Patrón de flores incorrecto

Capítulo 37

"Do you have any evidence? If you don't, release me now! Otherwise..."

"I don't have any evidence, but I can take you to see our boss. He's so smart, he must know how to find evidence."

Mo Yinxue was completely dumbfounded and angrily turned her head away, refusing to speak to this self-righteous fool anymore.

After a moment, Xiao Xun muttered to himself, "The suspect has been caught, but what's the next step? Should we just wait here for the boss to come to us?"

Mo Yinxue inwardly mocked this fool again, then rolled her eyes and said, "Whatever... I'm not in a hurry anyway, I'll just wait here for him to come to me..."

Xiao Xun nodded: "That makes sense..."

Mo Yinxue sneered inwardly. But then she heard Xiao Xun say, "However, since this suggestion came from you, it certainly can't be adopted. My mother said that we must oppose anything the enemy supports... I remember yesterday there was a man who wanted to sit next to me before you. Was he one of your accomplices? Since Shen Wan is missing from here, this place has become a dangerous place. My mother said that a wise man doesn't stand under a crumbling wall... I'd better take you away from here first, and then we'll find the boss..." As he spoke, he pressed Mo Yinxue's pressure point to silence her, and then dragged her out the window.

Mo Yinxue completely broke down, utterly enraged by this man who seemed to be born with the trait of a donkey...

However, Xiao Xun felt no joy at the victory. Instead, he repeatedly and sorrowfully murmured in his heart: "Boss, where are you?"

Huang Tingfeng led the two prisoners into a small inn, brimming with smug satisfaction. He'd heard these two were very important, seemingly knowing some secrets about that thing; his father had sent word that they should be captured alive. He'd only gone to the southern branch on some official business, never expecting to stumble upon such a lucky break.

Ye Xiao skillfully added the medicinal powder to her tea, while Huang Tingfeng remained oblivious. For several days in a row, Ye Xiao would add some powder to her tea. The first time Huang Tingfeng saw Ye Xiao do this, he looked at her with extreme suspicion and asked in a very unfriendly tone, "What is it?"

Unexpectedly, Ye Xiao immediately looked at him with disdain: "You don't even know this! It's called Qing An Ning San! It's all the rage now. It cures illnesses and keeps you healthy. Many nobles and high-ranking officials use it! Especially women, I heard it can make their skin soft and beautiful... You bumpkin!" With that, he picked up his tea and strode away.

Huang Tingfeng, who always prided himself on his romantic nature, was so upset by this ridicule that he couldn't eat for several meals. If his father hadn't insisted on keeping Ye Xiao alive, he might have already skinned him alive. He was thinking about how to get back at Ye Xiao and retaliate. Unfortunately, no matter how much he showed off some of the trendy gadgets in the capital, Ye Xiao ignored him completely, not even glancing at him, which infuriated him.

Ye Xiao picked up her teacup again and leisurely went to Luo Qingcheng, who was leaning weakly against the wall, to offer him comfort. Huang Tingfeng angrily poured himself a large cup of tea and gulped it down.

A burning sensation shot from the tip of his tongue straight up to his abdomen, making him almost jump. He stuck out his tongue, took a difficult breath, and looked at the teapot suspiciously. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he abruptly looked up at the culprit. The latter had already scrambled up from the corner and was watching him with schadenfreude.

"You! You lied to me..." Huang Tingfeng scratched his chest in pain, as if a flame was burning there, threatening to burn his internal organs to ashes.

"It's okay... don't be afraid... you won't die... it's just like me a few days ago, vomiting and diarrhea, and your tongue is swollen and bruised... of course, you ate more than me, so your symptoms should be more severe..." The person not only gloated, but also winked and made faces with a smug look, which made Huang Tingfeng so angry that he almost fainted.

"But... how come you're fine after eating this every day for the past few days?" Huang Tingfeng couldn't understand it at all. He clutched his stomach in pain, his mind racing to recall the location of the outhouse.

