Chapter 16: Finally Entering the Tent of the Fourth Banner, Gaining the Name "Laibao"

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The black-robed demon’s words made Mo Fan pause, and all the monsters in the cave froze as well. Anyone could see that this toad demon was neither favored by the Demon King nor on good terms with General Toxic Fang, so naturally, his fate was bleak. Although the Demon King was in a good mood and willing to spare the toad demon’s life, no monster dared to speak up in his defense for fear of offending General Toxic Fang.

Thus, the black-robed demon’s remark stood out remarkably. Mo Fan hadn’t expected this black-robed demon to take him in at such a moment, which was an immense kindness, stirring a complex mix of emotions within him. The impression Black Wind Mountain had given him was utterly terrible—being roughly bound by little demons like Greenface and nearly being served as a dish. Yet now, this black-robed demon allowed Mo Fan to glimpse a flicker of hope within Black Wind Mountain.

“Oh? Under which general do you serve?” the Demon King asked the black-robed demon with curiosity.

“Reporting, Great Demon King, I am a demon soldier under the Third General,” the black-robed demon replied respectfully.

“So you’re under that Mountain Phoenix scoundrel,” the Demon King understood and continued, “Mountain Phoenix is rarely at Black Wind Mountain. I just overlooked him just now. Since you serve under him and have come to me of your own accord, I will grant your request. This toad demon shall be assigned to your troop!”

“Thank you, Great Demon King, for your kindness!” The black-robed demon beamed with joy, then scolded the still stunned Mo Fan, “You ugly thing, why aren’t you thanking the Great Demon King?”

Mo Fan snapped back to reality. Though he wished he could devour all the demons in the cave, he forced a smile and bowed to the Demon King, “This humble demon thanks the Great Demon King for his great mercy!”

“Hm.” The Demon King nodded, then looked back at the black-robed demon and warned, “Although this toad demon is now under your troop, that fellow is truly ugly. It’s best not to bring him to my Black Wind Cave often. If he scares any of my beauties, I’ll make a banquet of all of you!”

Mo Fan’s face instantly stiffened.

“Understood, Great Demon King. Such a thing shall never happen, please rest assured!” the black-robed demon replied respectfully.

“Good, now leave. All of you, leave as well. I’m in a good mood today and must enjoy myself with my two beauties early!” The Demon King laughed broadly, clasping a woman’s waist as he strode deeper into the cave, amid her pitiful cries.

Listening to the heart-wrenching wails, Mo Fan’s scalp tingled, knowing the Demon King intended to act tyrannically, which would bring suffering to the rabbit demon and the beautiful human woman.

Sure enough, before the demons had left the Black Wind Cave, moans and groans of pain echoed from within...

“That tiger demon, come with me. You’ll be my mount from now on!” Suddenly, Toxic Fang called out to the husky demon who was intently listening by the wall.

“General!” The husky immediately trotted over.

“You two brothers won’t compete with me for this tiger demon, right?” Toxic Fang ignored the husky and turned his gaze to the other two demon generals.

“Tiger demons are rare in the Demon Spirit Mountains. Even if there are some, most have been summoned to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. Though rare, they’re just weak fledgling demons. Since you like it, keep it under your command!”

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“True, compared to this flashy but useless tiger demon, I prefer flying demons. Female demons are even better—comfortable to ride, hahaha!” The other two demon generals shook their heads.

“Thanks, brothers, for not competing with me.” Toxic Fang bowed to the two generals, then glanced coldly at the toad demon and the black-robed demon, sneered, and turned to the husky, “Come with me!”

The husky followed immediately, never once glancing at Mo Fan, which filled Mo Fan with resentment.

After the three generals left, the black-robed demon finally relaxed. With a wave of his hand, a black light flashed, and the ropes binding Mo Fan snapped piece by piece and fell to the ground.

“Thank you, Demon Soldier, for saving me!” Mo Fan said earnestly, cupping his hands respectfully.

