【Under the Great Tomorrow】(49)

Author: hui329
Published: 2017/2/20 First Post
Word Count: 9293
Chapter 49: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada
The next day, the morning dew on the tips of the grass and leaves was still slippery. Suddenly, a flock of graceful seabirds darted up from the trees and flew
away towards the first hint of dawn on the sea. The Penglai Inn, silent all night, was instantly filled with life and
noise again.
"Good morning, Brother Ding! Did you rest well last night?" Fatty Luo got up early, took a table, and
greeted Ding Shou and Chang Jin as they came downstairs. "Thanks, not bad." Ding Shou smiled and cupped his hands in response, but inwardly he cursed, 　　"Living with this bunch of monsters and demons, I could only sleep with one eye open. No wonder I didn't get a good rest.
" 　　Xiao Dazi deftly wiped a table clean with a dry cloth, invited Ding Shou to sit down, and asked with a smile, "Sir, 　　what would you like for breakfast?" 　　Ding Shou looked around, puzzled, "Why aren't those gentlemen up yet?" 　　"The masters are having breakfast in their rooms; Old Xu has already sent it over." Xiao Dazi glanced at Feng Mengxiong 　　's room again and whispered, "That fierce-looking guest doesn't want to be disturbed." 　　Ding Shou gave a soft "oh," thinking to himself that this big water buffalo was quite alert. 　　Ding Shou was about to ask a few more questions when he suddenly heard the neighing of horses outside the shop. Two soldiers wearing black felt hats and red jackets 　　strode in. One of them, with a thick beard, shouted, "Shopkeeper! Are there any survivors? Come and help us!" 　　Xiao Dazi quickly left Ding Shou and ran to greet them, his face beaming, "Gentlemen, are you here for a meal or 　　to stay the night?" 　　"Stop your mother's shop so early in the morning! Feed the horses outside, make us some hot tea, and 　　prepare whatever food you need. More brothers will be coming soon." 　　The bearded man spoke as if he'd been hit by a firecracker, very impulsive. Xiao Dazi hurriedly agreed and prepared the food, inviting the two men to sit 　　down. 　　Slamming his waist knife on the table, the bearded man complained, "Old Qian, do you think that imperial envoy surnamed Ding is 　　deliberately trying to make things difficult for us men? We've been busy all over Dengzhou preparing to welcome him for so long. Our lord 　　was even delayed in his journey to Huai'an to take up his post, but he claims to be unwell and won't even show his face. Now we're forced 　　to rush south day and night. He's a real scoundrel." 　　Ding Shou, sitting at the other table, awkwardly rubbed his nose. He wasn't used to being spoken ill of to his face like that 　　. 　　Old Qian, clearly more cautious, spoke up to advise, "Old Wu, watch your words. 　　The grand welcome from all the officials in Dengzhou is an order from the palace. And think about the identity of that imperial envoy; the secret police have eyes and ears everywhere. Even if 　　you don't want your head, don't cause trouble for the higher-ups." 　　These words sent a chill down Old Wu's spine. He glanced around, then calmed down, saying, "What's there to be afraid of 　　? You're just too timid. Here's a fat bastard, a pretty boy, and a half-grown blonde 　　girl. If they were spies from the secret police, I'd be the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner!" His words were forceful, but his voice unconsciously 　　lowered. 　　Old Qian knew his brother's stubborn nature, smiled slightly, and said nothing more. 　　Just then, another commotion erupted outside. Four soldiers dressed similarly to Old Wu and the others rushed in, forming two lines. 　　Four other soldiers, hands on their waist swords, escorted an officer wearing a helmet and a plain robe. 　　The man entered the shop and glanced around, quickly getting a general idea of who was there. Old Wu and his companion stepped forward to salute. 　　The officer nodded, and seeing everyone still looking at him, smiled and said, "Please make yourselves 　　at home. I'll be leaving shortly. Please forgive any inconvenience." 　　