RIIDMDR chapter 167

After lunch and a short rest, Nanxu packed several jars of prepared canned food for Xu Le, gathered a basket of eggs, and took Tingchuan and the Xu family down the mountain.

The chickens started laying eggs a month ago. While Nanxu and Tingchuan were away from the inn, Zhixing collected quite a few eggs each day while cleaning the coop. The eggs accumulated, but they spoiled easily if left for too long, and he didn’t know what to do with them. He vaguely remembered Nan Xu mentioning that he could send some eggs to Xu Ji’s family if the chickens laid them. Although the demon race didn’t have the same strict postpartum care as humans, eggs were generally beneficial in moderation. He decided to send some down the mountain.

It was windy today, but the sun was blazing hot. Nan Xu glanced at Xu Le, who was noticeably tanned. He knew that the intense sun wasn’t entirely harmless to demons, so he found a bamboo hat and covered his head.

Guan’er followed behind them, running back and forth without getting tired. He was used to living in the mountains and got a lot of exercise every day. Some time ago, Zhixing would occasionally come down the mountain to examine the little canine demon. Guan’er would follow him, learning the entire path to the canine demon clan. It often went down the mountain to play with Xu Le.

The group of demons walked through the forest, occasionally stopping to pick wild mushrooms. The spiritual energy in the mountains was more abundant than outside, and the crops grown there also possessed spiritual energy. Perhaps influenced by Nan Xu, the canine clan would cook a dish or make a soup in their spare time.

As night fell, the group of demons finally arrived at the foot of the mountain. Nanxu handed Xu Le a basket of eggs and told the father and son to go back first. Reluctant to leave, Xu Le asked if they wanted to stay at his house that night. After thinking for a moment, Nanxu agreed and finally broke into a smile.

“Oh, right. If the canine clan has free time, they might as well build more houses. If you don’t earn this silver, it’ll just be wasted,” said Nanxu.

Connecting this to the letter he’d seen that morning, Xu Ji understood the reason. The letter, which he had found on his bedside table when he woke up, concerned the very survival of the demon realm. All the demons, large and small, would inevitably come. With so many demons gathering, the number of inn rooms on the mountain could be counted on two hands. The demons without lodging couldn’t all sleep on the mountaintop. Although the main mountain array was gone, there were hundreds, even thousands, of smaller arrays. Accidentally stumbling into one would result in nothing but embarrassment.

Although the future was uncertain, money was always needed. Since the owner had explicitly told him to earn money, he had no reason to hesitate.

Having understood this, Xu Ji thanked Nan Xu repeatedly before leaving with Xu Le in hand.

Nan Xu and Tingchuan walked down a different path. The sun was setting, and the afterglow painted half the sky. The view from the foot of the mountain was completely different yet beautiful in its own way.

Seeing Nan Xu so relaxed, Tingchuan felt lighter. He joked, “In a life-or-death situation, you’re still thinking about making money?”

Nan Xu turned to look at Tingchuan. “Life goes on, and so does making money. Don’t you understand that?”

Tingchuan paused for a moment, then laughed. “I’ve never heard that before. I’ve learned something.”

Nanxu thought Tingchuan was naive. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been stuck in the inn for over a year, working for free and seemingly unconcerned.

Then again, he might have been too wealthy to care about small change.

Thinking about it this way, Nan Xu felt a pang of sadness. Having wealthy ancestors meant he had less to struggle for. But alas, fate wouldn’t bless him with money. He could only rely on selling his body—this mountain—to earn a small sum.

“If I succeed, the money I earn will fill my small treasury. If I fail, their money will be useless. They might as well give it to me to make me happy. If they simply don’t try, then I won’t lose out by making a little money to spend,” Nan Xu said confidently.

As they talked, they passed a mountain stream, circled a giant rock, and arrived at the location where the magical weapon was kept. The stone on which the weapon rested had been worn smooth by time, showing its age. Three thousand years had passed, yet the sword remained as good as new, untouched by wind, frost, rain, or snow.

Nan Xu stared at the sword. The black iron blade radiated a chilling aura. Its intricate patterns suddenly reminded him of the dark days and nights when he stood on this land, clutching the sword. All life around him had perished; not a single weed had survived. Within a hundred miles, there was no trace of life. Only this sword had kept him company during that long period of solitude.

“Take it back!” Nan Xu said.

For demons, magical weapons are inseparable companions, as important as the human heart.

Tingchuan was no stranger to this place. He used to come here every year, as if visiting an old friend. But after meeting Nan Xu and learning that the little demon had returned, he no longer had high hopes for the sword. He hadn’t retrieved it because he wanted to wait for Nan Xu to remember the past and come with him.

Upon further thought, Nan Xu must have cherished the sword greatly to have cared for it so well.

Upon hearing Nanxu’s voice, Tingchuan stepped forward and grasped the sword. Perhaps because he hadn’t touched it for over three thousand years, the sword felt unfamiliar to him. It trembled in his hand and emitted a buzzing sound as if it were struggling.

Tingchuan was somewhat annoyed but found it amusing upon reflection. He gripped the sword tightly and said, “After three thousand years, have you come to consider this your home?”

The sword paused briefly, then trembled more violently, seemingly trying to intimidate Tingchuan.

It was clearly Tingchuan’s magical weapon, yet it refused to submit to him. Nanxu, puzzled, stepped forward and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Tingchuan’s wrist was numb from the jarring sword. Suppressing a tremor in his voice, he said, “Perhaps it’s been with your original form for too long and doesn’t want to submit to me anymore.”

