“Rubbish!”
The guard known as Wang Ge had a full beard and scoffed, “We grew up at the foot of the Black Mountain since we were kids. How wouldn’t I know about the Mountain Lord Temple?”
“…Fine.”
Shrugging his shoulders, the guard being asked the question seemed disinterested.
“What Mountain Lord Temple?”
On the side, the wealthy young lady was intrigued, her face full of curiosity.
She was petite and delicate, looking cute and obedient, like an adorable little white rabbit, evoking pity and affection.
But Lin Yuan had noticed early on that this woman hid a short knife up her sleeve, which could have an unexpected effect at a certain moment. He had suffered a similar loss before, so he habitually took note.
Upon hearing his young mistress show interest, the guard suddenly became spirited and vividly prepared to start telling her. “Miss, you are unaware! This Mountain Lord Temple…”
“Liu Er!”
Wang Ge frowned and spoke in a deep voice, “You always pay respect at temples! Have you forgotten this rule?”
Liu Er smiled, “Wang Ge, I understand the rule of showing respect at temples even if there are no gods, but that refers to temples with offerings. This dilapidated temple has been abandoned for who knows how long. What taboos are left?”
At his words, Wang Ge wanted to say more, but seeing the young lady next to him looking enthusiastic, he hesitated for a moment and decided not to speak further.
It made sense after all. Since it was an abandoned temple with no worshippers or gods, there was no need to worry too much.
“Hurry up and tell us!” Cheng Xiuxiu urged.
She had always been very interested in various strange stories, which was why she had brought guards to Black Mountain to explore.
“Alright!” Liu Er cleared his throat, his voice wavering as he said, “Legend has it that in a certain place in Black Mountain, there was once a Mountain Lord Temple, extremely miraculous…”
Approximately three hundred years ago.
In the city of Black Mountain, there was a man named Cheng Youwei who was set up at a gambling den, lost all his wealth, and incurred a huge debt as a result.
With no way out, he had to throw himself into Black Mountain, hiding and surviving.
But life on the mountain was not easy.
He had to carefully avoid ferocious beasts on the mountain every day, searching for wild fruits and vegetables to fill his stomach.
One day.
Cheng Youwei stood blankly by the pond, looking at the reflection of himself in a desolate state in the water. He couldn’t help but cry out of frustration, thinking back to his previous prosperous life.
“Why are you crying?”
A deep and heavy voice sounded behind him.
“I… I cry for my foolishness, being deceived by villains, losing all my wealth…”
Cheng Youwei wiped away his tears.
Suddenly, he realized something was wrong. How could there be someone in such a place?
He turned around abruptly, and in that moment, his whole body trembled as if sieved, his pupils shaking violently, the whites of his eyes rolling as if he was about to faint.
The one speaking was not a person at all. It was clearly a fierce white-foreheaded tiger with sharp teeth like broad knives, claws larger than his head, towering over him, staring down at him.
“Ah!”
Cheng Xiuxiu exclaimed, “Was he eaten by that tiger?”
Li Er’niu, who had been sitting beside Lin Yuan all this time listening intently, couldn’t help but interject:
“I heard this story from elders when I was young as well. They said that tiger not only didn’t eat him but also helped him get rid of those who had deceived him.”
“That’s right!”
The guard Liu Er nodded heavily and continued, “The white-eyed white-foreheaded tiger called itself the Mountain Lord and promised to help Cheng Youwei seek revenge!”
“And the price was:”
“To build a temple for it on Black Mountain, offering three sacrifices of livestock every month, propagating its belief… over time, that Mountain Lord Temple became well-known near and far, and was quite efficacious, almost like a wish-fulfilling place!”
Every month, sacrifices of three animals and six livestock are offered, spreading their beliefs… Over time, the Mountain Lord Temple became famous far and wide, known for its effectiveness, almost considered a place where prayers are always answered!”
Seeing that he no longer continued, another rich young lady also curiously spoke up, “What happened next?”
“What happened next? Later, I only heard that the Mountain Lord Temple was inexplicably abandoned, and the Mountain Lord’s whereabouts were unknown,” Liu Er sadly shook his head.
“I happen to know a little about the later story.”
At this moment, Li Er’niu spoke again, seemingly recalling.
Waiting for everyone’s eyes to focus on him.
Then he continued:
“… With the help of the Mountain Lord, Cheng Youwei’s business grew bigger and he became a wealthy man.”
“He began to become arrogant and gradually grew dissatisfied with the Mountain Lord’s influence on him, until one day, this dissatisfaction reached its peak.”
“So, Cheng Youwei secretly approached the Demon Suppression Bureau, claiming that the Mountain Lord was sacrificing children…”
The following events can be guessed by everyone.
It was nothing more than the Demon Suppression Bureau taking action, killing the Mountain Lord without asking questions, and from then on, the prosperous Mountain Lord Temple was completely abandoned!
“The Demon Suppression Bureau is too much!”
Cheng Xiuxiu clenched her small fists, angrily saying, expressing her dissatisfaction with the Mountain Lord’s fate.
At this moment.
The black-dressed woman in the bamboo hat who had been silent all along spoke up, her voice crisp:
“The Demon Suppression Bureau should not be so indiscriminate in killing. After all, there are quite a few god-like demon gods in the world, and if the Mountain Lord did as Cheng Youwei said, then his death was deserved…”
Before the words fell.
Bang!
The dilapidated temple door was kicked open as if by a kick, and the rainwater-laden gale suddenly howled in.
The flames of the bonfire flickered rapidly, casting the shadows of Lin Yuan and Li Er’niu on the wall behind them, as if two fierce ghosts were dancing.
In the light of the fire.
Li Er’niu had already appeared behind Lin Yuan at some point. His normal face was now pale and there was a strange smile on his lips.
He held a dagger in his hand and viciously stabbed it towards Lin Yuan’s back.
“Be careful!”
The black-dressed woman’s expression changed drastically, shouting, drawing her sword to rush over, but it was already too late, she could only watch as the dagger pierced Lin Yuan’s back.
Cheng Xiuxiu and the other rich young lady also screamed in unison.
However, the expected bloody scene of the handsome young man did not appear.
Ding!
A clear impact sound rang out.
The dagger, flashing with a faint purple cold light, pierced Lin Yuan’s clothing, but could not advance a millimeter further, stopped by the skin shimmering with a golden glow.
“Copper Skin?”
The black-dressed woman widened her beautiful eyes.
She didn’t think about the possibility of the Golden Skin, as it was too exaggerated.
But even the Copper Skin was quite terrifying.
After all, to the naked eye, Lin Yuan, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy, was able to cultivate a body with Copper Skin, which was truly unbelievable!
“When did you realize…”
Li Er’niu’s pale face showed a look of surprise.
Boom!
A palm fiercely printed on his chest.
Terrifying force erupted, Li Er’niu’s chest suddenly caved in, his whole person flew out like a cannonball, emitting a sharp and shrill scream in mid-air, and then with a bang, he was crushed to pieces.
Lin Yuan slowly withdrew his hand, his gaze calm.
Standing up, he drew the long knife at his waist with a clang and walked towards the black-dressed woman.
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