After finally finishing his lecture on "politics," Master let out a deep sigh. No matter how many stories he had, he felt he could not withstand Shi Kai's endless pestering. So, he gave Shi Kai a new task — to capture a renxiong (man-bear) alive, and without using the Scorpion King.
When Shi Kai heard this, he felt a spark of interest. A cold smile crept across his face — it had been a long time since he had stretched his muscles like this. Chasing after tigers, leopards, wolves, and lions had long since grown dull.
Now that he finally had something worth doing, Shi Kai leapt up, his body shooting forward. He landed at an angle on the trunk of a nearby tree, pushed off with force, and in a heartbeat was bounding from tree to tree. In the blink of an eye, his figure had vanished without a trace.
The man-bears of Shennongjia are among its most mysterious creatures, coming in several different varieties. They are known for being able to walk upright, with faces that bear a faint resemblance to those of humans. It is precisely because Shennongjia is home to so many types of bears that some say the "Bear Mountain" mentioned in the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing) refers to Shennongjia.
The legend of Bear Mountain has been around for centuries, and the Classic of Mountains and Seas contains records of it. Yet the exact location of Bear Mountain has remained a subject of heated debate in recent years. In 1986, an academic symposium on the Classic of Mountains and Seas was held in Sichuan Province, China. Some scholars and experts argued that the so-called "Bear Mountain" was in fact Shennongjia. Their reasoning was that the outline of Shennongjia's territory resembles a bear, and it is home to various bear species, making it a fitting candidate for the Bear Mountain described in the text. However, this remains only a scholarly hypothesis.
The history of Shennongjia, however, has been well documented. During the reign of Emperor Yao, his son Dan Zhu is said to have fled from Emperor Shun to the foot of Shennongjia. When Yu the Great controlled the floods, he split open the Three Gorges of the Yangtze with his axe, carved out a channel for the Han River, and passed through Shennongjia's forests. In the Western Zhou era, King Zhao of Zhou led his troops through Shennongjia in a campaign against Chu, only to be blocked at present-day Hongping by a divine turtle.
In the Warring States period, Shennongjia's mountains and waters nurtured the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan. In the Qin and Han dynasties, Shennongjia served as a refuge for the common people and a retirement retreat for Zhang Liang, and it produced the famed beauty Wang Zhaojun. During the Three Kingdoms period, the armies of Wu and Shu fought across its terrain. In the Tang and Song dynasties, Li Bai once roamed its landscapes in poetic wanderings; Emperor Li Xian was exiled there; and the warrior couple Xue Gang and Ji Luanying stationed troops at Dajiu Lake.
In the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Li Shizhen gathered medicinal herbs in Shennongjia, while rebel leaders such as Li Zicheng, Li Laixiang, Liu Tichun, and Hao Yaoqi fought across its mountains. In the Qing dynasty, the imperial court logged its timber, and the White Lotus and Red Turban armies once raised their banners in its depths. All of this history — layer upon layer — has draped Shennongjia in an ever-thickening veil of mystery.
The man-bear could be considered the primate of Shennongjia, and many people believed it to be the so-called "wild man." As for whether such wild men truly existed — to be honest, it remains a mystery to this day.
Shi Kai knew well that man-bear tracks were extremely difficult to find. So he simply released the Scorpion King to help him locate one. Master had only forbidden him from using the Scorpion King to capture the man-bear — he had never said he couldn't use it to find one. It was a small loophole Shi Kai was happy to exploit.
Following the Scorpion King's trail, he finally spotted a resting man-bear deep in the forest. Quickly, he took off his shoes, tucked them into his chest, and lay prone on the branch of a large tree to watch in silence. The man-bear possessed natural, overwhelming strength, making capturing it alive a serious challenge. But Master's orders could not be disobeyed — and besides, it was a perfect chance to hone his skills. He began to consider how to strike.
Shi Kai leapt silently from the tree and crept forward, planning to knock the creature out with a lightning-fast punch before it could react. But just as he was about to make his move, the man-bear suddenly stood up and swung down with a massive paw. Caught off guard, Shi Kai was struck hard in the chest and sent flying into a tree, then crashing to the ground.
In all his battle-hardened years, Shi Kai had never been so humiliated — struck down before he even touched his opponent. Burning with anger, he got to his feet and challenged the towering beast, which stood nearly twice his height. He leapt forward and drove a heavy punch straight into its forehead, dropping it to the ground with a thud.