"Oh—, General, what are you saying? Your presence is an honor to our humble shop. Don't 　　mention it," Wanrenmi said with a radiant smile, teasingly. 　　The other soldiers occupied two tables, and the officer, guided by Wanrenmi, chose a table and sat down, smiling, " 　　How's business, Boss Lady?" 　　"What's good or bad? Decades of business, all thanks to our loyal customers," Wanrenmi said 　　, raising a flirtatious eye. "What would you like, sir?" 　　"Please prepare some extra rations; we'll rest for a bit and then leave," the officer said seriously, seemingly unmoved by her charm. 　　"Alright, I'll make you some tea," Wanrenmi said, leaving a fragrant trail as she went into the kitchen. 　　With a creak, the door to the second-floor room opened, and a young monk emerged carrying tableware. 　　Xiao Dazi hurried forward, took the tray, and apologized, "I was busy earlier and didn't have time to clean up. I'm sorry 　　to have troubled you, Master." 　　"How could I trouble you, esteemed innkeeper?" the young monk said with a smile, his gaze inadvertently glancing downwards, 　　meeting the officer's sharp eyes. He lowered his gaze without 　　a word and turned to return to his room. "Master, please wait. Would you like to speak with me?" the officer invited, rising to his feet. 　　After softly chanting a Buddhist prayer, the young monk turned back and smiled, "This humble monk is unworthy of such a title, General." 　　The officer walked gracefully to the young monk, circled him with his hands behind his back, and carefully examined him, saying, "Master 　　, you don't seem to be a local. May I ask why you have come here?" 　　"Our late master led us on a journey through the land, but unfortunately passed away far from home. We, his disciples, wish to bring his remains back to the temple for 　　burial, and we are passing through your esteemed place," the young monk replied respectfully. 　　"Your Excellency's ascension to the Pure Land to pay homage to the Buddha is a matter of destiny, Master. There's no need to worry," the officer explained. 　　Then, changing the subject, he added, "There's an Amitabha Temple in Penglai, built in the Tang Dynasty, with flourishing incense offerings. Why don't you stay there for 　　a while?" 　　"My fellow disciple fell ill and couldn't continue the journey, so we're staying here," 　　the officer nodded. Suddenly, he asked, "The journey home is long. May I ask which temple you're practicing at?" 　　"Ashoka Temple in Zhejiang," the young monk answered readily. 　　"Ashoka Temple in Ningbo Prefecture?" The officer smiled and said, "What a coincidence! My ancestral home is Jinhua, Zhejiang. When I was young, 　　I visited your temple when I returned to my hometown to pay respects to my ancestors. I was fortunate enough to see the Buddha's relics, and I have no regrets in this life." He clasped his hands together in a gesture of 　　deep reverence. 　　"Amitabha! I never imagined that this humble monk and you would have such a connection with the Buddha. How fortunate I am!" the young monk returned the bow. 　　The officer stared intently at the young monk and chuckled, "I wonder 　　how well your temple has preserved the plaque inscribed with 'Wonderful Victory' by Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty? I even tried to copy a few strokes of it when I was young."

"Layman, you must remember incorrectly," the young monk
said, meeting the officer's burning gaze. "The inscription 'Miaosheng Zhi Yu' was written by Emperor Xiaozong of the Song Dynasty, while Emperor Gaozong's inscription is 'Buddha's Bright Tower.'"
The officer smiled slightly, "It must be from a long time ago; I can't remember clearly. Please forgive my lapse, Master..."
************
The charming woman emerged from the kitchen carrying a copper kettle, pouring tea for two tables of soldiers.
Old Wu, watching the woman's chest tremble slightly as she poured the water, swallowed hard and
grabbed her hand. "Boss lady, have a few drinks with us."
She gently pushed the hand away from her wrist, and the woman chuckled, "Our shop doesn't have that rule."
With a sway of her waist, she walked towards another table.
