A Mountain Out Of Nowhere

Zuo Wentang briefed them on what happened. The first half of his story was true but the latter half was entirely made up. Of course, he didn't just jabber on nonsensically. Zuo Wentang made sure that it sounded coherent and believable.

For example, he told them that he had pursued and fought the monster only to realize that he was quickly losing the battle. Thankfully, his friend here came just in time to help out and although they managed to put up a fight, the monster had escaped from their grip.

"I tried my best but there were just too many of them and each of them was unusually strong," Zuo Wentang lied through his teeth. Qu Wenji, Tilly, and the dumbstruck leopard were just about ten steps behind him. None of them dared to even make a squeak as they watched Zuo Wentang lie his way through the situation.

"Even Steward Zuo couldn't handle them, huh?" Zheng Yuan frowned, clearly skeptical of his words.