Ye laughed heartily: "You see me putting 'Yi Qing An Ning San' in the tea every day, but when have you ever seen me drink it? Hehe..."

Huang Tingfeng shoved Ye Xiao aside and lunged towards the door, but it was too late. With a muffled thud, the room was filled with a foul stench. Huang Tingfeng, who was always extremely proud, couldn't help but blush and glared venomously at Ye Xiao: "Ye Xiao! Don't ever fall into my hands again! Otherwise, I'll make you wish you were dead!"

Hearing the sound, Luo Qingcheng, who was in the corner, suddenly opened his eyes and glared at Huang Tingfeng with eyes as sharp as knives.

Ye Xiaoge chuckled lightly: "Not shameful, not shameful. Everyone has to go to the bathroom sometimes..." With that, she playfully waved to Huang Tingfeng, helped up the limp and powerless Luo Qingcheng, and strode away.

Huang Tingfeng struggled to his feet, about to give chase, when his stomach growled again. Looking at his stained yellow brocade robe, he sighed inwardly, finally giving up. Clutching his rumbling stomach, he headed for the outhouse first…

Luo Qingcheng walked with difficulty, his steps light and heavy, when he suddenly spoke up: "Xiaoxiao... you gave him the itching powder, so why did you taste it yourself first?"

Ye Xiao smugly replied, "Firstly, I don't know what symptoms this will cause, so I can't be sure if my plan will work... Secondly, I want to make sure the dosage is right and won't kill anyone..."

Luo Qingcheng sighed: "Silly Xiaoxiao... How can you be sure you'll be alright after eating it? What if something happens to you first? Wouldn't that be a huge injustice? Never do anything so foolish again! Besides, Huang Tingfeng is narrow-minded, vindictive, and ruthless. Remember how many times he tried to kill us at Langjing Manor... We should eliminate such people completely. Why should we make sure he doesn't die? Silly Xiaoxiao..."

Ye chuckled, then suddenly looked up at Luo Qingcheng pitifully: "I don't want to kill anyone..."

Luo Qingcheng reached out and gently stroked her head: "Then I'll do it... but you have to promise... never do anything so dangerous again... Actually, there are countless ways to escape, you must never be so reckless with yourself as you were this time..."

Ye Xiao cleverly retorted, "Actually, the herbalist said it wouldn't be fatal... I only took a little bit... I knew what I was doing..."

Luo Qingcheng's voice finally lost its patience: "Xiaoxiao! Hurry up and agree! I don't want to die with my eyes open!"

Ye Xiao stopped in her tracks, suddenly stunned. After a moment, she reached out and covered Luo Qingcheng's mouth: "Don't... don't mention that word... I don't believe it..."

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It was early winter, and darkness fell early. The north wind howled through the dense, dark forest, cutting like a knife across people's faces, as if it could draw blood. Because they had to avoid Huang Tingfeng, Ye Xiao and Luo Qingcheng had to avoid the main roads and travel through the desolate mountains and wilderness.

It was noticeably colder in the mountains than in the town. Ye Xiao, hunched over and holding a torch, led the way. Luo Qingcheng followed behind, drowsy and panting heavily.

"Right here." Ye Xiao breathed desperately into his frozen fingers, barely managing to hold up the torch. Luo Qingcheng staggered forward. Yes, a cave. It provided shelter from the wind and rain, and was warmer than outside. He casually ran his hand across the cave wall; it was covered in a thick layer of soft, loose mud.

"I'll start a fire first... Xiaoxiao, go find some firewood." He turned to look at Ye Xiao, who was huddled up like a chicken caught by an eagle, and gave the order in a low voice.

Ye Xiao staggered out of the cave. When she gathered and chopped a large bundle of firewood and brought it back inside, a fire was already blazing, making the cave warm and cozy. What warmed her even more was that a glistening pheasant was roasting over the fire. On another stick were skewered large steamed buns they had bought on the road, already sliced and slowly roasting over the fire until they were golden brown.

