Chapter Seventy-One: Hu Camp

Meishan, Walnut Mountain.

Liu Chou and Qingmei were advancing through the forest, proceeding step by step. Among the fallen leaves and decaying wood, a clear trail left by human footsteps had already appeared. Suddenly, with a subtle twitch of his ears, Liu Chou immediately led Qingmei and Jinjing into the nearby bushes, lowering his body and squatting down.

After quite a while, the sparse rustling of the forest was heard as a procession of several foreign monks walked past from a distance, holding sabers and swords, with some carrying bows, crossbows, and staves on their backs, patrolling the area. It was thanks to Liu Chou's extraordinary hearing and quick reflexes that they did not reveal the slightest flaw and passed through safely.

Only after the monks had departed did they resume their journey.

Along the way, the group encountered patrolling monks three times. Such a posture was somewhat different from what the thin man in the bandit stronghold had described; it did not look like they merely intended to clear out the spirits and demons. This aroused suspicion in the hearts of both Liu Chou and Qingmei, further firming their resolve to go and investigate the truth of the matter.

In the end, the Walnut Mountain that appeared before them still shocked the two of them to varying degrees.

Within Meishan, whether looking at the Seven Mountains or the Twenty-Nine Valleys, all were characterized by deep, dense forests, towering mountains, and winding waters. Yuan Hong's Walnut Mountain, in particular, had been exceptionally picturesque, with exotic flowers blooming everywhere. But now, it had been transformed into a bald mountain. The originally dense walnut groves had been completely chopped down, and then wooden walls had been built to carve Walnut Mountain up, dividing it into countless areas.

However, the reason that shocked the two was not just this, but rather the distribution pattern, which bore an uncanny resemblance to the former Ghost Valley. Viewed from afar, countless minor demons, bound by cangues and iron chains, were laboring under the driving whips of the foreign monks. Some were felling trees, some were quarrying bluestones, and some were constructing houses...

Judging by the scale, this place had already exceeded the scope of a village, yet it had not reached the requirements of a city. Could it be that they were truly preparing to create a place resembling Ghost Valley? If this were indeed the case, then this must be the real reason why the foreign monks exterminated the demon race of Meishan!

Yet, the reason behind the foreign monks engaging in such activities was something Liu Chou and Qingmei truly could not fathom.

Ghost Valley existed because the Emperor of the Great Zhou desired to cultivate some members of the demon race, either to serve as spies or to be driven as laborers. But what did the foreign monks want with such a place? Furthermore, the various Buddhist nations and the Western Lintai where the foreign monks resided were all located in the far west of Xiniu Hezhou. Even if they truly had such a need, they could have acted within the Western Continent. Why on earth come all the way to Nanzhan Buzhou?

Qingmei watched with intense concentration for a moment, then suddenly said, "We need to go inside and take a look."

Liu Chou nodded. To determine whether Chang Xiangzhi was imprisoned among them, they had to go inside anyway. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I'll go. You and Jinjing stay outside."

This was originally the plan Liu Chou had firmly decided on long ago. However, unexpectedly, after he spoke, Qingmei shook her head and said, "I must go in as well."

"Why?"

"If we were only searching for the snake-woman, I wouldn't need to go. But these foreign monks are exceedingly bizarre, and I am compelled to go and see for myself," Qingmei looked at Liu Chou, saying with a solemn expression, "The foreign monks and our demon race have been entangled in the Western Continent for thousands of years, and their actions are extremely peculiar. Although they may not engage in frontal assaults, territory-grabbing, and city-conquering like in the Southern Continent, their various stratagems emerge endlessly, and their ability to slowly engulf others is even stronger than that of the Great Zhou. The encampment they have established is far too strange; I must see with my own eyes what kind of sinister scheme they are plotting before I can feel at ease."

Although Qingmei usually did not speak much, her nature was indeed rather stubborn. Seeing that her mind was made up, Liu Chou said, "If you are determined to enter, then we shall do this..."

Daytime in Meishan was very short, and twilight often shrouded the land. Soon, the sky gradually grew dim and hazy, and large bonfires had already been lit around the encampment for illumination. Numerous minor demons were still continuing their grueling labor of construction. Throughout the entire day, the demon horde only had two rest and feeding periods. Each time, a few bloody, mutilated corpses were simply tossed in for them to tear apart and devour at will, which was no different from the practices of the former Tiansi Chamber of Commerce.

