Chapter 108: Fleeting Shadows—Bonds of Love and Vengeance

“What was that sound?”
The crow demon with the keenest ears, holding up his wine cup, immediately spoke upon hearing it.

“It seems to be coming from that corner!”
Beside him, the weasel demon swiftly turned his head and pointed to a corner inside the room.

The other demons, who were eating and drinking, also turned their heads to look in the direction the weasel demon indicated.

The demons in this cave were all quite capable, so they clearly heard the sound and knew it was real.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak.”

At that moment, the strange squeaking sounded again.

Among the demons, the female tiger demon reacted fastest. Upon hearing the noise, her eyes immediately lit up, and she turned to pounce toward the corner.

Several other demons who recognized the sound also reacted fiercely. The weasel demon widened his eyes, turned, and excitedly pointed at the corner, stammering, “It’s, it’s, it’s Xiao Xiao—”

He was so excited he stuttered and got stuck mid-sentence.

The crow demon’s face lit up with joy as he stood up and looked toward the corner.

Even the wild boar demon, who usually kept his emotions tightly controlled and appeared serious and solemn, now showed a broad smile and turned to look at the corner.

Nearby, the yellow ox demon, butterfly demon, and female cat demon seemed to understand something and all looked toward the corner the female tiger demon had leapt at.

“It’s Xiao Bai’s voice!”

At this, the weasel demon shouted out loud, finally confirming it.

At the same time, a slender figure—an entirely silver-white large white rat—emerged from the corner. Under the female tiger demon’s swift pounce, it nimbly slipped past her blockade and burst out onto the ground.

“Xiao Bai!”
“Xiao Bai!!”

Seeing the familiar snowy white figure, the crow demon, weasel demon, and wild boar demon all exclaimed with delight, stretching out their arms in anticipation of Xiao Bai’s return.

However, what surprised them was the immense force with which the white rat leapt. Having been used to playing with its father, Xiao Bai hadn’t paid attention to the power behind that leap. When it landed in the wild boar demon’s arms, the force nearly caused the unsuspecting wild boar demon to wobble and almost fall.

Although the wild boar demon quickly regained his composure, the scene left the watching demons wide-eyed.

Especially the yellow ox demon, butterfly demon, and cat demon.

Only now did they realize the aura emanating from the large white rat was astonishingly strong, rivaling that of their two leaders.

Their leaders were demon generals.

Could this little mouse also be a demon general?

The other three demons did not dwell on this thought.

The crow demon looked at the white rat in the wild boar demon’s arms with joyful eyes and said, “Xiao Bai’s appearance here means big brother has returned as well, doesn’t it?”

The weasel demon immediately agreed, “Yes, second brother is right. Xiao Bai left with big brother back then. Now that Xiao Bai is back, big brother must have returned too!”

“Don’t get ahead of yourselves. Let me ask first.”

The wild boar demon gestured and then looked at the white rat, who was busily gnawing on a piece of meat pulled from the cooking pot, asking, “Xiao Bai, has your father come back?”

The three brothers before him were naturally Lu Wufei’s companions from Langlang Mountain.

All eagerly watched the white rat gnawing the meat, awaiting its response.

Perhaps satisfied or perhaps picky, Xiao Bai took a few bites, then tossed the meat aside.

At this moment, the female tiger demon returned to the fire, her eyes full of expectation as she looked at Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai did not immediately respond to the wild boar demon’s question but instead looked up at the female tiger demon.

Though it didn’t recognize her, it sensed her aura.

“She’s Wandashan, Wandashan Number One,” the wild boar demon quickly introduced. “The tiger you used to play with, remember?”

“Squeak, squeak, squeak.”

Xiao Bai finally spoke.

The wild boar demon roughly understood the meaning of Xiao Bai’s words and said, “Yes, it’s her. You can play with her later, but first, can you tell us if your father has come back?”

This time, Xiao Bai didn’t feign ignorance and responded clearly with squeaks.

