When all sounds had completely faded and sufficient time had passed, Ji Yuan slumped against the mountain deity statue, utterly drained. Sweat streamed down his face like an unstoppable flood.
The physical exertion felt like running multiple five-kilometer cross-country races back in university. Now he couldn't even lift a finger, panting against the statue like a dead dog.
The merchants, who had been celebrating their survival, grew panicked at this sight.
"Master! Master! Are you alright?"
"Water..."
"Water!! Fetch water for the Master!!"
Zhang Shilin and the merchants scrambled - grabbing towels, bamboo cups, some fanning Ji Yuan with their clothes.
"Here's water! Master, drink!"
Zhang Shilin attempted to hand over the bamboo tube, but seeing Ji Yuan's limp arms, carefully tilted it to his lips instead.
Gulp gulp gulp
Even after Ji Yuan had drunk his fill, Zhang kept pouring until water spilled over.
Damn! Use your eyes!!!
Ji Yuan clenched his jaw until the flow stopped.
"Haaaaah..."
The long exhale signaled partial recovery. The merchants collectively sighed in relief.
Suddenly, Zhang Shilin knelt before Ji Yuan. Others followed suit.
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"Thank you for saving us, Master! We kowtow to you!!"
Thud thud thud - their foreheads hit the floor with genuine force.
Heat rushed to Ji Yuan's face. In his previous life, even a simple bow would embarrass him - let alone full kowtows.
"Rise. You should resent me for failing to save Wang Dong and the others."
The abrupt statement froze the merchants. Unspoken thoughts hung heavy - If only the Master had acted sooner...
Ji Yuan pressed on: "Rescuing you cost me dearly. Breaking through cultivation restraints to save four beyond reach..." His haggard appearance lent credibility. "Remember - beautiful strangers in wilderness nights often mean death."
"Thank you for your wisdom, Master!"
"Stop with 'Master.' Call me Sir." The title felt too much like charlatanry.
Night passed without further incident. Though terrified, exhaustion claimed Ji Yuan within seconds of lying down.
Dawn
Merchants packed the deceased's belongings with red-rimmed eyes.
"How to face Wang Dong's father..."
"Old Jin's two children..."
"We'll support their families."
Approaching the snoring "Master," Zhang left dried flatbread and a bamboo water tube by the statue.
"Let's kowtow farewell."
Thud thud thud
"Enough! Damn noise!!" Ji Yuan rolled over irritably.
"Master's angry! Go!!"
The merchants fled like startled rabbits, vowing never to return to Ox-Horn Mountain.
Noon
Ji Yuan stretched luxuriously. "Ahhh... Best sleep ever!"
The abnormal quiet registered slowly. Blinking milky eyes, he realized -
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!!! Zhang Shilin you bastards left me behind!!!!"
His roar echoed through the abandoned temple - immortal dignity thoroughly shattered.