Qin Liu Xi held the back of her head, half of her face turning black from the sudden collision. The unexpected impact was excruciatingly painful.
Chen Pi, startled by the incident, first asked if Qin Liu Xi was alright. Then, he opened the small door connected to the carriage shaft and asked in a deep voice, "Li Ge, what happened?"
He didn't blame Li Cheng, knowing he wasn't a reckless person.
"Someone suddenly jumped out and blocked the carriage. Is the master alright?" Li Cheng turned back, looking at Qin Liu Xi with some regret.
"I'm fine," Qin Liu Xi replied, looking outside. "Oh, they've come out."
"Are you not seeking Master Qiu? My master invites you," Ying Nan stepped forward, bowing respectfully but with a hint of resentment and frustration in his tone. This person had caused them so much trouble yesterday.
Qin Liu Xi opened the carriage door and looked at Ying Nan. Seeing the bruise on his eye and his pale complexion, she knew they had a rough time in Wanhuai Forest yesterday.
"Damn it!" Qin Liu Xi felt no sympathy. "You've come to the wrong person. Li Cheng, let's go."
"Eh." Li Cheng pulled the reins to leave, but Ying Nan hurriedly stopped him. "Master Qin, we sincerely seek medical help from you. If you refuse to help, can you still be called a doctor?"
"Ying Nan."
Ying Nan stepped back and bowed slightly. "Master."
Qi Qian stepped forward, fists clenched in a salute to Qin Liu Xi. "I'm Qi Qian. I failed to discipline my subordinates properly, causing offense to Master."
Qin Liu Xi sat in the carriage, chin resting on her hand. "You indeed failed to discipline them properly. With that incessant chatter, the lad would probably get himself killed!"
Ying Nan exclaimed, "I was compelled by circumstances!"
Qi Qian added, "But, Master, you've already taught us a lesson yesterday."
Qin Liu Xi feigned innocence, blinking innocently. "What are you talking about? What lesson? Hey, Qi Qian, you shouldn't make baseless accusations. I'm a law-abiding citizen, a model of virtue. I won't accept this dirty water you're trying to throw at me!"
"Wanhuai Forest!" Ying Nan couldn't help blurting out. "Dare you say you didn't deliberately lead us into a trap?"
Qin Liu Xi slapped her hand, exclaiming, "Wanhuai Forest! Qi Qian, are you guys from out of town? Didn't you enter Wanhuai Forest at dusk?"
She jumped off the carriage, standing in front of Qi Qian with a sympathetic expression. "Qi Qian, as outsiders, you may not know, but everyone in Li City knows that Wanhuai Forest is best avoided at dusk. Why? Because of its name!"
Its name?
"The 'huai' character means 'ghost,' and 'huai' trees attract yin energy. Just look at that 'ghost' character, and don't even mention 'Wanhuai.' It's named 'Wanhuai' because there are thousands of huai trees. If you split it apart, isn't it 'Forest of a Thousand Ghosts'?" Qin Liu Xi explained sympathetically. "So, Wanhuai Forest is also known as the Forest of a Thousand Ghosts. At dusk, when the sun sets, it's the time when all those 'good friends' come out. If you trespass into their territory, it's like seeking death, isn't it?"
Qi Qian and the others' faces turned green.
So, the ghostly cries they heard all night weren't imaginary?
"Our locals wouldn't enter Wanhuai Forest at that time. After all, there's a balance between yin and yang. Once you enter, whether you can leave or not is uncertain. If they let you out, it's their magnanimity. If not, you'll have to wander around there." Qin Liu Xi grinned. "You've come out, which means you've met good people, or should I say, good ghosts. It's truly cause for celebration!"
Ying Nan: "..."
Master, if you want to punish us, just do it. But spouting such nonsense so seriously, I've never seen it before. My hand itches to draw my sword!
As for the rating, when you go to write a book review and there are several stars, clicking on them lights them up... ah