Looking at the plump, fleshy buttocks that even the coarse cloth dress couldn't conceal, Old Wu chuckled and casually reached out to touch them…
“Ah—” A scream rang out, startling even the officers upstairs. Old Wu's hand hadn't touched the fragrant buttocks, but instead
, as if by some strange twist of fate, pressed against the copper kettle, burning him so badly he clutched his wrist and hopped around in agony.
Seeing his pathetic state after failing to get what he wanted, the soldiers at both tables burst into laughter. Enraged, Old Wu drew
his knife and shouted, “You filthy woman, you motherfucker…”
A crisp “slap” resounded as a slap landed squarely on his face. Ding Shou stood smiling in front of him
, “You're filthy, please watch your words.”
“Watch your mother…” Old Wu cursed.
Another “slap” followed. Old Wu covered his face, staring in astonishment at Ding Shou, who was overjoyed. The Second Master was
petty and never held back his revenge; he had wanted to slap that foul-mouthed brat earlier.
The other soldiers stopped laughing. They were brothers in arms; occasional mishaps were acceptable, but repeated
humiliation was unacceptable. A series of clanging sounds and flashing blades formed a circle around Ding Shou,
startling Chang Jin into a scream.
Ding Shou glanced at the soldiers, frowning slightly. He had initially thought them a rabble, but their encirclement was surprisingly well-
organized and coordinated, displaying the air of a skilled army. While dealing with them might be troublesome, he
didn't mind. It was all about winning a smile from the beauty. But where was the beauty? Ding Shou suddenly remembered that the instigator
, the "Most Popular Woman," was nowhere to be seen. Damn it, he now completely agreed with Old Wu's words.
An officer leaped down from the second floor and strode forward. Suddenly, his arm tightened around him; he turned to see the pale-faced, fat man who had been sitting
in the inn.
Fatty Luo chuckled, "Your esteemed kinsman's insolence is already unacceptable, and now you're turning on me with swords drawn. Is this how you lead your troops, General
?"
"And who are you? How I lead my troops is none of your business," the officer retorted coldly.
"Just a merchant buying seafood," Fatty Luo replied with a broad smile.
"A merchant? I don't think so."
"How so?"
With a cold snort, the officer jerked his arm away from Fatty Luo's hand, then grabbed his right hand in return, saying slowly
and deliberately, "Judging by the thickness of the calluses on your thumb and fingers, you couldn't have wielded a knife without at least twenty years of experience."
"General, you have a good eye. I've been a cook for most of my life; how could I not use a knife? But you, General
…" Fatty Luo continued to chuckle.
"What about me?" the officer asked, staring at Fatty Luo with an icy tone. "General,
with your swallow-like jaw and tiger-like neck, you have the air of someone destined for high office," Fatty Luo said with a smile.
The officer snorted coldly, saying, "Thanks for your kind words."
The two men locked eyes, their clasped hands bulging with veins, clearly having already tested their internal strength.
"Gentlemen, the rations are all packed..." Xiao Dazi emerged from behind, carrying several bundles. Seeing
the scene before him, he was too frightened to speak further.
With a "thud," the officer and Fatty Luo each took a step back, separating. The officer glared fiercely at
the people in the inn and shouted, "Take the rations and get going immediately!"
Old Wu stepped forward, saying, "Sir, they..."
"Twenty strokes of the cane, and we'll deal with military law when we reach Huai'an." The officer didn't even glance at him, tossing out these words
before walking away.
Old Wu followed with a bitter expression. The other soldiers took their bundles from Xiao Dazi, paid their bills, and then left
.
Xiao Dazi, clutching the loose silver in his hand, asked Ding Shou, "Sir, what happened just now?"
"Nothing," Ding Shou replied nonchalantly, "Innkeeper, bring up breakfast."
"Breakfast…" Xiao Dazi stammered, bewildered, "...all those soldiers took it…"
************
The little monk returned to his room, turned and closed the door. He glanced back at the bundle in the fat monk's arms and the unconscious
monk on the bed, only breathing a sigh of relief when he saw they were unharmed.
