CHAPTER 377: CHAPTER 377: THE TIGER DEMON INVADES TAOHUA TEMPLE

"But a tiger that is nearly becoming a demon, even if it hasn’t gained spiritual intelligence, shouldn’t still act on animal instincts and muddle through. How could it be blocking the way at Wind Screen Mountain and eating people?" Shen Ying was a bit curious, "And how come those hunters could stay safe after being in the mountain for three days?"

It’s known that tigers nearing demonhood have exceptionally sensitive noses. Those hunters must have set traps to hunt the tiger, so how is it possible they haven’t encountered it?

Hou Ping scratched his head, "I don’t know either. Maybe I should go and ask?"

"No need, I’m just asking out of curiosity. Those hunters are just lucky not to be dead. What could they possibly know?" Shen Ying shook her head.

"Oh, oh." Hou Ping nodded repeatedly, rubbing the back of his head, and chuckled, "Then, I’ll go back to the temple to help."

"Go, go." Shen Ying said.

Upon hearing this, Hou Ping happily ran off, carrying his stick.

"After all, he’s still a monkey, his temperament is unstable. He’ll need to stay in the temple for a while longer." Shen Ying laughed.

The two of them stood beside each other not far from Taohua Temple, watching the booming incense offerings. Then they saw Zhao Wenrong and his group coming to offer incense and prayers themselves, contributing a wisp of Incense and Candle Qi.

...

They had lunch at Taohua Village at noon, and in the afternoon, Lu Zheng accompanied Shen Ying in a few rounds of Mahjong. Until dinner time, after having dinner, Lu Zheng intended to return to the city but was held back by Shen Ying.

"Lu Lang, you arranged flowers for me this morning, how about enjoying the flowers with me now that night has fallen?"

Shen Ying invited warmly, so Lu Zheng stayed yet another night at Taohua Village, enjoying the magnificent sight of peach blossoms in full bloom.

...

The next day, Lu Zheng rose early and was attended by Shen Ying for a wash, preparing to return to Tonglin County. But just as he stepped out the door, Zhu Yushan and his wife Li Hanyu came along.

"Brother Zhu! Sister-in-law!"

Lu Zheng greeted them, only to notice that while Li Hanyu’s expression was fine, Zhu Yushan’s demeanor was rather unusual.

"Brother Lu, Sister-in-law, good day." Zhu Yushan bowed in salute.

Li Hanyu stepped forward, smiling, as she entwined her arm around Shen Ying’s, "We came to clear our minds, so we’re bothering again. Sister, hope you don’t mind."

"What are you saying, Sister? I’m usually stuck in Peach Blossom Plain; I’d love for you to visit me every day." Shen Ying laughed, then turned to look at Zhu Yushan, "Could it be..."

Lu Zheng blinked and suddenly realized the local exams had just ended. So he looked abruptly at Zhu Yushan, "Brother Zhu, you..."

"Sigh..."

Zhu Yushan let out a long sigh, "I missed the exam again."

Shen Ying, "..."

Lu Zheng, "..."

"What happened this time?" Lu Zheng couldn’t resist asking.

He used to be an ordinary person, so that was another matter. But now Zhu Yushan has made progress in cultivation. Last time he missed because he was deep in meditation; what happened this time?

Since Zhu Yushan didn’t speak, Li Hanyu had to explain, "There was a flood not long ago, and my husband helped my father stabilize the Lu River. Later, he battled some mischievous demons, persisting until Lu River stabilized, and Sanjiang Dao requested aid.

My father couldn’t move easily, so my husband and I led a hundred water soldiers to help, and we were delayed until the flooding was finally resolved in Sanjiang Dao, only then we returned.

But, the day we returned was the day the prefectural exam started. By the time we got back, it was already evening..."

Lu Zheng, "..."

Shen Ying, "..."

"Brother Zhu, my condolences!" Lu Zheng patted Zhu Yushan’s shoulder, "Come this time next year, we’ll make a comeback!"

Zhu Yushan laughed and cried, but still nodded appreciatively, "Thank you. I’m not too saddened, I’ve gotten used to it."

After a pause, Zhu Yushan continued, "I don’t believe it, the Great Jing Dynasty can’t have floods every year. Next year, I’ll continue; I refuse to fail my scholar exams!"

"Spirited!" Lu Zheng raised his thumb in admiration.

Zhu Yushan, "..."

Considering Zhu Yushan’s literary talent and reputation, that now claiming a scholar degree is ’spirited’ seemed ironic?

Dammit... I really want to pass the scholar exams...

Li Hanyu couldn’t help but laugh, "So, Father let us out for a breather, and Mother joined too, but she went to Renxin Hall to consult alongside the Liu Family’s girl."

At this point, Li Hanyu spoke with admiration in her tone, "The Liu Family’s girl is truly kind-hearted and beautiful. That body radiating Merit Golden Light, truly enviable."

With Zhu Yushan and his wife here to relax, Lu Zheng naturally couldn’t excuse himself to leave. Besides, he had nothing pressing to do, so he didn’t mention leaving.

As for how to unwind...

What could be more relaxing than playing Mahjong?

Nothing can resolve a situation better than one round of Mahjong—if not, then two rounds.

"Two Bamboos!"

"Chow!"

"Seven Dots!"

"Pung!"

"Five Ten Thousands!"

"Ah, I’ve won!"

Li Hanyu revealed the last four tiles in front of her, giggling, "Sorry, I’ve won again. Five-seven Ten Thousands, pay up, pay up."

Zhu Yushan looked at his remaining less than ten Copper Coins, then glanced at the Copper Coins that had piled up beside Lu Zheng, Shen Ying, and Li Hanyu.

Zhu Yushan, "..."

Xiaocui cautiously added more tea for Zhu Yushan, "Young Master Zhu, have some tea to cool down. Remember, until you leave the gambling table, you haven’t lost; get your Qi flowing, make a comeback next round."

"I’ll make a comeback..."

Zhu Yushan paused, deeply inhaling, "Yes, come back!"

...

An hour later, Zhu Yushan used one thousand treasure notes he had exchanged from Xiaocui for one thousand coins, only to lose them all.

"Young Master, Miss, lunch is ready. Should we eat first?" Xiaocui said from outside.

"Alright, let’s eat!"

...

Playing Mahjong is indeed a time-consuming entertainment; Li Hanyu felt she had only just gotten into the groove when the day came to an end.

But Zhu Yushan’s mood had visibly improved; in the afternoon, he seemed to have turned his luck around, and his rate of losing slowed remarkably, even occasionally winning a round.

Zhu Yushan expressed satisfaction, suggesting he was not beset by endless bad luck.

This implies that next year’s chances are significantly favorable!

The four played until 5 p.m., staying until even the Peach Blossom Plain’s tourists returned to their homes, finally taking a breather and wrapping up the day’s play.

"What a relief..."

Li Hanyu pushed the Mahjong tiles away, stood up, and stretched, "It’s already late, we should head back."

Zhu Yushan nodded, about to speak, when he saw Shen Ying’s face change.

Simultaneously, a tiger roar echoed from not far south.

"Tiger?" Zhu Yushan was puzzled.

"Tiger Demon!" Li Hanyu immediately said, "How could a Tiger Demon dare to invade? So bold?"

In the next instant, a fierce cry rang out, and a surge of Demon Qi soared into the sky at Taohua Temple.

"Hou Ping!"