Chapter 51: Building the Monster Mountain

Cult Master Shi Yuhuan decided to improve the living environment for the demons, allowing everyone to live in new houses. She ordered a ten-thousand-step stone staircase to be built up the demon mountain, along with a hundred spacious grand houses. She wanted lotuses that emerge from the mud unsullied to bloom across the river waters, and large trees to cast cool shade along the pathways. All kitchen scraps would be used to feed pigs, ducks, and fish, while all human waste would serve as fertilizer for the flowers and plants. Every bird and beast dwelling upon the demon mountain would thus feel a sense of happiness and elevate their cultivation.

Consequently, many humans arrived at the demon mountain. They were not chivalrous heroes who hunted demons, but rather lovely blacksmiths, carpenters, and masons. They had come to construct the demon mountain. Among them was a plump boss clad in silk, who boisterously directed the work of the artisans and issued a warning: "I am paying you double wages to bring you here to work. Remember, this is not just anywhere, so do not wander about. I know you lot produce plenty of waste—Carpenter Li, take two men and build a latrine first. Keep in mind that it must be utterly clean and sanitary; the demons living here are clean and fond of hygiene. If you anger them and they end up eating you as snacks, don't say I didn't warn you."

As a frequent visitor to the demon mountain, the boss shifted his demeanor the moment he finished intimidating the artisans under his command. He gazed upon every single demon as if looking at his most cherished love in the world, showering them with enthusiastic and meticulous care. Encountering Hu Jiao, he would exclaim, "Oh! My dear sister, it has been so long since I last saw you, and you've grown even more gorgeous!"

Hu Jiao rolled her eyes and ignored him, but businessmen are thick-skinned. With a smile, he produced a bolt of silk and offered it to Hu Jiao, saying, "With a beauty like yours, how could you make clothes without fine fabric? This is the finest silk there is!"

"Then I must thank you, Brother Cao Dan." Hu Jiao had no choice but to accept it with a smile.

Indeed, this boss was precisely named Cao Dan, with the surname Cao and given name Dan. He was very generous and fond of bestowing gifts. Upon meeting Shang Qiufeng, he immediately said, "Brother Shang, I have brought you a treasure this time. Parasitic iron, capable of shaping limbs."

The servant behind him immediately stepped forward, opened a chest, and revealed a chunk of black iron stone.

Shang Qiufeng extended his long tongue, consumed the parasitic iron, and sure enough, robust black limbs grew forth. Unaccustomed to them yet, Shang Qiufeng took heavy strides over to a large tree and punched straight through the trunk with his iron fist.

Shang Qiufeng remarked, "These hands and feet are a bit clumsy, but many thanks, Brother Cao Dan."

Cao Dan replied, "We are brothers, no need for such formalities. Where is Yuan Lang?"

Shang Qiufeng answered, "He is counting money in the treasury. I recall him mentioning that the payment for the irrigation ditch project has not been settled with you yet; you should go find him for the silver."

"Then I shall go take a look." For Cao Dan, no act of obsequiousness was ever free. Behind him, two attendants who never left his side were still clutching several gift boxes.

Gao Dazuang perhaps noticed the bustling crowd of artisans and walked over to watch the excitement. Cao Dan enthusiastically greeted him, presented a brocade box, and said, "Brother, this is filled with all your favorites."

Gao Dazuang usually presented himself with a fierce and menacing expression, but now, cradling the gift in both arms, he broke into a rare smile and said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Cao Dan then produced two more gift boxes, stacked them atop Gao Dazuang's, and instructed, "Help me pass these along to Pan Yingjun and Wu Ke'ai."

Gao Dazuang asked, "What are you lot busy with here? Weren't you supposed to build a new house for Hu Jiao first?"

Cao Dan explained, "I am setting up a shed for the artisans here first, so they won't disturb you all. Tomorrow I will head over to Sister Jiao's place to start work."

"Carry on with your business then, I'm heading back." With his loot, Gao Dazuang trotted happily back to Wild Boar Forest.

