Chapter 337: Return

Chapter 337: Homecoming

TIGER!!!

Run! There's a tiger coming down the mountain—it’s going to eat people!

It was high noon, and pandemonium broke out at the western gate of Sunset City.

Panicked shouts erupted everywhere, mingled with screams that filled the air.

It couldn’t be helped—anyone who saw such a massive tiger would be scared out of their wits.

From a distance, it looked like a white mound.

Its eyes blazed with predatory intensity, its body coiled low as if ready to pounce on prey.

Its lustrous fur gleamed under the sun, and its massive tail occasionally curled up or drooped down.

When raised, it whipped through the air with a sharp gust; when lowered, it thwacked the ground with a whip-crack.

A single front paw was bigger than a grown man, and when it yawned, its jaws revealed fangs as sharp and cold as spears.

Though after the yawn, it seemed a bit drowsy, giving off lazy vibes.

But while the tiger appeared relaxed, the guards at Sunset City’s gate were about to lose their shit.

What kind of monster was this?!

No… what kind of tiger spirit had appeared?

The martial world had long been in turmoil, with all manner of demons and monsters emerging—was this truly a sign of supernatural beings manifesting in the world?

They white-knuckled their weapons but were too scared to move.

Then, someone looked up and noticed that there were actually two people sitting atop the tiger.

Upon closer inspection—Chief Escort Su!!

At the sight of Su Mo, the guards immediately felt reassured.

Still, the raw power radiating from the tiger made them hesitate, so they could only salute with clasped fists from a distance and call out:

"Greetings, Chief Escort Su!!"

The voice carried over, and Su Mo stood up, returning the gesture from afar:

"Hello, everyone! Don’t worry—this tiger is vegetarian."

"..."

Who would believe that?!

This was even less convincing than saying Zhen Xiaoxiao didn’t eat people.

After all, no matter how much Zhen Xiaoxiao could eat, her mouth wasn’t that big.

But this tiger? Swallowing a few people whole would be like picking its teeth.

Still, even if they didn’t believe the tiger was vegetarian, they trusted Su Mo.

The gatekeeper hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"What an impressive steed you have, Chief Escort Su!"

Su Mo laughed heartily, without any false humility, and simply said:

"Mind giving us some room? We’re heading into the city now."

"This..."

The two gate guards hesitated again.

Of course Su Mo could enter the city. Even with an entourage, he could freely pass through any of Sunset City’s four gates.

But a tiger this big... If it entered and walked among the crowd, spotting someone it fancied, it could just pluck them up in one bite, toss its head back, and gulp them down whole.

If such an incident occurred, it would be no joke.

They were just gate guards and had the responsibility of guarding the gate, so they truly didn’t dare make such a decision on their own.

Immediately, they clasped their fists, about to explain the situation to Su Mo and suggest kicking it upstairs. As long as their superiors approved, they at least wouldn’t bear the responsibility themselves.

This was totally understandable.

But before they could voice their thoughts, a harsh yell came from atop the city gate:

"Where did this man-eating beast come from?!"

As the words fell, a figure vaulted down from the wall, stuck the landing, then raised their head to lock eyes with the white tiger.

"...How is it so big?"

The newcomer was stunned for a second.

The tiger, meanwhile, sniffed at them on instinct before turning back to look at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, looking just as puzzled.

Su Mo tilted his head, studying the person for a moment, then smirked:

"Miss Wei, long time no see..."

The newcomer was none other than Wei Ziyi, the Alliance Leader’s granddaughter.

The last time they met was when Su Mo and she returned from East City, said goodbye at Ten-Mile Pavilion.

Now, nearly a month had passed.

She also tilted her head, looking at Su Mo:

"Chief Escort Su, I heard you traveled west to Wusheng Hall and ‘liberated’ a Tiger Lord’s cub from White Tiger City. I thought it was just a tall tale, but it turns out to be true?"

As she spoke, she stretched out her hand and waved the tiger over:

"Come here, let me pet you."

The white tiger was the king of the mountains. Though it had grown up under the care of the Grand Priestess, it was no housecat.

