Chapter 567: Returning Home

A hundred li beyond Xiancheng, the mountains and forests were lush, streams murmuring softly.

On the mountain path, a caravan of more than ten people slowly advanced, pulling several carts loaded with storage chests.

Mo Hua sat atop one of the caravan's carts, his legs swinging lazily, gazing at the familiar yet slightly alien mountain scenery around him, thinking of his parents and the acquaintances and childhood friends in Xiancheng—his heart stirred with excitement, then suddenly tightened with the anxious hesitation of nearing home.

From the third-grade Dali Mountain Province to Xiancheng.

This journey was long and arduous; Mo Hua traveled slowly, pausing to visit array masters and seek out array techniques, taking nearly half a year.

Now he was fifteen years old.

First-grade array master, Foundation Establishment early stage, fourteen-stripe spiritual sense, spiritual perception transformed, condensed like mercury.

Compared to when he left home, Mo Hua had grown a little taller.

His features had also matured slightly, with a hint of heroism in his eyes and brows.

Yet at his age, for a cultivator, he was still far too young.

Mo Hua had established his Foundation early; though he had experienced much, he still looked like a child of pure, uncarved jade, innocent and carefree.

"Young Master Mo, your lord really lets you travel alone…?"

An old man in the caravan couldn't help asking.

On this journey, he had asked this question at least seven or eight times.

The old man was the caravan's owner, traveling south and north, trading spiritual stones and pills for a living.

He was surnamed Zheng, his eyes sharp and bright; everyone called him Old Zheng.

Xiancheng had grown increasingly prosperous, with more cultivators and merchants passing through; Old Zheng's caravan had gathered some cultivation goods specifically to sell in Xiancheng.

But along the way, they were attacked by beast monsters, and the arrays on the carts were damaged.

Mo Hua happened upon them and repaired the arrays—simple ones, around four or five stripes of first-grade level, barely even a favor.

Yet Old Zheng was astonished.

This young cultivator, so young, could already repair an array with five stripes…

His future was surely boundless!

To show gratitude, Old Zheng treated Mo Hua to a fine meal and drink; when he learned Mo Hua's destination was also Xiancheng, he offered him a ride along the way.

Mo Hua, weary from walking, gladly took the free ride.

He piggybacked meals and drinks, had someone to chat with, and wasn't bored at all.

After all, Xiancheng was already very near; a few days' delay wouldn't matter.

Yet every time Old Zheng looked at Mo Hua, his expression was filled with disbelief.

Such a young age, and such an extraordinary array talent—could his lord truly let him travel alone…?

If it were his own child, he'd never dare.

Mo Hua softly replied: "When I traveled, I had companions. Now, returning, I'm alone…"

As he spoke, a trace of loneliness lingered in Mo Hua's eyes.

Old Zheng nodded, and asked no further.

Amid Chongshanjunling, the caravan followed the winding mountain path, step by step, heading toward Xiancheng.

Mo Hua looked up, gazing at the rolling Great Heishan range and, beyond, the faint, mist-shrouded silhouette of Xiancheng hidden among the peaks—he exhaled slowly in relief.

"No matter what, I'm almost home…"

It had been only a few years since he left home.

For cultivators, lifespan is long; a few years mean little—but to Mo Hua, it felt like an eternity…

Now, at last, he was returning home.

A faint ache stirred in Mo Hua's heart.

Several more days passed, and after traveling dozens of li, Mo Hua spotted familiar faces.

Several uncles from the beast-hunting guild.

Dressed in iron armor, gripping broadswords, their faces grim, they were fully alert, hunting beast monsters—and they happened upon Mo Hua's caravan.

They were mid-pursuit of a beast monster, armor and blades stained with blood, radiating killing intent.

The other cultivators in the caravan immediately went on guard, their expressions tense.

Old Zheng's heart turned cold.

This was their first time doing business in Xiancheng; unfamiliar with the land, in the desolate Great Heishan region, encountering beast-hunters with bloodied weapons and grim expressions, they couldn't help but feel uneasy.

They feared that at the slightest provocation, these beast-hunters would kill them and seize their goods…

Such things, they had often encountered—or heard of—on their travels south and north.

Worse still, these beast-hunters clearly possessed immense strength.

