Chapter 93 I will cut off the dragon's feet, chew its flesh, and make it pay homage...
The girl remained silent for a long time. Unlike the soft hair of typical women from the Jiangnan water towns, her hair was fluffy and curly, like seaweed, tied into two braids that hung down on either side of her face, making her look like a cute and mischievous little dog.
It's just a little dog that's fallen into the water now.
Jiang Ling'er was both anxious and angry. She was anxious because her boyfriend was still being so hesitant and indecisive, and she was angry because in just a few months, things had changed so much, and the two seemed to have developed a rift and were no longer as close as before...
Jiang Ling'er couldn't help but grab her wrist: "What exactly is it that you can't tell me?"
Yuan Zao's face was ashen and pale.
"Please, please leave me alone... Sister Ling'er."
Jiang Ling'er gritted her teeth, her eyes reddening with hurt. The young Taoist priest, who had been silently observing the sisters, suddenly spoke up:
"There's someone there."
Everyone was stunned. The young monk, who had been silenced by acupuncture and was being held hostage by the young Taoist, glanced around but found nothing amiss. Yuan Zao was similarly puzzled when she saw Jiang Ling'er frown, quickly scan her surroundings, grab her hand, and hide behind a nearby artificial hill.
"Walk!"
After the group hid behind the artificial hill, they indeed saw a group of more than ten disciples dressed in the uniforms of the "Number One Escort in the World" stride towards them, exchanging glances in pairs:
"The Right Protector has ordered that the main gate be guarded well, and that several men be sent to patrol outside the escort agency, not allowing even a fly to escape."
Just as they were about to split up, one of them took off his clothes first and instructed:
"Take off your clothes, don't leave any marks."
"yes!"
Jiang Ling'er paused, recognizing the dozen or so men as familiar faces from the escort agency. She then saw them expertly remove their outer garments and cover their faces, knocking out the gatekeepers and patrolling disciples before securing the gate.
It's likely that the incident of the heroes being drugged in the arena, as Yuan Zao mentioned, is inextricably linked to these disciples who have already infiltrated the world's number one escort agency.
Jiang Ling'er gritted her teeth and cursed inwardly: "You traitor!"
She glanced at the young monk who had been rendered mute. It seemed the most formidable镖师 (bodyguard/escort) in the world was now impregnable; forcing her way out would be tantamount to walking into a trap. She quickly scanned her surroundings. If what Xiao Zao said was true—that her and the old镖头's residences were both burned to the ground, and Xiao Zao's residence was also under guard—then there was only one possibility…
Jiang Ling'er was the first to emerge from behind the artificial hill.
"Come with me."
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The Great Hall of the World's Number One Escort Agency.
It was nearly evening by then.
The setting sun was like blood.
The last rays of the setting sun shone through the window frame onto the inscription on the banner carved in the main hall of the "Number One Escort Under Heaven," a poem titled "The Short Day is Bitter," written by the old head镖师 himself. It was the old head镖师's favorite poem in his life.
I will cut off the dragon's feet and chew its flesh, so that it may not return in the morning or lie down at night.
Jiang Ling'er stared blankly, her fingers lingering on the calligraphy on the scroll with a mixture of longing and unfamiliarity. She touched the carved dragons and phoenixes in the main hall, the solemn and imposing desk, the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the desk, and her fingertips traced the seal of the chief镖头 (chief镖头, a high-ranking镖头, a bodyguard in the world). Just as she expected, even though Zhao Xiao had burned all traces of her and the old镖头 to ashes, this place, this place, belonged to the throne of the number one镖头 in the world, and he would not touch it.
Recalling the dozen or so disciples who had removed their clothes, the faint black crescent-shaped marks on their wrists, and the "Right Protector" they spoke of...
The hand that had been resting on the seal of the chief镖头 (chief镖头, a title for a镖师, a powerful镖师) suddenly gripped the seal tightly, and a crease appeared between Jiang Ling'er's delicate brows.
"When exactly did they infiltrate the world's number one escort agency, and for whom are they serving...?"
"That's wonderful, Sister Ling'er!"
Two voices rang out at the same time. It was Yuan Zao who took her hand. His puppy-like eyes were bright and sparkling. He was smiling for the first time since they met... Jiang Ling'er was slightly taken aback.
