Mo Fan’s words left Fang Ru utterly stunned.
As she gazed at Mo Fan, now reverted to his spirit form, his slightly familiar face made her resilient heart suddenly fragile.
Though Mo Fan’s appearance had changed greatly since his time studying in the small town, Fang Ru recognised him instantly.
With just one glance, tears welled up in her eyes, and the figure before her blurred.
“I’m sorry, I deceived you. I’m not actually a hunter,” Mo Fan said, sighing as Fang Ru stared at him in silence.
He knew revealing his true identity would deeply affect her.
But to his surprise, after a brief silence, Fang Ru took a deep breath. When she looked at him again, the pitiful look in her eyes had vanished.
“So it’s Young Master Mo,” she said, forcing a smile that looked worse than crying. “I’m deeply relieved to see you again.”
The sight pained Mo Fan, but he nodded, saying, “Yes, I never expected to meet you again either.”
“Little Ru, you know this Young Master Mo?” Grand Tutor Zhang asked, his brow slightly furrowed, glancing at the tightly shut gate, which showed no signs of being opened.
“Yes, Young Master Mo once studied in Pingyao Town, where I taught him to read for a month,” Fang Ru nodded, staring intently at Mo Fan, deliberately emphasising the latter part.
“I see,” Grand Tutor Zhang nodded, then asked Mo Fan, “Young Master Mo isn’t an ordinary person, is he? Are you perhaps a cultivator?”
“You could say I’m a cultivator,” Mo Fan replied with a smile, turning his gaze to the emaciated, pale-faced children. “Let’s not stand on ceremony. The children look famished. Let me distribute the food Teacher Fang brought.”
Hearing Mo Fan admit he was a cultivator, Grand Tutor Zhang’s expression softened, and he nodded, “Young Master Mo is right.”
Seeing everyone watching him, Mo Fan waved his hand, and a golden light radiated from him, so dazzling that everyone instinctively closed their eyes.
When they opened them again, they found the ground piled with food.
Not just chicken, duck, and fish, but pork, mutton, beef, and even two wolf carcasses.
All the food was fully cooked, emitting a rich, savoury aroma.
Not only the children but even Grand Tutor Zhang and Teacher Wang were drawn to the food, swallowing hard.
“What are you all waiting for? While the food’s still hot, eat up,” Mo Fan called out.
The children, thrilled, danced with excitement and gathered around.
Though starving, they didn’t reach for the food, instead looking to Fang Ru.
Fang Ru hesitated, glancing at the fragrant food, then at Mo Fan, and asked coldly, “Is this food really safe to eat?”
“Of course,” Mo Fan nodded, beckoning a roasted chicken into his hand.
He then took a bite in front of everyone.
Fang Ru’s emotions were complex, and she didn’t immediately tell the others to eat. Instead, she tore off a small piece of meat and ate it herself.
After a moment, she glanced at Mo Fan, then told the children, “Line up, everyone. I’ll distribute the food.”
“Yay!”
“We finally have food!”
“Long live Teacher Fang!”
“Long live Big Brother too!”
The starving children erupted in joy, shouting happily.
Mo Fan gave a wry smile, transmitting his voice to Fang Ru, “You don’t need to be so wary of me. If I meant harm to these children, I wouldn’t go to such lengths.”
Fang Ru’s body trembled slightly. Seeing no one else reacted, she relaxed, gritted her teeth, and replied in a voice only they could hear, “The old Fang Ru wouldn’t doubt you, but now I’m Teacher Fang, responsible for these children’s lives.”
“How long can you protect them?” Mo Fan shook his head. “The demons here treat you as blood slaves. They spare the children only to raise them like livestock. Do you understand what that means? Humans often raise animals to slaughter for festivals. Demons are no different.”
Fang Ru trembled, but she clenched her teeth, saying nothing, and continued distributing food to the children.
Seeing the children’s joy as they received food, Fang Ru asked gravely, “Are you like those demons, here to eat us?”
“You know I’m not,” Mo Fan said, his brow furrowing as he sighed. “Perhaps Fang Ru isn’t the same Fang Ru as before, but Mo Fan is still the same Mo Fan, unchanged.”
His words shook Fang Ru, and tears streamed from her eyes uncontrollably.
“Teacher Fang is crying!”
“Teacher Fang, what’s wrong?”
“Teacher Fang, don’t cry! We won’t be greedy anymore, please don’t cry!”
The children panicked, crowding around Fang Ru with concern.
Mo Fan quietly stepped aside, giving them space.
“Young Master Mo, if I’m not mistaken, the array barrier around this place was opened because of you, wasn’t it?” Grand Tutor Zhang asked, approaching with Teacher Wang, looking at him expectantly.
“Yes,” Mo Fan nodded absentmindedly.
Both men’s faces lit up, exchanging glances. Teacher Wang spoke, “Young Master Mo, allow me to introduce Grand Tutor Zhang.”
Mo Fan glanced at them, saying lightly, “I know, Fang Ru mentioned him earlier.”
“Well… perhaps Young Master Mo doesn’t understand what ‘Grand Tutor’ means. Grand Tutor Zhang was the teacher of the imperial children. Even the Song Kingdom’s civil and military officials show him great respect,” Teacher Wang explained.
“Oh?” Mo Fan finally looked at Grand Tutor Zhang closely. Though dishevelled, he wore fine silk robes, and his plump, rosy face suggested he hadn’t starved much.
He then looked at Teacher Wang, whose gaunt, pale face showed he hadn’t recovered despite eating.
“No wonder he’s the Grand Tutor. He looks far more resilient to hunger than Teacher Wang,” Mo Fan chuckled.
Grand Tutor Zhang’s expression grew awkward, and he quickly explained, “Young Master Mo jests. It’s not that I’m resilient, but everyone respects me and shares food with me when they find it.”
“I see. What does the Grand Tutor want with me?” Mo Fan nodded, wondering if he should take Grand Tutor Zhang to Black Wind Mountain.
After all, someone who taught imperial children surely had enough knowledge to educate the uncivilised demons and beasts there.
But Grand Tutor Zhang’s next words made Mo Fan’s gaze turn icy.
“Young Master Mo, I know you possess great immortal powers. I humbly request you save us both and help us escape this place. If I can leave safely, I’ll repay your great kindness.”