The wild boar demon’s eyes brightened, and he looked at the crow demon and weasel demon excitedly, “Xiao Bai says big brother has returned and is now drinking with a white wolf demon in the cave on the opposite mountain!”

“I knew big brother was back!”

The crow demon was overjoyed, unable to stay seated, and immediately stood up. “But why didn’t big brother come to see us right away?”

“He’s out drinking with other demons.”

Before he could finish, the wild boar demon interrupted, “Didn’t you hear Xiao Bai? Big brother is drinking with a white wolf demon in the cave on the opposite mountain.”

“The opposite mountain is the main mountain. Who else besides our general could that white wolf demon be?”

“Big brother was under the general’s command before. Of course, the first thing he’d do when he returned is see the general!”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Do you think you’re higher than the general?”

Upon hearing this from his third brother, the crow demon quickly realized his mistake and laughed, “Hehe, I’m just too eager to see big brother.”

Since everyone around was either his brothers or close subordinates, the crow demon wasn’t embarrassed and continued, “But since big brother is drinking with the general, it’s fine if we wait outside for him.”

“Of course.”

The wild boar demon nodded, “Let’s go. I’m eager to see big brother too.”

He picked up Xiao Bai and led the way outside.

The crow demon and weasel demon immediately followed with a group of demons.

Just outside the stone cave, they saw four or five demons waiting.

The crow demon waved his hand, “Follow me!”

Then, alongside the wild boar demon, the two stepped lightly on black smoke and mist, flying down the mountain.

A crowd of demons followed behind.

“Where are the leaders going now?”
“This is the direction of the main mountain. What could they be doing there at this hour?”
“Leader Hongpi is with them. Is something going on?”

The younger demons, unaware of the situation, transformed into their true forms and hurried after them, chattering among themselves.

“Old Han, have you ever met the two leaders’ big brother?”

At this, a large butterfly demon perched atop the yellow ox demon Old Han’s head asked with four eyes.

“Of course I have,” Old Han answered gruffly, “At first, we were all under White Leader’s command—that is, the big brother of the two leaders. Not only us but also Hei Ya, the Black Fang Leader who was promoted last year. We all served White Leader.”

“At that time, myself, San Niang, Kun, and the Madman had just arrived on the mountain. It was White Leader who led us to survive that great battle.”

Old Han recounted White Leader’s glorious past to the butterfly demon.

Several young demons gathered around to listen.

Seeing the crowd, Old Han asked, “Do you know what kind of demon our general is?”

One young demon answered, “I know, a white wolf!”

“Right!”

Old Han nodded. “Well, that White Leader was also a white wolf demon.”

“In short, back then, White Leader was incredibly mighty.”

“But over a decade ago, White Leader suddenly left the mountain. No one knows where he went.”

Before long, the crow demon and wild boar demon arrived with a group of demons at the general’s cave on the main mountain.

The guarding young demons approached immediately.

After some exchange, the wild boar demon and crow demon waited outside the cave with the group.

The guards did not dare disturb their general, who was enjoying his food and drink, but carefully reported the arrival to Chief Yang nearby.

Just as the long-bearded leader was about to report, the large white rat they had seen earlier suddenly ran back into the cave and leapt into Lu Wufei’s arms.

In fact, as the crow demon and wild boar demon approached with their group, Lu Wufei, chatting with the white general, had already sensed their arrival.

With Xiao Bai running in, it was as if the announcement had been made.

---

Without waiting for the sheep demon leader’s report, Lu Wufei held Xiao Bai, raised his cup, and said, “General, my brothers are outside. I’ll go see them for a moment, then we’ll continue.”

Bai Yunxiao clinked his cup with a smile, “Go ahead. I’ll wait here. If you don’t drink your fill tonight, you’re not leaving.”

“Haha, that’s exactly my intention.”

Lu Wufei laughed heartily, drained his cup, and stood to leave.

Nearby, Commander Bear, upon seeing Lu Wufei vanish, hurried over and knelt beside Bai Yunxiao with a thud. Bowing his head in terror, he pleaded, “Please, General, save me!”

