143 - I’m Really Not an NPC

A dozen pairs of cow eyes focused in unison, as two people and a cow emerged calmly from the dense forest in the distance. On the left was a young girl dressed in green, whose pointed ears revealed her as a member of the demon clan. Behind the demon girl followed a gentle and obedient yellow cow, who exuded an air of utmost respect. But most striking was the white-robed girl walking nonchalantly on the right. Her features were as if painted, her skin like snow, and her demeanor was ethereal and otherworldly, as if she were an untouched fairy, causing them to avoid meeting her gaze directly. Fortunately, though the white-robed girl was exceptionally beautiful, she was not a member of their cow clan, and therefore did not provoke any physiological stirrings. One of the cows whispered, “Who is she?” “No idea, but she's incredibly beautiful. I dare say not even Yue Ling, the most beautiful woman among humans, could match her.” A gray-colored cow assumed human form and stepped forward, asking, “Hey, Huang Niu, where have you been?” Recognizing him as Hui Niu, an influential figure in the village of Huang Shi, Huang Niu answered honestly, “I went to the Spirit Spring Valley.” “Spirit Spring Valley?” Hui Niu responded incredulously, laughing, “No way you could have survived and returned from Spirit Spring Valley, given your strength.” “I didn't lie to you,” Huang Niu replied, sounding muffled. Hui Niu smirked disdainfully, “Fine, don’t say then.” “I can vouch for him; he's telling the truth!” Tu Niu walked over with a grin, casting a sideways glance at Huang Niu. “So, Huang Niu, did you get anything out of this trip? Did you understand the battle between Yue Ling and Shifang? Oh wait, with just your skills, you must have watched from miles away. Could you even see anything? Hahaha.” Abi's delicate face flared with anger, about to retort, when a cold voice sounded beside her. “Do you find it fulfilling to mock others?” As Tu Niu had been speaking, his gaze had constantly drifted toward the white-robed beauty. Upon hearing her speak, he smiled and asked, “And who might you be, fair human lady?” “Yue Ling.” “Yue Ling? Never heard of it,” Tu Niu chuckled, preparing to mock Huang Niu further, when suddenly his pupils shrank sharply. His expression altered drastically, terror etched across his face as he stammered, “You, you...” Spirit Spring Valley, the greatest beauty, the white long sword! It was her! “Ah!” “Yue Ling!” A fearful murmur rose around them, mingled with the hissing of breath being sucked in. All the cows retreated several steps in terror, only to timidly amble back again. If she didn’t tell them to leave, who would dare move? Yue Ling’s icy gaze swept over them, causing the cows to lower their heads in fear. This was Yue Ling, a top human expert on par with the demon lord Shifang. To them, she was a legendary figure they’d never expect to meet in their lives. With a mere wave of her hand, they could all be obliterated. In their panic, Yue Ling’s calm voice echoed, “You may be humble as dust, but never warped like a maggot.” The cows froze, their minds buzzing, their faces flushing crimson. Content in being humble, mocking bravery—they were indeed maggots, weren’t they? Yue Ling turned her attention to Huang Niu and asked, “Where is he?” Huang Niu, face awash with excitement and gratitude, replied internally, Yue Ling addressing me! She must usually be too aloof to engage with others, right? “He’s at Huang Shi Mountain; I'll lead you there!” Tu Niu’s expression of confusion and shame stiffened suddenly, and he looked up in shocked anger. “Huang Niu! What are you attempting to do? Are you planning to lead her there?” Huang Niu faltered, attempting to explain, struggling to find the words. “I, I…” Yue Ling glanced at him, her tone detached. “I’m forcing him.” Tears welled up in Huang Niu’s eyes; Yue Ling is so wonderful to me, so considerate! I’d die for her! Tu Niu raged, “Even if it means death, you must not lead her there!” Confronted by Tu Niu’s sudden defiance, Yue Ling was momentarily speechless. Originally stirred by past memories, she hadn’t intended to put herself in harm's way. Not wishing to waste words on them, she had thought that since Huang Tu Zhi Zhu was there, a simple greeting with one of his subordinates to give Huang Niu some face wouldn’t be a problem. But now it seemed Huang Tu Zhi Zhu’s situation was far from simple. Ignoring further confrontation, she vanished with Huang Niu from where they stood. The cows, panicked, cried out, “No good! Quickly, help! Huang Tu Lao Zhuo mustn't be disturbed!” Standing before the expansive stretch of the majestic Huang Shi Mountains, Yue Ling’s heart brimmed with curiosity. Why would the supreme Huang Tu Zhi Zhu, the Demon Lord, be in such a remote location? Could something have happened to him? The Yellow Stone Gorge, nestled between two cliffs, was flanked by sheer walls a thousand meters high, spanning fifty meters wide and descending into unknown depths. The Wind Spirit Cat, known for having the sharpest hearing in the demon realm and an exceptional ability to remain hidden, though their strength was generally low, made them ideal for reconnaissance and alertness. From within a shrub several hundred meters away from the entrance to the Yellow Stone Gorge, a pair of bright green eyes lay deeply concealed, unblinkingly watching the gorge's mouth. Liu Meng, aged fourteen, hailed as the most talented of the younger generation within the Wind Spirit Cat family, held unwavering faith in her concealment abilities. Assigned such an important duty by Huang Tu Lao Zhu, she vowed to dedicate herself entirely to the task and would not overlook any suspicious figure. Confident that none but the Nine Demon Lords could detect her whereabouts, she was suddenly tapped lightly on the shoulder. Startled, Liu Meng’s fur bristled, and she leaped several dozen meters away in a single bound, her thin, straight tail standing upright as she exclaimed, “Who!” Turning back in alarm, she found a white-robed girl smiling gently at her, “Sorry, did I scare you?” Still visibly shaken, Liu Meng felt a dampness between her legs, caught between embarrassment and fear. “Who… who are you?” The girl smiled softly, “A friend of Huang Tu Zhi Zhu, call me Yue Ling.” Stunned, Liu Meng blurted out, “You’re Huang Tu Lao Zhu's girlfriend?” Yue Ling’s smile stiffened, her tone cooled. “Friend.” Liu Meng snorted arrogantly, “Impossible! Huang Tu Lao Zhu never befriends humans. You must be sent by Hong Yi Lao Zhu.” “Hong Yi Lao Zhu?” Yue Ling’s brow furrowed slightly. Preferring to avoid stirring up trouble, she suggested, “Could you report to Huang Tu Zhi Zhu that Yue Ling wishes to see him?” Within, Liu Meng mused, This 'Yue Ling' must be trying to probe the lord's condition—definitely Hong Yi Lao Zhu’s minion. Feigning indifference, she replied coldly, “Huang Tu Lao Zhu isn’t here. Go look elsewhere.” Who would believe that? Yue Ling sensed the oddity increasingly. If Huang Tu Zhi Zhu was indeed here, would he really be this cautious? What was this stubborn stone up to? Recognizing the vigilance in Liu Meng’s demeanor, Yue Ling realized it would be difficult to convince her. Smiling, she shook her head, murmured a silent apology within, and suddenly disappeared from sight.