The sun set in the west, and the surroundings were filled with the sounds of insects.
On both sides of the path, there were no longer neat wheat fields but wild grasses and brambles everywhere. In the summer, various wild grasses grew wildly, reaching more than half a person’s height.
The ox cart creaked as it moved, startling the foxes, snakes, rats, and rabbits hidden in the wild. The black grass rustled continuously, and from time to time, shadows scurried out in panic. The assassins from the Piaoping Pavilion sat cross-legged on the shaft of the cart, listening warily to the sounds around them.
The heat was unbearable, and it was only after the sun set that people could catch their breath. However, the air they exhaled and inhaled was still filled with an irritating heat. Not only were people uncomfortable, but even the ox started to show its temper.
“Moo—”
The old ox pulling the cart plunged its head into the wild grass by the roadside and began to chew.
They had traveled too far today without giving the ox water or food. This behavior couldn’t be blamed. As soon as it stopped, the cart full of firewood was pulled into the ditch, bumping violently.
The sleeping farm boy fell straight into the grass.
The assassin from the Piaoping Pavilion, filled with anger, raised the whip and struck the ox’s back, shouting to make it continue walking.
It was said that oxen were stubborn, and when they got temperamental, it was deadly serious. They couldn’t be moved by two people when they decided not to turn back. At this moment, the ox, feeling the pain, became furious, snorting hot air from its nostrils, and dragged the cart further into the wild.
The wild grass, which had grown wildly, brushed against the man’s arm, and the sharp edges of the leaves cut the skin. The assassin from the Piaoping Pavilion retracted his arm in pain, quickly leaping up and retreating to the path.
Looking at the mad ox’s back and the scratches on his face and hands, the assassin disguised as a cart driver wished he could kill the temperamental ox with one blow.
—He could only think about it, not do it.
If the ox cart went missing outside the village for a night, it could be said that the cart driver boy played around or that the ox took the wrong path and couldn’t be brought back.
If the ox died, that would be a big deal.
The common people were not allowed to slaughter their working oxen privately. All oxen were recorded by the government, and if an ox died, one had to report to the yamen, and a special clerk would come to verify the cause of death. Whether it died of illness, old age, accidental injury, or any other cause, there were no exceptions. If an ox mysteriously died in the wild, the government had to catch the culprit.
Sometimes, the death of an ox was a bigger deal than the death of a person.
People in the martial world didn’t take the government seriously, but as assassins hiding their tracks, how could they act recklessly?
In the distance, Meng Qi found it very amusing to see the assassin from the Piaoping Pavilion who didn’t even dare to curse loudly.
Seeing someone in trouble was also a kind of fun.
If it weren’t for these guys from the Piaoping Pavilion, he wouldn’t have been separated from the doctor and wouldn’t know whether Mo Li and the old monk had caught up with the swordsman.
Thinking of this, Meng Qi smiled slightly.
Although the swordsman had good martial arts skills, he was rigid-minded. Even without the help of the monk Yuan Zhi, Mo Li could silently dig a pit for the swordsman to fall into.
The doctor was indeed so smart and perceptive! Meng Qi thought proudly.
Mo Li must have already captured the swordsman.
Similarly, the swordsman must have remained silent.
—To catch the tail of the Piaoping Pavilion, they had to rely on the results on their side.
The curve at the corner of his mouth widened, and Meng Qi’s eyes were full of amusement.
With a “bang,” the wheel got stuck in a crevice between the stones, and the firewood scattered all over the ground.
The ox couldn’t move the cart anymore, snorting and turning around in place, burying its head to graze on the wild beans.
Seeing this, the assassin from the Piaoping Pavilion knew that the disguise as a cart driver was completely useless. Annoyed, he looked around, and taking advantage of the night, he quickly changed direction.
After turning around two mounds of earth, the assassin suddenly jumped into a dried-up ditch, lying still while watching the corner of the mound to prevent being followed.
Naturally, Meng Qi would not fall for this.
In the short distance that followed, the assassin changed direction three more times, hiding in ditches, diving into grass piles, and hiding in fox holes. The places he chose became increasingly tricky, and the time he spent hiding grew longer. Meng Qi found it both frustrating and amusing because he knew he hadn’t been exposed, and the assassin didn’t actually know if someone was following him.
But regardless, the assassin was still maintaining the habit of the Piaoping Pavilion assassins, hiding first and asking questions later.
His vigilance was thorough and indeed effective.
(Meng Qi: After all, the Fengxing Pavilion and other martial artists don’t have my high level of martial arts, such sharp eyesight, or the brains to see through all tricks…)
Thinking about how the numerous assassins from the Piaoping Pavilion kept jumping, diving, and lying down in harmless situations, confronting imaginary stalkers and constantly “battling wits,” Meng Qi found it particularly amusing.
Such a good performer, able to hold a solo show, should definitely be on stage waving a big flag!
Seeing the assassin enter the fox hole and not come out, Meng Qi turned around and quickly took the unconscious farm boy, along with the cart and the ox, to the nearest village entrance.
Although he didn’t know which village the boy was from, he was certainly from this ten-mile radius. This child was also unlucky, possibly just out to deliver a cart of firewood, and in the span of a few miles, he was unfortunately hijacked onto a deserted path.
Meng Qi could have ignored it, as sleeping outdoors for a night in the summer wouldn’t harm anyone.
But looking at the wild ferrets, foxes, and snakes jumping and running around in the wild… well, he decided to take the boy back.
This was a matter of empathy, leading to a sense of compassion. After all, he had nothing else to do.
When Meng Qi returned, the assassin had already crawled out of the fox hole and moved to a big tree two miles away.
