Tiger

"At the western mountains, there's a place called Huang Feng Cave where a formidable figure, calling himself the Huang Feng Great King, resides. He's defeated many skilled martial artists, even a level 4 expert couldn't stand against him and was devoured," the old farmer said, recounting what he knew.

"Is that why you tried to stop us?" Wukong asked, picking at his teeth.

"Yes…"

"Well… Killing a level 4 means he's got some strength, but they're no different from my grandkids. One swing of my staff, and his head will be mush! Haha!" Wukong boasted arrogantly.

…Why do I have a feeling Wukong's going to get beaten after saying that?

"Since you're so confident, I'm relieved!" The farmer smiled, then, along with the others, clasped his hands and bowed to show respect.

Afterward, the group left the village and continued their journey.

After walking for a while, they caught sight of a majestic mountain.

"Is that… Huang Feng Cave?" I said, sweating as I looked at the rugged, sprawling mountain range before us.

"Master, let me scout ahead," Wukong said, leaping onto the mountain peaks to survey the area.

"Huh?"

Wukong noticed something and looked closer.

Swish!

Wukong's eyes widened as she touched her cheek, feeling blood trickle down.

"…Goddamnit. After 500 years, have all the Yaoguai's skills surpassed my iron skin? I really need to upgrade my powers."

She looked behind her and saw a floating blade trembling in the air before it shot back toward her.

Wukong pulled the Jingu Bang from her ear and used her staff to block the attack.

Sparks flew as the two weapons clashed. Wukong spun her staff with great force, sending the blade flying away.

It disappeared completely.

"…" Wukong memorized the blade's appearance and returned to the group.

As I waited, I saw Wukong return with blood on her cheek, which made me a bit worried.

"What happened?"

"An enemy attacked. I don't know who yet. Yu Long, Pig, protect Master as we move forward!"

Though Bajie didn't like Wukong, she cared about Master and had to comply.

So, the group headed up the mountain.

Surprisingly, just a few steps in, trouble found them.

They spotted a tiger with blood on its lips, eyeing them like prey.

"Just a cat. Let your junior sister handle it!" Bajie said, pulling out her nine-tooth rake and preparing to charge.

Wukong looked at the tiger and realized something.

"Stupid pig! That's no ordinary tiger!!"

"Huh?" Bajie looked at Wukong innocently, only to be sent flying into a tree with a single blow, toppling nearby trees.

The group then focused on the tiger.

The four-legged beast suddenly stood upright.

Its belly split open, revealing a small hand clenched into a fist.

"It's a Yaoguai!"

The Yaoguai shed its disguise, using it like a cloak that fluttered in the wind.

Wow! Does she know aura farming or something?

Short orange hair with black streaks like a tiger's, a petite frame, and dressed in martial arts attire.

Most notably, she looked short.

"Hey, hey! Where did you Yaoguai come from, trespassing on our territory?!"

"…" I, Wukong, and Yu Long looked at her, then at each other.

The three of us huddled together, whispering.

"Is that a kid?"

"Definitely a kid."

"Agreed."

"She looks like a bootleg Ju Fufu from ZZZ."

"Ju Fufu? Who's that, Master?"

"Wukong, you don't need to know."

Seeing the group whispering and ignoring her, she grew furious.

"Are you ignoring me?!"

"Oh, sorry, sorry, you just look like a kid," Wukong said, waving her hand as if shooing away a child.

"…Believe me, I'll rip your guts out and eat them, you hairy monkey!"

Uh-oh, she's mad now.!

Bajie got up, looked at her hair all messed up like a madwoman, and glared at the tiger in front of her.

"Damn it! I spent nearly an hour brushing my hair to impress Master, and you, you mangy cat, messed it all up! I'm going to bash your brains out!"

She gripped her nine-tooth rake tightly and slammed it hard into the ground.

Instantly, sharp spikes shot up from the earth, rushing toward the tiger girl.

The tiger girl saw this and leapt into the air, only to see earthen spears flying toward her.

Right after, she punched the spears, shattering them into pieces.

"Step aside, Master, Senior Sister, and Junior Sister! Let me deal with this naughty cat!"

Wow, is Bajie trying to be the main character this time?

"Go for it, Bajie!" I cheered, making Bajie smirk in a rather annoying way.

"Just don't turn into pork chops."

"Shut up, monkey!"

As soon as the tiger girl landed, she saw Bajie charging at her like a wild boar.

"Oh! A 1v1? I like it!"

She stomped the ground hard with her foot and raised both hands.

When Bajie rammed into her, the tiger girl blocked her with both hands.

Bajie was shocked, seeing how easily she was stopped, without the tiger girl even breaking a sweat.

"Let me tell you, I'm only at level three," the tiger girl grinned, then shoved Bajie back with her shoulder.

Bajie stepped back, eyeing her opponent.

The tiger girl had already assumed a martial arts stance, exuding an overwhelming aura.

"Who are you?" Bajie asked bluntly.

"Hmph, since this is a 1v1, I'll introduce myself."

She pointed at herself.

"I have no name!"

…

"Actually, I do! But it's a nickname!"

"Alright, go on."

"I am Tiger Vanguard! The most trusted subordinate of Lord Huang Feng! I'm the strongest after him, and I'm tasked with guarding the gate! And you?"

"You didn't need to share all that, but thanks."

"What about you? No introduction?" Tiger Vanguard pointed at Bajie.

"Me? Well… I'm Zhu Bajie. I was born in Gao Village as a half-Yaoguai, half-human. I was discriminated against—"

"Uwaaahhh! Why is your story so sad? That's awful!" Tiger Vanguard sobbed buckets, leaving everyone speechless.

At least she's still able to talk?

So Zhu Bajie continued her story, making Tiger Vanguard cry even harder.

After a while, seeing Tiger Vanguard's eyes swollen from crying, I glanced at Wukong and approached.

"Master, why are you here?" Bajie asked, confused. I whispered to her.

"She seems like a good listener. Why don't we try convincing her to let us pass? That way, no one gets hurt."

"B-But how do we convince her?"

"Obviously, I'll do it. If you guys talk, we'll never get through."

So I stepped forward to face Tiger Vanguard.

"Huh? Who are you?"

"Ah, greetings, honored Tiger Vanguard. I am the master of these three disciples. I apologize for attacking you earlier; my disciples were foolish."

"But Master, tiger meat is delicious," Bajie said, earning a glare from me.

'Shut up! Can't you see I'm trying to negotiate to avoid a fight?'

"Master? You don't look like a master at all," Tiger Vanguard said.

"I'm their master in name only. They protect me on my journey to fetch the scriptures."

"Fetch the scriptures… Don't tell me?!" Tiger Vanguard looked at me in shock.

"Yes, as this is an important mission, I kindly ask you to let us pass, and I promise we won't cause any—"

Suddenly, my collar was yanked with great force, and my face was pulled close to hers.

"You're Tang Seng!"

"Huh? Oh, yes, that's right. Why?"

"Then I have to capture you and bring you to the cave!"

…What?

"MASTER!" Bajie, Yu Long, and Wukong saw the situation turning bad and rushed forward.

"See ya!" Tiger Vanguard grabbed her tiger-skin cloak and covered us both with it.

By the time the three of them struck the spot, all they saw was the tiger-skin cloak torn to shreds.

"…" Wukong looked at Bajie.

"What? My fault?" Bajie snapped back angrily at Wukong.

"…Tch, we need to find Master now! Who knows what they'll do to him!"