Ye Xiao cheered and ran happily to the fire, adding a few more pieces of firewood, regaining his energy. "Did you get this pheasant? I want to eat it, I want to eat most of it!"

Luo Qingcheng leaned against the cave wall, slightly out of breath: "It took a lot of effort... to finally kill one. In the past, with my profound internal strength and precise aim, it wouldn't have taken long for you to have your fill..."

Ye Xiao tore off a fragrant slice of toasted bread, broke it into small pieces, and stuffed it into Luo Qingcheng's mouth. Luo Qingcheng chewed with difficulty, pausing occasionally to gasp for breath. Ye Xiao's smile slowly faded, her gaze sweeping over Luo Qingcheng's hand, which was swollen all over, its color turning somewhat purple. Pressing it gently left a deep indentation that took a long time to heal.

"At this rate, we won't reach Tiangong Valley even in three years," Ye Xiao said, somewhat dejected.

"We'll hire a car again in a couple of days," Luo Qingcheng said softly, seemingly too exhausted to walk any further.

Ye Xiao nodded worriedly, but then saw Luo Qingcheng suddenly turn around, take out the dagger, and start chiseling at the cave wall. He really didn't have much strength, so he would chisel a couple of times, then stop and pant.

"What are you doing?" Ye Xiao asked curiously. "Shall I help you?"

Luo Qingcheng looked at her gently: "I'll... chisel a small hole. I know exactly how big and deep it is. You should rest more and save your strength to move a big rock for me tomorrow..."

Moving stones? Ye Xiao looked at Luo Qingcheng with a puzzled expression. The latter was still busy working very seriously and had no intention of explaining to her.

"The chicken... is roasted. Eat it and get a good night's sleep. The tough days are yet to come," Luo Qingcheng reminded her, his hands never stopping.

Luo Qingcheng didn't sleep all night, and Ye Xiao could hear the intermittent sounds of him chiseling at the cave wall in his sleep. By morning, Luo Qingcheng had finally finished. When Ye Xiao went to check, he found a small, seemingly deep hole in the wall.

"Xiaoxiao, go and move a big rock..." Luo Qingcheng said in a low voice.

Ye Xiaoyi found a large rock, and Luo Qingcheng used vines to bend a flexible sapling facing the cave and fix it to the trunk of a large tree. Then he moved the large rock onto the sapling's crown.

Ye Xiao vaguely understood: "You're... setting a trap? You won't... take his life, will you..."

Luo Qingcheng gave a cold smile and remained silent.

The sun and moon over Tiangong Valley

Wuzhou is a small city, but because it is located on a major north-south transportation route, it is very bustling. As a transportation hub, there are car dealerships of all sizes everywhere.

Xingjian Carriage Company was the largest carriage company in the city. After Ye Xiao and Luo Qingcheng had eaten and drunk their fill, they wandered around the city for a good half hour before leisurely arriving at Xingjian Carriage Company.

"Because there's a patient... the carriage must be spacious, the driver must be skilled, and the ride should be as smooth as possible..." Ye Xiao earnestly listed his requirements. The carriage shop owner nodded repeatedly, showing great enthusiasm for this customer, and occasionally casting sympathetic glances at the panting middle-aged man beside Ye Xiao. He suspected the man suffered from asthma, a disease that flares up in winter. The owner's own father had died from it; on a freezing winter day, he remembered it was almost the end of the year, and his father hadn't made it...

"Soon?" The boss finally interjected, looking once again with pity at the wilted, cat-like Luo Qingcheng.

"No... in about three or four days..." the scrawny cat suddenly spoke, startling the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper suddenly realized that although the cat looked scrawny, its gaze was surprisingly sharp, as fierce as the north wind outside. The shopkeeper rubbed his eyes, thinking perhaps it was just his imagination...

The two left the car dealership and began a shopping spree. They bought a huge amount of food, household items, and drinks. "We must buy plenty of good wine...we must seize these last moments and enjoy ourselves to the fullest," Luo Qingcheng said casually.

