Chapter 56

Dugu Fu indeed came to deliver a message.

For whom? Li Shier, his elder brother. This is the Ping Island Dock Warehouse, the place Li Shier entrusted. Manager Lin Ziqing saw Li Shier's seal and dismissed his subordinates, respectfully welcoming Dugu Fu inside.

They walked to the warehouse meeting hall, and Dugu Fu glanced sideways at the dejected Lu Tao: "Manager Lin, is it suitable for certain people to hear what we need to discuss?"

"Pfft, just a lousy messenger, what's so great about it?" Lu Tao sneered and gnashed his teeth. Guo Xingxing was still there, so he couldn't show any weakness.

Lin Ziqing was deep in thought, looking at the exchange of glances between Lu Tao and Dugu Fu, and smiled slightly: "It's fine."

"Lu Tao is the instructor appointed by headquarters, and as for Miss Guo, she is the principal party..." Although he hadn't opened the letter yet, Lin Ziqing had a rough idea of what it contained.

The news of Li Shier's red name and Gong Yitian's escape had spread throughout Lingling. As the leader of the resistance here, he couldn't help but know. Opening the letter, he soon smiled bitterly: "I've always heard that Inspector Li is open-minded and bold, with a fiery temper. Indeed, he has left me a mess to clean up..."

Li Shier's position in the resistance, officially known as the Inspector of the Eight Directions, had little power but a high rank...

After Lin Ziqing's bitter smile, he began to ask detailed questions about last night's events. Dugu Fu naturally spoke about what he could, and glossed over what he couldn't. It's no wonder Lin Ziqing looked grave; his burden was indeed heavy!

Li Shier came to Lingling with a mission. Now he can't come, and he has caused a lot of trouble, getting himself marked and leading to Gong Yitian's escape. Lin Ziqing had to find a way to deal with these issues, arrange support, or pass on information... to handle everything properly.

Originally, Dugu Fu didn't know much about Li Shier's mission, only vaguely aware that it involved safely escorting a high-ranking resistance family. When he saw Guo Xingxing, everything became clear. What a coincidence! The high-ranking family Li Shier was supposed to escort was most likely the Guo family!

It made perfect sense.

If Gong Yitian is the protagonist of the younger generation in this world, with a status equivalent to Guo Jing and Huang Rong, and Li Shuwen is one of the Five Greats, then Guo Yunshen in the Republic of China's martial arts world is basically a figure like the Sweeping Monk or Dugu Qiubai. It's only natural that such a person would have connections in the resistance and receive help in times of crisis.

"Inspector Li mentioned in his letter that he and Miss Gong Yitian broke through the encirclement, and it was thanks to Young Hero Dugu's timely assistance that they turned the tide. Although you are not one of us, your chivalrous and righteous actions are truly admirable. On behalf of Inspector Li and the resistance, I thank you!" He stood up and bowed deeply to Dugu Fu.

"Was it you who saved Hero Li Shier?" Lu Tao was stunned.

"Are you the mysterious masked man everyone was talking about on the streets today?" Guo Xingxing was also surprised, her eyes wide with curiosity.

In the letter, his elder brother didn't mention the sworn brotherhood? Dugu Fu was initially surprised but then understood. Sworn brotherhood is a personal matter and not suitable for an official letter.

He quickly stepped forward to support Lin Ziqing, clasping his hands: "Manager, you are too polite. A man living in this world should stand up for justice. In these turbulent times, it's the right moment for us to strive and make a difference. I dare not waste time, life, or food!"

Lin Ziqing was a bit stunned, taking a moment to react and nodding repeatedly: "Well said, Young Hero!"

"Ha!" Guo Xingxing couldn't help but laugh.

Lu Tao's face alternated between red and white. After a moment, he suddenly stepped forward, just like Lin Ziqing, and bowed deeply: "Brother Li Shier is my idol. I thank you for saving him! However, our fight isn't over. If there's a chance, I'll ask you for another lesson."

He's a man of clear distinctions and straightforwardness! Dugu Fu secretly praised him and clasped his hands: "Sure, sure, I'll be happy to oblige if there's a chance."

==========

The night by the river was cool, with a bright moon shining on the guest boat.

The moonlight highlighted the girl's youthful and slender figure, while the darkness concealed the dust that marred her beauty.

Dugu Fu watched the beautiful silhouette, listening to the light footsteps, and found himself lost in thought.

"What do you want to say to me?" Suddenly, Guo Xingxing stopped.

"Huh?" Dugu Fu was taken aback.

Seeing his bewildered face, Guo Xingxing felt a twinge of annoyance: Is he faking it? He must be! He called me out but won't say anything, playing this game of making me curious.

Dugu Fu reacted, reached into his pocket, and handed her a dark yellow trinket: "Here, for you. Do you like it?"

Guo Xingxing's soft, white hand played with the amber Buddha, wrinkled her nose, and pouted: "Are you trying to fool me with this? What is it? Celluloid? Or resin? Ah, forget it, you're always so stingy, it's already a big deal that you're giving me something... It's probably just a cheap trick from a street vendor."

Dugu Fu was immediately embarrassed: "You know about it?"

"At first, I didn't, but I figured it out from your final moves." Looking at Dugu Fu, Guo Xingxing beamed, "I ask you, isn't the key to the trick the moment of covering and uncovering the bowl? The boss practiced the moves so well that it looks like the Buddha is placed under the bowl, but he actually hooks it with his finger when covering."

"Lu Tao's guess wasn't wrong; all three bowls were empty. The boss can both take and return the Buddha. No one can guess which one it is. As for you, you're even more cunning. The boss moves the Buddha into the bowl, but you take it directly from someone's sleeve... Did you steal the Buddha when you covered the bowl, then claim to open it, and when the boss agreed, you..."

Dugu Fu nodded repeatedly: "Miss Guo is truly intelligent and wise!"

Guo Xingxing blushed, waving her hands: "No, no, I just like to think about things."

Seeing her bashful look, Dugu Fu smiled, feeling inexplicably happy: "By the way, how are your brother and the others?"

"They're all fine. But they plan to join the resistance and are undergoing some special training, which is exhausting them to death..." Guo Xingxing suddenly stopped: "Speaking of which, Dugu Fu, I haven't thanked you for saving us."

"Didn't we already settle that with money and goods?" Dugu Fu was puzzled.

"I'm not talking about that time, I mean later..." Guo Xingxing turned to look at him, her bright eyes shining in the moonlight, "Killing an Immortal can be traced for a long time... We only found out about this here."

"You took the goods to prepare for a long battle, and the horse to leave hoof prints... You led the Immortal away to help us, didn't you?"

Actually, I just wanted to run at the time... That's the truth, but looking at Guo Xingxing's bright eyes, how could he say it?

"Dugu Fu, thank you." Suddenly, Guo Xingxing leaned in and lightly kissed his cheek.

Such a perfect opportunity, if missed, would invite divine retribution! Dugu Fu's mind raced, and he slightly turned his head.

Guo Xingxing's eyes widened in surprise.

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