The roasted goose was food Mo Fan had prepared back at Black Wind Mountain, and it was personally cooked by Bai Xue.
Since he always preferred eating cooked food, during their time at the Spring Pool Cave, Bai Xue would prepare food daily. Whatever wasn’t eaten, Mo Fan would casually store in his internal space.
Though his internal space was a spatial realm, Mo Fan discovered it seemed to lack the concept of time. It wasn’t exactly frozen, but food placed inside would still be steaming hot even after a year or more.
The roasted goose was sizable, enough for the group of children and Gu Qingshan to eat until half full.
It wasn’t that Mo Fan was reluctant to let them eat more; rather, these people had been starving for so long that he didn’t dare let them overeat.
After all, they were mere mortals with fragile bodies. Overeating could harm their stomachs, which would be counterproductive.
Once everyone had eaten their fill, Mo Fan began chatting idly with Gu Qingshan.
Initially, Gu Qingshan was somewhat reserved, but as the conversation flowed, he became quite talkative.
From ancient and modern history to local customs, from global affairs to the crisis in the southern borderlands, he could speak knowledgeably, his analyses well-reasoned.
The man and the demon talked at length until no sunlight shone through the cave’s entrance, and the children gradually fell asleep.
At that moment, Mo Fan waved his hand, and a small fireball appeared, illuminating the entire basement.
Gazing at the warm fireball, Gu Qingshan seemed lost in thought. Hearing the soft snores of the children behind him, he gave a wry smile. “It seems with you here, these children sleep much more soundly. Usually, they’re too scared to rest.”
“This shows these children are fated to be with me.”
Mo Fan smiled and asked, “Does sir plan to keep hiding and fleeing with these children?”
“There’s no better option for now.”
Gu Qingshan gave a bitter smile, then looked at Mo Fan. After a moment’s hesitation, he knelt decisively, clasping his hands. “I know you three immortal masters have extraordinary abilities. I dare not ask for much, only that you take pity on these children, for the sake of our shared humanity, and take them away from this hellish Dongling City!”
“Please, sir, rise!”
Mo Fan quickly helped Gu Qingshan up, then said, “If I could, I would naturally do so without hesitation. But now, the entire southern borderlands have fallen to the ten thousand demons. Where could they go?”
“Immortal master, you could take the children to the capital of our Song Kingdom!”
“If there’s any pure land left in the southern borderlands, it must be the capital!”
“From what I know, the Song Kingdom court employs powerful immortal masters. With the demon clans invading, those masters will surely protect the capital. Moreover, the Song Kingdom has a million-strong iron cavalry army. Even those demons couldn’t breach the capital!” Mr. Gu said excitedly.
“You underestimate the demon clans…”
Mo Fan sighed helplessly.
A mere million cavalry to stop the demon clans?
What a joke!
No matter how strong mortals were, they were still mortals. How could they contend with demons?
Even the Great River Academy and Bixiao Sect had fallen, let alone a mere mortal capital.
“Indeed, demons are terrifying. That day, I saw with my own eyes a giant fist descend from the sky, flattening the entire city lord’s mansion with one strike…”
“What can we mortals do against such demonic powers?!”
Mr. Gu gave a bitter smile, awakened by Mo Fan’s words.
“There’s no need to despair, sir. I have a good destination in mind, but I wonder if you’re willing?” Mo Fan’s eyes gleamed as he spoke.
“As long as it ensures the children’s survival, I’m willing to go anywhere!”
Mr. Gu looked at Mo Fan with joy, as if grasping a lifeline.
“Are you serious, sir?” Mo Fan’s eyes narrowed, a smile on his face.
“Absolutely!”
“Though they are my students, in my heart, they’re like my own children!”
“As long as they can live, I’d willingly die!!”
Mr. Gu spoke solemnly, earning a silent nod from Mo Fan.
Say what you will, Gu Qingshan’s character was truly admirable, his heart as broad as few could match!
This was the kind of scholar Mo Fan sought as a great Confucian!
“Good!”
“With those words, I’ll hide nothing. Are you ready to hear me out?” Mo Fan said gravely.
Hearing this, Gu Qingshan’s heart skipped a beat, but he forced a smile. “Speak freely, immortal master!”
“I want to take everyone to Black Wind Mountain. That might be the safest place for you!”
“Black Wind Mountain?”
Gu Qingshan frowned, muttering, “It doesn’t sound like some immortal mountain…”
“Correct, because Black Wind Mountain is a demon mountain!”
Mo Fan nodded, then said gravely, “And I, too, am a demon!”
“What?!”
Gu Qingshan stumbled back in shock, nearly stepping on Little Gatekeeper, his face pale.
“Don’t be afraid, sir!”
Mo Fan sighed inwardly but continued firmly, “Though we are demons, we mean no harm to you or the children!”
Seeing Gu Qingshan calm slightly, Mo Fan asked again, “What do you think a demon is, sir?”
Gu Qingshan didn’t answer, his face still grim, clearly struggling with the revelation.
Mo Fan didn’t mind and continued, “The world has countless beings, each with their own names. Demon or human, they’re all lives born naturally in this world, with no distinction of high or low!
“People fear demons like tigers because demons eat humans!”
Mo Fan gave a cold laugh, then added, “Do you know where demons come from, sir?”
Seeing Gu Qingshan’s silence, Mo Fan went on, “Demons are divided into innate and acquired. Innate demons are born of the heavens, naturally gifted with supernatural powers. Acquired demons are wild beasts that gain intelligence and transform.
“In other words, demons originate from beasts.
“And what do humans love to eat? Wild beasts, called delicacies!
“So, tell me, what’s the difference between humans and demons?”
“You’re a great Confucian scholar. Can you enlighten a demon like me?”
Mo Fan stepped forward, but Gu Qingshan, terrified, collapsed to the ground, speechless.
Mo Fan was deeply disappointed and said gravely, “Humans have good and evil, and so do demons. Not all demons are evil!”
“I thought, with your resolve to sacrifice for these children, you had the bearing of a great Confucian. But now, you show such fear, which disappoints me.”
“I’ll give you one night to think it over. Give me your answer tomorrow!”
“Rest assured, whatever you decide, I won’t harm you. All I seek is a great Confucian, free of prejudice, to educate the ten thousand demons at Black Wind Mountain. That’s all!”
Mo Fan sighed, then moved to the other side with the black-clad siblings, sitting on the ground to meditate.
In the middle of the night, Gu Qingshan stood, retrieved a sword from a corner, and crept toward Mo Fan, raising it to strike. But soon, he lowered it, returned to his spot, hid the sword, and sat in a daze.
That night, he didn’t sleep, staying by the children’s side.
Near dawn, he woke Little Gatekeeper and the others, gesturing for silence, then led a few children quietly out of the basement.
Once they were gone, Black-Clad opened his eyes, frowning. “Great King, they’ve left.”
“I know.”
Mo Fan nodded, opening his eyes.
“Sigh!”
White-Clad let out a helpless sigh.
