In a secluded valley, Ji Mo lay on a giant rock, using his arm as a pillow, gazing at the moon and feeling homesick, his mood melancholic.
The Iron-Eating Beast grinned foolishly, clutching its round, bulging belly, and found a patch of soft, dry grass, flopping down on its back.
Eat until full, then sleep, and eat again when full. Life was this happy and full of hope, wonderfully satisfying.
The little glutton was very content with its current life. If only this Chef Ji wasn't so violent and didn't flick its forehead, it would be even more perfect.
Niu Ben burped loudly, his face etched with conflict. The few brothers he considered his kin had all ended up in his belly, leaving behind only a pile of white bones.
"Don't worry, one day, this old Niu will avenge you."
Niu Ben patted his distended stomach, his old face flushing slightly, then secretly observed Ji Mo. Da Feng Novel Network.
He saw Ji Mo's eyelids drooping, slowly closing. Instantly, a look of joy appeared on his face.
"Excellent, this terrifying demon has fallen asleep. Perhaps I can take this opportunity to rescue Lord Ni Tie."
Niu Ben crept stealthily to the Iron-Eating Beast's side, poked its belly, and whispered in its ear, "Lord Ni Tie, that demon Ji is asleep. This is a great opportunity to escape his clutches. Let's sneak away."
Sneak away?
Why should I sneak away?
I've only just achieved a comfortable life, with no worries about food or drink. You want me to leave?
Go back to the ancestral temple to gnaw on rocks?
The Iron-Eating Beast rolled over and continued to sleep on its stomach, too lazy to bother with this brainless, foolish bull.
"Lord Ni Tie, while I cannot deny that the roasted meat made by Demon Ji is incredibly delicious, for the sake of freedom, anything can be cast aside. As long as you return to the ancestral temple, this old Niu will find you the best chefs in the world, bring you the finest ingredients, and make the most delicious roasted meat for you..."
Niu Ben chattered incessantly, racking his brains to trick the Iron-Eating Beast into leaving.
However, it had the opposite effect.
The Iron-Eating Beast was sleepy and couldn't stand someone babbling in its ear.
With a swift slap, it sent Niu Ben flying.
Clearly, the little glutton was angered. The slap was extremely forceful, and Niu Ben turned into a point of light, disappearing into the night sky.
"Careful, enemy attack."
A group of demon experts who were checking the situation at the demon realm gate happened to pass by. Seeing Niu Ben flying through the air, they were startled.
Without a word, they each circulated their spiritual energy, ready to unleash an attack together and blast the incoming intruder to smithereens.
Niu Ben, seeing dozens of glowing masses surging below and terrifying energy locking onto him, was filled with dread.
"My esteemed brothers, please do not attack. It is I, Niu Ben, leader of the Ancient Bull Demon tribe."
Niu Ben quickly shouted, announcing his identity.
Otherwise, if these people unleashed a concentrated attack, he would be as good as dead.
Upon seeing this, the group ceased their attack.
Niu Ben fell heavily to the ground, creating a human-shaped crater.
He struggled to get up, his head spinning, and felt a sharp pain in his face. If not for his thick skin, the Iron-Eating Beast's slap would have likely shattered half of his bull's head.
A tall and sturdy demon questioned, "Leader Niu, what are you doing? Are you trying to prevent us from going to the demon realm gate? We already know that the demon realm gate has opened, and we are going to investigate the situation and report it to the Demon Lord."
"Niu Ben, have you already reported the situation of the demon realm gate?"
Another demon, entirely black, spoke with an unfriendly tone. If Niu Ben had already stolen the credit, wouldn't he have come all this way for nothing?
The other demons and demon beasts all stared fiercely at Niu Ben, their eyes sharp and chilling.
No matter what, they couldn't return empty-handed. At worst, they would extort the Ancient Bull Demon tribe and bleed Niu Ben dry.
Niu Ben scanned his surroundings, his bull's eyes as wide as bronze bells.
Good heavens, these were all leaders or high-ranking officials from surrounding tribes and alliances, all at the Mortal Immortal realm.
"Excellent, so many free henchmen. It would be a waste not to use them."
Niu Ben's ugly face broke into a smile like a blooming flower, and he said in a sincere tone, "Brothers, your vision is too small. Reporting the re-opening of the demon realm gate is hardly any credit. Now, there is a heaven-defying deed laid out before you. If you succeed, you will surely be granted territory and titles, and you will be praised by all races."
"Granted territory and titles? Niu Ben, has your brain gone bad? What nonsense are you spouting? They say you are a simple bull, but I never expected you to be so cunning. Unless we can conquer the Xuanling Realm, how could we possibly be granted territory? Are you deliberately mocking us? If you don't apologize and compensate us, this matter is not over."
The entirely black demon snorted, completely disbelieving Niu Ben's tall tales.
At the same time, he seized the opportunity to extort Niu Ben.
The other experts felt the same way, believing Niu Ben was boasting. After all, his claims were too exaggerated, and each of them had their own ulterior motives, determined to extract something from Niu Ben.
The Ancient Bull Demon tribe was the weakest overall, merely a small tribe, so naturally, everyone dared to step on them.
"You bunch of scoundrels."
Niu Ben cursed inwardly, and at the same time, he decided to use these scoundrels as cannon fodder against Ji Mo so that he could leave with the Iron-Eating Beast.
He opened his mouth and said, "My esteemed brothers, please listen to me. I believe everyone should know that our demon race's totem divine beast, Ni Tie, has been missing for many years, its whereabouts unknown. We used to speculate that it had snuck into the Immortal Spirit Realm, but that is not the case. Lord Ni Tie has now fallen into the hands of a great demon and is even enslaved by him. If we can successfully rescue Lord Ni Tie and bring him back to the ancestral temple, wouldn't such merit be immense?"
"Is that true?"
"Niu Ben, are you telling the truth? You can't joke about such a thing."
In an instant, the expressions of the experts on the scene changed drastically. Then, seeing Niu Ben nod solemnly, their breathing became rapid.
Ni Tie was the totem divine beast worshipped by all demons, supreme and revered. If they could truly rescue Ni Tie, who had been abducted, the merit would be unimaginable.
Being granted territory and titles was secondary. If they could gain Ni Tie's gratitude and establish a relationship, the future benefits would be immeasurable.
Everyone exchanged glances, seeing the excitement and fervor in each other's eyes.
This was a pie falling from the sky!
"Brother Niu, what are you waiting for? Hurry and lead us to rescue Lord Ni Tie and escort him back to the ancestral temple."
"Yes, yes, Lord Ni Tie is the faith of my clan. I swear, even if I am shattered to pieces, I will rescue Lord Ni Tie."
"Me too, I am willing to sacrifice my life."
...
The demons were filled with righteous indignation, shouting and urging Niu Ben to lead the way.
They were blinded by profit and didn't consider understanding the nature of their enemy first, confidently believing that they were enough to sweep away all obstacles.
This suited Niu Ben perfectly. The less they asked, the better. If they knew that even Lord Ni Tie's head had been swollen by Demon Ji, they would likely chicken out on the spot.
Niu Ben led the way, guiding them towards the valley, secretly laughing, "You fools, be my cannon fodder!"
The one who will save Lord Ni Tie is none other than this old Niu!
He secretly rejoiced, thinking that once Lord Ni Tie was rescued, he would be the great hero of the entire demon race.
Then he would be granted territory and titles, praised by all people, and perhaps take a dozen more concubines, reaching the pinnacle of his bull life!
Niu Ben's excitement grew with every thought, so much so that he was about to burst into laughter.