Bai Yunxiao, holding a piece of food, froze midway.

Outside the general’s cave, the crow demon, wild boar demon, and weasel demon brothers waited with a mix of anticipation and excitement.

Behind them stood the cat demon San Niang and tiger demon Wandashan Number One.

San Niang felt a similar excitement. After all, the White Leader who once obsessed him was now a mystery. Though his feelings had cooled, he was very curious about how White Leader was now.

Seeing Wandashan, who looked shy and nervous, San Niang teased, “Wandashan, you’re about to meet your father. Excited? Nervous?”

Wandashan shot San Niang a cold glance, “Isn’t that obvious?”

“Uh.”

San Niang was momentarily speechless, reminded that this tiger demon had inherited her father’s cold demeanor completely.

At the back, the young demons listened eagerly to Old Han’s tales, their faces full of anticipation.

Then, a tall figure dressed in a finely embroidered black robe, radiating a powerful, cold aura, stepped steadily out of the general’s cave.

For a moment, all the waiting demons were stunned.

“That aura…”
“So powerful…”

At that moment, the first in line, Hongpi, and the crow demon felt the overwhelming strength emanating from the figure. For a moment, they hesitated to acknowledge him.

On the figure’s shoulder stood Xiao Bai, whom they had just met.

“Why, don’t you recognize me?”

Lu Wufei looked at the crowd and spoke.

Though still a powerful and somewhat unfamiliar figure, his voice instantly brought the crow demon and Hongpi back to reality. They felt familiarity, warmth, and knew big brother had truly returned.

Big brother was still the same.

“Big brother!”
“Big brother!!”

The crow demon, Hongpi, and weasel demon rushed forward shouting joyfully.

“Big brother, you’re finally back!”
“I thought you’d never come.”

Second brother was still as sharp-tongued as ever.

Hongpi shivered inside, feeling more reverence than affection as they surrounded the now immensely powerful big brother.

Hearing the crow demon’s straightforward words, Lu Wufei laughed and said, “When have I ever said I wouldn’t come? You’re the one spreading rumors.”

“Hehe.”

The crow demon laughed unabashedly, “I just worried you’d be out there living it up and forget about us brothers.”

Lu Wufei’s current spiritual perception was so sharp he immediately sensed the emotions of his three brothers.

The crow demon remained the same, Hongpi somewhat less so, but that was his nature.

Only the weasel demon was visibly nervous and humble before him.

This was because he was the last to join the group, arriving after Lu Wufei had already grown strong. The weasel demon hadn’t been there through the early hardships and so felt more awe than brotherly affection.

Also, among the four brothers, only the weasel demon remained a demon soldier, never having reached the rank of demon general.

Thus, he was nervous and humble before his now powerful eldest brother.

But Lu Wufei liked his character—because from the start, he saw his grit and toughness, and later, his personality.

Otherwise, this wouldn’t be a refuge for lost souls.

With the naturally optimistic crow demon around, Lu Wufei was confident he wouldn’t grow distant from his younger brothers.

“Don’t worry.”

Amused by the crow demon’s words, Lu Wufei said, “Even if I forget all other demons, I would never forget you.”

He then looked at the shy, blushing Hongpi and patted his shoulder with a smile, “What’s wrong? At a loss for words seeing your big brother?”

“Big brother, you’re joking.”

With Lu Wufei’s encouragement, Hongpi found his voice, “No, I just didn’t know what to say.”

“Then think it over. We have time now.”

Lu Wufei looked over the young demons in front of him, recalling the dream the crow demon had shared earlier. He immediately recognized the female tiger demon as Wandashan Number One and said to his third brother, “Third brother, I leave these few to you. You haven’t disappointed me.”

Hearing these words from big brother, the serious Hongpi felt warmth in his chest and a sting in his nose. With such praise, his years of toil were worthwhile.

He quickly suppressed his emotions, “It’s all I should do.”

Hearing the sniffle, Lu Wufei patted Hongpi’s shoulder again, then turned to the fourth brother and smiled, “Fourth brother.”

