Before Huli could finish his words, the old man interjected, "The things in Shangyong City, no outsider can take away. If it's not yours, there's no need to worry about it. Even if Shangyong City is just an empty shell, it won't spare you. The one from Qinglong Temple won't agree, and neither will I."
"I'm not here for the things in Shangyong City. I've come this far out of necessity. Please rest assured, senior," Huli patiently explained, regardless of whether the old man believed him or not.
The words were harsh enough, but Huli had nothing to gain or lose from them. He wasn't here for the treasure, so he wasn't here to invite scorn.
With that said, Huli bid farewell to the old man, who only responded with a cold snort.
Leaping down from the white wall, he stood beneath the crooked-necked tree.
The old man's words had piqued his interest.
He mentioned Qinglong Temple.
"The one from Qinglong Temple won't agree, and I won't agree either."
The one from Qinglong Temple referred to the old monk, presumably.
Huli turned and walked back to the inn, putting aside the matter of going to Qinglong Temple for now.
Night fell, and the three sat in the hall, the waiter warming up some wine. Bai Huaishui drank absentmindedly, taking a sip and finding it tasteless, then setting the cup down.
The inn's fare was plain, unable to satisfy his tastes.
Huli pushed the plate of vegetarian dishes in front of Bai Huaishui. The vegetarian dishes in this small inn were still quite delicious, while the meat dishes were greasy.
Bai Huaishui squinted at Huli, realizing his situation. In Shangyong City, having a chance to eat a meal like this was a rare treat, so not eating it would be a waste. He began to focus on eating the vegetarian dish.
After a brief conversation, the three finished their meal and went upstairs.
Instead of returning to his own room, Huli followed Jiang Yu back to their room.
But once inside, they each took their own corner again. Huli glanced at Bai Huaishui, who was still lingering, and Bai Huaishui glanced back, saying, "Your master uncle is afraid of the dark and doesn't like being alone."
Ignoring him, Huli recounted the conversation with the old man.
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"According to him, this person and the one from Qinglong Temple seem to be old friends," Huli said.
"Even in death, they leave behind the four divine beasts to guard. Quite a grand spectacle," Bai Huaishui said coolly.
"The centipede doesn't stiffen even after death," Jiang Yu played with the wine glass in his hand, speaking solemnly. "We still don't know how many of Liangwang's men are left in Shangyong City. After all these years, Liangwang's treasure is still just a legend, probably because they are still around."
"Death squads, huh? No mercy for those who covet the treasure," Huli glanced at Bai Huaishui, who was speaking coldly.
"With Shangyong City in its current state, even if Liangwang gave these people fame and fortune, they probably wouldn't be able to enjoy it. Why are they still guarding here?" Huli said.
"If His Majesty wants his subjects to die, his subjects dare not live," Bai Huaishui said slowly. "Do you understand?"
"Other than that, the only reason they're guarding Shangyong is because they have other plans," Jiang Yu placed the wine glass on the round table and tapped his finger on the tabletop.
Half of the world's affairs are driven by greed, and the other half are driven by coercion.
Huli had only known this since he was young. He learned it from his unreliable master.
For a moment, Bai Huaishui and Jiang Yu's views were aligned, making him seem a little out of place.
Is this the difference between those who thrive in the capital and those who don't?
Bai Huaishui patted Huli on the shoulder and said, "Learn something from Lord Jiang. Lord Jiang has established himself in the capital and is also skilled in officialdom. You, on the other hand, would be the first to be taken out by some small fry once you arrive in that ghostly place."
"It's your master uncle who has been loafing around in the capital for so many years," Bai Huaishui's arm on Huli's shoulder stiffened for a moment, but his face still pretended nothing was wrong.
"At least your master uncle has made acquaintance with Lord Jiang in the capital," Bai Huaishui said as he got up and walked out, saying as he left, "Lord Jiang, Bai Caomin is tired. I'll retire first."
Without waiting for anyone's response, he opened and closed the door in one go.
The room immediately fell silent.
After a while, Jiang Yu said, "Shangyong City is too quiet, very unusual."
"If there really are Liangwang's old subordinates guarding Shangyong, the matter of the treasure is almost certainly related to Shangyong City," Huli said.
"Wait a minute," Huli suddenly remembered something, turning to Jiang Yu and saying, "On the night of Wuyuegan San, Xu Blind set up a stall selling expensive clothes. That was the first time I met the old man."
Jiang Yu silently waited for Huli to continue.
"If the rumors are true, the clothes made by Xu Blind are related to the secret of the treasure. As the guardian of Shangyong, why didn't the old man deal with Xu Blind right away?" Huli said.
"Perhaps Wuyuegan San in Shangyong City is just a scam," Jiang Yu said.
"Killing all those who covet the treasure?" Huli sighed softly.
"Is the map still with you?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Yeah." Huli took out the half-piece of the map from his chest, but Jiang Yu didn't take it, only telling him to hide it.
"This calmness may be brewing a storm," Jiang Yu glanced at Huli, "News of you having half of the map has spread throughout the martial world. Yet, these days, Shangyong City has been unusually quiet. They must be plotting something. I've sent a message to the capital, and tomorrow the Embroidered Uniform Guard will ambush Shangyong City, just in case."
"Alright, let's go rest," Jiang Yu rubbed his head.
Huli nodded.
That night, Huli silently walked out of the inn again with his knife.
There was no light in Shangyong City at night, with a cold wind blowing around.
Huli stopped under the crooked-necked tree, leaping onto the wall and looking into the courtyard.
There was no candlelight in the courtyard either, like an uninhabited place.
"Huh?" A soft sigh, with the characteristic milkiness of a child's voice. Huli immediately knew who it was.
Huli jumped into the courtyard.
The little girl lay on the rocking chair, looking straight at Huli with her upper body raised.
Huli squatted beside her, and the little girl hurriedly grabbed him, "Shh, be quiet, grandpa is here."
"Do you stay at home every day?" Huli asked.
"Yeah, Grandpa won't let me go out," the little girl said, pouting.
"Do you and grandpa stay at home together?"
The little girl nodded, about to speak.
The old man pushed the door and came out. "If you have something to ask, ask me face to face."
Huli stood up and faced the old man a few steps away. "You can ask, but whether I answer or not depends on your ability."
"The junior came just to tell the senior that Xu Blind is dead," Huli said.
The old man frowned at Huli and suddenly sneered, "The old man, even if his eyes are blind, can still move freely. You say he's dead."
"If the senior doesn't believe it, then come with me to the east of the city. Xu Blind's body is in his shop," Huli said.
The old man looked at Huli suspiciously, and Huli continued, "It's in the secret passage. When he was discovered, he was already dead. The cause of death is the same as the one in the inn."