Chapter Thirty-Four: The Evil Daoist

  Xiao Qian's body was covered with countless talismans, and she sat upright in her chair without daring to move a single muscle, just like a bride on the eve of her wedding. She did this because she was afraid that one or two of the talismans would fall off, and also because she feared coming into contact with something unclean that would cause them to lose their effectiveness.

  I took a look at the watch and it was already 6:30 pm, still several hours away from midnight. I couldn't help but stretch my waist and say, "Waiting for someone to come and hit me feels really bad!"

  Su Jingdao said: "You also know it's not good, our Federal Continent is like this now."

  I smiled and said: "You don't have to beat around the bush anymore. As long as you do what you're supposed to do according to the rules, I'll naturally go back with you."

  Xiao Qian sat in a chair and sobbed: "Little Dragon brother, no matter what the result is today, I thank you all."

  "What are you talking about?"

  Xiao Qian said with a smile: "For everyone, I was just a stranger a few days ago, why are you willing to help me so much?"

  I shrugged and said, "We can't just watch you die in front of us."

  Old Wu also said: "Girl, don't worry too much. Since we have met by chance, I can help a little if I can. Besides, I didn't exert myself either."

  "Indeed, cultivation is originally a lonely path, it's not bad to add some adventure along the way."

  Liu Lao Liu held a bucket of noodles and ate while saying: "You all have high awareness, but I'm being forced to do this."

  I was really bored and said: "Let's have some fun, who has a deck of cards?"

  Liu Lao Liu said: "I have." He's got it, isn't he? This thing is also a tool for him to deceive others. To put it nicely, it's a means of making a living.

  Liu Laoliu pulled out a deck of cards from his bag and first laid out 6 cards with human heads in front of Xiaoxian, muttering to himself: "Believe it or not, you can choose any card you like, I'll know what you've chosen, and I'll swap it for you later."

  Xiao Qian shook her head and said, "I don't believe it."

  "Alright, you choose one, don't need to tell me, just say when and I'll start swapping."

  Xiao Qian stared at the poker on the table and said, "Alright."

  Liu Laoliu picked up all 6 cards and muttered to himself: "Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, the Great Supreme Elder Lord manifests his divine spirit..."

  Although everyone present knew the subtlety of his trick, no one spoke out, hoping that Xiao Qian could use this to distract herself and not be so anxious.

  Liu Laoliu muttered to himself for a while, then shouted loudly: "Change!" He pointed at the card on the table with a pleased expression and said, "Do you see? The card you chose earlier is gone, isn't it?"

  Xiao Qian took a glance and chuckled: "Of course they're gone, you exchanged all 6 of them."

  We were both shocked at the same time. Although the principle of this trick is simple, few people who play it for the first time can see through the key point. How did Xiao Qian not fall for it?

  I couldn't help but burst out laughing when I glanced at the table, it turned out that Liu Lao Liu's newly dealt cards had 3s and 4s, and even four 2s, anyone who wasn't blind could see through it at a glance.

  Liu Lao Liu slapped his forehead: "I've been fooled."

  Xiao Qian smiled again.

  I also laughed and said: "Come on, 5 people play poker."

  Xiao Qian was afraid of losing the symbols on her body and hastily said: "I don't want to play."

  Su Jing said with his hands behind his back: "I'm not playing either."

  I gave her a white eye and said: "It's just as well we're not playing, so let's play against each other in pairs."

  After drawing lots, I was in a group with Old Wu. Liu the Sixth shuffled cards while sneering: "With blood or without?"

  I said: "Lose one household 10 yuan."

  Liu Lao Liu said: "I won't take your money, will you let me go?"

  "Sixth Master, if you want to win their money, I'll do my best to help you. But if you're going to say things like that, I can only hold you back. If I were to throw the game, it seems like you wouldn't be able to win anyway?"

  Liu Lao Liu was taken aback, then let out a sigh and said: "Winning money, winning money, it's just like earning some living expenses for myself before I die."

  ……

  After the game started, the situation was very unfavorable for me and Old Wu. Old Wu was not good at this, while Liu Lao Liu and Jin Chengwu were both cunning and skilled. I was alone and couldn't hold on, losing over 100 yuan to Liu Lao Liu in just a few rounds. The old man was initially worried and gloomy, but as the game went on, he became more spirited, and finally, he was beaming with joy, his back teeth showing. I held my cards and said to him: "If you win again next round, you can leave."

  Liu Lao Liu exerted himself and threw out two cards, saying resolutely: "Sunzi just left!"

  Time flies when you're having fun playing cards, and before we knew it, it was already 9:15. Just then, the door opened and a person walked in, saw us playing cards, and went straight to the counter with a smile, saying "I'm checking in."

  If it were usual, I would be delighted to have you stay. But today's situation is special and nobody knows what will happen tonight. Having an outsider staying with us will cause a lot of inconvenience, so I'm a bit hesitant.

