Chapter 465: Li Qingluo refuses to be a good-for-nothing!

So, although the Kill Characters and the guards only suffered minor injuries, most of the bloodstains on their bodies belonged to those several major sects.

However, upon hearing Jin Yun's methods today, Li Qingluo still felt quite relieved.

After all, Jin Yun had finally managed to pull through completely.

Li Qingluo turned her head toward the Witch Moon Sect's mountain villa, where firelight glowed.

That venomous python had completely breathed its last at the hai hour.

Fortunately, Li Qingluo thought they might leave MiaoJiang soon, so to prevent its corpse from being used by other sects, she had the remaining Kill Characters and Prince Su's guards work together to push it down the cave.

Then she used broken stones to bury its remains.

Thus, the Witch Moon Sect became entirely a burial ground from then on.

When leaving the MiaoJiang valley, Li Qingluo and her companions indeed encountered an ambush and a sneak attack.

Fortunately, Jin Yun also arrived with people at the valley mouth; once the two groups joined forces, even the united several major sects were no match for them.

By the time they fought their way out of the valley, the sky had already begun to lighten slightly.

Jin Yun looked back toward the direction of MiaoJiang, her eyes hiding deep, boundless hatred……

Half a month later.

Outside a temple three days' journey from the capital of the Great Chu State, South Peace, a merchant caravan knocked on the mountain gate.

After everyone had settled in, Li Qingluo had just sat down when she heard Zhui Yu and Que'er speaking outside.

"There are only two courtyards; we subordinates can squeeze in, while you and Zheng Mama stay in the more spacious, comfortable one—no need to worry about us dozens of people."

Que'er: "Who wants to boss you around? It's just that those Kill Characters are all clumsy geese; if we don't settle them properly, they can sleep standing against the wall. In the end, who will feel sorry for them but our young lady?"

"No way, I have to go ask those monks for a few more courtyards! It's really bullying—those rooms aren't even occupied yet, and they won't let us stay in them."

Que'er stormed off angrily.

Zhui Yu shouted after her: "This is something we guys will handle—what are you going to do?"

Li Qingluo heard them arguing, got up and went out, asking: "What's going on?"

Que'er hurried over: "Miss, there are still ten empty side rooms in this temple, but they only gave us two."

"Even though the location is remote and dark and damp, they also said that several nobles from the imperial city will come tomorrow, so today they refuse to give us a more spacious place to stay."

"We just gave them a considerable amount of silver, yet they're clearly bullying us because we're merchants and have out-of-town accents."

Li Qingluo: "Then it's just that the silver wasn't enough. Go ahead—let everyone have more spacious lodgings."

Que'er, though still angry and reluctant, still listened to Li Qingluo's words.

After a while, she came running back, her face flushed red with anger.

"Miss, the monks of this temple are utterly outrageous! They took another five hundred taels of silver from us, yet only moved us to one additional courtyard!"

"Is this temple made of gold? With the one thousand taels of silver we gave today, we could buy a three-entry, three-exit residence in South Peace!"

"Their greed is truly disgraceful! They're going to make me die of anger!"

Li Qingluo: "How shamelessly pushy!"

"I want to go see what kind of monks they are!"

Zhui Yu, seeing there was some excitement to watch, didn't mind the trouble and hurriedly followed, hugging his sword with a grin.

But fearing that the master would return and blame them, she hastily put on a pretence and advised Li Qingluo twice: "Miss, why don't we wait for the master to return before deciding?"

In order to conceal Duan Rongshi's identity, Zhui Yu and the others still address Li Qingluo as "Miss" when they follow her.

Yesterday, after receiving a secret report, Duan Rongshi temporarily parted from Li Qingluo, taking Leng Dian to handle affairs in another direction.

They had agreed to meet today at this temple.

Otherwise, Li Qingluo wouldn't be playing the fool.

However, while she could play the fool, she would not be a good-for-nothing—Li Qingluo refuses to be useless.

Li Qingluo: "You want to wait? Then go wait yourself!"

Zhui Yu: "Hehe, he definitely won't wait."

Indeed, following the miss means there's even more fun to see.

What a joy, hehe!

Li Qingluo did not impulsively go to confront them right away.

Instead, she took Que'er, Zhui Yu, Zheng Mama, and Sha Yi to first buy incense paper and candles.

She first paid respects at the Mahavira Hall.

Then she rummaged in her sleeve and, under the eyelids of the monk striking the wooden fish, brought out all her silver notes and large gold ingots.

Finally, from the heap of gold and silver she selected the smallest piece—a scrap of silver about the size of a peanut—and presented it with both hands.

"A humble offering from this female devotee; please accept it with a smile."

The monk, whose eyes had originally been shining bright, instantly went blank: ……

This female devotee, could she be any stingier?

The monk, somewhat angry yet resentful, gave Li Qingluo a glance.

His gaze unconsciously fell on her tightened purse.

Slurp——

Obviously so wealthy, yet she only offered the Buddha this tiniest bit of silver, barely enough to fill a tooth gap.

The monk said: "Namo Amitabha. Female devotee, you are virtuous; may I ask what you seek?"

"Why not write your wish on this paper and light a lotus lamp? The poor monks will sincerely pray and chant for your blessings; if your sincerity is enough, the Buddha will surely know—and help you fulfill your wish."

Li Qingluo: "Exactly. My wish right now is for our entire group to be able to live in spacious, comfortable ease."

"Unfortunately, this temple is too run-down. Cramped and narrow, dark and damp aside, despite giving so much incense money, I can only get three courtyards."

"Ah, if only I had known, I could have lodged in the village at the mountain's base for just ten taels of silver—surely enough to rent the whole village's houses."

Monk:?

Is there someone who dares to criticize someone to their face like this?

Is he a crude merchant, or a young female merchant? Really, they're not fit to be seen!

What's the big deal about having a few dirty coins?

A flicker of contempt flashed in the monk's eyes, but he had no idea that Li Qingluo was also sizing him up at the same time.

These ten taels of silver are the yearly expenses of an ordinary household.

This black-hearted temple, having collected a thousand taels, is still not satisfied.

Indeed, his gaze is still fixed on my money pouch.

Although he looks down on it, he wants it more than anyone.

Li Qingluo sneered inwardly, knowing that this temple and these monks must have some problem!

Otherwise, Duan Rongshi wouldn't have pointed out the name and said they should meet here.

Hearing Li Qingluo's sarcastic words, the monk's expression stiffened briefly, but he quickly uttered another 'Amitabha' as if nothing happened.

"Miss, you only need to sincerely pay respects, and the Buddha will surely know your wish."

After leaving the Mahavira Hall, Li Qingluo said: 'I finally understand that in this world, there is no one with the thickest skin—only someone with even thicker skin. What exactly does this saying mean?'

Que'er: 'Exactly! Pah, still a monk, still a renunciant!'

I see, they're basically blacker than a black-hearted inn, greedier than a corrupt official.

Miss, shall we give them a little color to see?

Li Qingluo glanced at the overcast sky.

She gave a faint smile.

Good, I also had this intention.

As they spoke, several people passed by the Guanyin Hall.

Li Qingluo stood at the hall's entrance, gazing inside.

Only saw the Guanyin statue with a compassionate and holy expression, kind and gentle yet dignified, looking down upon all beings like them.

This was Li Qingluo's first time seeing the Guanyin statue in a temple of the State of Da Chu.

At the moment she clearly saw the Guanyin statue, shock like rolling waves surged uncontrollably in her eyes.

Que'er and the others also couldn't help exclaiming: 'Your Highness——?'