"The gang matter has been resolved, and the issue with the key figures has been handled too. My friend, your efficiency is truly remarkable." Even as he praised Li Banfeng, Critic sliced open the palm of his hand.
Blood dripped into a test tube. Critic shook the blood and medicinal liquid until they were thoroughly mixed, then handed the tube to Lightbulb. The child brought over a piece of gauze for Critic. "You're bleeding."
Critic shook his head. "A little cut like this doesn't need bandaging."
Lightbulb stood ramrod straight at the cave mouth. Seeing the medicine Critic had brought over, he hesitated slightly. "It's not bitter!" the child shouted, cheering him on.
"Do I look like someone who fears bitter medicine?" Lightbulb grunted. The child thought for a moment, then shouted again, "It doesn't hurt!"
Neither pain nor bitterness was the point; the point was that Lightbulb didn't want to drink Critic's blood. He looked over at Li Banfeng.
Li Banfeng nodded slightly to Lightbulb.
Lightbulb swallowed the concoction. After waiting ten-odd minutes, he slowly sank down to sit on the ground.
"Here's some water!" The child handed Lightbulb a bowl of water. Lightbulb downed the entire bowl. After sitting for another ten-odd minutes, he slowly lay down on the ground. Similar to before, this was a sign of improvement, though whether he could fully recover remained to be seen.
Even if he couldn't recover completely, it didn't matter. At this moment, Lightbulb firmly believed he would heal; even if the process took some twists and turns, he was confident he would survive.
Critic observed Lightbulb's condition, taking meticulous notes. He explained his treatment approach to Li Banfeng: "I engineered a total of three viruses. All three possess a certain aggressiveness toward fungi."
Li Banfeng recalled the biology he had once studied. "Shouldn't this kind of virus be called a phage?"
Critic pondered the definition of such viruses carefully. "You can call it a phage if you wish, but throughout human history, no phages targeted specifically at fungi have yet been found. All the phages discovered by humanity target bacteria.
"Fungal survival and defense mechanisms differ vastly from those of animals, plants, and bacteria, which is why fungal diseases are notoriously difficult to cure.
"These friends I have created possess different capabilities. Some have relatively strong infectious capacity and truly can infect fungi, but they are also quite likely to damage a person's normal cells.
"Another class of friends has stronger recognition capabilities. They can accurately distinguish between fungal and animal cells, but their ability to infect is weak, making it difficult for them to breach the fungus's layered defenses.
"Then there is a third class whose recognition is decent and whose infectivity is fairly good. If luck is on our side, they could become the main force in eradicating the fungus. But if luck is against us, they might fail to manifest either advantage, and instead pose a severe threat to Lightbulb's life."
Li Banfeng frowned. "So you're just gambling on blind luck?"
Critic did not deny it. "My friend, this is the process of life's evolution. We are the creators of life, but we are also life's sifters. There are many stochastic factors we must face."
Midway through speaking, Critic glanced at the child beside him.
The child took a bite of bread, listening intently to Critic's lecture.
Critic offered an explanation for certain technical terms: "Evolution is a peculiar process. The term itself is somewhat misleading; it easily brings to mind the flawed theory of use and disuse, leading to a degree of misunderstanding about evolution's true nature. I believe calling it 'variation and selection' is probably more fitting. Do you understand?"
As he spoke, Critic looked toward Li Banfeng.
Li Banfeng glanced at the child, then turned back to Critic. "If you want to lecture him, just speak directly to him. No need to look at me."
A day later, Lightbulb's condition had visibly improved. Critic could clearly sense a sharp drop in the quantity of fungi on Lightbulb's body.
"The virus has mutated—a positive mutation favorable for treatment!" Critic was immensely excited. He collected a portion of the virus from Lightbulb's body. "Among the friends originally adept at recognition, mutants adept at infection have emerged, and these mutants survived!"
Li Banfeng asked, "Do the other two viruses still need to be kept?"
He was very worried that those two viruses wouldn't cure the illness and would harm Lightbulb instead.
Critic nodded. "Those two viruses must still be preserved. Back in Haichiling, we discussed the issue of biological resistance. Viruses mutate, and fungi mutate as well. Once resistance develops, a single pathogen can hardly kill mutated fungi.
"Even using cross-control, we cannot guarantee that the viruses will kill every last fungus. In the end, a small residual amount will remain. But animals have their own defense mechanisms; we have immune systems. Once the fungus's numbers are suppressed to a certain threshold, the immune system will resolve the problem for us."
