Chu Xisheng and Lu Luanli stayed in the lower level of the cave for a full four days.
In fact, on the first day, they realized that something was amiss.The search efforts of the Long family were almost non-existent. The three of them spent the whole day below and didn't encounter half of the Long family's people.The next day, there were some scattered herb gatherers coming down from above.According to these people's information, not only did the Long family lift the prohibition of 'no one in, no one out', but they also withdrew all their clan soldiers from the Fire Bone Cave half a day ago.
However, the two of them suspected that the Long family was using a strategy of drawing snakes out of their holes, intending to lure them out of the Fire Bone Cave and ambush them outside the cave.
To be on the safe side, they stayed in the cave for four days before venturing out.At this point, Tie Xiaosheng's external injuries had begun to recover, and his internal injuries had greatly improved.This was their confidence to break out.This deputy leader of the Iron Banner Gang claimed that he had regained 50 to 60 percent of his peak combat strength.
However, when they reached the mouth of the cave, they didn't even see a shadow of the Long family.Outside the cave entrance, the three of them saw more than thirty members of the Iron Banner Gang.Tie Xiaosheng didn't engage with them. He glanced at those Iron Banner Gang members and walked away as if he hadn't seen them.
Once bitten, twice shy.A few days ago, Tie Xiaosheng was critically injured because the Iron Banner Gang had a traitor at the entrance of the Fire Bone Cave, leading to a sneak attack from behind.At this late hour, there were few pedestrians in the market town.However, the martial artists and herb gatherers along the way, upon seeing Tie Xiaosheng, all showed expressions of shock.
Some were overjoyed, some turned pale, and some were secretly pleased with the misfortune.
Tie Xiaosheng paid no attention to them. His face was cold, fierce like a tiger, holding the Hundred Refined Light Steel Sword given to him by Chu Xisheng. He observed the surroundings vigilantly, striding confidently outwards.
As they passed by the intersection of the market town, Tie Xiaosheng also conveniently 'borrowed' three horses from the Fulon Carriage and Horse Shop at the town's entrance, taking Chu Xisheng and Lu Luanli with him as they rode out of town.
Chu Xisheng had followed the escort for three months and had learned some riding skills, but galloping on horseback was still too strenuous for her. Fortunately, with Lu Luanli's help, she pasted a 'Lightness Talisman' on Chu Xisheng, reducing her weight to less than seventy catties, allowing her to float on the horse throughout the journey.
Under the moonlight, the three of them raced all the way until they saw the walls of Xiu Shui County. Only then did the tense expression on Tie Xiaosheng's face relax.They were very close to the dock area, less than three miles away. It was like a dragon returning to the sea and a tiger returning to the mountain.
"Two of you." Tie Xiaosheng's face now bore a smile. He dismounted and solemnly bowed to Chu Xisheng and Lu Luanli, speaking sincerely and warmly, "The Long family disregarded the righteousness of the martial world, ambushing and attacking me. It's clearly a relentless vendetta against our Iron Banner Gang. I suspect the situation over at the dock is chaotic as well. This time, I won't invite Xisheng to my main headquarters. Once all the matters in the gang are settled, I will personally come to express my gratitude! Your lifesaving grace, the kindness of revival, I, Tie Xiaosheng, will never forget."
Chu Xisheng understood Tie Xiaosheng's feelings. After being attacked, he had cut off contact with the Iron Banner Gang for five or six days. How could he not worry?Not to mention that after Tie Xiaosheng returned, he would have to deal with the Long family, a formidable enemy. He had countless matters to attend to, so how could he have the time and energy to entertain them?
She immediately replied, "Uncle Tie's words are too heavy! Uncle Tie has good fortune on his side, even if he hadn't encountered us, he would have turned adversity into fortune. Besides, I also have grievances with the Long family. Helping Uncle Tie is helping myself. Being able to meet Uncle Tie in the Fire Bone Cave must be fate, it's Heaven's will to fulfill the uncle-niece bond between us."
The smile in Tie Xiaosheng's eyes grew even richer. "What a bond between uncle and niece!"
At this moment, his expression changed slightly, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
He actually highly appreciated Chu Xisheng's talent and bravery, and was very tempted to recruit this lifesaving hero into the Iron Banner Gang. However, after careful consideration, Tie Xiaosheng decided to withhold the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Firstly, he was unsure of the current situation of the Iron Banner Gang. What if the situation was unfavorable? Wouldn't it be putting his lifesaving benefactor in danger?
