The transformed mountain demon leader was not something Bai Ling'er could contend with alone. If Bai Ling'er hadn't been sealed by the Fifth Prince, she could have sent it flying with a single swipe of her tail. But it was too late for regrets.
At this moment, the white-haired mountain demon leader had fallen into a frenzy. It smashed trees and shattered rocks in its pursuit, like a miniature bulldozer.
Fortunately, it was in a state of madness. Otherwise, even with Bai Ling'er's help, I would have already been torn to shreds by the white-haired mountain demon leader.
To avoid being caught, I deliberately ran towards areas with more trees, but this only bought me time. To escape its pursuit completely, I needed another plan.
*Boom—*
A stone the size of a human head smashed into the tree in front of me, shattering into pieces. The rebounding fragments stung like needles against my skin.
Looking at Bai Ling'er, who appeared somewhat weary, I knew she couldn't hold on much longer. If the mountain demon leader snapped out of its frenzy, it would be our end.
No, I couldn't just wait for death.
"Ling'er, lure it towards the direction where I administered the medicine," I said, then sprinted towards the spot where I had previously dazed the mountain demons.
White-haired mountain demon, aren't you raging because your entire clan has fainted and you don't know if they're alive or dead?
Soon, I'll wake up those dazed mountain demons and use them as leverage. I don't believe you won't listen then.
By the time I reached the place where Bai Ling'er had used the secret medicine, the sun had already set behind the mountains. The dozen or so larger mountain demons lay on the ground, sleeping soundly like dead dogs.
*Roar—*
*Hiss—*
Listening to the sounds of their fight in the distance, I knew my time was running out.
First, I moved the fallen mountain demons, one by one, under a large tree that three people could barely encircle. Then, I took out a nylon rope, as thick as a little finger, from my backpack and tied them all up. Though this nylon rope was thin, according to Zhang Dabiao, it could withstand a pulling force of five tons without breaking. It was more than enough to tie up these mountain demons.
By the time I had everything ready, I could already see them fighting.
At this moment, Bai Ling'er was agilely dodging the white-haired mountain demon's attacks, occasionally turning back to spit white mist at it. The mist covered everything in a white haze, but it only slowed down the white-haired mountain demon's speed.
After falling into a frenzy, the white-haired mountain demon leader was almost completely indifferent to Bai Ling'er's attacks. The blows felt like mere tickles, having no effect whatsoever.
On the contrary, Bai Ling'er was nearly caught by the white-haired mountain demon leader twice. If she had been firmly grasped, Bai Ling'er would have been skinned alive, if not killed outright.
Seeing me, Bai Ling'er said, looking somewhat tired, "Use whatever good idea you have quickly, or it'll catch up to us, and we'll be torn to shreds."
I pointed at the dozen or so mountain demons I had securely tied up. "There, it's them."
Bai Ling'er followed my gaze and almost fell from mid-air.
After steadying herself, Bai Ling'er's roaring voice nearly deafened me.
"This is the plan you came up with? Are you an idiot? It's in a frenzy right now and has no reason. You're threatening it with its own kind. Do you think you're not dying fast enough?"
I picked at my ear, signaling Bai Ling'er to calm down. "When it comes over later, just watch. If my plan doesn't work, you can leave, you don't have to mind me."
"You..." Bai Ling'er shrunk her body and perched on a branch, adopting an attitude of letting me fend for myself.
While we were talking, the white-haired mountain demon leader leaped down from the canopy like a fierce tiger.
*Roar—*
A sonic wave emanated from the white-haired mountain demon leader, nearly blowing me away. Fortunately, I was prepared and hid behind the tree where the mountain demons were tied. Otherwise, even if I didn't die, I wouldn't be comfortable.
The mountain demon leader first looked at Bai Ling'er, then at me. When it saw its own kind tied up by me, it let out another massive roar.
However, this time, the roar carried a hint of grief and desolation. Its blood-red eyes stared intently at me, as if it wouldn't be satisfied until it tore me to pieces.
Facing the enraged mountain demon leader, I was still a bit fearful, and my legs trembled involuntarily. But I still stepped out from behind the tree.
"I know you can understand me. We can sit down and talk about the lives of your kin."
*Roar—*
As soon as I finished speaking, it roared and furiously pounded the ground with its fists, flinging dirt and stones everywhere. However, these things were not thrown at me.
This was because I was standing next to the unconscious mountain demons. If the mountain demon leader threw stones at me, it would also kill its own kind.
The mountain demon leader raged for a while before stopping. Simultaneously, the redness on its face began to fade, its golden fur returned to white, and its size reverted to its original state.
*Roar—*
The mountain demon leader let out several calls, gesturing with its limbs as if trying to tell me something.
At this point, I was a bit dumbfounded. It could understand me, but I couldn't understand what it was saying. How could we talk?
"It says: Human, you killed so many of my kin. What else do you have to say? Return these kin to me, and I'll leave your corpse intact."
The voice came from above. Looking up, I saw Bai Ling'er perched leisurely on a branch, bobbing up and down with the swaying of the branch.
"Ling'er, I really love you to death..."
"Don't get mushy with me. I'm translating for you because I'm in a good mood. Otherwise, you can communicate yourselves."
How could I dare to offend this 'little ancestor'? I promised her food and drink, and after appeasing Bai Ling'er, I faced the white-haired mountain demon leader squarely.
"As a leader of a clan, you must care deeply about their lives," I said, pointing to the mountain demons behind me. "They are larger than other mountain demons and appear much more intelligent than your other kin. Surely, your successors are among them. If I accidentally kill them, you'll have no successors."
Upon hearing this, the white-haired mountain demon's fur bristled, and its golden monkey face flushed red again.
Seeing this, I realized it was serious. If it went into a frenzy again, it would be certain death. "If you enter a frenzy again, we'll fight to the death. They will die now. Don't believe me, try it."
Just then, Bai Ling'er also leaped down from the branch, landing precisely on the head of a mountain demon. Her two snow-white fangs were subtly exposed, with a small, crystal-clear water droplet hanging from them.
The white-haired mountain demon leader, seeing this, roared even more furiously, but it dared not enter a frenzy. Instead, the surrounding trees and rocks bore the brunt of its anger.
After venting its rage again, the white-haired mountain demon leader calmed down. Its human-like eyes actually showed a hint of wisdom, which made me frown.
This was not a good sign. This was the second time I had seen a human-like thoughtful expression on it. Could it be that it was merely wearing the appearance of a mountain demon, but its soul was that of a human?
*Roar—*
As Bai Ling'er translated, my expression grew somber, and increasingly grim.