Otherworldly Desert Dust

Chapter 330 - 285: Don’t Worry, He’s Living a Fate Worse Than Death

In the simple hut, they had passed the night safely.

After regaining their energy, the two of them took some tools with them and headed into the stone forest.

The stone forest was complex, like a maze on the ground, but fortunately, Ruan Muhuan had done her homework and knew exactly which stone forest might contain the legendary Monkey Jade.

Wu Hen, relying on his Third Rank Hearing and Second Rank Spiritual Vision, found it not difficult to search for items that emitted a special luster in the complicated stone forest, and most likely, this so-called Monkey Jade was indeed pure Jade Essence...

"This side should be it, do you see that stone tree hole?" Wu Hen pointed at a large rock formation ahead and said.

The stones here were quite special, containing small amounts of jade. This jade mine made the rocks hard and somewhat flexible, and ordinary martial practitioners couldn’t destroy them with brute strength alone.

"There are many Monkey Demon Soldiers guarding it," said Ruan Muhuan.

"I’ll find a way to lure them away, and you go in and take the Monkey Jade," Wu Hen said.

Ruan Muhuan shook her head, uneasy, "These Monkey Demons are extraordinary in combat, you are no match for them. I’ll lure them away, and you find the opportunity to enter the stone tree hole, then we’ll meet up by the creek."

"Alright!" Wu Hen nodded.

Ruan Muhuan’s method to lure the monkeys out of the hole was simple, she went straight to the entrance of the hole and started a commotion.

Her strength had dramatically increased, and she managed to hold her own amidst the group of demon monkeys; even the Monkey Demon Soldiers were not as fast as her.

The Monkey Demons bared their teeth and snarled, exceptionally angry.

They had just raided a town yesterday, and now people were coming to trouble them; they naturally wanted to teach these clueless humans a lesson!

In an instant, all the Monkey Demons around mobilized to encircle and suppress the Female Martial Master who had attacked their Demon Camp.

Seeing that her smashing had attracted the hatred of most of the Monkey Demons, Ruan Muhuan decisively fled towards the outskirts of the stone forest, drawing them out.

Wu Hen saw the timing was right and decisively dashed into the stone tree hole.

The hole was lit by torches and some self-luminous Stone Beads. Deeper inside, there were stacks of shiny gold and silver jewelry, which appeared to be the residence of a Monkey Princess, except all these pretty decorations were robbed from the town.

"These Monkey Demons, why are their habits so similar to humans? If you strip off their fur, they’re just a bandit camp. Could it be that the Demon Spirits of the True Martial Continent are also cultivating?"

Wu Hen arrived deep into the tree-stone hole. Relying on his Third Rank Hearing, he could have been certain there were no Monkey Demons inside.

But in the torch-lit area of the cave, there was a stone seat, and on the seat sprawled an incredibly burly, plump, and muscular Monkey Mother.

This fattened monkey was clearly in deep sleep, adorned with various silks, gold, and jade ornaments. Its breathing was so even that Wu Hen couldn’t even sense it.

"It would scare someone to death, a Monkey Mother this big and she doesn’t snore, even Third Rank Hearing didn’t notice her."

"Is that on her chest... could that be the Monkey Jade?"

"The item is indeed fine, just a little dirty."

Formed by the high temperature saliva of this Monkey Mother over twenty years, even though it was as translucent as wax and flawless without a single edge, Wu Hen still felt a tinge of disgust.

Fortunately, this item was not for his own use. On second thought, delicacies like cubilose, crab roe, and scorpion wine weren’t much better – once the basic survival and spiritual needs were satisfied, some preferences become very fresh and refined.

The Monkey Mother was sleeping deeply, so Wu Hen walked freely inside.

While walking, in a corner piled with miscellaneous items, a pair of eyes suddenly lit up in the firelight. His pupils were like those of a beast but regained human Spiritual Wisdom and emotions when they focused on Wu Hen.

"Are you here to steal the Monkey Jade too?" a voice asked from the shadows, walking slowly into the lit area.

Wu Hen was puzzled at first, wondering how there could be a talking Monkey Demon in the cave, but on closer inspection, he realized it was a thoroughly naked man.

It was just that this man appeared rather thin, just like himself.

"Big brother, how do you live together with these Monkey Demons?" Wu Hen whispered.

"You don’t need to suppress your voice, it’s a deep sleeper. But to think you can harm it while it sleeps is foolish, its down and sebum are thicker than solid rock," said the man, clad only in a grass skirt.

"Do you need help?" Wu Hen asked tentatively.

"No need, I’m quite comfortable here. Living here is also a form of cultivation for me. The Monkey Demons bring me the best fruit wine, the Monkey Mother teaches me Monkey Fist, and there is Jade Spirit in this place. In a few more years, I could reach the realm of True Qi External Release," the grass skirt man explained.

"Then... I’m sorry for disturbing you, don’t blame me," said Wu Hen.

"These Monkey Demons are not evil spirits. In my process of cultivation here, I also lecture them, teaching them Spiritual Wisdom. Though they can’t easily change their nature, they no longer harm humans easily. If you live nearby, you should know this," continued the man in the grass skirt.

"Indeed, thank you for teaching them. You are surely a high practitioner of cultivation," Wu Hen said.

