Chapter 63: Facing Danger Part 2

After spending this time together, he also knew Chen Ji was a measured sort who understood the rules. He always paid the toll when passing through unfamiliar territory, so nothing major should go wrong.

Second Master Huang glanced sideways at the tightly shut main hall, let out a ‘tch’ for some reason, then turned and scampered off.

Chen Ji and the White Tiger were out on the road when Chen Ji suddenly heard a loud cry. Without needing him to say a word, the White Tiger skidded to a halt and bolted toward the source of the shout.

Chen Ji suddenly recalled the incident with Zhou Yunfan last time—how Xiangxiang had rushed ahead to save the man. It was just like when he’d been trapped in that boundary domain by the Crossing Peak Serpent and hunted down, only for Chang Xu to show up out of nowhere and rescue him despite having no connection at all.

It was as if saving people in the mountains was their duty.

This time’s victim was luckier than Zhou Yunfan. Zhou Yunfan had plummeted from a height, smashing into several tree trunks that crushed his spine on impact. This fellow had also slipped from above but got snagged by branches, left dangling precariously on the slope, half-falling, half-hanging.

The man was sharp too—his gear looked professional. Spikes on his shoes dug into the soil as he curled his legs to brace his feet against the embankment, spacing them out to avoid a single loose chunk sending him tumbling.

Chen Ji paused. He was still a good distance away, but he spotted a clump of sha qi hovering above the man. Pulling out his binoculars, he took a closer look. A crow was perched on the slope right over him.

…So this probably wasn’t just some accident.

The White Tiger glanced back at Chen Ji, signaling his intent to go save the man. Chen Ji couldn’t help but wonder if he was finally willing to show himself in front of humans. In a low voice, he asked, “Guai Guai, is that the crow up top?”

The White Tiger nodded. Chen Ji ruffled his ears. “Be careful, then. Make sure to kill it—don’t let it get away…”

The White Tiger started to move, but Chen Ji tugged his tail tip and added, “You can’t just fly up there and grab him right in plain sight. I can’t explain that away. After you take out that dumb bird, knock the guy out… You big immortals are pros at that stuff, right? Bewilder him good and proper, then bring him down.”

If the White Tiger’s expression could be put into words, it would have been one thing: speechless.

Chen Ji chuckled and let go of the tail. “Go on, then.”

The White Tiger vanished into the void in an instant. Chen Ji was still puzzling over how he’d pounce on the crow when, not even two breaths later, the White Tiger materialized behind it and squashed the bird flat with a single paw—mess-free, no blood splatter.

Chen Ji: “…?”

Fine, fine. Guai Guai had been playing him the whole time! He could teleport, yet every time he took Chen Ji out, he insisted on running on foot?

The man pinned on the slope hadn’t noticed a thing up top, but he caught the glint of Chen Ji’s binoculars. He yelled loudly, “Help—! Help—!”

Through the lenses, the man stared straight in Chen Ji’s direction. That’s when Chen Ji got a clear look at his face—Zhao Chengying?

What was he doing up on the mountain?

In the next instant, Guai Guai swatted the man’s head with a paw—carefully measured this time, not flattening his skull. Zhao Chengying didn’t even make a sound before passing out. Then Guai Guai grabbed his clothes in his mouth and hauled him down the slope.

Chen Ji’s mouth twitched. For a split second there, he’d really thought Xiangxiang had decided to snack on someone.

Chen Ji hurried over. The White Tiger was wiping the blood off his paws with leaves. Sighing helplessly, Chen Ji pulled out a thick pack of alcohol wipes, set it on the ground, and let him clean up.

The White Tiger’s strike had been perfect—enough to stun without real damage. Zhao Chengying’s breathing was steady, like he was just asleep. Chen Ji eyed him for a moment and considered leaving him there, but then thought better of it. The mountains crawled with demons; one lousy crow had already knocked him off the slope. Leaving him to lie here? He probably wouldn’t wake up—Chen Ji could come back in a couple days for the bones.

He already had one set of bones to deal with; he wasn’t keen on adding a second.

Whatever reason he’d come up the mountain for, better save him first.

Chen Ji rubbed the White Tiger’s ears and let out a long sigh. Under the White Tiger’s puzzled gaze, he said, “This guy’s a coworker of mine. Probably up here sightseeing… Can’t just ignore him now that I’ve seen him. No water pool today—let’s take him back.”

The White Tiger nodded, coiled his tail around the man, and slung him onto his back. Chen Ji was a bit surprised; he’d figured Guai Guai wouldn’t go for that. But if the White Tiger didn’t carry him… was Chen Ji supposed to?

