After the villagers fell asleep, Li Xi found a secluded spot and released a "skyrocket," its yellow light resembling stars disappearing into the night sky.
She decided to suspend the siege and allow the Hidden Sect to reinvestigate the banditry in Luzhou. The Hidden Sect had its own methods, and the different colored signals represented different meanings.
The mountain strongholds where the bandits were located were all easy to defend and difficult to attack. Even the county and prefectural governments with bandit problems dared not act rashly, firstly because it would be a waste of manpower and resources, and secondly because they would be reprimanded by their superiors if the situation was not handled properly. The county magistrates were also afraid of trouble, lest they lose their positions if they didn't handle things well.
Therefore, the banditry became more and more serious, and Li Xi grasped the interests involved.
She collaborated with local officials, taking charge of suppressing bandits while they handled the arrests. She received a share of the seized gold and silver, making both parties quite satisfied.
Thanks to this business, she has made a fortune in the past six months.
However, most of them were taken by Elder Sun, who said they were for her future use when she took over the Hidden Sect. He put it so well, she couldn't refuse, especially since she had only succeeded because she had used the Hidden Sect's resources.
Li Xi, who had just reached the door, was startled by the dark figure in front of it. The figure spoke up: "Sorry, young man, I scared you." The man scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.
"So it's the boss." Li Xi was speechless. What was he doing blocking her door in the middle of the night instead of sleeping? Luckily, she was dressed as a man, otherwise she would have thought he had ulterior motives.
"I got up in the middle of the night and found your door was open. I was just about to close it for you when I realized you were outside. By the way, young man, why aren't you in your room?" the leader explained.
"I went out to find a toilet, but got lost on the way back, hehe." Li Xi made a bewildered expression.
"I see. Then you should go to sleep. Tomorrow you'll go down the mountain with Mo Yi and the others." The chief turned and left.
The head of the gang was tall and burly, and had a good personality. He was generous and kind, but it was unclear what he wanted.
Chen Liang, who was guarding the foot of the mountain, was a subordinate of the Hidden Sect. Later, he was assigned to work under Li Xi.
After waiting for a long time without any news from Li Xi, he became anxious and was about to leave to discuss it with the sect leader when he noticed a yellow streak of light flashing in the sky.
He hurriedly returned to his stronghold in the city and reported the matter to the sect leader.
“In that case, you should arrange for someone to reinvestigate the banditry in Luzhou. I’m sure Xiaoxi has her own deductions.” Old Master Sun was looking at a file.
"Yes, Sect Master." Chen Liang accepted the order and left.
The morning in the mountain village was filled with freshness and tranquility, with a gentle breeze blowing. The air in the mountains was pure, carrying a slight coolness that was invigorating.
The villagers eat communal meals, and the original flavor of the food is quite good.
"Those who go down the mountain today, go early and return early, and follow Mo Yi's arrangements." The chief then ordered people to distribute silver to each family.
"I'll say it again: if you all have better places to go, I won't keep you here. I hope you won't talk about what's going on in the village after you leave."
The leader wasn't afraid of them revealing the secret. The terrain of Jiuxiang Mountain was complex, and the way down the mountain was different from the way up.
Going down the mountain is easy, but going up the mountain is difficult.
"Young man, you should go with them too," the leader said to Li Xi.
"Master, could I stay a couple more days? The journey to Kyoto is long, and I'd like to rest for a couple more days to regain my strength. Don't worry, I can work," Li Xi said with a worried expression.
"Alright then, perfect timing. You're a scholar too, why don't you help me organize these books?" the chief said casually.
Upon hearing the leader's words, Li Xi immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Following the leader, we arrived at a study. The room was filled with books, neatly arranged. Although some were old, it was clear that they had been there for a long time.
"These books were left here by a close friend of mine, and they've been here for many years, but he..." The chief looked at the books with a worried expression and muttered to himself.
"My dear friend is from a prominent family, but his family only allows him to study divination and fortune-telling, and doesn't let him read any other books. Yet he has a deep affection for the Four Books and Five Classics. He says he wants to pass the imperial examinations so that he can bring glory to his family, so he hides all the books in my house and makes excuses to go out every day, only to turn around and come to my house to study. I have no choice but to do something about it!"
Thinking of this, the leader pursed his lips and smiled slightly.
"It's a pity that he never came back after he went home that day. Later, I felt strange and went to look for him, only to find that his house had long since become ruins... Over the years, every time I moved, I took all of his books with me."
"I imagine your best friend, Boss, is also very happy to have such a close friend who cares about him."
Li Xi was at a loss for words to comfort this strong man who was as tough as a bear. She never expected that this valiant man would have such a delicate side.
Perhaps realizing he had said too much, he left in a hurry, instructing Li Xi to tidy up properly.
Seeing the dusty bookshelf in front of her, Li Xi had a moment of wanting to leave.
Considering her purpose in staying, I resigned myself to my fate, picked up a rag, and carefully cleaned the area.
After most of the day, Li Xi's back was about to give way. She had no choice but to lie down on the stool next to her to rest, and casually picked up a notebook from the desk.
A bookmark fell to the ground; upon picking it up, I saw two lines of poetry.
"The bright moon shines through the long night, and the starlight sparkles across the sky."
It must have been written by the boss's friend, Li Xi thought, flipping through the diary. This piqued Li Xi's interest; it felt like the thrill of secretly reading someone else's diary.
In the third month of the third year of Jingyuan, as spring was drawing to a close, I met my beloved beneath the flowers on the southern path of the eastern city.
"In the fifth month of the third year of Jingyuan, I recall seeing her for the first time beneath the magnolia blossoms. Her brows seemed to speak, her meaning just beginning to be understood."
In the sixth month of the third year of the Jingyuan era, my father ordered me to accompany him at night to observe the celestial phenomena. I was unwilling, for I only desired to achieve fame and success.
It turned out to be a rebellious son in the throes of puberty. Li Xi shook her head, wanting to laugh a little. It turns out that even in ancient times, there were children who gave their parents a headache.
I went out to get some tea and then continued watching.
"In the twelfth month of the third year of Jingyuan, tomorrow is the joyous day of my marriage to Siyin; my wish will finally come true."
...
"In the eleventh month of the fourth year of Jingyuan, Siyin gave birth to my beloved daughter, whom I named Li Xi. The name comes from a poem I love."
"Li Xi?" What a coincidence, she's also named Li Xi.
"In June of the tenth year of Jingyuan, my father said that some people had recently tried to win him over, but he refused. Those people were members of a cult, and we cannot work together if our paths are different."
Turning the page again, I didn't continue writing. It reminded me of what the leader said about his close friend…
This is probably the last entry in my journal.
Li Xi got up and went to the bookshelf, hoping to find some clues.
A scroll fell from the top of the bookshelf, hitting her on the head before falling to the ground.
With a sharp cry of pain, Li Xi felt a tingling sensation on her scalp. When bad luck strikes, even drinking water can cause problems.
He bent down to pick up the scroll from the ground and opened it to look at it.
The woman in the painting is as beautiful as a poem, possessing a breathtaking beauty. Her eyes, so pure and affectionate, are captivating and irresistible.
Li Xi intently observed the ancient painter's skills.
Every stroke and line reveals the charm of painting; every color and tone contributes to the beauty of art.
But the woman in the painting looked increasingly familiar, and then she was shocked...
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