Chapter Six: The Phantom Peak

“Hong Luan, what are you doing?”

Ning Wuyu acted swiftly, striking the spirit arrow the girl had shot at Mofan aside with his sword, shouting loudly.

Startled by her elder brother’s angry roar, the girl pouted in frustration and said, “Brother, he reeks of a foul stench. He’s very likely the person those men from Shenmu Village were searching for when we passed through the settlement.”

Pouting, Hong Luan drew her longbow once more, this time even more boldly, pulling the string back to a full moon’s draw.

“Put it down!”

Ning Wuyu’s face remained expressionless as he reprimanded his sister.

He was the first to meet Mofan and immediately recognized at first glance that Mofan was indeed the person those burly men sought, yet Ning Wuyu chose not to expose him.

Instead, he intended to establish a friendly bond.

Someone like Mofan, who single-handedly defeated a pack of Blood-Eyed Demon Wolves with barely a scratch, must possess extraordinary qualities.

His decisiveness in battle was truly astounding.

But what Ning Wuyu admired most was the bold spirit and commanding presence radiating from Mofan—qualities few ever possessed.

Such a combination of courage, authority, and resolute decisiveness was rare, perhaps unprecedented in Ning Wuyu’s experience.

“Brother, haven’t you forgotten? Those men said that whoever captures this kid, Shenmu Village will grant a request. I heard that in Shenmu Village, there’s a legendary healer known as the Ghost-Hand Divine Doctor. If we hand him over, we might persuade the Ghost-Hand Divine Doctor to cure our ancestor’s poisoning. Wouldn’t that make our clan stronger as well?”

Ning Huangyan, the second eldest of the Ning family, immediately drew his sword and stood beside Hong Luan.

“I know what you’re thinking, and I understand you’re doing this for the family’s good. But do you remember Articles 20506 of the Ning family code?” Ning Wuyu said, pointing his sword towards the sky as he silently recited, “Do not bully the weak, do not forsake righteousness for profit, do not judge by appearances, do not kill the innocent, do not...”

Under Ning Wuyu’s lead, a dozen or so recited the Ning family code together.

Startled by Hong Luan’s sudden change of heart, Mofan heard the last line clearly: “Do not act out of greed, nor harm others’ lives.”

After the recitation, the young girl, still pouting with a flushed face, looked even more endearing.

For a moment, Mofan was captivated by the little girl’s big, round eyes, unable to look away—even Ning Wuyu’s calls went unheard.

It wasn’t until Ning Wuyu said, “Brother, until we meet again!” and the girl flew away on a fiery red bird that Mofan snapped back to reality.

But before him was no longer a beautiful maiden’s figure—only the stench of blood and piles of slain Blood-Eyed Demon Wolves remained.

He let out a bitter smile. “They’re noble, highborn families—how could they ever look favorably upon someone like me, covered in poisonous sores and reeking of filth?”

Shaking his head, Mofan set off along the mountain path once moreI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.