Chapter 271: Chapter 271: Returning Home (Part 2)
The tall man raised his eyebrows in surprise, then laughed: "Is the lady threatening me? Indeed, the person wants you, but if you think just waving a pair of scissors can threaten us, then you’re underestimating the four of us!" After speaking, he waved his hand: "What are you standing around for? Attack!"
The four of them had clear roles: one guarded the door, another commanded, and the other two could move back or forward!
Xiqiu’s face changed as she put the scissors to her own neck without hesitation. Tiny droplets of blood began seeping from her neck. The other men, not expecting her to truly have the courage to kill herself, paused in surprise. Xiqiu’s life was equivalent to money...
Sure enough, they wanted her alive! Without thinking further, Xiqiu quickly blew the flint she held, and tossed it towards the large window above the bed. Flames immediately ignited the paper-paneled window lattice, and the fire swiftly burst out, smoke diffusing rapidly. Xiqiu screamed loudly, the sound echoing continuously in the silent mountain forest.
All this happened in an instant. The tall man barely had time to react as Xiqiu retreated to the foot of the bed. With narrowed eyes showing his viciousness, he angrily said: "How unappreciative! Kill her." With the fire blazing and that scream, they wouldn’t get safely down the mountain even if they kidnapped her.
"Boss, what about the silver!?" one of them asked, to which the tall man angrily scolded: "What’s more important, life or money?!" Just then, Xiqiu looked at them and said: "Gentlemen, at this point, none of us have a choice..." She paused, observing the four men’s reactions, and continued: "You won’t get any money if you kill me, and I’ll lose my life. How about we make a trade... I give you money and ensure you get down the mountain safely, and you let me go, how about it?" After finishing, Xiqiu looked at the tall man, waiting for his reaction. His eyes flickered, clearly considering whether the deal was feasible. He was about to speak when the stutterer interrupted him: "N... No... We have... h... rules on... on this road..."
The tall man’s face changed, and he raised his hand to hit the stutterer: "Shut up!" After that, he looked at Xiqiu, whose eyes were full of struggle. Xiqiu felt secretly anxious—she was gambling... These four men were skilled, likely having roamed the Jianghu for a long time, perhaps even having some reputation. As the stutterer said, what was more important for them—rules or money!
But, time was running out. If the temple’s patrolling servant women noticed the fire and came over, no matter how capable she was, today she might die here.
The tall man continued to struggle, Xiqiu furrowed her eyebrows, and just then...
A tall figure with brisk steps walked into the bright room. His hands were behind his back, showing calmness and composure. His presence was reassuring, and seeing him made Xiqiu’s eyes light up.
"Rules? You think you’re qualified to talk about rules?!" Only when he spoke did the four men behind him suddenly realize there was someone standing behind them. Their faces showed shock, and they waved their knives defensively towards the newcomer: "Who are you?!"
Fourth Master Xiao’s face was full of mockery: "You aren’t worthy to know!" After saying that, he didn’t even look at them; his gaze fell on Xiqiu standing against the wall. The brightness in his eyes dimmed instantly upon seeing the streak of red on her neck. His previously casual demeanor now emitted a chilling intent.
The four men changed their expressions slightly upon seeing him, knowing they couldn’t escape a fight today. Without thinking, they raised their knives and charged at Fourth Master Xiao. The room hummed with the sound of blades, and the four of them fought desperately surrounding Fourth Master Xiao!
Xiqiu hurried to find a cabinet to hide behind. She couldn’t help, but at least she shouldn’t hinder them. However, worried about Fourth Master Xiao, she peeked out to watch.
But in just a blink of an eye, when she looked again, all four men were already sprawled motionless on the ground. Xiqiu looked at the scene in shock, disbelief written all over her face.
Fourth Master Xiao coldly eyed her, his face showing a hint of displeasure: "Come here!" Xiqiu lacked the ability to protect herself and save others... so she obediently came out from behind the cabinet, her large eyes still showing traces of the recent astonishment.
"Let me see." Fourth Master Xiao reached out, and Xiqiu instinctively retreated. His long arm stretched out and pulled her towards him. Xiqiu was confused by his intention and pushed her arms out to maintain some distance: "What?" Fourth Master Xiao frowned, his hand already on her neck, but he didn’t linger. His eyes darkened slightly after that, and then he took out a bottle of medicine he carried with him from his chest. The dark bottle had the words "External Injuries" written on it, which looked familiar to Xiqiu. She frowned and said, "It’s unnecessary...it’ll heal in a few days."
Fourth Master Xiao said nothing, opened the cap, and poured some into his hand to apply to her wound. Xiqiu watched the flames on the window sill, already burning from the window to the bed where she had slept, the heat from the flames behind her, with four black-clad masked men lying at her feet of unknown condition. Xiqiu pointed to the fire behind her and the people underfoot: "Fourth Master, wait a moment, I’ll handle the medicine myself!" Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze shifted slightly, yet he stubbornly held up the medicine bottle, his eyes signaling Xiqiu: will you let me help, or apply the medicine yourself?
Xiqiu knew she couldn’t reason with him, so she resignedly took the bottle, poured some powder into her hand, and messily applied it to her neck before shoving the bottle back into Fourth Master’s hand. She lifted her skirt and walked outside, realizing Fourth Master Xiao hadn’t moved. She turned to call him: "Fourth Master, this is dangerous!"
Fourth Master Xiao watched her, a hint of amusement in his eyes, and nodded slightly: "You go ahead." Xiqiu froze and suddenly understood his meaning. Her eyes shifted slightly as she turned back to bow to Fourth Master Xiao: "Thank you, Fourth Master!"
Fourth Master Xiao said nothing. Xiqiu gave him a deep look, lifted her skirt, and went outside. She ran to Chunyan and Chunliu, luckily they were only drugged and not hurt, which relieved her. She glanced back at the interior, where Fourth Master Xiao still looked at her darkly. She nodded to him, then helped Chunyan and Chunliu out, and sat them against the wall’s base. Only at this time did the people from the temple notice the firelight and started running towards them. Master Puning looked worried as she quickly approached Xiqiu and asked: "What happened? How did such a fire start? Are you hurt?" As she finished speaking, her eyes fell on Xiqiu’s neck: "What happened here? How did you get injured?!"
Xiqiu looked at her and softly shook her head: "I’m fine, sorry for causing trouble for you... Please arrange for people to extinguish the fire, Master!"
Master Puning glanced at her, her eyes flickering, and chose not to question further. She turned around to instruct the young nuns and servant women behind her: "Quick, put out the fire!" The servant women hurriedly carried buckets of water to extinguish the flames. Some ran into the room, poured water, and then ran back out to fetch more water. Those who had entered showed no unusual expressions on their faces...