There Are Bad People on Shu Mountain!

Hearing this, Lin Chan froze for a moment, unsure how to handle the situation.

By rights, they had delivered the items and passed on the message, so the matter should have been settled.

Yet they had not even seen the Si Mu Tiger Demon, which was clearly rather strange.

Unable to make up his own mind, Lin Chan exchanged a couple of looks with Xu Chang.

Unfortunately, the situation was now too complicated. Their mutual understanding had not yet reached the level where a mere glance could convey the complex meanings in each other's eyes.

"Old Cui, could I ask you to step aside for a moment? My senior brother and I need to discuss something."

Lin Chan said apologetically.

"Old Cui shall withdraw at once!"

Old Green Monkey immediately retreated. Not only that, he waved his arm and called out, driving all the other little Green Monkeys away as well.

Once Xu Chang had confirmed that Old Green Monkey was gone, he immediately formed a hand seal and cut off the sound waves between inside and outside.

Only then did he speak.

"I've cast a soundproofing spell. We can talk now."

"Senior Brother, what do you think is going on?"

Lin Chan asked.

"Old Green Monkey consulted the Si Mu Tiger Demon, and only afterward did he learn of your friendship with the Si Mu Tiger Demon. That means the Si Mu Tiger Demon was not in seclusion just now, and it would be even more impossible for it to have entered seclusion in such a short time. It only means that it does not wish to see anyone right now. I'd guess something happened—perhaps it was injured and does not want anyone to see."

Xu Chang swiftly reached his conclusion.

"That was my thought as well. Then what do you think we should do now, Senior Brother?"

Lin Chan's guess was much the same as Xu Chang's.

Four Eyes probably did not refuse to see them because it did not want to, but because it could not. There was a strong chance it had been injured.

If it truly did not wish to see them, it would not have allowed Old Green Monkey to let them into the mountain and entertain them so lavishly.

Xu Chang pondered for a long while before saying, "The less trouble, the better. We've brought the items here. After handing them to Old Green Monkey, we should leave. Once we return to Shu Mountain, we can truthfully report the matter to Master."

What they could now determine was that Four Eyes had most likely been injured.

Though they did not know how it had been injured, the situation was surely unfavorable.

An injured beast least wished to expose its wounds.

Some secrets were not meant to be pried into.

If they insisted on seeing it, they might very well end up staying here forever.

After all, a dying camel was still bigger than a horse. Even if they each had hidden cards up their sleeves, who knew whether the Si Mu Tiger Demon did not possess even more means to fight to the death?

So it would be better to pretend they knew nothing and leave.

Though that would indeed mean they had not properly completed the task True Person Xuan Chen had assigned, their own safety was always the more secure choice.

"Then we'll follow Senior Brother's plan. We'll leave the items behind and depart."

Lin Chan nodded and said no more.

Fortunately, only the two of them had come this time, so they could quickly reach an agreement.

Having decided on their course of action, Xu Chang took out the items and gave them to Lin Chan, asking him to pass them on to Old Green Monkey.

"Old Cui!"

After Xu Chang dispelled the soundproofing spell, Lin Chan walked outside.

"I'm here!"

Old Green Monkey immediately came before Lin Chan.

"Since Great King Four Eyes is currently in seclusion, it would not be convenient for us to disturb him too much. These are letters from the True Persons of Shu Mountain's Tianquan Peak and Kaiyang Peak. There are also two Vermillion Fruits. Please pass them on to Great King Four Eyes, Old Cui. My senior brother and I still have matters to attend to within the sect, so we shall not linger any longer."

Lin Chan handed the several items in his hands to Old Green Monkey.

The moment Old Green Monkey saw the Vermillion Fruits, his eyes lit up.

These Vermillion Fruits could slightly purify a demon beast's bloodline and were quite beneficial to little demons who had just begun cultivation. Since the Si Mu Tiger Demon had no descendants here, these two Vermillion Fruits would ultimately fall into the hands of his monkey children and grandchildren.

"Once the Great King emerges from seclusion, I will certainly deliver them. But are you truly not staying for something to eat?"

Old Green Monkey received the items with a beaming smile.

"No need. Go back, Old Cui."

Lin Chan waved his hand.

After bidding Old Green Monkey farewell, Xu Chang took out the Floating Cloud Boat. Just as he was about to set off, dark clouds gathered in the sky. Lightning flashed through the clouds, followed by rumbling thunder.

