Chapter 85: A Street Robbery
Shi Hao knew that the Brocade Dragon Gate’s proposal for Floating Cloud Monastery to join them came right after he had helped defend the monastery.
Li Jingya, worried he might think they were taking advantage of the situation, had quickly explained.
However, this was a decision for Floating Cloud Monastery to make; he wasn’t going to interfere.
He and Xu Xiaoyan followed Li Jingya to the main hall.
Inside, Chen Chenyun and another young man, Li Jingya’s husband, Zhao Wencheng, were sitting at a table, discussing the matter.
Zhao Wencheng said to Chen Chenyun, “Floating Cloud Monastery doesn’t have to formally join the Brocade Dragon Gate. The Mid-Autumn Festival is just over forty days away. Every year, the prominent families in Dàxīng City contribute funds, and the Brocade Dragon Gate organizes the lantern festival. And to ensure the smooth operation of the festival, we invite various sects and organizations to assist.
“Floating Cloud Monastery can simply join the alliance temporarily, in the name of co-organizing the Mid-Autumn Festival. These are turbulent times, and we hope the smaller sects in Dàxīng City can support each other.”
Chen Chenyun said readily, “In that case, we’ll gladly accept your offer.”
Li Jingya and the others approached, and introductions were made.
Chen Chenyun explained to Shi Hao, “Floating Cloud Monastery, like some other sects, will temporarily join the Brocade Dragon Gate as an alliance. The Brocade Dragon Gate is different from the other gangs in Dàxīng City. They’re not a martial arts sect, so there’s less to worry about.”
Shi Hao smiled, “It’s your decision, Abbot.”
Li Jingya pulled Xu Xiaoyan aside and whispered something to her.
Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “Let me ask him.” She waved Shi Hao over.
He approached and whispered, “What is it?”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “Sister Jing Ya wants to hire us to protect her husband. She said Dàxīng City is becoming increasingly dangerous. Recently, the accountant of the Heaven and Earth Gang’s Flood Dragon Branch was assassinated. Although the Brocade Dragon Gate doesn’t usually get involved in conflicts, she’s still worried.
“Her husband is just a scholar with no martial arts skills. Although the Brocade Dragon Gate has assigned guards to protect them, they’re not as skilled as you. So, she wants to hire us to protect her husband, mainly during his travels to and from work. He’ll have other guards at the Brocade Dragon Gate’s headquarters and at home.”
Shi Hao thought for a moment and said, “What do you think?”
Xu Xiaoyan sighed softly, “Sister Jing Ya was very kind to me when I was in Jiangzhe. I want to help her, but you’re the expert here. I need your opinion.”
Shi Hao smiled, “That’s easy. Floating Cloud Monastery is also a martial arts school. They can hire us as guards through the monastery. But even between sisters, we should be clear about the terms. The payment must be substantial.”
Xu Xiaoyan giggled, “Don’t worry, you’ll be well-compensated. They can afford it.”
She went and discussed the matter with them. Zhao Wencheng and Li Jingya were delighted. With the growing unrest in Dàxīng City, everyone felt unsafe. Having Chongyun as their protector brought them peace of mind.
They agreed on a price, and a contract was drawn up between the couple and Floating Cloud Monastery, with the monastery taking a twenty percent commission.
Chen Chenyun didn’t want to take the commission, but Shi Hao insisted. Since they were acting in the name of Floating Cloud Monastery, it was only right for the monastery to receive a share, and twenty percent wasn’t excessive.
Shi Hao returned to the west wing, leaving the Heroic Deeds Blade and the Illusory Sea Spirit Fruit there, taking only his sword.
He and Xu Xiaoyan, both dressed in Daoist robes, left the monastery with Zhao Wencheng and Li Jingya. A group of Brocade Dragon Gate guards awaited them at the foot of Rong Mountain.
The couple boarded a palanquin, while Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan were given horses.
Shi Hao noticed that Xu Xiaoyan had changed her hairstyle again. She now wore a Daoist bun with a hairpin and bangs, although without any disguise, she looked completely different.
Unless someone knew her well, they wouldn’t recognize her.
Shi Hao smiled, “You’re really good at transforming yourself. You look like a different person every time I see you.”
Xu Xiaoyan glanced at him and pouted, “It’s better to be cautious. How do I look?”
Shi Hao rode closer to her and whispered, “I think you looked prettier as ‘Night Lily.’”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “You’re asking for a beating!” She playfully punched his arm.
A horse neighed from a side street as a carriage suddenly appeared, blocking their path, logs rolling down from its roof.
Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan pulled back on their reins, their horses rearing up. A surge of energy erupted from the carriage.
