Chapter 118: The Trap

Preparation ensures success, without it, failure is certain. Since I'm entering Dahei Mountain, I need to be fully prepared.

Dahei Mountain has a treacherous environment, with venomous creatures everywhere, thick miasma, and lurking demonic beasts. Demonic beasts don't reason with you; they basically eat humans on sight. Even those that don't eat humans will still kill them, disemboweling cultivators before moving on.

Mo Hua grew up in Tongxian City, and his father was a monster hunter. From a young age, he was exposed to and well aware of the dangers of Dahei Mountain. Entering the mountain recklessly, one careless mistake and you're gone, and it's very likely there will be no remains.

Therefore, to enter the mountain, every aspect must be considered thoroughly, with a plan in advance, to avoid being caught off guard and having your life hang by a thread when encountering danger. "My parents only have one son," Mo Hua thought to himself.

One day, Liu Ruhua sent some beef and vegetables to Jiang Yun, asking her to take them back and cook them for her child. Jiang Yun declined, saying she couldn't carry so much. The storage bags used by Qi Refining stage cultivators are relatively cheap and have limited space, so they indeed can't hold too much.

"Aunt Jiang, I'll help you take them back," Mo Hua offered.

"How can you do that?"

"It's okay, I have something to see Uncle Chu about anyway."

"Really?" Jiang Yun asked suspiciously.

"Yes," Mo Hua nodded.

Jiang Yun no longer refused. Carrying the storage bag, she walked in front, and Mo Hua followed behind her, holding two large Napa cabbages.

Along the way, Jiang Yun would turn back to look from time to time, while reminding Mo Hua to be careful, and asking him if he was tired and needed a rest. After walking for about the time it takes to steep a pot of tea, they arrived at Jiang Yun's house.

Jiang Yun's home was very simple, with two or three rooms. The walls were mottled, and some of the tables and chairs were very old, missing limbs. Fortunately, the kitchen had enough smoke, indicating that at least food and warmth were not a problem.

Jiang Yun felt a little embarrassed, "The house is a bit shabby..."

"It's okay, Aunt Jiang," Mo Hua smiled. Most rogue cultivator families in Tongxian City were like this, simple and shabby. Mo Hua's family situation was slightly better before, but that was because Liu Ruhua was frugal and managed the household well, and Mo Shan was good at monster hunting and strong, and there hadn't been any major setbacks in the family, so although they were poor, they managed to get by.

But the premise of all this was that they didn't encounter accidents. Once a rogue cultivator family suffers a setback, their family situation will immediately deteriorate. Then even making a living will become a problem, let alone cultivating for longevity.

Aunt Jiang's husband was seriously injured while hunting monsters, their savings were depleted and they had no income, and they also had a baby who needed feeding. Even if she cried all day, there was nothing she could do. Later, after helping out at the eatery, she had some spiritual stone income, and after her husband's injuries improved, he could also supplement some household expenses, which made things better.

The life of a rogue cultivator is far more fragile than imagined, but despite this, everyone is still trying hard to live.

Aunt Jiang's mother-in-law was coaxing the child. When she saw Mo Hua, she greeted him warmly. The child also peeked out, his round black eyes curiously sizing up Mo Hua. Mo Hua took out a small cloth tiger and gave it to him. The child mumbled a "Thank you, big brother," then hugged the little tiger tightly and wouldn't let go, happily cheering.

Mo Hua smiled, then went to find Jiang Yun's husband, Chu Guangshan. Chu Guangshan was very surprised to see Mo Hua, but was happy when he heard that Mo Hua had something to see him about.

"Tell me, what is it? As long as I can do it, it's on me!"

"Uncle Chu, I'd like to ask, how are traps used?" Mo Hua asked. The little cat demon that had accompanied Mo Hua to practice the Flowing Water Steps was caught by Chu Guangshan using a trap.

Although young demonic beasts are not strong, they are highly vigilant, have acute senses, and are familiar with the environmental scent. Under normal circumstances, they would not fall into traps laid by cultivators. It was remarkable that Chu Guangshan could use traps to hunt demonic beasts, and even catch them alive.

Although a part of the reason was that Mo Hua had drawn the Wood Binding Array on the trap, making it difficult for the demonic beast to break free, it also at least showed that Chu Guangshan had very experienced and insightful knowledge in setting traps. Among so many monster hunters, not everyone has the patience and meticulousness to study traps.

Chu Guangshan hesitated for a moment.