  He looked at me and said: "What's wrong, can't you fill it up?"

  I reluctantly got up and walked behind the counter: "How many days will you be staying?"

  "Stay for two days first." This was a man in his 30s, of medium height, with small but very spirited eyes, straight eyebrows, and a calm smile that exuded the charm of a mature man. After saying this, he stood there motionless, and I asked cautiously: "Do... you have money?"

  "Oh." The man finally reacted, hastily pulled out his wallet, and not only gave me the money but also voluntarily handed over his ID card.

  I'm so touched that I almost cried! It's been a long time since I've done this kind of business, and in over a month, this is the first time I've seen a customer's money!

  My attitude changed 180 degrees immediately, and I smiled and said: "We have a daily rate of 100, and the deposit is also 100..."

  Before I could say "discount 20% off", the man immediately said: "No problem, let's get the bill."

  I quickly handed him a good ticket: "Your room is on the 2nd floor, 206. If you have any questions, feel free to find me at any time."

  The man smiled at me: "Okay, I can go up myself." He picked up his few pieces of luggage and walked to the stairs. When he reached the entrance, he glanced over at our table and suddenly smiled at Xiaoxian, saying: "This little girl has lost a few rounds, huh? You guys have stuck her with such a big bill." After that, he didn't wait for anyone else to speak up and went upstairs.

  I raised an eyebrow and winked at Xiao Qian, saying: "That person has a crush on you - lock your door tightly tonight."

  Xiao Qian's face turned red as she said: "Brother Xiao Long is just talking nonsense." These classical women couldn't take such jokes.

  Jin Chengwu poked Old Wu: "Was there something strange about that person just now?"

  Old Wu said: "I don't feel anything, how about you?"

  Jin Cheng Wudao: "I just find it strange that he would stay in this desolate place for a couple of days, what's his purpose?"

  I said: "It's so easy for you to suspect someone's intentions just because they can afford the rent, as if everyone in the world should be like you two and get a free ride?"

  Liu Lao Liu is on a roll, urging us: "Play cards, play cards, let me win this round!"

  "What brand did you use to win?"

  Liu Lao Liu said: "We two bring one eight."

  "I spread out the cards in my hand: 'I already have three 2s, where did you get two 2s from?'"

  Liu Lao Liu suddenly swept up all the cards and chuckled: "That's an upper upper deal, this deal doesn't count, let's start again."

  When it was 11 o'clock, I threw down my cards and said: "The time is almost up, let's get ready."

  Actually, there's nothing much to prepare for, just chatting with Xiao Qian. Xiao Qian was so tense that she didn't move at all, sitting up straight. I poured a glass of water and handed it to her, saying "Don't be afraid, have some water."

  Xiao Qian took my hand and sniffed it, smiling with relief: "Thank you, Little Dragon Brother, I'm not afraid."

  At that time when the clock pointed to 12 o'clock, we all sat up straight, Jin Chengwu looked at Xiaoxian and said: "Why hasn't the other side made a move?"

  "I joked: 'Maybe his watch is slow by a minute.'"

  As soon as I finished speaking, the talisman on Xiao Qian's chest suddenly shone brightly and instantly turned to ashes. Old Wu exclaimed: "The Soul-restraining Order has arrived!"

  I shook Xiaoxian and asked: "How are you?"

  Xiao Qian stared blankly and bowed her head to examine herself, saying: "I'm fine."

  Old Wu excitedly patted Liu Laoliu: "Your charm is working!"

  Liu Laosix was also excited and couldn't help but say, "I told you so, my dad can't fool me."

  At this moment, a talisman on top of Xiao Qian's head also turned into ashes in an instant. Old Wu said: "Here comes another one!"

  I'm worried and said: "This won't work either, what if they keep firing non-stop from that side?"

  Liu Laosixi said, "I read in the book that if the Three Talismans of Soul Restraint can't be restrained within 12 hours, it will be impossible to restrain again." He said so with his mouth, but at a glance, he was also uncertain in his heart.

  We watched Xiaoyan nervously, and in less than 5 minutes, another symbol on her chest shrunk into a wisp of green smoke. None of us spoke, our eyes fixed intently on the other symbols on Xiaoyan's body. Then came a long period of silence, except for the ticking clock, there was no movement at all. Five minutes passed, ten minutes passed, and after 15 minutes, we looked at each other and suddenly burst into cheers.

  I slapped Liu Laoliu on the back of his head and said: "You're really something, you old cheat!"

  Liu Lao Liu glared at me: "Watch your mouth, I am..."

  He hadn't finished speaking when a loud, resonant voice with great inner power suddenly came from outside the sky: "I wonder why all three Soul-Imprisoning Orders have returned without success. It turns out that there is a fellow Daoist here who has intervened to obstruct them. I don't know if you can come out for a moment?"

