The Unpersuadable

Ji Yuan, a blind beggar, was hardly the focus of these people's attention. After stating his purpose, they each busied themselves inside the temple.

"Thud."

"Thud."

Two large hemp sacks were placed in a corner. Ji Yuan already knew what was inside, because occasionally a pig or sheep's cry would come from within.

"Beggar, is this firewood yours? Can we use it? We'll pay you the market price for it."

The man carrying the Tassel Sword called out from not far away. Ji Yuan, who had been stunned, snapped back to reality at the sound and quickly waved his hand to signal they could use it freely.

But Yan Fei had only asked as a formality; he didn't produce any money for the firewood, and Ji Yuan wasn't foolish enough to press for payment.

No one else had any interest in paying further attention to the beggar in the temple. Some tidied the space, others lit a fire, and then each found a spot to sit and rest.

Even though he had almost completely concluded that this group was courting death, Ji Yuan didn't immediately step forward to correct how foolish their actions were.

Judging by their demeanor, they weren't bad people, but they were far less warm-hearted than Zhang Shilin. If he annoyed them, what if they refused to take him down the mountain?

He needed to observe first—or rather, listen and assess.

What if they really did have great skill? What if they could truly subdue Lord Lu?

Ji Yuan now calmed his mind and listened intently to any sound from the nine people. For instance, the metallic clatter of weapons being set on the ground told him they were carrying quite a few tools. Combined with their long, steady breaths, they were indeed martial artists.

Were the Martial Arts Masters here like those from his past life, or could they leap onto roofs and vault over walls like in movies and shows? Could they handle a tiger that had become a spirit? Did they carry talismans or something similar?

Ji Yuan was both worried and curious about what this group would do.

The fire was lit again, and the people warming themselves had changed. Some took off their outer robes and hung them on wooden poles by the fire to dry. Neither the men nor the women showed much awkwardness.

It wasn't fully dark yet, and Ji Yuan guessed their plan might be to use bait to lure the fierce tiger out, but it didn't seem like they were about to act immediately.

"According to the people of Shuixian Town, the tiger disaster has been going on for quite a while. It's eaten quite a few people by now."

The woman named Luo, sitting by the fire, poked at the embers with a branch and asked softly while hugging her knees.

Yan Fei carefully wiped his longsword's blade with a cloth as he answered.

"That's right, though I think not everyone who went missing in the mountains was eaten by the Great Beast. After all, the mountain terrain is treacherous. Ridiculously, some in Shuixian Town even spread rumors that it's a demon or monster."

Hearing Yan Fei mention this, a man with a Ghost Head Saber by his foot couldn't help but chime in.

"Exactly. When Yan Fei and I were asking about the fierce tiger on Niu Kui Mountain, the people of Shuixian Town all kept their mouths shut. An old man at the tea house even said, very cautiously, that there might be demons on the mountain. Hahahaha, if demons really existed in this world, would they not come just because you don't talk about them?"

"Absolutely absurd. Haven't Mountain Guests still been traveling through these mountains?"

A man carrying no weapons added a piece of firewood to the blaze and laughed as well.

"Alright, alright. Since we've taken down the notice, let's settle this matter for them. If there really is a demon or monster, that would be even better. I, Lu Chengfeng, would love to see one!"

"Haha, makes sense!"

The others laughed and agreed. Young, reckless, and skilled in martial arts, they had banded together on this trip to fulfill their ambitions and make a name for themselves in the martial world!

The more Ji Yuan listened to them chat excitedly, the lower his hopes sank. It seemed they had no idea that there really was a demon on this mountain.

Ji Yuan felt he had to at least try to stop them. Otherwise, if they failed to kill the demon, they might drag him into their misfortune.

The nine young martial artists seemed to have completely forgotten the beggar, so Ji Yuan had to get their attention himself.

"Ahem, ahem... Might you fine sirs be the strong men who've come to slay the tiger?"

Ji Yuan coughed a few times and asked tentatively.

Hearing this, everyone turned their gazes toward him.

