The threat of sick books

  The threat of sick books

  "Spare my life!"

  "Zhuo Jing!" Ye Li called out in a low voice, An San's eyes sank slightly as he quickly sheathed his long sword and lightly landed on the treetop not far away. This way, there were three people perched on the treetops on this side, ready to launch an attack at any time. On the other hand, if they couldn't control the snakes in time, they would be at a complete disadvantage.

  A tall, middle-aged man wearing Nanjiang attire emerged from the forest. The same totem on his clothes and the unintentionally revealed aura of a superior being made everyone understand that this person must be a high-ranking member of the Luo Yi tribe. The middle-aged man walked quickly over, and the snakes parted to make way for him, clearly intimidated by his aura. "Ladies and gentlemen from Da Chu, my young son has been disobedient and offended you all. Please spare his life. My tribe will certainly treat you with the utmost respect and hospitality."

  Ye Lixia sneered inwardly, "Mischievous"? This man had been hiding in the woods from the start and only showed up when his own son was really in danger. Now he just wanted to gloss over it with a single word "mischievous".

  Han Mingxi stood at the treetop, his tall figure swaying up and down with the branches. "Indeed, he's quite mischievous. Lianyi tribe leader, how dare you let this young master run wild outside?" The middle-aged man's face didn't look good either, walking over to glance at the young man casually, who immediately shriveled like a scorched leaf and retreated backward, not daring to lift his head to meet anyone's gaze. Only then did the middle-aged man hum lightly and step forward to bow to Ye Li and the others, saying: "I am Lianyi tribe leader Le Jiang, and this is my young son Le Nan. I apologize for any offense, please forgive us, honored guests from afar." This tribe leader was clearly not only more handsome than his son but also spoke and acted in a completely different manner, making it hard to believe they were father and son.

  Ye Li said, "Although your hospitality is a bit intimidating, I think it's better to let people clean up these small things first?" They stood in the circle surrounded by snake-repelling medicine and bonfires. The out-of-control snakes avoided this area and crawled elsewhere. After a long time, even if someone went to find them, they might not be able to find all of them. Luo Yi's tribe leader nodded and waved his hand at the surrounding snake handlers. The snake handlers started playing their short flutes again, and some of them walked away, apparently going to search for the snakes that had escaped everywhere. After giving these orders, Luo Yi's tribe leader turned around and smiled at Ye Li and the others, "You all passed through our tribe's residence and were disturbed by Le Nan's rudeness. Why don't you rest in our village for a while? Consider it an apology from me."

  Ye Li pondered for a moment, then glanced sideways at the three people on the tree. Han Mingxi had an expression of indifference, and An San naturally wouldn't have an opinion contrary to Ye Li's. It was only Bing Shu Sheng who furrowed his brow and said, "We're in a hurry to get going, so let's not bother Le Jiang tribe leader."

  Luo Yi's chief raised an eyebrow and shook his head repeatedly, saying: "This is indeed troublesome. It would be a loss to our Luo Yi department's reputation for hospitality if the guests from Central Plains were frightened. Please have the guests go to the village to rest for a while, and tomorrow I will personally send someone to escort you to the capital." After hearing his words, several people from Central Plains couldn't help but curl their lips in disdain. The people of Southern Frontier were notorious for being xenophobic, so except for some bold merchants and those with self-defense capabilities, ordinary people from Central Plains would never enter Southern Frontier. However, compared to other tribes in the depths of Southern Frontier, the Luo Yi department, which borders Great Chu, was indeed considered enthusiastic and hospitable. If there could be a local guide from Southern Frontier, this journey would indeed be much easier.

  "This... would disturb the clan leader." Seeing the sickly bookworm take charge, Ye Li also only raised an eyebrow and didn't retort.

