Chapter 38 - Tit for Tat

"There are still many who are able to push me to the corner. For example, like you, Mister. If you choose to deal with me, I won't be able to fight against you."

Bai Yufei took a sip of the wine, the sweetness of the wine lingered on the tip of his tongue.

He laughed. "So this is rice wine, which spring water did you use?"

"It's simply a spring within the mountains, how is it possible to know the whereabouts of it. Could it be that you are avoiding the topic, so who injured you?" Shen Lian continuously twirled his wine cup, and not a single drop spilled out.

"My martial arts isn't that good. As you've said, while I have some talents in my Qinggong, my knife techniques are considered passable. In actual fact, I'm not really satisfied with myself ever since I've gotten the title 'Saint Thief'. After all, knowledge is infinite and no matter how strong you are, there is always someone better out there. The number of unnamed people out there who can surpass me is uncountable. This reputation of mine is exhausting. The Mingjian Peak lost their Incense of Forsaken Past, and they accused me of stealing it. I was hunted all the way from the State of Yan to the State Capital of Qing by the sword slaves of the Mingjian Peak. Afterwards, the young master of Mingjian Peak too arrived. I couldn't even clearly catch a glimpse of his true face, I lost my weapon and even gotten injured by his special kind of hidden weapon. It almost endangered my life. I then remembered the news in Jianghu about your unparalleled martial arts and medical skills, and since I was already here, so I can only escape to your place. I hope you can let me stay."

"One's life or death is decided by the fates once you're in Jianghu. You were not afraid that I will just let you die taking your refuge here?" Shen Lian said slowly.

"There wasn't time for me to think about it so much since I'm at the end of my rope. Luckily, you don't seem that kind of person."

Bai Yufei actually still had a lingering fear from this unexpected calamity, it was definitely one of the most perilous times of his life.

He also did not have that much assurance that Shen Lian would rescue him. After all, let's not mention the fact that people in Jianghu would ignore a dying man, there were many who would take advantage of those during times of danger.

"Tit for tat. Since I've saved you, your life is mine now. You can agree or not. If you're unwilling, you can leave now. Of course, you have to pay back this debt in the future."

Shen Lian was not a bad person but his kindness was not in overabundance. From the way he saw it, it is not a good thing to not expect a reward when helping someone out.

Ultimately, the truly selfless philosopher in this world occupied a meager number, it was more fitting that majority would expect something in return after lending a helping hand.

Bai Yufei forced a smile and said, "I have only myself, my life is yours to take if you think it would be useful."

"Then you will stay as a server and you will be paid for the rest of them. Food and lodging are included but no alcohol included. With your physique, I think you can definitely do some heavy manual labor. You start tomorrow."

"I truly believe now that you are the owner of this inn," Bai Yufei chuckled without restraint. For a man in his current position, it was absurd for him to mind about wealth or riches, he did not even care whether there was good wine or not, what really piqued his interest was this fellow, Shen Lian. People form relationsh.i.p.s and those who open up with each other were rare. Even though the both of them had not opened up, their relationship was not on the basis of shamelessly gaining favors from the rich and powerful.

After Bai Yufei left, Shen Lian slowly opened the windows. This building was tall enough to see the green mountains that were outside of the city. The mountain tops were already covered with a blanket of snow and the bright moon had risen high up in the sky. Without realizing it, it was close to three years ever since he came to this word.

He also did not use any ploy on Bai Yufei to make him stay, it was not that he trusted Bai Yufei was a trustworthy hero but he did not really care whether he would turn back on his words.

In life, there were many who come and go, even if he had judged wrongly about others, it was no big deal.

However, some thoughts and efforts were required to select the kind of gift to be presented to Xin Shisiniang. Even if she was an alien and would not bother with earthly things. But extraordinary people must be gifted with extraordinary things, or else what was the interest in it?

...

Moonlight laid on the snow and the roads were as white as daytime.

There was a long shadow cast on the snow. When looked closely, it turned out to be a palanquin.

