The woman didn’t look young, but she wasn’t old either. From her face alone, she appeared to be in her mid-thirties, strikingly beautiful with an air of refined elegance, like a well-groomed lady.
In her arms, she held a child of about six or seven years old.
The child was fast asleep.
Seeing this, Mo Fan’s suspicions eased. He didn’t believe she could be a cultivator. If she were, why would she be carrying a child through such deep mountains?
“Who’s there?!”
Suddenly, the woman stopped, glaring toward where Mo Fan was hiding, her expression stern as she shouted, “Show yourself!”
*Oh no!*
Mo Fan’s heart skipped a beat, realizing he’d been exposed. He had no choice but to step out.
“Hello, ma’am, I mean no harm.”
Mo Fan forced a smile, awkwardly waving at her.
Seeing Mo Fan, the woman frowned, her eyes narrowing as she asked, “Who are you? Why were you sneaking around, spying on me?”
*Spying?*
Mo Fan felt a bit frustrated but explained, “Ma’am, you’ve misunderstood. I wasn’t spying. I’m a hunter from these mountains. I was out hunting, but my prey got away, so I stopped here to rest. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
As he spoke, he raised his spear and pointed to the bloodstains left by a wild boar nearby to back up his story.
The woman’s expression softened at this.
“I see. Where are you headed, ma’am? That child in your arms looks adorable. Is he your grandson?” Mo Fan suddenly asked.
Just moments ago, he had sensed a faint demonic aura from the woman, and he noticed she showed no signs of fatigue despite carrying the child for so long. This piqued his interest.
This woman was likely a demon!
“You’re right. This child is my grandson. We were visiting relatives in these mountains, but he got tired and fell asleep, so I’ve been carrying him,” the woman said with a smile. “Since it was a misunderstanding, we’ll be on our way. It’d be trouble if we don’t reach our relatives’ place before dark.”
With that, she ignored Mo Fan and headed deeper into the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Mo Fan noted her direction—straight toward the heart of the vast range.
*“What a load of nonsense. This place is desolate; even hunters avoid going too deep. A woman carrying a kid to visit relatives?*
*That excuse is too flimsy!*
*And I deliberately called the kid her grandson, and she just went along with it?*
*What a fool!*
*This woman’s probably a man-eating demon who kidnaps human children!”*
After a moment’s thought, Mo Fan called out, “Ma’am, wait!”
“What now?” The woman stopped, turning to face Mo Fan with a slight frown, visibly displeased.
“Oh, it’s just that I haven’t eaten all day. Could I trouble you for some food?” Mo Fan said casually, then glanced at her ample chest with a grin. “I see you’ve got two big buns there. Mind sharing one?”
The woman’s forehead veins bulged, her gaze turning icy. But then she smiled, waved her hand, and a fragrant roasted chicken appeared on the ground. “Since we’re of the same kind, let’s drop the probing, shall we?”
“Uh…”
Mo Fan froze, speechless.
He hadn’t expected her to be so direct, revealing her identity outright. This left him unable to use the many responses he’d prepared.
After a moment’s silence, Mo Fan chuckled, “Just joking earlier, sister. No need to take it to heart. May I ask which mountain you’re from?”
“I’ve come from afar and haven’t joined any demon sect yet. But you, little brother, where are you from?” The woman looked at Mo Fan curiously, then added with a sly smile, “If you don’t give me a good answer today, you might have to stay by my side forever.”
Mo Fan’s heart tightened. Studying her closely, he saw no obvious demonic traits, which made him realize she was likely at least a Demon Lieutenant!
This realization put him on high alert, but he answered honestly, “I’m from Black Wind Mountain, a small demon under General Three, Shan Feng. I’m afraid I can’t stay with you, sister. Not only would General Three disapprove, but even Grandpa Demon King would be upset—it’d be a loss of face for him.”
“So you’re from Black Wind Mountain. I thought you were a rogue wild demon!” the woman said, sounding a bit disappointed. Then she suddenly asked, “How far is Black Wind Mountain from here? And where is it?”
“Three hundred li west of here is Black Wind Mountain. Are you planning to visit, sister?” Mo Fan asked.
“Maybe, maybe not. Who knows!” The woman laughed it off, picked up the roasted chicken, and handed it to Mo Fan. “Since you’re a demon of Black Wind Mountain, why are you here?”
“It’s a long story. Mind if I eat something first?” Mo Fan didn’t answer directly, feigning mystery. He grabbed the chicken and started eating.
In truth, the moment the chicken reached his mouth, he used the Devouring Heaven Ability to store it in his internal space, not letting it reach his stomach.
He didn’t dare eat food of unknown origin.
“Looks like, despite your low cultivation, you hold some status in Black Wind Mountain?” The woman didn’t mind his ravenous eating and continued probing.
“Not bad. General Three of Black Wind Mountain is my brother!” Mo Fan said through a mouthful of chicken, his words muffled.
“Hm?”
“Oh, I mean, General Three’s brother and I are close,” Mo Fan quickly corrected, cursing inwardly, *Damn, almost slipped up!*
“I see.”
The woman nodded, lost in thought.
Mo Fan wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but an idea struck him. He raised his sleeve to cover his face.
When he lowered it, a bowl of fragrant wine appeared in his hand.
“Meeting is fate. Since you shared your chicken, I should return the favor.”
“This wine is a spiritual brew gifted by General Three. Try it, sister!” Mo Fan smiled, offering the bowl.
The woman took the wine but didn’t drink immediately. Instead, she stared at Mo Fan with a half-smile. “There’s no poison in this, right?”
“Sister, you jest. I’m delighted to meet you—why would I poison it?
Besides, with your cultivation, what poison could harm you?
If you’re worried, just give it back!”