Secondly, during the days in the Fire Bone Cave, he had repeatedly tested Chu Xisheng's intentions through conversation, but Chu Xisheng always evaded the topic and showed little interest in joining any faction.
After a silent sigh, Tie Xiaosheng's expression became serious. "When you two return to the city, you must be extremely careful. Although there are city guards and the Six Doors in the city, and there are imperial laws, people like Long Heng, who spare no means, may still target you in the city. If you encounter danger, find a way to send a message to the east docks of the city. As long as I'm alive, the Iron Banner Gang will do everything to assist you!"
After solemnly explaining, he patted Chu Xisheng's shoulder heavily, then rode swiftly towards the direction of the docks.
Lu Luanli watched Tie Xiaosheng's departing figure and commented lightly, "This Tie Xiaosheng is quite a character. His demeanor and speech are impressive."
Chu Xisheng chuckled at her words, "He and his brothers have achieved such a position in just five years, almost controlling all the docks and shipping businesses in Xiu Shui County. Naturally, they are not ordinary people."
"But you're quite impressive too," Lu Luanli glanced at him sideways, making a clicking sound with her tongue, "Look at how Tie Xiaosheng treated you like a nephew in less than two days after waking up. Judging from his appearance just now, he almost wanted to adopt you as his son. Your skill in brewing the potion is really impressive."
In fact, she was the one who had been drugged with the potion.Lu Luanli couldn't understand why she had to accompany Chu Xisheng to the Fire Bone Cave. Being Chu Xisheng's bodyguard was one thing, but being forced to stay in that sunless place for four days was another.
She sniffed her clothes and wrinkled her nose at the sour smell.Chu Xisheng paid no attention to Lu Luanli's sarcasm. This trip to the Fire Bone Cave was also a lifesaving favor from Lu Luanli, so she didn't mind her complaining a few words.
As dawn approached, the city gate had already opened.Chu Xisheng returned the horses to the Fulon Carriage and Horse Shop as they reached the city gate.The shopkeeper seemed to have received advance notice, as he not only didn't cause any trouble when they returned the horses but also spoke with considerable respect.
At this point, Lu Luanli was also eager to return home. She hurriedly made her way towards the direction of the Zhengyang Martial Hall.
When the southern gate of the martial hall appeared before them, Chu Xisheng instantly felt relieved.The bustling crowd and the street stalls selling breakfast and vegetables exuded an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
Reflecting on the experiences of the past few days and the dangerous battles they had faced, Chu Xisheng felt as if it were a distant dream. He couldn't help but sigh softly, "It's peaceful inside the martial hall."
"Peaceful?" Lu Luanli chuckled scornfully. "There are hidden undercurrents in the martial hall, you just don't feel them."
Chu Xisheng looked at Lu Luanli with surprise.Lu Luanli continued with a mocking tone, "Just this month, news about the Reverse God Flag has spread throughout the martial world. There are also rumors that Qin Muge may have obtained the treasure left behind by the Martial King, with clues hidden within the Zhengyang Martial Hall and the Wu Xiang Divine Sect. Who knows how many people are now itching to make a move."
Chu Xisheng frowned, "The treasure left by the Martial King?"Was this the treasure Lu Luanli was searching for?
"Marshal Tianwang Ming Qianqiu! This is clearly recorded in history as the last person to wield the Reverse God Flag. Since the flag is now in the hands of Qin Muge, naturally, the treasure left behind by Marshal Tianwang is also in her possession."
Lu Luanli pointed ahead to the southern gate of the martial hall, "So don't be fooled by the apparent calmness of the martial hall. There are hidden dangers already lurking. Have you ever noticed any suspicious fellow disciples around you? I've identified seven people with suspicious behavior, and three have even had their identities replaced. For example, there's this guy in your cohort named Li Ming. Seven days ago, he had a square face and small eyes, but on the day of the inner door competition, his eyes suddenly became larger. And then there's Wang Zheng, I saw him use the Yan Yun Jue, a kind of leaping technique unique to the 'Northern Heaven Sect'—Hey, what are you doing?"
She saw Chu Xisheng tear off a piece of cloth and grab a piece of charcoal from a nearby breakfast stall.Chu Xisheng wrote two lines on the cloth and then looked at her expectantly, "Continue, I'll take notes."He was wondering what information he could use to fool the Jin Yiwei.The information provided by Lu Luanli was sufficient to justify to Cao Qianhu.
He hadn't taken the salary of the Jin Yiwei for nothing!