Smack.
Lin Xin's right hand shot out like lightning. In the blink of an eye, a bamboo chopstick had appeared in his hand.
Liu Zong had originally been about to make a move as well. Though the chopstick attack had been a sneak attack, its speed and force were nothing out of the ordinary—merely common external martial arts. Still, he had been a step too slow. Realizing they had been ambushed, he flew into a rage and sprang to his feet.
"Who?"
"Me!"
The woman was rather cooperative, immediately rising to answer.
Liu Zong's hand gripped his sword hilt. The few men beside him rose as well, glaring fiercely at the woman and her group.
"A sneak attack in the shadows—I think you're looking to..." Before he could finish his threat, Lin Xin raised a hand and stopped him.
Lin Xin slowly stood and addressed the woman and the lamas.
"My friend's words were indeed offensive this time. Please be magnanimous."
"Magnanimous?" The woman's willow brows rose, her eyes shifting. "You think you can muddle through just by ruining someone's reputation? Let me tell you! This old lady isn't so easily..."
Lin Xin merely chuckled, took out a small silver ingot, and casually tossed it to her.
The woman immediately fell silent. Catching the silver, delight flashed through her eyes. In truth, she only understood lip-reading; her hearing was not as astonishing as Lin Xin had imagined.
"All right, then. Seeing how sincere you are, I'll reluctantly forgive you." Only then did her anger fade.
After that minor interlude, Lin Xin and the others quickly began eating. They finished in a few bites, rented rooms, and went to rest separately.
Early the next morning.
Lin Xin went downstairs to meet Liu Zong. The group mounted their horses and rode at