Chapter 68

Hu Xiaotian looked at the monk struggling on the ground with some reluctance. He sighed, silently cursing himself for the sin, thinking, "I didn't originally intend to kill you, but it's either you or me. Being merciful to the enemy is being cruel to oneself." He glanced at the scalpel hidden between his fingers. If it weren't for this surgical scalpel hidden in his fingers, he would probably have died at the hands of the monk today.

He took a deep breath. Although the commotion was loud, it seemed to have not disturbed the other monks in the temple. The lightning and thunder, along with the fierce storm, provided the best cover for the killing.

Thinking of Murong Feiyan, who had been taken away by the two evil monks, Hu Xiaotian dared not be the slightest bit negligent. The lame monk Wuxing had already had Murong Feiyan brought to his meditation room. From Wuxing's words, it was clear that this bald monk was undoubtedly a lecherous monk. Thinking of this, Hu Xiaotian felt a burning urgency. If Murong Feiyan's purity were to be ruined by this lecherous monk, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

He retraced his steps. Although he didn't know where the lecherous monk's meditation room was, by logical reasoning, it should be in the back courtyard. He had quietly observed the path when he was carried over by the monks and remembered a few landmarks. Despite the heavy rain, Hu Xiaotian did not lose his way and eventually arrived near the side hall, where he faintly heard voices.

Hu Xiaotian hurriedly pressed himself against the wall and slowly moved along it. In the midst of the wind and rain, he heard Wuxing's voice say, "Fourth Brother, go check why the other two haven't returned yet."

The monk called Fourth Brother responded.

Wuxing laughed and said, "I'll go back to my room first."

Fourth Brother said, "Big Brother, you said you would take care of us..." His words were filled with lecherous intent.

Wuxing said, "Don't worry, we're all brothers. I won't forget your benefits. I'll eat the first pot of meat, and you can wait for the second pot..."

The two laughed together. Hu Xiaotian cursed in his heart, "You scoundrels think you can eat the meat? The meat is mine, and you won't even get a taste of the soup."

Wuxing said, "By the way, forget about the other two. First, take the horses and luggage to the back and hide them. After I'm done, I'll come back to count our spoils."

"Understood!"

The lame monk limped away with his cane.

Hu Xiaotian did not immediately follow him. He quietly slipped to the corner, looked around, and saw the young monk wearing a monk's hat and rain cape heading to the side hall to lead the horses. On the other side, the lame monk had already left through the right courtyard gate.

The young monk was leading the horses and complaining as he walked. As he passed Hu Xiaotian, a thunderclap sounded. Using the cover of the thunder, Hu Xiaotian rushed out from the shadows, grabbed the young monk from behind, and plunged his dagger into the monk's chest. With the experience of killing two evil monks, this time he acted more swiftly and calmly.

The young monk didn't even make a sound before Hu Xiaotian took his life. Looking at the terrified expression on the monk's face as he died, Hu Xiaotian felt a shiver. In the past, he had used his knife to save lives, but now he was forced to take lives. In such a situation, there was no choice. If you didn't kill, you would be killed, and there was no room for mercy.

After stabbing the young monk to death, the horse let out a neigh. This horse was Hu Xiaotian's steed, Snowflake. When it recognized its owner, it calmed down and affectionately rubbed its head against Hu Xiaotian's waist. Hu Xiaotian patted its mane and whispered, "Good boy, stay here and wait for me. I'll be back soon."

He followed the lame monk's footsteps to the right courtyard gate but then remembered something. He turned back, quickly stripped the young monk's clothes, took off his own blood-stained robe, and put on the monk's robe. He also picked up the rain cape. His figure was very similar to the dead monk, making it hard to distinguish.

Hu Xiaotian had the idea to change into the monk's robe because of the lame monk. Since the three monks all called him Big Brother, the lame lecherous monk must have some exceptional qualities, possibly making him even more difficult to deal with than the other three monks combined. If he just charged in, he might not save Murong Feiyan and could end up dead himself.

Hu Xiaotian quickly changed his clothes and left the right courtyard gate. He saw a figure limping towards a lit meditation room, but the lame monk had not yet arrived.

He was secretly pleased. The lame monk's legs were not very agile, and he had not yet reached the meditation room, so Murong Feiyan must be safe. He took a few quick steps, intending to call out "Big Brother" to get the lame monk's attention, but changed his mind at the last moment and instead let out a scream and fell to the ground.