Brushing dust from his hands, Shi Kai said coldly, "Done."
But he had severely underestimated the man-bear's strength. Even an ordinary bear wouldn't be dispatched so easily — and this was no ordinary bear.
As he stepped closer, the man-bear suddenly rose again, roaring "Aoo! Aoo!" with a voice that shook the forest. It was clear he had truly enraged this fearsome creature.
Shi Kai's brows knitted tight, and he let out his own thunderous roar in response, startling every bird and beast in the trees. This time, it was clear he had met his match.
The man-bear charged forward, swinging its lethal claws toward Shi Kai's face. Intent on testing its strength, Shi Kai didn't dodge — he caught the claws head-on, locking hands with the beast. The two stood locked in a brutal deadlock, sweat beading on Shi Kai's forehead.
Inwardly, he admitted, The legendary man-bear is as fearsome as they say — faster than other bears, able to walk upright like a human, and unbelievably strong.
After straining for a while, Shi Kai felt himself starting to tire. If he didn't bring it down soon, his life could be in danger. With that thought, he suddenly unleashed ten rapid, punishing kicks into the man-bear's midsection. The beast howled in pain and stumbled back.
Seeing it still on its feet, Shi Kai grabbed it in a shoulder throw, slamming it hard into the ground. The man-bear had probably never imagined it could be tossed by a human.
But even on the ground, it lashed out — opening its jaws wide and snapping at Shi Kai. Sensing danger, he sprang away and leapt up into a tree. That was close, he thought. But how am I supposed to capture it alive? Its endurance is insane, its hide thick as armor — there's no opening. Keep this up, and I'll end up dead.
The man-bear rose and began shaking the tree violently, sending down a shower of leaves and nearly shaking Shi Kai loose.
He jumped down, stomped hard on the creature's head, and leapt to another tree — but even that blow seemed to do it no harm.
Realizing this stalemate would only drain him to exhaustion, Shi Kai decided to kill it. But the moment he pictured his master's face, he shook his head fiercely. After all, Master was a hundred times more terrifying than this man-bear.
With no other choice, Shi Kai resolved to see who would last the longest. He sprang down from the tree, landing a flurry of heavy punches, then kicked hard at its face. Finally, gritting his teeth, he lifted the entire beast over his head and hurled it to the ground.
The stubborn man-bear clawed its way upright once again. At that moment, Shi Kai's killing intent flared. Raising his blade, he swung for its neck — but just then, something struck him hard on the forehead, knocking him down.
Touching his brow, he realized it was wine. Regret surged in his heart. I shouldn't have been so reckless, letting the thought of killing take hold.
Master drifted down gracefully from the tree. His voice was sharp and cold as he barked, "What do you think you're doing? I told you to capture it alive! Who told you to harbor murderous intent? Haven't I told you to control yourself?"
A chill ran through Shi Kai's heart. This was the first time his master had scolded him. Dropping to his knees at once, he said regretfully, "Master, I was wrong."
"So you do know you were wrong? Would you only be satisfied after killing every animal here? The man-bear's numbers are extremely small, incomparable to other creatures. Do you intend to wipe them out entirely?" Master continued his reprimand.
"Master, I—" Shi Kai already knew his mistake was grave. The man-bear bore him no grudge and had never meant to take his life; he had acted rashly.
"You already had the strength to defeat it, and it had no intent to harm you. This is not the time for merciless action," Master said coldly.
"Your disciple understands," Shi Kai replied softly.
At that moment, the man-bear looked at Shi Kai once more before slowly disappearing into the forest. Shi Kai's remorse deepened.
Inwardly, Master thought: At least he still has a shred of humanity left in him. Otherwise, he'd be no different from the wild beasts. But… he's been in this forest too long. If he continues to lose control of his thoughts, his heart will become as that of a beast. In a few years, I'll send him out into the world — let him find the self he has lost.
With that thought, Master let out a heavy sigh.
When they returned to their dwelling, Shi Kai remained kneeling on the ground, not daring to rise.
Master said coldly, "Do you know exactly where you were wrong?"
"Your disciple knows. My bloodlust was too strong," Shi Kai answered timidly.
