Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – Mo Shan

Mo Shan was a Monster Hunter at the eighth level of Qi Refinement. He survived by slaying Monster Beasts and harvesting their valuable parts for sale. While the title sounded prestigious, the reality of his profession was grueling and fraught with extreme peril.

In the Cultivation World, the majority of Monster Beasts possessed strength that far eclipsed human Cultivators, making them incredibly difficult targets to bring down.

Standard practice required a coordinated team of five to ten Cultivators of the same rank to hunt a single Monster Beast, and even then, victory was never certain. Even when successful, the battle often ruined the most precious materials, which lowered the amount of Spirit Stones they fetched at market. Once the kill was sold, the earnings were split based on each person's effort, leaving everyone with only a meager profit.

Should a hunter sustain injuries, the high cost of healing Pills could easily wipe out their earnings, leading to a financial loss. Furthermore, a severe wound often meant the end of one's career in Monster Hunting entirely.

Mo Shan was a Body Cultivation practitioner with a tall, robust frame and a heroic, sharp-featured countenance. Although he was relatively young for a Cultivator and had not yet reached middle age, his face bore the weathered marks of a man who spent his life battling beasts and enduring the elements.

Upon returning to his residence, Mo Shan dropped his heavy blade and a bundle of unidentified Monster Beast hide from his shoulder, finally exhaling a long sigh of relief.

His outer robes were shredded and stained with blood—some of it fresh and bright, some old and dark. It was a grim mixture of beast blood and the blood of himself or his teammates.

Watching him, Mo Hua silently realized that the hunt must have been a disaster.

Mo Shan’s brow was tightly knit, his expression heavy and grim. Combined with his blood-soaked attire, he projected a fierce and intimidating aura.

However, this hardness melted away the moment he entered his home and saw his wife. It was as if a battle-worn general had finally returned from the front lines and stripped off his scarred, heavy armor.

Though his voice was raspy from exhaustion, Mo Shan asked softly, “Is everything alright at home?”

Liu Ruhua began organizing his gear while grabbing a fresh towel to clean his face. “Everything is fine here, do not worry yourself.”

Observing the grime and fatigue etched into his features, she added softly, “You truly must be more careful when you are away.”

Mo Shan offered a small smile and scanned the room. “Is Huar back?”

“He arrived yesterday. His Sect has started the new year’s break, so he is likely still fast asleep. I will go wake him; he will be thrilled to see you.”

Mo Shan looked down at his bloodied clothes and his various wounds, stopping her. “Let him rest. Cultivation at the Sect is a heavy burden as well. I will bathe first, apply some medicinal herbs, and get out of these rags.”

Liu Ruhua nodded in agreement. “Very well, but you must eat something first.”

Having traveled through the night, Mo Shan was famished.

Liu Ruhua was a skilled cook, and despite the simplicity of the meal, Mo Shan ate with a ravenous appetite.

While out on hunts, he frequently slept on the cold ground and went hungry, surviving on dry rations and the occasional Fasting Pill. Sitting here, eating his wife’s food, he felt the weight of his hardships and fatigue begin to dissolve.

Mo Shan finished a large bowl of thick, fragrant congee and let out a deep sigh. Noticing the bloodstains on his sleeves, Liu Ruhua asked worriedly, “Was someone hurt during this trip?”

Mo Shan sighed heavily. “Three were injured, and Old Chu is in critical condition.”

He began to explain what had happened during the hunt:

“Our team of eight was tracking a wolf Demon over three feet tall. We had it trapped and intended to wear down its demonic power before finishing it off. Out of nowhere, another Monster Hunting Team appeared—mostly rookies who hadn't seen real combat. They tried to swoop in and steal the kill, but their recklessness resulted in two of them being devoured alive by the beast…”

“After that monster gorged on human flesh and replenished its blood qi, it went into a frenzy. Old Chu and I had to burn through all our spiritual power to finally kill it, but the cost was high. Old Chu lost an arm and suffered massive blood loss. His vital energy is badly damaged; I doubt he can ever hunt again…”

With a bitter tone, Mo Shan continued, “Old Chu has a child only two years old, and his wife only makes a little money growing produce. Now that he is mangled, he needs a mountain of Spirit Stones for medical care. Even if he survives, I don't know how the three of them will get by.”

Liu Ruhua sighed in sympathy. “Our family has struggled before, and even though Old Chu wasn't rich, he still lent us Spirit Stones. We have some savings; let's give them to him for now so he can at least get his wounds treated.”

Mo Shan nodded. “The wolf demon’s remains haven't been sold yet, but they should bring in about three hundred Spirit Stones. We’ll give Old Chu a larger portion of the share and lend him extra to help him survive this. It’s just that…”

Mo Shan felt a wave of guilt. “I had hoped that after this hunt, we would have enough for Huar’s Sect expenses for next year. But now, with this situation…”

Liu Ruhua took his hand comfortingly. “The safety of the family is what matters most. We can always earn more Spirit Stones. I’ve saved some from my work in the tavern kitchen, and we can borrow the rest. It won't stop Huar from continuing his cultivation studies next year.”

Mo Shan looked at his wife in silence. Her once youthful face showed signs of weariness, and his heart ached with regret.

“You should probably stop working in that kitchen. That heat is bad for your heart and lungs, and it can harm your Meridians. Next year, I will find more partners, hunt more beasts, and earn more Spirit Stones so you don't have to toil like this.”

Liu Ruhua smiled with a touch of pride and pointed to the hairpin in her hair. “What do you think of this?”

Mo Shan hadn't noticed it initially, but looking closer, he saw it wasn't her usual ornament.

“This hairpin is...?”

“Huar gave it to me. He called it a fire-resistant hairpin. It blocks the heat from the stoves. When I wear it, my heart, lungs, and Meridians feel much cooler.”

“Huar is a good lad.”

Mo Shan felt a mix of pride and shame. “As your husband, I haven't given you a proper gift in so many years...”

Liu Ruhua laughed softly. “Huar is your son, so a gift from him is the same as one from you.”

Mo Shan gave a self-deprecating laugh. “In the world of cultivation, people always talk about the Dao and fate. I suppose my greatest fortune was marrying you and having such a sensible son like Huar!”

Liu Ruhua gave him a playful, mocking look, unable to hide her amusement.

Seeing his wife's smile, Mo Shan resolved to find more skilled hunters next year and find a way into the Inner Mountain. He would slay more beasts and earn enough Spirit Stones to ensure his wife didn't have to suffer and his son would have a bright future.

Inside the house, Mo Hua had overheard the entire conversation. The boy let out a quiet sigh.

He hadn't realized how much his parents were sacrificing in this difficult life of cultivation. In any world, it seemed the burdens parents carried were always heavier than their children could ever guess.

Even Cultivators had to slave away for Spirit Stones and struggle just to survive.

Cultivators and mortals might seem like different beings, yet their struggles were fundamentally the same.

Mo Hua contemplated this with a sigh, then a thought occurred to him: “Is there a way for me to start earning Spirit Stones as well?”