Unexpectedly for Fang Yun, a tiger the size of an ox emerged from the rock he had been sitting on. He had not realized that the boulder was in fact a cave, and its entrance lay directly at the lake’s edge beneath him."No wonder I couldn't find the cave I was looking for — its door was right under my feet," he murmured.The young man leapt back the moment the ox-sized tiger fixed him with a furious stare. Its eyes glowed red, full of hatred."Hey, human, why do you disturb my sleep? Have you grown tired of living?" the beast growled."This tiger is enormous!" Fang Yun gasped, half stunned by the creature before him.He fought to hide his surprise from the tiger."Return the girl you kidnapped! I don't seek trouble with you — so why are you starting it?" he demanded."Kidnap? I've been sleeping for months, and you wake me. Now you accuse me of taking your companion?" the tiger's voice rose."Do you expect me to believe you? That sounds like an excuse!" Fang Yun shot back.The tiger sna

Fang Yun sat among the crumbling ruins of the cave, his sharp gaze wandering across the broken stones and scattered debris, searching for any clue that might prove the man beside him was truly the culprit.“Are you saying you really didn’t kidnap her?” Fang Yun asked softly.The man approached slowly and sat next to him. “I’ve learned from the mistakes I once made,” he said quietly. “I’m not the same person anymore.”Fang Yun turned to look at him. The calm yet mysterious aura surrounding the man made him suspect that this was no ordinary hermit. There was something familiar in the way his presence felt—like the lingering scent of a once-powerful warrior who had walked the dark path.“For decades, I’ve lived in seclusion here to atone for my past. I wanted to be reborn through silence. But now that this cave has collapsed,” he paused, glancing at the ruin around them, “perhaps it’s time I descend the mountain and fight against every trace of evil that still remains in this world.”“So

Meanwhile, outside the Devil’s Nest Sect, Wu Ming’s tiger form continued his rampage. His massive claws tore through the ranks of the sect disciples, each swing leaving behind mangled bodies and terrified screams.The ground was littered with corpses—those who had dared to stand against the beast now lay lifeless, their flesh ripped apart as though by the hands of a demon.Fear gripped the hearts of the remaining disciples. None of their attacks had the slightest effect. Arrows shattered, blades glanced harmlessly off his hide, and even the boldest among them faltered when the tiger bared its blood-stained fangs after crushing a man between its jaws.Wu Ming—the tiger—did not relent. His fury burned like fire. Each kill felt like an act of redemption, a desperate attempt to erase the weight of sins he had carried from the past. He roared and leapt, striking down every follower of the Devil’s Nest Sect that dared come near him.Panic spread like wildfire. Those still alive fled in terr

“The sword… How could he possibly wield that power?” Lu Wen gasped, her voice trembling with disbelief.“I don’t know,” her husband muttered under his breath. “But we must find a way to escape this place before it’s too late.”“Escape?” she hissed. “He’ll never let us run. We might as well strike first!”Her husband nodded grimly, lowering his stance. In one sharp breath, he lunged toward Wu Ming, his full internal strength surging through his veins.Meanwhile, Lu Wen darted toward the main gate of the Devil’s Nest Sect, moving so fast she nearly made it out—before Fang Yun appeared right before her, blocking the path like a phantom.“Going somewhere, Lu Wen?” His cold smile cut deeper than a blade. “Did you really think I’d fall for your cheap tricks?”“You—weren’t you supposed to be with your friend?” The old woman’s wrinkled face twisted in shock and terror.“Who told you I went to the chamber where your victims are imprisoned?” Fang Yun sneered. “I know the kind of filth you are—c

After leaving the Rimbo Forest, they continued their journey toward the village where the three rescued girls came from—a village that happened to be on the same route as Fang Yun’s destination: the Xi Dynasty.The distance between the Rimbo Forest and the girls’ village wasn’t far, so Fang Yun, Mei Hwa, and Wu Ming decided to spend the night at the home of one of the girls they had saved.Unsurprisingly, the news of the girls’ return caused a stir in the small village.By morning, the villagers gathered in excitement, eager to meet the heroes who had saved their daughters.But they were met with disappointment—Fang Yun had already left.He, Mei Hwa, and Wu Ming departed before dawn, avoiding the crowd that would surely delay their journey.By midday, they arrived at the next town and stopped at a small roadside tavern. The place was quiet—perfect for resting and talking freely.As they ate, the three began sharing stories about their pasts.“Fang Yun,” Mei Hwa began softly, “do you s