The rain poured down, soaking the few customers who were speaking, leaving their hair clinging to their faces in strands, their clothes drenched and clinging tightly to their bodies, making them look utterly disheveled. Naturally, the food and wine before them were completely ruined.
What a waste… Meng Qi, within the Changhua Temple, had to respect the rules in front of him, and in front of Duan Xiangfei and others, he had to maintain the image of a senior monk. It had been two full months since he had properly eaten meat. Occasionally at night, he would sneak out to catch wild animals and barbecue them himself, treating himself to a snack. However, due to incomplete seasonings and mediocre skills, the taste was barely satisfactory.
Upon his return, while journeying with Gu Changqing across the vast desert and subsisting on dry rations, he had long forgotten the taste of meat. Thus, upon entering the “First House of the Desert,” the rich aroma of meat made his stomach growl with hunger, and he had already swallowed several mouthfuls of saliva.
After glancing at the ruined food and wine, Qu Jiulang huffed, “Eat if you want to. If not, get lost.”
After speaking, she didn’t even look back, and went upstairs with a flourish.
Meng Qi reluctantly withdrew his gaze, telling himself that he would be able to eat soon, and quickly followed Jiulang upstairs.
Those few customers were merchants who frequently traveled across the Vast Sea, considered regulars at the First House of the Vast Sea. At this moment, they exchanged glances as if nothing unusual had happened and laughed heartily.
“Hehe, I just love how spicy Jiulang is!”
“That’s right. Those young girls don’t have Jiulang’s flavor. Sigh, too bad it wasn’t her foot-washing water just now.”
This conversation made Meng Qi break out in a cold sweat for them involuntarily. If they kept going like this, it wouldn’t be surprising to find their corpses in the Vast Sea that very night.
Qu Jiulang pretended not to hear anything, pushed open the door to a guest room, and walked in. She boldly sat on the edge of the bed, watching as Meng Qi and Gu Changqing carefully closed the door behind them. Then, with a faint smile, she said, “You’ve got some nerve! Even with the death order from Zeluo Jifa’s邪刀, you still dare to come back to Liusha Village. Let me be straight with you—there are five bandit spies among the guests downstairs, two of whom are Zeluo’s men.”
Meng Qi didn’t expect his disguise, which was far from professional, to fool Qu Jiulang, who had once faced him directly. After all, she was rumored to be at the Outer Scenery level: “The little monk specially came back to inquire which direction my junior brother left in? And where did my master fight with the Crying Elder?”
Qu Jiulang’s expression remained cold, her eyes shimmering with a captivating allure, enough to enchant anyone. Of course, her attention wasn’t on Meng Qi but on the emerald in his hand: “One gem for one question.”
Damn it, you might as well just rob me! After cursing inwardly, Meng Qi still took out a bright red gem and a vivid green gem: “Three questions.”
Who says I’m not running a monopoly! Going downstairs to ask would only expose us!
Qu Jiulang stared unblinkingly at the three gems: “Their last battle was at ‘Bomi,’ a treacherous place in the vast desert, a gathering spot for villains. The little monk headed west, likely in pursuit of them…”
Before she could finish speaking, a fragrant breeze filled the air, intoxicatingly pleasant. Meng Qi’s vision blurred for a moment, and the three gems in his hand had already fallen into Qu Jiulang’s possession.
“There’s still one question left!” Meng Qi tried hard to fight for his rights.
Qu Jiulang, playing with the gems in her hand with a dazed expression, impatiently said: “Ask quickly.”
“What is the Death Order of the Evil Blade? And how did my master do against the Crying Elder?” Meng Qi asked anxiously.
Qu Jiulang suddenly raised her head, giving him a look that said, “Don’t take advantage of my poor arithmetic skills!” “That’s two questions.”
Coughing, Meng Qi took out a jade and threw it to Qu Jiulang. His collection of treasures from An Guoxie was nearly depleted.
Qu Jiulang’s clear, bright eyes sparkled as she focused on the jade, catching it with a wave of her hand. The way she looked, combined with her mature and beautiful appearance and figure, if directed at a man, Meng Qi doubted few could resist it.
Their battle at ‘Bomi’ ended with both sides wounded, yet it appeared they still had the strength to fight another round. As for what happened afterward, who knows?” Qu Jiulang cheerfully tucked away the gem. “The ‘Evil Blade’ death decree is Zeluo’s symbol of dominance over the Vast Sea, used to deal with significant enemies unworthy of his personal attention. Once the ‘Evil Blade’ death decree is issued, every bandit gang and lone robber in the Vast Sea who submits to him will go mad hunting the target, for Zeluo will grant them one reasonable request.”
Previously, Zeluo issued the “Death Order of the Evil Blade” five times. Among the five targets, only one survived—because he happened to be at the edge of the Vast Sea at the time, enabling him to swiftly escape back to Northern Zhou. The other four were all eliminated, with the strongest among them having already unlocked eight meridians…
As Meng Qi listened to Qu Jiulang’s explanation, he felt something was off. The vast desert was boundless; even if the number of bandits were ten times what it was now, they would be like small stones thrown into a river, making no splash. If those four simply avoided the main routes and crossed the desert, could the bandits really find them?
Qu Jiulang’s lips curled into a mocking smile: “Though the vast sea stretches endlessly, there are few places truly fit for human passage. Unless you’re an Outer Scenery expert capable of communing with heaven and earth—summoning winds and rains, conjuring water sources at will—even the basic challenge of obtaining clean water alone would confine your movements.”
The Gu Changqing family had lived in the Hanhai Oasis for generations and were quite familiar with this: “Indeed, in the desert, the most crucial thing is water sources, which are scarce and limited in number. The bandits are aware of these ‘terrains,’ which is why they dare to speak of hunting people down. However, Meng Qi, don’t worry. Although water sources are few, it’s only relative to the entire Hanhai. The bandits couldn’t possibly know and guard every single one.”
