Chapter 128: Night Drinking
Night fell over the outer mountains of Great Black Mountain.
Yu Chengyi, panting heavily, finally slew the demon beast before him.
It had taken far more effort than he had anticipated.
The beast wasn't particularly strong, but it was cunning and fast. Even when gravely wounded, it could still slip away with tricky maneuvers.
Normally, with more people, they could have surrounded and finished it off quickly. But since he had lent a few men to Mo Hua, the encirclement was full of gaps.
The demon beast took advantage of that, escaping several times before Yu Chengyi finally cornered and killed it by nightfall.
The others were also injured, mostly superficial wounds, nothing serious.
After collecting the beast's remains, they headed to a nearby monster-hunting camp to rest.
It was late; traveling further wasn't wise. Besides, they had been fighting all day and were exhausted.
A few monster hunters lit lamps, and the dim yellow glow instantly brought warmth to the cramped camp.
Yu Chengyi pulled out a few bottles of strong liquor and poured everyone a cup.
They clinked their cups and downed the liquor in one gulp. The burning liquid hit their throats, and suddenly their fatigue melted away.
Yu Chengyi smacked his lips and sighed. "What a pity, wine without meat!"
One of the hunters coughed, then pulled a paper-wrapped bundle from his storage pouch. When he unwrapped it, the rich aroma of cooked demon beef filled the air, dark red meat streaked with spices, savory and mouthwatering.
Yu Chengyi cursed, "Damn it, why didn't you take that out earlier? I've already had three swigs of plain liquor!"
The man shot back, "Then don't eat any! I almost didn't share it at all!"
The group burst into laughter, trading playful curses before tearing into the food and wine.
Someone chewed and asked, "This beef's from Mo Shan's shop, right?"
"Nonsense. Who else makes meat this good?"
"You should try Spirit Cuisine Tower on North Street, their spiritual meat's heavenly!"
"Too expensive. No joy eating something that costs that much."
"Next time, I'll cozy up to Mo Shan and see if he'll gift me a bit…"
"You think your face that big?"
"Screw you!"
…
They laughed, ate, and drank, their conversation flowing easily.
Yu Chengyi, however, frowned slightly. Hearing Mo Shan's name made him think of Mo Hua.
He couldn't help wondering, how was that boy doing? Was he safe?
Just then, Yu Chengyi's expression stiffened. "There's movement!"
Everyone set down their cups, crouched, and gripped their weapons, eyes locked on the camp entrance.
One hunter peeked outside, then relaxed. "It's Old Zhao!"
Everyone exhaled, sat back down, and resumed drinking.
Old Zhao stepped inside, scowling. "I've been rushing all night while you lot are here drinking and feasting!"
"We thought you weren't coming back."
"Your wife's pregnant, we figured you went home."
"Your loss, not ours!"
The group chuckled.
Yu Chengyi poured a cup for Old Zhao.
Old Zhao didn't refuse. After half a day's travel, he was both tired and thirsty. He gulped the liquor down; the spicy burn in his throat brought pleasant warmth.
Yu Chengyi couldn't hold back. "That kid Mo Hua, is he alright?"
Old Zhao's face turned complicated.
Yu Chengyi's heart skipped a beat. "What, something happened?"
Old Zhao shook his head. "No, he went home."
Yu Chengyi sighed in relief and scolded, "You could've said that straight! Gave me a damn scare!"
Taking another sip, he asked casually, "So what was the kid up to?"
Old Zhao hesitated. "…Killing a demon beast."
Yu Chengyi spat his drink. "What?"
Old Zhao sighed. "Killing a demon beast."
"Mid-tier Rank One?"
"Mid-tier Rank One."
Yu Chengyi froze. "How?"
Old Zhao exhaled. Yu Chengyi patted his shoulder knowingly. "Old Zhao, you've worked hard!"
Then he frowned. "But… you're not injured. Doesn't look like you were the one who fought."
"Wasn't me," Old Zhao said. "Or at least… not really."
Yu Chengyi snapped, "Stop mumbling, speak plainly!"
Old Zhao thought for a moment, then explained, "Mo Hua set traps—formations. When the beast stepped in, he triggered it with a Fireball Technique. The explosion heavily injured the beast…"
"After that, honestly, they didn't even need me. Those Qi-Refining mid-stage kids could finish it off themselves."
Yu Chengyi frowned.
The others laughed and jeered.
"Old Zhao, you drunk already?"
"That beast was Rank One mid-tier? Yeah right."
"You barely drank, can't handle your liquor?"
"Get lost," Old Zhao grumbled, ignoring them.
Yu Chengyi, however, seemed to believe him. "What kind of formation?"
"How would I know?"
"You didn't ask?"
"I was too shocked to think of that!"
"And then?"
"Then he drained the beast's blood. We sold it, and I… got eight spirit stones."
Yu Chengyi gave him a look of disgust. "You robbed a kid?"
Old Zhao flushed. "I tried to refuse, he insisted!"
"And you can sleep soundly holding that?"
"I'll take it to his family's food shop tomorrow, buy some meat for everyone to share…"
"You see, we're helping you clear your conscience."
"Damn you all!"
Everyone roared with laughter.
But Yu Chengyi kept frowning.
Old Zhao noticed. "What's wrong?"
Yu Chengyi asked solemnly, "You're sure that formation could seriously injure a Rank One mid-tier beast?"
Old Zhao's face turned serious. "I saw it with my own eyes."
"What kind of beast?"
"A Red-Eyed Ram, about three meters tall, curled horns, white fur, crimson eyes, feeds on entrails. Its mouth was still bloody when we found it." Old Zhao opened his storage pouch, pulling out a bloody hoof. "Here, its hoof. Worthless, so I kept it."
The others fell silent. The hoof was as thick as a cultivator's thigh, the tip dark red, nearly black.
"A Rank One mid-tier, in its prime, had eaten plenty of flesh."
One hunter hesitated. "Mo Shan's boy's only at the fifth or sixth layer of Qi-Refining, right? Could he really draw such a powerful formation?"
"Seems unlikely."
"Not necessarily," another said. "He drew Iron-Armor Formation on my son's Vine Armor. I don't understand formations, but his work's definitely good."
"You can't read a single rune, how would you know?"
"Never eaten pork, but I've seen pigs run!"
…
The group argued noisily.
Yu Chengyi thought for a long moment. "Tomorrow, go ask him, no, I'll go myself. I want to see what formation he used, and if it really can injure a Rank One mid-tier beast."
Old Zhao nodded. "But aren't we supposed to head into the inner mountain tomorrow?"
"Postpone a day. We'll go the day after."
Everyone was surprised. "That formation's that important? You'd delay a full squad for it?"
Yu Chengyi nodded. "Not important to us, but to new monster hunters, it could be vital."
"How so?"
Yu Chengyi looked around at them and said slowly,
"With this formation… three or four mid-stage Qi-Refining cultivators could kill a Rank One mid-tier demon beast, couldn't they?"
Everyone stared at one another, hearts pounding.
(End of Chapter)