Chapter 17

The man had lost to the tiger of Cheonwolru, but he still had pride in his skills.

In the Jiangxi region, he was known as one of the most talented first-generation disciples of Shinwolmun. His teacher and peers had always acknowledged him as the strongest among them.

Yes, he had been caught off-guard by that baby tiger’s unexpected slap—but against humans, he was confident in his swordsmanship.

With his shattered pride barely pieced back together, he followed the stranger into a teahouse.

It looked like any other teahouse in Luoyang—ordinary, simple, nothing special.

But the guide took him directly to the second floor. When he climbed up, he narrowed his eyes.

The entire second floor was empty—except for one table.
It was as if someone had rented out the whole floor.

“Oh, you’re here. This one’s new, yes?”

“Just lost. To that damned little beast.”

“Ha! You must be thirsty for a drink then. Care for some wine?”

He accepted the cup but didn’t drink. Instead, he stared at the man offering it—the one clearly in charge.

“Why did you call me here?”

“Didn’t that friend ask if you had time?”

“And so…?”

A young man in his early twenties stood from his seat. He wore luxurious silk clothing, and a decorative sword hung at his waist.

“My name is Ma Baek—eldest son of the Ma Merchant Guild.”

“I’ve heard of the Ma Guild’s reputation. I am Yang Pae, first-generation disciple of Shinwolmun.”

“A pleasure. Ahem. As for me—I was the first person to suffer a humiliating defeat at the paws of that damned little beast.”

When he remembered it, Ma Baek’s eyes twisted with barely restrained fury.

“That cursed animal broke my leg. How could I ever forget the humiliation?!”

He slammed his fist down, and the others gathered there nodded vigorously, sharing in the rage.

“I got slapped by it while walking near a Cheonwolru courtesan!”

“I collapsed in front of people who made bets about me!”

“I did not spend years training martial arts just to lose to a palm-sized tiger cub!”

Each shout was fueled by raw anger and wounded pride.
Ma Baek raised his voice.

“But! That’s not the only thing we’re angry about, is it? Why are we furious? It’s because of that animal we can’t even speak to the courtesans of Cheonwolru!”

Yang Pae silently nodded.

Was there anyone here who wasn’t interested in the courtesans of Cheonwolru?

Going there was a way to show you were capable and respected.
Sure, there were other ways to build a reputation—but none as glamorous.

“So what exactly are you proposing?”

“What if—without stepping into Cheonwolru—you could meet the courtesans? If you get invited by them, even those with weak skills could enter Cheonwolru.”

It sounded… tempting.

“And in the process, we could also get revenge on that damned beast.”

“Is there a method?”

“There is.”

Ma Baek lowered his voice conspiratorially, eyes gleaming.

“I’ve been observing Cheonwolru for a long time. I found a way. But I’ll only explain it if you agree to join the plan.”

“If that is all…”

“You must show commitment. Sign a pledge, so there’s no backing out later. Will you use this?”

He handed over a sheet of paper, neatly written in elegant handwriting.

Yang Pae read the contents.

“Everyone here has already signed. Will you join us?”

His hesitation was brief.

“…Fine.”

And so, in the middle of the day, in an ordinary teahouse,
The humiliated victims of Cheonwolru’s guardian tiger plotted their revenge.

***

Meanwhile…

The fox frowned.

“I didn’t think buying herbs with money would be this difficult.”

He had bragged to San-gun earlier, but gathering herbs was far harder than expected.

Usually, martial sects either trained dedicated gatherers or secured exclusive rights with local herbalists. Cheonwolru, being a pleasure house, only bought small amounts—mainly as rewards for their guards.

But San-gun’s condition was the real problem.

“He’s only at ten percent—and that’s considered second-rate to first-rate level in human terms.”

Which was amazing on its own, considering what San-gun was at full strength.
But even when he was at his peak, the Blood Cult had managed to capture him.

They needed him to recover as soon as possible.
Right now, second-rate-to-first-rate internal power wasn’t enough to resist the Blood Cult.

But…

San-gun and the fox were pretending to be human.
Shapeshifting consumed qi constantly.

San-gun also insisted on hiding the fact that he was a spirit beast.

And worst of all—

Finding herbs strong enough to satisfy San-gun was nearly impossible.

No matter which connections he used, precious herbs weren’t something people sold to some pleasure-house owner or a wandering Hao Clan operative.

Officials? Nobles?
They’d rather offer their rare herbs to the imperial family than waste them on Cheonwolru.

Cheonwolru was created by people of the lowest social rank.
Even with the fox’s status, they weren’t respected enough.

But reality was reality.

The fox needed another solution.

“…I’ll have to find them myself.”

With that conclusion, he stood up.

***

Telepathic Conversation

[You’re going to look for herbs yourself?]

[Yeah. I wanted to get them through humans, but none of them are willing to part with good-quality herbs…]

The fox clicked his tongue with annoyance.

So I’ll go search the mountains in my true form. I’ll have better luck that way—and I can find herbs both you and I approve of.]

A groan escaped me.

[…Is it really that hard? I came to the human world precisely because wandering alone in baby tiger form would be dangerous while gathering herbs.

You’re right—it is dangerous. But in the human world, herbs with spiritual energy barely exist. And humans who don’t cultivate internal power are too weak to survive in the wild.]

He sighed heavily.

[Martial sects consume herbs and pills constantly, so they have entire systems to secure them. And since I’m just some pleasure-house lord asking for herbs, of course people get suspicious.]

Humans and their social hierarchy again…

The fox sighed again.

[If I weren’t the leader of the Hao Clan, it would be even harder.]

Without that title, even acquiring information or secure places would have been nearly impossible.

Anyway, that’s how it is. So stay cautious while I’m gone.]

He turned to leave, but I called out.

If that’s the plan, can’t I go gather herbs myself? I’m at ten percent now. I could at least search—]

Don’t be ridiculous. Human world or not, to spirit beasts you smell like a delicious nutritious snack right now.

The fox stared at me sharply.

And there are humans who might want revenge on you too. You beat up quite a few troublesome types.

I had no way to argue.
He was right on all accounts.

So instead, I gave him advice.

Don’t take unnecessary risks. That would defeat the whole reason I came back.]

The fox stopped walking and turned slightly.

[San-gun… I’m a nine-tailed fox. Even when I was just an animal, I was famous for being clever. If I actually put effort into thinking, what danger can’t I avoid?

He waved a hand casually, still in human form, and walked away.

I swallowed the words rising to my throat.

You died because you got caught, you idiot.

But then I remembered—

This is earlier than the time he was captured in my previous life.

The Blood Cult isn’t openly active yet.

Wait—

This is EXACTLY the time period when he went missing…

“Ah—!”

Panic shot through me.

I pushed qi into my legs and sprinted after him.

“Eh? Uwah!!”