67: Tiger mandrill with human face

The giant vengeful spirit, wounded by Zhao Tieying's slash, suddenly let out a piercing shriek, and the surrounding mist instantly roiled like boiling water.

The vengeful spirits outside the ring of fire all knelt on the ground, as if welcoming some terrifying presence.

Shen Jianxing's pupils constricted, and the zhan xie sword in his hand trembled slightly.

"This is bad, it's summoning something even more terrifying!"

"Everyone, retreat quickly!"

No sooner had he spoken than the ground began to shake violently.

A tremendous crash of breaking trees echoed from afar, as a massive entity approached the convoy from the mountain forest.

The guards looked in terror towards the source of the sound, only to see a black shadow, three zhang (about 10 meters) tall, slowly parting the mist and walking towards them—it was a giant tiger, completely black, but with a twisted human face on its forehead!

"Human-faced Tiger Demon!"

Shen Jianxing's sword-gripping hand trembled slightly, "No wonder it can command so many vengeful spirits..."

With every step the giant tiger took, the ground shook.

The human face on its forehead revealed a sinister smile, emitting cries like a wailing infant.

Under its oppressive Aura, the ring of fire rapidly dimmed, and the burning speed of the cinnabar powder noticeably slowed.

"Young Master, I'll cover the rear, you all go first!"

Zhao Tieying held his saber forward, his voice taut as a bowstring.

Seeing that Shen Jianxing made no move, Zhao Tieying grew a little anxious.

"Xiaotao, what are you waiting for? Take the Young Master and leave!"

But before Xiaotao could reply, Shen Jianxing had already bitten his finger and drawn a blood talisman on the Zhan Xie Sword.

The sword body instantly burst forth with dazzling golden light, illuminating the mist within a ten-zhang (about 33 meters) radius.

He leaped, directly jumping out of the ring of fire, and charged towards the human-faced Tiger Demon!

"Young Master!"

Xiaotao and Zhao Tieying exclaimed simultaneously.

Xiaotao was almost crying from anxiety. The Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill, a life-saving miracle medicine, couldn't fundamentally solve the Young Master's problem.

However, one pill could at least buy ten days to half a month.

Now, forcefully exerting his Qi, the medicinal effect would surely be greatly diminished.

The Young Master's previous plan would be completely ruined.

What was to be done!

Xiaotao wished she could immediately pounce and hug the Young Master's leg, enacting a real-life version of holding him back.

Wuwuwu~

Regardless of Xiaotao's thoughts, Shen Jianxing's charge had a bit of the Aura he possessed three years ago; his movements were as swift as a ghost, and the guards behind him almost couldn't keep up with his pace.

However, his frail body couldn't endure such exertion; after only a few steps, his footing became somewhat unsteady.

The resolve in Shen Jianxing's eyes remained undiminished, and the Zhan Xie Sword in his hand, empowered by the blood talisman, shone even brighter, like a golden arrow, piercing directly towards the human face on the human-faced Tiger Demon's head!

The human-faced Tiger Demon tilted its head, seemingly not expecting this sickly fellow to be so eager to rush to his death.

It swiped a paw, colliding with the sword, creating a clang of metal; Shen Jianxing's tiger's mouth (the web between thumb and forefinger) was split, blood splattered, and he was sent flying several zhang away, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Young Master!"

Xiaotao rushed forward, and Zhao Tieying gave Xiaotao a look, seizing the opportunity to advance with his sword.

Just as Xiaotao was mentally preparing herself to forcibly knock out the Young Master and carry him away, a golden light descended from the sky.

Xiaotao: Silently withdrew her rebellious hand, instinctively reaching out to shield Shen Jianxing, attempting to block the unknown light for him.

The golden light was dazzling but not blinding, as if carrying traces of warmth, slowly descending. The moment it touched Shen Jianxing's body, it transformed into a soft golden shield, firmly protecting him.

The human-faced Tiger Demon seemed extremely wary of this golden light; it stopped its advance, the human face on its forehead twisting even more violently, emitting angry roars, yet it dared not rush forward again.

Although the guards didn't understand why, they quickly formed a defensive formation, protecting the two in the center.

Zhao Tieying pointed his long sword at the ground, vigilantly scanning his surroundings: "Which esteemed expert is lending a hand? Please show yourself!"

* * *

Liu Chunsheng, who was hiding in the dark, ambushing the human-faced Tiger Demon, was almost angered to death by this remark.

"See a ghost! Why aren't you running? We can't hold it off for long!"

Liu Chunsheng was merely on a routine patrol with the villagers of Chang Sheng Village nearby, and hadn't expected to encounter such evil.

"Oh... alright!"

Xiaotao reacted, and she and Zhao Tieying quickly helped Shen Jianxing up, frantically rushing back in the direction of Chang Sheng Village.

Now was indeed not the time to get to the bottom of things, although they were certainly curious about how the other party had managed to stop the human-faced Tiger Demon.

Their legs were almost sparking from all the running, and they finally escaped the human-faced Tiger Demon.

Shen Jianxing looked back and realized that those who had just saved them were actually ordinary villagers.

They weren't dressed as Martial Artists, nor did they possess any Aura.

However, why was the direction they were fleeing in exactly the same as theirs?!

Friends who often escape and run should know that in such a situation, splitting up is the best strategy.

At the very least, it gives you a 50% chance of survival.

Could it be that these villagers were originally headed in their direction!

Faintly, he could still hear their whispers.

* * *

"Brother Chunsheng, what was that thing just now?"

"Shh, lower your voice. You ask me? Who should I ask? It's my first time seeing something like this too."

"So there are things even you, Temple Official, don't know!"

"Go, go, go, stop teasing me with that title. Now is not the time for jokes."

Liu Chunsheng glared unhappily at the young man beside him, but his steps did not falter for a moment.

"Then who are these people we saved? They don't look like they're from around here."

Another villager interjected curiously.

"How would I know? But judging by the Young Master's attire, he's probably from a wealthy family."

Liu Chunsheng panted, answering as he ran, "We can't just stand by and watch them die. If this evil really harms people in our territory, our village won't have peaceful days anymore."