Amid Old Man Sun's stunned gaze, Li Qing hefted the enormous tiger onto his shoulder in one motion.
Just as he was about to leave, his sharp ears suddenly caught a faint rustling from within the tiger's den.
"Hmm?"
Li Qing turned around and looked toward the source of the sound. Among the pile of tiger cubs crushed to death by the giant python, one seemed to still have a spark of life.
Carrying the great tiger, he walked over and saw that among the flattened litter of cubs, one was indeed still alive, though its breath had already grown weak.
If he simply abandoned it, the tiger cub would certainly not survive.
Li Qing frowned at the round-headed little tiger, not knowing what to do with it.
Just as he was wrestling with the decision, the little tiger nudged its head forward and struggled to crawl toward Li Qing.
Li Qing, carrying the tiger at the time, was covered in the scent of the mother tiger, making this little tiger, which had only just opened its eyes, feel particularly close to him.
He sighed and said, "Sigh, your mother tiger broke a hind leg while fighting the giant python. She could not have survived anyway. I merely ended her life a little sooner."
"I'll take you with me. I only hope you won't bear a grudge against me once you grow up."
Saying this, Li Qing took off his iron armor, then reached out with one hand and placed the little tiger inside the clothes over his chest.
"Awoo!"
The tiger cub poked its head out and gave a soft, babyish cry.
With one large tiger and one small tiger in tow, Li Qing headed back.
Old Man Sun, hiding behind a tree, repeatedly praised him. "Little brother, you're