Chapter 131: Lin Qi’s Value

Tixian's carriage, surrounded by guards, retreated several dozen meters. The other young noble scions followed suit, watching the spectacle from a distance of over a hundred meters under the protection of their own men.

It was a rare delight in the Imperial Capital to see a mount suddenly turn on its master. Such high-tier magical beasts were typically trained from birth, their loyalty to their owners impeccable, and their wild instincts suppressed to the absolute limit. Under normal circumstances, such a revolt was impossible.

Yet, this magical tiger had done exactly that, even going so far as to expend its vital energy to unleash a devastating "White Tiger Roar Blast."

Beia’s armor was a piece of fine magitech equipment with an automatic defensive function. Had he been able to channel his battle aura into it, his defense would have been at least three times stronger. But the mount’s betrayal had been so swift and savage that Beia was knocked to the ground and assaulted before he could even gather his strength.

The armor's innate defense could not withstand the innate magic of a high-tier beast. The White Tiger Roar Blast shattered the magic array on the chest plate and left a dozen cracks in the armor, reducing its protective capacity by at least half.

The massive, silver-white tiger raised its right front paw high and, with an angry roar, brought it down with a savage strike. Paralyzed by shock, Beia had no idea how to counter. The tiger's claw slammed into his chest, shattering the already damaged armor. The long talons tore through the metal and sank deep into his flesh.

With a growl, the tiger jerked its claw, tearing a basin-sized wound into Beia’s chest, leaving hideous, eye-catching furrows of blood. Beia let out a pained cry, instinctively kicking out with all his might, landing a desperate blow right between the beast's hind legs.

It was a male tiger, and Beia’s kick had struck the most vulnerable spot of any male creature.

Already maddened by some sort of drug, the tiger’s eyes turned completely blood-red. Its silver fur was now streaked with crimson, and its muscles rippled like a tide. Its two front paws suddenly swelled to double their size, and a terrifying, bloody light erupted from them.

Tixian smiled in surprise. "Oh, this fellow is going all out. Wow, if Beia dies, that would be truly interesting!"

Tixian’s eyes darted rapidly. Beia was the only grandson of Marshal Beian. If he were to die or be crippled, it would be a fatal blow to the Duke of Northwind and his entire family. A noble house without a successor would undoubtedly become a feast for the sharks of the Imperial Capital. One must not forget that Marshal Beian and his three sons held extremely critical positions in the Imperial military—positions that many hungered for.

"How interesting!" Tixian said, looking at Lin Qi with a grin. "My dear Lin Qi, Beia is being killed by his own mount!"

Lin Qi smiled faintly, unbothered, as he crossed his legs and took a sip of tea. "With so many noble gentlemen here to bear witness, it is indeed his mount that killed him. Hmm, though, perhaps he won't be killed after all?"

The frenzied tiger raised its claws, preparing to deliver a final, lethal blow to Beia. But the dozen Dragon Cavalrymen accompanying Beia finally snapped out of their shock. One officer, distinguished by a silver medal on his chest, let out a cry. He leaped from his horse, drew his sword, and lunged at the maddened beast.

A mass of cyan light enveloped the officer as he roared, "Attack! Kill this beast and protect the Commander!"

His longsword, trailing a brilliant light, pierced the tiger’s hindquarters, burying nearly three feet of steel into its body. But the tiger’s front paws still came down with crushing force.

Just as the claws were less than a foot from his chest, Beia finally moved. He pushed off the ground with his hands, sliding backward several meters. A faint, greenish-cyan halo flickered around him—evidently, Beia, as a Knight of the Earth rank, had only just entered the higher stage.

The tiger's claws struck Beia’s right leg. His defensive battle aura trembled violently and shattered, and his greave disintegrated under the bloody impact of the tiger's paws. Beia let out a blood-curdling scream; the bones in his right leg had been snapped.

Fortunately, the physique of an Earth Knight was at least ten times stronger than that of an ordinary man; the bones were merely broken rather than pulverized. With high-quality secret medicines, he would recover, and it would not cause any lasting damage.

The heroic Dragon Cavalry officer struck with a sword as fast as the wind, instantly drawing the tiger's attention.

With a flick of its tail, the tiger whipped the officer across the waist. With a thunderous crash, the tiger turned to savage the off-balance officer. White light shimmered in its mouth; it was recklessly preparing another White Tiger Roar Blast.

At this critical juncture, the remaining dozen Dragon Cavalrymen swarmed forward, surrounding the beast. These cavalrymen carried two-meter-long lances during patrols, and their battle auras were of a decent level. Red and orange glows flickered in a chaotic mess as dozens of lances stabbed forward, forcing the tiger to leap and thrash in place, unable to inflict further harm.

"What a pity, why didn't he die?" Tixian sighed. He leaned out and called out, "Go and lend a hand. Such a maddened beast is dangerous. Kill it; we must be responsible for the safety of the capital's citizens... And, try not to ruin the pelt too much. A tiger skin like that has some collection value."

Eight of Tixian's guards rushed out, followed by the guards of other young nobles who, seeing Beia was no longer in mortal danger, joined the fray.

Hundreds of men swarmed the frenzied tiger. Despite its strength having surged several times over, after severely wounding dozens of cavalrymen and a dozen guards, the beast was finally struck dead.

Tixian paid no more mind to the scene outside. He looked at Lin Qi with great interest, nodding repeatedly. "Cousin Yulian was right, Mr. Lin Qi. You are a man with many ways. I think I can consider making one more friend!"

Lin Qi bowed his head with reserved grace. "To have one more friend is to have one more way. It is my honor to know you."

Tixian laughed heartily. He took one last, lingering look at the gates of the Green Fields Immortal Garden, then rapped hard on the carriage wall and shouted, "To the Old Rooster Inn, quickly!"