Chapter 296 – The Vanished Fierce Tiger Reappears

As Ye Kuang stepped out of the Kunlun Mountains, his resolve grew increasingly steadfast.

Yet what astonished many was how his reappearance as “the vanished tiger” had drawn intense scrutiny from certain powerful figures.

This attention was triggered precisely by a high-tech device gifted by the Elder—an external communication tool known as a “mobile phone.”

Beep, beep, beep!

Far across mountains and rivers, in a certain base.

“Oh? That kid has shown up!”

“Which kid?”

“Reporting to the team leader—it’s Ye Kuang.”

“Oh? After vanishing for over four full years, that fellow actually survived.”

“This old man always said that boy lives like a fierce tiger—how could he perish so easily? Quickly dispatch someone to bring him to Dragon Tiger Mountain. Remember, not a single misstep is permitted!”

“Received!!”

In an instant, the martial world abruptly grew turbulent, with undercurrents swirling and winds of change rising.

All because four years ago, a Tiger Execution Order had circulated through the jianghu: whoever could eliminate Ye Kuang would inherit his right to participate in the twelve-year pact at the “Summit of Heaven, Edge of Earth.”

Ask yourself: who could refuse such fame that would echo through millennia and be celebrated for generations?

The answer was self-evident—no one in this era could resist such temptation.

Thus, when news of the fierce tiger’s reappearance spread, it instantly tugged at the nerves of various sects. Each began making extensive inquiries, solely to locate where the tiger now roamed.

Little did they know, our protagonist Ye Kuang had journeyed across rugged peaks and ranges, directly entering Northern Huan.

Truly, one cannot comprehend urban prosperity until entering the city. Upon arrival, he discovered skyscrapers standing unevenly like countless Venerable giants overlooking the mortal world.

The slightly arid air, with a single breath, inevitably made one feel the modern human atmosphere.

Ye Kuang suddenly felt like a beggar wandering into the Grand View Garden—nowhere to call home, he could only pace back and forth alone amidst the bustling crowds on lively streets.

Clad with his Iron Sword, he walked on foot through vehicle-clogged passages, immediately drawing countless turning heads and stares.

“Hey, is this guy here for filming? Why is his attire so bizarre?”

“Who cares? He’s not from your film crew anyway. Don’t bother chatting too much—there are too many people like him these days. Better not get scammed.”

“Wait, I think his outfit looks like he’s endured years of weathering hardships. Why don’t you go ask him?”

…

For a moment, Ye Kuang overheard the surrounding chatter and felt the countless blatant stares, his mood instantly turning foul.

“Stop, stop! He’s looking over! That sword edge doesn’t seem fake, does it?”

“Real or not, don’t panic. Let me take a photo first.”

“Come on, with your two followers, what can you do? Aren’t you just boosting platform metrics and viewership? Pure waste of time. If you ask me… you’d be better off joining our big company—enjoy the good life from now on. By the way, how much was your year-end bonus this year?”

Ye Kuang’s face darkened upon hearing this.

Click!

Just then, a flash of light vanished in the blink of an eye, abruptly catching his attention.

Passerby A: “Bro, don’t misunderstand! I was taking a close-up of you. When you become famous, don’t forget your little brother here!”

Bang!

But who could have predicted that the moment Passerby A finished speaking, his vintage 1982 camera instantly shattered into fragments scattered across the ground.

“Ah! My livelihood! How did it suddenly explode?”Ye Kuang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, the Iron Sword strapped to him, before turning and disappearing into the bustling crowd.

Yet, no one could have anticipated that this very scene was promptly captured by the local patrol surveillance, who hurriedly reported it to their superiors.

“Ah…” Ye Kuang let out an inexplicable sigh, suddenly feeling a sense of listlessness, as if weighed down by an inexplicable melancholy.

“Hey, young man, wait up!”

At that moment, a robust male voice called out, drawing nearer.

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but turn to look.

There stood a middle-aged gentleman, sporting a prominent belly and stroking his thinning hair, exuding the air of a modern-day talent scout for gifted individuals.

“Are you speaking to me?”

“Who else is here besides the two of us? Ahaha, just joking, just joking… Well…”

“What do you want?”

“Earlier, I noticed your imposing demeanor but didn’t pay much attention. Little did I know you’re also a martial artist. May I ask if that Iron Sword of yours is the real deal?”

Upon hearing this, Ye Kuang showed no suspicion, merely nodding indifferently.

“Goodness, you’ve got some nerve carrying a real weapon like that. Aren’t you afraid of getting caught and thrown in jail…?”

“What do you mean?”

“Uh…”

Seeing the man’s hesitation, Ye Kuang turned to leave without another word.

It could be said that, even though he was in the city, he well understood the importance of staying vigilant against others.

“Young man, wait, wait! I’m a representative from Feixiang Television. Here’s my business card. I apologize for the intrusion, but I’d like to invite you to play the role of a swordsman. I guarantee you’ll become famous, renowned throughout Jiangnan and beyond!”

“Not interested.”

“Hey, young man, what kind of attitude is that? Turning down easy money is just foolish… You must be hungry. How about we discuss this over a meal? Nothing better than that, right?”

As he spoke, Ye Kuang appeared reluctant, but his actions betrayed him—his stomach had been growling for quite some time.

In a modest eatery in the Northern Huan Territory.

“Young man, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m a renowned talent scout, both domestically and internationally, specializing in discovering hidden gems like you. You may question my professional ethics, but don’t ever doubt my expertise. After all, I’m a true professional, known far and wide as Elder Ma, the one who knows the way.”

“The dishes here don’t look like much, but why do they taste so delicious?”

Elder Ma couldn’t help but laugh. “This is authentic Northern Huan cuisine, said to originate from rustic Jiangnan recipes—like this fish-fragrant shredded pork.”

“Mmm… delicious, though it’s a bit spicy and slightly sour,” Ye Kuang mumbled through a mouthful of food.

Elder Ma: “Haha, glad you like it! Come on, how about we pair it with some wine to liven things up?”

At this, Elder Ma showed his shrewdness, never forgetting the importance of dining culture in negotiations.

As the saying goes: To ensure smooth negotiations, one must master the art of the dining table and stay grounded.

Ye Kuang: “Wine?”

Puzzled, he couldn’t help but wonder what “wine” was.

Yet, as if his mind were an encyclopedia, the answer came to him instantly.

“Wine is merely a folk brew. In small amounts, it promotes blood circulation; in excess, it harms the liver and spleen. Drink too much, and you’ll feel like you’re floating on clouds, only to later forget where you came from or where you’re headed…”

Elder Ma: “So, what do you say?”

Ye Kuang: “No need for wine. Thank you for the meal. Now, tell me, what exactly would a swordsman need to do?”At this point, he couldn’t help but ponder: If a swordsman could exchange his skills for some money, would he no longer need to worry about his next meal?

Elder Ma: “Very well, let me get straight to the point. Young man, do you know what an actor means?”

“Ha, I thought it was something serious! Isn’t an actor just someone who transforms real-life roles into characters in stories or scripts – whether they’re protagonists, supporting characters, heroes or villains?” Ye Kuang couldn’t help but chuckle as he replied.