Ye Xiao's eyes welled up with tears, but she forced back the bitterness and rolled her eyes fiercely. "Dream on! Don't think you can just shirk your responsibilities and do nothing! I'm your boss! How can you die without my permission?"

Luo Qingcheng smiled faintly: "I will make arrangements for my affairs... especially for you..." Before he could finish speaking, Ye Xiao pinched his mouth, and the human skin mask on his face suddenly deflated, strangely maintaining that shape for a long time.

The two delivered their belongings to the inn, paid for four days' stay, and went out again to find dinner. What was bound to happen eventually arrived as expected.

Despite being on his deathbed, Luo Qingcheng still keenly sensed a gust of wind behind him. He didn't dodge, but clumsily stepped in front of Ye Xiao, taking the kick head-on. Finally, exhausted, he and Ye Xiao fell heavily to the ground. Ye Xiao turned around and, unsurprisingly, saw Huang Tingfeng's handsome face, twisted with malice.

"Hehe! I searched high and low without finding you, but you just happened to come to me without any effort! I looked everywhere for you, but I couldn't find you! Luckily, I remembered that this ugly freak was poisoned and couldn't run fast, so he must still have to use a car. I thought of Wuzhou City, a transportation hub! Sure enough, I found you two swaggering around here!" As he spoke, he kicked Luo Qingcheng hard again.

Luo Qingcheng groaned, clutched his stomach, rolled on the ground, and was speechless for a long time.

"How about it? Do you still remember what I said? You've been teasing me all this time! I'm going to torture you until you wish you were dead!" Huang Tingfeng kicked Luo Qingcheng away from the ground, grabbed Ye Xiao from the ground, pinched her face, and gave her an evil and lewd smile.

"You're going to kill me?" Ye Xiao felt a chill run down her spine from his laughter, and fear crept into her eyes.

"Kill you? You've reminded me of something. My father ordered that you be spared. You can't be killed... you can only be humiliated..." He finished speaking with a lecherous smile and pinched her waist.

Ye Xiao struggled in vain, when she heard Luo Qingcheng roar, "Don't touch her!" and rush over, only to be slapped to the ground by Huang Tingfeng.

"Heh heh! I wasn't really interested in Miss Ye at first... but seeing how much you care about her, I suddenly got interested... How about this, I'll do it... what do you think? Double the fun, right..." Huang Tingfeng grabbed Ye Xiao, leaned down, and whispered wickedly in Luo Qingcheng's ear.

Luo Qingcheng lowered his head and sneered, then suddenly said, "Your father, Alliance Leader Huang, kept us alive for the Netherworld God Ring, didn't he?"

Huang Tingfeng was slightly taken aback, then suddenly turned his head, his pupils contracting: "So you really do know about the Netherworld God Ring!"

Luo Qingcheng didn't look up and continued, "I know where this thing is..."

Huang Tingfeng released Ye Xiao, leaned forward, and grabbed Luo Qingcheng's chin hard: "You brat! You think you can fool me?" His voice was obviously unsteady, and his gaze became fervent.

Luo Qingcheng smiled lazily: "I'll take you there and exchange her freedom."

Huang Tingfeng slapped Luo Qingcheng across the face: "Fine! I'll trust you this once! I doubt you can pull any tricks! If you're playing me for a fool, I'll go even further and ruin this little girl!"

"I hid this thing at the entrance of this cave, in that little hole in the wall..." Ye Xiao helped Luo Qingcheng along the way to the cave where they had stayed. Luo Qingcheng sat down, leaning heavily against a tree, panting heavily. Ye Xiao gently patted his back to help him catch his breath.

Huang Tingfeng suspiciously reached out. It was a winding little hole, just big enough for an arm, and quite deep. He almost had to stick his whole arm in before he could feel something. It was a cloth bag, just the right size to hold. He was delighted and grabbed the bag.

Seeing the expression on his face, Luo Qingcheng knew that he had succeeded. He quickly reached under the tree, pulled out the dagger that could cut through iron like mud, and swiftly cut the vines binding the sapling.