Hu Xiaotian was very cautious. If he called out "Big Brother," his accent might give him away, especially since the rain had lessened, and getting too close would easily expose him. As the leader of the evil monks, the lame monk must have exceptional skills. Hu Xiaotian first killed the young monk and then disguised himself as him, lying on the ground.

This move seemed very risky on the surface, but upon closer inspection, it was the smartest plan. He was wearing the monk's robe and rain cape. Even if he fell, he subtly adjusted the rain cape to cover his head, hiding the biggest giveaway—his hair.

Hu Xiaotian's scream was heart-wrenching. Wuxing, seeing him fall on the wet brick ground, thought it was his brother and quickly limped back with his cane.

As the sound of the cane grew closer, Hu Xiaotian's heart raced. His right hand was under his body, gripping the dagger. The success or failure of today's mission hinged on this moment. If he failed, it would mean total defeat.

Wuxing exclaimed, "Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother! What's wrong?"

Hu Xiaotian remained silent. Wuxing approached but was extremely cautious. He did not get too close, standing about three feet away on one leg. He raised his cane and first lifted the rain cape covering Hu Xiaotian's head. This was partly due to his leg disability, which made it difficult for him to bend down.

Hu Xiaotian had considered all possibilities. The thing he feared most still happened. The monk was too alert. The moment Wuxing lifted the rain cape, Hu Xiaotian pounced, plunging the dagger into Wuxing's left leg. Hu Xiaotian had already calculated that as soon as Wuxing got close, he would pounce and attack, catching him off guard. Since Hu Xiaotian was on the ground, the most convenient target was Wuxing's lower body. The monk only had one left leg, and if he lost the use of it, he would be immobilized.

Hu Xiaotian's plan was to hit the target as quickly as possible.

Although Wuxing was cautious, he did not expect the monk on the ground to be Hu Xiaotian. Before he could see the face under the rain cape, Hu Xiaotian pounced like a tiger.

At such close range, even with his martial arts skills, Wuxing could not react in time. The dagger pierced deep into his thigh.

Wuxing let out a muffled groan, raised his cane, and struck Hu Xiaotian's head with all his might. If he had hit, it would have been a fatal blow. Although Hu Xiaotian's martial arts were not strong, he was very meticulous in his planning. He had already thought of the next move before executing the first plan. After the dagger hit its target, he immediately rolled to the left, which saved him from death. He had intended to pull the dagger out, but it was too deep and he couldn't manage it.

The cane struck the brick ground where Hu Xiaotian had been, shattering it. The broken bricks scattered, hitting Hu Xiaotian and causing him pain, demonstrating Wuxing's immense strength.

Hu Xiaotian's ruthlessness was no less than that of a professional killer. The dagger pierced deep into Wuxing's left leg. With his right leg already disabled, the injury to his left leg severely hindered his movement. He gritted his teeth, grabbed the dagger's handle, and with a great effort, pulled it out, blood dripping. His cold eyes glared at Hu Xiaotian, and he limped closer, his legs bleeding profusely.

Hu Xiaotian, with his uninjured legs, turned and ran up the steps, shouting, "You dead bald monk, come and chase me if you dare!" He deliberately used provocation to attract Wuxing, knowing that the more Wuxing moved, the more blood he would lose.

Wuxing raised the dagger, let out a roar, and threw it with all his might. The dagger, thrown by him, was like a powerful arrow, whistling through the rain and the dark night, heading straight for Hu Xiaotian's chest.

Hu Xiaotian, seeing the dagger coming so fast, fell to the ground with a thud. Fortunately, he fell in time, and the dagger flew over his head, embedding itself in the old locust tree behind him.

Hu Xiaotian was drenched in cold sweat. The dagger had completely pierced the tree trunk, with only a red ribbon visible. The strength of this evil monk was truly formidable. As the saying goes, "Use it or lose it." With his lower body disabled, his upper body was exceptionally strong.

Hu Xiaotian quickly got up and, seeing Wuxing struggling to move in the rain, was confident he couldn't catch up. He laughed coldly, "Old bald monk, you actually dared to throw a dagger at me! Damn! Do you know that dagger was poisoned? If I have any mishap, you'll have to join me in death." He had not actually poisoned the dagger but was just trying to scare the evil monk.

Wuxing gritted his teeth and said, "Little brat, today I will definitely skin you alive to avenge my hatred." But he was secretly chilled.