Chapter 86: Tiger Shock

Big Old Black watched the Winged Tiger limp away until his silhouette vanished into the mist. He then turned to Wu Yuan, his face twisted in confusion.

“Boss, we just let him go? That easily?” Big Old Black muttered, sounding disappointed. “Didn’t you say tiger meat is highly nourishing? Especially Winged Tiger meat—it’s supposed to be a rare delicacy!”

Wu Yuan shot Big Old Black a look of utter disdain.

“I said I’d spare his life, so I spared his life,” Wu Yuan snapped. “Why so much nonsense?”

Big Old Black scratched his head, completely bewildered. He looked like a monk trying to touch his own shaven head—totally lost.

“But… didn’t you just say that the demon race never keeps its word?”

Thud!

Wu Yuan lifted his foot and kicked Big Old Black, sending the large rat stumbling.

“I said I’d stop at the appropriate point,” Wu Yuan lectured. “I never specified what that point was. I didn’t kill him, did I? Sure, there were some… misunderstandings along the way, but the result is good. He should be thanking me!”

Wu Yuan puffed out his chest. “My credibility is rock solid!”

“As long as I stick to my principles on the big issues and never break a major oath, I’ll be known as a breath of fresh air in the demon world. Winning over those simple-minded brutes later will be as easy as turning over my hand.”

Big Old Black blinked, still lost. “What does that have to do with keeping your word?”

Wu Yuan sighed, realizing he needed to spell it out.

“Think about it. If I show mercy and honor my agreements even with a defeated enemy, my reputation will skyrocket. It’s about the long game, you idiot. A good reputation makes everything easier.”

Wu Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Besides, that tiger’s life is entirely in my hands now. If he dares to cause trouble, I can find any excuse to kill him later.”

Big Old Black’s eyes lit up with realization. He gave a thumbs up.

“High! Really high! Boss, your strategy is absolutely brilliant!”

Wu Yuan smirked. “And think about this: I’m being so merciful now. If, in the future, I get a craving for tiger blood, won’t he have to obediently deliver it? That’s called sustainable farming!”

Big Old Black gasped, genuinely shocked. “Sustainable… Boss, your wisdom is terrifying. You were born to be a King!”

Meanwhile, the Winged Tiger hobbled alongside Bibo. He cautiously snapped off one of his own teeth and offered it to the beaver with both paws.

“Lord… please accept this small token…”

“Just call me Bibo,” the beaver said indifferently, swiping the tooth without hesitation.

“Don’t worry,” Bibo continued, pocketing the bribe. “My Great King isn’t like those bloodthirsty, brain-dead savages you’re used to. As long as you keep your head down and behave, he won’t kill you.”

The Winged Tiger, realizing his bribe had been seen through instantly, didn’t feel embarrassed. Instead, he nodded vigorously.

“I knew the Great King was extraordinary the moment I saw him!” he praised shamelessly.

Bibo looked at the tiger with a touch of pride. “Of course. Our King is destined for greatness.”

He paused, then leaned in closer. “Listen, kid. Working hard here might be your greatest fated chance. I’ve only been with the King for a year, and look at me. He gave me a Middle-Grade spirit medicine to cure my old injuries. I run my own spirit plant business and have amassed a fortune I couldn’t have earned in a lifetime back at the East Sea Dragon Palace!”

The Winged Tiger looked skeptical. Bibo snorted.

“You think I’d lie to you? I’m only telling you this because you seem clever. You’ll understand soon enough.”

They rounded a bend in the path. Bibo pointed ahead.

“We’re here. The Bamboo Pool. The Boss is generous enough to share even this treasure land.”

The Winged Tiger looked up and gasped.

Hidden within a grove of purple bamboo lay a pool constructed entirely of Purple Jade. The water shimmered with Spiritual Qi, reflecting the soft glow of the Lunar Essence Grass planted along the banks. The air was fresh, thick with energy.

“A First-Tier Middle-Grade spirit pool?” The Tiger muttered, his eyes wide. “He wasn’t lying?”

Originally, the pool had been Low-Grade. But as Wu Yuan excavated the Purple Jade vein beneath the forest, the release of energy had upgraded the spring to Middle-Grade, enhancing its healing and mind-calming effects.

Bibo, finding the original natural pool too “ugly” for his King’s status, had renovated it into a luxury spa. However, he had strongly opposed Wu Yuan allowing the common rabble to use it.

Compromise had been reached: Wu Yuan opened a secondary pool next to the main one, named the Spirit Cleansing Pool. Subordinates could use it—for a fee.

It was a massive profit center. Little Green Mountain was full of resources, and lucky rats often found treasures. Rather than confiscating everything and stifling their motivation, Wu Yuan created an economy.

Spirit plant shops, spell tutoring, cultivation spots—if you had the stones, Wu Yuan had the goods. His wealth had ballooned so much he had lost count, but he estimated he could easily fund his cultivation all the way to the late Qi Condensation stage.

“One tiger guest!” Bibo shouted to a nearby attendant. “Give him the Full Package!”

Still bewildered, the Winged Tiger was ushered into the Spirit Cleansing Pool by a team of solicitous little mice.

Though called an “auxiliary” pool, it was luxurious beyond belief. The Tiger sank into the warm, energy-rich water, feeling his shattered bones and bruised muscles begin to knit together.

A mouse scurried over with a wooden tray. He offered a bamboo cup with a straw.

Confused, the Tiger took a sip. His eyes snapped open.

“Pure Lunar Essence Grass juice?!”

He drained the cup in one go, licking his lips.

Next, the mice guided him to a smooth Purple Jade platform in the center of the pool. He lay down, and several burly “massage rats”—specially trained by Wu Yuan—stepped forward.

They began to knead his back with expert paws, channeling small bursts of Spiritual Energy to break up muscle tension and accelerate Qi absorption.

The Winged Tiger’s eyes fluttered shut. His tense body went limp, and a deep purr rumbled in his throat. He drifted into a blissful sleep.

When he woke up, he felt reborn. His pain was gone, replaced by a light, airy sensation of comfort.

The service didn’t end there. The mice returned with more trays.

Roasted monster meat with a crispy, golden crust, drizzled in savory sauce. Side dishes of fresh Lunar Essence Grass. Bowls of Snake Tooth Rice. Platters of Spirit Melon. Desserts made of Spirit Bee honey.

The aroma hit him like a physical blow. The Winged Tiger’s stomach roared like thunder.

He stared at the feast.

“What kind of garbage life have I been living before this?” he whispered.