"Third Master?"
The other hunters noticed Third Master Zhou's gaze and followed it, their expressions changing instantly.
"Tails!"
Behind the old man wearing a straw hat, the two little girls had grown gray tails.
"Wolf tails! Wolf demons!"
Several hunters instantly became tense and alert.
The old man looked at Zhang Jian and said.
"Young Master, tell me, when facing such villains, shouldn't I avenge my family and wipe out these evildoers completely?"
His only concern remained Zhang Jian.
The other hunters also noticed something strange and turned their gazes towards him.
Zhang Jian looked calm as he spoke: "Avenging your family is a natural right; you can certainly kill them, but it won't solve the fundamental issue!"
"They are hunters by nature, just like your tribe is naturally the top hunters of the forest!"
"You might kill them, but their descendants will still be hunters, and once they grow up, they'll continue to hunt your race!"
"Then I'll kill their descendants too!"
The old man snorted coldly, and a thick gray Demon Qi emanated from him, filling the Immortal Rock.
Chilling to the bone!
"Even if you could do it in front of me, by doing so, you'll only hasten the demise of your tribe!"
Zhang Jian's expression remained calm.
As his eyes widened slightly, a bronze light shimmered from them, seemingly suppressing the entire Immortal Rock. Under this majestic Spiritual Pressure, the wolf demon's expression changed, feeling his eight hundred years of cultivation shake under such invisible pressure, his soul trembling like a lamb to the slaughter.
An expert!
The wolf demon's expression changed, his eyes transformed to a murky yellow, with beast-like slit pupils.
"Young Master, have you decided to protect these murderers?"
There was still some reluctance in his eyes.
"Grandfather!"
At this moment, the two young wolf demons looked frightened, clinging tightly to the old man's clothes.
"For a meal's grace, one should repay with gratitude!"
Zhang Jian slowly raised his head, the Dragon Roar Sword by his side hummed softly, sensing his resolve, eager to strike.
The old man watched this scene, his expression changing again.
With a brief pause, Zhang Jian smiled and said: "But I am not unreasonable; indeed, it was the hunters who were at fault, having killed your family, even if inadvertently!"
"But stopping violence with violence isn't a permanent solution, nor a guarantee against future loss of loved ones!"
"Dear hunters, how about I mediate this matter for you?"
He looked at the people around him and calmly said:
"Promise me you will never hunt in Yinxi Land again, even if you starve!
And this elder will ensure not to seek revenge against you or your families, how does that sound?"
Zhang Jian also directed his gaze towards the old wolf.
The old man frowned slightly, his eyes flickered with fierceness at the hunters, but considering the two little girls beside him, and Zhang Jian's tactics, he nodded.
"If they guarantee not to disturb Yinxi Land in the future, my Gray Wolf Race can promise not to seek revenge against them or their families!"
Upon hearing this, the hunters exchanged glances, their expressions solemn, but soon all nodded in agreement.
Third Master Zhou was bolder, hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward to the wolf demon and said.
"Dear elder, please don't be too harsh; we brothers didn't know Yinxi Land was your home. We can promise never to hunt there again, not just us but our descendants too, never disturbing Yinxi Land!"
"If violated, anyone of our kin entering Yinxi Land shall be at your mercy!"
Zhang Jian smiled at the sight.
"Very well!"
"I personally witness today's agreement; should anyone break it, all consequences are theirs to bear!"
"Good, we trust Young Master's words. Let's hope they never infringe on Yinxi Land again; otherwise, even if it costs my life, I will make them pay!"
The old wolf slowly stood, bowed to Zhang Jian, then turned and walked into the shadows behind Immortal Rock with the two little girls.
After the old man left, the hunters rushed forward, bowing.
"Thank you, Young Master, for saving us!"
Zhang Jian helped them up, saying: "No need, it's thanks to your good hearts that your lives were spared!"
Hearing this, the hunters felt a chill in their hearts, though Third Master Zhou remained concerned.
"Young Master, but what should we do if those monsters don't keep their word?"
"That's easy!"
Zhang Jian smiled slightly, gestured to Zhang Lu to fetch six lifelike images from his bag.
Handing them to each of the six hunters.
"Kitchen Goddess?"
The hunters opened them, seeing an image of a Divine Maiden surrounded by blazing flames, wearing a bright red Noble Robe, with the Blazing Divine Wheel above her head.
Zhang Jian smiled and explained:
"This is the Kitchen God, guardian of the home. It can protect the household's safety; hang it beside your Stove Fire, and if evil comes, the deity will appear and repel the monsters!"
"But divine protection isn't foolproof, so you better not venture to Yinxi Land lightly, or even I can't save you!"
Zhang Jian warned the six.
He never underestimated the complexity of human nature.
Upon hearing this, the six hunters were relieved, expressing their profound gratitude.
The next day, early morning, in the rain and snow.
The hunters stood in front of Immortal Rock, reluctant to leave, each offering portions of dried meat to Zhang Lu, but Zhang Jian refused with a smile, leaving only some dried fruits and cooked food.
Master and servant descended the mountain in the rain and snow, having already left their horses at the homestead below.
Master and servant retrieved their horse from the farmstead below, paid for some feed, then continued along the official road.
After Zhang Jian departed, the old wolf emerged slowly in the forest, followed by a pack of tall gray wolves, different from the thin, hungry ones foraging in winter.
He glanced towards Immortal Rock in the south of the mountain, his yellow eyes flickering, then howled softly, quickly disappearing into the woods with the pack close behind.
The master and servant were swift, and as their horse galloped, they noticed the growing number of merchant caravans on the road.
Jixian County was in sight!
On horseback, Zhang Lu observed the numerous merchant caravans heading to Jixian County, unable to hold back his comment: "Young Master, with so many caravans heading to Jixian County, it must be quite prosperous, right?"
"Indeed, Jixian County is known as the premier county of the Southern Provinces, naturally it's quite prosperous, especially since four years ago, a righteous Governor took charge, ruthlessly purged many corrupt clerks, cleaned up many bullies, thus attracting more merchants to Jixian County!"
Zhang Jian laughed, knowing the changes in Jixian County like the back of his hand.
He was always a mindful person.