Chapter Thirty-Nine: Re-encountering Human Habitation

  The chirping birds' calls awakened Helianno, who had been sleeping soundly. Over the past nine years, he had almost gotten used to waking up to the morning bird songs.

  Kerlin rubbed his sleepy eyes, subconsciously wanting to wake up Xiao Lang as usual to enjoy the breakfast carefully prepared by Kerlin. Just as he opened his mouth, he suddenly remembered that this was no longer the Tianlang Cave where he had lived for nine years, and there would be no fragrant breakfast waiting for him on the stone table. Thinking of this, Kerlin couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy. He hadn't realized it had been dozens of days since he left Tianlang Cave, yet he still often had the illusion that he had never left. He had to admit, he missed those comfortable days.

  Is Little Uncle used to living alone yet? Is he now sitting in the chair I made for him, sunbathing like before? What about Chong Chong? Has she started collecting dew drops? Did she see the words I left behind? She's always been prone to tears; I'm sure she's cried her eyes out after hearing the news of my departure.

  He Lianuo shook his head, trying to drive away the thoughts in his mind, woke up and pulled out the Tianlang dagger from his waist to go hunting for some wild game to fill his hunger, his growling stomach had been protesting for a while.

  Suddenly, a pungent fragrance wafted into Helian's nostrils with the gentle breeze through the forest. What was this smell? The hungry Helian couldn't help but wrinkle his nose and sniff hard, turning his head in the direction of the fragrance...

  A blazing bonfire crackled and popped, with several small game animals roasting on a spit above the flames. The intense heat extracted the savory juices from the meat, which dripped out in a delicious oil. The distinctive scent of burning pine branches mingled with the aroma of roasted meat, making the fresh forest air even more enticing.

  He Lianuo, who had only met Lei Shuo yesterday, was now sweating profusely as he took care of the barbecue on the fire. Perhaps because there was too much meat, he looked obviously a bit flustered. Although it was still a bit chilly in the forest in the morning, his coarse linen shirt collar was wide open, and he would occasionally lift up his sleeves to wipe away sweat, clearly overwhelmed with work.

  He Lianuo rushed over to help, taking half of the roasted meat and turning it over with ease. Lei Shuo's pressure was greatly reduced as he finally let out a sigh of relief. He looked at He Lianuo with gratitude in his eyes, then used his now-free left hand to pull out a handful of bottles and jars from his pocket, carefully sprinkling their contents evenly onto the roasted meat. His meticulous movements were a far cry from his usual carefree demeanor, and the expression on his face was as if he were crafting a delicate work of art.

  He Lianuo couldn't help but secretly laugh, who would have thought that this rough man was also a skilled cook? Just by looking at his familiar and meticulous movements, it's clear that he must be well-versed in cooking. It's strange to say, but He Lianuo discovered that many people have some weird hobbies that don't match their personality at all, just like his younger uncle He Lian Shang. Normally, he's as cold-blooded as a killer and never cracks a smile, but once he starts cooking, the expression on his face is one of utmost satisfaction. He Lianuo couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of creation - it can give you the face and personality of a killer, yet also implant in you the heart of a chef.

  It wasn't long before the barbecue was finally cooked, and Helian called over Xiao Lang and Qiuqiu to start devouring it. And indeed, Lei Shuo's barbecue skills were on par with Helian's. Even Xiao Lang, who was usually quite picky about food, was eating with a smile on his face. As for Qiuqiu, whose stomach was always the most accommodating, he had already eaten so much that he couldn't get up from his seat.

  As the sky grew brighter, Helianuo wiped the oil stains from his hands and called out to Xiao Lang to prepare for departure. Lei Shuo had already caught the silver fox, so there was no need to continue staying in this dangerous forest. They decided to travel together, which would also allow them to look out for each other. With a full stomach, Xiao Lang carefully picked up Xuangu and Helianuo grabbed Qiuqiu, who couldn't walk on his own, and put him on his shoulder. The group set off at a leisurely pace.

  This place is already the outermost layer of the Demon Moon Forest, the trees are still tall but not as dense, and the road is much easier to walk. The energetic Lei Xiao wielded his giant axe to open up a path in front, while He Lian Nu and Xiao Lang were left far behind him, watching as he was about to climb to the top of a mountain. He Lian Nu was still walking slowly on the halfway point of the mountain.

  Suddenly, Helianuo, who was admiring the scenery along the road with his head down, heard Leishen's excited roar and quickly raised his head to look towards the mountain top. He saw Leishen's sturdy body jumping up and down on the mountain top, waving his giant axe at Helianuo, as if urging him to hurry up. Since they were quite far apart, Helianuo couldn't hear what Leishen was shouting, but he knew that Leishen must have encountered something novel. Seeing that the curious little wolf had already rushed towards the mountain top like an arrow leaving a bowstring, Helianuo also quickened his pace and climbed up in no time.

  Lei Xiao's voice was already a bit hoarse from shouting, and he sat on the ground hugging his water bottle and gulping down water. The little wolf had disappeared without a trace. Seeing He Lianuo looking at him in confusion, Lei Xiao nodded towards the distance, indicating that he should take a look over there.