The onlookers immediately held their breath for their young miss. Who just casually pets a beast like this?

Yet the next moment had everyone's jaws dropping.

The massive white tiger actually lowered its head.

Wei Ziyi herself was shocked. After locking eyes with Su Mo for a moment, she suddenly lit up with joy and stroked the enormous "king" pattern on the tiger's forehead.

The tiger’s eyes were narrowed, looking downright pleased.

"Good, good, what a good boy!

"Though it's huge, it's very gentle."

Wei Ziyi was overjoyed.

Su Mo, however, had his lip twitch.

Glancing back at Zhen Xiaoxiao and Xu Lu, he was at a loss for words.

He couldn’t quite figure out how the tiger distinguished between people or determined closeness.

Most importantly, was he really that close to Wei Ziyi?

While he was still puzzling over this, Wei Ziyi bounced up onto the tiger's back:

"Come on, let's head into the city first."

"...You didn’t come specifically to meet us, did you?"

Su Mo asked.

"What do you think?"

Wei Ziyi snorted:

"Word gets around fast in Jianghu. But even when word spreads, not everyone reacts in time.

"Your journey to White Tiger City and the Tiger Lord choosing its master have already set tongues wagging.

"I was in the neighborhood today when I heard someone shouting about a people-eating tiger, so I figured it must be you returning.

"Guessing the guards wouldn’t dare let you in so easily, I came to meet you."

"Thanks, Wei Ziyi."

Yang Xiaoyun couldn’t help but laugh, though the occasional glance she shot Wei Ziyi was hard to read.

Wei Ziyi giggled:

"Yang Xiaoyun, it’s been so long. Seeing you well puts my mind at ease."

"I’ve missed you too."

Yang Xiaoyun smiled. "Since we parted at Ten-Mile Pavilion last time, it's been almost a month. You've gotten even prettier, Wei Ziyi."

"Ah?"

Wei Ziyi blushed. "Oh stop..."

"Of course there is!"

Yang Xiaoyun added, "You’ve gotten even prettier."

Wei Ziyi was so flustered by the remark that her face genuinely reddened. Her gaze flitted about before she instinctively glanced at Su Mo.

Yet she mentally chided herself, wondering why she even bothered looking at him.

Quickly, she dragged Yang Xiaoyun into conversation instead.

Su Mo sat off to the side, suddenly idle.

For now, he enjoyed the quiet.

Yet their casual chatter—random but somehow connected—left him marveling.

Hesitating briefly, he finally asked:

"So, you came back to Sunset City for the alliance conference?"

The alliance conference was scheduled for the 25th of this month.

Su Mo hadn’t rushed back, nor did he particularly care.

Wei Ruhan had spent twenty years setting this up—no way it’d go wrong.

He’d meant to take it slow, savoring the journey.

After all, if he showed up too soon, the small-time schemers eyeing the conference would stay hidden.

This wasn’t Su Mo being arrogant—it was simply a possibility he had to consider.

His presence could genuinely affect the outcome of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance gathering.

But in the end... the white tiger took off like a shot, its speed truly not to be underestimated, and it got faster every day.

Once the wound on its belly had fully healed, it took even greater delight in running wild on the roads.

It avoided main roads for side paths, side paths for mountain trails.

Over mountains, across streams, howling at the sky whenever the mood struck—pure freedom.

Before he knew it, he had returned to the Fallen Phoenix Alliance before the 25th day of the month, and today was the 23rd.

So at this moment, seeing Wei Ziyi here was no surprise whatsoever.

If Wei Ziyi didn’t attend the Fallen Phoenix Alliance conference, who else would?

Along the way, many curious folks had also made their way to Sunset City.

They just hadn’t appeared yet.

“Indeed.”

Wei Ziyi nodded matter-of-factly:

“On your trip to Wusheng Hall, did they also have news of our alliance’s gathering?”

“Word gets around faster than you’d think, doesn’t it?”

Su Mo smiled: "Young Miss Wei, do you have any thoughts on this Alliance gathering?"

"Not looking good."