Yet a loud crash once again halted Cao Dan's steps. It turned out that an hired artisan had dropped and smashed an iron cooking wok. Furious, Cao Dan demanded, "What is your name?"

"Zhu Changfa." Zhu Changfa had evidently used disguise to conceal his demonic appearance, transforming into a harmless little old man.

Cao Dan then instructed the foreman, "Liu Daoming, mark it down against him and deduct the cost of a wok."

As it turned out, Zhu Changfa's younger sister Zhu Xiu had secured a job as a cook here, and Zhu Changfa had been helping his sister when he broke the wok. Zhu Xiu had disguised herself as a charming maiden whom anyone would instantly fancy. Pouting coquettishly at Boss Cao, Zhu Xiu pleaded, "I am so sorry, Boss Cao. This is my fourth older brother, and I came here to work as a cook. My fourth brother was only helping me out—please deduct the wages from my share instead."

Cao Dan gazed closely at Zhu Xiu and instantly forgot all about the cost of the wok. Delighted, he said, "This girl has a sweet mouth, I like that. But I must warn you, young lady, if you break anything else, you'll have to compensate me with yourself. I am quite busy today; you newcomers must remember to be extremely careful and diligent in your work." After casting a few more lingering glances at Zhu Xiu, Cao Dan finally departed with evident reluctance.

At that moment, Xiao Bugui sat in Yu Datou's boat, lost in a daze, while in the distance Hao Meili was washing her hair by the riverbank. Yu Datou did not care to concern himself with what was running through Xiao Bugui's mind. Having caught a cage of river crabs, Yu Datou boasted to Xiao Bugui, "We're having river crabs for lunch today. Crabs are not easy to catch at this time of year."

Hearing Yu Datou's words, Xiao Bugui smiled faintly. As the small boat drifted along, Xiao Bugui drew closer and closer to Hao Meili. The two exchanged a gaze, and Xiao Bugui offered a shy smile.

To make a man fall in love and wish to keep him by one's side, one must disparage him, citing flaws in everything he does to prove that no other woman could possibly love him. Hao Meili began unearthing Xiao Bugui's shortcomings. For instance, when they met in the morning, Xiao Bugui, having moored his small boat and stepped ashore, said to her, "Good morning."

Hao Meili pinched her nose, treating Xiao Bugui as if he were polluting the air. Out of a mixture of disdain and concern, she remarked, "Your breath smells so foul. You didn't sleep well on the boat last night, did you?"

Seizing this opening for conversation, Xiao Bugui replied, "I heard many artisans have arrived; I will soon have a place of my own."

Hao Meili retorted, "Do you truly intend to stay here? Once Young Master Yu's poison is cured, I will be leaving."

Xiao Bugui said, "I find this place rather nice. Having food and lodging provided is better than the mortal realm, and the warm sunshine is better than the immortal isle."

"You are a demon, so naturally you enjoy living among demons. I certainly do not." Gathering her toiletries, Hao Meili headed back toward Hu Jiao's dwelling.

Following closely behind, Xiao Bugui asked, "Where is Sister Jiaojiao?"

Even more displeased, Hao Meili snapped, "Go find her yourself, why are you asking me?"

Over the past few days, Hao Meili had been lodging at Hu Jiao's house. The two had not become close girlfriends; one slept on the bed while the other slept on the floor, ignoring each other like complete strangers. Hao Meili possessed the temperament of a pampered young miss, harboring a subtle arrogance deep in her bones. Hu Jiao, on account of Xiao Bugui, was likewise disinclined to converse with her.

Driven by some irrepressible quirk, the Seven-Searing Spear playfully brushed against a lock of Hao Meili's hair. Hao Meili cast an indignant glare of reproach at Xiao Bugui. Xiao Bugui returned a look of utter innocence, silently conveying that it was the Seven-Searing Spear doing the teasing, not him.

Hao Meili feigned anger and stalked off. Finding it uninteresting, Xiao Bugui turned back toward his small boat.

Noticing that Xiao Bugui was not following her, Hao Meili could not help muttering to herself in frustration, "I swear he's nothing but a piece of wood."