Li Banfeng listened carefully to the entire analysis. "In other words, even without using your ability to control microorganisms, there's still a way to cure this disease?"
Critic nodded. "I can extract the virus that ultimately proved effective to form an inoculation strain, which I'll give to you to take back and culture. This strain can cure the vast majority of infected patients, barring those with deep-seated infections who have already suffered severe, irreversible damage."
"How long will it take to prepare the strain?"
"If all goes smoothly, one to two days should suffice. Speaking of which, this matter is rather regrettable. I've always wanted to kill every single person in this world. This fungus was a shortcut to realizing my dream, and now I've personally severed that shortcut. It leaves me feeling a bit uneasy."
Li Banfeng glanced at the child beside them. "Old Critic, after meeting this little fellow, do you still want to wipe out everyone?"
Critic shook his head. "My conviction will not change. What does that have to do with this child? He is merely a stranger I met at Desong Cliff."
Hearing the word "stranger," the child grew somewhat upset and ran off to play with Lightbulb.
Critic felt a twinge of concern, but didn't want to show it.
Taking advantage of the moment, Li Banfeng asked, "I heard you discovered a new technique that can inflict disease on those who instigate war. Could you tell me the principle behind it?"
"The technique is still unrefined. To be precise, it doesn't inflict disease on those who instigate war, but rather on those who violate covenants. In function, it sounds a bit like covenant paper, and in technical principle, it is somewhat similar to covenant deeds.
"We are accustomed to the concept that illness enters through the mouth. We always assume that even if a pathogen doesn't enter through the mouth, infection must occur through touch or breathing.
"We have never considered other modes of infection: visual infection, auditory infection—even smell and taste could transmit disease. It is just that the pathogens of such diseases currently lack a reasonable explanation.
"If fungi had sufficient eyesight, I truly wish I could cure your friends simply by painting a picture. But before fully curing your friends, let us address serious business first. Of the three conditions I raised previously, one remains unfulfilled: Desong Cliff needs a shipment of grain."
Li Banfeng naturally wouldn't renege on his word. "The grain has already been dispatched. Whether my friends are cured or not, I will remain here to help you distribute the rations.
"However, let me give you a piece of advice: providing so much support to Virtue Cultivators may not be a good thing. In times of hardship, Virtue Cultivators will gladly pick up a bowl to eat meat; but once the hardship has passed, they will put down the bowl and curse your mother without hesitation. They have many slippery, opportunistic qualities that could bring you trouble."
Critic sighed. "The ones who forge peace are neither you nor I, but them. They are the masters of Desong Cliff. I know there is a huge gulf between the character of Virtue Cultivators and their self-promotion, but we have both starved. You know that starving people cannot forge true peace."
Li Banfeng nodded. "We have an agreement, so I will certainly deliver the grain. I'm merely warning you that weeds are best pulled up by their roots, especially someone like Song Demei. If you expect her to change—"
Mid-sentence, Li Banfeng whipped his head around and looked toward the foot of the mountain. Someone was attempting to climb up, and their strength was far from low.
Critic's perception wasn't on par with Li Banfeng's, but he trusted Li Banfeng's judgment.
Li Banfeng had just killed Song Demei's third son, so she was very likely furious enough to come up the mountain for revenge.
Critic never underestimated an enemy, and Song Demei was certainly not an opponent to be taken lightly; her cultivation was likely already at the third layer above the clouds. Critic had the child and the three patients return to the cave at once, preparing to summon a number of daolao ghosts to meet the enemy.
When the enemy reached the mountainside, Li Banfeng felt somewhat relieved. There was only one enemy, and an acquaintance at that.
She was a handsome woman dressed in a light-blue robe, wearing a domed cap and round-rimmed dark sunglasses. In her hand rested a container of counting rods, and slung across her back was an enormous abacus. A-Xia, the calculation cultivator—she was the dwelling spirit of Xiaofeng, who had once been Youtao's beloved.
The last time, on Chu the Second's newland, Li Banfeng had met A-Xia. "I heard that both you and Hundred-Eyed Fish married Pan Dehai. Instead of staying home and living peacefully, what did you come looking for me for?"
A-Xia shook her head repeatedly. "You mustn't spread rumors like that! We truly wanted to marry Elder Pan, but he wouldn't accept us. To this day, we're merely staying under someone else's roof; we can't even step into his bedroom.