However, during this process, Liu Chou also keenly observed that the minor demons performing forced labor were roughly categorized. Those minor demons capable of conjuring water out of thin air, turning mud into stone, or otherwise utilizing artisan tools to debark walnut trees and saw planks were treated separately. The food they ate was roasted and boiled in cauldrons, cooked to about medium-done. As for those minor demons who could only serve as crude laborers, either their innate demonic arts were useless for building walls and houses, or their demonic power was too low, relegating them strictly to heavy labor.

Yet, regardless of which category they belonged to, there was no sign of the snake-woman they had seen before. While Liu Chou was searching, Qingmei had already signaled him to look toward a cave guarded by foreign monks. A massive bonfire was lit at the cave entrance, and the foreign monks beside the fire were drinking water and eating their meal. Afterward, these monks who had finished eating would go to relieve those guarding the prisoners, continuing the forced labor deep into the night.

Although the stone cave was dilapidated, one could still vaguely discern its former grandeur. The stone walls at the entrance bore mottled traces of handwriting, showing that this was once Yuan Hong's former residence. The foreign monks were also living within it. If there were any secrets hidden or minor demons imprisoned, this would likewise be the best location.

"The secret is definitely hidden inside the cave," Qingmei concluded firmly.

Liu Chou's gaze swept across the firmament. The dome of the sky was dim, with interweaving light and shadow. He nodded. Qingmei noticed the strange look in Liu Chou's eyes and asked, "What is it?"

She could tell that Liu Chou's action stemmed from having other thoughts rather than opposing her recent conclusion, which was why he acted this way.

Liu Chou thought for a moment before saying, "The blood moon is coming."

Qingmei asked, "When?" Immediately, she added another sentence, "The arrival of the blood moon has always been sudden. How can you discern it?"

"In Meishan, if one sees the lunar halo in the sky mottled with bloodlines at nightfall, then the blood moon will certainly arrive within three days," Liu Chou stated directly, "I also looked at it from the outside, but the moonlight showed no abnormality. Perhaps it is because the spiritual veins of Meishan are different that they can manifest these omens!"

"It could also be because of the Demon-Summoning Banner," Qingmei said, "Strange objects always produce strange phenomena."

Whether or not one could foresee the blood moon was not a major issue. However, if the blood moon were to arrive, it might not be a bad thing for Liu Chou and Qingmei. Stimulated by the blood moon, those demonic beasts and minor demons would inevitably become fiercely violent, and turmoil was bound to erupt. Whether they were searching for clues or looking for someone, it would be much easier for them then...

It was a pity that three days was still a bit too long. Baili Gu had already been killed, and the caravan was now lying quietly inside Liu Chou's gourd domain. If the three days did not arrive and the foreign monks grew suspicious, even if the blood moon came, if precautionary measures were taken in advance, it would still be difficult for the two of them to act.

After another while, the sound of a foreign flute rang out once more, and the foreign monks began to order the minor demons to cease work. A group of minor demons was immediately driven into a wooden enclosure, and then two more corpses were tossed inside. The minor demons scrambled and fought over the remains, but some minor demons were simply too exhausted to move and collapsed onto the muddy ground. When they managed to recover a sliver of strength later on, they could only scavenge for bone fragments, scraps of flesh, and blood-stained clods of mud on the ground, stuffing them into their mouths to barely make do.

If nothing unexpected happened, these minor demons would become rations in a few days or a dozen days...

Aside from a few guards on duty, the remaining foreign monks had already fallen entirely asleep. As for those minor demons, after scrambling over the two corpses, they had likewise collapsed haphazardly across the muddy ground, fast asleep.

Liu Chou quickly emerged from his hiding spot and crept toward the encampment. Along the way, he passed two city walls constructed from walnut wood. Liu Chou used both hands and feet, silently scaling them and advancing forward along the base of the wall...

Suddenly, Liu Chou flashed and concealed himself in the darkness, not moving an inch.