Master sighed. "Ever since you learned to wield the blade, your beastly nature has only grown. You must understand — the man-bear is unlike other bears. Though there are different types, their numbers are few. They are not like the ordinary prey you hunt, the kind you could eat for a lifetime without exhausting. The man-bear is more advanced than other bear species; it has its own way of thinking. As long as you do not provoke it, it will not harm you. You must understand: Strike down evil, aid the good — not confuse the two. You are a human, not a beast."
Shi Kai pondered these words. Yes… I am human. So why do I act as cruelly as a beast? Killing without hesitation for my own benefit… how am I any different from the cancers that harm society?
"You've been in Shennongjia for too long, always in the company of beasts. It's natural you've absorbed some of their nature. But I've told you before — control yourself. If you lose control, you'll end up killing even those who should not be killed. And then, how would you be any different from the murderer who slaughtered your family?" Master said as he drank.
At the mention of his family's killer, Shi Kai's face twisted with fury. "I will kill him! I'll tear him to pieces!"
Smack! His head rang, and he instantly realized he'd been struck by one of Master's flying wine gourds. He dared not make another sound.
"I've barely finished scolding you, and already you're being insolent. Get a hold of yourself and reflect deeply. Remember — you are human, not a beast." Master spoke in anger, then turned and walked out.
Shi Kai remained kneeling, head bowed in deep thought. His heart was in great turmoil. He could not understand why he felt this primal urge — the raw desire to kill, a sensation that only surfaced when he faced a formidable opponent.
This inner struggle and conflict clung to him like an addiction, impossible to shake off.
"You must suppress your inner demon," Master's voice came from outside the house.
At once, Shi Kai stilled his mind, sank his breath into his dantian, and forced himself into calm.
In the days that followed, Master told him gentle, tranquil stories every day, teaching him to learn and reflect. Gradually, Shi Kai mastered self-control, burying his violent impulses deep within.
After this incident, Shi Kai's mastery over the Scorpion King grew ever stronger. In time, he finally uncovered the so-called "secret of the Scorpion King" his master had spoken of.
Through constant communication with it via his mind, the two had become as one, moving in perfect sync. And, in response to Shi Kai's will, the Scorpion King began to transform.
This metamorphosis was unlike its previous enlargements. Holding it in his hand, Shi Kai watched as the Scorpion King's tail slowly lengthened, its head pushing forward. The pincers at both ends extended into a graceful arc — and then, in Shi Kai's palm, it transformed into a black, spirit-infused sword.
The blade was unimaginably sharp, able to slice hair from the air. More astonishing still, the scorpion tail that formed the blade's body gleamed with a faint, eerie blue light — proof that the edge carried venom. What's more, this poison could change in nature according to the wielder's will.
With the Scorpion Sword in hand, it felt as if it had grown from Shi Kai's own arm — perfectly balanced, perfectly natural, utterly extraordinary. When it returned to its original form, the Scorpion King would climb onto Shi Kai's neck, extend its pincers, and clasp them together around his throat, becoming a pendant in the shape of a scorpion.
With his strength now advanced yet another step, Shi Kai did not slacken. Each day, he continued his high-intensity training and practiced the new sword techniques his master taught him.
Through relentless effort, his speed, strength, reflexes, and agility all surpassed his former self. What's more, his mastery of the Scorpion Sword grew flawless — his blade skills reaching the realm of "transforming qi into the edge." Only the level of mastery still fell short of his master's.
Beneath the bright moon over Shennong Summit,
A man stood upon the back of a giant scorpion, arms folded across his chest. His tall, imposing frame radiated power. His cold, distant gaze spoke of vast experience, while the dark, chiseled muscles of his body exuded raw masculine strength. The sharp lines of his face, the high bridge of his nose, the sword-like brows that nearly touched his temples, the tightly pressed lips, and the wild cascade of his long hair all combined into a primal, untamed beauty.
With head held high, he stood proudly upon the dark-red back of the scorpion, gazing far out over the endless primeval forest.
He was Shi Kai. That year, Shi Kai was nineteen — his seventh year in the forests of Shennongjia.
Province G, City Z — University, Dorm Room 604 (Male Students)
"I say, brothers, we're already in our senior year. Graduation's coming. Why don't we all plan a trip together?"