“I don’t get along with that Fourth General Toxic Fang, so saving you was just to annoy him a little,” the black-robed demon said coolly. Then he glanced at Mo Fan and added, “Besides, you might be useful to me. From today on, you’ll follow me.”

“Yes!” Mo Fan nodded quickly, not daring to show any neglect.

Seeing this, the black-robed demon said no more and headed out of the cave. Mo Fan followed silently.

Though the black-robed demon’s steps were small, his pace was swift, forcing Mo Fan to run hard just to keep up.

They slowed down after leaving the misty area, and the black-robed demon said, “My name is Hei Zi. I’m a demon soldier under the Third General Mountain Phoenix of Black Wind Mountain. Since you now belong to my troop, you may call me master.”

“Yes, master!” Mo Fan responded respectfully.

“You may be a newly transformed toad demon, but you’re clever enough to understand my hints; otherwise, you would have died in that Black Wind Cave,” Hei Zi nodded in approval and asked, “Do you have a name?”

“Yes, master. My name is Mo Fan!” Mo Fan answered honestly.

“Mo Fan?” Hei Zi frowned slightly. “That sounds like a human name—too bland! We demons shouldn’t be like those vulgar humans with those dreadful names. We have a tradition in Black Wind Mountain that all new demons in a troop are named by the demon soldier. So I’ll give you a better name!”

Mo Fan twitched his face but feigned happiness, “Please, master, grant me a name!”

“I’ll call you Clever!” Hei Zi smiled contentedly, then thought for a moment and said, “Since your true form is a toad and the Demon King said you’re a lucky demon, how about ‘Lucky Toad’?”

“...” Mo Fan’s face stiffened as a thousand wild curses surged through his mind.

“No, no. You already have ‘luck.’ Let me think... Ah, ‘Treasure’ sounds good. ‘Lucky Treasure,’ ‘Come Treasure’... I got it! From now on, you’ll be called ‘Come Treasure’!” Hei Zi said seriously.

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“Ah... this...” Mo Fan was utterly speechless; what a ridiculous name!

But seeing Hei Zi’s satisfied expression, Mo Fan dared not refuse and nodded, “Thank you, master, for the name ‘Come Treasure’!”

“Ha ha ha ha... Glad you like it. This old master is truly a naming genius!” Hei Zi laughed heartily, walking farther down the mountain path.

They traveled about half a day along the mountain trail before arriving at a cave dwelling.

The dwelling was carved into a mountain rock, with no plaque or signboard, and inside was pitch black, depth unknown.

“This is my cave dwelling. If you have business, come find me here. If not, don’t disturb me—or I won’t hesitate to make you suffer!” Hei Zi warned. Then he suddenly asked, “By the way, do you have a ‘thing’?”

“Huh?” Mo Fan was confused.

“Hehe, master means whether this dumb toad has a little demon rod under his waist!”

At that moment, a human-headed sparrow appeared above Mo Fan’s head, laughing mischievously.

Without needing to ask, Mo Fan understood this must be another demon, but its comment struck him as odd.

“What are you staring at, idiot? Master is asking you!” the sparrow mocked in human speech.

Mo Fan frowned but didn’t argue. Instead, he turned to Hei Zi with an embarrassed expression and said, “Master, I’m ashamed to say I have none of that...”

“Master, looks like this dumb toad is a coward like that stingy rabbit!” the sparrow laughed from above.

Hei Zi frowned, then commanded the sparrow, “Chatter, this ugly creature is ‘Come Treasure.’ From today, he’s with you all on patrol. You’re to instruct him in the mountain’s rules.”

“Master, I’m sleepy and need a nap. You all may leave!” Hei Zi yawned, waved his hand, and entered the dark cave without another word to Mo Fan or the sparrow.

“Come Treasure, that’s actually a nice name, though you’re still ugly!” The sparrow descended, perching on Mo Fan’s shoulder, and said, “Master said from now on, you’re part of our patrol team.”

“Come on, I’ll take you to meet the other three blockheads!”