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than he found himself hoisted onto the White Tiger’s back too. He was about to lean down and grab a fistful of fur when a deep, shadowy rift tore open before them. Chen Ji recognized it—this was a ghost path entrance, just like the one Little Translator had opened last time to fetch his delivery with his buddies.

Curious as he was, Chen Ji had no desire to step through. An unfriendly aura seeped from the fissure. Even this man-sized gap, open for less than ten seconds, already made him feel watched by something.

The White Tiger didn’t hesitate, charging right in with Chen Ji. A momentary blackness later, his vision lit up with endless lanterns. It wasn’t the pitch void he’d imagined but a road of indeterminate width. Flanking it were tall wooden frames hung with white lanterns, exuding an eerie, oppressive gloom that instilled dread at a glance.

Chen Ji froze. He could’ve sworn he heard voices, yet the road appeared empty. Focusing harder, he spotted nearly transparent shadows materializing—mostly gray, with the occasional red or blue streak flashing by like an illusion.

The White Tiger gave no reaction, proceeding as if it were any ordinary path. Chen Ji could feel him running, but the scenery on either side didn’t shift; it was like they were jogging in place.

Suddenly, a blue shadow halted right in front of Chen Ji. He locked eyes with a pair of deathly pale pupils. Before he could react, a thunderous tiger roar erupted—brimming with warning and menace. The blue shadow’s features sharpened into view: a strikingly beautiful woman. She curved her lips at Chen Ji in a faint smile before scattering like the wind.

Only after she’d vanished could Chen Ji breathe normally. But in that one second—or less—he’d broken out in cold sweat, goosebumps prickling every inch of skin beneath his clothes, his very bones quivering uncontrollably.

The next moment, light bloomed ahead. The White Tiger emerged from the ghost path, right at the main gate of the Mountain Lord Temple. Sunlight bathed Chen Ji abruptly, forcing his eyes shut. The warmth rekindled a spark of life in him.

It had taken half an hour to go out, but less than thirty seconds to return.

He cracked a stiff smile. So Guai Guai really had been messing with him all along!

Rubbing the White Tiger’s ears, he praised, “Xiangxiang, you’re amazing!”

The White Tiger let out a pleased rumble and carried Chen Ji into the Mountain Lord Temple, helping him deposit the man in a guest room. Chen Ji didn’t rush to check Zhao Chengying’s injuries right away. At worst, some scrapes—no need for police, just forest rescue to transfer him to Changliu Town’s Second People’s Hospital. Besides, Zhao Chengying had money.

Chen Ji changed clothes back in his room, poured a cup of water for Zhao Chengying, and took it over. He’d just set the cup down when the man’s phone rang.

Chen Ji hesitated, then answered. It was a video call. “Hello, Chengying, have you arrived… Wait, who are you?”

The young man on screen was the one Chen Ji had met at the Vehicle Management Office last time. “Hi. You’re Xiao Zhao’s friend, right? Xiao Zhao ran into some trouble on the mountain and passed out. I’ve called forest rescue; they’ll transfer him to Changliu Town Second People’s Hospital. If you’re free, could you meet him there?”

Hearing Chen Ji call Zhao Chengying “Xiao Zhao” made Yun Shaoyang twitch his lips. He even swore under his breath. “Forest rescue? Is it bad?”

Chen Ji aimed the camera at Zhao Chengying on the bed. “Not serious. Just passed out, no visible injuries.”

Yun Shaoyang raised a brow. “Can’t say for sure. What if it’s under the clothes? Check for heavy wounds we might miss.”

Chen Ji’s expression didn’t change. “I’m no doctor. If it’s serious, better not move him.”

Yun Shaoyang cursed inwardly. This boss was watertight. He nodded. “Alright, thanks. I’ll head to the hospital… But we don’t have money. Forest rescue’s pricey, right?”

Chen Ji replied flatly, “They take credit cards.”

“What if we don’t have one?” Yun Shaoyang grinned with a wicked glint. “Could you spot us the medical fees?”

Chen Ji said, “Sorry, I’m broke too. If you’re really that hard up, try an online loan. Instant approval, available from all major banks.”

With that, he hung up the video call briskly.

Yun Shaoyang’s mouth was half-open when the screen flashed “call ended.” He froze, then collapsed on the sofa, laughing his head off. “Fuck! Online loans! He actually said that!”

Done for. His bro had totally backfired this time—maybe even lost the farm. He’d talked big about faking a mishap in the mountains to shamelessly stick to the guy, but ended up in real trouble… And that boss? Zero interest—just called forest rescue straight off. How was he supposed to linger now?

Helicopters, doctors—hell, if he tried to stay, they’d probably think he had a head injury and haul him off by force.

Yun Shaoyang clicked his tongue against his palate. Damn, that face was something else.