Surrounded and killed

The scene before him gradually sharpened. Clusters of trees blocked the sunlight, leaving golden patches scattered on the ground.

Prepared, Meng Qi warily looked around but found no signs of an enemy attack.

"Huh?" After observing the surroundings clearly, Meng Qi frowned, slightly surprised.

Because he realized only three people stood nearby: Qi Zhengyan, who always wore a stern, grievance-laden expression; Xiang Hui, a gang enforcer; and Xiao Zi, a delicate young woman with no strength to truss a chicken.

"Miss Jiang and Senior Brother Zhang aren't here..." Meng Qi felt somewhat helpless, recalling the main quest prompt—"Split into Two Groups"!

Still, Meng Qi didn't waver. Last time, he might have been terrified, but now he had basic self-defense capability. If he still cowered and panicked, what kind of man would he be?

"Senior Brother Qi, we need to find out how to get to Shaolin first," Meng Qi said, ignoring Xiao Zi's sobbing tremors and Xiang Hui's unease. He exchanged a glance with Qi Zhengyan and spoke concisely.

He realized he had no idea where he was or which direction Shaolin lay.

Qi Zhengyan looked up at the sky, then at the nearby trees. After a moment's thought, he said, "The forest isn't dense, and I can hear the sounds of carts and horses in the distance. We should be close to a main road. Let's head out first and ask a passerby for directions."

Knowing Meng Qi had little worldly experience, Qi Zhengyan tried to recall everything he'd learned to lead the group.

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

A small, wicked thought crossed Meng Qi's mind: without these two dead weights, he and Qi Zhengyan would have a much easier time.

"Master, Master, I'll follow you!" Xiao Zi shuddered as if struck by lightning, rushed over to Meng Qi in two or three steps, and grabbed his sleeve tightly.

Xiang Hui plastered on a smile and bowed obsequiously. "Divine Monk, this humble one will follow your lead."

Meng Qi guessed why they were buttering him up: first, as a monk, he naturally seemed compassionate; second, he often smiled, unlike Qi Zhengyan's gloomy, unapproachable demeanor; third, he'd shown off his martial arts, leaving a strong impression.

"Benefactor Xiang, I didn't expect you to be a man of letters?" Meng Qi said with a grin.

Xiang Hui quickly laughed along. "The Divine Monk flatters me. This humble one only learned a bit from the gang's White Paper Fan."

This guy—Meng Qi had initially thought he was a rough, Lu Zhishen-type brute, but he turned out to be a fawning, bootlicking lackey. He sighed inwardly, then turned to Xiao Zi, who was still tugging his sleeve. "Miss Xiao Zi, if you want to follow us, don't do that. It'll hinder us from acting."

A flicker of malice had crossed his mind, but thinking of Xiang Hui and Xiao Zi reminded him of his last mission. If Jiang Zhiwei and the others had looked down on his weak skills and refused to take him along, he'd have died at the hands of the Black Clothed Man long ago. So, he felt a pang of sympathy.

"Since Miss Jiang's kindness saved my life, I'll show a little kindness myself when it's not dangerous," Meng Qi mused inwardly. Of course, no matter how kind he felt, he wouldn't throw his life away for strangers.

Xiao Zi let go, stepped back a few paces to stand beside Xiang Hui, stifled her sobs, and obediently followed Meng Qi and Qi Zhengyan out of the forest.

The forest floor was uneven, tangled with exposed roots, rotting mud, and fallen leaves. Xiao Zi stumbled along, but she didn't complain, gritting her teeth to keep up.

"Tough on the inside, soft on the outside," Meng Qi observed quietly, nodding. If she'd kept crying and whining, unwilling to endure hardship, he'd have had no choice but to abandon her.

A dead weight could be carried, but a burden was pure self-harm.

Turning back, Meng Qi caught sight of Qi Zhengyan's rigid face ahead and had a sudden thought.

In this split group, Qi Zhengyan was the strongest. Meng Qi wasn't afraid of him, but cooperation was better than fighting alone.

Right, he needed to build some rapport. After a moment's thought, Meng Qi smiled. "Senior Brother Qi, how's that sword technique coming along?"

"A month is too short. I've only just begun," Qi Zhengyan replied with a slight nod, still unsmiling.

Meng Qi chuckled. "Just starting is fine. Combined with the Long River Sword Technique, your strength should improve significantly."

"I haven't tested it in battle yet. I won't boast," Qi Zhengyan said curtly.

Meng Qi's mouth twitched. "Senior Brother Qi, why do you always have to be so heavy and quiet? Since we can't escape this cycle mission for now, why not face it with a smile? Relaxing helps with performance."

For a moment, Meng Qi felt like he was back doing psychological counseling.

"The Divine Monk speaks wisely," Xiang Hui chimed in, forcing a smile, while Qi Zhengyan stayed silent.

"All confusion and fear arise from the mind..." Meng Qi started a long-winded lecture on the benefits of smiling through the cycle mission.

As he rambled, Qi Zhengyan suddenly stopped, not turning around, and said in a low voice, "I've always been this way..."

"Uh, did you suffer some trauma as a child, Senior Brother Qi? Or was the environment oppressive?" Meng Qi blurted out.

