The handsome Jade Protector Hua Yunfeng beside him laughed and said, "Isn't it strange, Protector Yue, that a useless person can live for so long?"
Yue Yiping said, "That kid is just being kept alive by slept."
Hua Yunfeng shook his head: "It's not easy for anyone to willingly support him."
It seems this person is not all show and no substance. Jin smiled and asked, "I wonder who did it?"
Hua Yunfeng hurriedly replied, "It must be because of that rare treasure. The old sect leader also had people investigate it, but unexpectedly, this person was so meticulous that they couldn't find a single clue."
It's indeed strange that even the Thousand Hands Sect couldn't find out about this. Jin thought for a moment and said, "That's interesting, but this happened many years ago. What does it have to do with my Thousand Hands Sect?"
Yue Yiping interjected, "Master, you may not know, but there have always been people watching outside the Jiang family compound."
Seeing that Protector Qian and Yin Fei dared not utter a word, Jin Huanlai raised his eyebrows and said, "Protector Qian has thought things through thoroughly. What do you think?"
Having offended the sect leader, Yin Fei was initially afraid of being blamed. But upon hearing this, he immediately took it a step further and hurriedly knelt down, saying, "Just now, your subordinate..."
Jin laughed and interrupted him: "What are you doing kneeling? Get up and tell me what you're saying."
Seeing that he didn't seem to blame him, Protector Qian breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Master." After a moment's thought, he said, "In my opinion, the reason the Jiang family was wiped out, and why that person sent people to monitor Jiang Xiaohu, is because he didn't get what he wanted back then."
Yue Yiping said, "The Jiang family's 'Daytime Startling Wind Sword' is famous throughout the martial arts world. The sword manual alone is enough to make people's hearts flutter, not to mention that extraordinary treasure is extremely mysterious..."
Jin interrupted him again: "You've seen it before?"
Yue Yiping said, "Although those people acted in secrecy, we once devised a plan to capture one of them. According to this person, whoever obtains that treasure will be able to compete for supremacy in the martial arts world..."
Jin then asked, "Where is that person?"
Yue Yiping was stunned for a moment, then reported truthfully: "He's dead. He was silenced after saying only a few words."
Jin then patted the table and stood up.
Everyone was so frightened that they all knelt down: "Master!"
Jin Huanlai said calmly, "You must have mentioned this to the old sect leader back then, wanting me to seize the treasure?"
The group looked at each other, bewildered: "This..."
Jin Huanlai said, "It seems the old leader did not agree."
Everyone was speechless.
Silver Protector Zheng Jiaojiao mustered her courage: "Master, please calm down. In truth, we only wish to strengthen the Thousand Hands Sect, so that we may one day become renowned throughout the world and rule the martial arts world..."
"To rule the martial world?" Jin Huanlai sneered. "It is precisely because no one is ruling the martial world that we are at peace."
Everyone was stunned.
Jin Huanlai said, "Our Thousand Hands Sect only takes the wealth of the world. From now on, no one is allowed to interfere in this matter, nor are they allowed to think about ruling the martial arts world. If anyone dares to act in private..." He pointed to Protector Qian, Yin Fei, "Protector Yin will deal with them."
Seeing that Yin Fei was being given an important position, Yue Yiping was filled with regret. Yin Fei himself was also surprised and hurriedly asked, "What does the sect leader think we should do?"
Jin replied impatiently, "There are rules in place that forbid us from being enemies with the Jiang family. Just follow the rules."
One of the sect leaders whispered a reminder: "Sect Leader, the sect rules state that one must not be an enemy of the Yi family, not the Jiang family..."
“If there isn’t one, we can add one,” Jin said, still annoyed. “Can’t we add another rule? Enough with the nonsense, I, the leader, will punish you!”
The altar master was so frightened that he lowered his head.
Before the crowd could offer further persuasion, Jin Huanlai turned and went inside, leaving behind the words: "You've wasted half a day of my time! This matter must not be mentioned again. Protector Yin, remember what I just said."
Yin Fei hurriedly replied, "Yes."
The crowd had no choice but to disperse.
The previous altar master stood respectfully below the steps, terrified, waiting for the cult leader to return and punish him. But our great cult leader Jin had already treated his words as mere farts and gone to the stream to find his "little friend".
.
What a bunch of fools! It's precisely because the martial arts world is currently fragmented that the imperial court ignores it. The reason why the leaders of previous sects were able to enter and leave the palace was partly due to the trust the court placed in them. Two tigers cannot share one mountain. If the Thousand Hands Sect truly becomes stronger than the court can tolerate, the court will certainly not stand idly by. How can a small Thousand Hands Sect stand against a million-strong army? Besides, the current emperor is barely a wise ruler. His rule is stable, and he has many capable ministers and experts. He has the support of the people. It would be unwise to oppose him at this time.
Even if that person obtains the treasure and rules the martial world, so what? The imperial court will deal with him in the future. It's not up to the Thousand Hands Sect to try and steal the limelight.
The old man wasn't stupid; he didn't agree to these idiots' request. Jin sighed, wondering if he would even be able to see the "little one" tonight.