  As soon as we heard the noise, we rushed to the door in a hurry. I looked up and saw that about three or four meters above the ground, a middle-aged Taoist priest with a tall stature was standing on the blade of an unsheathed long sword. He wore a Taoist robe with golden silk trimmings, a purple gold crown on his head, and three strands of black whiskers fluttering in front of his chest. On his back, he carried a long sword case adorned with dragon and phoenix patterns. Except for one empty slot, another slot held the long sword. Judging from his extraordinary demeanor and attire, this person was no ordinary individual.

  He looked down at us with a condescending gaze as we walked out, and with just a glance, he sneered: "I didn't expect this tiny place to be a den of filth."

  Jin Chengwu angrily said: "What do you mean by 'concealing filth and accepting shame'?"

  The Taoist actually disdained to speak with him, his gaze sweeping over us one by one, lingering on me for only an instant before turning away. He hesitated slightly and said: "One thousand-year-old tree demon, one divine bird Hou Yi, I have seen you two before. And then there is another who, for some unknown reason, has a Golden Body after the Tribulation but not even half a bit of magical power - a useless waste. So, which fellow practitioner is it that dares to obstruct my Soul-Sealing Spell this time?"

  I was shocked, this man's eyesight is so sharp, obviously much higher than Old Wu and Jin Chengwu, but this kid's hurtful words made me furious, however, looking at his attitude, I could only swallow my saliva and cursed silently "fuck your mother", then I glanced at Su Jing, she just stood there with a expressionless face, as if it had nothing to do with her.

  That Taoist asked a question but no one replied. He became even more cautious and said, "I don't know which fellow practitioner is here, can you please show yourself?"

  Liu Laoliu took a small step forward with a forced smile and said: "It was me."

  "Huh?" The Taoist looked at the slovenly Liu Laosix, without a hint of arrogance, and solemnly asked: "Can fellow Taoist report his name and master's lineage?"

  Liu Lao Liu said with a big smile: "I am the 33rd generation successor of Mao Shan."

  That Taoist, upon hearing this, hastily made a sword gesture and floated down to the ground. The long sword under his feet drew a strange circle and slipped into the scabbard behind him. The Taoist placed his hand on his chest and bowed deeply to Liu Laosix, saying: "Junior Li Huai, with the nickname 'Bad Taoist', has met you for the first time... no, that's not right!" Li Huai said this and quickly straightened up, suspiciously sizing up Liu Laosix, "The Maoshan sect has been passed down from Taizu to the present, a total of 73 generations. How can you possibly be the 33rd generation successor? Could it be that you have achieved immortality?"

  Liu Laoliu smiled and said: "You are very familiar with our Maoshan history."

  Li Huai Dao said: "That's because not only am I also a member of the Mao Shan Sect, but I'm currently the master of the Mao Shan Temple. Even if you are indeed the 33rd generation successor, you should still pay respects to me."

  Liu Lao Liu scratched his head and said: "In that case, just pretend I farted earlier."

  Li shouted angrily: "How dare you play tricks on me?"

  Liu Laosixi smiled slyly: "My dad said I'm from the Maoshan Sect, but I myself don't understand it clearly. Anyway, I've never formally apprenticed with a master."

  Li Huai looked up at the sky and laughed long, saying: "I didn't expect that I, Li Huai, would capsize in a ditch, and actually be taken advantage of by a scoundrel like you." After finishing this sentence, he no longer paid attention to Liu Laosan, probably because in his eyes, Liu was already a dead man. Li Huai turned his face and asked Xiao Qian, "It seems that you also want to oppose me?"

  Xiao Qian was usually timid, but at this moment she said fearlessly: "It's not that I'm opposing you, it's just that you're being unreasonable."

  Li Huai Dao said, "You and my disciple have already exchanged vows of engagement and have a marriage agreement in place. Moreover, your family has even accepted the betrothal gifts. Now that I'm kindly arranging for you two to be together, how can you say I'm being unreasonable?"

  Xiao Qian said, "So-called arranged marriage is nothing but your disciples finding a few rascals to coerce and bribe my parents. As for the betrothal gift, I have already paid it back with my life."

  Li Huai looked up at the sky and laughed: "Good, good, you all oppose me, if I don't wipe you out, you won't know my Li Huai's methods!"

  I cautiously turned around and looked back, seeing that the curtains of the rented room on the 2nd floor were tightly closed, I was slightly relieved, and quietly pulled Su Jing to ask: "What's going on with this person?"

  Su Jing said faintly: "You can barely be considered a Sword Saint, you're no match for me."

  As soon as she finished speaking, I took a step forward and pointed at Li's nose, scolding: "You son of a bitch, can't you speak softer? Don't scare away my client - the only one who pays rent on time!"

  Division line

  Hehe, Zhang merged here, Xiaohua left. Hummer Ha two generals, out of the sheath (sitting on a knife flying away)!