Though the caravan had hired guards, these guards were merely Qi Condensation late stage, below the ninth layer.

They might handle petty thieves, but against these beast-hunters—deeply cultivated, wielding refined spiritual weapons, seasoned in combat, and drenched in blood—they were clearly outmatched.

Old Zheng's heart tightened, yet he forced a smile:

"Honorable fellow cultivators, this old man is Zheng, traveling to Xiancheng for modest trade. I humbly beg your leniency…"

He began calculating how much toll to pay to pass safely without suffering heavy losses.

The beast-hunters said nothing.

They were on a beast hunt; silence was the hunter's code.

Seeing they remained silent, Old Zheng's smile grew stiffer.

Then one beast-hunter glanced accidentally at a child atop one of the carts—his features delicate, smiling warmly at him.

He froze, eyes widening in disbelief, shouting:

"Mo… Mo Hua?!!"

The other beast-hunters glared at him angrily.

"What's wrong? Jumping like that?"

"You shouted so loud—what if you startled the Wind-Listening Wolf?"

"You're an old beast-hunter—how can you not know this basic rule?"

"No… it's Mo Hua!"

"What Mo Hua? Mo Hua can't…"

The beast-hunter froze mid-sentence, "Mo Hua?!"

"Are you dumb? Mo Hua isn't…"

Then he turned his head—and saw Mo Hua, smiling brightly and innocently, among the caravan.

Mo Hua waved at them and laughed, "Uncle Zhao, Uncle Sun, Uncle Zhou… I'm back!"

Everyone fell silent, then their faces lit up with wild joy.

"No mistake!"

"It really is Mo Hua!"

"Mo Hua!!"

"Quiet down, don't scare off that wolf…"

"Who cares about that damn wolf? Let it do whatever it wants…"

Mo Hua was half-laughing, half-exasperated.

"Mo Hua, wait—we'll finish up and take you straight back to Xiancheng…" the beast-hunters said eagerly.

Mo Hua glanced at them, seeing blood on their blades and armor; though their eyes were resolute, their faces were weathered—they'd clearly chased the beast for a long time and fought hard, nearing the end.

Mo Hua shook his head and said:

"Uncles, go finish hunting. No need to trouble yourselves—I'll return with the caravan."

"When you get back, come to my place—I'll treat you to wine!"

Mo Hua patted his small chest and said.

The beast-hunters chuckled, but didn't refuse.

With Mo Hua's abilities, he truly didn't need their escort.

"Alright, we'll kill this wolf and head back—we've got some fresh beast meat, just slaughtered, we'll bring some for you to taste."

The beast-hunters laughed.

"Mm-hmm." Mo Hua nodded vigorously.

Afterward, they parted ways.

Mo Hua waved his little arms, bidding farewell to the uncles and elders among the beast-hunters.

Old Zheng, relieved but shaken, wiped sweat from his brow and looked at Mo Hua with both gratitude and astonishment.

"Young brother, you know these beast-hunters…?"

"Yes." Mo Hua nodded. "They're all my uncles and elders—I used to enter Great Heishan, and they always looked out for me. We're very familiar…"

You entered Great Heishan?

Old Zheng looked at Mo Hua's tiny arms and legs, at a loss for words.

But familiarity is good…

Familiar people make things easier.

Old Zheng felt relieved.

Lucky we ran into this young brother—if we'd met these bloodthirsty beast-hunters out here in the wild with no familiar cultivators, who knows what might've happened…

Old Zheng became even more courteous toward Mo Hua.

But as they walked further, he noticed something odd.

The farther they went, the closer they got to Xiancheng, the more beast-hunters they encountered.

And every single one of these beast-hunters, upon seeing Mo Hua, first froze in shock—then broke into delighted smiles.

One moment they were grim and deadly, the next their faces softened like spring rain, as joyful as if it were New Year's…

Old Zheng stared at Mo Hua, mouth open, dazed:

"These beast-hunters… you know them all?"

How come every beast-hunter on Manshan knows you?

Mo Hua nodded.

But you're too familiar with them…

Old Zheng still found it hard to believe.

Mo Hua beamed: "I've got great people skills!"

Old Zheng was skeptical, silently speculating.

This young cultivator's background must be unusual—perhaps a senior elder of the beast-hunters, or at least the child of a high-ranking official.

