The Siege

The scene before him gradually came into focus. Trees blocked the sunlight, leaving golden patches on the ground.

On guard and prepared, Meng Qi warily scanned his surroundings, but saw no sign of an enemy attack.

"Huh?" After taking in his surroundings, Meng Qi furrowed his brow, slightly puzzled.

Only three people stood nearby: Qi Zhengyan, whose face was always set in a grim scowl as if the whole world owed him a debt; the burly gang member Xiang Hui; and Xiao Zi, a pretty young girl who couldn't hurt a fly.

"Miss Jiang and Senior Brother Zhang aren't here..." Meng Qi felt rather helpless. He had remembered the Main Quest's prompt: "Split into Two Groups"!

But he didn't panic. Last time, he would have been terrified and at a loss. Now, though, he had enough strength to protect himself. If he still cowered in fear and floundered helplessly, what kind of man would that make him?

"Senior Brother Qi, first we need to find out how to get to Shaolin." Ignoring the sobbing, trembling Xiao Zi and the anxious Xiang Hui, Meng Qi exchanged a glance with Qi Zhengyan and spoke concisely.

He had no idea where they were or in which direction Shaolin lay.

Qi Zhengyan looked up at the sky, then studied the surrounding trees. After a moment's thought, he said, "The trees aren't particularly dense, and I can hear carts and horses in the distance. We shouldn't be far from the main road. Let's head out and ask a passerby for directions."

He knew Meng Qi had little experience in the martial world, so he racked his brain for what he had learned and did his best to lead the group.

Meng Qi turned to Xiao Zi and Xiang Hui. "Are you two going to Shaolin on your own, or are you coming with us?"

A small, wicked thought told Meng Qi that without these two deadweights, things would be much easier for him and Qi Zhengyan.

"Master, Master, I'll come with you!" Xiao Zi shuddered as if struck by lightning, then dashed over to Meng Qi in two or three steps and clutched his sleeve tightly with both hands.

Xiang Hui plastered on a smile and bowed obsequiously. "Divine Monk, I'll follow your lead."

Seeing them both fawn over him, Meng Qi could more or less guess why. First, as a monk, he naturally gave people a sense of compassion. Second, he often smiled, unlike Qi Zhengyan, whose somber, stern demeanor made him hard to approach. Third, he had shown off his martial arts, leaving them with a deep impression.

"Benefactor Xiang, I didn't expect you to be so well-read," Meng Qi said with a grin.

Xiang Hui hurriedly returned his smile. "The Divine Monk flatters me. I only learned a little from the White Paper Fan in our gang."

This guy—at first, Meng Qi had thought he was the Lu Zhishen type: brash, burly, and boorish. Who would've guessed he was actually the bootlicking, ingratiating type? Meng Qi sighed to himself, then turned to Xiao Zi, who was still clutching his sleeve. "Miss Xiao Zi, if you want to come with us, don't cling to me like that. It'll get in the way when we fight."

He had harbored a trace of malice at first, but Xiao Zi and Xiang Hui reminded him of his previous Reincarnation World mission. If Jiang Zhiwei and the others had looked down on his weak martial arts and refused to bring him along, he would have died at the hands of the black-clad men. That thought stirred sympathy and compassion in him.

Since Miss Jiang took pity on me and saved my life, I can show a little kindness too, when it isn't dangerous. Meng Qi sighed inwardly. Of course, no matter how kind he was, he wouldn't give his life for a stranger.

Xiao Zi let go and backed away a few steps, taking her place beside Xiang Hui. She swallowed her sobs and obediently followed Meng Qi and Qi Zhengyan toward the edge of the woods.

The forest floor was uneven, its protruding roots tangled with rotting mud and fallen leaves. Xiao Zi stumbled along, but never complained. Gritting her teeth, she struggled not to fall behind.

Soft on the outside, but strong inside. Watching her quietly, Meng Qi gave a slight nod. If she had kept crying, refused to endure hardship, and acted like a spoiled, pampered girl, he might really have left her behind.

A deadweight could be carried along for a while; a liability could only get you killed.

Turning around, Meng Qi saw Qi Zhengyan's rigid face just ahead and to the side. A thought suddenly occurred to him.

With the group split in two this time, Qi Zhengyan was the strongest person on his side. Meng Qi wasn't afraid of him, but working together in earnest was better than fighting alone.

Right, I should make some small talk and build a closer rapport. After thinking for a moment, Meng Qi came up with a plan and smiled. "Senior Brother Qi, how are you getting on with that sword technique?"

"A month isn't long. I'd say I've only grasped the basics." Qi Zhengyan nodded slightly, still wearing his usual solemn expression.

Meng Qi chuckled. "Getting the basics down is good. Combined with the Long River Sword Technique, it should give Senior Brother Qi a big boost."

"I haven't tested it in a real fight, so I can't make any bold claims," Qi Zhengyan replied succinctly.

Meng Qi's mouth twitched. "Senior Brother Qi, honestly, why are you always so serious and so quiet? If we can't escape this Reincarnation World mission for now, why not face it with a smile? Relaxing will help you perform better."

For a moment, Meng Qi felt like he was giving someone a pep talk again.

"The Divine Monk speaks wisely." Xiang Hui forced a smile in agreement, but Qi Zhengyan said nothing.

"Everything that troubles or frightens us comes from within..." Feeling rather pleased with himself, Meng Qi launched into a long discourse on the benefits of facing a Reincarnation World mission with a smile.

