Of course, in the end, the entire cake was still devoured clean by White Tiger. Chen Ji held a towel, cradling Grandpa White Tiger’s head to wipe the cream and cheese from the corners of his mouth. White Tiger lifted his head along with the motion, squinting his eyes in bliss as a deep, rumbling purr vibrated from his throat.
A true imperial purr.
Once Chen Ji had wiped him clean, he subconsciously leaned in and planted a firm kiss on White Tiger’s cheek—just like he did with the System Cat. White Tiger froze for a moment, then rocketed away, his massive body leaping to one side. Before he could even turn his head, a sharp cry of pain rang out: “Ow—!”
Panic filled White Tiger’s azure-blue eyes. He looked down toward the sound and saw that his right hind paw had pinned Chen Ji to the ground.
Though it was only Chen Ji’s waist that was trapped, he felt like he could barely draw breath. “Grandpa White Tiger… hiss…”
White Tiger immediately lifted his paw. Chen Ji rolled over, one hand pressing his shoulder and the other clutching his waist as he gasped for air. How had White Tiger launched himself like that? First, a paw had kicked Chen Ji’s shoulder, knocking him flat. Then White Tiger had shot into the air, landing with another paw right on Chen Ji’s waist and pinning him in place.
Seeing Chen Ji in such a state sobered White Tiger a bit. He crept closer with a guilty look. Chen Ji rubbed his shoulder and felt a fluffy body nuzzling against it. When he looked up, he met those azure-blue eyes.
Gritting his teeth through the pain, Chen Ji said, “It’s fine, Grandpa White Tiger. It doesn’t hurt much… hiss… See? Don’t believe me?”
Chen Ji lifted the hem of his sweatshirt, expecting nothing serious. Instead, a massive red paw print stood out clearly on his side, the texture of the paw pad visible in every detail.
Chen Ji stared at it himself, then looked up at White Tiger. “…Did you just kick me hard enough to break a bone?”
White Tiger silently averted his gaze, his tail drooping.
【It’s fine.】 The System Cat chimed in with the prognosis: 【Just a hair’s breadth from a cracked bone. How big a deal could that be?】
【Tsk tsk, you’re lucky you’re young.】 The implication was clear: if Chen Ji were a few years older, a fractured rib would’ve been unavoidable today. And if his luck had been any worse, that rib might’ve punctured a lung. Out here in these remote mountains, forget calling emergency services—you’d be better off phoning a funeral home to haul the body off to the crematorium!
Chen Ji chuckled wryly and reached out to ruffle White Tiger’s head again. “It’s okay, really. Just left a mark.”
This time, White Tiger didn’t dodge. He let Chen Ji pet him several times over. Chen Ji was utterly enchanted, with zero interest in holding a grudge—who hasn’t had a little mishap with their cat? Getting stepped on a couple times? What was there to complain about?
Tigers were cats too. They were just a bit bigger, that’s all! Why weren’t they considered cats anymore?!
The System Cat sent him a contemptuous emoji: 【Next time Grandpa White Tiger’s hungry and thinking of eating you, I hope you keep that in mind.】
【He won’t.】 Chen Ji patted the ground beside him. White Tiger hesitated for a second before his huge body circled around Chen Ji and settled down pressed against him. Chen Ji leaned back, and in that moment, life felt utterly perfect. Dreams, black shadows, being chased—screw all that.
White Tiger rested his head on his front paws. Chen Ji pulled out the Cave Abyss Scripture to keep reading. He didn’t have the energy to draw talismans right now, but he could at least memorize it by reviewing a few more times. Drawing talismans clearly took a toll on the body; before, Chen Ji could manage three Profound Penetration Talismans before passing out from exhaustion, but now even one left him collapsing. His strength clearly hadn’t recovered yet.
Chen Ji started with the Five Thunder Talisman again. It was powerful, sure, but insanely complex. It consisted of five parts: Marshal Yin of Earth Division Tai Sui, Marshal Zhou of Divine Might Exorcism, Marshal Zhao of the Golden Wheel of As-You-Wish, Marshal Zhang of Swift Flying Retribution, and Marshal Wang of Three-Five Thunder Car. The System Cat played the drawing video on loop for Chen Ji, letting him watch it over and over so he’d have a feel for the strokes when the time came.