"If it's inconvenient, then forget it," Mo Hua quickly said. It was indeed a bit abrupt to ask about a skill that was used for making a living.

Chu Guangshan was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "What's inconvenient about it? I'm happy you asked me, but..."

Chu Guangshan paused, then said: "These are just trivial tricks, you shouldn't spend too much time on them. You should still cultivate more and learn more array formations, that's where the future lies... As for me, I'm half a cripple. I can't hunt monsters, so I can only focus on these minor skills to earn some money, otherwise your Aunt Jiang... will suffer too much..."

Chu Guangshan sighed, his expression self-mocking.

Mo Hua was moved and thought for a moment, then said: "Understanding everything in the world is a form of learning. The Dao of cultivation is profound and encompasses everything. The great Dao is the Dao, and minor paths are also the Dao."

Chu Guangshan was slightly taken aback, then smiled: "I don't know where you learned these things, but they make sense. Since you don't mind, I'll teach you everything. But I still say the same thing, these things are small tricks and not worth spending too much time on."

"Yes, yes, don't worry, I won't neglect cultivation and array formations."

Only then did Chu Guangshan nod.

"Traps are actually quite simple, but they require patience and meticulousness."

"To set traps, you have to observe the terrain and environment, guess where the demonic beasts will come from and where they will go, and set the trap on their inevitable path..."

"After setting the trap, you have to eliminate traces. The plants, trees, and stones should be the same as they were before. You also have to eliminate scents. If some scents cannot be eliminated, you have to learn to cover them up..."

"How do you cover them up?" Mo Hua asked.

"Demonic beasts like the smell of blood and decay. You can use demon blood or rotten meat to cover up the scent, or use herbs with a strong odor like blood-scented grass."

"For making traps, I'll draw you a few diagrams later. They are very simple. You can add some array formations yourself, which should make them more effective."

"Finally, you have to be careful of demonic beasts playing dead. Demonic beasts are cunning. Occasionally, they will play dead if they fall into a trap. When you approach to check, they will suddenly attack. Nine out of ten times, you won't be able to defend against it."

Chu Guangshan explained everything in detail. Mo Hua nodded frequently as he listened.

When Mo Hua was about to leave, Chu Guangshan looked hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Uncle Chu, is there anything else?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Chu Guangshan quickly waved his hand, but his expression clearly showed that he had something on his mind but found it difficult to say. Mo Hua said softly: "Aunt Jiang treats me very well, and you've taught me how to use traps. Just tell me what's on your mind."

Chu Guangshan's face turned red, and he hesitated for a long time before finally speaking: "I... I want to wait until Zhou'er is a bit older, can you... teach him a little about array formations..."

Zhou'er was the son of Chu Guangshan and Jiang Yun, the child Mo Hua had just met. Chu Guangshan himself was injured by a demonic beast. Although he didn't die, he would never be able to hunt monsters again, making it very difficult to make a living. He didn't want his son to follow in his footsteps, living a precarious life constantly in fear, where one mistake could cost him his life. So he wanted his son to learn a little about array formations so that he could make a living in the future.

Learning array formations required finding a master, and he simply couldn't afford the spiritual stones. So he could only ask Mo Hua, but he couldn't afford to pay Mo Hua either. Asking like this made him feel ashamed and guilty. But he had nowhere else to turn. Even though it was difficult to say, for the sake of his son, he had to speak.

Mo Hua was slightly startled, and thought for a moment.

Chu Guangshan quickly added: "Of course, if Zhou'er is slow-witted and doesn't have the talent, then forget it..."

Chu Guangshan said this, but his eyes still held a glimmer of hope, even appearing a little humble. Mo Hua felt a bit sad looking at him...

He pretended not to see anything, just smiling and saying: "Okay, but we have to wait until Zhou'er is older. Even if his talent isn't great, as long as he can learn a few array formations, he can trade with merchant associations and earn some spiritual stones. In the future, I won't say he'll be very rich, but he should have enough to eat and wear."

The stone in Chu Guangshan's heart fell to the ground, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief. He looked at Mo Hua, his emotions fluctuating for a moment, his eyes slightly red. Words of gratitude reached his lips, but he felt they were too inadequate and didn't know how to express himself.

Mo Hua smiled and bid him farewell. Chu Guangshan saw Mo Hua out of the house and onto the street. Seeing the sign of "Liu Ji Shi Si" ahead, he stopped, but his eyes followed Mo Hua all the way home.