  Khalinuo took a few deep breaths to calm down her rapid breathing from the sprint, and slowly stood up straight, looking down at the mountain...

  At this sight, Helianuo felt as if her own breathing was about to stop...

  As far as the eye can see, Helian has already lost sight of even a single mountain, replaced by plains, endless plains, shallow green plains with several large lakes inlaid like sapphires, sparse and low shrubs and small trees scattered, no longer as dense as those in the Youyue Forest.

  What thrilled Hellenore the most was that at a place which seemed not far from the foot of the mountain, there was a house that looked simple but clear! Houses! Hellenore had not seen human-built houses for nine years, and the shadows moving among the houses like ants were clearly living people!

  Lei Shuo stared blankly at He Lian Nu, watching him gaze longingly at the houses below the mountain, watching as two lines of hot tears quietly fell from his cheeks. Having never truly left human society for an extended period, he couldn't understand that what was unfolding before their eyes - a scene ordinary to most people - was actually He Lian Nu's spiritual homecoming after nine years of separation!

  Even Huren himself didn't understand why the scene before him moved him to tears. He just felt deep down that he should be living in the human settlement at the foot of the mountain, not in the desolate Youyue Forest where demons roamed and humans rarely set foot. People only feel a sense of belonging when they are in their own place. At this moment, Huren was like a frog out of water, although the land could sustain him and even provide a comfortable life, but he couldn't help thinking of the pond with countless others of his kind, because that's where his home was!

  "Wooo... wooo...", Suddenly, from the foot of the mountain came a wolf's distant and prolonged howl, filled with curiosity and excitement.

  "Wooooo... Wooooo...", The voice came from Helianuo, who had finally awakened from his shock and could no longer suppress the wild joy in his heart. He imitated Xiao Lang's tone and suddenly opened his throat to let out a long howl towards the sky. Then, like a wanderer in the desert seeing an oasis, he shouted loudly and rushed towards the foot of the mountain!

  "Wooooo... Wooooo...", Helianuo let out a hearty roar, the rushing wind beside his ears blocking all his senses. At this moment, he only wanted to run and could only run!

  “Cough... cough!”, Lei Shuo, who was drinking water, was startled by Helian's sudden shout and choked, coughing loudly, his face turning bright red from lack of air. It took him a while to catch his breath, and when he looked up, Helian was already gone from the mountaintop, leaving behind only the excited owner and the abandoned, inflated squirrel ball. Lei Shuo couldn't help but smile wryly, stood up, carefully placed the ball on his shoulder, and followed Helian down the mountain in large strides.

  At this moment, Helian had already run to the foot of the mountain. Looking up at the house on the top of the mountain, which seemed very close, he felt a little discouraged in his heart. Today's sky was already late, and it seemed that he would have to wait until tomorrow to reach the land where people lived.

  Just as he was looking for a flat land to rest, Helianuo was suddenly pounced on by a small wolf and fell to the ground. The excited expression on the face of the little wolf who had been running around in circles did not fade at all, and it seemed to be telling its companions about its new discoveries for half a day. Helianuo was so amused by the little wolf's exaggerated reaction that he couldn't help but get up and stroll around with the little wolf.

  Perhaps because this place is close to the Demon Moon Forest, Helianuo didn't see any signs of human activity all along the way. He thought that it seemed he would have to wait until tomorrow to make contact with humans again. At this point, he couldn't help but feel a bit listless. Xiao Lang, on the other hand, was full of energy and would occasionally leap into the grass to chase after the wild beasts in the area. It didn't seem like it had any thoughts about being in a foreign land.

  After a long while, Xiao Lang finally brought He Lian Nu back to the original place, but saw that Lei Shuo had already arrived and was busy making fire and cooking. The ball-like eyes of He Lian Nu looked at Xiao Lang and He Lian Nu as they walked back, habitually wanting to jump over to greet them, but suddenly seemed to think of something, abruptly stopping their movement, and with a huff, turned their head to the side and sat down with their back to everyone.

  He Lianuo looked at the puzzled ball, seemingly wondering who it was venting its anger on, and then looked at the equally perplexed little wolf, only to find that the other party also didn't know who had offended the highest-ranking ancestor in this small group. Just as they were at a loss for what to do, Lei Shuo came over and secretly glanced at the ball's back before leaning against He Lianuo's ear and whispering: "The ball is angry because you guys threw it on the mountain top and ran down to play by yourselves!"

  He Lian Nuo suddenly realized that she had been too excited at the top of the mountain, and in her haste to run down and express her emotions, she had forgotten about Ballball, who must be angry with her for not being considerate enough.

  He Lianuo looked at Xiao Lang helplessly, her eyes clearly saying "Think of a solution quickly, you're involved in this too!", but unexpectedly Xiao Lang just shrugged indifferently, made a gesture as if wrapping himself around me, and walked away with the turtle towards Qiuqiu who was facing away from everyone.

  He Lianuo and Lei Shuo curiously stared at the confident little wolf, their eyes wide with anticipation to see what tricks it had up its sleeve to comfort the injured Qiuball.