Chen Ji traced the strokes in midair with his fingertip, getting familiar with the order. Suddenly, a paw covered the back of his hand, pressing it down firmly. He opened his eyes to see White Tiger shaking his head at him. Feeling the cool softness of the paw pad, Chen Ji asked, “Should I not learn it?”
White Tiger shook his head.
“Not draw it?”
White Tiger nodded. Chen Ji thought for a moment, then asked, “Does it drain my vital energy?”
White Tiger nodded again. Chen Ji smiled and placed his hand atop White Tiger’s paw. His fingers were slender enough, but they couldn’t fully wrap around the massive paw. “Thanks, Grandpa White Tiger.”
White Tiger silently withdrew his paw—only to place it right back on Chen Ji’s hand.
Chen Ji blinked. “Does Grandpa White Tiger have more instructions?”
Whoosh—White Tiger yanked his paw back as quick as lightning, pretending nothing had happened.
Chen Ji got it instantly. It was the golden rule of paws on top at work—even spirits couldn’t escape it!
Leaning against White Tiger, he stopped trying to practice and just visualized the strokes in his mind instead. For some reason, the image of Chang Xu’s chest pierced by the Red-Clothed Ghost flashed through his thoughts that day. He murmured, “I wonder how Chang Xu’s doing…”
Realizing his slip, Chen Ji looked apologetic. “I hear you have some grudge against Chang Xu. I shouldn’t mention him in front of you.”
White Tiger flicked his tail but didn’t respond, just staring at his own front paw as if something fascinating was on it. Chen Ji reached out and placed his hand on the paw. The next second, it was pinned to the ground, with a cat paw—no, tiger paw—covering the back of his hand.
White Tiger realized what he’d done and instinctively glared up at Chen Ji. Chen Ji relaxed against him with a smile. “Chang Xu’s a good guy. How could he offend you, Grandpa White Tiger? It’s strange…”
White Tiger turned his head away and closed his eyes.
Chen Ji chuckled softly and didn’t press further. He reached up and gently pinched White Tiger’s ear, feeling it twitch under his fingers—but there was no attempt to pull away.
【The construction crew will be here in an hour.】 The System Cat reminded him. 【Want Grandpa White Tiger to hide? Otherwise, they’ll be 99% sure you’re poaching.】
It wouldn’t just be poaching—they’d think this was a major operation. A tiger this tame? Had to have been raised from a cub. That took years. Years of this? Definitely a den.
No fifty-grand bounty for reporting, maybe, but five or ten grand? Easy.
Half an hour later, as Chen Ji was about to warn White Tiger about the incoming crew, the tiger’s head snapped up alertly. The next moment, he rose and headed inside, using his tail to shut the door behind him.
Chen Ji’s smile hadn’t faded when a voice called from outside: “Brother Chen? You there, Brother Chen? Coming in!”
Chen Ji went around to see one of the young men who’d come up the mountain with Xiao Wang earlier, hauling a large sack. Spotting Chen Ji, he greeted him: “Brother Chen, your package! Saw it was fresh goods, so I brought it right up!”
“This is too much trouble!” Chen Ji stepped forward to meet him, but the Little Youth didn’t hand over the sack. With his dark skin glistening with sweat under the sun, the Little Youth flashed a bright grin. “I’ll stick it in your freezer for you!”
Chen Ji didn’t argue—he really couldn’t lift it right now. After thanking him, he led the way to the kitchen. The Little Youth paused in surprise at the sight. It hadn’t even been a few days since his last visit, but there were way more small appliances now. How had Chen Ji hauled them up alone? This morning at the express station, too—with all those packages, he’d cleared out nearly everything in one trip. Everyone had just seen him carrying a few; no one knew how he’d managed the rest.
But no one pried into awkward questions, not after Xiao Wang’s family. Chen Ji was just some ancestral expert, a true master with real skills!
The Little Youth worked fast, neatly stacking the sack of fresh goods in the freezer per Chen Ji’s instructions. Chen Ji handed him a cold drink, which he chugged half of in one go. “Thanks, Brother Chen!”
