Chapter 91: The Vast Red Dust, Life’s Many Faces, and a Hefty Bounty!

Lu Fei dared to swear to the heavens.

He had absolutely no intention of coming to the Spring Blossom Pavilion on purpose. It was simply that he hadn’t seen so many people, such lively, ancient streets, and such vibrant, bustling human life in so long; he was dazzled by it all. Though he had only been in this world for just over four years, it felt as if a century had passed. It seemed as though his days as a human on Earth were already a distant memory, long faded.

Thus, without realizing it, he’d sped up his pace, unwittingly arriving at the legendary seafood market.

“Oh my, what a solid chest...”
“Yes, it’s making my heart itch...”

At that moment, two older ladies, one on each side, enthusiastically seized his arms in greeting. Lu Fei was stunned, not daring to move. The two “seafood sisters” tried hard to push his sunlit, handsome, iron-tower-like body, but to no avail; instead, they reached out and began stroking his chest.

The tiger pelt Lu Fei wore was stripped from an old tiger who had become a demon; its fur was sleek and shiny, the texture unrivaled—top-quality fur, worth a fortune, not something a young man couldn’t afford. Thus, it caught the eye of these seasoned guest-welcoming sisters, who could spot quality at a glance.

Originally, they meant only to touch the tiger skin, but their hands slipped, sliding beneath it and further down. Lu Fei could no longer endure; with a slight exertion, he broke free from their embrace and hurried forward.

The scene drew laughter from all the other sisters upstairs and downstairs in Spring Blossom Pavilion, causing quite a stir. After running out of the pavilion’s territory, Lu Fei finally stopped, the thick scent of rouge in his nose making him sneeze repeatedly:

“Achoo...”
“Achoo...”
“Achoo...”

Several sneezes later, he felt much better, his nose cleared. As a wolf, his sense of smell was sensitive; after becoming a demon general, it had grown even keener. That overwhelming perfume was simply too much for him.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak...”

Just then, the little fellow’s voice sounded. Lu Fei looked down to see the small creature emerge from beneath his feet. He was amused—Xiao Bai had been hiding in his chest, but had clearly been frightened by the two women’s wandering hands, prompting it to seek refuge at his feet. If those women had seen such a cute, fluffy, snow-white Xiao Bai, they would have been overjoyed.

“Haha, scared you, huh...” Lu Fei scooped up Xiao Bai and laughed: “This is the human world. Interesting, isn’t it? Come, let’s find a place to stay first, then make plans...” With that, he tucked the little creature back inside his tiger pelt and headed toward the town center.

But Xiao Bai was clearly restless, soon poking out a small head to cautiously peer out from Lu Fei’s embrace.

Night had just fallen. This was the liveliest time in the little town. The streets were crowded, cries of vendors echoing everywhere, and the delicious aromas from food stalls wafted through the air.

Lu Fei couldn’t resist. As he stood before an inn, his hands held several skewers of food and his pockets bulged with copper coins, all exchanged from broken silver. He’d eaten his way through the town, even Xiao Bai’s mouth was greasy, giving Lu Fei a preliminary understanding of local prices.

It helped that he’d looted plenty of silver from the corpses of the monsters and demon generals he’d killed at Storm Ridge. Otherwise, he might have resorted to robbing the rich to help the poor, taking silver from local tyrants and wealthy families. His moral bottom line was quite flexible.

“Good Fortune Inn...”
He looked up at the sign above the inn; though the script was complicated, he could roughly recognize it.

“Young man, are you here to eat or stay?”
“Our Good Fortune Inn is the best in Guyang Town...”

Just as he recognized the sign, a lively inn attendant came out to greet him warmly. Lu Fei, intending to stay, did not refuse and followed the attendant inside.

The inn’s main hall was arranged much like those ancient costume dramas he’d seen on Earth, with several large and small tables. He followed the attendant to the counter. Perhaps it was because of his luxurious fur garments, there was none of the usual snobbery.

After some inquiry, Lu Fei quickly booked a guest room and ordered seven or eight dishes. The attentive attendant, noticing Lu Fei’s order exceeded a normal portion, reminded him, but Lu Fei, experiencing so many “firsts”—first meal in the human world, first as a demon, first time eating in an ancient inn—wasn’t stingy. He waved and smiled: “Just bring it all, don’t worry...”

