Chapter 27: Rescuing Four Shaolin Monks
Chapter 27: Rescuing Four Shaolin Monks
Lin Shiyin was Li Xihuan's weakness!
When You Longsheng mentioned Xingyun Manor, Li Xihuan immediately heeded his words. He knew that Long Xiao Yun was no pushover, but he was no match for Yi Ku.
"Thank you, Brother You, for enlightening me. Your words are like a wake-up call," Li Xihuan said sincerely to You Longsheng, his expression serious.
"You're welcome," You Longsheng waved his hand dismissively. "But since you don't mind having your acupoints sealed, let's leave it that way. As you said, we won't need your help anyway. When we encounter danger, Master Tian Qi will naturally unseal your acupoints."
Master Tian Qi's cheeks twitched. As someone who was usually quick-witted and jovial, he found himself unable to smile at the moment.
So, I sealed Li Xihuan's acupoints and am supposed to take him to Shaolin for interrogation, but I still have to rely on him for protection along the way?
If this got out, wouldn't he, Master Tian Qi, lose all face? How could he continue to walk the paths of the martial arts world?
Master Tian Qi glanced at Master Xinmei, the Shaolin monk who was not one to gossip carelessly. Then, he looked at You Longsheng, as well as Duan Qian and Feng Wan who had approached. He could guarantee that as long as Li Xihuan wasn't the Plum Blossom Thief, the events of today would spread throughout the martial arts world.
You Longsheng's slaying of Yi Ku was also a major event!
Master Tian Qi's palm stretched out and retracted, then retracted and stretched out again, but in the end, he endured it and forced a smile. "The opportunity to serve the famous Li Xihuan, the Little Li Flying Dagger, doesn't come often. Since Li Xihuan doesn't mind, let's leave it at that."
In the end, it was Master Tian Qi's own fear of Li Xihuan that influenced his decision.
Li Xihuan valued his reputation, so he might willingly go to Shaolin, but would that have anything to do with whether or not he killed Master Tian Qi?
Previously, Master Tian Qi had thought he held all the cards. However, both his actions and words had left him no room for retreat. Now, he found himself in a difficult position, and he could only stall for time.
With these thoughts in mind, Master Tian Qi couldn't help but glare at You Longsheng with resentment.
If it weren't for You Longsheng's meddling, they might have coerced Li Xihuan into writing a confession and killed him that very morning.
Even if Master Xinmei had arrived, Master Tian Qi was confident that he could have persuaded the Shaolin monk with his silver tongue. Even if they had to take Li Xihuan to Shaolin Temple, he would have found a way to ensure Li Xihuan's death.
Damn You Longsheng!
At that moment, Duan Qian and Feng Wan had already used leather pads to bring the pair of Green Devil Hands closer.
"Master, the Green Devil Hands," Duan Qian said.
You Longsheng looked at Li Xihuan. "Does Li Xihuan want this?"
Li Xihuan laughed. "It was you who killed Yi Ku. Why are you asking me?"
You Longsheng nodded and casually instructed Duan Qian, "Wrap them up and keep them safe. When this matter is settled, let's go back to the Hidden Sword Manor and set up a special room to display these Green Devil Hands. They are quite famous trophies."
"Yes!" Duan Qian hurriedly replied, collecting the Green Devil Hands.
Feng Wan joined him in clearing the path back, saying, "It's not just famous, it's extremely famous! There probably aren't many trophies in the martial arts world that are more renowned than the Green Devil Hands."
Master Xinmei remained calm, but Master Tian Qi looked on enviously. If he had a similar trophy like the Green Devil Hands in his manor, he could spread his name throughout the entire martial arts world.
...
And so, the group continued on their journey.
They traveled throughout the afternoon until evening, and finally, Master Xinmei's complexion returned to normal.
"Your martial arts skills are profound, Uncle Master. I am impressed!" You Longsheng expressed his genuine admiration. The Ancient Dragon world was different from Jin Yong's world. Yi Ku was infamous for his poison, and Master Xinmei's ability to force the poison out with his internal energy demonstrated his profound skills. He was indeed a Shaolin divine monk.
Just then, the sound of hoofbeats approached from outside the carriage, and Feng Wan's voice called out, "Master, Master Xinmei, it's getting late. There's an inn by the roadside up ahead in the town. Should we stop there for the night?"
You Longsheng turned to Master Xinmei, who nodded in agreement. Then, he addressed Feng Wan, "Let's stay at that inn for the night. We didn't get much rest yesterday, so make sure to get several of the best rooms available."
"Yes!" Feng Wan replied, urging his horse forward.
When You Longsheng and his companions arrived at the inn, the rooms had already been prepared for them, and the innkeepers had served several dishes and a large pot of rice.
"You all go ahead and eat. Some porridge will suffice for me," Master Xinmei said.
The monks nodded and chanted a Buddhist mantra before they were about to pick up their chopsticks. Suddenly, You Longsheng spoke up, "Wait! Don't eat yet!"
Puzzled, they all turned to look at him.
"What is it?" Tian Qi asked, "Do the masters from Shaolin Temple also have to follow the rules of the Hidden Sword Manor and wait for the young master to eat first?"
Since You Longsheng hadn't picked up his chopsticks, Duan Qian and Feng Wan, who were sitting by their side, also kept their hands to themselves.
"Of course not," You Longsheng shook his head and turned to Li Xihuan instead, "I know you have many friends, Li Xihuan, but you also have quite a few enemies."
Li Xihuan shook his head, "No, I actually have very few friends, but my enemies are numerous. As soon as I entered the pass, I encountered several of them."
Tian Qi narrowed his eyes, choosing to ignore Li Xihuan's comment.
You Longsheng nodded, "We just encountered Yi Ku, so I think we should be extra cautious."
"How so?" Tian Qi inquired.
You Longsheng casually picked up a piece of meat from the dish in front of him and tossed it to a stray dog passing by the inn's entrance.
"Woof!"
The stray dog happily gobbled up the meat.
"You think the food is poisoned?" Tian Qi couldn't help but smile, "We just arrived, and it hasn't even been half an hour..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the stray dog let out a mournful "Woof—" and began to convulse, its face contorting in agony before it fell dead on the spot.
Everyone: !!!
"There's poison in the food!" Tian Qi exclaimed, instinctively pushing away the dish in front of him.
The four Shaolin monks, Duan Qian, and Feng Wan all stood up simultaneously, gathering around them and cautiously scanning their surroundings.
Tian Qi grabbed the innkeeper, who was in the process of serving two more dishes, and knocked the plates out of his hands. "What poison did you put in the food?"
The innkeeper stuttered, "Wh-what poison?"
Li Xihuan sighed, "He's just an ordinary waiter, how would he know anything?"
You Longsheng's eyes narrowed, "Quick, check the kitchen!"
They all rushed into the kitchen and saw the two cooks, who had already finished their work for the day, sitting side by side at a small table, enjoying their meal and drinking wine—a rare moment of leisure for them.
Their faces turned ashen, and everyone's expressions changed, for the cooks' faces had turned a deathly gray.
"Wh-what..." the cook on the left began, but before he could finish his sentence, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed, dead.
The other cook was startled and stood up hastily, but his body swayed, and he toppled forward, crashing into the stove.
"Clang!"
The iron pot fell over, knocking over a bottle of oil, and a stream of oil gushed out, sliding out a large, shimmering centipede!
(End of Chapter)
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