  The head of the Luo Yi tribe was clearly very pleased, and enthusiastically invited the masters who followed to collect their luggage for the guests. Ye Li and the three others originally had nothing much, bent down to pick up a package placed on the edge of the stone and threw it to An San who was still in the tree, and one for himself. Bing Shu Sheng was also very relaxed, but it was Lao Lao who was busy for a long time with the help of his steward and bodyguard. However, his careful behavior of not letting the Nanjiang people touch his luggage made Ye Li curious about what was in that bulky package of his, which didn't seem to be gold or silver from its weight.

  The campsite of the Luo Yi Department was not far away. Riding a horse for less than a minute, they arrived at their destination. Of course, their original horses had been scared away by the snakes and those that didn't run away were no longer usable. They used the horses provided by the Luo Yi Department, which was also why Ye Li did not object to going to the campsite. Except for this campsite, the next place with human habitation where they could buy horses was at least 200 miles away, and if they didn't go there, it meant that their subsequent journey would likely be on foot.

  The village of Luo Yi Department was built on the waist of a mountain, and the path was not as mysterious and rugged as the villages in the south of Zhongyuan. The wooden buildings were scattered on the mountain, and because it was already late at night, the tribal chief led them to a special guest house, ordered people to send some food and hot water, and then took leave with the timid and shrinking Le Nan, the young tribal chief.

  Girls in ethnic costumes were invited out, Han Mingxi washed his face with water and praised: "It's still good to have a house to live in. If we knew earlier, we would come to the Luo Yi department for accommodation." Ye Li sat on one side, curiously fiddling with the food on the table, and smiled: "Do you think if we came directly, you would find that your room was full of snakes on the bed and under the bed at midnight?"

  Han Mingxi imagined the scene and couldn't help but shudder, shaking his head with a smile at Ye Li: "Speaking of which, you'd better be careful. You know that women from Nanjiang are the most emotional, and they love men like you who are as white and clean as jade. Be careful... hehe..." He covered his face with a folding fan, laughing with ill intentions. Ye Li didn't back down either, retorting with a smile, "Don't worry, Brother Han, if I were to have such good fortune, I wouldn't forget to share it with you. Besides... there isn't anyone in this village who is obsessed with my face." As soon as Le Nan was mentioned, Han Mingxi's evil smile froze, and his eyes flashed with a cold light. The Playboy was indeed very vengeful!

  An San stood by the closed window and waited until the two stopped before turning back and saying in a low voice: "There's someone outside."

  Ye Li raised an eyebrow, stood up and waved her sleeve to extinguish the candles on the table. A faint moonlight spilled in through the window lattice on the wall, although it was still dim, but it didn't affect Ye Li's actions. She strolled over to An San's side, "Not monitoring us." An San nodded, pointing to a small house next door, "Monitoring them, but there's also someone keeping an eye on our side, probably just incidental." Han Mingxi quickly adapted to the dimness of the room and chuckled softly, "These people are indeed suspicious. What do you think they mean by pulling us in?" Ye Li smiled lightly, "Since they're plotting something, it will eventually come to light. After a tiring night, I think we should rest first."

  He nodded slightly and pointed to the bedroom inside: "Young master go in and rest, I and Mr. Han will stay outside and keep watch."

  Han Mingxi wanted to refute, but saw Ye Li nodding without hesitation and turning around, waving at the two of them before going in to rest. Blinking his eyes, Han Mingxi said with a hint of grievance: "I also want to rest." Isn't it okay if I didn't sleep well in the wilderness like Junwei? An San gave him a cold glance, pointing to the bamboo bed in the hall, "You can sleep there." Han Mingxi was speechless. Is that bamboo bed half as long as me? The bed inside is obviously very big. As if seeing through Han Mingxi's thoughts, An San calmly moved his position to the door of Ye Li's room, took a chair and sat down. The implication was clear: if Han Mingxi wanted to go in, he would have to step over him. Han Mingxi could only retreat into the bamboo bed to rest, secretly regretting in his heart: Why did I say I'd live with Junwei?