"I was fine as a child!" Qi Zhengyan still didn't turn, grinding his teeth, then raised his voice. "Junior Brother Zhending! We're surrounded by pursuers. Our ears are for listening to movements, not nonsense!"

"Haha," Meng Qi laughed dryly, masking his embarrassment and irritation, then said sincerely, "This humble monk lacks worldly experience. Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Qi."

Seeing that Meng Qi wasn't angered, Qi Zhengyan paused slightly, then nodded slowly. "Be careful in everything."

Their exchange left Xiang Hui uncertain. That guy who looked like everyone owed him five silver taels—was he even more formidable than the Divine Monk?

After walking a while, Meng Qi and the others spotted a tamped-earth road, dust kicked up by passing carts and horses.

By the roadside stood a tea shop with an awning, also selling some food. It wasn't noon yet, so few customers were resting.

Meng Qi looked over and saw the Tea Shop Owner was an old man. Four tables were occupied: one by a Dusty Couple, one by a Peddler carrying a load, one by an Old Huqin Player, and one by a Rich Young Master holding a pretty Maid, accompanied by his Guard.

"Senior Brother Qi, I'll go ask for directions and buy some dry rations. Keep an eye on the area," Meng Qi said, glancing at Qi Zhengyan's grim face. He decided to handle it himself, and with Qi Zhengyan hanging back, they'd have warning and backup if attacked.

Qi Zhengyan studied the tea shop crowd and surroundings carefully. After a long pause, he said with a stern face, "That Peddler looks too clean, not like someone who trudges from village to village. Be careful."

He wasn't very experienced himself and lacked confidence.

Hearing this, Meng Qi focused and noticed the Peddler indeed lacked the weary, weathered look of a drifter. His hand, holding the teacup, showed no cracked skin from years in the sun.

"Got it." Meng Qi walked over slowly.

As he neared the tea shop, Meng Qi suddenly heard a horse neigh. He turned instinctively and saw four brown horses beside a lavish carriage.

"Huh, if we ride horses, it'll be faster than relying on Lightness Skill," Meng Qi thought, well aware that his current Lightness Skill could match a galloping horse over short distances but would fall behind over long ones. Riding would save energy and leave him with ample strength to counterattack in danger.

"Mm, I'll need to buy it from the horse's owner later." He touched the jade pendant in his bosom, but for now had no intention of turning bandit—this time entering the Reincarnation World, he'd worried the mission might require silver, so he'd brought the pendant along.

As for who the horse's owner was, Meng Qi could guess with his toes: it had to be that richly dressed young master with his jade and silk. With his maid so delicate and pampered, without a carriage, she'd never have made it this far.

So Meng Qi instinctively walked into the tea shop from near the Rich Young Master, swept his gaze around, and sized them up.

"Hey there, monk, what are you staring at?!" One of the two Guards, arms crossed, strode over.

Seeing his heavy steps and aggressive manner, Meng Qi found it amusing and, mimicking the rogue monks he'd seen, pressed his palms together: "Amitabha Buddha. This humble monk observes that all you benefactors have a karmic tie with the Buddha."

"Hah, you bald donkey, what tie or no tie—you just want to beg for some alms, don't you?" The Rich Young Master laughed loudly, stroking his Maid's cheek as his face darkened. "Get lost! I hate you demonic monks and Daoists more than anything!"

"Last time, a demonic monk swindled the mistress out of three hundred taels of silver..." the Maid said with a giggle.

"Hmph! From now on, if any demonic monk or Daoist dares come near our gate, we'll break their legs!" The Young Master signaled the two Guards to drive Meng Qi away.

Meng Qi was in no hurry. He planned to "reason" with the Rich Young Master later. He skirted a few tables and walked over to the Tea Shop Owner.

"Shopkeeper, this humble monk has a question." Meng Qi pressed his palms together.

The stooped, white-haired Old Man, with a sparse few strands left, smiled warmly and returned the gesture: "This old man has always believed in the Buddha. Master, please ask away."

Meng Qi lowered his voice, careful not to let the Peddler hear: "This humble monk wishes to go to Shaohua Mountain. Which road should I take?"

At the same time, most of Meng Qi's attention was fixed on the Peddler.

The Old Man chuckled and said, "Follow this main road straight ahead. Three days' journey..."

Before he could finish, his expression shifted, staring in shock past Meng Qi.

The Peddler had already drawn a long sword from his carrying pole. With a push of his foot, he lunged straight at Meng Qi's back.

He's making a move directly? Does he have hearing far beyond ordinary men? Surprised as he was, Meng Qi stayed focused. He didn't panic. He turned, swung his long saber, and blocked the Peddler.

Suddenly, a pain shot through Meng Qi's waist. At some point, the Old Man behind him had produced two daggers and was stabbing viciously at his flank.

Meng Qi stepped forward to dodge the daggers, but at that moment, the Dusty Couple also lunged out with blade and sword—one thrusting straight at Meng Qi's throat, the other sweeping a Ground Stance Saber at his legs.

Ah... The Old Huqin Player let out a soft sigh, drew a thin short sword from his huqin, flickered into motion, and appeared behind Meng Qi, stabbing at his back.