The breakthrough in cultivation was something Mo Fan had anticipated long ago. What he found regrettable, however, was that there still was not enough demonic energy to support his breakthrough to the Demon King realm.
Mo Fan peered inward and discovered that the Nirvana Pool spring liquid stored in his inner space had already been consumed by seventy or eighty percent. Even if he absorbed all that remained, it would not be of much use, let alone giving it to the Golden Coin to absorb.
After pondering for a moment, he decided to use the remaining spring liquid as a reward to help his subordinate little demons elevate their cultivation.
Thus, after two days of seclusion, Mo Fan finally emerged.
As soon as Mo Fan stepped out of the stone chamber, he saw Hei Yi sitting cross-legged in front of the door.
Hei Yi seemed to sense something and quickly stood up, saying respectfully, “Great King!”
“You’ve worked hard these past two days!” Mo Fan said with a smile.
“This is what I should do. Since I have decided to acknowledge you as king and follow at your side, I must fulfil my duties.” Hei Yi said calmly.
“Actually, it’s not that dangerous on Black Wind Mountain. You could very well go to the mountain top with Yaoyao to join the feast.”
Seeing Hei Yi’s serious demeanour, Mo Fan could not help but smile wryly.
“It’s no trouble. I have always preferred quiet.” Hei Yi shook her head.
“So, you’re not planning to go to the mountain top with me?”
Mo Fan looked at the girl, only to see her ponder for a moment before saying, “No, I still have to go. I can abstain from eating and drinking, but I must protect your safety, Great King.”
“…”
Mo Fan was speechless and could only nod, saying, “As you wish!”
He did not believe he needed Hei Yi’s protection, but since she insisted, he naturally had no objections. After all, having such a beautiful female demon by his side was a pleasing sight.
In truth, Mo Fan was well aware that with Hei Yi’s strength, she did not need to stay by his side constantly.
Back then, it had only been a spur-of-the-moment promise, with no real binding force. If she wanted to leave, he would not stop her.
Yet Hei Yi had not mentioned any intention of “leaving”, which Mo Fan believed was related to Bai Yi.
Bai Yi had originally died, but in the end, he had used his divine ability to turn her into a vengeful spirit.
Although Hei Yi appeared cold and even somewhat resentful towards Bai Yi on the surface, Mo Fan knew full well that Hei Yi was actually very attached to her.
The reason she was willing to stay by his side all the time, aside from keeping her promise, was more to repay him for saving Bai Yi.
Rather than saying Hei Yi was protecting him, Mo Fan, it would be better to say she was guarding Bai Yi.
However, Mo Fan chose to see through it without saying anything.
Mo Fan did not head straight to the mountain top. Instead, he first jumped into the spring pool, soon arriving at the stone wall where the dragon eels had been penned. To his surprise, he found that the several cages holding the fish eels there had long been opened, and the dragon eels inside had vanished without a trace.
Mo Fan frowned, then a vast demonic energy spread out. Moments later, however, he withdrew it without any gains.
“Hmph! When you return, this king will give you a proper thrashing!”
Mo Fan fumed inwardly. Without a doubt, this was all the doing of that Ying Ying Monster.
Who in the entire Black Wind Mountain did not know that this spring pool was a forbidden area?
Moreover, aside from that gluttonous Ying Ying Monster who dared to steal and eat these dragon eels without any qualms, which other demon would dare to come to the spring pool to pilfer them?
Mo Fan was not annoyed that the dragon eels were gone; he was annoyed by Ying Ying Monster’s thieving behaviour.
Since he could not find any trace of Ying Ying Monster for the time being, Mo Fan saw no point in lingering. He immediately flew out of the spring pool and headed to the mountain top with Hei Yi.
When Mo Fan arrived at the mountain top, he found that most of the demons on the square were sprawled about in disarray, with only a few still red-faced and thick-necked, competing in drinking.
Some were even putting on a full martial display.
Nearby, Bai Yaoyao held a cup of wine, quietly watching. Opposite her sat two women: Crane Feifei and Bai Xue.
Evidently, the three women had not joined in the revelry with those demons.
Mo Fan walked straight towards the three women and only spoke when he was near, asking, “Have the rest of the demons returned?”
“They have. Look over there at the bottom of that pile.”
Bai Yaoyao extended her jade hand, pointing remotely to a corner of the square.
Mo Fan looked over at once and saw a group of demons piled up overlapping into a small mountain.
At the bottom of the small mountain, crushed beneath, were the leaders who had returned from Black Cloud Mountain: Big Head, Big Horn, Big Power, and the others. At this moment, these fellows were snoring loudly, evidently quite drunk.
Seeing this, Mo Fan also smiled and did not bother to wake them.