"I came to find Seventh Master today to deliver a message: Seventh Master has a brother under him named Qin Tianjiu. The day before yesterday, he clashed with Elder Pan and has now fallen into Elder Pan's hands. Elder Pan sent me to ask: does Seventh Master intend to care, or not?"
Li Banfeng was stunned for a long while before asking, "Why would Qin Tianjiu fall into Pan Dehai's hands?"
"As for the reasons behind it, we don't know," A-Xia replied. "Elder Pan said that if Seventh Master doesn't care, he will slice Qin Tianjiu to pieces alive. If Seventh Master wishes to intervene, go to Haichiling to retrieve him."
How could such a thing happen?
Li Banfeng had felt comfortable letting Fatty Qin go to Kudaikan because he had already contacted Feng Daiku beforehand. Feng Daiku had given instructions to his subordinates, so once Little Fatty Qin arrived at Kudaikan, someone would quickly receive him.
Why had Little Fatty run off to Haichiling instead?
Was Pan Dehai bluffing?
Was the old bastard still coveting Desong Cliff?
Li Banfeng said, "Qin Tianjiu is indeed my friend, but I have business at hand and cannot go to Haichiling for the moment. Go back and tell Pan Dehai that I will deal with this matter at a later date. If he truly harms my friend, don't blame Li for turning against him."
Gao Shuxia said, "Elder Pan already foresaw that. He said if it is inconvenient for you to go, he will come to Desong Cliff to find you."
"First explain to me: how did he know I was at Desong Cliff?"
A-Xia chuckled. "Seventh Master caused such an uproar at Desong Cliff—how could Elder Pan not know?"
Pan Dehai still had people in Desong Cliff. He was looking for Li Banfeng probably because he still wanted to come to Desong Cliff and become the local spirit.
Li Banfeng genuinely wasn't afraid of him. "Fine, let him come. I'll wait for him right here."
*Cough, cough—* Critic coughed twice behind him.
Li Banfeng wasn't afraid of Pan Dehai coming, but Critic was. If Pan Dehai really came, he would inevitably continue fighting with Song Demei. Once those two went to war, all of Critic's prior efforts would go right down the drain.
Li Banfeng didn't want to make things difficult for Critic either. He agreed to A-Xia's summons: "I'll go find Pan Dehai with you right now."
He turned back and gave Critic a few instructions: "I leave my three friends entirely in your hands. Once you've cured their illness and compounded the medicine, just hand it over to them; they'll deliver it to the Outer States. What I promised you, I will finish, and I will see it through to the end. The grain will arrive in two days. If anyone in the villages stirs up trouble, I'll help you deal with them."
"Li Qi, in this world, you will always be my most trusted friend!" With that, Critic took out covenant paper and drew up a covenant deed, the terms of which included preventing Pan Dehai from arriving at Desong Cliff before a complete armistice.
Li Banfeng snorted. "Drafting a deed over something like this—is this what you call trust?"
"Friendship is friendship, and business is business. It's best we set things down clearly."
Both signed the deed. Knowing Li Banfeng was about to depart, the child took a large piece of bread and handed it to him. "For you to eat!"
Li Banfeng gazed at the child for a moment, pinched the child's cheek, and smiled. "Why are you so lovable?"
Li Banfeng left. Critic picked up the child. "In the future, keep your distance from people like him. He is a very brutal man."
A-Xia carried a journey cultivator spiritual item. Li Banfeng accommodated her pace, traveling through the newland for two days and one night before arriving at Haichiling.
Pan Dehai had arranged a banquet at the Yunmen Building, which was his own establishment. The largest private room was reserved specially for Li Banfeng, with lodging and food fully covered. Li Banfeng was in no mood to eat and drink; he directly brought up Fatty Qin's situation.
Pan Dehai sighed. "Qin Tianjiu is a pest that harms the herd!"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I raised a herd of horses in the newland. Qin Tianjiu went there for three days and ate six of them. Wouldn't you call him a pest that harms the herd?"
Li Banfeng couldn't quite make heads or tails of what Old Pan was on about.
Hundred-Eyed Fish called Qin Tianjiu out. Flushed with embarrassment, Qin Tianjiu hung his head and said, "Brother Qi, I caused trouble for you."