Or maybe the young master of a powerful family in Xiancheng?

Old Zheng speculated all the way.

They continued walking, and the sky gradually darkened.

The sun neared dusk, painting the mountains with crimson twilight.

Old Zheng studied his map, estimated the distance, and frowned. "It's getting late—if we don't hurry, we'll have to spend the night in Shenshan…"

Spending the night in Shenshan would be dangerous…

Now, a newly built path extends through Great Heishan—from Shenshan, to Inner Mountain, to Outer Mountain—all the way to Xiancheng.

The beasts within the mountains are ferocious and cruel.

The beasts of Shenshan are even more bloodthirsty, and occasionally, second-rank beasts appear.

During the day it's tolerable, but if you stay overnight in Shenshan, encounter a beast in pitch-black night and treacherous terrain, everyone will likely become the beast's meal.

"Before it gets dark, take a shortcut?"

At least we'd get out of Shenshan.

Someone suggested.

Zheng Lao pondered for a moment, then nodded. "We must hurry—reach Xiancheng early, or we'll invite trouble."

Mo Hua looked up, scanning around, and realized they were deep inside Great Heishan's Shenshan; the mountain path had been rebuilt, the terrain slightly altered—he felt unfamiliar.

The terrain had changed…

It seemed that when he shattered the Five Elements Beast-Slaying Array, its power was too great, nearly leveling half of Shenshan, so the entire landscape shifted.

The mountain is still the same mountain, but the rivers and ridges are unrecognizable, and the path is no longer the same path.

For a moment, Mo Hua couldn't determine their exact location.

One of the merchants said:

"I've been to Xiancheng a few times—I know a shortcut, but it's late, and we might encounter beasts…"

Zheng Lao thought for a moment, sighed, "Better than spending the night in Shenshan. Lead the way. Everyone stay alert."

"Yes, Zheng Lao."

The merchant led ahead, and the caravan turned onto a narrow path.

The path was an old mountain trail.

Mo Hua faintly remembered—it seemed to be the route from beyond Great Heishan to Xiancheng, long ago.

Now few travelers use it, so it has gradually fallen into disuse.

This route was indeed full of Zhou Zhe.

Some rocks, weakened by the collapse of the array years ago, had crumbled; people could pass, but carts and cargo required great Zhou Zhe to get through.

And there were beasts.

But most were only mid- to late-stage first-rank beasts.

The caravan's guards could handle them; Mo Hua merely warned them in advance and did not intervene himself.

Together, they killed a Kuimulang and a Chimu Yangyao; after that, the path became much clearer.

As they neared the edge of Shenshan, Mo Hua's spiritual sense stirred, his brow furrowed, and he called out:

"Stop."

Zheng Lao froze. The other cultivators in the caravan looked confused.

Dusk was falling; Xiancheng was already faintly visible in the distance. Stopping now would waste precious time.

But though Mo Hua's voice was young, it carried an unspoken authority that made no one dare ignore it.

Especially along this journey, every beast-hunter had treated Mo Hua warmly and kindly—this "popularity" could not be overlooked.

"Young brother…" Zheng Lao hesitated.

Mo Hua raised a finger. "Shh," he signaled for silence.

Zheng Lao was baffled.

Mo Hua extended his spiritual sense, peered for a moment, then his expression grew solemn. He murmured: "It's… a second-rank beast…"

Zheng Lao's legs went weak; he trembled:

"S…second-rank?"

The other caravan cultivators stared in horror, then began whispering:

"Impossible…"

"Second-rank beasts radiate overwhelming blood qi—you can see them from afar…"

"We noticed nothing…"

…

Before they finished speaking, a muffled, terrifying growl echoed from the gloomy woods to their right.

The growl carried malice and blood qi that chilled the soul.

Everyone's faces turned ashen.

It was a second-rank beast!

A beast stronger than Foundation Establishment!

A beast of this power could devour them all!

And with a second-rank beast's speed, they couldn't escape!

Everyone drew their blades, but their hands trembled on the hilts, their faces filled with despair.

At that moment, Mo Hua warned:

"Don't move!"

Zheng Lao snapped back to himself and immediately whispered: "Sheathe your blades. Don't show aggression. Don't look the beast in the eyes."