  Ye Li woke up early as usual. Before getting out of bed, she knew that they probably wouldn't be able to travel today. The patter of raindrops outside indicated that it was raining heavily now. Ye Li had experienced the rainy weather in the south before, but this rain came too suddenly. If they had camped in the wilderness last night, they would have been in a lot of trouble by now. Thinking about this, Ye Li suddenly felt that the young master of the Ryūjin clan wasn't so hateful after all. After getting dressed and going out, An Sān was still sitting on the chair at the door with his eyes closed, meditating. However, Ye Li knew he wasn't asleep. Hearing Ye Li's footsteps, An Sān immediately opened his eyes and turned to look at her.

  "Go ahead and rest for a while. We can't leave until morning." Ye Li said softly, glancing at Han Mingxi who was curled up on the bamboo bed with a frown.

  An Qi hesitated for a moment, then nodded and got up to enter. Ye Li entered the hall, pushed open the half-face window, and admired the rain outside.

  "You're so heartless. One person occupies such a big bed, but makes me sleep on the bamboo couch." Han Mingxi had already opened his eyes at some point, lazily lying on the bamboo couch, his enchanting eyes gazing at Ye Li with a pitiful expression. Ye Li turned her head to look at him and smiled: "You can go in and sleep with Zhuo Jing now." Han Mingxi raised an eyebrow, smiling slyly at her, "I have no problem sleeping with Jun Wei, this young master loves cleanliness."

  "I love eating alone. Good things are always kept for myself." Ye Li said with an unchanged expression.

  Han Mingxi murmured vaguely and sat up, frowning as he adjusted his soft dark red robes. He walked to Ye Li's side and looked out the window at the rain together, sighing lightly: "The rainy days of Nanjiang have a unique charm, but it's also exhausting that it rains so often." Before Ye Li could respond, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a knock.

  The door opened, and the sickly bookworm stood at the entrance with an oil-paper umbrella, his face still looking waxy and pale after a night's rest. His empty hand covered his lips, and he let out a few muffled coughs from time to time. "Excuse me, Mr. Han, Mr. Chu," he said. Ye Li smiled faintly and replied, "Not at all, please come in."

  Bing Sheng stepped into the room, looked around and fixed his gaze on the door of the inner chamber. Ye Li smiled faintly: "Zhuo Jing is still resting, please sit down, sir. You came so early in the morning...".

  Bingsheng sat down on one side, coughed lightly twice before saying: "This time in the southern border, I didn't expect to run into Young Master Han. Young Master Han...cough, should recognize me, right?"

  He didn't expect him to be so straightforward, and Han Mingxu was taken aback for a moment before laughing: "Not bad, the name of the three masters of Xiling Yanwang Pavilion is indeed well-known." From his address to the sick book and self-proclaimed, it can be seen that Han Mingxu did not want to provoke this person, and he was extremely wary. The sick book smiled faintly, "No need to be polite, the master of Yanwang Pavilion and your brother are bosom friends, and I have some friendship with your brother. However...this young man is quite unfamiliar." Ye Li thought in his heart, and a faint smile appeared on his face: "I am not a person from the rivers and lakes, but rather a bit ignorant, let the young master laugh." I don't know you, you don't know me, so everyone is even. The sick book stared at Ye Li as if evaluating something, but Han Mingxu didn't want him to keep staring at Ye Li, interrupting with a smile: "I heard that the young master rarely goes out in recent years, I wonder what brings you to Nanjiang this time? Is there anything Tianyi Pavilion can help with?"

  Bing Shu Sheng slightly hesitated, shook his head and smiled: "It's just some private matters. No need to trouble Mr. Han." He didn't want to say more, so Han Mingxi naturally wouldn't ask again. In fact, he wished he could get away from him as far as possible. Why hadn't Mo Xiuyao killed this plague god back then? Han Mingxi thought to himself with a smile on his face. Bing Shu Sheng obviously didn't intend to dwell on his own private matters and smiled at Ye Li and Han Mingxi: "What do you two think of this stronghold?"

  Han Mingxi furrowed his brow and said: "I've come to the southern border two or three times, but I really didn't notice that the Luoyi Department's stronghold was so close."

