Chapter 343 Extinguishing the Fire, Luo Heng Apologizes and Stops Shen Chu

"Hongxiu, put out the fire," she ordered in a deep voice.

Hongxiu looked bewildered. "Huh? It can't be that bad, can it? There's only one lantern. Once it's burned, it's gone."

It won't burn anything nearby, so it won't start a big fire. What's the point of putting it out?

Before Chen Chu could explain, he rushed over to the vendor at the next stall, picked up the water he used for cooking, and poured a bucket of water over her.

Sizzle, sizzle sizzle.

Surprisingly, the fire didn't go out after the water was poured on; instead, it sizzled and burned even brighter.

Hongxiu was speechless.

"Oh my god, why can't I put out this fire with water?"

The vendors nearby were kicking themselves in frustration.

"As I've already said, these are lanterns specially made by Qingshan Temple. These lanterns have all been blessed and consecrated by the abbot."

This lantern was blessed by Buddha; it burned for three days and three nights before going out. And you just destroyed it like that.

You...you are utterly wasting such a precious resource!

The surrounding people also glared at Chen Chu and Hong Xiu with condemning eyes.

Chen Chu frowned slightly, then, remembering something, took off her cloak, wet it with water, and placed it directly over the lantern.

The vendors were still making a fuss and chattering away.

"Don't be delusional. If water can't put it out, won't you make it burn even worse by using clothes?"

“I already said it’s a blessed lantern, protected by Buddha. What you’re doing is blasphemy against Buddha, and Buddha will punish you.”

The people around were waiting to see Shen Chu make a fool of himself, but the next moment they saw Shen Chu wrap the lantern in his cloak, and the originally burning flames suddenly disappeared.

The scene of their imagined burning cloak never happened.

Everyone stared in astonishment.

"How is this possible? A lantern that couldn't be extinguished by water, how could she put out my fire with her clothes?"

"Could her cloak have also been blessed by the abbot?"

Even Hongxiu was completely bewildered and asked in a low voice, "Miss, what's going on?"

Shen Chu shook her head at her and handed her the cloak along with the lantern that was half burned.

He lowered his voice and instructed, "Quickly, go and give it to the senior brother so he can check it."

After speaking quickly, he pretended to be panicked and said loudly, "Although we didn't burn the lanterns on purpose."

But the fact is it's burned. What are you waiting for? Hurry up and take it to the temple to apologize to the abbot!

Hongxiu was stunned for a moment, then quickly took it and said loudly, "This servant will go right away."

She grabbed her things and ran away as fast as she could.

Shen Chu looked annoyed and followed behind her toward the gate of Qingshan Temple.

Seeing that she was heavily pregnant and looked extremely remorseful, the crowd felt embarrassed to make things difficult for her any further and made way for her.

As Chen Chu approached Qingshan Temple, he immediately headed towards the corner tower.

There was no trace of them on the corner tower; Pei Yuan and the men in black had vanished.

In such a short time, I don't know where they've gone.

Her ears twitched slightly as she heard unusual noises coming from the alley behind the corner tower.

"Who is there?"

Shen Chu quickly stepped forward, preparing to turn around and take a look.

Suddenly, an arm reached out from the side and pulled her into the aisle next to it.

She instinctively threw a punch.

The other person grasped her arm. "Achu, it's me."

She turned her head and met Luo Heng's gentle face.

This was the first time I had seen Luo Heng since that unpleasant parting.

Shen Chu pulled her hand away from his, her expression indifferent. "How did you end up here?"

Luo Heng pursed his lips, then revealed a bitter smile.

"Ah Chu, you won't even call me 'Big Brother' anymore?"

Shen Chu frowned, glanced at Luo Heng, and strode out of the corridor.

She quickly circled around to the alley behind the corner tower.

There was nothing in the alley behind the corner tower, not even a trace of a fight.

Did she mishear?

She looked at Luo Heng thoughtfully.

Did you hear any noise in the alley just now?

"What's going on?" Luo Heng shook his head. "I came from this side of the corridor and didn't hear anything."

Shen Chu's eyes flickered slightly.

Luo Heng smiled wryly, "What are you looking for? What happened? Ah Chu, you don't suspect me, do you?"

Shen Chu remained silent.

Luo Heng sighed deeply, "That day was indeed my fault. I was a bastard and said many hurtful things that I shouldn't have said, which broke your heart."

During my time back in Jiangning, I've thought a lot about everything that's happened since we became sworn brothers.

I shouldn't have said so many awful things to you without even knowing what happened, Ah Chu. I stopped you because I wanted to apologize. I'm sorry.

He stared intently at Shen Chu, his gaze heavy with sorrow and grief.

"You can hit me, scold me, or even stab me twice."

Anything is fine as long as it helps you vent your anger.

After saying that, he took out a dagger and stuffed it into Chen Chu's hand, then grabbed Chen Chu's hand and stabbed himself in the chest.

Startled by his sudden action, Shen Chu quickly broke free from his grasp and dropped the dagger.

"Brother Luo, please don't do this."

Luo Heng stepped forward, his expression excited.

"You're still willing to call me 'Big Brother,' Chu, you still consider me your big brother in your heart, right?"

Shen Chu frowned slightly. "We swore an oath of brotherhood by blood, and I won't forget that, but..."

But Luo Heng's words still left her with some resentment.

“I understand what you’re trying to say,” Luo Heng interrupted her.

"I've figured it out. Feelings can't be forced. As long as you still consider me your older brother, that's enough."

Ah Chu, I will always stay by your side and protect you silently. Whenever you need me, I will be there for you.

Shen Chu sighed deeply, "Why did you do this?"

Luo Heng stared at her intently, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"Perhaps it's because you saw me at my most vulnerable when I was a child that I feel most relaxed and comfortable around you."

"Forget about that, did you come to Qingshan Temple to pray for blessings?"

His gaze fell on Shen Chu's belly. "Are you praying for the baby in your belly? Shall I go with you to the main hall?"

Shen Chu shook her head and refused him.

"No need, I just came to browse around. I'll be going now, so Hongxiu won't be unable to find me later."

Just after she left, Luo Heng picked up the dagger from the ground and walked out of the corridor.

Wanqiu slipped in and asked in a low voice, "Young Master, is your arm alright?"

Luo Heng tucked the dagger into his waistband. "It's nothing. That arrow just grazed my arm. Have you tidied up the clothes I left in the back alley?"

Wanqiu nodded, "Fortunately, the young master reacted quickly and pulled Chen Chu away, otherwise he would have just run into me packing up the black clothes that the young master had taken off."

That would truly leave them with no way to defend themselves.

Luo Heng hummed in response, stretched his arms, and his expression was icy cold.

"Pei Yuan just met with A Chu outside. How did you manage to let them run into each other?"

If it happens again, you know how to handle it.

Wanqiu lowered her head, "Yes, this servant will have everyone keep a close eye on things."

Luo Heng's expression softened slightly. "How's the plan going?"

"The progress is going smoothly. The fake Master Shen followed Manager Li of Sanyuantang to the back mountain of Qingshan Temple."

Our people leaked this information to Pei Yuan's entourage, and Pei Yuan has already headed towards the back mountain.

Luo Heng's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Very well, then let Pei Yuan be buried together with the fake Lord Shen in the back mountain. I'll even choose a companion for him before he dies; I'm quite considerate of myself."