"Madam is a master of the martial arts world, well-versed and knowledgeable, having participated in many gatherings of heroes and chivalrous events."
"What she has seen and heard... are truly vast as the sea. If it weren’t for Madam’s narration, I wouldn’t have known that there are such things in the world."
Pang Long genuinely revered her.
Every mile he walked, he rang the bell. The sound "clang-clang" emitted an indescribable sensation.
"Madam mentioned... this thing is called the Snow Demon Monkey. It’s a type of demon in heaven and earth."
"And this bell of mine is a treasure called the Exorcism Bell. Such demons, upon hearing it from afar, will flee quickly and wouldn’t dare to approach in the slightest."
Pang Long explained.
It was around the hour of Si, with abundant Yang Qi. Li Xian led the way, turned onto a path based on memory.
After walking for about three or four miles, they saw a pool of fresh blood.
Feng Huo’s body lay in the blood, his belly cut open, with the viscera all spilled out.
As the blood had drained, his skin appeared horrifyingly pale, his facial features frozen in the last moment before death, filled with resentment, unwillingness, and fear... like a lifelike ice sculpture.
"It seems Madam was indeed right."
Pang Long frowned, squatting down to observe for a moment. The spilled viscera had already congealed, mixed with frost.
He said, "That thing is very picky, it likes to eat human gall and liver. Feng Huo’s gallbladder and liver have been taken and eaten while still warm."
"Thus, when it kills, it enjoys teasing and frightening, scaring people entirely, to the point where their liver and gall burst. Thus, to it, it’s tastier."
"What a fierce demon." Li Xian recalled last night’s experience, truly a narrow escape.
Seeing Feng Huo’s tragic state made Li Xian feel the world was dangerous, so he and Pang Long buried Feng Huo beside the road and erected a small wooden tablet.
While burying Feng Huo, Li Xian reached into the layers of his clothing, searched, and found seventy wen coins.
"This petty cash... you all can’t enjoy it, so I’ll take it with a smile."
"The greatest sorrow in the world is when a person dies, and the money isn’t spent. Rest assured, I... will help you spend it."
He casually put it into his own pocket.
Pang Long was aware of this but didn’t care.
"Let’s quickly find the rent money and complete Madam’s task."
The rent money was on Feng Huo, but during the hurried escape last night, Li Xian saw him throw it out.
After searching along the way for another seven or eight miles, they made a discovery on a tree. Over a tael of rent money was inside a bag. The bag was tied tightly, and no money had fallen out.
After counting carefully, the sum matched exactly.
Pang Long said, "Since we’re here, let’s bury the other corpses together."
"Alright!" Li Xian nodded, thinking, "Those petty cash should still be there."
The two moved forward, gradually discovering the bodies of Zhao Dachun, Ye Xiaoluo, Qiao Dashou, and others.
Before death, their pupils were wide open, leaving excrement and urine everywhere.
All seven bodies were buried together.
Feng Huo had seventy wen coins, Ye Xiaoluo forty wen, Qiao Dashou sixty wen, Zhao Dachun, although without petty cash, had a personal saving of over a hundred wen.
Together, the seven had around five hundred wen.
All of it flowed into Li Xian’s pocket.
"Commander Pang, if you don’t want it, we can split it evenly." Li Xian rubbed his nose, not having the courage to take it all for himself.
"You keep it." Pang Long waved his hand.
...
Back at the villa, Pang Long left Li Xian and headed straight to the inner courtyard.
"Madam, as you said, it was indeed the Snow Demon Monkey."
Pang Long arrived in front of a pavilion, knelt on one knee, and reported truthfully.
The pavilion was seven stories high, each story three zhang tall, towering high. The plaque in front of the building read "Jingsi Tower" in three characters.
This building was Madam’s secret place; no one was allowed to enter. After Pang Long finished speaking, he didn’t receive a response and didn’t dare to leave on his own. He just kept kneeling like that.
For a long time.
A voice came from upstairs.