  "What does the Marquis of Chu think?" asked the sickly bookworm looking at Ye Li.

  Ye Li furrowed her brow and said, "Luo Yi Department is said to be one of the largest tribes in the southern border. However, I think there are no more than a hundred people in this village. I heard that the tribal settlements in the southern border are generally extremely secretive, but why would Luo Yi Department's village be built on the side of the main road?" Han Mingxi raised an eyebrow and smiled at Ye Li, "So you figured it out last night. Since there are so many doubts, why did you still come?"

  Ye Li raised an eyebrow, "Do we have a choice? We don't have any flattering words to offer, and there are venomous snakes all around us. The other party originally wanted to invite us as guests, so it's better for them to invite us politely rather than being tied up like a rice dumpling and thrown in. However... I'm curious about what they want to do with such a big show of force. As for me... apart from slightly offending that young clan leader in Yonglin City, I don't seem to have any value that would make them go to so much trouble." After finishing speaking, Ye Li's gaze fell firmly on the Sickly Bookworm. The Sickly Bookworm let out a light sigh and said, "Young Master Chu is indeed clever and quick-witted for his age. That's right, they are coming for us."

  Ye Li raised an eyebrow, "I'd like to hear more about it."

  "I believe both of you noticed last night, there are always people outside monitoring us. The goal of the Luo Yi Department is actually very simple, they are after a treasure on Mr. Liang's body." Bing Shu said calmly. Han Mingxi smiled and said: "I've never heard that the young master has changed his career to escorting caravans." Bing Shu frowned, holding back his cough, looked at Han Mingxi with a calm smile and said: "That's right, I'm not here to protect Mr. Liang."

  Han Mingxi leaned back in his chair, glancing at Bing Sheng and said: "I know, young master also wants that thing. Since so, why not just kill the old man directly? Why bother sending him to Nanjiang?" Bing Sheng looked at Han Mingxi, a hint of cruelty flashed across his originally clear and smiling eyebrows, and he suddenly became even more gloomy and dark, completely different from the weak and sickly bookworm he was before.

  "Not bad, I can indeed kill that guy. But unfortunately... he's not a fool either. The thing is in the Nan Zhao Du Cheng, and on him, there's only a token that can be used to obtain it, but it's only half of the token. Nobody else in this world knows where the other half of the token is, nor does anyone know how to use it after obtaining it." Bing Shu Sheng's eyes flashed with anger, clearly infuriated by Liang Lao Ye's cunning. Han Ming Xi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Perhaps you can consider severe torture?" Bing Shu Sheng snorted coldly, "Doesn't the young master know who he is?"

  Han Mingxi shrugged indifferently, only smiling when Ye Li turned to look at him: "You know, besides the four big rich merchants Feng, Yan, Jin, and Lü in Da Chu, there's a fifth family - the Liang family from the northwest. They're even richer than my older brother! And if you say my older brother loves money like his life depends on it, this Old Master Liang thinks money is more important than life itself. I heard that once, bandits kidnapped his favorite concubine and demanded a ransom of 20,000 taels, but he didn't even bother to respond. And don't be fooled by his wealth - normally, he's as frugal as can be, living a life worse than an average merchant. Didn't he brag to you about going to the Qingfeng Mingyue Tower last night? My older brother hates him the most because when he went to the Qingfeng Mingyue Tower, he ordered the cheapest tea and didn't even spend 20 taels. Someone like that, if they really have some treasure, probably wouldn't give it to you even if you killed them."

  Ye Li looked at Bing Sheng, "I'm curious as to why you're telling us this news? Don't you worry that we'll also be tempted by the wealth?"

  Bing Shu said calmly, "I need your help. Last night I saw that Zhuo Gongzi's martial arts skills were not bad, and although Chu Gongzi didn't reveal his depth, he must be extraordinary too. As for you, Han Gongzi, of course, I won't let you suffer afterwards." Han Mingxi supported her chin with her hand, tilting her head to look at him, "I thought the young master said earlier that he didn't need Tianyi Pavilion's help."