When Li Banfeng had rescued Little Fatty Qin from the wormhole, he gave him a hundred silver dollars for traveling expenses and told him to stay in Kudaikan for a few days until Feng Daiku sent someone to pick him up. Right after Qin Tianjiu found a place to stay, he ate at a roadside stall, polishing off more than thirty bowls of noodles in one breath, terrifying the noodle stall owner.
The owner had seen Food Cultivators before, but one as thin as Little Fatty Qin who ate so ferociously was genuinely a first.
Qin Tianjiu was only half full when he noticed a crowd gathering on the street to watch. One person looked familiar—he seemed to be that professor from the Outer States named Yu Yaoming. Little Fatty hadn't seen wrong; it really was Yu Yaoming. Seeing how hard Yu Yaoming had been working on research lately, Boss Lu had brought him to Kudaikan for a few days to unwind.
Yu Yaoming had been strolling along the street, and upon hearing that someone had eaten dozens of bowls of noodles, he had wandered over to watch the spectacle. In reality, he hadn't recognized Little Fatty; when Little Fatty had first appeared back then, he had immediately been sent into the wormhole, so Yu Yaoming hadn't memorized his looks at all.
Even if he had, Little Fatty had changed: he was far thinner than before.
Yet Little Fatty was terrified out of his wits. Seeing Yu Yaoming was tantamount to seeing Boss Lu, so he decided to leave Kudaikan immediately.
Leaving wasn't that easy, however. He needed travel documents and train tickets. The Sanying Sect had a branch in Kudaikan; if he found the brothers at the branch and revealed his identity, obtaining travel passes and train tickets wouldn't be difficult. But if he really went to the branch and identified himself, he worried it might attract Boss Lu. With Boss Lu's formidable skills, the brothers at the branch would certainly be no match for him.
Helpless, Qin Tianjiu could only hide in the newland for a couple of days to wait for Feng Daiku's people to find him.
According to Little Fatty's reasoning, Kudaikan was Feng Daiku's territory, so the newland bordering Kudaikan was surely connected to Feng Daiku as well. Even if the newland wasn't Feng Daiku's territory, it would likely fall within Feng Daiku's perception.
He had oversimplified things. That patch of newland he entered was not Feng Daiku's territory, nor was it within Feng Daiku's perception—it belonged to Pan Dehai.
In the newland, there was no hope of food or drink. Little Fatty went delirious with hunger. Spotting a herd of horses on the wasteland and not knowing whose they were, he charged in and started eating. Two horses a day for three consecutive days, until Pan Dehai caught him red-handed.
Li Banfeng understood the entire sequence of events and asked Pan Dehai, "How much for one horse? Name a price, and I'll compensate you double." This was indeed something that called for compensation; no matter how much Li Banfeng disliked Pan Dehai, reasonable principles still had to be observed.
Pan Dehai waved his hand. "Those horses took a portion of my painstaking effort to raise; this isn't something that can be resolved simply by paying money."
Li Banfeng frowned. "Then what do you want?"
Pan Dehai beamed. "I want to take him as my disciple! But Qin Tianjiu insisted this matter had to be cleared with you, so didn't I specially invite you over just to discuss this?"
"A disciple? Have him follow you as a Virtue Cultivator?"
Qin Tianjiu shook his head vigorously. "I'm not becoming a Virtue Cultivator."
Pan Dehai sighed. "What kind of talk is that? Would becoming a Virtue Cultivator wrong you? Still, I never said I'd make Qin Tianjiu a Virtue Cultivator. He is prime material for a Food Cultivator.
"I have spent so many years in Haichiling and conducted considerable research into the cultivation path of Food Cultivators. I want to pass on the secrets of Food Cultivation to Qin Tianjiu. I wonder, Brother Li Qi, are you willing to agree?"
Li Qi looked at Qin Tianjiu. Little Fatty's eyes were full of longing.
This was a good thing.
The question was, why would Pan Dehai do a good deed?
"Taking Qin Tianjiu as a disciple and teaching him the knacks of Food Cultivation—what benefit does this bring you?"
Pan Dehai said, "My pathway is that of a Virtue Cultivator, but Haichiling is a treasured land for Food Cultivators. Occupying this treasure land for so many years without nurturing a decent Food Cultivator is truly the regret of my life.
"You may not believe me when I say this, but among Food Cultivators, I have never seen talent as exceptional as Qin Tianjiu's. Coming across an unpolished jade and carving it into a masterpiece—that is an act of karmic merit, and a display of virtue!"