The other monks gathered around, about to ask, but he waved them off, poured himself a cup of hot tea, slowly
raised it to his lips, and suddenly let out a cold laugh, splashing the tea against the window.
A scream was heard, and a figure flashed past the window.
The monks rushed to the window, but saw no one outside.
"The treasurer," the fat monk said bitterly.
The young monk's expression changed, and he rushed forward, slapping the fat monk four times across the face. Ignoring his instantly swollen
cheeks, the fat monk lowered his head, admitting his mistake without uttering a word.
None of them noticed that a pair of eyes had seen this scene through a crack in the corner of the room, and then they used
a piece of wood to seal the crack again…
************
Feng Mengxiong leaped in through the window, immersing his face directly in the wooden basin of water. It took a while for
the burning pain in his eyes to subside.
"These bald monks really went all out. If I hadn't dodged quickly, I almost would have lost my sight too,"
Feng Mengxiong muttered, rubbing his eyes. Suddenly, he noticed someone lying on the couch.
A beautiful woman reclined, like a begonia in spring slumber.
"Where has Master Feng gone to enjoy himself again instead of resting in the room?" The charming woman stretched lazily,
revealing her exquisite figure.
"The proprietress has too many connections, even in the military. I, Feng, have too many enemies, so I'll just have to pray
for my own good fortune." Feng Mengxiong glanced at the voluptuous figure of the "Most Popular Woman" with his one eye before looking away and sitting up straight.
"You mean those people from just now?" the "Most Popular Woman" said, sitting up and tidying her hair. "That person used to be..."
"The commander of the prefectural garrison, a hereditary official, is practically a fellow villager."
"Once?" Feng Mengxiong asked curiously.
"Now he's climbed the social ladder and is going to work for the Grand Canal Transport Office. Tsk tsk, that's a lucrative position."
The charming woman's words were tinged with envy.
Feng Mengxiong chuckled coldly, "That really is a place overflowing with wealth. Why doesn't the proprietress seize the opportunity
to snag this golden turtle?"
After a burst of giggles, the charming woman wrapped her arms around Feng Mengxiong's neck from behind, leaned close to his ear, and whispered
, "What? Jealous? I'm not interested in a silver-plated spearhead like him. I prefer a
strong and muscular man like Master Feng..."
Her soft breasts pressed against his back, and her jade hands caressed down Feng Mengxiong's firm chest muscles, heading straight for his lower
abdomen...
Feng Mengxiong grabbed her two soft hands and... She leaned forward, her beautiful body sprawling across his
lap, panting, "What... does Master Feng... like... a little roughness?"
His cold, single eye fixed on her, Feng Mengxiong said indifferently, "You, the proprietress
, surely know what I'm like with women. For your own sake, it's best not to rush into this one-night stand."
She jerked away, standing abruptly from his embrace, straightening her clothes, and said, "Of course I know.
Fifty-three passengers on the Yangtze River passenger ship died without a trace, and four pregnant women had their uteruses cut open, their fetuses removed to be used as wine...
" She paused, then continued, "If it weren't for Master Feng's methods, we wouldn't have been
captured by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Six Doors."
"Those lackeys are nothing. If the Twelve Linked Forts were still standing, even if the Imperial Navy came to suppress us, we
wouldn't bat an eye." A gleam immediately appeared on Feng Mengxiong's face.
"I was young, but I've heard that the Twelve Linked Fortresses once dominated the Yangtze River
. Their twelve leaders were highly skilled in martial arts, and their numbers were formidable;
neither the righteous nor the wicked dared to provoke them," Wanrenmi said softly, leaning against the wall. "The proprietress is indeed well-informed. I was young back then, and to have the honor of following in the footsteps of those leaders was truly
the greatest joy of my life," Feng Mengxiong said, listening to Wanrenmi praise his former gang. He found the woman, though
a bit greedy, rather endearing.