Now, all he could do was pray the beast was full and uninterested in them.

If they didn't provoke it, perhaps there was still a sliver of hope.

Otherwise, today might be the day they all died.

As they held their breath, dark tree shadows shifted.

From the woods slowly emerged a beast, one man tall, with deep-brown pupils, black-and-white markings across its body, and a "King" character on its forehead—majestic and fearsome.

"Second-rank Tiger Beast…"

Zheng Lao's heart turned bitter.

It's over…

Of all the beast types, it had to be a tiger beast—powerful, bloodthirsty, and ferocious…

Tiger beasts have enormous appetites.

Everyone turned as pale as paper.

Mo Hua, however, froze in surprise.

A big tiger?

Why does it look so familiar…

Mo Hua stared closely for a few moments, then suddenly recognized it—he understood.

This is… the big tiger that the Second Boss of Great Heishan raised to drink blood?

The same little cat beast I once fed dried fish snacks?

It's an acquaintance!

No—it's a familiar "beast"!

The big tiger's gaze swept through the crowd, then locked onto Mo Hua. For an instant, it looked startled, then puzzled, then as if it recognized him—it blinked its large eyes, and the ferocity in its gaze faded.

It wasn't here to hunt—it had merely sensed a familiar aura and come to investigate.

Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said:

"Zheng Lao, give me those beast meats."

Zheng Lao blinked in shock. "Beast meat?"

"The two we killed on the road…"

On the journey, they had slain two beast beasts—one Kuimu Wolf, one Chimu Sheep Beast; some materials were stripped, and some meat was kept.

"Oh, oh… alright!"

Zheng Lao nodded rapidly.

Mo Hua took the beast meat and said, "You all go ahead—I'll feed it."

Zheng Lao's face stiffened. "Feed…?"

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded. "I know this beast…"

Zheng Lao opened his mouth wide, glancing between Mo Hua and the terrifying second-rank Wang-tiger beast before him, disbelief overwhelming him:

You say you're well-liked, but this… this can't possibly count as "human" favor…

A second-rank tiger beast…

You…

Zheng Lao's emotions churned, too complex to put into words.

Mo Hua waved his small hand at him. "Hurry along, or night will fall…"

Zheng Lao was eager to leave, but he glanced at Mo Hua and hesitated. "But what about you, young brother?"

"Don't worry," Mo Hua said.

Great Heishan was as familiar to him as his own courtyard.

At most, the courtyard had been rebuilt, and he just hadn't yet relearned the paths—it felt slightly unfamiliar, that's all.

Zheng Lao looked at the sky, gritted his teeth, and said, "Young brother, your great kindness—I will repay you tenfold!"

"Our group will stay at the Lan Zhi Inn across from Fushan Restaurant…"

"If you come to the city, be sure to find me there!"

Lan Zhi Inn?

Newly opened?

Before Xiancheng, there wasn't such an inn…

Mo Hua nodded. "Alright, I'll remember."

Zheng Lao bowed to Mo Hua; the other cultivators also showed gratitude, clasped their fists toward him, then carefully walked toward Xiancheng.

The second-rank tiger beast truly ignored them, letting them leave without interference.

This was a second-rank beast beast…

Zheng Lao found it hard to believe.

He couldn't help turning back to look at Mo Hua, his mind reeling:

"Just who is this young cultivator…?"

…

The caravan left. With no one else around, the big tiger no longer looked fierce—it circled Mo Hua twice, then let out an "ao wu."

Mo Hua didn't understand the sound, but he could guess its meaning.

It seemed to say, "Follow me…"

Mo Hua had already reached Foundation Establishment; his spiritual sense had transformed, sharpening his perception of killing intent. He sensed no malice from the big tiger, so he judged it safe and used his body technique to follow behind it through the gloomy forest.

The big tiger took a few steps, looked back at Mo Hua, saw he was following, and continued forward.

It led Mo Hua all the way to a cave.

The cave was spacious and damp—not like a long-term dwelling, but more like a temporary one.

Mo Hua was startled.

A big tiger, playing "the cunning rabbit has three dens"?

Could it really have become a spirit…?

The big tiger glanced at Mo Hua, gesturing for him to wait, then slipped into the cave's depths, rummaging around. Soon, it reemerged, its mouth clutching a dozen storage bags.