"Junior Brother, the weather is truly awful. Why don't we stay at Cuihou Peak and shelter from the rain first?"

Xu Chang said to Lin Chan.

Under these circumstances, the Floating Cloud Boat would certainly encounter thunderclouds once it rose into the air.

Though he was at Foundation Establishment, he was still far from capable of blocking lightning with his body.

"Senior Brother is right."

Lin Chan nodded.

The weather had already been somewhat poor earlier. He had not expected the rain to arrive so quickly.

The two could only return.

"Esteemed cultivators, why have you returned? Did you drop something?"

A clever Green Monkey looked at them.

"A layer of thunderclouds has gathered overhead, and the Floating Cloud Boat cannot travel easily. We came here to shelter from the rain."

Lin Chan explained.

"Ah! Then please follow me, esteemed cultivators."

The Green Monkey led them back to the great tree hollow from before.

Upon reaching the tree hollow, the two sat cross-legged on stone chairs, meditating in silence without saying much.

Before long, torrential rain came pouring down, and everywhere was filled with the sound of rain striking leaves.

Suddenly, a massive figure appeared at the entrance to the tree hollow.

The two had already been on guard, and they immediately opened their eyes.

"Gentlemen, what unfortunate timing. It has started raining."

Old Green Monkey entered the tree hollow, not a single drop of water clinging to his monkey fur.

"Indeed."

Lin Chan nodded.

"Here are two gourds of Spiritual Fruit wine. Please have a taste."

Old Green Monkey took out two intact gourds from his hands.

These were gourd Spiritual Fruit wines he had brewed using a secret technique.

Lin Chan accepted them and set them on the stone table.

"Gentlemen, the Great King's enjoyment of seclusion has been disturbed by the thunder. Knowing that you have come, he specifically asked me to invite you over. Please follow me, sir!"

Old Green Monkey said to Lin Chan.

Hearing Old Green Monkey's words, Lin Chan was somewhat surprised.

Earlier, the Great King had refused to see him. Now he wanted to see him again—what was this about?

"Junior Brother, it is raining heavily outside. Don't let yourself get drenched."

Xu Chang spoke up.

Lin Chan roughly understood his senior brother's meaning: he was telling him to be careful.

"Sir, I can shield you from the rain."

Old Green Monkey said.

Lin Chan assessed the situation. Four Eyes had no reason to harm him, and it would not be convenient for him to fall out with the demons of Cuihou Peak, so he said, "Since the Great King wishes to see me, then I shall see the Great King."

Afterward, escorted by Old Green Monkey, Lin Chan arrived beneath a waterfall.

The waterfall had become even more turbulent because of the heavy rain.

"The Great King is in the cave behind the curtain of water. I will take you inside, sir."

Having said that, Old Green Monkey wrapped an arm around Lin Chan and carried him through the water curtain.

Beyond the water curtain was indeed a cave.

A faint smell of blood hung within the cave. The light was dim and shadowy, and at a glance, there was no sign of the Si Mu Tiger Demon.

After bringing Lin Chan through the water curtain, Old Green Monkey did not enter. Instead, he stood guard outside.

Lin Chan walked a few steps inward and saw a gaunt tiger that was little more than skin stretched over bones, its body drenched in blood and covered in wounds.

Yet even this skeletal frame was enormous, as long as two burly men laid end to end.

"Sir!"

The gaunt tiger raised its head and looked at Lin Chan. The eye-shaped markings above its eyes allowed Lin Chan to recognize it as Four Eyes.

Only, the wounds covering its body were horrifying to behold.

"Tiger King, how did you come by these injuries?"

Lin Chan sat cross-legged not far from Four Eyes and asked.

"Originally, I did not know the evil of my deeds. I ate humans as a matter of course and thought nothing of it. After hearing your words that day, sir, I resolved to turn over a new leaf. Yet I was often seized by the urge to eat humans, and it was difficult to overcome. So I smashed my head against the ground and rolled among jagged rocks to suppress it. Now, I have gone a full year without eating a human. I have also dismissed every last resentful ghost within my belly."

Four Eyes spoke with considerable pride.

Waves rose violently in Lin Chan's heart, but his expression remained calm as he said, "Excellent."

"Sir has now entered Shu Mountain. Congratulations on having your wish fulfilled."