Li Banfeng activated Golden Eyes of Keen Detail, fixing his gaze on Pan Dehai and scrutinizing him thoroughly. He truly couldn't believe such words had come from Pan Dehai's mouth.
"You're taking Little Fatty as a disciple because of Desong Cliff, isn't it? Do you want me to help you contest for that territory?"
Pan Dehai smiled faintly. "Let me tell you another truth. After the events at Desong Cliff, I've re-examined my own pathway. In my past cultivation, I took the wrong path. From now on, I will no longer meddle in Desong Cliff's affairs."
"Is that truly the case?" Li Banfeng remained deeply skeptical.
Pan Dehai brought out a sheet of covenant paper. "If you don't trust me, we can establish a covenant deed right here and now."
"A deed will certainly be established."
After some discussion, the two drew up a covenant deed.
Pan Dehai genuinely only wanted to pass on the techniques of Food Cultivation to Little Fatty Qin; he truly did intend to do a good deed.
Li Qi still couldn't understand. "If it's just doing a good deed, you could have had A-Xia explain it clearly at Desong Cliff. Why make me make this trip?"
Pan Dehai chuckled. "Brother Li Qi, to be frank with you, having you come here was to save your life."
Li Banfeng froze. "Save my life?"
"Indeed!" Pan Dehai had A-Xia produce her counting rods and divine a hexagram on the spot.
"The hexagram is very clear," A-Xia explained. "According to the orientation, this reading points directly to Desong Cliff. Great disaster looms over Desong Cliff—a calamity of bloodshed, no less. Elder Pan invited you over precisely to help you evade this catastrophe."
Stroking his beard, Pan Dehai said with a hearty laugh, "Brother Li Qi, a drop of water received in need should be repaid with a gushing spring. I have bestowed upon you a life-saving grace; how do you intend to repay it?"
Before he could finish, Li Banfeng dashed out of the restaurant.
Pan Dehai was dumbfounded. "Brother Li Qi, we haven't even finished eating! Where are you going?"
Li Banfeng was already running at full sprint, rushing toward Desong Cliff.
Critic had cured Lightbulb, Mijian, and Haitangguo, and handed the newly cultured viral strain to them. "The methods for culturing the virus and its dosage are all written in this notebook... Whether others can be cured depends on whether you can successfully bring these back to the Outer States."
Luo Zhengnan said to Lightbulb, "I can escort you to the train station. It'll also be just in time to receive the grain sent by Seventh Master."
Critic cupped his fists toward Luo Zhengnan. "Brother Luo, I must trouble you regarding the distribution of the grain."
Luo Zhengnan returned the salute. "It's a trivial matter. My boys are all here, and the people from the Sand Snake Alliance can help as well. Once we've distributed the grain, I'll let you look over the account books.
"If you feel the amount isn't enough, I'll tell Seventh Master to add more for you. If you feel it's sufficient, the debt between you and Seventh Master is settled."
Critic nodded. "A fair deal. Our friendship is firmer than ever."
Luo Zhengnan prepared to escort the three down the mountain. The three were somewhat reluctant to leave; they couldn't bear to part with the child.
The child had prepared a large loaf of bread and a can of preserved food for them.
Haitangguo hugged the child, unwilling to let go. "Good boy, how about Big Sister takes you to Yuezhou? It's so much fun there."
With Critic watching from the side, Mijian shot Haitangguo a glare. "Don't talk nonsense!"
Lightbulb wanted to give the child a gift. He searched all over himself but couldn't find anything suitable, and finally stuffed all the banknotes from his wallet into the child's hands.
The three followed Luo Zhengnan down the mountain. Critic had retained some fungal spores within his own body and attempted to control the fungi, but every attempt ended in failure.
Critic was helpless. "Truly a stubborn form of life, even more stubborn than the people of Desong Cliff. Perhaps they require more intimidation before these fungi will change their living habits."
At noon, Critic baked bread for the child. When the child wanted noodle soup, Critic made noodles as well.
By two in the afternoon, a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy, covered in wounds and bruises, came running up the mountain. Weeping, he said to Critic, "Doctor Critic, something terrible happened in our village! They started fighting at the village entrance to grab the grain you sent, and so many people in the village have died!"
Critic frowned. Luo Zhengnan had always been dependable in handling matters; why had such a situation arisen?