Stretching out her jade-like arm, she gently stroked the bronze lamp base on the wall. The alluring woman's eyes darted about as she continued, "I've also
heard that over thirty years ago, the Twelve Linked Fortresses, ignorant of their own limitations, joined the Demon-Subduing Alliance. As a result, a single member of the Demonic Sect single-handedly
destroyed all twelve fortresses, leaving them utterly annihilated."
Feng Mengxiong's eyes flashed coldly, his two Emei daggers appearing in his hands without his noticing. He said in a chilling voice, "Don't
think that helping me go to sea will save your life. To insult my sect, I, Feng, am willing to die with you..."
The alluring woman laughed heartily. Feng Mengxiong looked puzzled. Suddenly, her smile turned serious, and she sneered,
"What you say is true, Master Feng. I've just searched this house and you yourself. How could you possibly come up with a thousand taels of silver
to go to sea?"
Feng Mengxiong's expression changed. He stepped forward, his Emei daggers gleaming coldly, pointing directly at the alluring woman. She
snapped the bronze lamp base downwards, and with a scream, Feng Mengxiong plummeted to the ground.
Facing the floor, now perfectly restored, the charming woman pointed and cursed, "Damn you! I'm the only one who ever tricks people, you little brat,
who gave you the right to trick me..."
Old Xu pushed open the door and whispered something in her ear. The charming woman's expression changed instantly...
************
Clutching his rumbling stomach, Ding Shou looked worried and said to Chang Jin with a fawning smile, "I regret not listening to you
. I really should have brought some provisions."
Chang Jin obediently replied, "I know, Master did it for my own good, afraid that Chang Jin would suffer."
Ding Shou chuckled awkwardly. Chang Jin had suggested bringing more provisions when they stopped for a bite to eat on the way. The Second Master always traveled light and simple,
and he thought that with money, he could enjoy himself wherever he went. As for making a little girl carry provisions on the road, he wasn't shameless enough to
do that. So, his current hunger was ultimately due to his laziness back then.
Gritting his teeth, Ding Shou thought to himself, "To hell with the water-splitting rhinoceros! I'm not putting up with this anymore!" He decided to leave this wretched place so he
and his apprentice could have a good meal.
Just then, they heard Xiao Dazi calling out from downstairs, "Guests upstairs, dinner's ready!"
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
"Finally, dinner's ready, waiter. If a customer starved to death in your shop, that would be quite a spectacle," Fatty Luo
teased Xiao Dazi, then sat down at Ding Shou's table.
"You flatter me, sir. How could such a thing happen in our humble shop? The kitchen was busy, and we managed to get the food ready before the lamps were lit
," Xiao Dazi said with a forced smile, his handkerchief covering his face.
Out of consideration for his help that morning, Ding Shou couldn't refuse, especially since the fat man was so cunning that he couldn't be turned
away even if he tried. He simply asked Xiao Dazi, "What's for food? Don't tell
me it's salted fish and smoked meat again." "Those are all gone, the soldiers took them this morning. We're having big meat buns for dinner,"
Xiao Dazi gestured.
"What kind of filling?"
"Beef, absolutely fresh."
Ding Shou slammed his hand on the table. "Alright, give me ten pounds."
"Oh, sir, can you all eat that much?" Xiao Dazi kindly reminded him.
"Can you even eat this?!" Ding Shou, starving and seething with resentment, glared at Xiao Dazi. "Believe it or not, if
I sprinkled some seasoning on you right now, I could devour you whole."
"Yes, yes, yes," Xiao Dazi stammered, taking a few steps back in fright at Ding Shou's murderous gaze. "I'll bring it to you right away
."
Steaming hot buns were placed on the table. Ding Shou took a deep breath, the aroma filling the air. He nodded in satisfaction,
pulled out bamboo chopsticks and handed them to Chang Jin, then took another pair and handed them to Fatty Luo.