  Bing Shu nodded and said: "I don't need Tianyi Pavilion to provide any intelligence, it's just that since I happened to run into Lord Han, I can only invite you along."

  "Can we refuse?" Han Mingxi asked.

  "I'm afraid not." Bing Shu Sheng said in a low voice, his slightly gloomy gaze slowly sweeping over the two of them. Han Mingxi felt as if he had been stabbed with a knife, making him feel uncomfortable. Ye Li's expression remained unchanged, but her hand, which was placed at her side in her sleeve, involuntarily clenched into a fist. Bing Shu Sheng smiled coldly and ferociously, elegantly lifting his left hand to admire the slight difference in skin tone between his hands, smiling faintly as he said: "I believe Young Master Han won't refuse, will you?"

  Han Mingxi's face changed, and he vigilantly waited for Bing Sheng to say: "You poisoned us?!"

  Bing Shu smiled back at him, but didn't respond. Han Mingxi's face turned ugly instead. It seemed that Bing Shu had expected Han Mingxi wouldn't refuse, and he turned to look at Ye Li, "Where is Master Chu?"

  Ye Li poured herself a cup of cold tea and frowned slightly at the bitterness in the icy water, saying: "I refuse."

  "Refuse?" Bing Shu Sheng was somewhat surprised, and after a moment of stunned silence, his gaze at Ye Li became even more menacing. "Are you certain, Master Chu?"

  Ye Li smiled calmly, putting down her teacup. "I heard about your reputation two days ago, and I also know that when it comes to poisoning, you're unparalleled in the world. However... unless you plan on using a lethal poison that takes effect immediately, it's best not to make a move."

  "What do you mean?" Bing Shu's eyes were gloomy as he stared at Ye Li.

  Ye Li lowered her gaze, looking at her hands placed on her knees, and said softly: "I heard that the young master injured his heart meridian many years ago? Although I don't understand this type of injury very well, but I do have some superficial knowledge about its pathology. In my humble opinion, if the young master can't kill his opponent with a single strike, it's better not to take action at all. Because...the young master's heart might not be able to withstand prolonged intense shock, right?"

  The killing intent in his eyes almost materialized for an instant, gritting his teeth and saying: "Are you sure I can't kill you?"

  Ye Li smiled, "Young master can try."

  Bing Shu Sheng would not have tried, the Chu Jun in front of him had never made a move on his own initiative, and did not seem to be hiding any profound inner strength. However, his intuition told him that this calm and composed young man was not simple. Moreover, there was also Han Ming Xian who was watching with piercing eyes, and another guard in the room who had yet to appear but was known for his exceptional skills. Han Ming Xian leaned back in his chair, propping up half of his handsome face as he looked at Bing Shu Sheng's gloomy expression, then at Ye Li's gentle smile, and smiled knowingly, as if he had heard some earth-shattering secret.

  "Haha, Chu Gongzi is indeed not an ordinary person. However... now you regret it, I'm afraid it's already too late." Bing Shu said with a cold smile.

  "What does it mean?" Han Mingxi narrowed his eyes and asked.

  Bingshu Shengdao said: "Just after I left that small building earlier, I guess the one with the surname Liang is no longer in the small building."

  "Are you doing this on purpose?" Han Mingxi said. Bing Shusheng nodded and said: "That's right, the one surnamed Liang came to Nanjiang originally to find Luoyi Department, and last night they didn't come to cause trouble for us but to pick him up." Han Mingxi frowned and said: "Then what?" Bing Shusheng hummed lightly: "What? He has already reached his destination, those who know his whereabouts will naturally... eliminate everyone. If we don't invite all of you here, what if one of you escapes? Wouldn't that be a waste of their previous efforts?"

  "Was it your idea that Zheng Kui came over and invited us to travel together the day before yesterday?" Ye Li asked calmly, looking at Bing Shu.

