Chapter 79: The Feather God’s Tribe – The Mountain Goblin Spirit

"I come from the Jade Mountain in the east." Evening Grace replied calmly, then asked curiously, "What is this place?"

"This is Mount Gou Lou in the Eastern Wilderness," the old man said. "And the tribe you are in is called the Tribe of the Feathered Gods." He explained everything in detail, while his cloudy eyes scrutinized the young girl who had suddenly appeared before him.

After a long moment of observation, he finally clicked his tongue in admiration. "Little girl, are you a spirit of the mountain? How could you be so beautiful?"

"No," Evening Grace answered with an indifferent glance from the corner of her eye, her tone gentle. "I am just an ordinary person passing through your tribe on my journey. The hour grows late today; may I stay the night in your tribe and leave early tomorrow? I promise not to disturb your people’s peace."

"Of course!" the old man declared. "A guest is always welcome. We’re more than happy to have you." He paused here, hesitation written across his wrinkled face, as if he wanted to say something but found it difficult.

"Please, sir, speak freely," Evening Grace encouraged. "If it truly isn’t convenient, I can spend the night in the woods outside the tribe; I wouldn’t force myself upon you."

"No, no," the old man replied, his expression changing as he waved his hands repeatedly. "It’s no trouble at all for you to stay. I just want to remind you, once night falls, do not leave the house under any circumstances!"

"Why?" Evening Grace asked, bewildered, a faint unease stirring within her. "This old man’s behavior is so strange—could there be some frightful tale in this village?"

The old man’s face grew serious. "There’s no reason. Just don’t leave the house tonight, or you may lose your life!"

With that warning, he didn’t linger with Evening Grace, but called out to a girl playing nearby. "Luo Ying, take this young lady to the house to rest. Make sure you watch over her tonight—don’t let her wander about, understood?"

"Yes, Grandpa!" Among the children, a girl about seven or eight years old ran over, staring at Evening Grace with awe. "Sister, you’re so beautiful, dressed just like a fairy from heaven!"

"Am I?"

Evening Grace glanced sidelong at the little girl, and seeing her coarse, homespun clothes and innocent face, a sudden tenderness welled within her.

She knelt down, gently cupping the child’s delicate face. "Let’s go rest inside, shall we?"

"Okay!" Luo Ying replied happily, boldly taking Evening Grace’s slender hand and leading her toward a small earthen house in the southeast of the tribe.

On the way, Evening Grace couldn’t suppress her curiosity. "That spirited old man from earlier—is he your grandfather?"

"No," Luo Ying shook her head, her voice crisp. "He’s the chief of our Tribe of the Feathered Gods. Everyone respects him, so we call him Grandpa."

"Oh..." Evening Grace nodded, half understanding, her curiosity toward this so-called Tribe of the Feathered Gods growing.

As night descended, the last streaks of sunset struggled and finally vanished into darkness, and the land fell silent.

At this hour, Ling Yan would usually go to the summit of Flying Immortal Rock on Jade Mountain to absorb the mountain’s spiritual energy and cultivate. But this time, carrying her father’s mission into the world, cultivation must be set aside.

Standing by the wooden window, made from a few sticks, Evening Grace gazed at the tribe as every household’s lights went out. Unease rose in her heart; she sensed that tonight would be a sleepless night.

Her worldly experience wasn’t vast, but after years of training with the God of War, Brahma Immortal, instincts had made her cautious and sharp. In her mind, the chief’s warning before nightfall was no idle threat.

"Sister, let’s rest early," Luo Ying whispered nervously from the bed.

"You sleep first. I’ll meditate a while," Evening Grace replied serenely, but her eyes stayed fixed on the window.

"Sister, you don’t need to watch. It won’t appear tonight!"

"It?" Evening Grace’s thoughts stirred. "Who is it?" She turned, curiosity lighting her gaze as she pressed the little girl for answers.

"It’s the Mountain Demon," Luo Ying answered, raising her delicate brows. "Recently, villagers have gone missing often. The chief suspects it’s the Mountain Demon from Mount Gou Lou!"

"So you’ve seen it yourself?"

"Of course I have," Luo Ying replied confidently, patting her chest with a mysterious air. "Once, I was playing in the mountains and fell into a hunter’s trap. The Mountain Demon rescued me!"

"Then you’ve seen what it looks like?"

"Yes! It’s covered in brown fur—like a mountain monkey—but its face is human, and it can speak just like a person!" Luo Ying described earnestly, unaware of the change on Evening Grace’s face.

Evening Grace’s mind was calculating. In her memory, disciples of the Return to the Void had once captured a Mountain Demon on Jade Mountain, exactly as the girl described. She didn’t seem to be lying.

But Evening Grace knew Mountain Demons to be gentle creatures; why would one suddenly abduct villagers?

"Sister, let’s rest quickly," Luo Ying urged again, her voice crisp.

"All right." Not wanting the child to worry, Evening Grace managed a smile and went to rest with her.

Yet, lying on the bed, Evening Grace could not find peace. Tossing and turning, she caught sight of the deep night outside the window; the moon had risen over the eastern hills, wandering among the stars.

Nearly a day had passed—what of Bai Mu and Ling Yan? If either met with misfortune, it would surely spark a war between the forces of Bai Ze and the Heavenly Emperor, plunging the wilds into slaughter, as happened seven thousand years ago. Such chaos would betray her father Brahma Immortal’s intentions.

"Ah-woo..." As Evening Grace’s thoughts tangled, a howl suddenly echoed from about five miles away in the tribe.