Volume Two, Chapter Nineteen: First Encounters with the Jianghu

“Brother Gada, why are those two girls chasing you? They look like they hate you quite a bit.”

Yu Mu sighed helplessly and recounted how he had encountered the two maidens, though he concealed the events that had taken place in the heavens. He suspected that even if he told the truth, nobody would believe him, so he chose not to mention those details.

Meng Fang listened and burst into hearty laughter. “Humans are so sentimental, especially girls—they’re just troublesome. We demon cultivators are straightforward, without so many taboos.”

Yu Mu could only smile wryly.

Soon after, the two discovered a cave, though for Meng Fang’s enormous frame, it was a bit cramped.

Without hesitation, Meng Fang strode to the cave entrance and swung his massive axe a few times, enlarging the cave severalfold. Then, raising his foot, he stomped the ground; the scattered dust and loose earth seemed to be pressed against the cave walls by some immense force, forming a chamber with smooth, polished sides.

Yu Mu curiously stamped his foot on the ground and felt the walls—they were as hard as granite.

“Meng Fang, what is this...?”

Meng Fang smiled faintly. “It’s my innate skill—Gravity Stomp. Come, let’s sit and talk.”

The two sat down on the ground. Both were a bit worn out, especially Yu Mu, who had been through a series of dangers and was thoroughly exhausted. From experience, as soon as he sat, he transformed some roots to probe into the earth, absorbing energy into his body.

Yu Mu could replenish himself this way, but Meng Fang could not. Famished, his huge body could hardly be nourished by ordinary plants and vegetation.

Meng Fang reached into his robes, took out some dried rations, and shared them with Yu Mu. He himself devoured the food ravenously.

Yu Mu looked at the dry, tough food in Meng Fang’s hands and felt a pang of sympathy. Turning his palm, he produced a large peach and handed it to Meng Fang.

Meng Fang was startled at first, then protested, “Brother Gada, what are you doing? How can I eat your fruit? That wouldn’t be right.”

Though he spoke thus, his gaze never left the peach in Yu Mu’s hand, so full of allure.

“Meng Fang, don’t worry—I have plenty more, and they continue to grow. Here, take it! You should recover your magical power quickly; don’t forget those two girls are still after us.”

“All right, then I’ll eat it.” Straightforward as ever, Meng Fang took the peach and in one bite devoured half.

“Moo—this is delicious! And it’s brimming with spiritual energy.” Another bite, and the palm-sized peach was gone.

“Amazing! After eating this peach, my magical power is nearly restored, and my cultivation has even advanced a bit. Truly a spiritual treasure! But why do I feel a bit intoxicated? Strange, indeed.”

“If it helps you, have some more,” Yu Mu said, producing several more peaches.

Despite his longing, Meng Fang resolutely pushed them away. “Brother, such treasures are not easily grown. You mustn’t squander these immortal fruits so casually. Besides, I have other ways to replenish my spiritual power. Quickly, put these spiritual peaches away.”

Though Yu Mu spoke lightly, in truth, apart from that mysterious tree laden with peaches, he had not produced another since. He could clearly sense that without some extraordinary event, it would take seven or eight years to cultivate a single peach.

Yu Mu tried again to offer, but Meng Fang adamantly refused and admonished, “Brother, your miraculous talent must not be revealed to outsiders, or disaster will surely follow.”

“Why?” Yu Mu was shocked.

“Spiritual treasures are scarce in this world. Herb spirits like you are even rarer, and those who can cultivate a Dao body are rarer still. Think about it: owning a spirit like you is like having an inexhaustible supply of restorative elixirs. Everyone would fight to possess you.”

Recalling all that had happened in Peach Blossom Valley, Yu Mu knew Meng Fang spoke the truth. Meng Fang was unaware that the peaches could also impart enlightenment and transform one’s Dao; if those abilities were known, Yu Mu would never have a moment’s peace.

Yu Mu grew anxious. “What should I do?”

“Disguise yourself, hide, and avoid exposing your true form as much as possible.”

“How?” Yu Mu pleaded. “Teach me, Meng Fang.”

“Don’t rush, brother. You’ve already cultivated a human form; you should be able to completely control your true body. Perhaps because you’ve only recently achieved transformation, you’re not yet adept. Come, I’ll watch you—give it a try.”

“Alright.” Yu Mu transformed into his tree form.

He did not know how he had achieved enlightenment, nor did he understand the abilities his transformation granted him. Fortunately, he had prior experience controlling his tree body.

Returning to that state, he was surprised to find his control was far more precise than before. Though not yet effortless, he could now manage ordinary movements with ease.

Under Meng Fang’s guidance, Yu Mu patiently disguised himself as an ordinary tree, wrapping the peaches and blossoms in leaves and hiding them in secret places.

“Brother Gada, you must practice this skill diligently. The more adept you are, the less likely you are to be exposed. Until you’ve fully mastered it, avoid showing your true form before others.”

“Thank you, Meng Fang. I truly appreciate it.” Yu Mu was deeply grateful; in less than a day’s acquaintance, Meng Fang had not only saved his life but helped him immensely.

“Brother, there’s no need for courtesy between us.” With that, Meng Fang took a rolled hide from his breast and handed it to Yu Mu. “This is a transformation technique from one of my clan’s vassal tribes. It’s simple and should suit you.”

Yu Mu was curious and took it from him.

Meng Fang continued, “Since you have nowhere to go and are being hunted, why not come with me? I’m about to visit an old friend of my father’s, a place where demons gather. If you master this transformation, you won’t risk exposing your true form, nor fall into conflict there. The technique is basic, with limited combat ability, and the tribe it imitates is rather lowly. There’s nothing to be done about it, so you’ll have to put up with it for now.”

“No problem, Meng Fang—you’re doing this for my sake.” Yu Mu unrolled the hide, finding a short incantation recorded upon it.

He calmed his mind, memorized the spell, recited the incantation, gestured according to the instructions, and in an instant transformed into a fat pig before Meng Fang’s eyes.

“This—ha ha ha ha...” Meng Fang was stunned for a moment, then bent over laughing so hard his eyes streamed with tears.