Although Yuan Zao already knew that the foreign youth who severely injured Zhao Xiao in the martial arts arena was Jiang Ling'er, she was on a high platform with dust and sand obscuring her vision. Unlike her father, Hall Master Yuan Wenkang, who had profound internal strength, she could only see the general outline and could not clearly see how Jiang Ling'er's skills were. However, she noticed a simple detail just now—the higher a person's martial arts cultivation, the sharper their hearing and eyesight.
Sister Ling'er and that... she didn't know who the handsome man was, found out the whereabouts of those dozens of disciples before her. The difference was slight, but it made all the difference. It was clear that Jiang Ling'er's skill and cultivation had far surpassed what they had been before.
Yuan Zao was genuinely happy for her, but Jiang Ling'er's next words left her stunned:
"Why do you look...not surprised at all?"
Yuan Zao froze, managing a weak smile: "...What?"
"You don't seem at all surprised that the镖局's disciples have spies, unless..."
Jiang Ling'er bit her lip, staring intently at Yuan Zao, hesitant to speak. Pei Xuan glanced at Jiang Ling'er, then looked at the girl and continued the conversation:
"Unless you already knew."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yuan Zao shuddered and involuntarily loosened his grip on Jiang Ling'er's wrist.
Jiang Ling'er wouldn't let her back down, pressing her relentlessly and aggressively:
"Who are those people acting on orders? What are their purposes? How could they, with such a large number of people, manage to hide within the escort agency for years... There must be someone helping them, or even protecting them! Who is that person? You know perfectly well that the world's number one escort agency despises underhanded methods and abhors collusion with evil and wicked people, yet... do you know how you are any different from an accomplice?!"
As soon as Jiang Ling'er finished speaking, Yuan Zao's face turned deathly pale, her eyes filled with tears, and she swayed precariously.
Pei Xuan couldn't stand people around, especially such a beautiful young woman. He quickly separated Jiang Ling'er and Yuan Zao:
"You...you should really change your impatience. The young lady is still very young, and you've already scared her to tears before you've even gotten the words out of her. There's no use in rushing her now. Give this young lady some time."
Although Jiang Ling'er had a bad temper and wasn't exactly good-natured, that was only towards outsiders. She was always protective of her own people, especially Yuan Zao.
Yuan Zao was startled, and subconsciously brought out her childhood habit. With a sob in her voice, she tugged at Jiang Ling'er's sleeve, on the verge of tears.
"Sister Ling'er, I... I know I was wrong, please don't be angry with me..."
After all, she was the younger sister he had watched grow up. Jiang Ling'er was anxious, angry, heartbroken, and distressed. After her chest heaved violently, she forced herself to harden her heart, break free from her sister's grasp, turn her head away, and walk off.
When Yuan Zao saw Jiang Ling'er leave in a huff, her eyes suddenly reddened, and she panicked. Just as she was about to chase after her, she was stopped by the young Taoist.
Pei Xuan stepped in front of Yuan Zao, winking at her reassuringly. His smile was warm and gentle, like jade.
"Let your sister have some peace and quiet."
Yuan Zao opened her lips, as if she was about to say something, but for some reason, under the young man's gentle and warm gaze, she couldn't say anything, and dared not cry. She swallowed her words and slowly nodded.
Pei Xuanfeng's eyes curved into a smile, a hint of amusement appearing in them, and she nodded with a smile:
"Good boy."
--
Jiang Ling'er walked away and took a deep breath, forcing herself to temporarily put aside her anger towards Yuan Zao. As night fell, she found the lampstand according to her memory, lit the wick with a tinderbox, and looked around.
If, as Yuan Zao said, the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) and her entire residence were burned to the ground in search of the "Longevity Manual," then this place would be all that would remain. And this place has probably already been thoroughly searched by Zhao Xiao and Uncle-Master He Yong...
Is it really all for naught?
This lobby is her and Pei Xuan's only chance. If they can't find any clues here, they don't know where else they can look...
Besides, night is almost falling, and the news of their release from the dungeon probably won't stay hidden for long; we must hurry...
Jiang Ling'er swept everything on the table onto the floor, but found nothing.
