Volume One, Chapter Twenty-Two: The Great Horn

Mo De glanced helplessly at the ever-growing herd of giant-horned mountain goats behind him, rubbing his chin in resignation. According to his original plan, he only needed to lure away the small group on his team’s route, making way for the others to pass and thus completing his task. But he hadn’t expected to run into another squad of goats not long after, and then, spotting a few more figures below the next flock, he decided to go all the way and help them too.

The same scenario played out twice more. Mo De, turning to run backwards, counted the goats in pursuit—there were now more than seventy. The three leading goats, each larger than the average, surged ahead, leading the herd in a wild charge.

Estimating the distance he’d covered, Mo De realized he was now beyond where most students would likely pass during the autumn hunt. He planned to accelerate and shake off the now-enraged, half-crazed goats at his heels.

But suddenly, he sensed the ground trembling not only behind him but ahead as well—something else was approaching. Fixing his eyes forward, he saw two disheveled figures scrambling desperately in his direction, pursued by a colossal beast. The creature followed at an unhurried pace, occasionally snorting as if urging them to hurry.

Even without counting the pair of massive, russet-yellow horns on its head, the beast towered over six meters high. Though it seemed to be trotting lazily, every hoof beat shook the earth. Mo De couldn’t help but marvel—this was a truly gigantic giant-horned mountain goat.

“Hero, save us!” the two fleeing figures cried out in delight upon spotting Mo De ahead. But in the next second, they froze, forgetting to keep running.

The reason was simple: behind Mo De, a rolling cloud of dust and a thunderous stampede gave him the appearance of leading an unstoppable tide.

Exchanging a look, the two gave a resigned smile, then clasped hands and embraced, as if preparing to face a destiny from which there was no escape.

“Run back!” Mo De shouted at them. The enormous goat behind those two showed no malice, but the herd at his own heels was a different story—each goat was bristling with fury, eyes bloodshot. To these creatures, the humans up ahead were more annoying than gnats—having already distanced themselves, yet now returning, mocking and taunting the goats as if they were made of clay?

The two, fingers interlocked and gazing into each other’s eyes, began kissing passionately, oblivious to all else.

“Oh, for—!” A string of expletives, which would surely be censored, burst from Mo De’s lips. Of all times, they had to feed him a mouthful of dog food now!

The giant-horned goat behind the pair was also momentarily baffled, unable to make sense of the situation. It had only come out to escort these two lost little ones back home, so why were its kin so frenziedly chasing another stranger?

The herd’s leader let out a piercing cry and picked up speed, unwilling to let chaos break out on its territory. The agreement with the beast-whisperer, brokered by the military, allowed the goats to live peacefully in these guarded mountains, provided they offered suitable trials to human youths. The deal stated that accidents not of the leader’s making would not result in retaliation, but the leader still didn’t want to see its kin taken away by the army for causing trouble.

At the leader’s cry, the madness faded from the goats’ eyes, but they found it hard to slow their momentum. In a flash, Mo De turned and dove straight for the herd.

He knew the goat leader bore no ill intent toward the foolish duo; all that remained was to help the little goats hit the brakes. Not wanting to reveal his identity, nor risk catching the two’s contagious idiocy, he didn’t simply snatch them away.

The leader, seeing Mo De charging into its herd, grew anxious and accelerated again. Just as it was about to reach the embracing pair, it leapt, landing heavily on the other side, and continued forward.

Lowering his stance, Mo De slid between the two leading goats, planting his feet firmly, bracing his back, and astonishingly halted their charge. With a twist and a heave, he flung both massive animals back into the herd.

The slowing goats behind barely had time to lift their heads before the two thrown leaders crashed into them, triggering a chain reaction—front and rear collided, and the entire herd tumbled into a tangled heap.

Meanwhile, Mo De found himself atop the third leading goat, helping it come to a halt.

The goat leader could only stare in shock. It didn’t bother with the tangled herd—it knew they were tough enough to survive rolling down a mountain with little more than scrapes. Its attention fixed on the human youth rising before it, uncertain: was this someone training with the others, a military agent, or perhaps a companion of the woman it had recently encountered?

The colossal beast loomed, looking down at Mo De, who climbed off the goat and raised his hands to show he meant no harm.

The leader shifted slightly, deciding not to pry. The less it knew, the less trouble it might invite. Even a being as powerful as it, rivaling a Second Awakening expert, had to rely on the military’s protection to enjoy a peaceful life with its kin in these mountains.

Ignoring the now-finished, overheated embrace of the foolish pair, Mo De decided to leave their safe return to the wise leader. Waving farewell, he vanished in a few swift leaps from goat and human sight alike.

The three sturdy goats were stunned. If he’d shown that speed earlier, what would have been the point of chasing him?

The leader, meanwhile, watched the direction of Mo De’s disappearance, ears attuned to his kin’s reports. Its massive, two-meter horns gleamed crimson-gold in the noon sun.

When the reports ended, the leader returned to the pair, who still clung to each other, legs trembling. Turning, it nodded for them to follow. Frightened but understanding, they squeezed each other’s hands tighter, determination lighting their eyes as they set off behind the herd. The leader, unconcerned, led the bedraggled flock and two humans back at a leisurely pace.

Halfway up Cangyan Mountain, Su Ziwen and the other two waited at the agreed meeting place for Mo De’s return. They’d thought he’d catch up quickly, but half an hour had passed with no sign of him.

“That guy didn’t really get into trouble, did he…” Wu Fan said, worried. “Hey, watch your mouth, don’t jinx it!” Ji Keqing shot him a look. Below, Su Ziwen quietly sat on a rock, scanning the possible routes for Mo De’s approach. Hearing the conversation, he remained silent, simply waiting.

Suddenly, his ears twitched. Su Ziwen stood up and instructed, “Pack up. We’re leaving.”

Ji Keqing and Wu Fan were puzzled, but then saw Su Ziwen point to an opening on the right side of the cliff: “He’s back.”

His voice was clear and calm, his tone certain.

Following his slender finger, they saw a dark figure racing toward them, stopping abruptly before the group. Mo De, a little embarrassed, scratched his head and gave a sheepish grin, “Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone.”

“I’m back.”