An Unusual Person, Mister Ji

The Tiger Spirit Lord Lu did not leap again, simply pacing step by step toward the remaining five, the beastly snarl at the corner of his mouth pressing down like a boulder on their hearts, making it hard for Lu Chengfeng and the others to breathe.

This was simply not something they could contend with by force. Thinking back to the tiger's eerie movements just now, and comparing them to their own body techniques and lightness skills, they felt self-aware that even fleeing would be extremely uncertain!

Lord Lu's beastly growls grew heavier, his gaping tiger's mouth revealing long fangs, the demonic aura coiling around Lu Chengfeng and the others, manifesting as an overwhelming sense of pressure on their bodies.

The pressure of facing an enraged tiger spirit far exceeded any encounter with a martial arts senior or famed elder. The remaining few lacked the courage to strike again, let alone spare a thought for their four companions.

"Dong dong dong dong dong..."

Lu Chengfeng's heart pounded, his breath rapid, his face covered in fine sweat, his mind going blank in that moment.

He was the closest to the tiger, close enough to smell the thick wild beast scent emanating from it.

"Creaking..."

As the tiger spirit drew nearer, Lu Chengfeng clenched his fists tightly, assuming the Lu Family Fist stance. He couldn't just wait to die; even knowing he was outmatched, he would fight back, believing his companions would do the same. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the other four already taking their stances.

"Heh... I've never seen a martial artist so young before. If not for the Master's teachings, I'd truly want to taste your flesh and see if it's better."

As the tiger spoke, it licked its tongue, revealing a look of Drooling with Desire.

"A pity, it'll be a feast for the mountain beasts."

Lord Lu had long seen that the five were only putting on a brave front, already terrified to the bone and on the verge of collapse.

But at Lord Lu's words, Lu Chengfeng's mind flashed like lightning to the beggar's words.

"Roar..."

As the Tiger Roar sounded again, Lu Chengfeng shouted at the top of his lungs, as fast as he could.

"We know Mister Ji!"

By the time Lu Chengfeng finished shouting and came to his senses, he found the tiger's head right in front of him, less than two fists away. He could even feel the tiger's breath.

"Mister Ji? Have you been to the Mountain God Temple?"

"Yes, yes!"

Lu Chengfeng dared not move his body, quickly adding in reply.

"In the temple, there was a beggar. He advised us not to go after the man-eating tiger, said the mountain tiger had long become a spirit... we didn't listen. But as we left, he told me if we were in dire straits, to say we know Mister Ji!"

Though trembling slightly, Lu Chengfeng still recounted the gist as fast as he could.

If Ji Yuan were here, he'd curse Lu Chengfeng out in his mind: I warned you, but could you not be so blunt?

The remaining five felt their lives hanging by a thread, barely daring to breathe as they waited for the silent tiger spirit's reaction.

"Whoosh... whoosh..."

The mountain wind rose and fell, as if reflecting the tiger spirit's thoughts. When its green-glowing gaze met Lu Chengfeng's again, the latter inexplicably felt the killing intent had diminished.

"Since it's the Master's words, I will consider them carefully. But I don't know if you're deceiving me. Take me to the Mountain God Temple to ask Mister Ji in person!"

Lu Chengfeng breathed a slight sigh of relief. As long as the one at the temple was still there, it should be fine.

With the tiger spirit's consent, the five quickly found their four severely injured companions, then carefully carried the wounded back toward the Mountain God Temple. This time, however, a Striped Great Tiger followed behind them. Though they couldn't see it when they turned around, they all knew the tiger spirit was not far off.

Yan Fei and the others were not dead yet. Their martial arts training from youth had built strong bodies; an ordinary person would have long perished. Though they coughed up blood now and then, looking dangerous, their internal energy had sealed their vital points. As long as they got medical attention in time, they had a good chance of survival.

Ji Yuan was still guessing whether the nine were alive or dead, whether they might succeed by luck. Then he heard the footsteps of the returning Tiger Slaying Heroes, and the soft tiger steps trailing behind them.

In an instant, it felt like ten thousand alpacas stampeding through his heart. Ji Yuan silently cursed the ancestors of those young heroes.

'Damn bastards, they brought Lord Lu here!'

Was Ji Yuan panicking? Yes, very much so!

But Ji Yuan dared not show it. After considering several possibilities, he decided his best bet was to maintain the demeanor of a Master.

When Lu Chengfeng and the others saw the Mountain God Temple and the still-flickering firelight inside, a strong hope surged in their hearts, and they quickened their pace. But a black shadow beat them to it.

The tiger spirit leaped from behind, clearing the disheveled young martial artists, and landed outside the temple eaves. The group behind froze, not daring to move.

Inside the temple, Ji Yuan was no better off. This time, he saw more clearly than before. In his blurry vision, he could faintly make out wisps of smoke-like substance emanating from the massive tiger.

Then, to the disbelief of Lu Chengfeng and the others, the tiger spirit reared up, its forelimbs making a bowing gesture.

"Lord Lu pays respects to the Master!"

Their eyes went wide, momentarily forgetting their fear. The tiger spirit was performing a disciple's bow to the beggar in the temple. Though clumsy due to its tiger body, the reverence was as strong as if taught by an Academy Master himself.

Inside the temple, Ji Yuan let out a huge sigh of relief. Looks like talking could handle this!

"Lord Lu need not be so polite. This person Ji is unwell, I hope you'll forgive me for not welcoming you properly."

"I dare not disturb the Master."

The tiger glanced at Lu Chengfeng and the others, then lowered its forelimbs, its tiger eyes fixed on the half-open, deep pale eyes in the temple.

"I have come with a doubt in my heart. I hope the Master can enlighten me!"

The tiger spirit did not mention verifying whether they were lying. Lu Chengfeng and the others naturally dared not interrupt, watching with a mix of curiosity and anxiety as they sat cross-legged, helping their injured companions regulate their breathing.

"Speak."

What else could Ji Yuan do? Not let him speak? He didn't dare!

"Your previous instruction gave me some insight. Cultivation is like being a person—upright in body, not doing evil; upright in path, not slacking; upright in heart requires clear thoughts. Tonight, these nine men set an ambush to kill me. If I were an ordinary tiger, I would have fallen for it. Since others harbor the intent to kill me, I can kill them without violating the path of upright body and heart. Why, then, did you leave a message to save them?"

Damn, you tiger spirit, does your comprehension have to be this strong...

Ji Yuan felt that his rambling from yesterday did carry that implication, but he hadn't expressed it clearly, leaving his words somewhat vague. He definitely hadn't articulated it as sharply as Lord Lu had understood it himself.

Now Lord Lu was asking why he should save them. He couldn't very well say it was because he was afraid no one would lead him down the mountain, but he had to give a proper answer, or the consequences would be hard to predict.

Ji Yuan, who appeared to be pondering briefly, was actually racking his brains. After much agonizing thought, he finally found a thread of an answer.

I don't dare hope for tips, but please bury me in collections and Recommendation Tickets!!!