A foreign monk staggered over, reeking of alcohol, pulling at the hem of his foreign robe as he walked, looking as though he urgently needed to relieve himself. Seeing that the foreign monk's robe was bright and glossy, Liu Chou guessed he held some status. Without further ado, he sneaked up from behind, grasping a piece of ox-tendon rope in his hand. Whether the foreign monk noticed something or merely had a sudden intuition, he was walking along when he inexplicably halted and glanced back.

Behind him was empty and desolate, absolutely nothing there.

The foreign monk shook his head in puzzlement, turned around, and continued walking. But the moment he took a step, Liu Chou appeared behind him like a ghost. The ox-tendon rope looped around the monk's head and was jerked tight, instantly choking the monk's neck so tightly that not the slightest sound could escape.

Liu Chou possessed immense physical strength. Exerting force in this manner, the foreign monk only managed to weakly scratch at his neck a few times before collapsing powerlessly to the ground. His tongue protruded to a great length, and blood began to ooze outward from his eyes, nostrils, and ears. His face turned purplish-blue, and he died at Liu Chou's hands.

Liu Chou dabbed a bit of the foreign monk's blood, placed it in his mouth, and tasted it. The demonic Qi around his entire body began to churn rapidly. His stature began to grow taller at a speed visible to the naked eye, his fur shedding, and his hands, feet, face, and shoulders rapidly growing plumper. Within the span of a breath, Liu Chou had transformed into the appearance of the foreign monk.

Naturally, this was once again the credit of the Divine Form art.

After a few finger-snaps, Liu Chou slowly opened his eyes. A smug expression had already appeared on his plump face. From the memories of this fat foreign monk, he could tell that his status was indeed not low, placing him in the exact same generation as Miqing and the others whom Liu Chou had previously encountered. Moreover, what was most important was that he happened to be in charge of the procurement and custody of provisions and rations for the foreign monks. Entering the cave to inspect the rear areas would be completely justified and proper.

Only, whether it was due to drunkenness or not, his memories regarding the various partitions inside the cave were somewhat hazy, murky, and unclear.

However, this level of information was already sufficient.

Liu Chou swaggered toward the cave. Upon meeting numerous foreign monks, some pressed their palms together in greeting, while others nodded in acknowledgment. Following the usual habits of the foreign monks, Liu Chou either responded to them or ignored them, swaggering directly into the cave.

Yuan Hong's grotto-heaven was spacious and bright, but its appearance had already been altered. The foreign monks had spread numerous knapsacks in the spacious area near the cave entrance, and straw mats were laid out on the ground as well. Many foreign monks were already fast asleep there in a daze, while the rear led to three separate passageways. Liu Chou looked over, unable to tell for the moment which path was the correct one.

Right at that moment, a foreign monk came smilingly fawning up to Liu Chou, rubbing his hands together and flattering, "Senior Brother, Senior Brother, what you promised me... that thing of mine..." He rubbed his hands, looking around cautiously while full of apprehension, though he left the sentence unfinished, as if waiting for Liu Chou's reply.

When Liu Chou devoured flesh and blood, he could perceive many of the person's habits and temperament, but this was different from completely stealing their memories; he could only know what was inherently known to the body. As for what had been said to others, what pact had been made, or what had been promised to someone else... he was entirely unaware. However, judging by the monk's demeanor, Liu Chou also vaguely guessed the outcome.

A thought stirred in Liu Chou's mind. He immediately put on a stern expression, bulging his eyes and intimidating the monk: "Keep your voice down! Is this a place to speak of such matters? That item... lead the way, find a suitable location, and I will have my reasons!"

This sentence was vague and ambiguous, but to the foreign monk, it sounded like an affirmation. Joy immediately bloomed on his face. Blinking, he then took the lead, guiding the way deep into the cave. Since Liu Chou hadn't chosen a path anyway, he simply followed closely behind him. They wound and turned deep into the cave. Along the way, the sentries grew increasingly strict, yet because they were accompanied by a fellow foreign monk, no one interrogated them, simply letting the two of them pass inward.

Finally, the two of them turned into a side tunnel, entering a stone cavern several zhang in circumference before stopping. The foreign monk immediately turned around, rubbing his hands as he looked at Liu Chou, an impatient expression still plastered on his face...

"Senior Brother, has that Golden Spear Pill come into your hands?"