Her gaze swept over the hall once more, a hall she had seen countless times since childhood, every stroke of the carved dragons and phoenixes, every brick and tile...
Finally, the inscription was placed on the calligraphy written by the old镖头 himself – “Bitter Days Are Short”.
I will cut off the dragon's feet and chew its flesh, so that it may not return in the morning or lie down at night.
As she watched, she gradually became lost in thought. Suddenly, an image uncontrollably flashed into her mind—the scene of the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) taking his own life, a scene she never wanted to recall.
Don't seek revenge for Father, promise me.
"Father...Father, what are you saying?"
The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) suddenly flew into a rage: Promise me!
I promise you, I promise you!
Panic surged through her like a tidal wave following Old Chief Jiang's words, nearly engulfing her. She struggled against He Yong's restraints, shouting at Old Chief Jiang, "Why do I have to agree? Father, Father, what are you doing? Father, don't scare me... Father!"
However, Old Chief Escort Jiang ignored her. Upon hearing her reply, he suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter. His blood-stained white robe fluttered wildly in the gust of wind as he sang, his inner strength vast and profound, his voice booming like a bell, each word clearly reaching the ears of everyone present:
"Flying light, flying light, let me offer you a cup of wine. I know not the height of the blue sky, nor the thickness of the yellow earth. I only see the cold moon and warm sun, which bring about the depletion of human life. Eating bear makes one fat, eating frog makes one thin. Where is the Divine Lord? Where is Taiyi? In the east of the heavens grows the Ruomu tree, beneath which sits the Candle-Holding Dragon. I will cut off the dragon's feet, chew its flesh, so that it may never return in the morning, nor lie down at night!"
Jiang Ling'er was suddenly jolted and barely managed to grab the corner of the table to avoid falling to the ground!
Pei Xuan, Yuan Zao, and even the little monk whose mute acupoints had been sealed, all stared at Jiang Ling'er in surprise. As soon as Jiang Ling'er showed signs of distress, Pei Xuan had already moved like a ghost to get close to her. Just as he was about to help her up, Jiang Ling'er suddenly dodged his hand, stepped past him with a swift movement, and before anyone could react, she ripped down the banner with the words "Bitter Days Are Short" from the wall!
Not only that, she placed the calligraphy directly on the burning wick of the lamp!
Everyone was stunned, including Pei Xuan.
“Ling… Sister Ling’er…” Yuan Zao murmured, as if he had been hit hard and suddenly woke up. He rushed forward and grabbed Jiang Ling’er, trying to snatch the calligraphy back from her hand. However, he was too weak and could only hug her arm, crying anxiously. “Sister Ling’er, this is the only thing left by the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort)! How could you… how could you burn it!”
The little monk's pressure points were released, but his speech point was not. He anxiously rushed forward, babbling incoherently to stop her.
"Sister Ling'er, I know how important that is to you, you...you're angry with me, aren't you?" The flickering candlelight cast shadows on Jiang Ling'er's face, making her features appear indistinct. Seeing the banner burst into flames, Yuan Zao finally broke down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably as she clung to Jiang Ling'er's arm, pleading, "Sister Ling'er, I was wrong, I'll tell you everything...I'll tell you everything, please don't be angry anymore...you..."
Yuan Zao paused, then suddenly heard a cold, sharp voice beside her, like jade stones clashing. It was the unfamiliar, handsome young man who suddenly spoke:
"This is... the White Serpent Alliance."
She followed the young man's gaze, and the little monk's stunned gaze, to the characters burning in the candlelight—
Several small characters, ranging from bright red to dark red, were faintly visible.
The flickering candlelight cast a golden glow on Jiang Ling'er's fair face, making even the finest hairs visible.
Her almond-shaped eyes, gleaming in the candlelight, shone with an unusual light as she stared intently at the burning banner that continuously revealed words. She murmured softly, as if in a dream:
"……father."
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Author's Note: A belated Happy Father's Day to everyone! See you tomorrow! (By the way, I added some content to the last chapter, so those of you who haven't read it yet, hurry up and check it out!)
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2024-06-12 23:42:38 and 2024-06-17 05:30:47!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: Fairy doesn't need a nickname (5 bottles);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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