"I already know."
Only then did Pang Long stand up, respectfully bow to the pavilion, and turn away.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Li Xian returned to the villa, thinking about the unexpected windfall and having a day to rest. He decided to treat Zhao Han and the others to a good meal.
He pushed open the main door and saw the three were all there.
Li Xian was about to speak.
But was interrupted by the gloomy atmosphere.
Zhao Han rubbed his cheek and said, "Li Xian... it’s just right the three of us have something to discuss with you."
"Alright, go ahead," Li Xian closed the door.
Wang Chun’s eyes were filled with bloodshot threads, "Did Feng Huo, Zhao Dachun, Ye Xiaoluo really die yesterday?"
"Yes." Li Xian nodded.
Zhuo Yilei glanced inconspicuously at Li Xian’s face, muttering to himself, "Why didn’t you die," with a hint of resentful undertone in his eyes.
Zhao Han said, "It’s like this. According to the villa’s rules, your bed should not be here. Previously, it was temporary accommodation, which I didn’t make clear to you, I..."
"No need to explain," Li Xian said indifferently, "Just tell me where I should move."
How could he not understand? The gap between them was too deep, and the three no longer wanted to live together with him under one roof.
"In number 147 residence," Zhao Han said.
"Since connections have severed, as a true man, one should be free-hearted and not awkward." Li Xian bowed to the three and said, "I understand what you all are thinking. Hate me or curse me as you will."
"From now on, we are strangers, but I will still keep my previous promises. Words are useless, farewell."
Li Xian had nothing much to pack. A bedding, a water bucket, a towel, and a set of clothes. He packed up briefly and pushed the door open to leave.
Leaving the three looking at each other in dismay.
"Bah!"
"He is carefree, but the ones who suffer aren’t him!"
Wang Chun punched the bed.
"We shouldn’t have let him into the room in the first place," Zhuo Yilei said.
Zhao Han remained silent, his reason telling him that the true culprit of this situation was the domineering Jiang Yun.
But he couldn’t keep his rationality and still blamed Li Xian, opting to take solace in avoiding the sight.
"It’s a pity for us three brothers, bearing this palm mark for life.’
Zhao Han sighed wistfully.
...
The next day.
[Four Directions Fist]
[Skill Level: 816/1500 Minor Achievement]
After an hour of rigorous practice, the Four Directions Fist steadily progressed.
Li Xian considered his achievement in the fist technique was not bad, just in time for the upcoming Nursing Home competition, and thought:
"I should participate in the Nursing Home competition as soon as possible. If I can advance to C-class Nursing Home early, I will have more time to practice martial arts."
"Now I have one tael and five hundred wen coins, how should I utilize it wisely?"
At noon, Li Xian took advantage of the rest time to find Pang Long, wanting to sign up for the Nursing Home competition and buy some elixirs.
But when Pang Long heard he intended to participate in the competition, he was immediately astonished.
Pang Long re-confirmed, "You’ve only been at the Nursing Home for less than a month, only learned one martial art, and you want to participate in the competition?"
"Yes." Li Xian nodded heavily, "At least I can try, even if it doesn’t work out, I can accumulate experience."
"I advise you not to think like this." Pang Long said seriously, "During competitions, injuries are inevitable, and if the disparity in strength is too significant, it’s not uncommon to lose one’s life in a trial."
"Although the competition between D-class to C-class isn’t too fierce, some veteran D-class members have trained martial arts for over seven or eight years, how can you compare?"
"If I were you, I would settle down and bring one fist technique to minor achievement. Then learn other martial arts, by analogy, and then attempt the Nursing Home competition."
"By that time, although not guaranteed victory, at least the gap wouldn’t be too wide. Even if you lose, you could protect yourself and not leave hidden dangers."
"But..." Li Xian said, "Commander Pang, my Four Directions Fist has already reached minor achievement."
"Just minor achievement, still far from... Wh... what? You... you’ve already reached minor achievement?!" Pang Long was instantly shocked.