Having experienced rain's omniscient whispers, Ji Yuan trusted his hyper-acute hearing implicitly. Yet the scholar's approach had registered no footfall.
Jin Shunfu's earlier words chilled him anew. A scholar appearing in wilderness midnight? Unnatural.
But Lu Xing's performance proved masterful - frail scholar guise disarming all suspicion.
"May this humble one inquire your honored name and provenance?"
Zhang Shilin's literary flourish startled even Wang Dong.
Lu bowed gracefully. "This humble scholar Lu Xing hails from Shuixian's Paimen Quarter, student of Desheng's Green Pine Academy..."
His narrative flowed flawless - lost companions, storm survival, poetic asides. The merchants hung on every word.
Green Pine Academy's prestige awed them. Even Zhang's wariness dissolved into reverence.
Ji Yuan's soul froze. This creature's acting surpassed human capacity. Were choices given, he'd forfeit transmigration instantly.
One hope lingered: The demon needed subterfuge, implying limitations. It hadn't detected him behind the deity's plinth.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
"Ah!" Lu suddenly exclaimed. "Though my purse lies light, I'll gift you mountain's treasure - century-spanning mountain king ginseng!"
The merchants leaned in, breath bated.
"Nine-leafed, crimson-seeded, bound with three vermilion cords!" Lu whispered conspiratorially. "Mountain foragers' trick to trap escaping roots!"
"True! Elders say ancient ginseng digs deep!" Jin confirmed.
Lu's smile sharpened. "The foragers await harvest moon, but why not claim it tonight?"
Feverish excitement infected the group.
"Where?!"
"Two incense sticks' walk from my shelter. Best retrieved ere dawn."
"But night treks..." Zhang hesitated.
"Foragers march at first light! Delay risks losing it!" Lu's urgency proved contagious.
"Jin, Wang, Liu, Li - escort Scholar Lu!" Zhang commanded.
As they gathered torches, Lu's gratitude curdled into a pale, ghastly grin.
Ji Yuan's silent scream tore through astral planes:
DON'T GO!