You kind of sound like you're struggling

Guo Lang was veering around, the hairs on his arms standing up on ends. He was thrown off balance, not scared mind you!

A crackle against leaves made him jump. Nerves don't mean fear, dammit! He slowly backed up, reminding himself of the bounty that awaited him. A whole batch of Auntie Ru's freshly steamed buns! He had to persevere. It would be worth it in the end.

Except a howl knocked his spirit off balance and he yelped like a little girl. Without a second thought, Guo Lang leaped and his spirit almost outright left his body. He turned tail and fled…toward where, he had no idea.

...

Zhang Wang took a moment to regain his bearings, drawing in long breaths with lids pressed closed. Perhaps it was merely his imagination but perhaps it was indeed reality that he had glimpsed. Whatever the truth, he ought to be prepared for either possibility.