### Chapter 36: The Real Demons Outside Linjiang City - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 36: The Real Demons Outside Linjiang City **[Following the envious gazes of others, you leave the cell with the bandits, who realize that your life has been spared.]** **[These young masters and mistresses have all tasted your culinary skills and are aware of your cooking prowess.]** **[Guo Lin watches your departing figure, feeling a sense of unease in her heart.]** **[You are taken by the bandits to their dining area. As soon as you arrive, the bandit's second-in-command barks an order.]** "Stupid Qiang, why did you bring him here?" **[The bandit named Qiang quickly explains the situation to the others.]** "This person claims to be a cook and makes delicious food, so I brought him along." **[Hearing Qiang's explanation, the other bandits are skeptical but decide to test your skills.]** **[Hearing this, you dare not be careless and swiftly head to the cooking area to get busy.]** **[The bandits' dining and cooking areas are combined, but there is a lack of quality ingredients—only carrots, wild rabbits, wild mountain chickens, etc.]** **[The only seasoning available is a large jar of salt, lacking any other spices, soy sauce, or vinegar.]** **[However, with your "God of Cooking" talent, you can often turn simple ingredients into something extraordinary.]** **[Soon, you concoct a pot of soup, and its strange aroma draws the attention of all the bandits.]** **[After tasting it, the bandits are astounded; with such simple ingredients, you have created such delightful flavor.]** **[Quickly, the pot of soup is devoured by over thirty bandits, who even end up fighting over it.]** **[After the meal, the bandits' gazes toward you change; nothing is more valuable after a day's labor than a delicious meal.]** **[From then on, your status in Black Wind Camp improves significantly.]** **[The bandits acknowledge you and agree to let you join their ranks.]** **[With your culinary skills, you uncover a secret of Black Wind Mountain.]** **[The supposed chiefs have no real control over the bandits; the true master is the mountain's mysterious owner, known only as Black Wind King.]** **[One bandit confides in you that this Black Wind King might not be human at all.]** **[He claims to have witnessed Black Wind King transform into a massive black bear, biting off half a man's head in one bite.]** --- Darn! A demon! Upon seeing the scene where the bandits speak, Su Mo is startled. A demon called Black Wind King residing just forty miles from Linjiang City on Black Wind Mountain? Bear in mind. *"Romantic Life" is a perfect simulation of the real world.* If something doesn't exist in reality, this game cannot simulate it. If that's the case. Then a demon must indeed be residing in Black Wind Mountain! Moreover, this demon might come to Linjiang City at any time. Thinking of this. Su Mo feels his scalp tingle. He then recalls his previous simulation with Madam Huang, questioning if there were any demons involved. In conclusion. After reflecting, Su Mo vaguely remembers no rumors of demon-related disturbances in Linjiang City. If that's the case. Then perhaps he might be safer. Thus. Su Mo focuses intently on the scenes playing out. He believes this simulation is crucial. It could prevent many unforeseen events.   **[You ask why Black Wind King doesn't personally go to Linjiang City to capture people but instead uses bandits to do it.]** **[The bandits tell you that Black Wind King cannot leave Black Wind Mountain, as rules of the universe dictate that demons causing harm would summon divine retribution in the form of a thunderstorm disaster.]** --- Upon hearing the bandits' words, Su Mo lets out a sigh of relief. So that's how it is. But then he remembers his previous simulation with Madam Huang, where the outcome was being struck by lightning. Could it be that some celestial official couldn't stand his actions and struck him down? The more Su Mo thinks about it, the more plausible it seems. It seems one must be cautious in the future. Commits too many wrongs. And you really do risk getting struck by lightning. --- **[The bandits continue to tell you that Black Wind King devours humans to cultivate demon power, and consuming 999 humans will allow it to become fully human.]** **[He has already eaten 567 people, needing only a little over 400 more to complete the transformation.]** **[You are shocked to learn that the demon's ultimate goal in eating humans is transformation into a human.]** **[In the following days, apart from cooking for the bandits, you visit Guo Lin.]** **[With only half a biscuit and a bowl of water each day, Guo Lin has become emaciated.]** **[Thanks to your help, Guo Lin hasn't been fed to Black Wind King yet.]** **[However, as the number of prisoners decreases, you sense growing danger.]** **[It won't be long before it's Guo Lin's turn.]** **[Coincidentally, you find some croton seeds on Black Wind Mountain. At this moment, you choose?]** **[Option one: Grind the croton seeds into powder and add it to the bandits' food, planning to escape with Guo Lin and the other prisoners.]** **[Option two: Grind the croton seeds into powder and add it to the bandits' food, planning to escape with only Guo Lin.]** **[Option three: Discard the croton seeds and decide to stay in Black Wind Mountain, dedicated to cooking for the bandits.]** --- Faced with these three choices, Su Mo thinks carefully. The third option is out of the question as he is no masochist, and he's had enough of cooking day after day. Rescuing everyone in the first option is beyond his capability; too many people would hinder movement. It might even attract the bandits' attention. Therefore, the second option seems best. **[You chose the second option.]** **[You grind the croton seeds into powder and add them to the bandits' food. While they’re busy with stomach trouble, you steal the prison keys and grab Guo Lin's hand, ready to leave.]** **[Guo Lin has become frail and weak from hunger, the once-fitting dress now hangs loose on her thin frame.]** **[Holding her wrist, you notice her protruding bones.]** **[Unexpectedly, Guo Lin insists on taking the others along, refusing to leave without them.]** **[The other prisoners look at you hopefully.]** **[They yearn for you to take them along.]** **[Seeing this, you harshly slap Guo Lin. The slap is so powerful that a clear handprint remains on her pale, gaunt cheek.]** **[Guo Lin is stunned, never expecting you, her devoted admirer, to dare strike her.]** **[Confronted by your dominance, Guo Lin finds her attraction toward you growing, allowing you to lead her out of Black Wind Mountain!]** Today's third release ends here; a plea for some monthly votes. Being blocked is really disheartening, and previous chapters had to be heavily revised. It feels like running into a slew of obstacles. (End of Chapter)