By the time Jiang Nian found Zhang Linyu, the guy was sitting on the mountain questioning his life choices. After asking around, Jiang Nian learned that after eight in the evening, Zhang Linyu had been searching for him up in the mountains. But because it was dark and the mountain paths were complicated, he’d searched for ages without finding Jiang Nian—and ended up getting lost himself. If Jiang Nian hadn’t come looking for him, he probably would’ve had to call the police to come rescue him.
Jiang Nian was at a complete loss for words. But since Zhang Linyu had ended up in this mess because he was looking for him, he didn’t say anything in the end. After all, as the saying goes: the kid’s dumb, but he’s got a good heart.
Jiang Nian led him down the mountain. But along the way, he noticed something, let out a soft “huh,” and turned to look back. He was met with Zhang Linyu’s confused eyes: “Brother Jiang, what’s wrong?”
Jiang Nian didn’t answer. He just stared at the area behind Zhang Linyu, his eyes narrowing. In that moment just now, he’d felt something watching him from within the forest.
Seeing him so alert—whether it was because he’d read too many horror novels or just his imagination—Zhang Linyu suddenly felt a chill wind brush against his back, making him shiver involuntarily. He forced a smile: “Brother Jiang, don’t scare me. Is there something behind me?”
“Nothing.” Jiang Nian shook his head and didn’t say more. Because that feeling of being watched had only lasted an instant, and he hadn’t sensed any malice from it—just curiosity. It was probably just some nocturnal animal glancing over. Nothing unusual, really—after all, the Jinyun Xiandu Scenic Area was also a nature reserve. Having some wildlife on the mountain was hardly surprising.
“Let’s go. Down the mountain.” Jiang Nian said, then led Zhang Linyu back to the accommodations the production team had arranged for them in the scenic area.
After that, a few more days passed in a flash. During that time, Jiang Nian had gone up the mountain at night as well, but whether it was day or night, he never encountered that feeling of being watched again. Eventually, he put the matter out of his mind, and life returned to normal. Every day, it was either practicing martial arts or acting, and when he was done, he’d eat and sleep.
Whether Jiang Nian could tolerate such a routine life was one thing, but Zhang Linyu was starting to have trouble with it. He and Jiang Nian were pretty similar in personality—both the type who liked to have fun. He’d thought that by following Jiang Nian, even if they weren’t partying every night, they could at least go out and enjoy themselves once in a while. But what happened? Nothing! After all this time, Jiang Nian hadn’t gone out to play even once! He was like a monk—completely free of worldly desires! And Zhang Linyu was stuck there with him!
“I’m suddenly starting to regret being your agent. What do I do?” Zhang Linyu complained, sitting on a nearby rock, watching Jiang Nian focus on his martial arts practice. With every move, the sound of thunderous tiger and leopard roars echoed continuously.
Jiang Nian replied casually, “Then just find someone else.”
“Pfft, you say that so easily. If I could switch, would I still be stuck here? Damn it, I’ve boarded a pirate ship.” Zhang Linyu looked pained—this wasn’t the life he wanted.
Jiang Nian didn’t indulge him: “Then quit your bitching. And kid, always thinking about getting some action—what’s up with that? Learn some self-control. Don’t be like those who waste their youth and end up crying over their lost vitality.”
“??? You of all people have the nerve to say that? You’re the least restrained person I know!” Zhang Linyu looked utterly shocked. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
Jiang Nian, however, didn’t care. It was only when he heard the notification of [Proficiency +1] that he finally stopped his form. Then he looked at Zhang Linyu and said matter-of-factly: “This eunuch may not be restrained, but this eunuch practices martial arts. Can you compare to this eunuch?”
“Besides, I didn’t pay much attention before, but now that I think about it carefully—are you a little deficient down there?”
“Dull skin, lifeless eyes, unsteady steps, dark palms. If you don’t cut back, you’re going to burn out.” Jiang Nian critiqued him.
Hearing this, Zhang Linyu perked up. He quickly looked down at his palms—they were white: “You’re lying to me!”
