Black Mountain lay in the cage, resting his chin on a bear paw as he gazed toward the mountainside.
"Old Cat, do you think that man... will come storming in?"
Red Wind lazily licked his paw. "So what if he does? There's the contr-"
Before he could finish.
Bang!!!
The courtyard gate went flying.
Zhou Yuan charged in like a cannonball, one hand clamped around Elder Xu's throat, the other pointing at his nose, his face flushed scarlet.
"You. Old. Dog. Xu!!!"
Elder Xu's eyes rolled back under his grip, but he stubbornly forced a smile. "J-Junior Brother Zhou... we can talk this out..."
"Talk this out, my ass!"
Zhou Yuan slammed him to the ground, his chest heaving.
"Explain yourself! What the hell is going on with that contract?!"
Elder Xu climbed off the ground and dusted himself off, looking utterly innocent.
"It's just an ordinary spirit herb supply contract. You read it yourself, Junior Brother Zhou."
"Then why is there something extra in my head?!"
Zhou Yuan's voice cracked. "'Lord Black Mountain is always right'?!"
"Who the fuck is Black Mountain!?"
Elder Xu took a step back and cautiously pointed at the cage.
"That... would be Fellow Daoist Black Mountain."
Zhou Yuan followed his finger.
Inside the cage, a black bear grinned at him, revealing two large bear teeth.
"Hi~"
Black Mountain waved a bear paw, looking friendly.
Zhou Yuan froze.
"...A bear?"
Black Mountain nodded. "Yours truly."
Zhou Yuan whipped his head toward Elder Xu, his eyes reddening. "You fucking... made me a bear's human pet?!"
Elder Xu spread his hands. "Junior Brother Zhou, that's a bit... what's wrong with bears? Bears have dignity too."
"You mother-!"
Zhou Yuan lunged at him.
But before he could take half a step, a buzz rang through his mind.
The