Chapter 14: Unpersuadable

Ji Yuan, a blind beggar, was not their main concern. After he explained his purpose, they all became busy with their own tasks inside the temple.

"Thud," "Thud."

Two large burlap sacks were placed in the corner. Ji Yuan already knew what was inside, as he occasionally heard the faint sounds of pigs and sheep coming from them.

"Beggar, is this firewood yours? Can we use it? We'll consider it bought from you at market price."

The man with the tasseled sword called out from nearby. Ji Yuan, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to reality at the sound and quickly waved his hand, indicating they could use it freely.

However, Yan Fei just asked the question and didn't actually offer any money for the firewood. Ji Yuan wasn't foolish enough to press for payment either.

No one else paid much attention to the beggar in the temple. Some cleared the area, others started a fire, and then they all found places to sit and rest.

Even though he had almost concluded that this group was courting disaster, Ji Yuan didn't immediately stand up to point out the foolishness of their actions. They didn't seem bad, but they were far less enthusiastic than Zhang Shilin. What if he annoyed them and they refused to take him down the mountain?

He needed to observe, or rather, listen carefully first. What if they truly possessed great power and could subdue Lu Shan Jun?

Ji Yuan now calmed himself and listened intently to every sound made by the nine people. For instance, the metallic clinking of weapons being placed on the ground told Ji Yuan they carried many implements, and their steady breathing suggested they were indeed martial artists. Were the martial arts masters here like those in his previous life's reality, or could they scale walls and rooftops like in TV dramas? Could they deal with an enlightened tiger? Did they carry any talismans or similar items?

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

The fire was rekindled, and a new group of people gathered around it. Some took off their outer robes and hung them on wooden poles nearby to dry by the fire; neither men nor women showed much inhibition. It wasn't completely dark yet. Ji Yuan guessed their plan was probably to use bait to lure the fierce tiger out, but they didn't seem like they were about to set off immediately.

"People in Shuixian Town say the tiger menace has been going on for quite a while now, and it's eaten quite a few people," the woman surnamed Luo said softly, poking at the burning embers with a twig while hugging her knees.

Yan Fei carefully wiped the blade of his long sword with a cloth as he replied, "That's right. Of course, I don't think everyone who disappeared in the mountains was eaten by the beast; after all, the mountains are treacherous. What's ridiculous is that people in Shuixian Town are still spreading rumors about evil spirits."

Hearing Yan Fei mention this, a man with a ghost-head saber resting by his foot couldn't help but interject. "Exactly! When Yan Fei and I asked about the fierce tiger on Niu Kui Mountain, the people in Shuixian Town kept silent. It was an old man in a teahouse who, very cautiously, said there might be a monster on the mountain. Hahahaha, if there really are monsters in this world, do you think they won't appear if you just keep quiet?"

"That's absurd! Travelers still come and go through these mountains regardless!"

A man without any weapons added a piece of wood to the fire and said with a laugh: "Alright, alright. Since we've accepted the bounty, let's help them resolve this matter. If there truly is a demon, all the better! I, Lu Chengfeng, would like to witness it!"

"Hahahaha, well said!"

The others chuckled and agreed. Young and impetuous, armed with martial arts skills, they had come together on this journey precisely to display their ambitions and make a name for themselves in the martial world!

The more enthusiastically he listened to them talk, the lower Ji Yuan's hopes for this group became. It seemed they had no idea there was genuinely a monster on this mountain. Ji Yuan felt he should at least try to stop them, lest they fail to defeat the monster and he end up incurring its wrath by association.

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

"Cough, cough, cough... Are you gentlemen perhaps the brave ones here to hunt the tiger?" Ji Yuan asked tentatively after coughing a few times.

Hearing Ji Yuan's question, all of them turned their gaze towards him.

"That's right. We've taken on the county magistrate's bounty to eliminate harm for the people here."

"Ohh..." Ji Yuan responded with a drawn-out, meaningful sound. He tried to make it non-provocative yet intriguing enough to pique their curiosity.

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

"Beggar, do you have something to say?" Yan Fei instinctively asked, and Ji Yuan continued.

"Nothing special, really. I greatly admire you potential tiger-hunting heroes. However, one should plan before engaging the enemy, and the same goes for eliminating harm for the people. Do you gentlemen have a definite strategy?"

Ji Yuan tried to sound profound; as long as he acted vastly different from his beggar appearance, he would draw attention. Sure enough, the beggar had changed his demeanor. He spoke eloquently, and more importantly, his voice was deep, resonant, and full of vigor, suddenly giving everyone the impression that he was not an ordinary person!

Elders often taught them not to underestimate anyone when traveling. Yan Fei glanced at his companions, stood up, and took a few steps closer to the beggar. He carefully scrutinized the beggar again, then replied with a frown.

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

Ji Yuan paused, surprised. "Is that all? No other strategies or methods?" It seemed these people weren't even considering traps like digging pits or setting nets.

"We have all practiced martial arts since childhood and possess extraordinary skills. Although a fierce tiger is ferocious, it's still just a beast. With swords and blades in hand, attacking it as a group, how could we possibly let it escape?"

Alright, these people were not only cannon fodder, but also incredibly naive! Ji Yuan felt a little pessimistic. It seemed he still needed to put on an act. He pondered for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Hahahaha... hahahaha..."

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

Ji Yuan laughed softly and clapped his hands. "Excellent, excellent, brave gentlemen! However, I have a slight concern. What if what roams this mountain is not an ordinary fierce tiger, but a demonic creature that has gained sentience? Do you, esteemed sirs, have a contingency for that?"

"A monster?" "Is that true...?"

"People in Shuixian Town also said so!"

The martial artists narrowed their eyes, exchanged glances, and then looked back at the beggar.

"Beggar, don't try to be so mysterious!"

Ji Yuan had now relaxed a bit, watching them with an unchanging smile. His pale eyes made the nine people involuntarily fall silent.

"I know my words carry little weight, and offering advice rashly might only cause annoyance. But I have observed you for a long time and seen that you truly possess chivalrous hearts, capable of doing much for the common people. You should not sacrifice your lives here, so I couldn't help but speak."

A little flattery when giving advice was a principle Ji Yuan had learned long ago. Indeed, these words brought a subtle satisfaction to the nine people, though they managed to suppress it and not show it outwardly.

"Beggar... uh, we appreciate your kindness, but since we've accepted the bounty, we must do our best. I believe the talk of a monster is mostly exaggeration. If something truly unforeseen happens to us, no one else will be to blame!"

Yan Fei spoke righteously, and the others nodded frequently. Ji Yuan's praise had touched a chord with them. Yan Fei's words were practically their unanimous statement; after all, hadn't they come out to gain a reputation?

After saying this, Yan Fei cupped his hands in salute towards Ji Yuan again. "Thank you for your kind reminder!" He then returned to the campfire and closed his eyes to rest.

Well, seeing this group looking even more invigorated, Ji Yuan decided against further persuasion. Otherwise, he might become disliked by them and also cause a misunderstanding with Lu Shan Jun, leaving him in an awkward position. As for going with them to hunt the tiger, that was absolutely out of the question. Ji Yuan could only hope that his elaborate deception of Lu Shan Jun the previous night would have some effect.