Chapter 5: Mo Shan

Mo Shan, a Demon Hunter at the eighth level of Qi Refining, made his living by hunting demonic beasts and gathering their materials. Although it sounded impressive, the reality was tough, and the risks were significant.

In the cultivation world, most demonic beasts far outmatched human cultivators, making them extremely difficult to hunt. Typically, it took a team of five to ten cultivators of the same realm to bring down a single beast, and even then, success was not guaranteed. Even if the hunt was successful, many valuable parts of the beast were often damaged during the fight, reducing their value in spirit stones. After dividing the earnings based on each member's contribution, the resulting share was usually quite meager.

If a hunter happened to get injured, the cost of medicinal pills could easily exceed their earnings, leaving them with little profit. Severe injuries often meant the end of their demon-hunting career.

Mo Shan was a burly Body Cultivator, with a chiseled, rugged face that exuded a heroic spirit. Though not yet middle-aged by cultivator standards, years of demon hunting, rough living, and exposure to the elements had left a trace of hardship on his face.

When Mo Shan entered the house, he set down his knife and the unknown demonic beast pelt slung over his shoulder, finally allowing himself a sigh of relief.

His outer clothing was frayed and bloodstained, some fresh and some dried—likely a mixture of beast blood, as well as his own or that of his companions.

Mo Hua quietly speculated that this hunt had not gone smoothly.

Mo Shan's brows were furrowed, his expression heavy, and combined with the blood on his clothes, he emanated a harsh and unapproachable aura.

Yet, this imposing demeanor faded the moment he stepped into his home and saw his wife, as if a battle-worn soldier had returned home and shed his scarred, weighty armor.

Though his voice was hoarse from exhaustion, Mo Shan still asked gently, "Is everything alright at home?"

Liu Ruhua started unpacking his belongings, then fetched a clean cloth to wipe his face. "Everything is fine. There's nothing for you to worry about."

Seeing the dust on his face, she couldn't help but remind him, "You need to take better care of yourself when you're out there."

Mo Shan smiled and glanced around the room. "Has Hua'er come back?"

"He returned yesterday. The sect has given them a holiday for the new year, so he should still be fast asleep. I'll go wake him up. He'll be thrilled to know you're home."

Mo Shan looked down at his bloodstained clothes and wounds, stopping his wife with a gentle hand. "Let him sleep a little longer. The training at the sect is also hard on him. I'll take a bath, apply some medicinal herbs, and change out of these clothes first."

Liu Ruhua nodded, "Alright. In the meantime, I'll prepare something for you to eat."

Having traveled all night, Mo Shan was already famished.

Despite the simplicity of the meal, Mo Shan devoured it eagerly, as Liu Ruhua's cooking was always delicious.

While out hunting demonic beasts, he often had to make do with cold, hard rations, reluctant even to consume a Fasting Pill. Sitting at home and eating his wife's food made all the weariness melt away.

After eating his fill, he took a long drink of warm, fragrant porridge, finally letting out a satisfied sigh. Liu Ruhua looked at the blood on his clothes, concern etched on her face. "Did someone get hurt this time?"

Mo Shan sighed, "Three were injured, and Old Chu was severely wounded."

He then recounted the hunt: "The eight of us were tracking a wolf demon that stood over a zhang tall. We'd managed to trap it, and if we could slowly wear it down, we'd be able to kill it. But then, another hunting team stumbled upon us. Most of them were novices—barely blooded—who recklessly tried to swoop in and steal our kill. They acted impulsively and ended up getting two of their own devoured…"

"The beast consumed their blood essence and went berserk. Old Chu and I spent all our spirit energy to finally bring it down, but at great cost. Old Chu lost an arm and bled heavily; he's severely weakened and likely won't be able to continue hunting…"

Mo Shan added with a pained expression, "Old Chu's child is only two, and his wife only grows a few vegetables to make ends meet. Now that he's gravely injured, they'll need a lot of spirit stones for his recovery. Even if he heals, who knows how they'll get by."

Liu Ruhua sighed, "When we were struggling, Old Chu lent us spirit stones, even though he didn't have much himself. We still have some saved; let's give them to Old Chu for his treatment."

Mo Shan nodded, "That wolf demon is yet to be sold. It should fetch around three hundred spirit stones. We'll make sure Old Chu gets a bigger share, and we can lend him more spirit stones to help them get through this. But…"

He looked at her with guilt. "I was hoping to use that money for Hua'er's tuition at the sect next year… and now…"

Liu Ruhua took his hand, saying, "As long as our family is safe, we'll find a way. I've saved a bit from working at the restaurant, and we can borrow the rest. Hua'er's studies won't be affected."

Mo Shan looked at her, noticing the tiredness on the face that was once so youthful and beautiful. His heart ached with remorse.

"Why don't you stop working in the kitchen? The fumes there will harm your lungs and meridians. Next year, I'll team up with more skilled hunters, kill more beasts, and earn more spirit stones so you won't have to work so hard."

Liu Ruhua smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes, and gestured to her hairpin. "Look at this. Do you know what it is?"

Mo Shan hadn't noticed before, but upon closer inspection, he saw that her hairpin was different from the ones she usually wore.

"This hairpin…?"

"Hua'er gave it to me. He said it's called the Fire-Repelling Hairpin and it can shield me from the fumes in the kitchen. It keeps my lungs and meridians clear."

Mo Shan felt both comforted and ashamed. "As a husband, I haven't given you a gift in years…"

Liu Ruhua chuckled, "It was from Hua'er. Since he's your son, it's as if you gave it to me."

Mo Shan let out a laugh, then sighed, "They say that in the path of cultivation, luck plays a role. If I have any luck in this life, it must be that I married you and have such a thoughtful son like Hua'er!"

Liu Ruhua gave him a playful glare but couldn't help smiling.

Watching her smile, Mo Shan silently resolved to form a team with stronger Demon Hunters after the new year. He would venture deeper into the mountains, hunt more demonic beasts, and earn enough spirit stones. He would not let his wife suffer anymore, and he would secure a promising future for his son.

From his room, Mo Hua overheard his parents' conversation and sighed.

Unbeknownst to him, his parents had been enduring the hardships of a cultivator's life. It seemed that, no matter the world, parents bore more burdens than their children could imagine.

Even cultivators had to toil for spirit stones and struggle for a living.

To be a cultivator or a mortal—was there really a difference?

Mo Hua pondered this and quietly thought to himself, "Is there a way for me to earn some spirit stones as well?"