(It is Xiaobai's birthday today, hmm, summon collections, recommendations, messages, and rewards as birthday gifts, wahahaha!) ＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ Though only a few days had passed since Mo Li began his journey into the Southern Barbarian Lands, the experience had already profoundly altered his temperament and very being. Before the tragedy at Longshi Valley, he was merely a youth filled with innate kindness and a fierce hatred for evil.

The dozens of lives lost at Longshi Valley had struck him with overwhelming grief, momentarily eclipsing his composure with a surge of rage. It was during this vulnerability that Feng Zikang managed to slip in and plant the seed of inner demons within him.

In those few short days, he had witnessed scenes of massacre where the ground was slick with blood, and he had felt the bitter suffering of the common folk. Yet, the true spirit within him remained unblemished.

Coinciding with this crucible of experience, he began to grasp a sliver of the Mohist truth of the unity of knowledge and action. Perhaps I cannot change this entire world; perhaps no matter how hard I strive, I cannot bring forth greater light.

But, regardless, I must start with those around me, start right now, and strive to make the lives of those nearby a little better. If that is the case, then what real difference is there between the Southern Barbarians and the Central Plains?

This might not yet be the grand Way of Mozi’s universal love, but it was certainly stepping onto the threshold of that path. Feng Zikang understood that Mo Li’s Daoist heart was now fixed, solid as bedrock.

Even the seed of the inner demon planted earlier likely held little sway, let alone anything else. This was Mo Li’s path, his Dao; no amount of persuasion from others could alter it now.

Feng Zikang sighed, offered no further counsel, and let the matter rest. At that moment, Luo Kedi snapped out of the sheer joy of having acquired the treasure and suddenly remembered that his legendary fiancée was still held captive by the demon.

Urgency flared up again, and he hastily urged his martial uncle to hurry and rescue her. When Mo Li heard that Feng Zikang intended to confront the Nine-Tailed Fox to save someone, he grew deeply worried, even suggesting he abandon his current tasks to assist in the rescue first.

Feng Zikang firmly refused, assuring them he was sufficient on his own. Nonsense!

He had been planning to quietly slip away; he certainly had no intention of challenging a Nine-Tailed Fox in a direct confrontation! Mo Li could not dissuade him, and fearing he might indeed become a burden, he reluctantly agreed.

He then reached into his robes and presented Feng Zikang with a bamboo token of the Mohist disciples. “Brother Zikang, this bamboo token is for emergency contact among our Mohist disciples.

Should you face peril, simply snap this token; any Mohist disciple in the vicinity will certainly rush to your aid…” Naturally, each Mohist disciple possessed only one such token; by giving it away, Mo Li was left without one. Feng Zikang accepted it without ceremony.

Although Mohist disciples were scarce in the Southern Lands, if he ran into trouble upon returning to the Central Plains, having an extra group of allies would always be beneficial. “Oh, right!” Mo Li pointed to the cloud carriage left behind by the Cold Gold Cicada and smiled.

“This cloud carriage was crafted using our Mohist mechanical arts. I dislike its excessive ornamentation, so I’ll pass, but it can travel a thousand li in a day and repels malevolent spirits—it’s quite a good thing, Brother Zikang, please take it.

It will be excellent for travel.” “A pity the beasts that pull the carriage were created using the secret talismanic arts of the School of Diplomacy and Intrigue—that knowledge I do not possess…” Feng Zikang nodded, storing the carriage away, and chuckled, “That’s no obstacle. While I’m in the Southern Lands, I can simply capture a few demonic beasts to pull the carriage.” Luo Kedi burst into delighted laughter.

“Martial Uncle, why don’t you capture the Nine-Tailed Fox herself and make her pull your carriage? Wouldn't that be magnificent?” Feng Zikang nearly rolled his eyes.

Setting aside the fact that the Nine-Tailed Fox was immensely powerful and he couldn't capture her even if he tried; even if he could, what kind of vehicle would a coquettish fox pulling a carriage be? What would they call it?