Called out like this by big brother, the weasel demon suddenly wobbled and called out respectfully, “Big brother.”

Lu Wufei patted his shoulder and said, “Judging by your aura, you’ve been at the late demon soldier stage for a while, right?”

Big brother could tell, confirming the weasel demon hadn’t been slacking. The weasel demon’s heart leapt, “Yes, big brother. It’s been two years. I reached the late stage then but haven’t been able to advance.”

He felt a bitter ache rising to his eyes.

Over the years, watching his second and third brothers rise to demon general, the weasel demon had been envious.

He always worked hard.

Two years ago, he reached the late demon soldier stage.

But fate seemed unfair, and he couldn’t break through to become a demon general like his brothers.

The more anxious he became, the harder it was to advance.

Then, last year, Hei Ya, the ant demon under his third brother, unexpectedly surpassed him and became a demon general first.

This only increased the pressure on him, who had arrived earlier on the mountain.

So he became even more desperate to prove himself and break through.

Yet, until now, even with big brother’s return, he had not succeeded.

Now, with his grievances exposed by big brother, the weasel demon struggled to control his emotions.

Seeing this, Lu Wufei said again, “Your heart is troubled and your aura restless. You’re too anxious.”

“Listen carefully.”

Hearing big brother’s command, the weasel demon nodded eagerly, “Please instruct, big brother.”

Lu Wufei continued, “Your cultivation is sufficient; you’re just too impatient. Starting today, you don’t need to practice breathing exercises daily. Just sleep.”

“In at most a month, you’ll definitely advance.”

“Understand?”

The weasel demon nodded like a sparrow pecking rice. “I will follow your orders precisely, big brother.”

“Good.”

Lu Wufei nodded and patted his shoulder, encouraging him.

What he said was not mere comfort.

Though the weasel demon seemed lively, he was actually an introvert who struggled with himself.

Judging by the depth of his aura’s stagnation, his heart was indeed restless.

He was on the cusp of becoming a demon general; once he cleared his mental block, he would break through.

With Lu Wufei’s present strength and experience in the Five Villages Temple, he could see the root of many low-level problems at a glance and knew exactly what to fix.

Having given the weasel demon direct guidance, Lu Wufei noticed his mood had improved considerably and no longer worried.

He then looked toward the young demons nearby.

“Big brother, can you recognize Wandashan?”

The crow demon stepped forward and asked.

Among the young demons was the female tiger demon.

Lu Wufei glanced at the crow demon with a look that said “Are you kidding me?” then turned his gaze to Wandashan.

At that moment, sensing her father’s eyes upon her,

“Come on!”

Wandashan took a deep breath to encourage herself and stepped forward.

The crow demon, wild boar demon, and weasel demon stood aside.

Xiao Bai stood on big brother’s shoulder, eyes wide as it watched Wandashan approach.

Tall and slender, clad in a short fur garment, the young female tiger demon walked forward.

Lu Wufei sighed inwardly. The once chubby Wandashan Number One had grown into a young woman, no longer someone to casually pet.

Under the watchful eyes of all the demons, Wandashan stopped before Lu Wufei and looked up at the towering, radiant figure. She softly spoke, “Father.”

The single word unleashed a torrent of emotions in Wandashan’s heart.

She was once the most desperate and helpless on the battlefield, severely wounded.

It was her father’s divine intervention that saved her.

Since then, he never abandoned her.

He was the first to introduce her to the world of demons.

Even after he left, he arranged for the spiritual herbs she needed for her transformation training and assigned several uncles to watch over her.

Though she had not seen him since her transformation, the memory of him from her beast days was deeply ingrained.

As she grew, her image of her father became ever clearer, never fading despite their long separation.

Over the years, she had longed more than anyone else to see the one who had saved and changed her life.

Today, that wish was finally fulfilled.

Looking at Wandashan before him, Lu Wufei felt emotional. He reached out and patted her head, smiling, “You’ve grown into a fine young lady. Well done.”

