Chapter 16: Strange Man Mr. Ji

The tiger demon Lu Shan Jun did not leap again but walked step by step towards the remaining five people. The fierce snarl on its muzzle was like a heavy stone pressing down on their hearts, making it hard for Lu Chengfeng and the others to breathe.

This was not an opponent they could possibly defeat. Thinking of the tiger's strange movements just now and comparing them to their own movement techniques and qinggong, they felt that even escaping would be extremely difficult.

Lu Shan Jun's growl grew deeper. Its open maw revealed long fangs. Demonic energy emanated, coiling around Lu Chengfeng and the others. The immediate sensation they felt was immense pressure.

The pressure of facing a tiger demon was far greater than confronting any senior martial artist or renowned figure in the jianghu. The remaining few surprisingly lacked the courage to attack again, let alone consider their four companions.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump...

Lu Chengfeng's heart pounded violently, and his breathing became rapid. Fine beads of sweat covered his face. His mind was blank at that moment.

He was the closest to the tiger and could even smell the strong, wild scent emanating from it.

Gritting...

As the tiger demon drew closer, Lu Chengfeng clenched his fists tightly and adopted the stance of Lu Family Fist. He couldn't just wait to die. Even if he knew he couldn't win, he would fight. He believed his other companions would do the same. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the other four had already taken up their respective stances.

"Hmph... This is my first time seeing human martial artists so young. If it weren't for Master's earlier teachings, I truly should taste your flesh to see if it's more delicious."

As it spoke, the approaching tiger surprisingly licked its chops, revealing a look of pure craving.

"What a pity. The mountain wolves will get a cheap meal."

Lu Shan Jun had already seen that the five were only putting on a brave front and were in fact terrified. This made them even more vulnerable.

Upon hearing Lu Shan Jun's words, Lu Chengfeng was jolted, and the beggar's words echoed in his mind.

Roarrr...

As the tiger's roar sounded again, Lu Chengfeng shouted out the phrase at the fastest speed and loudest volume he could muster.

"We know Mr. Ji!"

By the time Lu Chengfeng finished shouting and regained his composure, he found the tiger's head was already very close to him, barely two fist-lengths from his face. He could even feel the tiger's breath.

"Mr. Ji? You've been to the Mountain God Temple?"

"Yes, yes!"

Lu Chengfeng dared not move his body but quickly added to his reply.

"Inside the temple, there's a beggar. He advised us not to come after the man-eating tiger earlier. He also, also said the tiger in the mountain had long become a demon, but we didn't listen... But when we were leaving, he told me that if we ever faced an extremely critical situation, I should shout that we know Mr. Ji!"

Although slightly trembling, Lu Chengfeng still recounted the general sequence of events at a very fast pace.

If Ji Yuan had been there, he would have been cursing Lu Chengfeng internally for his utter lack of subtlety. *Yes, I warned you, but do you have to be so ridiculously blunt about it?!*

The remaining five now felt their lives hung by a thread, dependent on the tiger demon's whim. They waited, holding their breath, for the silent tiger demon's reaction.

Whoosh... whoosh...

The mountain wind picked up and died down intermittently, seemingly reflecting the tiger demon's thought process. When its green-glowing gaze met Lu Chengfeng again, the latter inexplicably felt that the killing intent had significantly diminished.

"Since these are Master's words, I will naturally consider them carefully. However, I don't know if you are deceiving me. Take me to the Mountain God Temple so I can ask Mr. Ji himself!"

Lu Chengfeng breathed a slight sigh of relief. As long as the person at the Mountain God Temple was still there, it should be fine.

After receiving the tiger demon's assent, the five quickly found their four severely injured companions. Then, carefully carrying the injured, they headed back towards the Mountain God Temple. This time, however, a large tiger with fierce, drooping eyes followed behind them. Though they couldn't see it when they turned around, everyone knew the tiger demon was certainly following nearby.

Yan Fei and the others were not dead yet. Their bodies, forged through years of martial arts training since childhood, were incredibly resilient. An ordinary person would have long since perished. Though they were being carried and occasionally coughed up blood, appearing very dangerous, their internal energy had sealed off vital points. As long as they received medical attention in time, there was still a strong hope of survival.

Ji Yuan was still wondering whether the nine were alive or dead and if they had managed to succeed by luck. Then, he heard the footsteps of the "tiger-slaying heroes" returning and the soft, stealthy steps of a tiger following behind.

A wave of exasperation washed over Ji Yuan. In that instant, he mentally cursed the ancestors of all the young martial artists.

*Those damn bastards! They led Lu Shan Jun here!*

Was Ji Yuan panicking? Yes, very much so!

But Ji Yuan dared not show his panic. After considering several possibilities, he still decided that he must maintain the demeanor of a distinguished expert.

When Lu Chengfeng and the others saw the Mountain God Temple and the still-flickering, unextinguished firelight within, a strong sense of hope arose in their hearts. They all quickened their pace. But a dark shadow was faster than them.

The tiger demon leaped from behind, clearing the several dishevelled young martial artists, and landed outside the eaves of the Mountain God Temple. The few people behind it instantly froze, not daring to move carelessly.

Ji Yuan inside the temple was no better off. This time, he saw more clearly than before. Through his blurred vision, he could vaguely make out wisps of smoke-like energy emanating from the colossal tiger.

At this moment, to the disbelief of Lu Chengfeng and the others, the tiger demon actually propped itself up and brought its front paws together in a gesture of greeting.

"Lu Shan Jun greets Master!"

The few people's eyes widened. For a moment, they even forgot their fear. The tiger demon was actually performing a disciple's bow to the beggar in the temple. Although it looked awkward due to its tiger body, the sense of reverence was as profound as if taught by an academy scholar himself.

Ji Yuan inside the temple let out a huge sigh of relief. It seemed he could handle this with just words!

"Lu Shan Jun, there's no need for such ceremony. I, Ji, am unwell. Please forgive me for not being able to greet you properly!"

"I wouldn't dare disturb Master."

The tiger glanced at Lu Chengfeng and the others, then lowered its front paws. Its tiger eyes turned towards the profound, ancient eyes, half-open and half-closed, within the temple.

"This time, Lu Shan Jun has a doubt in his heart. I hope Master can help me resolve it!"

The tiger demon didn't even mention verifying whether they were lying. Lu Chengfeng and the others naturally dared not interrupt. They could only observe the situation with a mix of curiosity and trepidation while sitting cross-legged on the spot, helping their injured companions circulate their qi and regulate their breathing.

"Speak."

What else could Ji Yuan do? Tell him not to speak? He wouldn't dare!

"Master's previous teachings gave me some insight. Cultivation is like being a person: upright in body, commit no evil; righteous in path, be not negligent; upright in heart, one's thoughts must flow unimpeded. Tonight, these nine people ambushed me, intending to surround and kill me. If I were an ordinary tiger, I would surely have fallen into their trap. Since others harbored intentions to kill me, I could naturally kill them without hindering my path of upright body and heart. Why, then, did Master leave words implying they should be saved?"

*Damn, you're a tiger demon, why are you so perceptive?!*

Ji Yuan felt that his blustering from yesterday did indeed contain that meaning, but he hadn't expressed it clearly, so his words were vague. He certainly hadn't intended for Lu Shan Jun to understand it so thoroughly.

Now Lu Shan Jun was asking why he wanted them saved. He couldn't just say he was afraid no one would take him down the mountain. But he had to give a proper answer; otherwise, the consequences would be hard to predict.

Ji Yuan, who appeared to be in slight contemplation, was actually racking his brain. After much agonizing thought, he finally found a clue for his answer.