Brother Tiger was a ruthless man.
Unlike the ferocity cultivated through Zhou Enxian's Black Tiger Technique, Brother Tiger's brutality stemmed from years of beast hunting—a primal savagery ingrained in his bones, much like how veteran butchers exude an aura of bloodlust that makes dogs cower and flee with just one glance.
He sat with deceptive casualness, hand resting on his waist, his body perpetually coiled like a drawn bowstring. At the slightest disturbance, he could spring up and draw his blade like a released spring.
This man was extremely vigilant.
Three years ago, when Li Rongzhou first arrived at Peach Blossom Village and faced financial difficulties, he had considered joining Brother Tiger's hunting trips. But after following Little Black through mountains and rivers to find gold dust and overcome his troubles, the hunting plans were quietly abandoned.
Li Rongzhou smiled outwardly but remained inwardly suspicious—Brother Tiger never visited without an agenda.
Brother Tiger took a sip of tea and frowned slightly; the weak brew paled in comparison to his preferred strong liquor.
"Congratulations on your breakthrough to the Bone Realm, Brother Rongzhou." After the perfunctory pleasantries, he cut straight to the point: "Being able to easily hunt salamander carps shows considerable skill. I'm here to invite you on a mountain expedition—to hunt a treasure beast."
Treasure beasts were far more dangerous than ordinary vicious animals. Their flesh, bones, hides—every part was valuable, often exhibiting obvious mutations that made them premium materials for forging or alchemy, occasionally even catching the eye of immortal cultivators.
A successful hunt could easily net each hunter a hundred taels of silver.
"But hunting treasure beasts is too dangerous for my current abilities," Li Rongzhou sighed with feigned reluctance.
Only those who bargain mean business.
Seeing Li Rongzhou's apparent interest, Brother Tiger smiled: "No need to worry, Brother Rongzhou. This hunt is commissioned by the Silver Wolf Merchant Guild to satisfy some noble's hunting hobby.
We'll have physicians accompanying us—absolutely no risk. Just ten days' work for a guaranteed fifty taels, plus keeping all hunting spoils. Can't lose on this deal.
Frankly, if it weren't you, I wouldn't offer this opportunity to anyone else."
His friendly smile couldn't mask the ferocity of the claw scar near his eye.
Deep forests held deadly beasts, but teamwork mitigated the danger.
Li Rongzhou's face brimmed with temptation before finally settling into pained regret: "Between us, Brother Tiger—though I killed that salamander carp, being dragged underwater too long damaged my lungs. Fine normally, but when exerting energy, my breathing falters and blood qi weakens."
Demonstrating his Crane Style while secretly reversing his Breath of the Tree technique, his face soon flushed crimson with violent coughing fits, convincingly simulating internal damage.
Seeing this apparent truth, Brother Tiger sighed with genuine disappointment: "What a shame. This fortune wasn't meant for you."
Li Rongzhou smiled bitterly.
After some forced small talk, Brother Tiger excused himself. Li Rongzhou immediately told his wife: "Quick, give Brother Tiger five pounds of salamander carp meat."
"Keep it to nourish your health," Brother Tiger waved him off without turning back.
Watching the hunter depart, Li Rongzhou finally exhaled in relief.
Something smelled fishy about this whole affair.
Nothing in this world came without risk. When someone promised guaranteed profits, you were likely their merchandise!
He just wanted domestic bliss—watching his children grow healthy and start families. No potential gain was worth wading into such murky waters!
"Caw! I'll scout ahead!"
Little Black's cry echoed in Li Pingcan's ears as the raven took flight, a small mushroom now growing from its head like a peculiar gray hat.
This was their latest "drone" upgrade—no longer requiring claw-gripped mushrooms while providing versatile aerial views.
"Go, but don't let Brother Tiger spot you."
Li Pingcan cautioned. Perhaps due to his Druid instincts, he inherently distrusted Brother Tiger and wanted to uncover the man's motives as precaution.
As Little Black rode the currents, Li Pingcan's vision shifted accordingly.
Brother Tiger moved startlingly fast along rural paths. Only Little Black's altitude and wind-enhanced speed kept pace as the hunter wove through the wilderness with paranoid caution before meeting a black-clad martial artist deep in the forest.
After brief exchanges and headshakes, the two separated—one returning to village, the other disappearing deeper.
Li Pingcan's frown deepened. "Follow the black-clothed fighter, Little Black."
Wings flapping through dense foliage, the raven trailed the martial artist to a hidden hunter's cabin.
Through window cracks flickered candlelight illuminating a terrifying statue upon a lotus altar—its half-lidded eyes unable to conceal crimson pupils, a vertical third eye slightly open amidst its forehead's fissure.
The black-clad man kowtowed fervently, eyes burning with fanaticism.
Li Pingcan's heart dropped.
Holy hell—was this some cult!?
"Local cults have no manners—trying to recruit my old man as an underling!"
Connecting the dots, Li Pingcan realized Brother Tiger's true purpose.
As a Blood Qi Realm martial artist, Brother Tiger didn't need elaborate schemes for direct harm—this was clearly recruitment.
Compared to other villagers, his family lacked deep roots here. His father's Bone Realm breakthrough showed martial potential, plus having family as "weaknesses" made him perfect cult material!
"Knew that old fox was shady!"
Li Pingcan urgently recalled Little Black. That three-eyed idol looked too twisted—better keep away. Though an atheist in his past life, this world made belief unavoidable!
Having cultists nearby made his scalp crawl. He immediately reported everything to his father.
But Li Rongzhou's reaction was surprisingly muted.
"So that's why Brother Tiger was so insistent three years ago."
After thoughtful silence, he said: "Just keep distance—no need for confrontation or reporting."
Li Pingcan was stunned. "But they're harmful cultists! Shouldn't we inform the authorities?"
"Authorities won't bother with small fries." Li Rongzhou chuckled bitterly. "With the dynasty's destiny protecting order, these groups can't cause real chaos. Besides..."
His tone turned icy, "Once these cults grow large enough, they become merit points for celestial officials."
"What about the victims?"
"Most cults won't harm believers—commoners are their faith resources. Aside from worshipping unorthodox deities, some aren't that different from legitimate religions."
Li Rongzhou sighed heavily: "If some do turn murderous... that's just misfortune."
Like the immortal-caused disaster four years ago—hadn't they all just accepted their bad luck?!
Li Pingcan listened in shock.
Cults farming faith, celestial officials harvesting merits...
This wasn't the justice system he imagined. The entire Great Yu Dynasty seemed like a man-eating pyramid scheme!
'If immortals discover I'm a Druid...'
A chill ran down his spine as hostility and wariness toward this world blossomed in his heart!