Nanxu quickly distanced himself. “I didn’t use anything to coax it. It was all one-sided.”

Perhaps these words hurt the sword’s feelings. The previously fierce sword instantly became still, lying obediently in Tingchuan’s palm as if its previous rebellion had been an illusion.

Tingchuan chuckled softly, wondering where the sword had learned such behavior.

He gripped the sword hilt. A flash of cold light appeared as the blade was drawn, and Nanxu instinctively covered his eyes. “It wasn’t this sharp before. Could it have sought out this blessed land to hone its skills?”

Tingchuan sheathed the sword, explaining, “It’s been without light for so long; it’s excited.”

Nanxu glanced at the sword several more times. Seeing it become agitated again, he quickly looked away. “Then let it out for some fresh air.”

This topic was really strange. After obtaining the magical artifact, Nanxu finished speaking and headed back the way he came. As he waded through the shallow stream, he found the coolness refreshing, especially with the evening breeze.

“Has there been no rain this summer? The water seems almost dry,” Nanxu said to the fox demon following behind him.

Tingchuan hummed in agreement. “While you were in the formation, there were several thunderclaps, but not a single drop of rain fell.”

Nanxu checked the weather panel on his system as he walked. The next few days were also predicted to be sunny. Since the rainy season hadn’t brought rain, today’s lack of rain was indeed unusual. The demon realm wasn’t worried about harvests, but all living things need water to grow. How could they survive without rain?

By the time they reached the canine tribe’s village, night had fallen, and most of the houses were dark. Nanxu and Tingchuan walked through the village from one end to the other. Occasionally, a canine demon would peek out of a window upon hearing the noise and exchange a few pleasantries with Nanxu and Tingchuan.

The candles in Xu Ji’s house were still burning. As Nan Xu approached, the door opened from the inside. Xu Ji stood by the door and looked out into the darkness, seeing Nan Xu and Tingchuan. He said, “I guessed you were coming. Sure enough, I heard you.”

Nan Xu smiled and said, “It’s cool at night, so we wandered around the woods a bit longer. Is Xu Le already asleep?”

“He has. He played to his heart’s content during the day and fell asleep quickly at night.” Xu Ji ushered the two of them in. “There are many mosquitoes outside. I wasn’t sure what to make, so I quickly cooked two small dishes. Owner and Senior Tingchuan, please eat a little before resting.”

Although he said it was for the two of them to eat, it was really just a way of encouraging Nan Xu to eat. After all, he was the only one who got hungry. Even though his memories and most of his spiritual energy had returned, Nan Xu’s habit of getting hungry hadn’t changed. He wouldn’t get hungry every few hours, but he couldn’t last three days.

Perhaps the heavens and earth were using another method to remind him that he was different from the demons of the demon realm.

As for Tingchuan, the fussy fox demon refused to eat food prepared by others.

Stepping inside, several candles lit the interior brightly. Porcelain bowls and plates, most likely bought from Zhuang Si and Zhuang Wu on the mountain, were arranged on the table.

Several small dishes were on the table, along with a pot of braised rabbit meat. In the springtime, wild rabbits were plentiful in the mountains, and every household had rabbit skins or meat hanging under their eaves.

“Physician Zhixing taught me these dishes. I wonder if they suit the owner’s taste,” said Xu Ji, pouring two glasses of warm water and handing one to Tingchuan and one to Nan Xu.

Nan Xu sat down, took a bite, and gave Xu Ji a thumbs-up. “Brother Xu, your culinary skills are excellent! Your wife is so lucky!”

Xu Ji chuckled sheepishly, unsure how to respond. His wife came out from the inner room and laughed, “Owner, don’t let him fool you. These are the only dishes he knows how to make.”

Xu Ji replied, “Physician Zhixing is very busy, and I’m not very bright. I haven’t had the chance to learn more.”

“That’s easy,” Nan Xu joked. “Just go to the mountain and find Zhixing another day. You don’t need to pay any tuition. He’ll definitely like the two medicinal plants you dig up from the mountain.”

Xu Ji nodded. “That’s a good idea; otherwise, my wife and son will always nag me.”

Nan Xu was happy to see the couple getting along so well. He glanced at Tingchuan every now and then. Tingchuan didn’t eat himself, but he knew which dishes Nan Xu liked and put them in his bowl.

After finishing the meal, Nan Xu went to the inner room to check on the little canine demon. The two-month-old demon had gained weight and looked quite plump. Its spiritual energy was different from that of ordinary plants and animals, and Nan Xu could sense it now. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Nan Xu touched the little canine demon’s chubby face. Seeing the adorable way the demon unconsciously opened its mouth as if wanting to suck his finger melted his heart. He also began to understand why Xu Le was so concerned about his sister.

Tingchuan maintained his aloof demeanor, showing little interest in the little canine demon. As he watched Nan Xu play happily with the sleeping demon cub, he fell into deep thought.

Nan Xu loved the little demon so much. When they were together, had he ever considered that no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t have children?

Three thousand years ago, he had no one to teach him, so he didn’t understand these things. But he’d heard that, three thousand years later, he went to the human world as an orphan. Such private matters were usually taught by one’s closest relatives. Didn’t Nanxu still not know?

But then again, it made sense. Nanxu was born from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth—his parents were heaven and earth. No matter which world he went to, who could possibly be his parents?

So…did no one ever tell him that male demons couldn’t have children?

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