The location, high up, was well-chosen.
Unfortunately, in Meng Qi’s eyes, it was full of flaws: the leaves next to the thick branches were flattened, the bird’s nest in the tree was empty, and the previously displaced fox was angrily circling beneath that tree.
——Even dragging the family along.
A line of four foxes, big and small, sat in the grass, one trying to climb a tree, and an old bald fox with white whiskers sneaked near Meng Qi.
The old fox carefully observed Meng Qi. Its hunting instincts and cunning nature made it realize that the one who destroyed its den was Meng Qi’s prey.
Meng Qi suddenly turned and met the old bald fox’s eyes, and the latter immediately darted away.
When the Piaoping Pavilion assassin changed hiding spots again, the bald fox suddenly appeared in front of Meng Qi, then ran and stopped in one direction, as if leading the way.
“Ha.” Meng Qi strolled with his hands behind his back, moving neither fast nor slow.
As a dragon vein, Meng Qi was not surprised by this “favor.” He also knew that the bald fox was wary of him, otherwise, why were the other three foxes not seen? These vengeful and self-proclaimed clever little creatures were truly amusing.
Dragon veins liked creatures with spirit.
——Foxes are fine; after all, I am now in human form.
The Piaoping Pavilion assassin finally realized that he seemed to be entangled by foxes. He frowned and quickly changed hiding spots.
The bald fox kept sending its three foxes to sneak and ambush. Every time it spotted the assassin’s location, it would come running to lead Meng Qi. After several such times, it had wisely hidden in the dark, successfully avoiding the assassin’s sight.
Meng Qi: “…”
He didn’t find the Piaoping Pavilion’s branch, but he did find a nest of foxes specialized in ambushing and exposing assassins.
What a pleasant surprise.
Not!
Meng Qi rubbed his temples twice, then swiftly grabbed the bald fox.
The bald fox was stunned. How did this person, clearly several steps away, suddenly appear in front of it?
It was about to struggle when its vision went black. When it opened its eyes again, it saw Meng Qi holding a plump little fox in his left hand. This was the bald fox’s grandchild, its paws frantically scratching in panic.
The remaining two big foxes hurried out to rescue. The four foxes tried to make a sound, but suddenly felt a terrifying aura looming over them.
Could they still make a sound? They shivered in fear.
The bald fox looked at Meng Qi with eyes full of despair.
Meng Qi shook it and the little fox as if threatening the other two, then continued his slow search for the assassin, holding a fox in each hand.
As Meng Qi expected, the Piaoping Pavilion assassin did not continue to play “hide and seek” after coming out this time but started traveling under the cover of night.
“He didn’t see you, but your presence made him uneasy. Killers like him have instincts,” Meng Qi said to the two foxes.
This was essentially talking to himself, as the foxes didn’t understand what he was saying.
Dragon veins liked spirited creatures, but Meng Qi liked to bully them even more. This bad habit stemmed from sand rats always being bullied.
Would the transformed dragon vein of Taijing not seek revenge? Impossible.
Meng Qi finished intimidating, threw the two stiff and trembling foxes into the grass, and walked away leisurely.
The Piaoping Pavilion assassin had no idea such a drama was unfolding around him. He maintained a vigilant posture, glancing around while using his lightness skill to sprint quickly.
Meng Qi’s presence had already blended with the surrounding environment. His steps seemed slow, yet in a blink, he was only three yards behind the assassin.
If not for the shadow under the moonlight possibly revealing his position, Meng Qi could have stood directly behind the assassin without being detected.
Under the mid-heaven moon, Meng Qi vaguely saw a solitary temple ahead.
The temple was small, with four walls and a courtyard.
There was no small pagoda for enshrining relics, but a row of long banners embroidered with scriptures stood behind the temple.
The long banners were yellow and white, many of which had faded.
Meng Qi watched the assassin bypass the small temple and slip into the eerie forest behind the long banners.
“So, hiding in the tomb.”
Meng Qi realized that this temple was actually a family temple. Rural gentry often built a temple next to their ancestral grave, inviting nearby high monks or monks from famous temples to preside. The daily necessities of the family temple were provided by the clan. Such family temples were usually not large or famous.
Unless the clan had produced a high-ranking official or was very renowned locally, with many family members passing the imperial exams.
Ordinary family temples wouldn’t be flattered by outsiders; only the clan members would worship there, and they seldom visited. Having three monks in the temple was considered a lot, usually consisting of an old monk with two young novices. The old monk was elderly, seeking a peaceful place to chant scriptures and retire, while the young novices were orphans taken in.
They had no money, only stored grains in the jar.
Unless driven by hunger, no one would rob them. Moreover, people of the martial world avoided these family temples because no one knew what kind of people the family had produced.
A clan that could build a temple and support monks chanting scriptures might not be wealthy and powerful, but they weren’t poor. Their children, if not studying for exams, would be sent to the most reputable martial arts sects nearby to learn skills. Who would provoke them except for seeking revenge?
Secluded, eerie, desolate, most people avoided it.
An excellent hiding place, but it was unclear whether Piaoping Pavilion had secretly dug up the tomb without the monks’ knowledge or had colluded with them.
Meng Qi saw a sudden light of candles in the small temple and made up his mind.
Author’s note:
Piaoping Pavilion Assassin: Wasn’t it supposed to be me cleverly lying in wait, discovering the stalker, and successfully shaking them off?
Grandmaster: Oh.
Old Fox: Wasn’t the plot supposed to be about this Old Fox’s den being raided, driven by revenge, mobilizing the whole family to track the enemy, and ingeniously luring the foe for revenge?
