Upon hearing his brother’s proposal, Nangong Buliang’s eyes lit up, and he excitedly slapped his thigh.
"You always think things through, and not only can we loot money, but I’ve heard..."
An evil smile appeared on Nangong Buliang’s face, "Gui Heshu’s wife is a renowned beauty, though she’s older now, she’s still quite charming."
"If we can abduct this woman too, we’ll gain both wealth and beauty, won’t we?"
Nangong Henliang also laughed.
When it cos to lust, he’s no less than his brother Nangong Buliang.
"Then, I’ll let you take the lead, brother."
"Hahaha, good brother, but this woman is past her pri, so it shouldn’t be a problem for both of us."
Afterward, their conversation beca even more explicit.
anwhile, Pei Quan’an had no interest in such thoughts; he was in his room, waiting for a reply from his master.
He seldom went out during this period, firstly to avoid exposure, and secondly to wait for the ssenger pigeon to arrive.
Finally.
A very distinctive flapping sound ca from the sky outside the window, prompting Pei Quan’an to eagerly look out.
Sure enough.
A gray pigeon was circling in the sky.
It was a ssenger pigeon specifically trained by Wanghai Tower for communication.
Seeing this, Pei Quan’an was overjoyed and made a very special gesture with his hand.
Instantly, the gray pigeon, as if spotting its beacon, swooped down from the sky and landed on Pei Quan’an’s hand.
Unfastening the note tied to the pigeon’s foot ring, Pei Quan’an’s joy increased upon reading it.
For it clearly stated that Zhen Juncheng and others had descended the mountain and were currently on their way to Ink Sea City, due to arrive in two days at most.
This period of hiding had long made Pei Quan’an feel restless, and now seeing the light of hope, how could he not be happy?
After feeding the pigeon so food and water, Pei Quan’an released it.
This ti, Pei Quan’an did not attach a note back, as the location and other matters had already been clearly communicated last ti, so there was no need to reiterate.
The pigeon flew out from the place where Pei Quan’an lived, soared over the front yard, and headed west.
But just as it reached the edge of the backyard, a silver pellet whistled in and directly hit its wing.
With a fluttering sound, the pigeon didn’t even struggle before falling from the sky.
Zhang Junzhu caught it and, upon examining the foot ring, imdiately knew it was a ssenger pigeon specifically trained for communication purposes.
Her expression turned sowhat serious.
Her worst fear had indeed co to pass.
It was clear soone was using pigeons to communicate with the outside world.
But it was no longer aningful to investigate who it was.
However, judging by the fully developed feathers of the pigeon, the care taken in its cultivation was evident, sothing beyond the capability of ordinary sects.
Zhang Junzhu remained silent.
At this mont, several fully ard martial artists surrounded her.
"Mistress, what’s the situation?" the leading martial artist asked in a deep voice.
Zhang Junzhu shook her head, "Nothing, just soone communicating with the outside."
"Shall we investigate thoroughly?"
"There’s no need; we can already guess who it is." Zhang Junzhu sneered, then turned her gaze to the martial artists.
"Is there any movent from the Nangong brothers?"
"No, they’re just staying in their room, drinking and sleeping, showing no signs of unusual activity."
"Keep a close watch on them; kill without rcy if there’s any anomaly," Zhang Junzhu said coldly.
"Yes!"
After instructing them, Zhang Junzhu was about to turn and leave when sothing occurred to her. She added,
"Also, keep a close eye on the group they brought along, leaving none of them out."
"Understood."
-----------------
On a road about two thousand miles from Ink Sea City, a person was walking slowly.
It was midday, the hottest ti of the day.
Even with the shade of trees along the road, the scorching sumr heat was unbearable for most people.
Even the poorest, who had no food or shelter, would try to avoid going out now, seeking a cool place to rest.
Thus, the road was empty, except for this one person strolling leisurely.
This person was wearing clothes stained with various oils, and the chest area had been worn so slick it could practically be used as a mirror.
He had a head full of ssy hair, which at first glance made his face look dark, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that it was not darkness, but rather gri accumulated from who knows how many unwashed days.
Such a shabby, even sowhat filthy middle-aged man, but occasionally his eyes would flash with captivating brilliance.
However, most of the ti his eyes were half-closed, as if he had just woken up.
After walking a while, a tea stall appeared not far ahead.
By the ti the man leisurely reached the tea stall, a few people were already seated inside, and a middle-aged old man was bustling about with a large teapot.
A rural tea stall like this naturally wouldn’t have waiters like a big teahouse does.
If you wanted tea, you just found yourself a stool to sit on.
Even if you couldn’t spare a few coins for tea, you could ladle so cool water from the jar by the stove, and no one would mind.
The man, of course, wasn’t so stingy as to not afford a few coins for tea.
He went directly to a stool shaded by a tree and sat down, whereupon the middle-aged old man ca over to greet him.
"What can I get you, sir?"
The man didn’t speak, just pointed to the table next to him and gestured, indicating he wanted the sa.
The middle-aged old man understood, and a feeling of pity arose in his heart.
It was clear that this shabbily dressed man was mute.
No wonder he was traveling under the blazing sun.
The old man nodded repeatedly, "All right, wait a mont, it’ll be right up."
He poured a bowl of refreshing sour plum soup for the man first.
Naturally, a small tea stall like this couldn’t afford ice, but the sour plum soup was cooled in a well, making it refreshing and pleasant to drink in the hot weather.
The man slowly drank the sour plum soup, and after a mont, the old man brought out all the dishes.
A dish of sliced salted eggs, a dish of dried tofu, and a plate of cold mixed wild vegetables.
Though the dishes were simple, sitting in the shade with a cool breeze and eating such rustic dishes had its own special charm.
The man enjoyed the food imnsely.
But at that mont, he suddenly looked up toward the distant forest.
Soon after, there was a rustling of branches and leaves, and a group of people appeared on the official road.
Their attire was much more impressive.
The leader, in particular, had an extraordinary deanor, clearly soone who had held a high position for a long ti.
This group quickly ca before the tea stall.
The middle-aged old man, accustod to dealing with country folk, was at a loss for words upon seeing such people.
The group ignored him, surveyed the tea stall, and soone spoke to the leader.
"Elder Zhen, this is a remote place, and this is the only tea stall around. It’s not impressive, should we move on?"
The leader was none other than Zhen Juncheng.
He shook his head.
"Forget it, we’ve been without rest since morning, and the sun is so harsh. It’s fine to take a break at this small tea stall."
He then spoke to the middle-aged old man, who was already frightened.
"No need to be alard, we’re just passing through and borrowing your place to rest. We’ll pay you more for the tea."
The middle-aged old man dared not say anything, just nodded non-stop.
Zhen Juncheng was surrounded and escorted into the tea stall like a revered figure.
So tea custors, intimidated by the presence of Zhen Juncheng and his group, had already moved aside.
The more timid ones even left in a hurry after paying for their tea.
Once Zhen Juncheng and his group had seated themselves, the middle-aged old man nervously asked.
"Wha...what can I get you all?"
Zhen Juncheng surveyed the tea stall, and upon seeing the "mute" man not far from him, frowned slightly.
Why is this person so filthy?
However, he suppressed his displeasure and said calmly, "Just a couple of small dishes and so refreshing tea."
"Yes!"
The middle-aged old man hurriedly went to prepare.
From start to finish, the man never looked up, concentrating intently on chewing the dried tofu.
But Zhen Juncheng didn’t realize that just now, when he looked at the man, the man’s hand had already discreetly reached for a trigger.
If he pressed it, Zhen Juncheng might not survive, but he would definitely suffer greatly.
User Comments
0 comments from readers