There were two people situated in the front and back of the plain green palanquin. All of them wore green tight clothing, they were relatively young but their Qinggong was good.

The depth of the footprints on the snow was the same. Every time, as the bearers soared and landed, the distance covered was fifty to sixty feet.

They covered five kilometers in less than fifteen minutes.

The palanquin suddenly stopped at the bottom of Qielan Mountain. Over Qielan Mountain was the State Capital of Qing.

"Young master, this is Qielan Mountain, where Ling Chongxiao killed Yang Xuan. There is one road up the mountain, and one road down. To go over this mountain, however, we have to take the road which is very far," the bearer in the front said calmly, his voice sonorous and forceful, like steel metal hitting on rocks.

His physique was straight, a green steel sword hanging from his waist.

He did not shiver at all in this cold dark weather. The same thing goes to the bearer in the back.

"There were rumors that Ling Chongxiao almost entered the path. His junior fellow apprentice, Yang Xuan, was a one of a kind master during his time, he even dared to cross Shibi Khan of the Gobi desert. Ling Chongxiao was able to kill Yang Xuan, while I cannot even kill Bai Yufei. I think in order to win against him, I'll have to wait until after I enter the school of Celestialism, but Ling Chongxiao probably would not even take me seriously by then." The voice that came from the palanquin was obviously a man, there was a deep underlying loneliness tangled between his words.

"That Bai Yufei's martial arts skill is not great but his Qinggong is an inborn skill for him. It was not because of your martial arts skill that young master could not kill him. At this age, Ling Chongxiao definitely would not be on par with you, what more is that young master is going to obtain longevity and pursue the path sooner or later, which means you surpass him by leaps and folds."

"You rather know what to say, Jian Shisan. Jian Shisi, what do you think about what Jian Shisan said?" The young master asked. It was apparent that the man in front was Jian Shisan, Jian Shisi was the bearer in the back.

"I don't know." These three words were like being squeezed out from a stone. After finishing these three words, it was as though he had finished all his words for the day and would not even open his mouth to say another word.

"Oh you, Jian Shisi. You're always this boring, no wonder you couldn't get yourself a wife." It seemed as though the person within the palanquin was enjoying teasing his two servants and he became slightly cheerful.

"Young master, are we going up the mountains and entering the city by tomorrow?"

"Let's just rest at the top of the mountain for one night. Within tomorrow, we'll go get the Green Bamboo Sect's item and take care of Bai Yufei at the same time."

"The Green Bamboo Sect is nothing in the State Capital of Qing, but that Shen Lian of Shen family, it was said that he was remarkable even at a young age. He acquired his martial art skills from Yang Xuan but he had surpassed him. Young master, do you want to meet this young prodigy?"

"I've heard of that Shen Lian. According to God of the Wind, Xiu Che, people who meet him would remark him as unforgettable. Since we're already here, there is no reason to not meet him," the person in the palanquin chuckled lightly.

The mountain road was steep and slippery. Jian Shisan and Jian Shisi, who was carrying the palanquin, were walking like they were on flat ground.

It did not take look until they saw a temple. That was the Qielan Temple.

The powdery snow blanketed the stony steps, the glistening moonlight conjured the endless admiration of the people.

Dim lights came faintly from the inside. The green light was like a pea, the ancient temple deep and serene.

"Young master, there seems to be someone inside. Wait until Jian Shisan personally enters and scout the area. Jian Shisi, you remain where you are."

Jian Shisi grunted in approval, the person inside the palanquin did not have any opinions.

Jian Shisan followed the snowy staircase and entered the ancient temple, where he saw a beautiful woman dr.a.p.ed in red scarves came out.

It was Xin Shisiniang.

"Did you come to spend the night here? You can go to the backyard."

Jian Shisan answered, "Yes, we are here to spend the night. Thank you very much, lady."

While he answered her, he noticed from the corner of his eyes that while Xin Shisiniang came out from the hall, she actually did not leave even one footprint at all.