It must have been caused by his subordinates being too careless.
Critic had always controlled the number of people he killed, aiming to resolve problems with minimal slaughter. He never expected that after resolving the most difficult issues, so many people would die over grain distribution.
"Child, what is your name?"
Weeping, the boy said, "My name is Liang Chongde."
"What is the name of your village?"
"Dexiao Village."
Critic knew where Dexiao Village was. "I'll take you home right now. Come with me."
Liang Chongde shook his head in tears. "I don't dare go home! They killed my mother and father, and I'm afraid they'll kill me too! Doctor Critic, please let me stay for two days. Once they finish fighting, I'll go seek refuge with relatives. I beg of you!"
Critic looked back. "Xiao De, look after this older brother. I'll be back shortly."
The child agreed cheerfully.
Before leaving, Critic glanced at the two daolao ghosts at the cave entrance. The daolao ghosts nodded toward Critic.
Luo Zhengnan was waiting at the train station. He had asked the stationmaster several times, "When on earth is this train arriving?"
The stationmaster poured tea and offered cigarettes repeatedly. "Brother Luo, I've checked multiple times as well. It was originally supposed to arrive at one sharp, and now it's already two-thirty. I don't know what went wrong either."
Luo Zhengnan grew a bit irritated. "It's just delivering a few cars of grain—not something difficult! If it's not coming today, just give me a straight answer. Don't make me wait around doing nothing!"
Sha Jianfeng consoled him from the side: "Brother Luo, don't be angry. Let's play cards together for a while; time will pass faster that way."
The child led Liang Chongde back into the cave. Lowering his voice, Liang Chongde whispered to him, "Come back to the village with me. Grandma Demei said you haven't finished atoning for your sins yet, but you're still one of Desong Cliff's people, and Desong Cliff will still take you in."
The child said nothing.
Liang Chongde glanced at the daolao ghosts at the cave mouth. "You don't need to be afraid of them. I have a magic treasure. Both of us can return to the village, and they won't catch us."
The child shook his head. "I'm not going back to the village."
Liang Chongde's face darkened. "Then what are you staying here with this foreign devil for? Do you want to be a traitor? I knew you were bad seed!"
The child pondered for a moment, then picked up a bowl and held it out to Liang Chongde. "Here's noodle soup for you."
Liang Chongde's eyes flared. "Did you hear what I said?! I'm taking you back to the village, you dog-spawned bastard! If you won't leave, you can die right here!"
Critic hadn't gone far down the mountain before realizing something was wrong.
The train hadn't even arrived, and grain distribution hadn't begun. How could a fight over grabbing grain have broken out? That boy named Liang Chongde had lied!
Critic sprinted back desperately. When he reached the cave, he heard a strange sound. *Heng, heng-heng...*
Two daolao ghosts stood inside the cave.
One made no sound at all, merely standing in silence. The other continually emitted bizarre rasps from its throat. *Heng-heng...*
Two daolao ghosts stood inside the cave.
One made no sound at all, merely standing in silence. The other continually emitted bizarre rasps from its throat. *Heng-heng...*
It wanted to cry, but it did not know how to weep.
Critic walked closer. He saw a bowl of noodle soup spilled across the ground; he saw blood splattered everywhere. He lifted the freezing child into his arms and dropped to his knees, his body trembling uncontrollably.
*Heng, heng...* One daolao ghost was still weeping.
The other daolao ghost, remaining silent throughout, kept its eyes fixed on Critic.
Critic's body trembled as teardrop after teardrop slid slowly down from the corners of his eyes. Holding the child with one arm, he wiped at his tears with his other hand, but no matter how he wiped, they wouldn't go away. The tears stopped on his cheeks. Originally transparent, they were dyed black by something unknown. The black tears turned into a rash, and from the rash sprouted red spots.
Pustule after pustule rapidly spread across Critic's face.
The silent daolao ghost slowly raised its head and released a low roar. *Whoosh!*
Thunder rumbled as dense layers of dark clouds gathered over Decheng Mountain. In the dead of winter, it should have been snowing, but today, rain fell. Torrential rain poured down; the roar of the daolao ghost never ceased, and the deluge never stopped.
Nourished by the falling rain, daolao ghosts broke through the soil one after another across the mountain. Carrying the child in his arms, Critic walked slowly down the mountain along the trail in the heavy rain.
Chapter 614