Chen Ji smiled back. “I should be thanking you. No trouble at all.”
With nothing else to do, the Little Youth made to leave. Chen Ji walked him out, but the young man scratched his head suddenly. “Uh…”
“What’s up?” Chen Ji looked at him.
The Little Youth met Chen Ji’s deep black eyes and suddenly stuttered. “Brother Chen, um… you already know, right?”
Know what? Chen Ji picked up on it sharply but replied evenly, “Mm.”
The Little Youth looked mortified. “I figured… Brother Chen, Brother Chen just let it slip, all flowery talk… He wouldn’t dare.”
Chen Ji’s expression didn’t change. “Once words are spoken, they create karma. I can’t control that.”
The Little Youth’s face fell. He asked quietly, “So what now? Brother Chen really can’t stay in the village anymore? Or come up the mountain?”
Chen Ji replied calmly and mildly, “You don’t have to believe me, either.”
“How could we not believe you, Brother Chen?” The Little Youth mumbled, “Just didn’t expect Grandpa Mountain Lord to dislike it too… I’m just saying sorry on Brother Chen’s behalf. Won’t happen again… Next time we have deliveries, us brothers will take turns bringing them right to your door! Brother Chen was too embarrassed to say it himself.”
Chen Ji paused inwardly. “Got it.”
The Little Youth finally left.
Chen Ji watched his retreating back. Looked like Xiao Wang’s story had gotten twisted by the Red-Furred Fox.
What Xiao Wang had said up the mountain was probably aimed at him, just mentioning Grandpa Mountain Lord in passing. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be this guilty apology-by-proxy now… Proxy apologies only made sense if Xiao Wang assumed Chen Ji already knew what he’d said. Why apologize out of the blue otherwise?
Xiao Wang hadn’t dared tell Uncle Liu the truth but had spilled to his friends—so it was probably something private, not for elders’ ears. Involved Grandpa Mountain Lord… and he was living in the Mountain Lord Temple now, so it was natural to mention him then.
Assuming Grandpa Mountain Lord wasn’t some hot-tempered type, the words were ninety-nine percent unflattering.
Grandpa Mountain Lord looks down on… looks down on what?
Damn, it targeted him, private matter…
【Chen Ji~】 Second Master Huang appeared before Chen Ji, an arm-thick stalk of huangjing clamped firmly in his mouth. 【Chen Ji, what’re you thinking about? Your Second Grandpa scrounged up some supplements for you—hurry up and give him a proper kowtow!】
Chen Ji lowered his eyes to Second Grandpa Huang, who was no longer than an arm. He scooped the little weasel up without a second thought, plucking the huangjing from his jaws. Casually, he asked, “What did Xiao Wang say up on the mountain?”
【…Huh?】 Second Master Huang’s beady black eyes darted around. 【How should I know? It wasn’t anything good, that’s for sure…】
The first day Second Master Huang had helped him catch Red Fur, he probably hadn’t known a thing. But the next day, his words had been evasive—he’d told Chen Ji not to go down the mountain and mentioned something good that the little yellow weasels could take him to gather. At the time, Chen Ji had figured Second Master Huang planned to head down the mountain to find Xiao Wang’s family. He’d heard Xiao Wang’s family was in the hospital, so there was a chance he’d come back empty-handed.
Whether Second Master Huang had actually gone or not, Chen Ji didn’t know.
But by the second day, he must have already learned what Xiao Wang had said.
There were two possibilities for why he’d gone down: First, he’d followed orders from Grandpa Mountain Lord to seek revenge on Xiao Wang’s family for his sake.
Second, he’d found the words too offensive and, unable to stomach it, had gone down to take revenge himself on Xiao Wang’s family.
Which was it? Or maybe both?
Chen Ji stroked Second Grandpa Huang, his fingers trailing from the weasel’s ears all the way to the tip of his tail. Second Master Huang shivered in his arms, and Chen Ji smiled as he asked, “Was it about me? Something particularly nasty?”
Second Master Huang’s eyes went wide as saucers. 【Huh? How’d you know?!】
Chen Ji paused for a moment. “He wants to fuck me?”
