After noticing the strange atmosphere on Black Wind Mountain, Mo Fan became cautious, not even stepping out of his cave dwelling.
Several days passed in a flash.
During these days, Mo Fan had his three loyal demons report to him daily under the guise of paying respects, but in reality, he was using them to gather information about the situation on Black Wind Mountain.
“Master, as you predicted, among the demon lieutenants you told us to watch, only Big Horn ventures out occasionally to wander. The rest have vanished without a trace.”
“Yes, we even asked their underlings, but even they don’t know where their lords have gone.”
“Master, by having us gather this information, are you suggesting something has happened to those lieutenants?”
The rabbit demon Red Eyes and the other two demons spoke in turn, their gazes fixed on Mo Fan.
From their master’s recent actions, the three demons had sensed something was amiss, feeling a subtle undercurrent of tension.
This made them uneasy, and they hoped to get answers from Mo Fan.
Mo Fan didn’t respond immediately. He pondered for a moment before saying, “Since those underlings don’t know where their lords are, haven’t they checked their lords’ caves?”
“Master, how could mere underlings casually enter a lieutenant’s cave?”
“Exactly, Master. Have you forgotten the rules of Black Wind Mountain? Even loyal demons can’t enter a lieutenant’s cave without permission.”
The ox demon Da Li and Red Eyes gave wry smiles.
Mo Fan nodded, realising he’d overlooked this detail. He then looked at the three demons, seeing the fear in their eyes, and scolded with a chuckle, “What are you lot afraid of?”
“If I’m not mistaken, this disturbance is aimed only at us demon lieutenants. You small demons aren’t on the list.”
Through his observations over the past few days, Mo Fan had roughly pieced together the reason and even suspected who was behind it.
Hearing this, the three demons exchanged glances and let out sighs of relief.
They had been genuinely worried they might end up like the missing lieutenants, disappearing without a trace.
“Master, do you know something?” Da Li asked, frowning.
Seeing the three demons looking at him, Mo Fan nodded. “If I’m not wrong, there’s a traitor among us on Black Wind Mountain!”
A traitor?
The three demons exchanged looks again.
“Master, are you saying those lieutenants have really been harmed?”
Da Li’s eyes widened, hardly believing it.
These were demon lieutenants, after all!
And not just one or two—over a dozen had mysteriously vanished. If they had indeed been harmed, this was a massive issue, one that could shake the heavens!
“I don’t know if they’ve been harmed, but they’re likely no longer on Black Wind Mountain!”
Mo Fan sighed, thought for a moment, and said, “Fine. Go now and bring the other three demons here. For the time being, stay in my cave.”
Though he didn’t think the culprit would target small demons, he needed to stay cautious.
Having more demons gathered here would also create more variables, potentially making the culprit wary.
The three demons were delighted at the order and responded in unison, “Thank you, Master! We’ll go fetch them now!”
After the three demons left, Mo Fan’s calm expression gradually darkened.
“Poison Fang, I wondered why you returned after so long. So you’ve been colluding with the human race!”
“No… it’s more accurate to say you’ve become Qin Changsheng’s puppet!”
Mo Fan muttered to himself, his suspicions fixed on Poison Fang!
Though he wasn’t entirely clear why Poison Fang was capturing the demon lieutenants of Black Wind Mountain, it was likely part of Qin Changsheng’s plan.
“Is it to weaken Black Wind Mountain’s strength?”
Mo Fan frowned, as this was the only reason he could think of.
He also realised why the two human women by the Black Wind Demon King’s side were there. It was likely Poison Fang’s doing, as when Mo Fan first arrived at Black Wind Mountain, Poison Fang had offered a human woman to the Demon King for amusement.
Not long after, there was no further news of that woman, but Mo Fan suspected she had probably ended up in the Demon King’s stomach.
“If it’s really Poison Fang’s doing, there’s a high chance he’ll come for me next…”
Mo Fan took a deep breath, his gaze turning icy.
Soon, the three loyal demons returned with Sparrow Chirp, Spider Demon Old Eight, and Beetle Demon Old Six to the Spring Pool Cave.
“From now on, you six demons will stay in my cave. Unless absolutely necessary, do not leave even half a step!”
Mo Fan addressed the six demons sternly, then instructed Da Li to arrange for some demons to guard the cave entrance to stay vigilant for Poison Fang’s arrival.
After making these arrangements, Mo Fan began to cultivate calmly, spitting out two metallic beads and tucking them into his sleeves.
These beads, called “Thunder Bombs,” were single-use magical weapons. Their power was immense, capable of killing early or mid-stage demon lieutenants and severely injuring late-stage or peak lieutenants.
If used by surprise, even a demon general could be taken down!
Mo Fan had purchased them at the Broken Temple Market, each costing hundreds of low-grade spirit stones.
These two Thunder Bombs were Mo Fan’s greatest trump card against Poison Fang.
Of course, he knew how terrifying a demon general could be. If things went south, he could always escape into the spring pool.
Though Poison Fang was a snake demon like Bai Yao Yao, he wasn’t adept in water, and Mo Fan planned to use this to his advantage. He was confident his life was safe. If Poison Fang dared pursue him into the water, Mo Fan wouldn’t mind killing a demon general!
Both Bai Yao Yao and Big Head had considerable combat strength underwater, enough to pose a significant threat to Poison Fang!
And so, time passed slowly in waiting.
Two days later, in the dead of night.
A figure approached from a distance at an astonishing speed, soon arriving just a few yards from the Spring Pool Cave.
Red Eyes, who had been dozing with a stick in hand, suddenly jolted awake, as if a cold wind had swept over him.
“Who goes there?!”
Opening his eyes, Red Eyes saw a figure before him and shivered in fright.
An immense pressure radiated from the figure, making Red Eyes’ fur stand on end. When he tried to speak again, no sound came out, his body went limp, and cold sweat poured from his forehead.
A wave of sheer terror washed over him!
The figure didn’t speak, slowly advancing toward Red Eyes.
As it drew closer, Red Eyes saw it was clad in a red robe, and his heart sank as he recognised the figure’s identity.
The Fourth General, Poison Fang!
“I’m done for! Done for!”
“The traitor Master mentioned is actually this cunning Fourth General. Your rabbit lord is finished this time…”
Red Eyes’ face fell, completely at the mercy of Poison Fang’s demonic aura, which locked onto him, rendering him unable to move or even speak.
As Poison Fang drew nearer, he raised his right hand, his demonic aura surging, transforming into a red giant python that slowly approached Red Eyes.
“I’m done, done, dead for sure!!”
Red Eyes’ eyes widened, tears welling up, his face pale with fright, and a puddle formed beneath him.
He had been scared to the point of wetting himself!
“Hey!”
“Harming fellow mountain demons in secret breaks the rules set by the Demon King Grandpa. That’s a crime worthy of being served up as a feast!”
At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out from behind Poison Fang, causing a slight ripple in his calm expression.
