I beg you! Don't go! Ji Yuan's voiceless plea burned behind the deity statue. If these merchants perished, he'd be next.

He could only listen helplessly as footsteps faded into the mountain night.

Eyelids twitching, mouth trembling, his right pinky suddenly jerked.

The slight movement electrified Ji Yuan's spirit. Focusing inward, he realized the sleep paralysis was loosening—several fingers now responded weakly. Progress!

If he could move, perhaps he could unite the remaining merchants against impending doom.

At the temple entrance, Zhang Shilin lit two torches. Cold night winds whipped the flames sideways.

"Protect Scholar Lu!"

"Understood, Shilin-ge!"

"Old Jin, keep alert!"

"Don't worry, Shilin! I've got eyes on him!"

Jin Shunfu gripped his torch. As seasoned mountain travelers, they feared no brief night trek.

When Zhang offered the second lit torch to Lu Xing, the scholar waved it off.

"No need! The flame might singe my robe. Let Brother Wang carry it."

Wang Dong eagerly snatched the torch. "Heh, my pleasure!"

"Rascal." Zhang chuckled, storing unlit torches in Liu Quan's basket before the group departed.

Inside, Ji Yuan's face contorted in silent struggle—not illness, but desperate attempts to regain bodily control.

The remaining eight merchants returned, faces alight with anticipation. Even common ginseng fetched silver from the wealthy who prized longevity.

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"Captain! The beggar's convulsing!"

They clustered around Ji Yuan's twitching form.

"Epileptic fit! Get a stick!"

Ji Yuan gagged as grimy wood forced between his teeth.

"Bury him if he dies."

You heartless bastards! Rage pulsed through his veins despite their good intentions.

ROOOAAAR

The tiger's roar shook the mountains. Birds exploded from trees in panicked flocks, wings clattering through the night.

Cold wind swept through broken doors, making flames dance wildly.

"Captain Zhang! What was that?"

Zhang paled, shrinking instinctively. "A tiger's cry shakes the forest!"

Gasping filled the temple. "What about Wang Dong and Old Jin?"

No one dared voice the fear.

"They have torches... The beast sounds distant... Stay vigilant tonight!" Zhang gripped his knife tighter.

The roar jolted Ji Yuan's nerves. Suddenly—control!

His right hand flexed. Blurred vision revealed milky-gray irises. Firelight filtered through frosted glass.

Not blind. Not yet.

"The beggar's awake!"

None heeded him. Blades and clubs gleamed in trembling hands focused on the doorway.

Ji Yuan's attempt to rise collapsed him backward. Skull cracked stone.

Gritting teeth, he hauled himself upright using the plinth's edge—muscles screaming.