“I am very proud of you.”

For Wandashan, whom he had personally saved and raised, hearing the word “father” was a moment of pride for Lu Wufei.

Just like Xiao Bai.

But seeing that Wandashan had reached the late demon soldier stage made Lu Wufei sigh. Fifteen years had passed since he came to this world.

After meeting several brothers and Wandashan, Lu Wufei told them to return first.

He still had matters to discuss with the white general.

Soon, Lu Wufei turned and entered the general’s cave.

The crow demon and wild boar demon then led the young demons down the mountain.

Along the way, the black leader crow demon informed the young demons that their big brother was actually the general, filling them with excitement and hope.

It was easy to imagine how quickly news of Lu Wufei’s return and his position as general would spread throughout Langlang Mountain.

---

Inside the general’s cave, Lu Wufei strode up to the stone table and said, “Sorry to keep you waiting, General.”

Bai Yunxiao picked up the wine jug and poured a cup for Lu Wufei, shaking his head, “Having brothers who have stuck with you all the way is a kind of luck. I envy you a little.”

Lu Wufei smiled and nodded, “I feel the same.”

He drank the cup in one gulp and continued, “Where were we before?”

“Bailang.”

At that moment, Bai Yunxiao suddenly said, “I’m older than you. How about I call you brother?”

Lu Wufei immediately laughed, “General, you’ve done me a favor. Having you as my brother is more than I could ask for.”

He then filled his cup from the jug, raised it, and said, “I drink to my elder brother.”

Bai Yunxiao smiled as he lifted his cup, “Then I accept you as my younger brother.”

“Virtuous brother.”
“Brother.”

They clinked cups, sealing their brotherhood.

Though Lu Wufei’s future was bright and his alliance with Bai Yunxiao seemed him to be the junior, Lu Wufei was never one for opportunism.

Bai Yunxiao had done him favors, and their personalities matched well, fostering a genuine bond.

Their brotherhood was more sincere than the legendary one among the seven brothers in Flower Fruit Mountain.

“Bailang, from now on, we call each other brothers.”

At that moment, Bai Yunxiao raised the wine jug and said, “There is one matter I must ask of you.”

Before he finished, the tall bear commander suddenly hurried forward and knelt before Lu Wufei.

Bai Yunxiao filled Lu Wufei’s cup again, then said, “It concerns this matter. Please spare him.”

With that, Bai Yunxiao raised his cup.

Seeing the situation, the bear commander lowered his head respectfully and said, “Please, General, show mercy to this young demon.”

Lu Wufei smiled.

He had guessed this when Bai Yunxiao proposed their brotherhood.

Knowing Bai Yunxiao’s character, he wasn’t one to seek power or flattery.

Since Lu Wufei had joined the Immortal sect, even if Bai Yunxiao wished to form brotherhood, he’d have been too shy to ask.

So this plea must be important.

The only person who could make Bai Yunxiao plead for mercy was the bear commander, with whom Lu Wufei had a conflict.

He intended to confront Commander Bear this time he returned.

He was a man of clear grudges.

He could not deny the face of his brother.

Raising his cup to clink with Bai Yunxiao, he then looked at the kneeling bear demon. “Commander Bear, with my brother pleading for you, I can spare your life. But how will you make amends for severely injuring my third brother during the selection contest?”

The bear commander brightened and immediately said, “I’m willing to compensate Leader Hong with ten spiritual herbs to make amends.”

“Thirty.”

Lu Wufei’s expression turned cold. “Consider it settled.”

“Thirty it is, then!”

“If I survive, I’ll give you three hundred next time!”

The bear commander was relieved and respectfully said, “Thank you, General.”

“Thank you, General.”

Lu Wufei waved his hand dismissively.

The bear commander carefully got up and quickly left.

Bai Yunxiao lifted his cup, “Thank you, virtuous brother.”

“I should be the one thanking you, elder brother.”

Lu Wufei smiled, shook his head, raised his cup, and drained it.

(The chapter ends)