Chapter 13

In the parking lot of the Mengshan Hotel, an SUV had been parked for a long time, but its owner had forgotten to turn off the engine, which was still rumbling loudly.

Inside the car, Li Mang and Bao Ren were both slumped in their seats, drenched in sweat. By the car, Daoist Zhang, wearing a tattered robe, was silently treating the wounds on his face.

The SUV had set off from the Mengshan execution ground. Since the car was facing the opposite direction of Mengshan, they had to take a wide turn, adding over a hundred kilometers to their journey back to Mengshan County. During this time, the average speed was around a hundred kilometers per hour, and Bao Ren, who usually didn't have such driving skills, navigated the rugged mountain roads at high speed, all in the dead of night.

An unknown great man once said that in times of danger, human potential can surge dramatically. Tonight's events had proven this point well.

After a long while, Li Mang finally regained his composure. Looking at Daoist Zhang outside the car, a resentful expression crossed his face. This Daoist was really unreliable!

Of course, Li Mang understood that Daoist Zhang's abilities were still quite good, but unfortunately, the female ghost at the execution ground was even stronger, leading to this embarrassing situation.

"Let's go to the room and rest. We'll make plans tomorrow." Daoist Zhang, now back to his usual righteous demeanor, looked slightly awkward in the darkness.

"Bao Section Chief, are you planning to spend the night in the car?" Seeing Bao Ren still frozen in the driver's seat, Li Mang couldn't help but tease him.

"Wait for me!"

Bao Ren's lips twitched violently as he hurriedly got out of the car, closed the door, and followed in a panic, forgetting to lock the car or even take the keys.

When they reached the door of their room, Daoist Zhang suddenly stopped, turned around, and forced a stiff smile. "Tonight's events are of great importance and must be kept as top secret. Neither of you should reveal anything, even to people within the Yanhuang organization."

Daoist Zhang emphasized his words, looking directly at Li Mang. This incident was truly embarrassing, and if it got back to the Yanhuang compound, he would have no face left.

"Daoist Zhang, please rest assured. This secret will only be known by the three of us, and we won't tell anyone else, not even animals!" Bao Ren solemnly promised.

"Yes, what Bao Section Chief said is also what I was going to say." Li Mang also looked serious.

"Good. You both have the aura of death on you. Remember to take a shower as soon as you get back to your room, and then wear this talisman. It has the effect of warding off evil and calming the spirit." Daoist Zhang nodded in satisfaction, gave each of them a yellow talisman, and then entered his room with a righteous expression.

"..." Li Mang and Bao Ren looked at each other, said nothing, and each took the talisman back to their rooms. Their hearts were still racing, and they had no energy to mock Daoist Zhang.

Following Daoist Zhang's instructions, Li Mang took a shower after returning to his room and placed the talisman in his shirt pocket. Surprisingly, the talisman was quite effective. The cold feeling in his body gradually disappeared, and his restless mind quickly calmed down.

"Daoist Zhang's gag money isn't bad." Recalling Daoist Zhang's performance, a belated mix of laughter and tears appeared on Li Mang's face.

Then, Li Mang took out the Migu from his bed and held it tightly. Thanks to the Migu, he had survived tonight. Otherwise, this day next year would have been his memorial day. Recalling the scene, Li Mang still broke out in a cold sweat.

Li Mang didn't think the ghostly wall only targeted Bao Ren, the driver. If he hadn't had the Migu to protect him from the illusion, Bao Ren would have driven the car off a cliff, and the next morning, the news headlines would have read: "Three Men from Mengshan Die in Drunk Driving Accident."

"Let's not think too much. Let's catch a wild pheasant for a feast!" Recalling the scene, Li Mang felt a lingering fear and quickly took out the *Classic of Mountains and Seas* from his heart, entering it with practiced ease.

In the real world, it was already the early hours of the morning, but in the *Classic of Mountains and Seas* world, the sky was clear and bright, with neither sun nor moon. Perhaps this unique space had no distinction between day and night.

At the foot of Yaoyao Mountain, by the Lijishui River.

Li Mang took out an air rifle from a large burlap bag, loaded it with bullets, and pumped it. After a moment's thought, he also picked up a machete and cautiously made his way up to the Xiangfei Bamboo Forest, where the wild pheasant had emerged last time.

"Rustle!"

The sound of movement ahead made Li Mang's spirits rise. He stealthily approached and finally crouched behind a small rock pile, discovering a group of wild pheasants scratching the ground. There were six of them, all plump and healthy.

Even from a distance of about twenty meters, the pheasants had already noticed him, showing their keen senses. However, they didn't seem afraid. Instead, they proudly fluffed their neck feathers and slowly approached.

"Bang!"

