Chapter 9: The Little Hero Who Fights Tigers, Wang Lin

Suddenly, the crowd erupted in a series of startled screams, and she then saw the people around her frantically scattering in all directions. Even the Yu family had jumped out of their sedan chair and fled. Only then did she numbly raise her head to look up...

Under the moon, at this moment, Wang Lin's heart is filled with an unparalleled tranquility

At the foot of Jingyang Ridge, an increasing number of merchants and travelers gathered, among them the Yu family. They heard that a ferocious beast had suddenly appeared on the ridge, causing everyone to refrain from crossing recklessly, and they could only temporarily congregate here.

But the young lady, disregarding her fear, like a fledgling swallows diving into the forest, rushed into his embrace, crying like a weeping child

He knew that he and the young lady had completely freed themselves from their predicament

Although it is night, the streets and alleys of the county town are filled with onlookers who have been awakened and are eager to see the spectacle, bustling with excitement as they gather to witness the giant insect and the heroic figures who are fighting it, creating an atmosphere more lively than during the New Year celebrations

Lin Lang, in broad daylight...

The events of this night feel like a dream from the South Branch River, and even now she still feels as if she is in a dream

Zhou Pingdun was astonished, looking up and down at Wang Lin. After a long while, he finally revealed a look of curiosity and said: "The day before yesterday, Lord Chao from Yuncheng County sent someone to deliver a message to me, saying that he has a nephew named Wang Lin... Could it be that this is the little hero in front of me?"

The changes in the world and the fluctuations of human emotions are nothing more than this

Wang Lin nodded to Zhou Ping in acknowledgment, unaware that it was this very person who had helped him escape from his prison ordeal. Although he casually remarked, "Just kill it," it elicited an uproar of astonished exclamations from the surrounding crowd

Unknowingly, it is already afternoon

Upon hearing that the hero who had taken down the tiger was none other than Wang Lin, a poor scholar just released from prison, he was initially skeptical. However, the evidence was undeniable, especially when he witnessed the slender young scholar casually hoisting the bloodied beast and proudly making his way home. The county magistrate, stroking his long beard, gasped several times in astonishment.

Wang Lin stretched lazily in bed, feeling refreshed. He slowly opened his eyes to see the young maid, dressed in a clean dress, sitting by the bed with her hands propped on her chin, staring at him in a daze

After some thought, he lowered his head and instructed his subordinates to promptly report this matter to the Dongping Prefecture for recognition of merit

He has not yet risen, and the red plaque sent by the county office has already been hung on the door frame

It turns out that Zhou Doutu helped me clear my wrongful imprisonment, a great kindness that I will remember in my heart. I, Rong Xiaosheng, will visit again tomorrow to express my gratitude

The young lady never returned to the Zhang family again

I, Wang Lin, a native of this county, have encountered the head of Zhou. Just now, I came across this great beast at my post, and in order to save my life, I had no choice but to risk my own life and slay it

He unexpectedly descended from the post while carrying a vividly striped fierce tiger on his shoulder

This fierce tiger weighs at least four to five hundred pounds, and even after removing the skin and internal organs, there are still two to three hundred pounds of meat left. It would not be inappropriate to send some to the neighbors, especially since Wu Da has long wanted to express his gratitude.

The key is also Pan Jinlian's contract of selling herself

Yu was hiding among the guards of the servants, staring blankly, her legs weak, and it took her a long time to regain her composure

Pan Jinlian leaned against the sedan chair of the Yu family, collapsing onto the ground, her beautiful face filled with fear and despair, streaked with tears

Gently calling out: "Lin Lang, it is time to get up. This morning, the neighbors and Brother Wu from next door all said they wanted to pool money to treat you to a drink, to celebrate your reputation as a tiger-slaying hero. Without your consent, I took some of the cooked tiger meat, cut it into pieces, and sent it to them to taste the novelty..."

... ...

Entering the mountains to wrestle with fierce tigers and diving into the sea to capture flood dragons are merely romantic imaginations of literati. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, historical records show that those who have killed tigers with bare hands are few and far between, and each one of them is a remarkable figure of extraordinary prowess

Wang Lin smiled faintly, casually shrugged his shoulders, and sent the vibrant tiger crashing to the ground with a thunderous sound, raising clouds of dust.

A drop of water shall be repaid with a fountain of gratitude, this tiger skin is of little value, if the captain is unwilling to accept it, then please pass it on to Chao... esteemed official, enough!

Lin Lang

Zhou Ping led the county's numerous constables to block the crowd ahead, his gaze striking.

He is indeed the mastermind behind the previous scheme to frame Wang Lin, the pitiful little scholar who was once despised by all, suddenly transforming into a brave hero who fights tigers; all he feels in his heart is astonishment and fear

Under the bright moonlight, a slender figure, covered in bloodstains, moved swiftly, drawing ever closer.

Wang Lin did not take it seriously and laughed, "Sending some is fine, after all, there is plenty, and we ourselves cannot finish it all."

