76 What is that thing!? (1/2)

The beast scented the air and their hands were at their swords. A low rumbling growl one paw, two, step forth.

The bear-dog lunged, giant maw snapping towards them. Liu Sumeng drew Mingshui but when he tried to slash at the beast's hide, he saw that the leather was so dense and thick, he could hardly do much damage. He'll have to be more precise with his technique.

But he kept calm. Even as a paw came down at him, speeds frightening.

Nan Chang shot her needles but they couldn't even penetrate the bear-dog's fur. She was shaking again and hid behind Yuan Xuelan like a quaking leaf, ”W-What is that thing! What is that thing!” Her voice shrill, echoed repeatedly.

Peng Jipei, similarly had crawled behind Liu Sumeng for cover, squeaking pathetically but didn't utter a word.

Silei buzzed, a bright red flame roared with the crackling of thunder and Yuan Xuelan met the thing head-on. But the abomination was undaunted by the sword's mighty power and was able to bite down on blistering lightning in its jaw.

”What is that thing!” Nan Chang howled again.

”Tiangou(*),” Liu Sumeng finally responded. He raised his sword again and this time was more careful with his balance, sending a trickle of needle-thin spiritual energy through his sword.

This time when he lunged forward, the tip of the blade pierced black hide. The tiangou, startled jolted backward and let go of Yuan Xuelan's sword. It growled at them from inside the hall, dwarfing any furniture around it.

”This is a tiangou!?” Yuan Xuelan scowled, ”It sure is damn ugly!” A tiangou was a mighty beast, said to have the power to devour even the moon. If Liu Sumeng was to be honest, he wasn't even certain this abomination was anything close to true mighty tiangou of legends. But it was frightening enough to earn the name.

”No, it can't be!” Nan Chang whimpered, ”How are we supposed to kill this thing?” She clutched her silver needles to her chest and was ghastly in complexion. It was obvious she was wound up and ready to bolt at any moment.

But could she be faulted? A tiangou was no simple foe, especially one when they had no time to prepare for it in advance.

”...” Liu Sumeng was unsure either. He had paid dearly to fell this beast in his previous life. But that didn't mean he wasn't going to try. But an unexpected voice caught their attention.

”I'll distract it.” It was Peng Jipei, who stared at the beast, still trembling but with the fire of determination in his eyes.

The other three cultivators immediately cast their eyes towards him.

Before he could explain further, the tiangou attacked again, sprinting at them at top speeds. They ducked out the way, Yuan Xuelan grabbing Nan Chang by the waist and pulled her aside. Liu Sumeng side stepped carefully and gracefully but his eyes were on Peng Jipei instead.

”What do you mean?”

The beast crashed into the opposite wall, the manor trembled in protest as pieces of wall and roof broke away, specs of debris fell like rain.

Silei was alive with lightning and Yuan Xuelan slashed wildly at the beast to catch its attention before luring it away from the group by running to the other side of the hall. Also, where the heck was that pesky flag!? Wasn't it supposed to be somewhere around?

”I-I can lure it outside,” Peng Jipei said in a rush, ”You guys search for the flag and get rid of it first, and then you can come help me.”

”That's the worst idea I've ever heard!” Nan Chang shrilled, ”You're just going to get eaten! Can't we all just stay together?”

”B-but, I think it'll be faster! And it's too dangerous dueling it inside!”

Indeed, there was reason there. With each swipe of a giant paw and each thrust of Silei's frightening power, the manor was falling apart. They needed to take the fight outside lest they wish to buried in a heap of debris. And the flag, protected by the membrane of demonic energy would become lost in the heap.

Though Liu Sumeng's suspicion only increased, he suddenly thought of an idea.

”Xuelan,” the Ivory Sword Saint called, ”Bring it outside with Peng Jipei.”

”...!” Peng Jipei opened his mouth but said nothing.

”Okay, got it!” Yuan Xuelan agreed readily. When the tiangou snapped at him with its jaws, he rolled away and cut into the dog's cheek. Silei drew a sizzling scar across the tiangou's face. It snarled and barked at him, chasing after even when Yuan Xuelan bolted towards the hallway, ”C'mon Peng-ge!” He gave Peng Jipei no option, grabbing his cousin by the collar and dragging him out with the giant beast on their tail.

Good. This way not only was there someone who was willing to stick with Peng Jipei, preventing him from causing too much trouble, Liu Sumeng didn't have to worry about angering Yuan Xuelan in the process either.

With the bear-dog gone, Nan Chang dusted off her dress, her hands still shook from shock and fear, ”What now, Liu-gege? We don't even know where the flag is.”