"Travel? Pfft. What's so fun about traveling? Let's go on an adventure instead. And while we're at it, let's invite a few pretty girls from our class to join us. Wouldn't that be way better than your boring travel idea?" said a guy lying on his bunk reading a magazine.
The first to speak had been Zhang Yuanming. With graduation fast approaching, he wanted to find a chance for him and his roommates to have one last good time together — something to leave behind fond memories. The sarcastic remark came from the top bunk, naturally from the one lying there reading: Yun Hai.
"Alright, everyone, let me offer a constructive suggestion," the dorm leader, Xu Feng, chimed in. "We could combine both ideas — travel and adventure. That way, we get the best of both worlds."
"I see… so, Dorm Leader, by 'the best of both worlds' you mean going on an adventure and coming back with a beauty in your arms, right?" Yun Hai tossed aside his magazine and teased.
Yun Hai loved to banter and pick at others — but it was all in good humor, with no malice. The other five roommates knew his personality well and didn't take it to heart.
The room instantly became more lively.
"Yun Hai, that's not fair. You know our dear Dorm Leader has a thing for the class beauty, Dongfang Qing, and you still tease him? His skin's so thin that one kiss would probably make it break." Jiang Zhongming, who was at his computer, joined in the teasing.
"That's right, that's right. Let me give you the latest scoop — our mighty Dorm Leader struck out again! Twenty love letters sent, and not a single reply. Come on, you guys, give him some advice." The chubby Jin Zhong squinted and spoke with a mock-mysterious tone.
Xu Feng's face flushed bright red, and he pretended to be angry. "Fatty, what nonsense are you talking about? It wasn't twenty — it was nineteen!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the whole dorm burst into laughter. They realized they'd fallen right into Jin Zhong's trap. Everyone knew Xu Feng liked Dongfang Qing; there was nothing funny about that. What was funny was that he'd blurted out the exact number of love letters he'd sent — exposing his own secret.
Everyone has little secrets they'd rather keep hidden. Once they're laid bare, it's hard not to feel embarrassed. And Xu Feng was a man who cared a lot about his image — with skin just as thin as they'd said. Realizing he'd been tricked, he chased Jin Zhong around the room, trying to land a punch. And with someone like Jin Zhong, who weighed over 180 jin, everyone just called him "Fatty," no matter his real name.
"Well, that's fine by me. I just broke up with my girlfriend — you guys can decide where we go," said Zhou Jun, the last to speak. Graduation was near, and his girlfriend was going abroad to study, so they'd had no choice but to part ways. His voice carried a note of fatigue.
"Hey, Zhou Jun, I sympathize with you, man. But it's in the past — let it go. Who knows, maybe you'll have a romantic encounter on this trip," Yun Hai said from his perch on the windowsill.
"Easy for you to say when you're not the one hurting. Bringing that up now… what's the point? If I were like you, a lifelong bachelor, would I be like this? Forget it — I'm not wasting my breath on someone who doesn't understand love," Zhou Jun waved him off and lay back down.
Xu Feng and Jin Zhong also stopped their wrestling.
Zhang Yuanming grinned. "Xu Feng, how about I help you invite Dongfang Qing and her roommates to come with us?"
"Invite my foot! We don't even know where we're going yet, and you're already talking about inviting people," Xu Feng replied irritably.
"If we're going on an adventure, let's go to Shennongjia. It's not only a tourist hotspot but also has a primeval forest. We can really get a taste of returning to nature. How about it?" Yun Hai said excitedly.
"Not bad, kid. I think this place could work," Fatty Jin cut in. "Jiang Zhongming, get online and check it out. See what parts of Shennongjia are good for exploring — and while you're at it, see if there are any other fun spots."
Jiang Zhongming exited his game and started searching. "Man, you're such a hassle. Fine, I found it. You guys take a look yourselves."
As soon as he spoke, five heads crowded in front of the screen, and soon the room was buzzing with everyone talking at once.
The next day at noon, Zhang Yuanming called Li Na to ask her out to discuss the plan. Li Na happened to be a roommate of Dongfang Qing — the girl Xu Feng secretly liked. In fact, Zhang Yuanming had liked Li Na ever since freshman year. But since she already had a boyfriend, and he didn't have the courage to swoop in and steal her away, he'd kept his feelings bottled up. Because of that, he had naturally become one of Li Na's closest male friends.