But Jiang Nian just grinned: “So you really are deficient, huh?”
Zhang Linyu froze, then grew a little flustered: “Hey, no, Jiang Nian, you—”
“But this eunuch can cure it.” Jiang Nian said mysteriously.
“Dad!” Zhang Linyu dropped to his knees instantly. He looked at Jiang Nian with an earnest gaze, as if he were on a pilgrimage: “Dear father, how? Please tell your son!”
Jiang Nian was amused by his attitude: “Damn, you really have no pride at all. Fine, since you’re so devout, this eunuch will share his kidney-nourishing secret with you. It’s just two words: practice martial arts!”
“Come on, that’s useless advice. I know martial arts strengthens the body and makes you stronger. Got anything else?” Zhang Linyu said, looking exasperated.
Jiang Nian shook his head: “Nope, that’s it! Because this eunuch has never been deficient, so what do you expect me to do about it?”
“You bastard!”
By now, even if Zhang Linyu was slow on the uptake, he realized Jiang Nian was just messing with him. Seeing him all worked up, Jiang Nian smiled faintly. He was about to say, “Since you’ve been so bored lately, this eunuch will take you out for some fun tonight.” But before the words could leave his mouth, he noticed something and his pupils suddenly contracted. He quickly stepped forward, crouched down, and touched the ground, his face full of disbelief.
Seeing this, Zhang Linyu felt puzzled and couldn’t help asking, “Brother Jiang, what’s wrong?”
Jiang Nian didn’t answer. He just stared at the mark on the ground, frowning slightly: “Have you seen this footprint before?”
“Huh?” Zhang Linyu was taken aback. Footprint? Curious, he stepped forward to take a look. There, he saw a large plum-blossom-shaped print stamped squarely on the ground. Zhang Linyu’s pupils shrank: “This is…”
“A tiger!” Jiang Nian said in a low voice.
In nature, animals with such plum-blossom footprints are mainly from the canine and feline families. And ones this large were even rarer—only the so-called king of beasts, the tiger, could leave such a mark.
Hearing this, Zhang Linyu’s hair stood on end. In that instant, he felt that the forest they were in had suddenly become dangerous. As if something terrifying was secretly watching him from the shadows. Zhang Linyu swallowed hard: “Bro-Brother Jiang, that can’t be, right? There are people patrolling this mountain every day. And tigers usually stay deep in the wilderness—how could there be one here?”
“Hard to say.” Jiang Nian replied. He reached out and touched it, only to find that the print had long gone cold, making it impossible to tell when it had appeared. Also, since Jiang Nian had never really looked over here before, he couldn’t remember if this print had been there the first time he came to practice.
“Could it be from that night?” Jiang Nian couldn’t help but recall the feeling of being watched the night he’d taken Zhang Linyu down the mountain.
“Anyway, to be safe, you’d better call the scenic area staff and have them search the vicinity. Otherwise, if there really is a tiger crossing the boundary, the consequences would be disastrous!” Jiang Nian stood up, looking at the lush green mountains and clear waters before him, and the tiny, rice-grain-sized figures of the cast and crew filming below, and said that.
Zhang Linyu nodded, then quickly pulled out his phone and dialed the number of the Jinyun Xiandu Scenic Area’s person in charge, making the call.
Meanwhile, down at the foot of the mountain, after a few days of adjustment, everyone had gotten into the groove. The filming of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer was progressing at full speed.
Standing in front of the stone gate at the base of the mountain, the scene they were shooting now was none other than the first episode of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer—which could also be understood as the prologue. The general plot was that the Sun Moon Demon Cult was expanding its influence far and wide, its power growing daily, with ambitions to unify the martial world. The Five Mountain Sword Sects formed a righteous alliance to counter the cult. To secure his position as the leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, Dongfang Bubai schemed to provoke the Five Mountain Sword Sects into attacking the cult. This scene was Dongfang Bubai’s visit to persuade Ren Woxing.