The flexible sapling sprang up with a bang, flinging the large rock on it into the air, which then hurtled straight towards Huang Tingfeng!

Huang Tingfeng was startled. He initially wanted to pull his hand away and jump back, but he had already grabbed the treasure wrapped in cloth. Driven by greed, he wanted to retrieve it first, unaware that Luo Qingcheng had already anticipated this. The small hole was deep, winding, and very narrow; it was already difficult for him to enter empty-handed, and with something in his hand, his arm got stuck when he tried to pull it out. Huang Tingfeng's heart tightened, and he immediately exerted all his strength, but still couldn't free his arm in time. Seeing the boulder about to crash down, he steeled himself and swiftly drew his sword!

Amidst Ye Xiao's scream, a thick cloud of blood mist rose into the sky. Huang Tingfeng cried out in agony as his right arm was severed from his body. Freed, he dared not slacken his guard, swiftly leaping to dodge a flying rock. He briefly lost consciousness due to blood loss and pain, but quickly regained it, gritted his teeth, pressed acupoints around his shoulder to stop the bleeding, mentally assessed the strength of both sides, and then staggered away.

"Chase him! Kill him!" Luo Qingcheng shouted at Ye Xiao, and charged out first. He hadn't taken two steps when he swayed and collapsed like a sack, losing consciousness...

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When Luo Qingcheng woke up, he was already in a speeding carriage. Surprisingly, a brazier was lit inside, making it warm and cozy. He laboriously turned his head, looked around, and finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Ye Xiao busy at work.

"Xiaoxiao... Is Huang Tingfeng dead?" He weakly got up, but was quickly pushed down by Ye Xiao.

"Don't move, I warmed up some fish soup for you... You've been asleep for a long time, the fish soup has gotten cold, and it will smell fishy if you reheat it..."

Luo Qingcheng shut his mouth. It seemed Ah Huang was incredibly lucky to be alive… Actually, he didn't believe Xiaoxiao could kill anyone; at most, she could only crush an ant. However, Luo Qingcheng hesitated painfully. Did Xiaoxiao make this fish soup? If so, should he drink it?

The carriage jolted heavily, and he couldn't help but groan. Ye Xiaofei quickly came over to support him and helped him into a comfortable position.

“Xiaoxiao…” Luo Qingcheng said softly, “I’ve known you for so long, but I’ve never let you see my real face. I don’t want you to die without ever knowing what I look like…” As he spoke, he reached out and removed his mask, saying gently, “Xiaoxiao… actually I…”

Ye Xiao's gaze swept quickly across his face, a slight tremor passing over her, before returning to the bowl in her hand: "Don't talk about life and death, it's all so unlucky... drink the soup first." With that, she slowly scooped a bowl of soup with the copper spoon and handed it to him.

"Xiaoxiao." Luo Qingcheng's gentle gaze fell on Ye Xiao again. "I have something I want to tell you. If I don't say it now, I'm afraid I'll never have the chance again..." Suddenly, she froze, seeing her reflection in the copper spoon. Her face was swollen and bluish-purple, like a punctured eggplant. She swallowed the rest of her words.

"What?" Ye Xiao looked at him eagerly.

Luo Qingcheng gave a sorrowful smile, his rotten eggplant-like face contorting slightly in a grimace. "It's nothing. I'm just sad that you'll never see my true face again... When you see me in the afterlife, you won't recognize me..."

Ye Xiao comforted him, "It's okay. I'll find the ugliest ghost, and that will be you..."

Luo Qingcheng said, both amused and exasperated, "Xiaoxiao, is this how you comfort me?"

Ye Xiao finally fed him a spoonful of fish soup: "But that won't happen. You won't die, I know."

This time, Luo Qingcheng didn't spoil the mood, and for the first time ever, he didn't complain about Ye Xiao's cooking skills. In fact, his sense of taste seemed to have become numb, and he could no longer taste hot, cold, salty, or bland flavors.