Chapter 26

In the shock of the crowd, Zhongli Qi rushed up the mountain, punched down the Hu family servant who was restraining Tuniuer, grabbed Tuniuer, and turned to run down the mountain.

Tuniuer, however, refused to leave, struggling and saying, "Master, Master, let's go see Lei Bei. He is the top swordsman in Huainan."

"Go to hell," Zhongli Qi cursed under his breath. "Lei Bei has already aligned with the King of Huainan. Why would you want to join the commotion? Don't you fear that the gods fighting will hurt you, you little brat? You and Liang Xiao should learn well. Look at him; as soon as the situation turned bad, he ran away."

"Ao Xiao?" Tuniuer called out, indignant. "He has no loyalty. I saved his life, and he actually left me behind. I can't be like him. Lei Bei saved my life, I have to thank him."

"You can thank him, but not now." Without waiting for Tuniuer to speak, Zhongli Qi picked him up, tucked him under his arm, and ran down the mountain. Tuniuer shouted in anger, "Master, Master, put me down, it's too embarrassing."

Zhongli Qi ignored him, carrying him without slowing down, heading straight for Guangling City.

Liang Xiao ran for several miles and stopped at the city gate. It wasn't long before Zhongli Qi, carrying the shouting Tuniuer, caught up.

"Uncle Zhongli, thank you." Liang Xiao felt a weight lifted off his chest and smiled. "I was worried Tuniuer wouldn't be able to get away."

"He didn't want to get away. He wanted to pay his respects to Lei Bei." Zhongli Qi glared at Tuniuer and scolded, "Huan Jun has misled me, making me take such a fool as a disciple. My reputation will surely be ruined by him."

"Master, how can you say that about me?" Tuniuer, indignant, stiffened his neck and retorted, "How can I leave without thanking someone who saved my life? Is it wrong to thank Lei Bei?"

Zhongli Qi flew into a rage and slapped Tuniuer hard. "I saved your life, why don't you thank me? And you dare to talk back?!"

Tuniuer's face was already swollen, and Zhongli Qi's slap was powerful. Tuniuer was immediately in such pain that he couldn't speak, and he began to wail like a pig being slaughtered. Zhongli Qi ignored him, shouting in a fit of anger, "Ao Xiao, teach him better. If he stays this stupid, I can't teach him." With that, he walked away with his hands behind his back, his steps light.

Liang Xiao smiled bitterly.

"Ao Xiao, where did I go wrong?" Tuniuer, feeling extremely wronged, wiped his nose and tears. "Lei Bei saved me, why can't I thank him?"

"Thanking him isn't wrong, but the timing is wrong," Liang Xiao comforted Tuniuer. "Your master is just looking out for you, don't blame him."

"How is he looking out for me?" Tuniuer said with tears in his eyes.

Liang Xiao clicked his tongue. "Tuniuer, did you see the people who came with Lei Bei?"

Tuniuer thought for a moment and shook his head. At the time, he was only focused on Hu Lai, and had no energy to pay attention to others. Liang Xiao, helpless, had to explain his suspicions to Tuniuer, though he didn't mention the King of Huainan's rebellion, as it hadn't yet become a reality. However, just the involvement of a feudal lord was enough to make Tuniuer cautious.

"That's right, my master said something similar." Tuniuer indeed became nervous, then angry, glaring and saying, "Ao Xiao, this isn't right. Why would people from Huainan come to our Jiangdu?"

"How should I know?" Liang Xiao said.

He could guess some things, but had no evidence and didn't know if he was right. He couldn't tell Tuniuer, as this guy was a big mouth. If he said anything, it could cause trouble. The King of Huainan might be fine, but he could be accused of spreading false rumors and defaming a noble.

"What do we do now?"

"We need to hide for a few days," Liang Xiao scratched his head. "Why did Hu Lai want to kill me? Do I have such a big grudge with him?"

Tuniuer was also stunned. After Hu Lai fell, he indeed shouted to kill Liang Xiao. If he hadn't rushed out, the young archer might have shot Liang Xiao dead. This was a bit unusual, not like a normal dispute.

Thinking back, the words Hu Lai said when he challenged Liang Xiao didn't seem like empty talk. This challenge was originally a matter of life and death.

Tuniuer's swollen eyes suddenly became lively. He grabbed Liang Xiao, making faces and said, "Ao Xiao, did you secretly do something to his sister without telling me?"

Liang Xiao was taken aback: "What are you talking about? Hu Lai's sister?"

"Don't pretend with me. Hu Lai's sister is a famous beauty in Guangling, and many people have designs on her. You always drool when you mention her. Tell the truth, did you secretly pick this flower without telling me?"

Liang Xiao was drenched in sweat. Is there such a thing? I don't remember at all.

"Ao Xiao, you've been acting strange lately. You can't even remember what you've done?" Tuniuer, while carefully touching his face, said, "Last time, I thought something was off. Your arm was longer than others, and you forgot, needing me to remind you. That's strange."

"Oh, I don't know either," Liang Xiao said vaguely.

"Ao Xiao, is it because Old Lady Chu's magic wasn't strong enough, and one of your souls is missing?"

Liang Xiao was relieved. "Maybe. I can't remember a lot of things."

"That old witch, cheating for money again," Tuniuer said resentfully. "When I have time, I'll seduce her granddaughter."

Liang Xiao was speechless, feeling a bit guilty towards Old Lady Chu and her granddaughter.

...

Liang Xiao found Hu Lai's murderous intent suspicious, and Tuniuer's face was too swollen to be seen. The two decided not to return to the city, instead walking around Guangling and staying at the Wu King Temple on the east side of the Hangou Canal.

The Wu King Temple was a folk shrine dedicated to two Wu kings: King Fuchai of the Spring and Autumn period, and King Liu Bi, who was killed in a military coup a few decades ago. The shrine to Fuchai was public, while Liu Bi, due to his reputation for rebellion, was less prominent. His statue was smaller and placed behind Fuchai's, looking like a guard, but the people who came to worship knew it was Liu Bi.

In the Han Dynasty, local autonomy was practiced below the county level. As long as the folk shrines were not reported and did not cause a stir, the authorities usually turned a blind eye to avoid causing public discontent.

Entering the Wu King Temple, Tuniuer bowed before the statue of Fuchai, said a few prayers, and then picked up the sheep's head from the altar and left. It was a common practice for wandering knights to stay at shrines and eat the offerings. Liang Xiao and Tuniuer were well-versed in this, with no psychological barriers.

The two carried the sheep's head, washed it in the nearby Hangou Canal, collected some dry wood, and returned to the Wu King Temple. They roasted the sheep's head in front of the shrine, placed two pieces of meat before the shrine to honor the two Wu kings, and then feasted. After eating until they were half full, they tidied up and hid behind the statues, lying down to rest.

In the middle of the night, Liang Xiao woke Tuniuer. "Tuniuer, it's about time."

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On Monday, please recommend and collect!

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