"You can take the Monkey Jade. It’s not that rare or precious among the Monkey Clan, but since your initial intention was to steal, it would be wrong to take it directly and it might spoil the cause and effect. Instead, give a bow in front of the Monkey Mother, expressing your respect, then taking the Monkey Jade can be seen as building good karma," the man in the grass skirt said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Wu Hen immediately nodded, "Of course, of course. I only need this Monkey Jade to save my life, not out of greed."

"You need to kneel on both knees and bow deeply; this gesture must be sincere," the grass skirt man instructed.

"I understand, I understand." Wu Hen nodded.

He walked toward the Monkey Mother, who was still sound asleep on the stone seat, and upon closer inspection, he realized that she was truly in a deep slumber, showing no signs of waking up despite their conversation.

The Monkey Jade lay in her embrace but was not tightly clasped. All it would take was to approach her, climb onto her belly, and it could be taken. Given the depth of her slumber, Wu Hen estimated that even if he jumped on her belly, she might not wake up.

Wu Hen walked up the steps and, seeing a Jade Flute by the side, he used it as a long stick to pry the translucent Monkey Jade from her grasp like a yellow peach.

"Why are you taking the jade first?" The grass-skirted man spoke with a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice.

"Ah?" Wu Hen, having taken the Monkey Jade and put it in his embrace, replied vaguely, "Isn’t it to take the jade first and then pay respects?"

"Fine, fine." The grass-skirted man waved his hand, showing a magnanimous side.

Wu Hen stared again at the Monkey Mother, who resembled a small mountain of flesh, and once he confirmed she wouldn’t wake up, he sauntered down the stairs and headed straight for the cave exit.

"No, young man, show your respect!" the grass-skirted man shouted.

"I’ll pay my respects outside the cave." Wu Hen responded and then hurried outside.

"You… you little thief, how dare you deceive Taoist Yang Xu!" The grass-skirted man was furious, flaying his arms and looking every bit like a ferocious Monkey Demon ready to charge at Wu Hen.

The man who claimed to be Taoist Yang Xu had just charged a few steps when the sound of iron chains rang out around his ankles, and the sturdy chains yanked him back.

Wu Hen turned around just in time to witness this scene, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Think you can fool me, you thin dog? Did you really think I’d believe that story?

"You won’t get away, if you won’t cross me, then I’ll cross you!" The so-called Taoist Yang Xu took out a Short Flute and blew into it forcefully.

The flute’s sound was piercing, completely lacking any semblance of rhythm.

The Monkey Mother suddenly snored, then opened her eyes.

Her gaze swept toward Taoist Yang Xu, who was playing the flute, as he pointed toward the cave entrance and said, "A thief has stolen your jade, a thief has stolen your jade!"

The Monkey Mother, obviously unfamiliar with the Human Clan’s tongue, saw Yang Xu so agitated and yanked the chain beside her, dragging him underneath her.

"There’s been a jade theft!" Taoist Yang Xu yelled.

The Monkey Mother’s face showed a mix of anticipation and excitement, then pressed Yang Xu against her body.

Taoist Yang Xu screamed in terror, but soon he couldn’t make a sound. In the end, all that was left were moans of pain and resentment filling the cave!

...

Once out of the stone cave, Wu Hen didn’t stop for a second, rushing toward the direction of the stream.

The Monkey Mother didn’t chase after him, which was unexpected.

As for Yang Xu, he turned out to be a vicious man. Trapped inside, he still tried to drag Wu Hen down with him. Human nature really can’t stand the test, can it? Find more chapters on NovelBin.Côm

Reaching the stream, Wu Hen washed the Monkey Jade with the water.

Indeed, this was the kind of thing high officials and nobles liked, but Little Yi showed not the slightest interest in it.

"It’s still the natural Jade Mines of Ya City that suit you, and as a rare mineral, it matches your weapon attributes more." Wu Hen said.

After cleaning and wrapping it in cloth, just as Wu Hen was concerned about Ruan Muhuan’s safety, a woman dressed in a black raincoat came striding up. She looked Wu Hen over to make sure he wasn’t hurt before asking, "Did you get the item?"

"Got it." Wu Hen handed over the Monkey Jade to her.

A hint of pleasure crossed Ruan Muhuan’s cheeks as she carefully stored it away, then she seemed to remember something and asked, "I heard there was a town bully who liked to bully young girls who also went into the stone forest. Did you by any chance see his corpse in there?"

"I didn’t see his bones, but I did see him alive. He claimed to be practicing with the Monkey Mother in the cave." Wu Hen said.

"What exactly was he practicing?" Ruan Muhuan asked, puzzled.

"Hehe, the practice of Yin Yang Replenishment. Think about it, the Monkey Mother, esteemed as the Monkey Clan’s princess, once her basic and spiritual needs are met, is bound to have some special... preferences..." Wu Hen said with a cheeky grin.

Ruan Muhuan clearly didn’t understand and simply said, "It’s a pity that such a villain is still alive. If he was in town, I would deliver justice on Heaven’s behalf."

"Don’t worry, he’s living a fate worse than death." Wu Hen said.

Ruan Muhuan just nodded.

"The Monkey Demon race probably also has some beings who have cultivated to the extreme. If you encounter them in the future, do not perform the ritual of kneeling and worship." Wu Hen gave Ruan Muhuan a word of caution.

"Why?" Ruan Muhuan still didn’t understand.

"I don’t know the specifics, I just heard it from the old folks in Ya City. Just remember it like this." Wu Hen said.

"Alright!" Ruan Muhuan didn’t ask any further.