Chapter 722: Chapter 566: Return Home_4
Just like that, he brought Mo Hua all the way to a cave.
The cave was spacious and somewhat damp, and it didn’t seem like a permanent dwelling for the tiger, but more like a temporary shelter.
Mo Hua was a bit surprised.
A Big Tiger also practices “having more than one lair.”
It couldn’t really have become a spirit, could it…
The Big Tiger glanced at Mo Hua, motioned for him to wait there and then burrowed deeper into the cave. Soon after, it returned with about ten storage bags in its mouth.
These storage bags, both new and old, varied in design—some were even very exquisite.
It was unclear whether the bags were collected or taken from slain victims.
The tiger placed the storage bags in front of Mo Hua.
After a long moment of stunned silence, Mo Hua slowly began to understand.
This Big Tiger… was it repaying a kindness?
He had saved it twice, and it had kept that in mind, gathering these storage bags to offer as gifts when they met again?
Mo Hua felt unexpectedly moved for a moment.
He looked at the storage bags again, most of which were not ordinary, and their designs differed from those of Monster Hunters, so Mo Hua felt relieved.
Mo Hua took out some Kui Wood Wolf monster meat and tossed it to the Big Tiger.
The Big Tiger sniffed it, found it sufficiently fresh, and began eating with relish, seated with the meat held in its two front paws.
Mo Hua watched the Big Tiger for a long time, finding the sight quite novel.
It had patterns of white and mystical, with a “king” character on its forehead.
He had asked his father Mo Shan, Elder Yu, and some other veteran Monster Hunters, but never heard of a tiger-shaped monster beast .
Mo Hua also asked Mr. Zhuang.
Mr. Zhuang’s eyes sharpened, clearly knowing something but never said it outright—only commenting that “it’s somewhat rare, indeed unusual.”
To this day, Mo Hua still didn’t know exactly what kind of monster beast this was.
Moreover, it seemed that it truly didn’t eat humans…
And it was very clever…
Mo Hua watched the Big Tiger for a while longer, then shook his head, clueless.
He looked outside at the darkening sky and said to the Big Tiger,
“I have to go. In a few days, I’ll come to see you again and bring you some dried small fish…”
The Big Tiger clearly looked disdainful, as if it felt that its dignity as a Second Grade Big Tiger was being underestimated by Mo Hua.
Nevertheless, it did not refuse.
Mo Hua collected the storage bags and tucked them away.
After all, it was a kind gesture from the Big Tiger, it would be disrespectful to decline.
Plus, Mo Hua was quite curious about what the storage bags contained and to whom they belonged.
Afterward, Mo Hua waved goodbye to the Big Tiger and then began his journey alone, walking along the mountain path toward Tongxian City.
As he left the deep mountains and reached the Inner Mountain, the scenery became very familiar to him.
Memories from the past all surfaced.
Spiritual mines, the Qian Family, Big Demons… and the days when he followed his father to run up and down the mountains, getting to know Big Black Mountain, drawing maps, and setting up Formations…
Mo Hua couldn’t help feeling sentimental.
It felt like a long time had passed, yet it seemed like just yesterday.
The sky had completely darkened, so Mo Hua quickened his pace. Relying on his mastery of the Water Passing Step, he took shortcuts, quickly passing through the Inner Mountain, and arrived at the Outer Mountain.
Along the way, he avoided monster beasts, miasma, and poison marshes.
Then he trekked for several more hours.
By the time he reached Tongxian City, the night was deep.
The sky was dotted with stars, and the lights of Tongxian City were faint.
Mo Hua slowed his steps and as he approached the city gate, he suddenly stood still, as he saw a familiar figure waiting there.
It seemed that ever since she had news from the Monster Hunter, she had been standing there at the city gate, eagerly watching the distant mountain road, expecting the small form she longed for day and night to appear.
Even as the sun set and the night draped over her, she continued her silent vigil.
Waiting for her child to come home.
Mo Hua saw her, but she hadn’t noticed him; her face was full of expectation mixed with anxious longing as she stared into the distance.
A tremor went through Mo Hua’s heart, and his eyes became misty.
He ran toward the city gate like the wind.
Liu Ruhua, hearing this voice, trembled, turned around, and gazed fixedly at Mo Hua running towards her, feeling as if she were in a dream.
When Mo Hua reached her, she saw his face, which although slightly unfamiliar, was the face that haunted her dreams. His countenance was smiling, but tears could not help streaming down.
Liu Ruhua held Mo Hua tightly in her embrace, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.
“Safe, you’ve returned…”
Liu Ruhua’s voice trembled slightly, but it was soft, like a warm breeze.
Mo Hua’s eyes were glossy with tears, and he nestled in his mother’s embrace, nodding.