The sound of the gun echoed, and the largest pheasant, which was at the front, fell to the ground, thrashing and struggling wildly, a bloody hole in its head.

"Cluck! Cluck cluck cluck!"

The remaining five pheasants were startled, fluffing their feathers and looking warily at Li Mang. Although they didn't dare to approach easily, they also didn't want to leave their fallen leader.

Li Mang quickly reloaded the gun and pumped it, aiming again. However, he didn't shoot, as one pheasant was enough for him, and shooting more would be wasteful.

After a moment's thought, Li Mang squatted down, picked up a rock, and threw it at the pheasants, hoping to scare them away.

"Cluck cluck cluck..."

In the real world, the pheasants would have run as far as possible, but this was the *Classic of Mountains and Seas* world, a space filled with wildness.

The rock Li Mang threw was like a bee's nest being disturbed. The five pheasants not only didn't leave but also clucked and ran towards him, each one full of vigor and majesty!

Li Mang was taken aback and quickly raised his gun, aiming and firing rapidly.

"Bang!"

Another pheasant fell, but the remaining four were getting closer. There was no time for Li Mang to reload the gun, let alone pump it.

Li Mang decisively put the air rifle on the ground and picked up the machete, standing guard and slowly retreating.

"Cluck! Cluck!"

When the pheasants got close, Li Mang acted decisively, swinging the machete with all his might—*thud*!

One pheasant was immediately split in two, and the remaining three were stunned.

Li Mang didn't want to miss this opportunity and quickly drew his machete, chopping wildly. With his enhanced physical strength and speed, he eventually killed the remaining three pheasants in a fierce battle.

Looking at the remains of the pheasants on the ground, Li Mang suddenly realized that the *Classic of Mountains and Seas* world was not as harmonious as he had imagined. Even the pheasants were so fierce and powerful. If his body hadn't been cleansed the day before, he wouldn't have been able to defeat them.

If the pheasants on Yaoyao Mountain were like this, what about the terrifying apes on the second mountain, Tangting Mountain? And what about the mountains after that? Thinking about these things, Li Mang felt a strange pressure.

Using the machete, Li Mang dug a large hole in the ground, buried the pheasant carcasses, and carried the first one he had shot, the "pheasant king," back. Subconsciously, he saw the *Classic of Mountains and Seas* world as his territory and didn't want to see dead pheasants polluting this beautiful space.

At the source of the Lijishui River, Li Mang brought rocks to set up a simple stove, found dry wood and leaves, and started a roaring fire. He then placed a clean iron pot over the fire, filled it with water, and began to boil it.

While busy with these tasks, Li Mang also pondered the future, especially the exploration of the *Classic of Mountains and Seas* world. Exploring the next area was inevitable. Whenever he had time, he needed to start making a bamboo raft. Bamboo was available nearby, and using the beautiful Xiangfei Bamboo would be perfect. He already had a machete and rope prepared.

Of course, before exploring Tangting Mountain, he needed to thoroughly explore Yaoyao Mountain. How big was this mountain? Were there other animals besides pheasants? Were there other magical plants besides the Migu? These were all things he needed to understand.

"Hey? A turtle!" Li Mang suddenly saw a small creature climbing from the downstream of the stream into the shallow water. It was not very large, only about the size of two fists, but its appearance was fierce and its shell had a metallic sheen, indicating it was quite old.

However, just as Li Mang thought he could have a meal, the small creature lifted its long neck like a snake, its small eyes scanning the area, and it quickly spotted Li Mang, the "predator." With a splash, the small turtle disappeared into the water.

"Oh, this little guy is quite advanced!" Li Mang, who had just picked up the machete, was taken aback, feeling a bit regretful but not overly concerned.

After more than half an hour, a pot of delicious chicken soup was finally ready. Without any porcelain bowls, he used disposable bowls and chopsticks from the supermarket. Li Mang put aside all other thoughts and began to enjoy his meal.

Unlike the last time when he was in a hurry, this time Li Mang paid attention to the changes in his body after eating the wild pheasant. The warm feeling was very clear, but it was slightly less intense than the last time.

Although the "pheasant king" should have had a stronger effect, since he had already eaten one before, the effect was not as noticeable. However, he still ate until he was tipsy, his body feeling like it was on fire, but without any discomfort, only a sense of comfort. After cleaning up, he returned to the real world, lay down on his bed, and fell asleep.

As he slept, Li Mang's body turned red, as if it had been boiled. If someone had touched him at that moment, they would have found him very hot. At the same time, sweat and dirt seeped out of his skin.

...

PS: It's already March 1st. Starting today, I will try to update twice a day, with the first chapter after midnight and the second chapter in the afternoon or evening.