Dressed in flowing gold-and-white robes and wearing a black hat, Chen Qiao’en’s Dongfang Bubai walked through a vibrant plum blossom forest, each step carrying the wind. Wherever she passed, plum blossoms fell one after another, as if welcoming this ambitious schemer who sought to overturn the Sun Moon Holy Cult. Finally, she arrived at the gate. Dongfang Bubai saluted:
“Your subordinate, Dongfang Bubai, reports to the Cult Leader.”
“Scouts ahead have sent word via carrier pigeon.”
“The Five Mountain Sword Sects are attacking Blackwood Cliff and are clamoring below.”
“All five sect leaders have also arrived. How should your subordinates respond? Please instruct us, Cult Leader.”
Hearing this, Ren Woxing in the cave was completely indifferent:
“Climbing Blackwood Cliff is as hard as reaching the heavens. Never mind that these petty villains can’t even find the way.”
“Even if they manage to get up here by some fluke, they’re only coming to their deaths. Brother Dongfang, there’s no need to bother with them.”
“Since I have entrusted the cult’s affairs to you, just instruct the four divisions—Heaven, Earth, Wind, and Thunder—to strictly guard the checkpoints up the cliff.”
Seeing him so indifferent, completely unwilling to engage, Dongfang Bubai frowned slightly. Then she began to argue her case with all her might. As for the result—her endless nagging irritated Ren Woxing, who waved his palm and sent Dongfang Bubai flying back!
Watching Chen Qiao’en, suspended by wires, fly backward and crash to the ground, Director Huang Junwen nodded: “Good, cut!”
Hearing that, Chen Qiao’en got up from the ground and let the staff rush over to remove the wire cables attached to her. Seeing this, the others started discussing among themselves:
“Don’t you guys feel that Sister Qiao’en acts really well?”
“Yeah, even though it was just a dialogue scene, her foundation is so solid. And it was a no-prop performance too—almost like a monologue!”
“So far, looking at our whole production team, I think the only ones who can match Sister Qiao’en in acting are Teacher Huo and Eunuch Jiang.”
“That goes without saying—there’s no question about Teacher Huo and Eunuch Jiang’s acting skills!”
“But speaking of Eunuch Jiang, I haven’t seen him all day today. Where did he go?”
“He probably went to practice martial arts.”
“I see. Hey, speaking of martial arts, do you guys remember the incident in Spring City when Liu Kai hired someone to go after Eunuch Jiang? I heard—just heard—that the reason he turned the tables and took them down was because his fighting skills are incredible! He can take on five or six guys by himself.”
“Really? But I read in the news that they started infighting, and that’s how he managed to turn the tables?”
“You said it yourself—it’s the news. Would the news tell you the truth? If they did, everything would go haywire. All I can tell you is, that Teacher Jiang is a man of hidden depths!”
The chatter buzzed on. Seeing how heated the discussion was, Chen Qiao’en, who had just finished filming and was resting, grew curious. She was about to walk over and ask what was going on.
But just then—
“Rustle—”
Suddenly, from the forest above the stone gate, a faint rustling sound came through.
And then—
“Crack.”
A sharp noise rang out, drawing everyone’s attention. But when they looked over, they saw it was just a stone sliding down from above, so they didn’t pay it much mind. Only a very few, due to their different angles, spotted what was up there in the forest—and their pupils shrank instantly!
There’s a line in Grave of the Fireflies: “Cherish today, cherish the present, because no one knows whether tomorrow or an accident will come first.”
Before this, Huang Junwen hadn’t known whether the future or an accident would strike first. But now, he did.
“Holy shit! Where the hell did that tiger come from?!”
Staring at the massive creature emerging from the forest above the stone gate—its fierce aura overwhelming, about two meters long, with a round head, short ears, and thick, powerful limbs—Huang Junwen was completely dumbfounded!
Sure, they were filming in the Jinyun Xiandu Scenic Area, a national 5A-level attraction that did have plenty of wildlife. But what the hell was a tiger doing here?! Shouldn’t it be deep in the mountains?!
In an instant, a flood of thoughts and confusion raced through Huang Junwen’s mind. But right now, he clearly didn’t have time to think. Because the very next moment, the tiger leaped straight down from above!