Fatty Luo, however, didn't reach for the chopsticks. Instead, he grabbed a meat bun, broke it open, examined the filling, and then brought it to his nose
to sniff it carefully. As Ding Shou, inwardly cursing the fat man's lack of hygiene, picked up his chopsticks to eat, Fatty Luo
stopped him with a hand.
"You might not be able to finish this bun," Fatty Luo said softly with a smile.
Seeing Ding Shou's puzzled expression, Fatty Luo pointed to the kitchen and shook his head, saying, "The meat isn't clean."
Ding Shou didn't believe it; how could it be unclean? Seeing that Xiao Dazi had gone upstairs to deliver food to the monks again, and that the landlady and
Old Xu were nowhere to be seen, he sneaked into the kitchen alone.
The kitchen was deserted. A small oil lamp flickered on a wooden shelf in the corner, its dim
light casting an eerie glow on a tall cabinet against the wall. In the center of the room,
a cleaver rested on a simple, rough wooden table. Blood splattered all over the knife, flowing from the tabletop down its legs onto the uneven stone floor.
The uneven floor was filled with pools of blood, a gruesome sight. " Is this where they slaughter cattle?" Ding Shou thought to himself, 　　glancing at the cabinet. "
That mute old Jiang is really no saint." 　　Ding Shou was startled. Seeing a strand of hair stuck in the cupboard door, he immediately tensed and hissed, 　　"Who's in there? Come out!" 　　No one answered. Ding Shou sneered at the cupboard, "Your skill is profound; I truly didn't notice. Unfortunately, I 　　was too careless; even your hair is showing. Still trying to hide?" 　　Still no one answered. Ding Shou raised a palm to his chest, remaining vigilant. He walked to the cupboard and forcefully pulled the door open 　　, "Let's see where you can hide now..." But 　　when he saw the person inside, Ding Shou was speechless. 　　The person inside was Feng Mengxiong, or rather, Feng Mengxiong's head. 　　The former bandit died with his eyes wide open, filled with terror. Ding Shou seemed to understand something, feeling 　　a churning in his stomach. Suddenly remembering Jang-geum outside, he rushed out. 　　"Jang-geum, you can't eat those buns..." Seeing Fatty Luo and Jang-geum hunched over the table, eating heartily, Ding Shou was horrified 　　. 　　"Master, these are snacks Uncle Luo made himself. They're delicious, please try some." Jang-geum 　　immediately offered a dessert to Jung-soo. 　　"These buns..." Jung-soo asked worriedly. 　　Jang-geum stretched her neck, laboriously swallowed the mouthful of pastries into her little belly, wiped her mouth, 　　and said, "Uncle Luo traded his pastries for these buns with Jang-geum. I felt there were plenty of buns in the shop, but not many pastries, so I 　　traded with him." 　　Fatty Luo swallowed another bun and laughed, "Little girl, you know how to do business. I feel like I've been taken advantage of." 　　Watching Fatty Luo eat with relish without changing his expression, Ding Shou frowned and said, "Brother Luo, you..." 　　He waved his hand, and Fatty Luo, picking his teeth with his little finger, laughed and said, "The world is filthy; it's better not to let the child get tainted by 　　such bad luck." 　　Ding Shou remained silent, cupped his hands, and said, "I owe Brother Luo a favor." 　　Laughing, Fatty Luo walked up to him and patted his shoulder, saying, "You owe me more than one favor." 　　He then walked upstairs to the guest room. 　　Ding Shou, with his back to him, whispered, "Brother Luo, please wait." 　　Fatty Luo stopped but didn't turn around. 　　"Brother Luo, how did you know this meat was...unclean?" Ding Shou ultimately didn't utter the words "human flesh 　　. " 　　After a slight pause, Fatty Luo chuckled and said softly, "Nothing much, just ate too much..." 　　