  "Not bad, Zheng Kui thought he was just escorting a man named Liang to do business in Nanzhao. I told him that you two are quite skilled and it's good to have each other's backs on the road. Honestly...I didn't originally want to choose you, but at this time there aren't many people willing to go to the southern border. And I need someone with decent skills to help me out. Conveniently, young master Han also has some connection with me, doesn't he?"

  Han Mingxi smiled and said, "I'm more curious about why you didn't use the people from Yanwang Pavilion. I believe there are many people in Yanwang Pavilion who would be willing to go through fire and water for you, aren't there?"

  Bingshu's face sank, and he said coldly, "This is my own business."

  Ye Li stood up and walked to the window, looking outside at the heavy rain, before turning back and saying: "What is it about Old Master Liang's treasure that would make someone like you go to such great lengths?"

  "It's better if Chu Gongzi doesn't know about this. After all, the less he knows, the safer it is. I won't take action against you after this, for the sake of Han Gongzi's face." Bing Shusheng guaranteed with a serious expression. Ye Li glanced at him lightly and smiled: "Sorry, but I'm not someone who likes to be kept in the dark and used as a pawn."

  Bingshu Sheng sneered, "You won't be able to leave either if you don't help me. Take a good look outside yourself." Han Mingxi flew quickly to the window and looked out, where the distant scenery was faintly visible through the rain curtain, but there was a faint strange fragrance wafting in the air. Ye Li pulled Han Mingxi away and closed the window with her backhand. Bingshu Sheng nodded in approval at Ye Li, "I was right, Chu Gongzi has some understanding of poison." Ye Li shook her head, "I don't know much about poison, but I was recently knocked out by a kind of hypnotic drug from Nanjiang, so I'm just being cautious."

  After being defeated by Ye Yue, Ye Li repeatedly recalled the situation at that time. Finally, she confirmed that Ye Yue was not poisoning her after entering the temple, but the anesthetic had been placed there from the beginning. The two half-opened orchids placed at the entrance of the Taohua Palace, and also in the temple, were the same as the two pots of orchids she saw later in Mo Jingli's small courtyard where she was imprisoned. Of course, maybe they weren't orchids, just looked like them.

  Bing Shu Sheng said, "The road up the mountain has been cut off, and those flowers on the outside of the hill... For now, it's fine for Master Han to smell them, there's no great harm. This poisonous flower is only effective during the daytime and when it's sunny. But once the rain stops, the fragrance will become highly toxic, and anyone who smells it will be unable to move a step." Han Mingxi looked at him and said, "Do you have an antidote?"

  The sickly bookworm said with a proud smile: "A small poison, what's difficult about it?"

  Han Mingxi walked back to his seat and sat down, saying: "So, unless we're willing to help you, you won't give us the antidote? We can't even leave the mountain before the rain stops?" Bian Shusheng smiled and said: "Martial artists don't need to worry about whether there's a road or not when going up or down the mountain. You can try going out now, it'll be helpful for me to lure away those poisonous insects too." Han Mingxi remembered the dense group of snakes from last night and felt goosebumps all over his body, hastily rubbing his arms while staring at Ye Li.

  Ye Li stood with her hands behind her back and said calmly, "So I can assume that not only does the young master have an antidote for those poisonous flowers and weeds, but also a way to deal with venomous snakes and insects. And what we need to do is just deal with those people, right?"

  The sickly bookworm nodded with a good mood: "Not bad." The unpleasantness of being poked at his weaknesses earlier finally dissipated somewhat, and the killing intent in Ye Lian's eyes also gradually dispersed. Ye Lian hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying: "I can agree to the young master's request."

  "Hey, Jun Wei, aren't you afraid he'll go back on his word and kill us to silence us?" Han Mingxi reminded in a low voice, Bing Sheng wasn't exactly a kind person. Ye Li smiled, "I believe in the promise of the Third Master of Yan Wang Ge."

  "Alright then, it's settled."

  Hey... Does he have credibility at all?