These storage pouches were new and old, varied in design, some even quite exquisite.

No one knew if it had picked them up or taken them by killing.

It placed the storage pouches before Mo Hua.

Mo Hua stared in stunned silence for a long while before slowly understanding.

This great tiger… was repaying a debt?

He had saved it twice, and it had remembered, hoarding these storage pouches, waiting to meet him again and present them as a gift?

For a moment, Mo Hua was moved.

He glanced again at the pouches; most were not ordinary ones, and their designs differed from those of beast-hunters. Mo Hua felt reassured.

Mo Hua took out the beast meat from Kuimulang and tossed it to the great tiger.

The great tiger sniffed it, found it still fresh, then sat down, paws clasped around the meat, eating with loud "hufu-hufu" sounds.

Mo Hua watched the great tiger for a long time, finding it strangely fascinating.

Black-and-white markings, a "king" character on its forehead.

He had asked his father, Mo Shan, Elder Yu, and other veteran beast-hunters, but never heard of any beast-tiger of this appearance.

Mo Hua had also asked Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang's gaze had sharpened slightly—he clearly knew something—but never said outright, only remarked, "Somewhat rare, indeed uncommon…" and similar words.

Mo Hua still did not know what kind of beast this was.

Moreover, it seemed to truly avoid eating humans…

And it was remarkably clever…

Mo Hua stared at the great tiger for a long while, then shook his head, having no clues.

He glanced again at the sky, then said to the great tiger:

"I'm leaving. I'll come back in a few days to see you—I'll bring you dried fish…"

The great tiger clearly showed a look of disdain, as if its dignity as a second-rank great tiger had been insulted by Mo Hua.

Yet it did not refuse.

Mo Hua gathered the storage pouches and tucked them into his body.

After all, it was the great tiger's goodwill—he could not refuse it.

Moreover, Mo Hua was deeply curious about what lay inside these pouches, and who they had belonged to.

Afterwards, Mo Hua waved goodbye to the great tiger and set off alone, following the mountain path toward Xiancheng.

Leaving Shenshan and entering Neishan, Mo Hua became far more familiar with the terrain.

Memories from the past surfaced.

The spirit mine, the Qian family, the great beast… and how he had once followed his father, slowly trekking the mountains, learning Great Heishan, mapping its routes, and setting up arrays…

Mo Hua could not help but feel a pang of emotion.

These events felt like they had happened long ago, yet also as if they were just yesterday.

The sky had grown completely dark; Mo Hua quickened his pace, relying on his mastery of Shuishui Step, taking only direct paths, and soon passed through Neishan into Waishan.

Along the way, he avoided all beast, miasma, and poisonous swamps.

He then trudged for several more hours.

By the time he reached Xiancheng, night was deep.

Stars dotted the sky; the lights of Xiancheng glimmered faintly.

Mo Hua slowed his steps, walking, when suddenly he froze—he saw a familiar figure standing before the city gate.

Gentle and graceful.

Ever since receiving word of the beast-hunter's return, she had stood before the gate, gazing down the distant mountain path, hoping to see the tiny figure she had dreamed of night and day.

Even as the sun set and night cloaked her, she waited silently.

Waiting for her child to come home.

Mo Hua saw her, but she did not see him—still staring ahead with hopeful, anxious eyes, uncertain and trembling.

Mo Hua's heart trembled; his eyes grew misty.

He ran toward the gate like the wind.

"Mother!"

Liu Ruhua's body jolted; she turned her head, staring in shock as Mo Hua ran toward her, feeling as if she were in a dream.

When Mo Hua reached her, she saw his face—slightly unfamiliar, yet the one she had longed for—his expression smiling, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

Liu Ruhua held Mo Hua tightly in her arms, as if embracing the most precious treasure in the world.

"Ping'an… you've returned…"

Liu Ruhua's voice trembled slightly, yet was soft, like a warm breeze.

"Mm."

Mo Hua's eyes were wet; he nodded, snuggling into his mother's embrace.

"Mother, I'm home."

Thank you to Fengzhi Chocolate, Burned Fire Mage, pyhuang, katiestar, Duke Wind Commander, Zhong Shoukou, Sang Chen, and Atei More Than Unmoving for their donations~

(End of Chapter)