Realizing they were under attack, they leaped from their horses. Chaos erupted in the street, the palanquin carriers scattering.
Several Brocade Dragon Gate guards were sent flying.
Although they had been hired as bodyguards, they hadn’t expected trouble so soon.
They leaped forward and saw the palanquin splintering, Li Jingya screaming, “Husband!”
Two burly men grabbed Zhao Wencheng and leaped onto a rooftop.
As the palanquin tilted precariously, Xu Xiaoyan flashed forward and pulled Li Jingya out. Shi Hao pursued the attackers. Two more men appeared on the roof, each armed with a bow, firing two arrows at Shi Hao’s chest.
Shi Hao raised his sword, deflecting both arrows with a clang, but the force of the impact sent him stumbling backwards.
The two men on the roof glanced at him, surprised, then flipped backwards and disappeared.
“Husband…” Li Jingya, supported by Xu Xiaoyan, knelt on the ground, reaching out with one hand, her voice a desperate cry.
Shi Hao saw four Yingzhao beasts take flight, carrying the four men and Zhao Wencheng away.
Shi Hao’s heart sank. He recognized those men. Zhao Wencheng, a mere scholar, if he even survived, would likely be crippled.
“Take care of her!” Shi Hao shouted, leaping onto the roof, using his light-foot skills to pursue the fleeing figures.
He saw the four riders flying low, rounding a tall building and heading towards the distant mountains.
Shi Hao gave chase, his feet barely touching the walls, rooftops, and eaves as he moved with incredible speed.
He followed them to the mountains, where they disappeared behind a ridge.
Not daring to hesitate, he increased his speed, crossed the foothills, and climbed the mountain, arriving at a luxurious estate. As he leaped onto the wall, countless arrows were aimed at him.
He froze, took a deep breath, and said, “Miss Yue, can we talk?”
A girl’s laughter came from within the estate, “Let him in.”
The arrows disappeared.
Shi Hao jumped down from the wall and entered the estate.
He could sense numerous hidden experts. He passed through a gate and entered a garden with pavilions and ponds, an elegant and secluded place, like a miniature palace, maidservants coming and going.
A maidservant led him forward. A dozen or so barbarian warriors stood around a young woman in a beautiful pleated dress, sitting at a table, her legs crossed, a playful smile on her face.
It was Yue Ya’er.
Shi Hao smiled, “I didn’t expect to find you here, Miss.”
Yue Ya’er said, “I ran into Sister Yuejiao a few days ago. She should be at the Chongxian Sect’s main temple on Mount Qian Yuan now. Have you seen her?”
Shi Hao said, “Not yet. Please don’t tell her about me. I have some things to do, and I don’t want her to worry.”
Yue Ya’er swung her legs, her colorful skirt fluttering around her. She smiled, “I heard you’re protecting the accountant of the Brocade Dragon Gate. Have you joined them?”
Shi Hao shook his head, “Not exactly. I’m just working as his bodyguard. May I ask how this… Mr. Zhao offended you, Miss, to warrant such treatment?”
Yue Ya’er shook her head, “He didn’t offend me. I just need to ask him a few questions.”
Shi Hao asked quickly, “Have you started the ‘questioning’ yet?” He remembered what had happened to the Shu Tiger Gang’s accountant.
Yue Ya’er said, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. I told them to stop when I heard you were looking for him.” She pointed to a nearby bench, “Have a seat.”
Shi Hao sat down, “May I ask what you want to know from Mr. Zhao?”
Yue Ya’er turned, resting her chin on her hand, her sleeve covering her arm, and looked at him, “Hmm, it’s a bit difficult to explain. Do you know about the demonic sects?”
Shi Hao said, “I haven’t had much contact with them, but I do know a little about them… actually, quite a lot.” He figured that if he claimed to be ignorant, she wouldn’t tell him anything.
Yue Ya’er sat up straight, her small figure now looking serious, and said, surprised, “You know about the demonic sects? You seem to know quite a bit.”
Shi Hao said thoughtfully, “But what does the Brocade Dragon Gate have to do with the demonic sects?”
Yue Ya’er shook her head, “Perhaps they’re connected, perhaps not. I’m not sure. But I suspect one of the three gangs and six societies in Dàxīng City is controlled by a demonic sect. I want to find out which one, but I don’t have much time.
“Your idea of capturing the Shu Tiger Gang’s accountant in Jin Prefecture was quite good. Even demonic sects need money, and there must be some kind of financial connection between them and the gangs they control, or some shady business dealings. So, I’m planning to capture their accountants and interrogate them one by one.”
“This Mr. Zhao is just unlucky enough to be the first.”
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