I Am Your Natural Enemy

"Ghost Servant? Tiger Demon?"

Wen Yan had naturally heard of Ghost Servants. In ancient legends, those devoured by tigers would transform into Ghost Servants. This is where the idiom "to act as a tiger's accomplice" originated.

"No, no, no, it's not the National Tiger Demon of your southern regions. Ordinary Tiger Demons don't actually possess such abilities.

"Even Tiger Demons that do have the power to control Ghost Servants wouldn't have a bridle.

"The difference is huge.

"Those with bridles are called Mountain Lords.

"If you really want to talk about the breed, it's definitely the Northeast Tiger.

"They're beyond comparison to your southern Big Cats.

"Even among ordinary tigers, Northeast Tigers weigh more than double what southern tigers do.

"They're not in the same league. The difference is too vast; there's no comparison."

Old Meng made no attempt to hide his somewhat prejudiced thoughts.

"Northeast Tiger..."

"No. A Northeast Tiger is a Northeast Tiger, a Northeast Tiger Demon is a Northeast Tiger Demon, and a Mountain Lord is a Mountain Lord. They are completely different things."

"Alright, so you mean these are the Ghost Servants of a Mountain Lord? But how could a Mountain Lord's Ghost Servants come to Nanwu County?"

"Don't ask me. I have no idea, and don't expect me to investigate. Honestly, I don't dare.

"A Ghost Servant with a bridle, especially a broken one, definitely means a Mountain Lord is around.

"I'm afraid if I investigate, I'll attract its attention.

"If the Mountain Lord thinks I broke the bridle and comes after me, I'll have no choice but to flee the country immediately.

"And don't ask me where the Mountain Lord is or how far a Ghost Servant can travel from its master.

"I don't know everything, nor do I dare investigate everything.

"I suggest you don't investigate either. Don't get involved in this."

Old Meng was very straightforward in admitting his fear, and he strongly discouraged Wen Yan from pursuing the matter.

He had come to realize that the issues Wen Yan asked him to investigate were never simple. Last time, when he'd been asked to investigate something he thought wouldn't be too difficult, it had ended up leading him straight to a dragon, resulting in backlash. This time, thankfully, it wasn't a dragon, but this was another nasty piece of work. Investigate a Mountain Lord directly? Was he insane? If he dared, and the Mountain Lord tracked him down, how would he die?

"Fine, if we're not investigating, then don't. Let me ask something else."

"Ask away."

"How many Tiger Demons in the past could be called a Mountain Lord?"

"You still don't get it, do you? A Tiger Demon is a Tiger Demon, and a Mountain Lord is a Mountain Lord.

"In modern terms, they're not even the same species.

"It's not that a powerful Tiger Demon can be called a Mountain Lord. That's an old, mistaken rumor.

"A Mountain Lord is a Mountain Lord. From the very beginning until now, there has only ever been one.

"Just like the Water Monarch—from the very beginning until now, there has only ever been one."

As Old Meng spoke, he suddenly felt he might have said too much. He started to feel uneasy all over, sensing that this damn place was getting more dangerous by the minute. He felt that if he stayed any longer, he'd likely meet his end here.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."

Old Meng quickly retrieved his case and stuffed the various bottles and jars into it.

The case, though it looked small, held all the containers and still wasn't full.

Then, he took out another case, about half a meter wide, and somehow stuffed the over two-meter-tall glass coffin into it.

Once done, he immediately mounted his camel and bolted, quickly disappearing down the road.

Wen Yan was somewhat astonished. Was Old Meng really that frightened? After concluding the transaction, he hadn't even tried his usual scheme to see if he could get anything more valuable from Wen Yan. He thought it over and decided to be cautious. He now somewhat understood what Old Meng meant: a Mountain Lord and a Tiger Demon were entirely different things. It was probably like how Gauss Weil and the Pain Demon weren't the same. Wen Yan sighed. Why was Nanwu County so troubled? World bosses had descended on Nanwu County twice, and now even a Mountain Lord, a being that shouldn't be here, seemed to be present. Furthermore, this Mountain Lord had apparently clashed with the Dragon God of the West River, and it hadn't been pleasant. He took out his phone, thought for a moment, then decided to hold off until tomorrow. It was best not to disturb Minister Cai in the middle of the night. The man's hairline had been receding ever since he arrived in Nanwu County. Besides, Minister Cai had just given him a credit card with a high limit. He only understood why Cai Heizi had given him a credit card when he finally got it: it was a government expense card that couldn't be used for cash withdrawals, only for purchases. But that didn't matter, as long as Gauss couldn't keep draining his savings.

He put his phone away, closed the door of the refrigerated truck, and with a wave of his Path-Opening Wand, cleared a path back to his house. He then resumed his boxing practice in the backyard.

A camel suddenly appeared on the northwestern desert, galloping wildly.

Old Meng let out a sigh of relief.

"I really don't want to go back to that godforsaken Nanwu County ever again."

The camel curled its lip, turning its head as if about to spray Old Meng in the face with saliva.

"You say that like someone who shuts down their computer and casually remarks, 'Just average stuff.' If you're so tough, then make a solemn vow: if you ever go to Nanwu County again, may every deal you make end in a disastrous loss!"

Old Meng smacked the camel's head hard. "Why do you enjoy being so argumentative? Next time, I'm sending you to a construction site!"

Old Meng jumped off the camel's back and sighed, conflicted.

"It's true, I really don't want to go to Nanwu County. But the things Wen Yan has are like a beacon in the darkest night.

"Didn't you notice? This time, when we went to Nanwu County, we didn't even set a destination beforehand.

"We just naturally materialized behind his house.

"Do you understand what that means?"