With that, the attendant hurried off to the kitchen. Lu Fei sat with Xiao Bai at a large table, waiting for the food.

Though it wasn’t mealtime, the inn was bustling, clearly doing good business. Lu Fei and Xiao Bai, a demon and a beast, were somewhat conspicuous—not only because Lu Fei was tall, clad in raw, unsewn animal pelts of top-quality tiger and bear fur, but also because Xiao Bai, the treasure-seeking mouse, was pure snow-white with lively black eyes and irresistibly cute.

Many diners glanced their way. Lu Fei paid them no mind, instead using his “Whisper” ability to focus on the conversations around him.

“Did you hear? There’s a plague in Quyang County to the west, many have died...”
“Oh... When did that happen? I was planning to go next month...”
“Just these past two months. The authorities sent soldiers, and no one’s allowed in or out...”
“Did you know, the temple at the east end of town is very effective? The Liu family’s granddaughter-in-law prayed for a child last month, and now she’s pregnant. Heard about it?”
“Of course, I also heard the temple’s back door sees women coming and going at night. Better watch your wife...”
“She wouldn’t dare!”
“Brother Xu, going to the Spring Blossom Pavilion tonight? Looking for Miss Chunxue again?”
“Of course not! If I spend money for pleasure, it’s to try something new, to meet and sample more girls. Why spend twice on the same woman? The Pavilion always has new girls every month, but my purse is limited, so I must taste as many as possible. That way, when I’m old and can’t play anymore, I won’t regret it, little brother...”
“I see, I’ve learned something, Brother Xu...”
“Since you’re not seeking Miss Chunxue tonight, I’ll try her myself. I want to taste her cherry lips...”
“Go ahead, little brother! Let me tell you, Miss Chunxue’s cherry lips aren’t the only thing worth tasting...”
“Haha, I’ve learned much, Brother Xu. Tonight’s meal is on me, let me toast you...”
“Well said, since you’re so generous, as your elder brother I won’t hold back...”
“Come, let me tell you, there’s another girl at the Pavilion named Green Sprout...”
“Oh, she’s truly enchanting...”
“What nonsense!”

Listening to the two pleasure-seekers, Lu Fei felt his heart heat up and cursed quietly, immediately ceasing the “Whisper” ability. Clearly, this method was useless for gathering useful information; he’d have to ask the right people directly.

What troubled Lu Fei was that the Bodhi Patriarch’s sanctuary, the Cave of Three Stars and the Slanting Moon on Spirit Platform Mountain, was a place he had no clear direction to find. Sun Wukong had stumbled upon it by chance, possibly by fate, wandering into Spirit Platform Mountain and being guided by a woodcutter to the cave.

If he wanted to find it deliberately, he could only inquire about “Spirit Platform Mountain,” the only name he had.

Equally important to him was the sanctuary of the Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi at the Longevity Mountain Five Village Temple.

He remembered it vividly from countless childhood rewatchings. He knew that after Tang Monk, accompanied by Sun Wukong and the recently recruited Zhu Bajie, had taken Sha Monk from River of Sands, they encountered four immortals disguised as beautiful women testing their Zen minds at a wild manor. Only after that did they reach Longevity Mountain Five Village Temple.

So, all he needed was to find the location of the River of Sands; once there, Zhen Yuanzi’s sanctuary wouldn’t be far.

Just then, the inn attendant arrived with an appealing dish.

“Sir, this is our signature dish, ‘Nine-Turns Large Intestine’...”
“Don’t be fooled by its simple appearance; it’s made with our master chef’s special marinade, going through nine steps before it’s ready. It’s a famous dish that draws many customers...”

Lu Fei nodded in satisfaction, handed over a copper coin, and said, “I’d like to ask about something...”

“Thank you, sir!” The attendant’s smile widened as he replied eagerly, “Ask away, I’ll tell you everything I know, nothing withheld.”

Lu Fei smiled: “I want to ask about two place names. Do you know ‘Spirit Platform Mountain’?”

“Spirit Platform Mountain...” The attendant muttered, frowned, thought for a while, then shook his head: “Sorry, sir, I’ve never heard of it. I know most of the mountains around Guyang Town, but beyond that, my knowledge is limited. Please forgive me.”

Lu Fei wasn’t disappointed—communication in this world was nothing like Earth’s. A hidden, obscure mountain in the wilderness, how could common folk know it?