Hu Zhen responded with a sense of unease

County Magistrate Song hurriedly got out of the bed of his concubine, Zhen, and personally led people to welcome at the entrance of the county office

The young lady looked at Wang Lin, her face slightly flushed, feeling a sense of satisfaction in that moment

Both the upper and lower points are generously provided by Lord Chao, while I, Zhou, merely offer a modest contribution. How could I dare to accept such a generous gift

Wang Lin held the young lady's waist with one hand, while she, blushing and with her eyes half-closed, wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning against his chest to avoid the gaze of the crowd

In summary, the more it is passed on, the more mysterious it becomes, and regarding his original identity as a poor scholar, it has been automatically overlooked and ignored by others

Is it ...? ... Lin Lang? The young lady's heart began to race violently.

The Yu family conveyed a signal, hoping to settle the grievances between the two families once and for all. This, of course, is merely her one-sided wish

As for whether there will be such additional benefits in the future, no one can say for certain

Hmm? Shall we wait until the evening

Some well-meaning individuals had reported to the Qinghe County Yamen early on, and the head constable Zhou Ping led more than a dozen constables to this location

Wang Lin finished speaking and turned to walk towards the Apricot Blossom Pavilion not far away

That night, when Wang Lin skillfully skinned and deboned the large beast, his butchering skills were truly put to good use. The tiger skin was prepared to be sent to Zhou Ping as a token of gratitude the next day, while the tiger meat, a rare ingredient that could enhance vitality and health, was naturally reserved for personal use

The little hero who fights against tigers brings peace and benefits to the community, and of course, the funding for this should come from the wealthy individuals in the county, as the county is quite impoverished

With his current strength, protecting his woman is no longer a problem, and that wealthy dog... A glint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes as he bent down and domineeringly picked up the young woman in his arms.

Seeing Wang Lin holding a rolled-up, colorful tiger skin lightly in his right hand, and a box filled with gifts in the other hand, one could not help but exclaim, "Little brother, you possess great strength; truly a hero who can hunt tigers." Wang Lin clasped his fists and smiled, saying, "Today, I have specially come to express my gratitude for the rescue from the captain!"

The reputation of the young hero Wang Lin, who fought against tigers, spread overnight in Qinghe County and its surrounding areas, naturally giving rise to various different versions.

... ...

The young lady, with a hazy spring aura and disheveled hair, extends her delicate jade-like hand to draw back the curtain

This is akin to him drinking a bellyful of tiger's blood, equivalent to heavenly materials and earthly treasures, an additional benefit quietly bestowed upon him by the system. It resembles the process of refining one's essence and washing away impurities found in martial arts novels, representing a fortuitous or one-time encounter of 'blood rebirth,' which is not within the rules of the system itself

Some people enthusiastically discuss that Wang Lin is the earthly incarnation of the Wuqu Star from the heavens, while others claim he is the reincarnation of the Western Chu overlord.

Lin Lang, you are so bad

Zhou Ping, regaining his composure, stepped forward and cupped his fists in salute, saying: "I am Zhou Ping, the head constable of Qinghe County. May I ask the name of this young hero, your esteemed surname, and which place you hail from? And what is this great beast with the hanging eyes and white forehead..."

He then instructed the county clerk, Hu Zhen, to promptly send a plaque inscribed with "Hero of Tiger Hunting" to Wang Lin in the name of the county office as a form of commendation. He also advised him to gather a thousand guan from several wealthy families in the county to present to the Wang family.

Upon witnessing this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines and only gradually realized it was a dead tiger, at which point they cautiously kept their distance from the scene.

In full view of the crowd, a delicate young woman was hysterically crying out, waving her hands, and running desperately with one foot sinking deep and the other barely touching the ground.

Zhou Ping, upon hearing of Wang Lin's visit, immediately greeted him at the door with a beaming smile

Excited neighbors also spontaneously set off some firecrackers, and Hu Zhen, the clerk of the Qinghe County Yamen, personally delivered a thousand guan of silver, which was placed in a box in the courtyard. Additionally, Zhang's maid, Cui'er, brought over Pan Jinlian's personal belongings, along with five hundred taels of silver gifted by the Yu family and a box of silk and satin.

Wang Lin casually wiped the bloodstains from his face and opened his arms towards the young woman. In doing so, he appeared even more ghastly and terrifying, with a bloodied and ferocious expression.

Setting aside the aspect of combat power, in terms of pure vitality and brute strength, he has undergone a transformative enhancement

Zhou Ping and the constables of the county carried Wang Lin and the nearly fainting young woman Pan Jinlian in a sedan chair, and also transported the colorful, large creature with bright eyes and a white forehead. They returned to the city with the sound of gongs and drums, causing a sensation throughout the county

The moon is bright and the stars are few, a gentle breeze passes over the ridge

Truly like a celestial deity

Wang Lin rose and, under the service of the young maid, tidied himself up, changing into a brand new blue shirt, presenting himself as a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth, a jade tree standing in the wind. ... However, this handsome young man, who could still go up the mountain to hunt tigers, is a rare great hero in the world, and now he is the husband of a servant...

A throng of people gathered, with a cacophony of voices.

Wang Lin reached out and pulled the young lady into his embrace

Once completed, one falls into a deep sleep and does not awaken until the next day, when the sun is high in the sky.

And with his other hand, he firmly grasped the tail of the vividly striped tiger, as the two of them, one person and one tiger, walked step by step towards the crowd