Chapter 313 - 265: Uninvited Guests

Several more months passed.

With the matter of Hive Mountain resolved,

Peace returned to Taicang Mountain.

The various tribes of the mountain learned that the outsiders staying with the Wuhuo Tribe had eliminated the Evil Spirits that plagued them.

Unfortunately, when they came to offer their thanks, they discovered the two outsiders were no longer with the Wuhuo Tribe.

But no matter how they asked, Liao Tu refused to reveal Han Yuan’s and Ding Zihu’s whereabouts.

As a result, the many tribes of Taicang Mountain could only give up for the time being.

Early one morning, Liao Feng set out from the Wuhuo Tribe, heading for Hive Mountain.

On his back, he carried a bamboo basket filled with jerky, dried fish, and some vegetables and fruits that wouldn’t spoil easily.

Liao Feng journeyed over mountains and ridges for two or three days before finally crossing a stream and entering a valley.

As he entered, he saw a chubby orange cat, listlessly chasing butterflies among the flowers and playing by itself.

"MEOW~~~"

"Liao Feng, did you bring my favorite dried fish this time?"

The Orange Cat’s eyes lit up the moment it saw Liao Feng. In a flash, it appeared right in front of him.

"Of course I did."

Seeing the Orange Cat’s eagerness, Liao Feng quickly crouched down and pulled out a piece of dried fish.

The Orange Cat dropped to the ground and began to devour it hungrily.

Liao Feng smiled, then stood up and walked deeper into the valley.

There were now five small wooden cabins in the valley.

Three were for sleeping, one served as a woodshed and kitchen, and the last was used to store miscellaneous items.

A clearing had been made in front of the cabins.

Chunyangzi was teaching Ding Zihu a few Magic Techniques.

Ding Zihu was also learning diligently.

After all, receiving guidance from a senior like Chunyangzi was a rare opportunity, one he was determined to cherish.

"Daoist Chunyangzi, Daoist Ding."

Liao Feng greeted them.

"Liao Feng, what tasty treats did you bring us this time?"

Ding Zihu said with a smile upon seeing Liao Feng.

"Just some jerky and vegetables."

"I’ll go put them in the kitchen first."

Liao Feng said.

"Alright. Thanks." Ding Zihu nodded.

Liao Feng came back out after putting everything from the basket in the kitchen.

In reality, both Ding Zihu and Chunyangzi had long since reached a state where they no longer needed to eat.

As for Han Yuan, he was a different case entirely. That guy subsisted on Elixir Pills.

The only one who actually ate was the gluttonous Orange Cat.

Ding Zihu would get the occasional craving and cook something for himself.

So, the food Liao Feng brought was enough to last them for a month.

"Daoist Ding, has Hero Han not come out of seclusion yet?"

Liao Feng asked, having not seen any sign of Han Yuan.

"That guy is a complete Martial Fool."

"I haven’t seen him in a long time either."

Ding Zihu said, shaking his head.

"Alright, I’ll be heading off then."

Liao Feng nodded.

"Remember to bring me more dried fish next time!"

the Orange Cat reminded him.

"Got it."

Liao Feng agreed with a smile and turned to leave.

The valley was a considerable distance from the Wuhuo Tribe, so Liao Feng’s return journey took several days.

As he was about to arrive back at the Wuhuo Tribe, he spotted a merchant caravan of more than ten people approaching the village.

The tribes of the Taicang Mountain Range, being deep in the mountains, rarely had contact with the outside world.

Yet, there were things from the outside world that the tribes needed.

And so, merchant caravans came into being.

Therefore, the appearance of a merchant caravan wasn’t unusual.

The leader of this caravan was a lean, shrewd-looking man.

When he saw Liao Feng, he directly held out a jar of salt.

"Young man, I’d like to ask you something."

Liao Feng smiled upon seeing the offered jar of salt.

In a place like Taicang Mountain, salt was scarce and a very precious resource.

So he didn’t refuse and said, "What do you want to know?"

The man asked in a low voice, "We’ve been looking for someone recently. I was wondering if you’ve seen him?"

As he spoke, he took out a portrait.

After glancing at the portrait, Liao Feng said in surprise, "I think I’ve seen this person somewhere before!"

"Really?"

The man’s expression brightened.

"Yes... but that was a long time ago."

"I think he stayed in our tribe for a few days back then...."

Liao Feng said.

"Then do you know where he is now?"

the man asked hurriedly.

"Why are you looking for him?" Liao Feng suddenly asked.

The man laughed and said, "Little brother, he’s not one of your tribesmen. You don’t need to worry about that."

"If you can help me find him... I’m willing to give your tribe five hundred catties of salt."

He made an offer that Liao Feng couldn’t refuse.

After all, who would refuse such a deal—five hundred catties of salt for a bit of information?

"But I really don’t know where he is now."

"My father might know. I’ll take you to see him."

Liao Feng said seriously.

"Of course, no problem!"

Hearing this, the lean man was immediately overjoyed.

He hadn’t expected to get a lead so soon after entering Taicang Mountain.

Without another word, Liao Feng led the lean man towards the Wuhuo Tribe.

Seeing Liao Feng approaching with a merchant caravan, the people of the Wuhuo Tribe came out one after another.

However, Liao Feng waved his hand, signaling for his tribesmen not to approach just yet.

After leading the lean man to a clearing in the Wuhuo Tribe’s village, Liao Feng told them to wait a moment and left on his own.

"Boss, are we being too careless, just coming in like this?"

one of his subordinates asked in a low voice.

"It’s fine.... These mountain tribes have always been hostile to outsiders. How could they possibly help a Great Spirit Person?"