As he listened, Qi Zhengyan suddenly stopped. Without turning around, he said gloomily, "I was born this way..."

"Uh, Senior Brother Qi, did something happen to you when you were young? Or was your home life oppressive?" Meng Qi blurted out.

"I... had... a... very... happy... childhood!" Qi Zhengyan still didn't turn around. He ground out each word through clenched teeth, then raised his voice. "Junior Brother Zhending! We're being pursued and besieged. Ears are for listening to what's happening around us, not for listening to nonsense!"

"Ha ha." Meng Qi laughed awkwardly, easing his embarrassment and chagrin. "This humble monk has little experience in the martial world. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Qi."

Seeing that Meng Qi hadn't lost his temper out of embarrassment, Qi Zhengyan was taken aback for a moment, then slowly nodded. "We must be careful at all times."

Their exchange left Xiang Hui uncertain. Was the guy who looked as if the whole world owed him five taels of silver actually more formidable than the Divine Monk?

After walking for a while, Meng Qi and the others came upon a packed-earth road. Carts and horses passed along it, raising clouds of dust.

Beside the road stood a teahouse beneath a canopy, which also sold a few simple meals. It wasn't yet noon, and there were few travelers stopping to rest.

Meng Qi looked toward the teahouse. He saw an old man running it, with four tables occupied: one by a Dusty Couple, one by a peddler carrying a shoulder pole, one by an Old Huqin Player, and one by a wealthy young master with a pretty maid in his arms and guards at his side.

"Senior Brother Qi, I'll go ask around and buy some provisions while I'm at it. Keep an eye on the area." Meng Qi glanced at Qi Zhengyan's grim face and decided to go himself. With Qi Zhengyan hanging back, they would at least have someone to warn them and come to their aid if they were attacked.

Qi Zhengyan carefully watched the people in the teahouse and the surrounding area. After a long while, he said grimly, "That peddler looks far too clean. He doesn't seem like someone who's spent years traveling from village to village. Be careful."

He didn't have much experience in the martial world himself, so he wasn't entirely confident.

At his words, Meng Qi focused his gaze. The peddler did indeed lack the weary, weather-beaten look of someone who labored on the road for a living. In particular, the hand holding his teacup showed none of the cracks that years in the sun would have caused.

"I'll keep that in mind." Meng Qi walked over at an unhurried pace.

As he neared the teahouse, he suddenly heard a horse whinny. He turned instinctively and saw four brown horses beside an ornate carriage.

Well, riding horses should be faster than using Lightness Skill. Meng Qi considered the matter. Over short distances, his Lightness Skill could match a fine horse, but over longer ones he would fall behind. Riding would also save him the effort of traveling on foot, leaving him with more strength to fight back if danger arose.

I should ask the owner if he'll sell us a horse. He felt the Jade Pendant in his robe and, for now, had no plans to turn bandit. Before entering the Reincarnation World this time, he had worried that the mission might require money, so he had brought the pendant along.

As for who owned the horses, Meng Qi could have guessed with his toes: it had to be the richly dressed young master. With a maid as delicate as his, she could never have walked all the way here without a carriage.

So, almost without thinking, Meng Qi entered the teahouse from near the young master and sized them up.

"Hey, monk! What are you looking at?" One of the two guards approached with his arms folded.

Seeing the man's heavy steps and surly attitude, Meng Qi found it amusing. He clasped his hands and imitated the ruffian monks he'd seen in stories. "Amitabha Buddha. I see that all of you benefactors have a karmic affinity with Buddha."

"Haha! You bald donkey, what's all this about karmic affinity? Don't you just want to beg for money?" The wealthy young master burst into laughter. He stroked the maid's cheek, then his expression darkened. "Get lost! I hate monks and Daoists like you most of all!"

"Last time, a Demonic Daoist swindled Madam out of three hundred taels of silver..." the maid said with a giggle.

"Hmph! From now on, any Demonic Daoist or monk who dares come near our front gate gets their legs broken!" The young master motioned for his two guards to drive Meng Qi away.

Meng Qi wasn't in a hurry. He planned to "discuss it" with the young master later. He walked around a few tables and headed for the Tea Shop Owner.

"Shopkeeper, this humble monk has a question." Meng Qi clasped his hands.

The stooped old man, with his sparse white hair and hunched back, returned his greeting with a beaming smile. "I've always been a believer. Ask away, Master."

Meng Qi lowered his voice so the peddler wouldn't hear. "I'm heading to Shaohua Mountain. Which road should I take?"

At the same time, Meng Qi kept most of his attention on the peddler.

The old man replied with a smile, "Follow this main road straight ahead. It's a three-day journey..."

Before he could finish, his expression changed. He stared in shock at something behind Meng Qi.

The peddler had drawn a long sword from his shoulder pole. With a push off the ground, he lunged straight at Meng Qi from behind.

He'd actually attacked without warning? Could his hearing be far better than a normal person's? Meng Qi was surprised, but his attention was focused; he didn't panic. He turned and swung his long saber, intercepting the peddler.

Suddenly, pain stabbed his waist. At some point, the old man behind him had produced a pair of daggers and plunged them viciously toward his sides.

Meng Qi stepped forward to dodge the daggers, but at that moment, the Dusty Couple also charged out with their weapons. One thrust a sword straight at Meng Qi's throat, while the other swept a Ground Stance Saber at his legs.

Alas, the Old Huqin Player sighed softly. He pulled a thin short sword from his huqin, darted behind Meng Qi, and stabbed at his back.