Chapter 57: Bustling with Activity

Fabian Pinhole walked at a brisk pace, soon arriving at a lotus pond. Stepping directly onto the lotus leaves, he took a few paces before inspiration struck him—if the lotus flowers were in full bloom right now, taking a stroll here would undoubtedly be breathtakingly beautiful. However, realizing he was here to commit murder rather than to admire scenery, he shouted toward the pond, "Yu the Big-Headed, come out and meet your doom!"

As it happened, Yu the Big-Headed was not at the lotus pond; he had led the fish-sprites down the river toward the foot of the mountain. Since no fish-demon answered his challenge, Hua Lan had no choice but to dispatch four spider spirits to spit venom at him.

Webs instantly entangled Fabian Pinhole’s hands and feet. Recognizing the Zhu family brothers immediately, Fabian saw that they were all wearing identical new outfits. Embroidered across the chest were the characters for "Demon Cult," while the left sleeve bore the slogans "Jianghu Demonic Arts" and "Safety First." Realizing at once that the Zhu brothers had defected, Fabian demanded, "Zhu brothers, I was sent by the Master of the Flying Skull Pavilion! What is the meaning of this? If you betray the Pavilion Master, he will surely kill you."

Zhu Changfa replied, "We are people of the Demon Cult now. The Demon Cult provides housing, covers our meals and lodging, and pays thirty taels of silver every month."

Zhu Curly-Hair added, "Our work is easy—chopping firewood in the morning and resting in the afternoon. We don't have to live in fear, and there's even a pension waiting for us when we grow old."

Zhu Bangs further chimed in, "Big Brother Yuan Lang also said that if any of us have families, they will be given large, separate houses."

Zhu Silken-Hair concluded, "This is what they call turning away from the dark and embracing the light."

Amidst the entanglement of the spider silk, Fabian Pinhole's resistance proved futile. He was bound tightly like a rice dumpling and tossed onto the bank. By the time everyone else rushed over, the battle had already concluded.

Wu Keai remarked, "I must say, my hammer is no less effective than these spider webs. In just this brief moment, this runway-strutting freaky monster was trussed up like a dumpling."

Pan Yingjun raised his axe and suggested, "How about I split him in two right now?"

Hua Lan, who was also present, intervened, "Do not kill him. Wait until the Cult Leader returns before deciding how to deal with him."

To save his own skin, Fabian Pinhole quickly declared, "Wait! I allowed myself to be tied up voluntarily. I want to join the Demon Cult! Please don't kill me—let me see the Cult Leader!"

Pan Yingjun sneered, "You spineless coward. I won't kill you, but once the Cult Leader gets back, you'll die an even more miserable death!"

Fabian Pinhole pleaded, "Please show mercy, let me live a few more days, or at least let the Cult Leader be the one to execute me."

Leaving Fabian Pinhole to their disposal, Xiao Bugui simply watched the commotion before mounting his azure lion and heading toward Guyue Pavilion.

Passing through the bustling crowds, Xiao Bugui's formidable presence was witnessed by the craftsmen, whose eyes were filled with awe. Xiao Bugui smiled as he walked onward, catching the faint scent of alcohol in the air.

Coming from the opposite direction was a leisurely water buffalo, upon whose back a drunken old man lay sprawled in sleep. Because the scent of liquor rolling off him was so potent, he could be smelled from far away. It was Xiao Bugui’s first time encountering this eccentric old man on Demon Mountain, and he wondered if he might be an assassin. The azure lion also grew immensely interested in the water buffalo and halted its steps.

The water buffalo remained unhurried, entirely unfazed by the presence of a lion. The drunken old man raised his head, revealing a familiar face to Xiao Bugui—Ma Zengsan.

Spotting Xiao Bugui, Ma Zengsan broke into a long-overdue smile and shouted enthusiastically, "You brat! Haven't seen you in days, and you're doing quite well for yourself!"

Filled with even greater respect, Xiao Bugui asked, "Old man, you're so formidable to have ridden a bull all the way up here. Didn't any minor demons try to stop you?"

Ma Zengsan retorted, "You ungrateful little rascal! Shouldn't you address me as your master when you see me?"

Still delighted to see him, Xiao Bugui pointed a finger toward the sky in rebuttal, "I already have a master, and he is up in the heavens."

Unbothered, Ma Zengsan asked instead, "Is Eldest Miss Hao on Demon Mountain?"

"Yes," Xiao Bugui answered, "she is staying at Hu Jiao's place."

Ma Zengsan declared, "Take me to see her. I've come this time specifically to take her home."