For demon soldiers, having dozens of demons pressing down on one’s body posed no danger at all, so Mo Fan saw no need to stop these fellows’ rowdy antics.
“Sun Bai and the others from the Generals’ Hall returned yesterday. After joining the feast, they went back to the Generals’ Hall to cultivate.” Bai Yaoyao spoke again.
“Mm, everyone has indeed worked hard this past month. It’s time for a proper relaxation.”
Mo Fan nodded, only to find all three women gazing at him.
“Why are you all looking at me like that?”
Mo Fan touched his face, thinking there might be something on it.
“Nothing. I just think that on this entire Black Wind Mountain, the one who has worked the hardest and deserves the most relaxation is you.”
Bai Yaoyao spoke with a smile. Bai Xue, emboldened by the alcohol, stood up and came before Mo Fan, directly toppling into his arms.
“What’s this then? Playing the victim?”
Mo Fan glared and directly pushed Bai Xue away.
“Great King, Sister Yaoyao is right. You’ve been too hardworking this time. For the lives of all us demons on the mountain, you braved life and death to go to the Phoenix Cry Mountain demon domain seeking a solution. It must have been very tough, yes?”
“Bai Xue isn’t as capable as Sister Feifei, nor as knowledgeable as Sister Yaoyao, but I reckon this body of mine is still pleasing to the eye. So, Great King, don’t refuse. Let Bai Xue serve you well!”
Bai Xue said with flushed cheeks, her breath thick with the strong scent of alcohol as she spoke, causing Mo Fan to furrow his brows. He said, “Bai Xue, you’re drunk!”
“I… I’m not… hic… Lai Bao, we came up the mountain together back then!
The first time you saved me from that old hunter, I became very dependent on you. Later, I realised that it might be called liking… hic…
But heaven did not grant my wish. Fate decreed that I became the demon consort of that wild boar spirit…”
At this point, Bai Xue’s emotions suddenly turned low, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Mo Fan and said, “But do you know? If I hadn’t been willing back then, you would have died!
I didn’t want you to die!
I know I don’t deserve you now, but I don’t mind being a lesser one, really! Even if it’s just as a little maid to wash your feet and warm your bed!
As long as I can be by your side, I’m content!
Just let me serve you well!”
With that, Bai Xue lunged towards Mo Fan.
Mo Fan did not dodge, but a figure in white appeared before him.
“The Great King said you’re drunk!”
Hei Yi spoke faintly, her tone cold, her gaze even icier, causing the lunging Bai Xue to halt in her tracks at once, not daring to advance further.
“Is Red Eye here?”
Mo Fan spoke faintly.
“Great King, I… I’m here!!”
A slightly hoarse voice suddenly came from behind, causing Mo Fan’s face to twitch. He turned around to find Red Eye, dishevelled, standing just a few feet behind him.
“You bastard, have you been eavesdropping all along?”
Mo Fan stepped forward irritably and kicked at Red Eye, but the fellow dodged it.
“Great King, it wasn’t intentional. I originally planned to come over to toast you…”
Red Eye scratched his head, but his pair of red eyes were fixed on Bai Xue.
“Toast?”
Mo Fan glanced at the fellow’s empty hands and snorted coldly, “Have you ever seen anyone toasting with empty hands?”
“Ah? This…”
“Enough with the excuses. Bai Xue is drunk. Help her down to rest properly!”
Mo Fan waved his hand. Upon hearing this, Red Eye’s face lit up with excitement, and he responded, “Yes!!”
With that, Red Eye came directly before Bai Xue and said to her, “Miss Bai Xue, you’ve had too much to drink. The Great King said to let me take care of you. Let’s go!”
With that, Red Eye reached out to support her, only to be kicked to the ground by Bai Xue.
“This lady has legs and doesn’t need your support… hic… you give me… give me…”
“Bang!”
Before Bai Xue could finish her words, she toppled headfirst to the ground.
“Bai Xue!!”
Red Eye cried out in alarm upon seeing this.
“Don’t worry, she’s just passed out from drink.”
Mo Fan shook his head at the sight, thinking to himself, “How come there are no shortage of lapdogs even among demons? It’s a pity that the flower has intentions, but the flowing water has none.
Red Eye, oh Red Eye, this king has given you the opportunity. Whether you can seize it is up to you!”
Mo Fan had never had any intentions towards Bai Xue and naturally would not force himself to accept her just because she liked him. That would be irresponsible to himself and even more so to Bai Xue.
“Do you need my help to look after Bai Xue?”
At this moment, Crane Feifei suddenly spoke, her expression somewhat unpleasant.
“Ah? No need to trouble the great general. I can take care of it!”
Red Eye refused without a second thought, then, under everyone’s gaze, hoisted Bai Xue over his shoulder and dashed down the mountain, running as fast as he could…
