After escaping from the Six Flavors Hall, Aoki noticed a change in Nongli.
This change wasn’t outward—it was internal.
Nongli’s attitude toward him remained the same as before: she obeyed whatever he said, carried out any orders given, showing no visible change or newfound obedience just because Aoki had defended her.
But her eyes revealed the truth.
Nongli’s gaze had cleared, becoming far more perceptive and humane.
Before, Aoki felt that whenever Nongli carried out his commands, she was always scheming silently, thinking her own thoughts. Now, that was no longer the case.
Inside and out, Nongli was consistently obedient to an almost unbelievable degree.
To avoid pursuit from the Ghost Sword Sect, they fled from the state where the Six Flavors Hall was located to another state. And, as it turned out, Aoki’s friendship with his brother Qin Feng had not been in vain.
Qin Feng truly was a man of character and had not betrayed him.
After about a month and a half on the run, they finally arrived at a place they thought could serve as a refuge.
It was a remote village, surrounded by mountains on all sides. The only exit was the narrow mountain pass they had used to enter, making it difficult to discover due to its isolated location.
This was the perfect place to lie low.
“Finally found it.”
“Yeah.”
Two beggars—one big, one small—were stunned.
The big beggar had a thick beard; the small one had a wild, tangled mop of hair. Both wore ragged clothes with shoes so worn that toes showed.
The wind blowing past them carried a corpse-like stench.
Upon arriving at the mountain village, they were immediately surrounded by curious onlookers. The village chief and his men stopped them, making it clear the village was poor and couldn’t accommodate two “great Buddhas.”
Their luck had been terrible all along: bandits had robbed Aoki’s alchemy pills and money, both he and the demon had been thoroughly beaten by Qin Feng before, and not being caught by the bandits was already a blessing. Escaping their grasp was no small feat.
Despite the chief’s words, Aoki and Nongli played up their misfortune, earning the villagers’ pity and a temporary place to stay.
The village was impoverished, so no one was willing to take them in. After kindly offering some food, the villagers led them to a small cave halfway up the mountain.
According to the locals, the cave had once been used by hunters. Now, with no one in the village taking up hunting, it was suitable as a temporary home for Aoki and Nongli.
After thanking the villagers and receiving some basic supplies, Aoki began to consider how to arrange the cave.
The cave was surprisingly spacious. There was a stone platform for sleeping, which they covered with straw and bedding just right. In the center was an open space for a fire. The entrance, though not as wide as the interior, could be covered with a curtain woven from branches and leaves.
“Hmm.”
Turning his head, Aoki saw Nongli with her wild hair clutching her chin, standing with legs apart and eyes darting around the cave as if deep in thought.
Looking back at him, she was mimicking him again.
But, she was really dirty and smelly—no wonder the villagers pinched their noses when they spoke.
“Let’s go wash up.”
Aoki dragged Nongli down to the nearby river to bathe.
Originally, he planned for the demon and himself to wash separately, both clad only in loincloths. But after cleaning himself, seeing Nongli trying hard but still filthy, he had no choice but to help wash her.
While washing her hair, Nongli reached out to rub his face. Aoki caught her hand and scrubbed the grime from under his fingernails. She screamed and pulled away.
Washing her stomach, Nongli wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned on him. He pinched the flesh on her ribs, causing her to scream again and back off.
When cleaning her feet, Nongli jumped onto Aoki’s face. He pinched the inside of her thigh, prompting yet another scream as she retreated.
“Father and daughter washing together?”
A woman’s voice came from the shore. A burly woman with a broad smile stood holding a few pieces of clothing.
“I brought you two some clothes. Don’t mind if they’re a little worn.”
“Ha! Gah!”
Seeing the woman, Nongli immediately reacted, clutching her chest and making a warning sound.
Aoki had told her never to let outsiders see her naked human form.
“Shut up.”
Aoki covered her mouth and gratefully said to the woman, “Not at all. We’re truly grateful your village can take in the two of us. How could we possibly refuse your kindness?”
“All right then, I’ll leave the clothes here. If you need anything, just ask for Sister Zhang, and you’ll find me.”
“Thank you, Sister Zhang.”
Aoki watched the woman leave. Nongli tugged at his loincloth, nearly pulling it off, and he quickly grabbed it back.
“What are you doing?”
“What’s ‘father and daughter’?”
Nongli asked, curious.
“Uh, none of your business.”
That was true. Aoki realized that in both of the roleplays they had done, he had been an orphan, lacking parents entirely. Nongli, even more so, was the orphan of orphans—a fox beast.
He hadn’t taught her about things she couldn’t understand.
“What is it?”
“Don’t ask about things that don’t concern you.”
“Okay.”
Nongli didn’t argue, just nodded.
After changing into their clean clothes, the demon and the man returned to the cave. Aoki arranged the interior while Nongli helped. As evening approached, they lit a fire in the cave’s center and boiled a pot of wild mountain vegetables, preparing to fill their empty stomachs.
But once the food was served in bowls and tasted, neither found it palatable. Still, hunger forced them to finish it all. Snuggling together behind the stone bed, they soon felt hungry again.
Not just their spiritual energy, but their physical strength was drained. Nongli soon slipped into a half-human, half-fox state. Her golden fox ears drooped, and her white tail moved listlessly. Probably soon, she’d turn into a little fox again.
Thinking that sleep would stave off hunger, Aoki closed his eyes. Half asleep, he felt Nongli leave his embrace.
Opening his eyes, he saw her crouching on the ground, sniffing around, before quickly darting out of the cave.
He followed and parted the curtain woven from branches and leaves. Outside, under the setting sun, Nongli excitedly called to him:
“Rabbit, Aoki!”
She pointed to a spot in the distance. Sure enough, there was a wild rabbit.
He understood Nongli’s intent to catch the rabbit, but with her injuries, how could she manage it?
Aoki spotted a stone on the ground and suddenly had an idea.
Previously, while in Qi Decision state, he had gained an advantage against Qin Feng. Could he use Qi Decision again?
He picked up the stone, held his breath, focused, and after a few seconds, suddenly opened his eyes. The stone flew like an arrow, hitting the rabbit squarely on the head.
The rabbit collapsed and twitched.
“Wow! Aoki!”
Nongli shouted excitedly and ran over to grab the rabbit, beginning to bite fiercely.
But after two bites, she looked at Aoki awkwardly, handing over the rabbit while licking her bloodied lips.
“Cook it before eating.”
Knowing Nongli was struggling with her beastly instincts, Aoki simply patted her head in approval.
After cleaning the rabbit by the river, they returned to the cave, roasted the meat, and shared it. Both man and demon rested comfortably, finally sated.
Aoki slept soundly that night. The next morning, he was awakened by noise. Realizing Nongli wasn’t in his arms, he rushed outside and found her playing with a group of village children.
Perhaps the children, curious, had all come up the mountain together?
Fortunately, Nongli had not revealed her demon identity. She completely blended in with the kids.
After all, Nongli’s psychological age was that of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl.
Though cunning and sly, she was still a child at heart.
Aoki silently returned to the cave to gather their belongings. Nongli returned some time later, and the first thing she said was:
“Can you be my dad?”