Four Eyes offered his congratulations.

That day, it had seen Lin Chan heading toward Shu Mountain and had guessed his intentions.

"I owe this to your sincere repentance, Tiger King. It allowed me to obtain great Merit."

Lin Chan spoke calmly, though inwardly he found it ironic.

A vicious tiger that had eaten thousands of people turned from evil to righteousness, and every side benefited.

Only the thousands of dead were pitiful. At least half their grievances remained unredressed.

Though Four Eyes was now reaping the bitter fruit of its own evil, compared to those wronged souls, what did such injuries amount to?

Yet Lin Chan had received Four Eyes' favor many times, so he could not judge it.

Four Eyes had foolishly harmed others, but it had not harmed him. He had no reason to kill it.

Moreover, his strength was too weak for him to do anything.

If, that day, he had been a Nascent Soul great sword immortal, he could have ended this vicious tiger with one stroke and would not be suffering such torment now.

"This is what you deserve, sir."

Four Eyes said.

Lin Chan fell silent and said no more.

"Sir, do you think I truly have a chance to reform?"

Four Eyes asked somewhat despondently.

"Even a sinner of ten lifetimes has an opportunity to atone. Since the Tiger King sincerely wishes to reform, why not?"

Lin Chan continued speaking words against his heart.

Just as he had in that Broken Temple that day.

"Sir, you need not comfort me. Deep down, you want me dead too, don't you?"

Suddenly, Four Eyes changed its tone. It rose to its feet and walked toward Lin Chan with a ferocious gleam in its eyes.

Four Eyes had become so emaciated it barely looked like itself, and every step it took was slow. Yet each step seemed to land upon the tip of Lin Chan's heart, crushing him beneath its pressure.

Lin Chan opened his mouth to speak, but his throat would not move. He only heard Four Eyes speak one sentence with each step.

"I know that I was ignorant in the past and committed grave wrongs."

"But afterward, I dismissed the ghosts in my belly and did good everywhere."

"You people of Shu Mountain stirred up my evil cravings and made me wish I were dead."

"I sincerely sought reform. Why can't you tolerate me?"

"Since that is the case, then I shall be evil to the end!"

The Four-Eyed Fierce Tiger had reached Lin Chan. It opened its great jaws, about to swallow him whole.

Yet Lin Chan remained composed. He actually circulated his cultivation technique and began cultivating where he sat.

Suddenly, an ancient, weathered voice rang out beside its ear.

The Lin Chan before it transformed into the golden phantom of an Old Monk.

"Since I only have a few days left to live anyway, if my death can fulfill your life, then why not?"

"Stop eating humans!"

"When I eat humans, it is no different from humans eating birds, beasts, fish, and fowl. It is only natural. What is wrong with that?"

"Then... then eat more evil people instead. That could count as ridding the world of evil."

"Old bald head, you really do know how to eat. Evil people truly taste better."

"..."

"Old bald head, why is your spirit body growing fainter and fainter?"

"You angered me into it. That child last time—you should not have eaten him."

"The child of an evil person will grow into an evil person in the future. Rather than let him harm others later, it is better for me to deliver him early. Besides, this lets mother and son reunite in my belly. I have performed a great kindness."

"At the beginning of life, human nature is inherently good. How do you know what he will become?"

"This is my divine ability. I can simply see it. Your cultivation is insufficient, so naturally you cannot see through it."

"Why are you ignoring me?"

"Old bald head?"

"Great Dharma Master?"

"Holy Monk?"

"Alright, next time I'll listen to you. If you say don't eat, then I won't eat."

"Amitabha."

"That day, I had thought I could be like the Buddha, feeding a tiger with my own body and saving a living creature before I died. I never expected to unleash a demon instead."

"Bald old man, I ate evil men just as you told me to. You should call me the Evil-Crossing Divine Tiger."

"I, too, am an evil man."

"Old Monk, how could you be an evil man? You saved me and urged me to do good. Back then, hunger had clouded my mind. I was truly grateful to you. You're a good person, truly."

"I'm leaving. I hope that from now on, you will sincerely turn toward goodness!"

"How am I not sincere?"

"Old Monk, come out!"

"Don't play hide-and-seek with me!"

"This isn't fun!"