When Wei Ziyi mentioned this, she looked slightly worried, though she didn’t elaborate. She gently patted the White Tiger beneath her:

"The Alliance's business is a real mess—let’s not dwell on it for now.

"What's the deal with this White Tiger anyway?

"Not long ago, White Tiger City suddenly spread news that their White Tiger Remnants' Tiger Lord had sensed something, leading to the birth of a Holy Child.

"At the time, weird things kept happening—some saw the Tiger Lord flying through the sky and roars that echoed throughout White Tiger City.

"Though no one actually saw the Tiger Lord’s apparition, many did hear the roars.

"Afterward, the Grand Priestess of White Tiger City officially announced that Su Mo, First of Donghuang and Chief Escort Su, happened to be in White Tiger City that very night.

"After sensing the Holy Child, it actually recognized me as its master and chose to follow me…

"From that day on, White Tiger City made Su Mo their Holy Lord.

"Now, people in the martial world are already talking.

"A thousand-year-old White Tiger City is nothing to sneeze at—neither the Fallen Phoenix Alliance nor Wusheng Hall would mess with them lightly.

"Yet you quietly brought them under your control, truly leaving many jaws on the floor.

"As for the Holy Child choosing a master, some are even saying…

"Some even say I’m a reincarnated immortal, which is why the Tiger Lord’s Holy Child follows me.

"They claim it’s waiting for when I die so it can ascend to the heavens and become an immortal."

After listening, I was at a loss for words.

Though I had long suspected White Tiger City’s explanation for the White Tiger would be absurd, the core of it inevitably tied back to their ancestors.

Now, sure enough…

But to drag in terms like "Holy Child" and "Holy Lord"—should I say, as expected of professional charlatans?

I shook my head lightly and said:

"What really happened is far from as simple as you imagine."

"Oh?"

Wei Ziyi immediately got interested:

"Do tell—I’m quite curious now."

"Better not."

I chuckled:

"While telling you wouldn’t be an issue, I did take their hush money."

"Secondly, as one of the leaders of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, your position makes it hard to trust you wouldn't use what you hear."

Though Wei Ziyi was a bit scatterbrained and came off as ditzy, she was no dummy.

Having heard this much, she got the picture:

"So, you’re holding their secret, got them by the short hairs, and that’s why they dance to your tune.

"You just swiped their prize tiger?"

"This was won fair and square."

Su Mo patted the white tiger beneath him:

"I pulled out all the stops to make it come around willingly."

"...I don’t believe you."

"Suit yourself."

This conversation was going off the rails, and Su Mo couldn't be bothered to engage with her anymore.

Wei Ziyi made a show of grabbing Yang Xiaoyun’s hand and cut Su Mo a look:

"Sister Yang, your man's picking on me."

"Then, do you want him to pick on you?"

Yang Xiaoyun dropped a bombshell.

"!!!!"

Both Su Mo and Wei Ziyi did a double take, turning their gazes toward Yang Xiaoyun.

Yang Xiaoyun just gave a little smirk:

"What? Did I say something wrong? Why are you both making such a big deal?"

"It’s over, it’s over..."

Wei Ziyi stared at Yang Xiaoyun as if her whole world just tilted:

"Sister Yang, you’ve gone to the dark side with him too."

"Too much nonsense."

Su Mo said, "Following us into the city is one thing, but now you plan to mooch off the escort agency too?"

"Huh?"

Wei Ziyi got all huffy: "You can't even spring for one lousy meal?"

"That's not the point."

Su Mo said, "But if I treat you to a meal, shouldn't you throw me a bone?"

"...What do you want?" She narrowed her eyes.

Wei Ziyi was stunned: "You're not actually going to bully me, are you?"

The moment she said it, she felt dazed—the words had slipped out before she could stop them.

Flushing with embarrassment, she glared at Yang Xiaoyun, blaming her for leading her into this mess.

"Enough."

Su Mo lightly rubbed his temples, regretting ever telling Yang Xiaoyun so much that day.

From the very beginning, he had known she might react unpredictably.

Now, it seemed his fears had come true.

The good mood had soured for no reason.