"That's right. We've taken down the county office's notice and come specifically to rid the people of this scourge."

"Ohhhh~~"

Ji Yuan responded with a drawn-out tone, trying not to make it sound provocative while still piquing their curiosity.

As expected, the beggar's reaction made Yan Fei and the others frown.

"Beggar, do you have something to say?"

Yan Fei asked instinctively, and Ji Yuan followed up.

"Nothing particularly special. I truly admire you would-be Tiger Slaying Heroes. But just as one plans before going into battle, ridding the people of harm is the same. Do you valiant warriors have a strategy?"

Ji Yuan tried to sound as profound as possible. As long as he acted contrary to his beggar appearance, he could catch their attention.

Sure enough, the beggar had shed his previous demeanor and spoke with conviction. More importantly, his voice was deep, full of vigor, and suddenly gave everyone the impression that he was no ordinary man!

Elders often taught that one should never underestimate anyone when out in the world. Yan Fei glanced at his companions, stood up, and took a few steps closer to the beggar, scrutinizing him again before frowning as he answered.

"We've heard the man-eating tiger only appears late at night. We plan to use live pigs and sheep as bait in the mountains, lure the fierce tiger out at night, and then attack it together."

Ji Yuan was stunned.

"That's it? No other plans or methods?"

So these people hadn't even considered traps like pits or nets.

"We've all trained in martial arts since childhood and possess extraordinary skills. Though the fierce tiger is ferocious, it's still just a beast. With blades in hand and a coordinated attack, how could it escape?"

That settled it. Not only were these people walking into death, but they were also incredibly naive.

Ji Yuan felt somewhat pessimistic. It seemed he would have to put on a bit of an act after all.

He took a moment to mentally prepare before letting out a laugh.

"Hahaha... hahaha..."

"Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap..."

Ji Yuan laughed softly and clapped his hands.

"Good, good, good, fine Strong Men. But This Humble One has a small doubt—if the beast in these mountains is not an ordinary Fierce Tiger but a demon that has gained sentience, do you all have confidence in dealing with it?"

"Demons and Monsters?"

"Is that real or not..."

"There were also people in Shuixian Town saying that!"

Several of the martial artists narrowed their eyes and exchanged glances, then looked at the Beggar.

"Beggar, don't try to mystify us!"

Ji Yuan had loosened up a bit by now. He kept his smile unchanged as he looked at them, his gray eyes making the nine men fall silent involuntarily.

"I know my words carry little weight, and speaking rashly to advise you would only invite dislike. But I have observed you for a long time, and I see that you all truly harbor a chivalrous heart—people who could do more for the world's common folk. It would be a pity for you to lose your lives here, so I could not help but speak up."

Slipping in a little flattery while giving advice—this was a Principle Ji Yuan had figured out long ago.

Sure enough, the nine men felt a secret satisfaction in their hearts, though they kept their faces composed and did not show it.

"Beggar... er, sir, we appreciate your goodwill. But since we have taken down the notice, we naturally must give it our best effort. As for the matter of Demons and Monsters, I believe it is mostly hearsay. If we truly meet with misfortune, we have no one else to blame!"

Yan Fei spoke with righteous conviction, and the others nodded in agreement. Ji Yuan's praise had scratched an itch in their hearts, and Yan Fei's words essentially voiced the consensus of the group—wasn't the whole point of coming out to win themselves a reputation?

Having said this, Yan Fei cupped his hands toward Ji Yuan.

"Thank you, sir, for the kind reminder!"

Then he returned to the campfire and closed his eyes to rest.

Well then. Seeing this group looking even more fired up, Ji Yuan decided to stop trying to persuade them. Otherwise, he might end up annoying them on one side and causing misunderstandings with Lord Lu on the other—caught in the middle with no one on his side.

As for joining them to fight the tiger, that was absolutely out of the question. Ji Yuan could only hope that his earlier rambling bluff to Lord Lu the night before had some effect.

Begging for collections and Recommendation Tickets!!!