Massacre (1)

His temporarily so maligned brain proved its usefulness instantly though, timely producing a forgotten piece of information: that tigers supposedly were afraid of fire, that they would run from a flickering torch.

Torches at least he had as a matter of necessity, if they didn't flicker, or at least not much, their intense heat alone would have to do. 

Not caring that he'd give himself away - it didn't matter, if the theory held, he would be protected by the heat anyhow - he tore one out of its package, igniting it, holding it in front of himself as he strode towards the tiger.

Who to Ye Xue's growing dismay did not show the slightest inclination to run away: he had stopped walking closer to the spring, and the trap, but kept standing not that far away, somehow, to Ye Xue, looking as if it was laughing at him.

Which, he told himself, could not be, that just his imagination was playing tricks on him as he stopped a respectful distance away from the tiger.