A Fox-Cart? He smiled and shook his head, stating he needed to hurry to rescue Miss Wu and would not linger.

After bidding farewell to the others and asking Luo Kedi to inform Governor Wu, he took to the air using his artifact to fly away. ※※※ Feng Zikang, of course, was not heading out to stir up trouble with the Nine-Tailed Fox.

He carried a personal commission from Elder Yun to journey deep into the Southern Barbarian Lands, to the small mountain within Hanshan Cave, where he needed to find a person and deliver a single message. The Southern Lands were vast, and the destination, Hanshan Cave, was still several thousand li away.

The Southern Barbarian Lands were sparsely populated, yet they belonged to the dominion of monstrous beasts. Thus, the local tribes often built their settlements into the mountains, primarily for defense against these creatures.

The expansive plains had been seized by the savage beasts, making Mo Li’s ambition to change the face of the region an arduous task indeed. Feng Zikang flew for two days, observing a myriad of monstrous beasts, each with its own bizarre and strange form.

There were seven-colored birds that wheeled and darted, singing toward the sun with voices like resonant bells; there were colossal beasts wreathed in fire, leaving scorched tracks wherever they trod; and there were serpentine pythons with shimmering scales, slithering past, trailing a stench of decay. The various other species, living in packs, were too numerous to count.

He wished to avoid conflict, focusing only on his journey. He did not provoke any of the beasts whose power levels were unknown.

However, one morning, while in flight, he saw a herd of celestial horses passing by, possessing wings on their flanks, radiating exceptional majesty. His interest was immediately piqued, and he decided he wanted to capture a pair to serve as the draft animals for the cloud carriage.

Riding would certainly be more comfortable than flying himself. The celestial horses moved in a large group, and Feng Zikang was uncertain of their divine abilities, so he did not act rashly.

He tracked and observed them for half a day until the herd descended to a wide river to drink and bathe. Several horses scattered to graze and roam.

A thought struck Feng Zikang. He quietly followed a few of the stray horses into the woods.

Seeing them frolicking happily, he did not disturb them, but instead set up several traps along the path they would inevitably use to return to the main herd. He then concealed himself behind a tree, waiting patiently.

Eventually, the main herd would regroup, and when those few horses stepped into his snares, capture would be effortless, requiring minimal exertion. Unexpectedly, he did not wait for the horses, but for an unforeseen visitor.

A stunningly beautiful woman, clad in white fur and veiled by a light gauze, approached with a somewhat unsteady gait. This was the deep interior of the Southern Lands, teeming with monstrous beasts.

What lineage could this beautiful woman possess to wander alone in such a perilous place? Seeing her about to step into the perimeter of his traps, Feng Zikang prepared to call out a warning so she wouldn’t spoil his plan to capture the celestial horses.

But then, the beautiful lady’s delicate eyebrows snapped upward, and she let out a sharp cry: “Which junior is hiding there? How dare you set such vile tricks to ambush me?

Come out this instant!” She had evidently detected the traps. Feng Zikang felt a flicker of annoyance but emerged calmly, cupping his hands in a humble gesture.

“Senior, please quell your anger. I merely set these traps here to catch celestial horses, but I did not expect you to pass by.

I was just about to warn you when you discovered them. I beg your pardon for the offense.” This woman dared to walk alone where savage beasts roamed, and she could pre-emptively spot his hidden traps—she must possess some skill.

With her allegiance unknown, it was best not to provoke her. The beautiful woman scrutinized him a few times, then suddenly smiled, “So it’s you… Since it is you, why put on this pretense?

Since you could find me, it seems you have some capability after all…” She drew a purple silk ribbon from her waist and began to wave it lightly. As she turned her head to smile, her eyes narrowed to fine slits, and through the thin veil, one could see a faint, captivating dimple—beauty enough to overthrow nations.

“…In that case, I shall leave you with your corpse intact!” Alas, the beautiful creature’s words were a cold declaration of intent to kill.