【Fuck!】 Second Master Huang spat in fury. 【You knew?! That little punk’s got a filthy mouth—says with your looks, it’s a waste to stay cooped up in the Mountain Lord Temple. He called you a slut, said he’d find a chance to fuck you someday…】
Chen Ji’s expression didn’t change. “So that’s how it is…”
Second Master Huang waved his tiny paws wildly. 【Damn straight—if I’d caught him, I’d have killed the bastard on the spot! No matter what, you’re one of Grandpa Mountain Lord’s crew. If we don’t teach him a lesson, he’ll think we’re a bunch of pushovers!】
Chen Ji caught one of Second Master Huang’s little paws and held it gently. “No big deal. Don’t get mad… Good boy. He’s just talking shit. Didn’t you want to rip me apart before too? If I held grudges, wouldn’t I have to poison your whole family with some rat bait?”
Second Master Huang looked embarrassed and fell silent. 【Uh… well… ahem, we’re friends now—no hard feelings!】
Second Grandpa Huang was just too damn cute.
The System Cat chimed in: 【Just tell him he’s easy to fool.】
Second Master Huang had said “Chen Ji’s at least one of Grandpa Mountain Lord’s people,” which meant Grandpa Mountain Lord still held some real sway with them. So how did that square with Second Grandpa Huang chasing him down earlier? Or the events of the past couple days?
Logically, without Chen Ji’s permission, Second Master Huang shouldn’t have been able to enter the Mountain Lord Temple. The same went for a few days back—he’d been sleeping peacefully in the temple when some dream spell lured him to the back mountain. Things shouldn’t have been able to mess with him so easily inside the Mountain Lord Temple.
Or maybe the spirits in the mountain were split into factions—one loyal to Grandpa Mountain Lord, the others outright rebels. The rebels wanted to make a show of strength by killing him, the temple warden first. And maybe Grandpa Mountain Lord’s power was on the weaker side, so he could only watch helplessly as they barged right into his home?
Chen Ji gave the little paw another squeeze. Second Master Huang simply buried his head in Chen Ji’s chest, letting him pet away. Chen Ji lowered his gaze, his voice gentle. “So Grandpa Mountain Lord was venting my anger for me after all… Looks like I misunderstood him.”
“Today, I need to offer up a proper spread to Grandpa Mountain Lord to make amends.”
【Hmph.】 Second Grandpa Huang huffed and buried his head even deeper.
In the distance, the roar of several motorcycles approached. “That Chen Ji’s place? We’re here to start work!”
Chen Ji called back, “Right here!”
He set Second Master Huang and the huangjing down, giving the weasel’s rump a light pat to send him off to the kitchen with the herb. Then he strode forward to greet the newcomers. “Everyone came a long way—thanks for the hard work!”
The foreman had an honest, down-to-earth face. He waved it off. “We’re getting paid, boss—it’s what we do! Take us to see the site first.”
Chen Ji led them inside, explaining as they went. “This is the Mountain Lord Temple, dedicated to the Mountain Lord. It’s very efficacious. Want to pay your respects first?”
“Absolutely, absolutely.” The foreman had spotted the main hall from afar. Folks in their line of work paid homage wherever they went—temples, shrines, you name it. They didn’t pray for riches or glory, just safety and smooth sailing.
Especially temple jobs like this—everyone fought to take them. Do it right, and you earned some real merit!
As Chen Ji introduced the place, he led them into the main hall and handed out incense sticks. The foreman and his crew didn’t mind that the statue looked rundown with age. They knelt and kowtowed solidly several times. Chen Ji asked, “I heard somewhere that when working on temple projects, you cover the statue so you don’t disturb the deity. Is that a thing?”
The foreman nodded. “Sure is, boss. Dust and dirt fly everywhere when you’re working—best to cover it up so you don’t get the statue filthy. These old relics need protecting!”
Chen Ji looked up at the Mountain Lord Statue, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Makes sense.”
He fetched a length of bright yellow silk from the delivery box. Together with the foreman, they lit incense, kowtowed, and washed their hands before climbing onto the altar platform. The broad cloth draped over the statue, severing the boundary between the mortal world and the divine.