************ 　　Back in his room, Ding Shou pondered, feeling it wasn't safe to stay any longer, but traveling in the dead of night was inconvenient . He was undecided 　　whether to wait until morning. 　　A knock on the door broke Ding Shou's thoughts. Jang-geum obediently went to answer the door, but it was 　　Old Xu who entered. 　　"Sir, the landlady noticed the moonlight was dim tonight and worried the oil lamp might hurt your eyes, so she sent me to 　　bring you candles," Old Xu said, bowing and scraping. 　　Ding Shou turned to look outside; tonight, a crescent moon hung in the sky. Looking at the large tallow candle in Old Xu's hand, 　　he said with a forced smile, "It's rare for 　　your esteemed owner to be so generous." "Don't mention it, sir. Making guests feel at home is our duty," Old Xu bowed and retreated, 　　closing the door behind him. 　　Ding Shou sneered, replacing the candle Old Xu had brought with a candlestick. Just as he lit it, a "whoosh" sounded, 　　and a gust of wind shot in from the window, extinguishing the candle. 　　Ding Shou darted to the window, finding no one around. On the windowsill was a crumpled piece of paper. Unfolding it, he saw 　　only four crooked black characters written in charcoal: "Poison in the candle." 　　************************************** 　　The moon hung high in the sky, all was silent. 　　Suddenly, dozens of dark figures sprang from the forest. The leader, tall and with a cold face, waved his hand, 　　and the others immediately surrounded the inn from several directions. The inn was silent. Several monks lay slumped on the floor, and 　　the tallow candles 　　brought that night still burned on the table . 　　The door creaked open, and Wanrenmi entered, carrying a candlestick. She smugly said, hands on her slender waist, "I 　　thought you were something special. If I'd known you were so useless, I wouldn't have bothered." 　　Old Xu, following behind, flattered her, "Better safe than sorry. You're so shrewd." 　　Wanrenmi walked to the center of the room, noticing the fat monk still holding the bundle, and gestured to Old Xu, "Open it and 　　see what treasures are inside." 　　Old Xu hesitated, "Why don't you wait…" 　　"Enough nonsense, I'm in charge here." Wanrenmi's pretty face hardened. 　　Old Xu shook his head and smiled bitterly. He walked to the fat monk's side and reached for the bundle, but the moment he touched it, 　　a flash of white light appeared, and a scream rang out. 　　Old Xu's left hand was severed at the wrist, blood gushing out. He staggered back several steps, clutching his severed wrist, his face deathly pale. 　　"Old Xu!" Wanrenmi rushed forward to support him, then looked behind him and saw two monks blocking the doorway, 　　and two others with swords drawn, the young leader's blade dripping blood. 　　"You weren't poisoned?" Wanrenmi's face was filled with horror. 　　The young monk remained refined and composed, saying calmly, "To use poison against my Fengmo clan, to use 　　a phrase from your Tang Dynasty, is like showing off your axe skills in front of Lu Ban, or wielding a broadsword in front of Guan Yu." 　　With a coquettish laugh, Wanrenmi helped Old Xu lean against the wall, "This humble servant is inferior in skill, and can only admit defeat. I wonder 　　what the masters intend to do with this humble servant?" 　　"I originally intended to maintain peace with the shop owner these past few days, but alas, fate has not been kind. I can only send you all to the Yellow Springs 　　." The young monk pointed his sword directly at Wanrenmi. 　　"This humble servant has no lover on the road to the Yellow Springs, and I fear I cannot fulfill the masters' wishes. I will not accompany you any longer." Wanrenmi said with a charming smile.

The young monk sensed something was wrong and was about to step forward when the wall panel turned, and the two beauties had vanished. 　　"
Baka!" the young monk roared, "Kill them all!" " 　　Ha 　　!"