He took a deep breath, determined to get things back on track, and said solemnly:

"I want you to help me look into something."

"What is it?"

Seeing Su Mo grow serious, Wei Ziyi dropped her playful tone and listened attentively.

Su Mo said in a low voice:

"The Great Manager of Dayou Bank!"

"Huh?"

Wei Ziyi was taken aback and glanced at Yang Xiaoyun before asking:

"Why the sudden interest in him?"

"What, escort jobs not paying the bills anymore? Now *that’s* a career change."

"..."

Su Mo rolled his eyes and raised a threatening hand, but then felt the gesture was too intimate, so he reluctantly lowered it.

Meanwhile, Yang Xiaoyun murmured an explanation to Wei Ziyi.

Though there was no real need to whisper.

The streets emptied as the white tiger prowled—no one dared stay.

From a distance, everyone had retreated indoors, hiding away—even fame-hungry martial artists showed no interest in facing the tiger for a chance at glory.

After all... challenging martial arts masters might end in defeat, but it wouldn’t necessarily mean death.

However, challenging the white tiger? If you lost, the tiger wouldn’t fight fair—it’d eat you alive. One could only say Su Mo’s pet clearly skipped breakfast.

Yang Xiaoyun filled Wei Ziyi in as they rode.

At first, Wei Ziyi shrugged it off, but as she listened, her frown deepened:

"Oh... I see."

"That manager from Great Fortune Bank must have nerves of steel."

"I was wondering how word got out about you transporting that Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron so quickly through the martial world."

"Turns out they were the one pulling the strings."

"I’ll remember this. I owe you one for this."

"Someone who can expand their business across the Eastern Wasteland must have serious connections. I’ll go ask my grandfather about it later."

With that settled, the Ziyang Escort Agency came into view.

The agency was clearly expecting them.

After all, the commotion at the city gates had caused quite a stir, and a quick inquiry would show that Chief Escort Su had returned riding a giant tiger.

Thus, the gates of the Ziyang Escort Agency swung open, and Uncle Fu, along with others, came out.

They stood in the street, craning their necks in anticipation.

Even with prior warning, the sight of such a massive tiger still made their blood run cold.

Many of the escorts found their knees trembling.

But Uncle Fu stood his ground. Ignoring the tiger, he searched for Su Mo on its back.

When he spotted him, his wrinkled face lit up.

"Young Master."

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun hurried down, followed closely by Xu Lu and Zhen Xiaoxiao.

Wei Ziyi, naturally, couldn’t stay on the white tiger either and brought up the rear.

Uncle Fu kept nodding.

"Young Master, you’re back..."

The others immediately came forward to welcome them.

Su Mo looked around but stopped short.

"Why don’t I see Liu Mo and Fu Hanyuan?"

"Escort Liu's team is still on a run, but they should be back within the next couple of days."

Uncle Fu smiled as he ushered them inside.

As they walked, however, he looked each of them over before he finally asked,

"Where’s Old Hu?"

Despite his age, he still remembered exactly who had gone out on each escort mission.

At first, the numbers seemed right.

But upon closer inspection, he realized Hu Sandao was missing, with Wei Ziyi in his place.

Su Mo chuckled:

"Let's go inside and talk. Old Hu has found another opportunity and will take some time before he can return."

As they spoke, the group, along with the white tiger, entered the courtyard.

The escorts eyed the white tiger warily.

But since it was the chief escort's mount, they put on brave faces and acted unfazed despite their unease.

The white tiger was remarkably intelligent.

Without needing Su Mo to repeatedly instruct it, it understood it wasn't to eat any of these people.

Once inside the courtyard, it realized they had arrived at their destination and simply plopped down in a spot to rest.

Seeing it so calm, the escorts grew bolder.

Soon, laughter and chatter filled the courtyard.

Afterward, arrangements were made for Su Mo, Yang Xiaoyun, and the others to wash their faces and hands, cleaning off the travel grime.

Finally, the wash water was flung outside.

Uncle Fu immediately barked an order:

"Tell the kitchen to prepare a feast!!"