Wu Shashen wrapped his spear with strips of cloth, his eyes sharpening. "A year ago, I found the tiger demon again."
The boat awning became quiet.
Qin Luo and Xiao Tuanzi were both looking at him.
Wu Shashen sighed softly, "It's a pity that after ten years of arduous cultivation, I only found the tiger demon's remains. I heard that it was killed by Qiu Luoye of Huainan City."
"You want to thank the falling autumn leaves?"
"I never thought about that. I only want to go to Huainan City to compete with him! I want to know who is stronger, me or the tiger demon!"
"Where is the Taoist priest planning to go?"
"Go to the capital of the Great Xia Dynasty."
Mentioning the capital, Wu Shashen became somewhat excited. "I've seen the capital of the Great Xia Dynasty before. Its city walls are higher than mountains, like a colossal creature from a myth. Unfortunately, the entry checks are very strict, and someone of my status is not qualified to enter the city at all."
"The capital city isn't necessarily better than the outside world."
"You're right."
Qin Luo left the boat's awning and stood at the bow, admiring the scenery on the river. Starlight was reflected on the water, the bright moon hung between the mountains, and a gentle breeze caressed his face, making him feel indescribably comfortable.
Wu Shashen watched Qin Luo leave the boat awning without swaying. He followed him to the bow, raising his thick eyebrows slightly. "Daoist Master, your movements are steady. You must have practiced martial arts, right?"
Qin Luo shook his head. "I have never practiced kung fu. When I was at Longhu Temple, I lived on the mountain and often went to the river at the foot of the mountain to fetch water, so I am quite skilled."
"Master Dao, would you like me to teach you a couple of moves?"
"I couldn't have gotten it."
Qin Luo did not refuse.
Wu Shashen raised his right foot and kicked three times in a row, making a series of "slap slap slap" sounds. "The first kick is to the groin, the second kick is to the ribs, and the third kick is to the throat."
The little dumpling tilted its head, pondering.
"That's a pretty ruthless tactic."
"Master Dao, you seem to have no experience in the martial world. You must not be soft-hearted towards your enemies."
"That's true."
Qin Luo thought it made sense.
Yao Qingshan sat at the stern rowing. He felt that the wind and current were going smoothly tonight and he didn't need to do anything. So he crawled into the awning and came to the bow, holding a basin of dried fish. He said enthusiastically, "These are dried fish that I dried myself. Please have some."
"Thank you, boatman."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Yao."
Qin Luo and Wu Shashen picked up the dried fish, and the little dumpling tilted its head and chirped, "I want some too!"
"Stop fooling around."
Qin Luo said softly.
The little dumpling dared not shout loudly anymore.
Seeing the little dumpling become well-behaved, Wu Shashen asked, "This little guy is very smart. What's its name?"
"Little dumpling".
Qin Luo smiled and replied. He tasted the dried fish and found it quite delicious. He then tore the dried fish in his hand into small pieces and fed them to the little dumpling little by little, who ate with great relish.
Wu Shashen returned to the boat awning and took out three hard flatbreads from his bundle. "Boatman, Taoist priest, there's not much good food to eat when we're out and about, just some dry rations. Don't mind them."
"It's good enough to have something to eat."
"Thank you, Brother Wu."
Qin Luo and Yao Qingshan smiled as they accepted the flatbread.
Qin Luo took a bite of the pancake. The taste was so-so, but after chewing it a bit more, it became sweet and fragrant. It was just too dry.
He pinched off a little bit and fed it to the little dumpling.
The little dumpling shook its head after taking a bite.
Qin Luo didn't waste any food; he ate the flatbread in big bites. Wu Shashen asked with a smile, "Daoist, are you starving? I can only eat half a flatbread at most."
"No, I haven't tried it before, but I think it tastes pretty good." Qin Luo finished the flatbread in his hand.
Wu Shashen could only eat half a pancake before he couldn't eat anymore. He put the half pancake into his bundle, then took out the wine pouch from his waist and took a big gulp of wine. "Daoist, do you want some wine?"
"I won't drink it."
Qin Luo smiled and shook his head.
"Boatman, want a drink?"
"No, I'm afraid drinking will cause me trouble."
Yao Qingshan waved with a smile. He crawled through the boat's awning to the stern, keeping a close eye on the boat's direction. He dared not be careless, as it would be troublesome if the boat crashed into the mountain.
...
late at night.
The moon shines brightly in the sky.
A lone boat drifts on the river.
Qin Luo sat cross-legged at the bow of the boat, meditating. A muffled snoring sound, like a cow mooing, came from inside the boat, disturbing the little dumpling's rest. It could only cover its ears with its wings.
Yao Qingshan sat at the stern, looking relaxed. He had spent half his life on the boat and had seen all kinds of passengers. He was used to the snoring. Usually, there was a favorable wind and a headwind. Tonight, the wind had been favorable. In the past, he could only travel a hundred miles in a day and a night at most, but now, halfway through the night, he had already traveled two hundred miles.
"Today is a good day!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a crashing sound rang out. Yao Qingshan quickly stood up and noticed that there were wooden planks floating on the river ahead, which were left behind after the ship broke apart.
Yao Qingshan was greatly alarmed. A biting wind swept over him, and he immediately lowered the sail, stopping the small boat in the middle of the river.
Qin Luo opened his eyes.
He sensed a demon approaching.
The snoring inside the boat abruptly stopped. Wu Shashen suddenly opened his eyes, gripped his sword, and went to the bow of the boat. He squinted at the distance and said in a deep voice, "There's killing intent!"
Yao Qingshan felt a chill run down his spine. He had thought the trip would go smoothly, but he never expected to encounter a monster. "What a disaster!"
Thick fog drifted over the river, making it impossible to see one's hand in front of one's face. The once calm river surface was now filled with the sound of waves rolling. A strange creature was swimming around the small boat, emitting hissing laughter.
In the thick fog, Yao Qingshan couldn't see Qin Luo and Wu Shashen. His legs trembled, and he muttered, "Demons and monsters, get out of here! Demons and monsters, get out of here!"
This was taught to him by an old Taoist priest.
"Daoist, step back!"
"Don't interfere with my demon-slaying!"
Wu Shashen told Qin Luo to step back a little.
Qin Luo could only smile and take two steps back, admiring Wu Shashen's courage. He was indeed a man who had fought against a tiger demon, showing no nervousness whatsoever when facing a monster.
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