I'm savable! Breathing!

Shouldn't you report a corpse at least?

Ji Yuan's mind reeled at their moral calculus. This was willful negligence!

Their archaic speech patterns cemented dread. Were these lunatics?

The truth crystallized - they genuinely intended no rescue. A damp cloth on his forehead their sole concession before resuming chores.

Zhang Shilin directed the fire's relocation nearer the deity statue, allowing residual warmth to reach the dying beggar.

Clink-clink-clink

Flint struck steel. Sparks kissed tinder.

"Flame! Kindling!"

"Coming!"

"Don't smother it!"

Tender care nurtured the fire's growth. Itinerant merchants proved efficient - rainwater from bamboo containers soon bubbled in iron pots.

Thunder growled as rain intensified. The group stared bleakly at the deluge.

"Will this cease by nightfall?"

"Not likely."

"Spring rains bite bone-deep."

"Aye, even oxen starve through Eighth of February."

Damp cloaks hung from temple beams as they huddled around flames.

Clang-clatter

The boiling pot's dancing lid announced readiness.

Liu Quan ladled hot water into wooden bowls. A youth distributed coarse breads and steamed buns from hemp sacks.

"Brother Shilin! Bun or bread?"

"Bread."

The transaction's mundanity enraged Ji Yuan. They feast while I rot!

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"Shilin," wheezed Jin Shunfu through bread crumbs, "Shuixian townsfolk warned of Niu Kui's unrest. None dare night here. What if..."

Zhang studied the storm. "We've numbers. That wretch survived alone." He jerked his chin toward Ji Yuan. "Tigers shun crowds."

The novice Wang Dong choked on his drink. "T-tigers?!"

Laughter erupted. "Still green, eh lad?"

"Wang Dong," Zhang chuckled, "Niu Kui spans two hundred li. Tigers roam its depths, but our path skirts edges."

Niu Kui Mountain? Tigers? Shuixian Town? Ji Yuan's mental map fractured.

Noticing Jin's unease, Zhang leaned close. "What rumors?"

Jin swallowed hard. "Some say... this mountain harbors demons."

Gooseflesh prickled both men.

"Fool's tales! We've traversed safely before."

"Yet this gloom chills my soul..."

"Rest, old friend."

Their taboo against shoulder-touching went unbroken.

Ji Yuan's phantom form shuddered. These weren't actors. No film crew hummed beyond rain's veil.

Footsteps approached. Zhang lifted Ji Yuan's head, bringing a wooden bowl to cracked lips.

"Drink."

Warmth flooded Ji Yuan's core like celestial nectar.

Through fever-haze, realization struck:

Zhang Shilin's no madman. Their world's fabric differs...

The horrifying, exhilarating truth erupted:

Have I crossed into another realm?