Xiǎo Hu cheered.
Shuāng Hu shot him a look. "Right what? You forgot— Mo Hua's body's weak, and he's not on the body-refining path. Hunting beasts is dangerous. Uncle Mo would never allow it. You should be a formation master instead—high status, lots of spirit stones, no fighting."
Dà Hu nodded quickly. "Being a formation master is better!"
Xiǎo Hu agreed, "Yeah, formation master sounds good!"
Mo Hua laughed. "Alright, then I'll focus on becoming a formation master. If fate changes or my body strengthens, maybe I'll reconsider being a Demon Beast Hunter."
Still, he thought privately—he truly wasn't suited for that path. His body was frail, and his cultivation leaned toward spiritual arts. If he ever faced a beast up close, he'd probably get shredded in seconds…
It was a pity. He'd always admired the straightforward, thunderous strength of body cultivators—fists like hammers, techniques fierce and unrestrained. Brave, wild, free.
Too bad he wasn't born for that.
Mo Hua patted his waist pouch. "Come on, my treat today, let's go to Wang's Pastries and get some Osmanthus Cake. Think of it as your send-off feast."
At the mention of food, all three perked up instantly.
"But… you're always treating us. It doesn't feel right," Shuāng Hu said sheepishly.
"No problem," Mo Hua grinned. "Once you become famous Demon Beast Hunters, slay a bunch of monsters, and earn piles of spirit stones—then you can treat me to something delicious."
At that, the boys' spirits soared. They nodded in unison. "Deal!"
Their worries melted away as they marched off toward the pastry stall, full of youthful bravado.
After eating, dusk had already fallen, and it was time to part ways.
Before leaving, Dà Hu told Mo Hua earnestly, "Once we're up in the mountains, you be careful. If anyone bullies you, tell us. We'll come back and beat them up."
Mo Hua was touched and laughed. "Alright, it's a promise!"
(End of Chapter)