Chapter 167

Qilin rushed back to the inn, and at the doorway he already sensed something was off.

The whole inn was deathly quiet, filled with a lifeless atmosphere, not at all like an inn full of guests, but more like an abandoned house.

No, he hadn't looked closely before; the inn was built like a charity house, and now outside hung two extinguished white lanterns, making it even more so.

But he had no mind to look further; he immediately rushed inside, heading straight for the third floor.

Along the way, he saw neither the shopkeeper nor anyone else; Qilin had no time to think, until he reached the third floor, kicked open the door, and saw an empty room.

"Senior sister?!"

Qilin, unwilling to give up, searched every corner of the room, then opened the window and poked his head out.

No, nowhere!

He forced himself to calm down.

The room bore traces of a small explosion, and on the floor lay an arrow—likely the senior sister had used a hidden weapon.

Qilin crouched to examine, and in his peripheral vision he saw a familiar pair of boots; he immediately sprang up angrily and grabbed the person's robe in front of him: "You stinking monk, where did you take my senior sister?"

The monk remained calm and leisurely, not angered by Qilin's rudeness, and curled his lips: "What? I came alone."

"Cut the crap! I'll kill you now!" Qilin's eyes were bloodshot, full of ferocity!

The monk easily pulled Qilin's hand away, with an unquestionable force.

"Benefactor, why be so angry? Acting irrationally won't help you save your senior sister."

Knowing full well he was no match for this monk, Qilin stopped his futile rage.

Right now, saving the senior sister is urgent.

He looked around; presumably the National Teacher wasn't there either, surely also lured away, and someone like Pei Shangling need not be mentioned—even Gu Rongjin was absent.

Everyone had been lured away by Pei Yunxi's premeditated scheme!

"Qilin!"

Pei Shangling flashed onto the third floor, saw the empty room, his heart sank instantly, and asked Qilin: "Where is Yuanzhi?"

"You still dare to ask? Your good sister snatched her away!" Qilin glared angrily.

At that moment, the National Teacher was escorting the trussed-up Xiao Chuchu over.

As soon as he saw Xiao Chuchu, Qilin understood: "So there's an accomplice!"

He walked over and, without a word, slapped Xiao Chuchu, demanding angrily: "Where is my senior sister?!"

Xiao Chuchu, after receiving the slap, widened her eyes: "You dare hit me?!"

"I not only want to hit you, I want to kick you!" Qilin showed no pity, lifting his leg and kicking hard at Xiao Chuchu's abdomen!

Xiao Chuchu, after taking the kick, broke out in cold sweat, her expression instantly contorting from pain.

She had never suffered such a brutal beating in her life!

This damned brat actually dared to hit her like that?!

"Qilin!" the National Teacher called out to stop him, "If you beat her to death, the clue will be broken."

Qilin only then let out a cold snort and ceased.

Xiao Chuchu still thought the National Teacher would speak for her, but it turned out they were all in cahoots!

"You're abusing private punishment against me; my brother won't let you off!" Xiao Chuchu cursed viciously.

Pei Shangling: "You mean Xiao Yichen is also involved in this?"

Xiao Chuchu didn't know how to answer, stammering, "In short, Mu Yuanzhi brought it on herself; who let her—"

Slap!

Before she could finish, another slap landed, her face instantly swelling.

This time it was Pei Shangling who struck.

"Even at death's door you dare slander my sister? Listen, Xiao Chuchu, if anything happens to my sister, you and Pei Yunxi will die with her!" Pei Shangling's eyes were filled with killing intent.

Xiao Chuchu felt a sudden chill, shrank her neck in fear, yet couldn't help defending Pei Yunxi: "Yunxi is your sister; you've been bewitched by that fox spirit Mu Yuanzhi!"

National Teacher: "It seems Miss Xiao knows very little; no wonder she did such a foolish thing."

Xiao Chuchu snorted coldly: "It's you who don't know! You've been deceived by Mu Yuanzhi! You pigbrains!"

"Yeah, I'm a pigbrain, that's why Pei Yunxi fooled me so easily. I don't have time to explain all this now; if Pei Yunxi wants to kill Yuanzhi and you protect her, I'll have to strike first and report later." Pei Shangling said, drawing his waist sword.

His appearance was terrifying; Xiao Chuchu's aura instantly weakened: "You... you... I am Xiao Yichen's sister!"

"If Xiao Yichen shields you, he's equally guilty; I'll report to the Father Emperor." Pei Shangling remained unmoved, cold-faced, advancing with his blade.

"Don't! I'll talk! I'll talk!"

Xiao Chuchu was so frightened her courage nearly flew away, and she blurted out everything about Pei Yunxi's plot against her.

The others had been listening patiently, but only after she finished did they look over suspiciously.

Qilin: "You've spouted so much nonsense; everyone knows you're in cahoots! Tell me where my senior sister is now!"

"I really don't know! Yunxi is innocent." Xiao Chuchu trembled, fearing Pei Shangling might really go berserk and slash her.

Pei Shangling sneered: "Looks like you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin."

The National Teacher blocked Pei Shangling: "I think she truly doesn't know; after all, Pei Yunxi has always been cautious."

"As my master said, she's managed to retreat unscathed countless times without leaving any evidence—she really is careful."

Xiao Chuchu nodded vigorously: "I really don't know!"

Only after she finished did she notice the monk she had been ignoring; instantly she saw him as a savior: "Master Yao! Please save me!"

What's with this monk? With such formidable martial arts, why is he just watching the show here?!

"Amitabha, Xiao benefactor, you'd better stay put."

Xiao Chuchu couldn't believe it—why had this monk earlier agreed to her request, only to now turn hostile and deny her?!

Could it be that he's been controlled by Qilin's gu poison?

But she clearly gave the Hundred Spirit Grass Pill!

"You stinking monk, you definitely know what?!" Qilin turned and glared fiercely at the monk.

When the National Teacher looked at the monk, their eyes slightly narrowed.

The monk still wore an inscrutable smile and said, "I, a humble monk, merely helped Patron Xiao with a favor, holding back Patron Qilin; I know nothing else."

"Don't be naive—how could a member of the Hidden Moon Sect listen to a silly girl's words?!" Qilin didn't believe it.

"A foolish girl? Me?" Xiao Chuchu thought angrily, "Once I get free, I'll make them look bad."

"Namo Amitabha, the Buddha is merciful." The monk answered irrelevantly.

"You demon monk, constantly spouting 'Namo Amitabha,' you're disgracing the Buddha!"

"Qilin, don't let him lead you by the nose." The National Teacher couldn't help but speak up to remind him.

"The National Teacher is right, Qilin—you're still too inexperienced."

A clear, icy voice rang out, and Qilin instantly sparked hope: "Gu Rongjin!"

Gu Rongjin appeared at the third-floor stairwell at some point, his expression unusually stern as he looked at the monk and said, "Grand Master surely knows my wife is here, right? Tell me what the conditions are."