Qiu Lingling? He smiled.
Having made up its mind, the large bat changed direction and happily darted off to the other side.
.
A pure white gauze dress, and a slightly smaller guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument).
The moonlight stretched for miles, clear and bright. The little girl rested her chin on her hands, her beautiful face shimmering with silver light, her expression seemingly melancholy.
Jin stood not far away with his arms crossed, quietly watching the scene before him. Once upon a time, there was also a precious ancient paulownia wood zither, and beside it was a woman, beautiful and delicate, who smiled shyly as she watched him play the zither; once upon a time, that woman leaned against him, pointed to the moon, and whispered to him, "The bright moon is my witness, your heart is mine, and I will never betray you."
Five years have passed, it feels like a dream.
He lived his whole life in his dreams.
Looking at that petite woman, he suddenly had an urge to go over and hug her.
My feet moved forward slowly.
Unfortunately, Jin returned to reality the next moment and was almost scared to death because the little girl started playing the zither.
The piano music was intermittent and simply... terribly awful!
Jin was both amused and exasperated, surprised by his own impulse. Even more terrifying was the fact that he had actually felt close to a young girl. Was this a bit abnormal? Or was it because he hadn't seen a woman for several days?
He mistook her for that person, lost in thought for a moment, but quickly came to his senses, because the music was getting worse and worse, and many notes were played incorrectly.
Jin was in excruciating pain, and he felt like banging his head against a block of tofu. How could this little girl, who played the piano so badly, be associated with that talented woman?
He couldn't help but burst into laughter.
The agonizing piano music finally stopped.
.
Hearing the laughter, Qiu Lingling immediately jumped up, turned around, and looked at him with a joyful expression: "You're here!"
Jin sat down and rubbed his temples: "Have you been waiting here these past few days?"
"Yes, I'll wait for you."
"I told you I wasn't coming."
"You will definitely come!"
How did you know?
"Because you're a thief, nobody plays with you."
The kneading motions slowed down, and Jin remained silent, seemingly a little annoyed. No one was there to keep her company? With a wave of his hand, this cult leader could have women if he wanted, and men if he wanted… Of course, that scenario was unlikely.
Qiu Lingling patted his arm and comforted him, "We're good friends. I'll play with you. My mother taught me to play the zither when I was little. I'll play it for you."
Jin sighed and pointed at the zither: "It sounds awful, I won't listen."
Qiu Lingling retorted, "What makes you think it's unpleasant to hear?"
"It was already awful to begin with."
"You can?"
"certainly."
"Then play it for me to hear."
The smile gradually faded, and Jin Huanlai stood there stunned for a long time before slowly shifting his gaze from the zither and shaking his head: "I forgot."
Qiu Lingling said smugly, "You just can't do it."
Seeing her raise her hand to play the zither again, Jin panicked and immediately took out a wine pot from his bosom and handed it to her: "Didn't you want to treat me to a drink? Look, I'll treat you to a drink."
When her friend treated her to a meal, Qiu Lingling, as expected, put down her zither, happily took it, lifted the lid, smelled it, and winked with a smile: "You went to steal it, didn't you?"
Jin awkwardly denied it: "No."
Qiu Lingling pouted: "You're lying."
Jin asked in surprise, "How did you know?"
Qiu Lingling shook the wine pot: "Because this is my family's wine."
Jin wanted to bang his head against the wall and die again.
Using stolen goods to curry favor with the owner—this king of thieves is truly something else…
Where are the people when I return to this old place?
How did you know this was your wine?
"Only my mother could brew this flavor. My father liked to drink it, so my mother brewed a lot herself and stored it in the cellar..." The voice slowly lowered.
Jin took the wine pot and smelled it: "With so many kinds of wine, can you tell them apart?"
Qiu Lingling raised her head: "Of course, my mother used to brew wine. Each kind tastes different, and I can taste many kinds of wine."
It turned out he was a little drunkard, Jin chuckled.
Qiu Lingling snatched the wine pot, about to drink, but then hesitated after looking at him: "Don't you have a cup?"
Jin raised an eyebrow: "No."
Qiu Lingling hesitated, then cautiously asked, "So... I should just drink it like this?"
Jin nodded: "You drink, I don't like drinking."
"You're not allowed to laugh."
"good."
Holding the wine jug in her small hands, she tilted her head back and carefully sipped, her eyes blinking and glancing cautiously at Jin Huanlai beside her. Seeing that he didn't mind, she felt relieved, and a smile gradually seeped from her big eyes. No girl had ever dared to drink like this before; it was clearly a very crude way, but when used on her, it became exceptionally adorable.
Jin was quite interested in the visit. The little girl actually loved drinking so much. If he had known, should he have prepared some side dishes?
The stream shimmered with silver light under the moon.
The person under the moonlight was dressed in a light, snow-white robe, with tassels flowing down her forehead. Her small face was beautiful with a touch of brilliance, her eyes were lively and cheerful, and her expression was slightly greedy, like a fairy who had been indulging in wine and lingered in the mortal world.