Chapter 205: Leave It to the Squire for Safekeeping

People are just like that; once they harbor even the slightest doubt about something, that doubt grows and grows, following them like a shadow.

Soon, Ji Feng's thoughts began to spread.

Legend has it that the exquisite jade box was bestowed by Qin Wang upon a high official under his command.

For those of the Jianghu, a County Commandant is already considered a high official, let alone Qin Donglai, who is also a Military Commissioner.

Someone who commands a force of over a thousand soldiers—what else could that be but a high official!

That high official was defeated and captured; rumor has it his family was almost entirely executed, leaving only a concubine from outside the main household to flee with her young son.

And that exquisite jade box is the hope for the Qin family's future resurgence.

Jianghu sects do not lack cultivation manuals, but they lack divine weapons and divine artifacts.

Therefore, upon hearing this news, they flocked here in a swarm.

Ji Feng was no different.

He walked very slowly, as slowly as an old man taking a stroll.

Just as he was about to leave this street, he heard a woman's voice coming from behind.

"Xiao Hua, come back quickly."

A woman and a young boy.

It matched.

As for the extra young man, that was nothing strange.

Now, they Jianghu people have been searching in Yue Commandery for over ten days; except for the Prince of Yue's residence, they have searched almost everywhere else.

So... they will not let such an "accident" go without investigation.

At least Ji Feng won't; in any case, investigating doesn't take much time, so one must try, just in case it is them.

Ji Feng quickened his pace and soon returned to the inn.

His wife came forward and asked, "How did it go?"

"That young hero Li has some issues," he said softly, narrowing his eyes: "But I'm not sure yet; I'll try again tonight."

Meanwhile, Li Lin was hastening to make paper figures.

At this time, his Paper Figure Art had reached the stage of great mastery.

He usually took time to practice the Paper Figure Art specifically, after all, this ability, which looks like it has little killing power but possesses a "mechanism," is generally something one can use for a lifetime.

Having crafted another large paper figure, Li Lin drew a strange symbol on its back and then placed it aside.

"Take a break and eat something," Zhou Qingqing placed a bowl of cured meat porridge on the table: "You haven't eaten for almost a day."

Li Lin was indeed a bit hungry; he lifted the large bowl, blew on it, and slowly began to drink the porridge.

It must be said, Zhou Qingqing's cooking is quite good.

This porridge was brewed very fragrantly, possessing the aroma of rice porridge while retaining the flavor of cured meat, yet not feeling too greasy.

"You seem quite virtuous; why does Qin Donglai not like you much!" Li Lin was quite curious.

"Perhaps it is because I gave birth to three children before and then gave them all away. He might think I am rather heartless." Zhou Qingqing's expression was somewhat pained: "But I had no choice; I couldn't let three children grow up in a brothel."

So that was how it was.

Li Lin understood a bit now.

"But you, Squire... why make such a gentleman's agreement with Qin Donglai?" Zhou Qingqing asked curiously: "That man never speaks much truth."

Li Lin smiled: "When a man is about to die, his words are kind; moreover, he is doing this for his bloodline; I feel his agreement with me is sincere."

Zhou Qingqing sighed lightly: "I thought that after leaving the brothel and strictly observing the six virtues of a woman for six or seven years, I could meet a good end, but I never expected to still be harmed by the Qin family."

"This has nothing to do with Qin Donglai," Li Lin said.

"I understand," Zhou Qingqing's eyes shifted: "My husband at least cares about his own bloodline; letting the Squire come here, I am already very grateful to him, as for fulfilling a father's duty..."

Li Lin helplessly shook his head.

It was the family business of others; he was not in a position to comment.

So he finished the cured meat porridge and continued making paper figures.

Zhou Qingqing put away the bowl, drank some porridge herself and with her son, then went to the courtyard to wash the dishes and clothes.

She brought over a small stool and slowly scrubbed the clothes; inadvertently, she saw small paper figures occasionally poking their heads out from the dark corners of the courtyard, then disappearing again.

Before, she was somewhat afraid of these small paper figures, but now the more she looked, the cuter they seemed, and the more reassured she felt.

If her own son could learn such an art, not to say he would rise to wealth and honor, but at least he should have no worries about food and clothing.

Could she ask this Squire Li to teach her son?

Zhou Qingqing began to ponder this matter.

Inside the room, Li Lin counted the paper figures already made, feeling that the "people" were nearly enough, and then began to make other things.

For example, horses, and sedan chairs.

However, he was a bit tired now, and his internal Qi was not abundant, so he began to sit cross-legged on the bed to restore his Qi.

Unfortunately, this place was not his home with a small spiritual vein, so the speed of Qi recovery was quite slow.

Time passed quickly; Zhou Qingqing finished washing the clothes and returned to the room.

Her son was already asleep in the room; she glanced at the cross-legged Li Lin, dared not disturb him, so she closed the door, blew out the candle, and returned to the middle room herself, lying down on the bed with her clothes on to sleep.

Time quickly reached late night.

Li Lin suddenly opened his eyes.

He slowly took the Life-Breathing Pill from his clothes and swallowed it into his belly.

Then he got off the bed, walked softly to the front of the bed, and took the red-tasseled spear into his hand.

His gaze began to look in a certain direction, as if he could penetrate the walls and see outside.

Immediately, his head began to turn, his gaze lifted, and finally he looked at the roof.

Finally, he smiled, his body leaping up suddenly as he thrust the long spear in his hand.

The spear tip was as fast as lightning, piercing straight through the roof.

After a clatter, came the sound of a man's muffled groan.

The long spear was withdrawn, a smear of blood on it.

Li Lin landed on the ground, immediately opened the window, and leaped out.

He then saw a figure in black leaping across the roof ahead, vanishing quickly into the night.

Zhou Qingqing heard the noise and was startled awake.

But she did not rashly run out of her room; instead, she asked, "Master Yuan, what has happened?"

"A little thief came, but I drove him off."

Zhou Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief, said no more, and lay back down on the bed with her clothes still on.

Li Lin looked at the small hole in the roof and shook his head helplessly.

He had no time to repair it and could only hope it would not rain for the next two days.

Then he continued to sit cross-legged on the bed.

Time quickly passed to the next morning.

Li Lin heard footsteps stop before him and opened his eyes.

The person standing before him was naturally Zhou Qingqing; she was now holding a rod-shaped object of five-colored flowing radiance in both hands.

Li Lin paused, then asked, "Divine Bone?"

"Yes!" Zhou Qingqing nodded and said, "This object is of no use to me here, so I will hand it over to Master Yuan Li first; after all, it will end up in your hands sooner or later."

Li Lin did not take it; instead, he countered, "Are you not afraid that once I have this thing, I will no longer care for you and your son?"

Zhou Qingqing smiled and said, "In truth, if Master Yuan Li really wanted to seize it, my son Xiaohua and I would have no way to stop you. Rather than keeping it here, it is better to leave it in Master Yuan's hands! At least if something truly happens in the future, Master Yuan will at least get this thing and not return empty-handed."

Li Lin looked into the other's eyes.

Zhou Qingqing's expression was very open and frank.

"Very well, I will take this thing for now." Li Lin picked up the object and was about to give Zhou Qingqing a definite promise, but suddenly he let out an "Eh?"

Zhou Qingqing asked anxiously, "Is something wrong with the object?"

"No!" Li Lin smiled and said, "It seems our chances of leaving here safely have grown a bit."

Zhou Qingqing's face immediately brightened: "Really?"

(End of this chapter)