Hearing that Ma Zengsan intended to take Hao Meili away, a pang of reluctance stirred in Xiao Bugui’s heart. After all, having a beauty by one's side brought joy, and her absence would only bring loss. Even so, he said, "I will take you to find her."

Before long, Xiao Bugui realized that Ma Zengsan did not need guidance at all. The leaves rustled, and at every intersection, a tree demon used its branches to form standard directional signs pointing the way forward. Perhaps the managers of Demon Mountain had already been informed of his arrival in advance.

As they walked, the two exchanged other topics of conversation. Xiao Bugui asked him, "Master Ma, where did you go after you left that day?"

Ma Zengsan replied, "On some bitter errand, naturally. But you're quite impressive now, having joined the Demon Cult."

Xiao Bugui said, "I have no worries about food or lodging here; it really is quite good."

Ma Zengsan sighed, "Yet the Demon Cult has a poor reputation in the mortal realm. Once you return to the world of men, people will point at you and call you a little demon lord."

Xiao Bugui countered, "Though they are demons, I find them all rather endearing."

Ma Zengsan argued back, "They all look like ferocious fiends; I see nothing endearing about them. And you are becoming less and less endearing yourself—you're turning into a monster."

Unfazed by the taunt, Xiao Bugui replied, "The mortal world is full of swindlers, bandits, and man-eating villains. To me, it's not half as good as this place."

Ma Zengsan pursed his lips and muttered, "It sounds to me like you've been bewitched by demons."

After a few more casual remarks, they reached Guyue Pavilion. Ma Zengsan waited at the entrance, instructing Xiao Bugui to go inside first and announce their arrival.

Stepping into the courtyard, Xiao Bugui found Hu Jiao, Hao Meili, and Zhu Xiu sitting around a stone table doing needlework. Creeping up quietly from behind, he covered Hu Jiao's eyes with his hands.

Hu Jiao said, "Xiao Bugui, take your hands away and stop fooling around."

Xiao Bugui asked, "How did you guess it was me?"

Hu Jiao smiled and replied, "You reek of sweat and dirt—couldn't you smell yourself?"

Instead, Xiao Bugui turned his attention to Hao Meili's embroidery, praising, "Meili, the peonies you're embroidering look rather lovely."

Having just watched Xiao Bugui and Hu Jiao chatting and laughing familiarly, Hao Meili had lowered her head, feeling awkward and disgruntled. Now, she ignored Xiao Bugui entirely, silently continuing her work on the silk painting.

Xiao Bugui tried to provoke her further, lightly touching her hair. Hao Meili threatened him with the needle in her hand, "Stop messing around, I'm busy. Be careful or this needle will prick your hand."

Xiao Bugui said, "My master, Ma Zengsan, has arrived. He says he's here to take Eldest Miss Hao home."

Hearing that Ma Zengsan had come to take her home, Hao Meili showed no surprise, saying flatly, "Young Master Yu Wushuang is supposed to be leaving with me, isn't he?"

Disliking Yu Wushuang, Xiao Bugui snapped, "You're asking me? How should I know?"

Just as their conversation reached this juncture, Ma Zengsan strode in from outside. Gone was his drunken demeanor; he looked entirely radiant and full of vitality as he bowed respectfully to Hao Meili, "Eldest Miss, Boss Hao sent me to escort you and Young Master Yu back."

Hao Meili replied, "You can take Young Master Yu back first. I wish to stay and amuse myself here for a few more days. Whenever I feel homesick, I will have Xiao Bugui escort me home."

Ma Zengsan stated bluntly, "Boss Hao ordered me to bring you back because the Madam has fallen ill."

Hao Meili asked, "How could my mother have fallen ill?"

Ma Zengsan said, "I wouldn't dare deceive the Eldest Miss."

Hao Meili pressed on, "If my mother is ill, did you witness it with your own eyes? What illness has she contracted?"

Ma Zengsan stammered, "This—this—Eldest Miss, I did not witness the Madam's affliction with my own eyes."

Biting her lip, Hao Meili said, "Then tomorrow morning, you and Young Master Yu leave first. I still want to stay here and play for a few more days."

Fearing that Ma Zengsan might come up with another excuse, Xiao Bugui quickly interjected, "Master Ma, let me take you to the inn to settle in first. We can drink some wine at noon."

Upon hearing that there was wine to be had, Ma Zengsan immediately brightened up. "Splendid! We'll go drink at noon then. I heard that Demon Mountain has its own home-brewed honey wine that is utterly divine!" With that, he took his leave of Hao Meili, "Eldest Miss, think it over carefully—whether you are leaving or staying, I shall await your final answer tomorrow."