Chapter 125: Entering the Mountain
"Hunting demons is dangerous. I originally didn't want you involved in such things," Mo Shan said solemnly, "but since you've learned a movement art and gained some means of self-preservation, I'll now teach you the skills of a demon hunter."
He looked at Mo Hua and continued, "These are lessons distilled from the lives and blood of demon hunters over tens of thousands of years. Learn them well. Even if you don't become a demon hunter in the future, they'll still serve you."
Mo Hua's little face turned serious, and he nodded firmly.
"The first rule of hunting demons is not killing demons, it's learning the terrain."
"The Black Mountain range is vast and treacherous, its paths complex and winding. You must first familiarize yourself with its roads, know where the peaks are, the cliffs, the caves; where monsters dwell, where the miasma thickens, and which spirit herbs are poisonous…"
"If you know all this well, then even if your cultivation isn't high, when danger strikes, you'll know how to hide and won't lose your life."
"Conversely, if you're ignorant of the terrain and geography, you'll end up breathing in miasma, eating poisonous herbs, or stumbling into a demon's lair. Then, no matter how strong you are, you won't walk out of Black Mountain alive."
"I'll take you through the outer range. Pay attention, memorize the lay of the land, the creeks, the mists, the poisonous swamps, and the dense forests…"
With that, Mo Shan started along the mountain path.
Mo Hua followed closely, memorizing every road underfoot and every landmark along the way.
Whenever they passed dangerous spots, Mo Shan would stop and explain carefully:
Which miasma was faint and which was thick; how one mustn't linger over half an hour where it's dense, lest it seep into the body and cloud the mind.
Some forests breed thick fogs, enter by mistake, and you'll lose your sense of direction. Unless you wait till noon when the fog lifts, you'll never find your way out.
Certain swamps hide venomous beasts, their skin blending with the plants, one must be cautious.
And which peaks host powerful demons, and what signs herald their presence…
…
(TN: This novel was translated by "Aberto D. Tempest". Read latest chapters at "AbertoVerse.com")
From morning till dusk, they walked without rest, yet only covered a small portion of the outer mountain.
As night fell, Mo Shan brought Mo Hua to a small camp halfway up a mountainside.
The camp was a cave concealed by foliage, sealed with an iron gate carved with a simple formation to deter beasts.
It was cramped inside, just some dry rations, grass bedding, and a few rough stone bunks.
"This is where demon hunters rest or spend the night. Crude, but enough to shelter you."
He then pointed at the iron gate. "There's a formation on it. Not a great one, but usable. If you're ever chased and have nowhere to hide, come here and activate the formation, most beasts can't get in."
Mo Hua nodded.
Father and son spent the night in the camp.
At dawn, they set off again, Mo Shan teaching as they walked.
Like this, they traveled and camped in Black Mountain for seven full days before finally completing a circuit of the outer range.
When they returned home, Mo Hua's body was sore, his calves swollen, and his head dizzy from miasma despite taking anti-miasma pills.
Liu Ruhua asked Elder Feng to prepare a Spirit-Clearing Decoction, rubbed ointment on Mo Hua's legs, and seeing how pale he looked, glared at Mo Shan.
"You could've taught him slowly, why keep him in the mountains for seven days, letting him suffer so much?"
Seeing his wife angry, Mo Shan lowered his voice, "He'll have to endure this someday. Better to suffer now than later."
Liu Ruhua knew he was right, but still fumed, and that night, Mo Shan's dinner was just porridge and buns. Not even a pickle.
Mo Shan could only smile bitterly.
...
After two days, Mo Hua recovered fully.
Having not visited Forgetful Meditation Abode in nearly ten days, he brought some wine and meat to pay respects to Mister Zhuang and explained where he'd been.
Seeing his still-pale face, Mister Zhuang waved it off. "Go rest. There are no rigid rules here."
Mo Hua then delivered some pastries and pine nuts to Grandpa Kui, and fruit wine to the Bai siblings.
When Bai Zisheng learned Mo Hua could now enter Black Mountain to hunt demons, he was green with envy, Aunt Xue kept him on such a short leash he could barely go outside, let alone hunt demons.
Mo Hua patted his shoulder sympathetically, nothing more he could do.
...
A few days later, Mo Shan brought Mo Hua into Black Mountain again.
This time, without needing to explain everything in detail, they completed the outer range in just three or four days.
From then on, whenever Mo Shan had time, he'd take Mo Hua to walk the mountains again.
Gradually, Mo Hua became thoroughly familiar with the outer range.
...
One day, Mo Shan brought him to a cliff. The view overlooked the mid-mountain valleys below.
After ensuring the area was safe, Mo Shan said, "You've learned the terrain. Now I'll teach you how to engage a demon, and what to watch out for."
Mo Hua sat cross-legged on a rock, listening intently.
"The first principle of demon hunters: Know yourself and know your enemy. The second: Preparation ensures survival."
"To know yourself and your enemy means to understand your own strength—your cultivation, your techniques, your artifacts—and to understand the demon's realm, its blood vitality, demon power, habits, strengths, and weaknesses. Whether it's treacherous or feigns death—everything."
"Then weigh the balance. If you can kill, strike. If not, don't act rashly."
"If mid-battle you realize the situation's changed and you can no longer win, you must retreat immediately. Don't wait until your spiritual power runs dry, because then, you'll die."
…
"Preparation ensures survival, meaning plan ahead. When facing a powerful beast, you must consider: can you kill it? how to kill it? what methods to use? and what to do if something goes wrong."
"If you act without planning, even one mistake can mean certain death."
…
Mo Shan spoke in great detail.
Mo Hua listened carefully, absorbing every word.
"You just need to remember this for now. After enough hunts, you'll understand naturally."
Mo Hua nodded.
"One more thing," Mo Shan warned, "No matter what happens, if you can avoid fighting, don't. But once you do fight… you must strike ruthlessly!"
"Ruthlessly?" Mo Hua blinked in surprise.
"As a demon hunter, you're the enemy of demon beasts. If you're not ruthless, they will be. If you don't kill them, they'll kill you."
"And what exactly does 'ruthless' mean?"
Mo Shan's brows lifted.
"When you don't strike, conceal every trace of killing intent. But when you do, don't hesitate for even a breath!"
"If the enemy shows an opening, strike first and strike to kill. Never give them a chance to fight back."
"A demon that hasn't attacked yet, that's the best kind of demon!"
Hearing such words from his broad-browed, honest-looking father left Mo Hua a bit stunned.
After a moment's pause, he couldn't help but ask, "Isn't that a bit… dishonorable?"
Mo Shan's expression grew solemn. "For a demon hunter, there's no honor or disgrace, only life and death. A 'dishonorable victory' means you live. A 'glorious defeat' means you die."
Then he reached out and ruffled Mo Hua's hair.
"For rogue cultivators, survival is never easy. As long as you can live... live."
(End of Chapter)