Journeying south, Jiang Xiaohuang and Mo Chen endured many twists and turns on their long journey, finally arriving in the poetic land of Jiangnan. Jiangnan is renowned for its picturesque scenery. The rolling hills unfold like a delicately stained scroll, slowly unfolding across the heavens and earth; the crystal-clear river winds through the vast land like a turquoise ribbon. However, Jiang Xiaohuang had no time to admire the picturesque scenery; her heart was completely focused on finding the "world's best bun shop."
"Mo Chen, where do you think this bun shop is hidden?" Jiang Xiaohuang, riding her horse, looked at the towering mountains before her, and couldn't help but frown. Her eyes revealed a hint of anxiety and confusion, like a child lost in a treasure maze, desperately trying to find the entrance to the treasure.
Mo Chen frowned slightly; he also had no idea what was going on. Along the way, they asked everyone they met, but the answers they received were the same: everyone had never heard of the world's best bun shop.
"Why don't we ask the locals again?" Mo Chen suggested softly after thinking for a moment.
The two men then arrived at a small village at the foot of the mountain. They stopped a kindly old farmer with a graying beard and asked him about it. Hearing their question, the old farmer narrowed his eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and then slowly said, "The best bun shop in the world? I've never heard of it. But there is a 'Bao Tian Xia' shop on this mountain. I wonder if that's what you're looking for."
"Bao Tianxia?" Jiang Xiaohuang's eyes lit up instantly, as if she had caught a glimmer of hope in the darkness. She said excitedly, "Just hearing that name sounds impressive! Come on, Mo Chen, let's go up the mountain and take a look!"
Although Mo Chen felt something was amiss, seeing Jiang Xiaohuang's flushed face with excitement, he couldn't bear to spoil her spirits, so he silently followed her up the mountain. The road was rugged and winding, like a sleeping dragon, quietly entwined in the mountains. The higher they climbed, the more desolate the surroundings became. The once lush trees gradually became sparse, replaced by a silence and desolation. Finally, they arrived at a magnificent mountain gate.
Above the mountain gate hung a massive plaque, inscribed with three flamboyantly written characters: "Benefit the World." The characters were written with a powerful, sturdy brushstroke, seemingly imbued with boundless energy. In the sunlight, they shone with an ancient and mysterious light.
"See! I told you there must be one!" Jiang Xiaohuang jumped off her horse excitedly, her eyes gleaming with excitement. She couldn't wait to say, "Let's go in and eat some buns!"
Mo Chen stared at the mountain gate before him, his brow furrowing even deeper. This gate was imposing, its carved beams and painted buildings exuding luxury and majesty. It didn't look like an ordinary bun shop at all, but more like... the headquarters of a major sect. A sense of foreboding welled up in his heart, and he was about to speak out to stop Jiang Xiaohuang, but she had already rushed in like a cheerful deer.
"Hey! Xiao Huang!" Mo Chen's heart tightened and he hurriedly followed.
Upon entering the mountain gate, Jiang Xiaohuang was stunned. The scene before her was completely different from the bun shop she'd imagined. Instead, she saw a vast square. It was densely packed with people. They were all dressed in black, standing tall and proud, with long swords gleaming at their waists. Their stern faces and fierce eyes exuded a chilling aura.
"Where are the buns?" Jiang Xiaohuang muttered to herself with a puzzled look on her face.
At this moment, a burly man with a face full of flesh and a sturdy build came over with heavy steps and an aggressive look, shouting sternly: "Who are you? How dare you trespass into the headquarters of our demon cult!" The voice was as loud as a bell, echoing in the square and making people's eardrums hurt.
Jiang Xiaohuang was startled by the sudden roar, groaning inwardly. A demonic cult? The main temple? Her eyes widened as she stared at the menacing figures around her. Then, she looked up at the plaque that read "Bao Tian Xia." Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her, and she suddenly understood.
"So 'Bao Tian Xia' is the Demon Cult's headquarters!" Jiang Xiaohuang couldn't help but mutter to herself. Then she looked at the burly man and asked curiously, "Then do you know where the best bun shop in the world is?"
The sturdy man and the people around her were stunned by her sudden question. Obviously, no one expected that she would ask such a puzzling question in such a tense atmosphere.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Mo Chen hurriedly stepped forward, pulled Jiang Xiaohuang behind him, and said to the strong man with a fist: "My name is Mo Chen, and this is my friend. We got lost and accidentally entered your place. I hope you can forgive us."
The burly man looked Mo Chen and Jiang Xiaohuang up and down, his eyes as sharp as an eagle, as if he could see through them. After a moment, he sneered and said, "Are you the traitor who betrayed the sect and stole the holy relic?"
Mo Chen's face turned pale instantly, and he thought to himself, "Oh no!" It turned out that the people who had been chasing them were actually members of the Demon Cult!
When Jiang Xiaohuang heard this, she immediately flew into a rage and loudly retorted, "You are the traitor! Mo Chen is a good man!"
The burly man sneered disdainfully and said, "Good guy? He stole our cult's sacred artifact, the 'Nine-Bend Linked Pearls'. According to cult rules, he should be killed without mercy!"
Jiang Xiaohuang turned to look at Mo Chen. Mo Chen nodded slightly and admitted frankly: "Indeed, I took it, but I did so for a reason."
"What hardship can be a reason for stealing?" The burly man pressed forward, his eyes revealing strong hostility.
Jiang Xiaohuang's eyes rolled, and suddenly an idea struck her. She shouted, "Wait a minute! Is the sacred object you're talking about a round, bead-like object?"
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