"Eagle Soaring Wolf Head Blade?!" Yingba remembered that this blade should be in the hands of the emperor, how come... "Did you steal it?"
"Bah, couldn't I have taken it openly?"
"Of course, of course..." Yingba said this, but he was muttering in his heart. This knife was also taken by the emperor at the cost of his life. If it was found to be missing, there would definitely be another big fuss. It would be better to take the master away from the place of trouble as soon as possible.
"I'm giving you this knife. Leave here immediately. Remember not to use it too ostentatiously, or you'll get yourself killed."
"You can't be too ostentatious... But what are you going to do?" Yingba stroked the scabbard. There were some brown things stuck in the twists and turns of the pattern. Who knows how much blood of the predecessors had stained it. The touch of it made one feel murderous intent, which made people feel full of strength.
"Of course I'll continue living here, so you don't have to worry about me. And I didn't steal this thing. Lu Anyuan knew I gave it to you, so whether it's to prevent him from hunting you down or to really set you free, you should leave Jiangnan as soon as possible."
"What!" Ying Ba suddenly looked up, then suddenly realized that this trick of the disaster Dong Yin was really a good one. Now he had to leave Jiangnan for refuge temporarily, and he was afraid that even Ying Yi would be powerless to stop him. "Why do you do this..."
"You guys haven't been yourselves for too long. I'm helping you. Once you get used to the free life outside, you won't be so foolish as to follow a master like me who only cares about comfort. By then, you'll know what you really want."
Xu Yixing finished speaking and casually took a piece of pork belly from the table. It was a nice mix of fat and lean, and looked delicious. "I'm leaving now. By the way, if you haven't left by tomorrow morning, I'll spread the word and have people come after you. I know you're capable of protecting yourself, and maybe even making a name for yourself. The world is vast, so go and enjoy yourself~"
Yingba stared at her back as she disappeared in front of the meat stall, his eyes filled with astonishment. He had never thought that he would be sent away in this way, but the knife in front of him was real. This... The master was so determined!
After being in a daze for a long time, he left a mark belonging to the shadow guard on the back of the chopping board of his stall. While it was still early, he packed his luggage and left the city quickly.
Holding the pork belly, Xu Yixing headed towards the dilapidated temple in the city. It used to be a gathering place for a group of beggars, but now everyone was begging on the street during the day, leaving only one person lying under the statue with a stinking smell.
Xu Yixing placed the meat in the broken bowl in front of him. Such a big piece of meat curled up in the small broken bowl looked a bit funny.
The beggar opened his eyes, crossed his legs and sat up. "My master is here. Are you here to chase me away?"
"Dismiss, dismiss." Xu Yixing corrected him. She didn't understand why everyone felt that she was driving them away when she had already given them enough money.
"I don't think I've made any mistakes."
"Of course, otherwise why would I keep you by my side forever. But Yingjiu, people should always think about themselves when they are alive. Have you ever thought about what your wish is?"
Shadow Nine wasn't as stubborn as Shadow Eight. A moment's thought told him that since his master had sent Shadow Four away, even if he hung around, he'd be sent away sooner or later. Rather than being kicked out of the Shadow Guard, it would be better to leave on his own, and still maintain his dignity.
"Master, I think I would like to be a hermit."
"Just like before?"
"Hmph." Ying Jiu snorted disdainfully, "What kind of hermit is he? Even if he ran to the mountains, he's just seeking fame and reputation. I despise him."
"Well, in my opinion, there are many famous mountains in the world, but there is a saying that wherever my heart is, that is my hometown. It doesn't matter which mountain it is, or even if it is a mountain. Isn't it said that the great hermits hide in the city? Just think about it yourself."
"Okay." Ying Jiu changed his posture, kowtowed three times respectfully, then walked out of the dilapidated temple with a hearty laugh, drifting away. Xu Yixing felt unworthy of his courtesy, so he had already dodged to the side, barely avoiding it. Now that he saw that his mind had relaxed, he was really happy for him.
Ying Yi is the last shadow guard Xu Yixing found in Jiangnan. Except for Ying Wu who is missing, the rest are either deceived or coaxed, or they really want to leave. Now, only Ying Yi is still here.
Seeing Xu Yixing come in, Ying Yi was not surprised at all. He had heard about the Shadow Guards' departures in recent days and immediately assumed it was his master's doing. He could do nothing about what others did, but he himself was definitely not a weak-willed person.
"You're here? Please take a seat."
Xu Yixing glared at the small, shabby house. It was on the mountain, just like when he was in the capital. He almost died from climbing so hard.
"Your place is so hard to find!" Xu Yixing picked up the water in the teapot and drank it all, which finally quenched his thirst. Jiangnan is good everywhere, but the summer weather is so hot that my clothes are soaked from head to toe, which is really annoying.
"It's cool in the mountains, and Master can relax and calm his mind."
"Do you think I was just being impulsive and sending you all away?"
"Maybe not, but if we all leave at once, I'm afraid the master will be unable to help. So I'll stay here, which will neither disturb your life nor leave you too isolated and helpless." Ying Yi thought about this retreat-to-advance statement many times in his mind, and it should be correct.
Unexpectedly, Xu Yixing didn't respond. He simply surveyed the residence silently. After confirming that no one was eavesdropping, he darkened his face and said seriously, "I know you've been blaming yourself for your sister's death. As a shadow guard, you first didn't have the chance to protect Madam Bai, and then you lost your sister without knowing it. You must be blaming yourself and feeling sorry for the Bai family, which is why you're so responsible for me."
Xu Yixing glanced at Ying Yi's expression, but he didn't show any change. "Otherwise, given my status, it wouldn't be your turn to pledge allegiance. I understand."
"Master, you're joking. We're just following the rules. If the young lady were here, we would naturally do the same. The Shadow Guards' recognition of their master is a recognition of your status. There's really no need to be so self-deprecating."
"Alas! Actually, you don't have to blame yourself. If I tell you that my sister is not dead, will you feel more at ease?"
Ying Yi scoffed. The body had been identified, so how could it be a lie? Xu Yixing just stared at him without saying a word, which made Ying Yi feel uneasy. "Master, if you have something to say, just say it."
"Actually, I'm not Xu Yiyan. I'm Xu Yixing, the eldest daughter of the Xu family. I was Xu Yixing long before you recognized me as your master. So, Yingyi, you've never been loyal to the wrong person, and you're not responsible for my death."
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