The crowd obeyed, leaping out through doors and windows. 　　Looking at the monk still unconscious on the bed, the young monk sighed and 　　said
, "For the 　　sake of our family's great cause, someone has to pay 　　the price 　　... " ********** ... 　　"Don't even mention it. Today, this old woman is really screwed over, completely ruined, and I've even hurt those guys..." 　　Wanrenmi sighed, then suddenly realized, "Where's Old Jiang?" 　　Xiao Dazi, who was just putting on a pair of pants, looked around blankly when asked, and said, "I don't know." 　　"I'll be killed by you guys sooner or later," Wanrenmi said hatefully. "Stay here, don't make a sound, 　　I'm going out to find Old Jiang." 　　As soon as she opened the door, she saw a flash of cold light. She pulled the door panel aside, and "thud, thud, thud," three four- 　　pointed meteor darts were embedded in the door panel. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Wanrenmi used her toes to touch the door frame and leaped out. 　　A monk outside was still holding two darts. Seeing the figure flash, he threw them again. Wanrenmi grabbed 　　the roof beam with one hand, flipped and leaped up, and the darts followed closely, embedding themselves firmly in the roof beam. 　　Seeing that several shuriken had failed to hit the charming woman, the monk grew increasingly impatient. Suddenly, he heard her shout from the rafters 　　, " 　　Fuck you! Trying to play darts with me? I'll play with you to my heart's content!" The monk looked up, his pupils dilating several times over 　　. He saw a shower of silver light pouring down from the rafters. A scream of agony escaped his lips, 　　followed by silence. The charming woman 　　lightly 　　leaped down, dusted off her skirt, 　　and walked away without even glancing at the monk lying 　　on the ground, riddled 　　with darts . ********** ... 　　"Ha," the fat monk Kato replied, bowing his head, then said, "Xin Wulang is dead." 　　The little monk stood up abruptly. Xin Wulang's swordsmanship was extraordinary; he had died silently. He grabbed his bundle and 　　said, "Take me to see." 　　Fatty Luo's room was empty. The thing on the ground could no longer be called a person, not even a dead person, 　　just a skeleton with Xin Wulang's head on it. Except for the bald head, the rest of the body had been scraped to 　　the bone. The room was filled with blood and flesh, a horrifying sight. 　　"Dead country is also powerful," the little monk trembled slightly, "As expected of a Tang Dynasty figure, ruthless and vicious 　　, even more so than our country." 　　Suddenly, they heard a "thump" outside, as if a heavy object had fallen from upstairs. The two hurriedly turned around and jumped down from 　　the second floor. 　　They saw Ding Shou, dressed in a blue robe, with one hand tightly locking the other monk's collarbone, the other behind his back, observing 　　the two of them with great interest. 　　The young monk clasped his hands together and smiled, "Esteemed benefactor, let's make a deal. Release my companion, and you 　　may leave as you please." 　　"This deal isn't worthwhile. If I want to leave, do you think you can stop me?" Ding Shou shook his head. 　　"Then how about you name your price? Although I'm in dire straits, I have enough money for this trip." The young monk's face was full of 　　sincerity. 　　"Very well, let's exchange that bundle for the person." Ding Shou said with a smile. 　　The young monk's expression changed, and he said coldly, "You're not being sincere?" 　　"A bundle for a life? I haven't made such a losing deal in a long time, and you still show no sincerity?" 　　Ding Shou looked aggrieved. 　　The young monk chuckled and turned to the restrained monk, "What do you think we should do?" 　　The restrained monk nodded sharply, his face resolute, "I'd rather die than be threatened." He pulled a dagger from his robes 　　and plunged it into his heart, instantly ending his life. 　　Ding Shou frowned, released the corpse, clapped his hands, and said, "Such ruthless characters are rare in the Central Plains martial arts world. 　　What exactly are you all from?" 　　"They weren't originally from the Central Plains," a loud crash echoed as the inn's doors and windows were flung open. Dozens of 　　constables in blue robes, bows drawn and arrows nocked, aimed at the people inside. A tall figure stood before the door, 　　proclaiming loudly, "Ma Hao, the Assistant Commissioner of the Shandong Provincial Judicial Commission, has come to apprehend the Japanese pirates. Why don't you surrender!" 　　PS: Don't ask why I haven't pushed Jang Geum yet. The forum rules are hanging over my head, and I'm finding it hard to resist 　　.

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