“What about the River of Sands?” Lu Fei asked again, “Have you ever heard of such a river?”

“River of Sands...” The attendant pondered and shook his head again: “Still not sure, never heard of it. Sorry I can’t help, please forgive me...”

“Go on then...” Lu Fei hadn’t expected immediate results. He’d spent over three years crossing from Wild Wolf Mountain and Great Wilderness, his patience well tempered. If he couldn’t find information here, he’d seek it elsewhere, slowly but surely.

Sun Wukong spent twenty years learning, ten of which were just traveling. Compared to him, Lu Fei’s situation—with his demon powers—was much better. In any case, patience was key.

The attendant soon brought the second dish. Lu Fei picked up his chopsticks and began tasting the famed Nine-Turns Large Intestine.

“Mmm...”
After the first bite, he nodded in satisfaction. Compared to the meats he’d eaten on the mountain—mostly unseasoned, sometimes without even salt—the rich flavor of this dish stirred countless thoughts within him.

He didn’t take long. Amidst the shock of the attendant and other guests, Lu Fei devoured eight or nine dishes, a small basin of rice, and two jugs of wine, clearing the table completely. Those who witnessed it were dumbfounded.

Surprised as they were, no one interrupted him from entering the inn to finishing his meal. Only after he went upstairs to his room did the guests begin discussing his prodigious appetite.

Lu Fei paid no heed, entering his room to find a large bath bucket filled with steaming hot water.

Stripping off his animal pelts—so Xiao Bai wouldn’t see—his bare skin instantly sprouted thick, long fur.

He sank into the scalding water, unable to suppress a moan. It was his first hot bath since coming to this world.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak...”
Xiao Bai leapt onto the floor and jumped into the bath as well, beast and demon soaking together.

As steam rose, Lu Fei couldn’t stop himself. With a thought, lines of faint white, ink-like characters appeared before him.

[Host: Lu Fei]
[Realm: Mid-stage Demon General (133/5000)]
[Experience: 16@]

No need to elaborate on his abilities; frequent, intense battles had pushed his staff technique to proficiency. Spear technique had stagnated these past three years, while archery, used for hunting, had reached mastery.

As for supernatural abilities, these had grown much stronger over the past three years. “Heavenly Wolf Devours the Moon” had improved naturally through use, without soul force enhancement. “Minute Step,” “Earth Escape,” and “Swift Step”—frequently used in travel and combat—had all been consciously enhanced with soul force to reach proficiency.

Of particular note was the new supernatural ability “Swift Step,” learned from a fast deer demon he’d captured. Though acquired later, frequent use had made it more proficient than earlier abilities.

Other abilities like “Ambush,” “Within a Minute,” “Whisper,” and “Breath Holding” had all been strengthened to varying degrees.

These were the tangible changes in Lu Fei’s abilities over three years. In the past, he’d worried about lacking soul force for enhancement; now he knew that given enough time, any ability could be improved.

After reviewing his panel, Lu Fei stopped thinking about it.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak...”
Xiao Bai swam energetically in the bath. Lu Fei gazed at him, lost in thought.

Since following Lu Fei, Xiao Bai had eaten plenty of spiritual herbs and even more demon meat. Yet there was still no sign of transformation. Even in size, after nearly four years, Xiao Bai had grown only slightly. Though his intelligence had increased, Lu Fei guessed that Xiao Bai’s requirements for becoming a demon were far stricter than ordinary beasts, explaining why all the spiritual herbs and demon meat had failed to transform him.

Lu Fei resolved to ask his future master about this, assuming he could successfully become an apprentice.

When the bath cooled, Lu Fei ended his first soak in this world, deciding to indulge often in the future.

He got up, extinguished the lamp, and sat cross-legged on the bed, hands forming a mudra, tongue against the palate, eyes half closed, beginning the demon clan breathing technique.

Since breaking through to demon general, he hadn’t slept at night. Even in the perilous forests, fleeing for his life, he’d spent over three years in daily meditation, advancing step by step.

The next morning, Lu Fei rose early, enjoyed a delicious breakfast, and checked out.

The town had not only the Good Fortune Inn but two or three others. Lu Fei planned to visit them all. Though it was a clumsy method, it was the only one he had.

His early departure was nothing unusual, but soon the Good Fortune Inn experienced a strange event: all the roosters kept in the back yard for announcing the time fell silent.