Of course, the bandits maintained their daily lives through robbery.
On this journey, to avoid exposing his identity, Meng Qi no longer used his Dharma name and switched back to his original name, feeling very relieved.
“No problem. The bandits are scattered throughout the vast sea, coming in groups. What do we have to fear?” Meng Qi confidently comforted Gu Changqing.
Qu Jiulang snorted, “Don’t even mention that Zeluo has numerous white-headed birds under his command, making communication extremely convenient. Once someone is being tracked, you might find yourself caught in a pincer attack. Just those notorious bandit leaders alone are more than you can handle. At least thirty of them have unlocked seven or more of their orifices.”
Meng Qi gave a slight nod. He was bold yet prudent. Unless absolutely necessary, he would never recklessly confront those bandit leaders directly. Moreover, he hadn’t asked Qu Jiulang for details on which bandit leaders to be wary of. After all, Gu Changqing was a native of Hanhai and should be quite familiar with this region—why waste precious gems? Just like when he inquired about the Death Decree of the Evil Blade, that had merely been a slip of the tongue!
Qu Jiulang didn’t say much more, her face suddenly turning stern: “Go downstairs. Eat and drink quickly and leave.”
Damn it! Without gems, she turns her back faster than flipping a book! Meng Qi muttered to himself and returned to the main hall with Gu Changqing, ordering roasted lamb legs, seasoned donkey meat, and other dishes, eating until his mouth was full of oil.
Gu Changqing, holding his chopsticks, watched in astonishment. Wasn’t it said that Shaolin disciples abstained from meat after enlightenment?
After the meal, Meng Qi didn’t delay, dragging Gu Changqing out of the First House of Hanhai.
Leaning lazily on her chin, Qu Jiulang gazed at the two’s retreating figures, snorted softly, and muttered to herself, “It’s only been a few days, yet his entire demeanor has changed. His martial arts seem to have improved significantly. Saying you’re fine, who would believe it? That bastard An Guoxie must already be dead with regret.”
Her tone was calm.
…
Carrying ample dried provisions and water, they departed from Liusha Village. Gazing at the endless desert, Meng Qi suddenly spoke, “Master Gu, since Zeluo has issued the Demon Blade’s death decree, the journey ahead will undoubtedly be fraught with peril. You should turn back. Over these past few days, I’ve committed to memory most of the terrain of the Vast Sea as you described.”
Gu Changqing was silent for a moment, his face serious and solemn, yet seemingly glowing: “A true hero must go forth, even if a thousand men stand against him.”
Meng Qi turned his head in surprise: “Master Gu, being a hero also requires considering one’s own circumstances.”
Such a simple knight-errant seemed to exist only in stories.
Gu Changqing smiled: “I know. I won’t act recklessly either. Although this journey is dangerous, there are also opportunities. After all, the bandits are scattered throughout the vast sea. Besides, Meng Qi, aren’t you also such a person?”
“Ah?” Meng Qi was quite puzzled.
Gu Changqing raised his horsewhip and pointed westward, saying, “Faced with such a formidable enemy, with your master and junior brother missing, you could have simply returned east to the Shaolin Temple for reinforcements—no one would have blamed you. Yet you chose to venture deeper into the vast desert, braving danger to search for your junior brother. Such righteousness truly lives up to the title of ‘hero.'”
Meng Qi was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. Indeed, he was just that good!
His heroic spirit surged as he unsheathed the Red Sun Demon-Slaying Blade, pointing it westward toward the vast sea.
“Little bandit brats, you’re not worth mentioning! Just wait for me to sharpen my blade on your necks!”
Gu Changqing was also infected by his enthusiasm and laughed heartily: “In the vast desert, can the bandits truly dominate everything? Let’s see who will emerge as the hero today!”
Amidst hearty laughter, the two swiftly rode into the vast sea of sand.
…
The first oasis heading west, Meng Qi and Gu Changqing didn’t directly enter the inns and taverns convenient for gathering information but instead leisurely hid in the woods behind the village, watching the road leading out of the village.
“Master Meng, why didn’t we go in directly but instead arranged for someone else to gather information?” Gu Changqing asked somewhat puzzledly. He was new to the martial arts world and lacked experience.
Before him, Meng Qi was already quite experienced in the martial world: “This place isn’t like the First House of the Vast Sea. Qu Jiulang has a mysterious background, isn’t afraid of the bandits, and won’t betray us. But other informants or innkeepers probably wouldn’t dare to refuse Zeluo’s influence. Moreover, bandit spies often blend in among them. If we recklessly inquire about my master and junior brother’s whereabouts, we will surely be exposed.”
An Guoxie’s corpse was deliberately left by him. Firstly, using fire or other methods would make too much noise, possibly being seen by bandit spies at the time, wasting time on departure. Secondly, if discovered, the traces on the corpse could mislead the enemy.
“I see,” Gu Changqing suddenly understood, “Probably many people who were previously hunted were exposed after gathering information.”
Although the two were full of heroic spirit, they weren’t foolish. If they could avoid the bandits, they would naturally choose to do so.
As Meng Qi was about to speak, he suddenly closed his mouth because a middle-aged man in a long robe was cautiously approaching. He was the man Meng Qi had hired to inquire about Zhen Ding and Xuan Bei’s whereabouts in the taverns.
Meng Qi’s attention wasn’t on this middle-aged man but on his surroundings.
As the middle-aged man approached the woods, Meng Qi’s eyes lit up, spotting a dark-faced man in a felt hat using trees and rocks to hide, secretly tailing behind.
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