Turning back, the Four-Eyed Fierce Tiger seemed to see the Old Monk's shadow in the young Lin Chan. Its soul was violently shaken. It immediately snapped its huge jaws shut and took a step back in fright.

Lin Chan opened his eyes and looked coldly at the Four-Eyed Fierce Tiger.

His body had now regained its ability to move. He pulled out a small Jade Slip from within his clothes at his chest.

The tiny writing on it had vanished, leaving it utterly blank.

The Seventh Grade Merit from reforming the evil tiger was gone.

Lin Chan did not know whether that Merit had protected him, or whether the evil tiger's renewed violence had naturally caused the Merit of reform to dissipate.

"Sir!"

The Four-Eyed Fierce Tiger regained its clarity and hurriedly knelt before Lin Chan again.

It was kneeling both to Lin Chan and to the Old Monk.

"Why call me sir? I am now nothing more than a dead soul in your belly, an Evil-Aiding Ghost helping you commit evil."

Lin Chan said coldly.

"Sir, I haven't bitten down yet."

"It's only a matter of time. I have nowhere to run now. It merely depends on when the Tiger King wishes to eat me."

"Please do not blame me, sir! None of this was my intention. I never wanted to do this at first. I sincerely wished to reform, but the people of this world... the people of this world would not accept me. Even the heavenly way would not accept me."

Four Eyes hurriedly explained.

"Then eat me! Why say another word?"

Lin Chan put away the Lesser Merit Record again.

"Sir, do you know why I fled from Rong Country to this place?"

Four Eyes asked.

"The heavens are vast and the earth is broad. You know how insignificant and weak you are. You know that the Dao Alliance has true cultivators who can capture you at any time."

Having taken a trip through the gates of hell, Lin Chan simply treated himself as already dead. His mouth ran without restraint, and he hid nothing he wanted to say.

"What sir says is true, but that is not the most important reason. It is because someone from your Shu Mountain stirred my evil desires, leaving me to suffer in torment every day."

"Who in this world does not spend their days suffering in torment? If I could cut you down with one stroke of my sword, I would not have wasted so many words on you."

"Then what should I do? I want to reform, yet your Shu Mountain refuses to let me go."

Four Eyes glared furiously at Lin Chan.

"What should I do? You ask me about everything, so must I answer everything? There is only one matter now: either you eat me, or you let me go. No more needless words."

Lin Chan said shamelessly.

After saying that, seeing that Four Eyes did not react, he turned around on his own and leaped through the curtain of water, ignoring the tiger behind him.

Four Eyes had already regained its reason. It knew that if it ate Lin Chan, it would be doomed beyond redemption.

When that time came, not only would the Heart Demon lurking within it devour it, but Shu Mountain would likely send even more people to eliminate it.

Moreover, Lin Chan was no longer the ordinary mortal boy from that day. He had come this time as an envoy.

Shu Mountain happened to have no reason to strike at a good demon that had reformed itself. But if Four Eyes bared its fangs, Shu Mountain's Flying Swords would be no less sharp.

By sentiment and by reason, it no longer had an excuse to eat Lin Chan.

What was more, it truly did wish to turn toward goodness and had not committed violence for a year. This time, it had merely read Shu Mountain's letter and discovered that the consciousness of the writer of one letter was identical to that of the person who had once stirred its evil desires. In a moment of fury, it had taken out its anger on Lin Chan, who had entered Shu Mountain.

Four Eyes could only watch helplessly as Lin Chan dusted off his backside and left, not daring to say another word.

Lin Chan, meanwhile, followed the waterfall down into the water.

As he sank beneath the pool, Lin Chan thought of many things.

If the Merit was gone, then so be it. It had been Merit picked up for nothing in the first place, and he had not truly succeeded in reforming that evil tiger. Naturally, there was no Merit to be gained. The evil tiger was still the same evil tiger; his few words had changed nothing. In any case, he possessed the Merit Record, and his [Karma Eye] could identify evil men. He did not need to search bitterly like the other Shu Mountain disciples. This little bit of Merit would be cultivated back soon enough.

Besides, his grievances with this Four-Eyed Fierce Tiger had now been settled. If they met again in the future, he could simply cut it down with one sword strike. His conscience was clear.

From then on, his Dao Heart was clear and bright.

What Four Eyes had said instead—that someone within Shu Mountain had stirred its evil desires—

That was the key.

There were bad people on Shu Mountain!

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