One rooster not crowing might be nothing, but five or six, all punctual, stopped together—it was suspicious.

With roosters silent, several guests heading out early missed their schedules, requiring much effort by the inn to appease them.

When word spread, the inn discovered that they weren’t alone; every nearby household’s roosters also failed to crow, as did other livestock like pigs and horses, which had been restless all night, only calming down after morning passed.

Lu Fei was unaware of the chaos he’d inadvertently caused.

He spent a day visiting every inn, questioning all attendants and managers, but found no useful information.

So, on the third morning, Lu Fei left without delay, heading to the larger, more populous Yueyang Prefecture.

This time, he didn’t simply walk; he hired a carriage. When comfort was available, Lu Fei was flexible—he hired the carriage mainly to have more time for cultivation.

With his touch, the two horses pulling the carriage became especially calm and obedient.

He refused the carriage company’s recommended driver, and declined their suggestion to wait for more travelers to Yueyang Prefecture. After confirming the route, he paid double the usual fare and set off alone.

Once out of Guyang Town, Lu Fei sat in the spacious carriage, meditating as the obedient horses pulled him forward.

Time passed. As the sun was about to set, Lu Fei’s carriage was stopped.

Opening the door, he realized he’d encountered bandits. He recalled the carriage company’s advice to travel in groups or hire guards—there really were bandits.

But the five-man bandit team, thinking they’d found a fat sheep, were instantly terrified when Lu Fei transformed into a giant demon.

Under his interrogation, each bandit confessed not only every robbery and murder, but even childhood thefts.

So wicked, Lu Fei showed no mercy, striking each dead in turn.

After looting their bodies, his purse was replenished, previously nearly empty.

He left their corpses by the roadside as a warning to other bandits.

When darkness fell, Lu Fei lit a fire beneath a large tree, took out pots, bowls, and even chopsticks—his storage space was still roomy, and he’d stocked up in Guyang Town, including a full set of cooking utensils.

He was a gourmet... no, a gourmand. When conditions allowed, he never deprived himself.

As he simmered snake demon meat with dried vegetables, filling the air with fragrance, a dark shadow appeared beneath a nearby tree.

The two horses, grazing unbound, were startled, but Lu Fei’s cold snort froze them in place.

Xiao Bai, drooling by the fire, instantly bristled and fled to his father’s embrace.

Lu Fei looked up at the shadow, his eyes transforming into cold beast pupils:
“Get lost...”

He resumed stirring the stew.

The shadow seemed to understand, quietly vanishing.

“That was probably a ghost or spirit... Different from what I expected... Weak, not interesting...”
He shook his head, chewing hot stew. Though it was his first time seeing a ghost, he felt no fear—his senses told him it was just a cluster of cold spiritual energy.

He could easily disperse it with a bit of demon power. He could even swallow it and refine it, but that was too disgusting for him.

After sharing the stew with Xiao Bai, Lu Fei continued on his way.

To give the horses more strength, he fed them small pieces of snake demon meat, which excited them, raising their intelligence—they nuzzled Lu Fei repeatedly.

Thus, traveling through the night, what should have taken four days was completed in two.

By the afternoon of the second day, Lu Fei saw the towering city walls of Yueyang Prefecture in the distance.

With his experience in Guyang Town, Lu Fei easily entered Yueyang Prefecture.

Just as before, he booked an inn, and after asking attendants and managers without results, the manager advised him to post a reward notice at the government bulletin board.

Enlightened, Lu Fei thanked him and swiftly posted a generous bounty for information on “River of Sands” and “Spirit Platform Mountain.”

Returning to the inn, he spent the night meditating.

The next morning, someone knocked on his door.

“What is it?”
Lu Fei, seated cross-legged, called out.

“Sir, there are three people in the main hall downstairs who say they’ve come in response to your reward...”
The attendant’s voice came through the door.

Lu Fei’s face lit up with joy. No wonder Yueyang Prefecture—his notice had drawn responses immediately.

But with such a large reward, he needed to guard against fraud. He would have to interrogate them carefully.

Soon, Lu Fei, Xiao Bai perched on his shoulder, opened his door and said to the attendant: “Where are the reward seekers? Lead me to them...”
“Sir, this way, please...”
—The Cat Dreaming in the Deep Sea