劍問蒼天 - 第89章 好人野狗 - 翰墨軒

A smear of mud still clung to Zhou Yixuan's forehead, but his bearing was now altogether different. Hands clasped behind his back, face haughty, he said, "Your grandpa has roamed the world his whole life; he's crossed more bridges than you've walked roads. Did you think I'd lived in vain? This monster is called a 'fish-man.' It's not truly a demon beast, but one of the sixty-three strange tribes of the hundred thousand wild mountains of the southern border—the Fish-Man Tribe."

Ming Li and the others were taken aback. Everyone knew of the hundred thousand wild mountains of the southern border, of course, but that the wild lands of the south should hold sixty-three strange tribes—this they had never heard. Yet Zhou Yixuan's manner showed he was not speaking idly.

Jin Pingyue frowned. "Then that's strange. The southern border is no less than ten thousand li from this Dead Marsh. What is this fish-man doing here?"

The question stumped Zhou Yixuan, who had been so smug a moment before. He scratched his head and had to say, "That I don't know."

The gathering fell silent for a moment. Seeing that no further thought would yield an answer, Ming Li turned first and walked away. The monkey Xiao Hui, perched on his shoulder, suddenly turned his head, waved at Xiaowan, and grinned.

Xiaowan smiled back.

The wild dog glanced at Xiaowan, then followed. But he had gone only a few steps when Xiaowan's voice called from behind, "Daoist, there's much danger ahead—be careful!"

Jin Pingyue was startled and looked at Xiaowan, who only smiled faintly, her expression unchanged. As for the Wild Wolf Daoist ahead, he was walking very fast; whether he had heard or was pretending not to, he did not turn his head, but quickened his pace to catch up with Ming Li.

Qin Wujiu glanced in the direction Ming Li had gone, then walked over to Jin Pingyue and smiled. "Immortal Jin's 'Purple Radiance Blade' is famed throughout the world. Seeing it today, the reputation is well deserved."

Jin Pingyue smiled faintly. "Young Master Qin flatters me. How could I compare with you? A little poison casually applied, and this pond is turned into a poison pool where not a blade of grass will grow for fifty years."

Qin Wujiu's gaze sharpened, and his expression seemed to grow colder. He regarded Jin Pingyue for a moment before speaking slowly: "This little poison of mine, 'Duckweed,' has been in development barely half a year. It was always a trifling trick, hardly worthy of an expert's notice, and I have never once used it. That you, Fairy Jin, should know of it—truly, I am impressed. Impressed indeed!"

Jin Pingyue met his gaze without the slightest hint of yielding. "Young Master Qin flatters me."

Qin Wujiu looked at her again, a chill light flashing through his eyes, before a smile surfaced on his face once more. He nodded and said, "In that case, I shall take my leave first. As for what we agreed upon..."

Jin Pingyue cut him off. "Rest assured, I know how to handle that matter."

Qin Wujiu gave a faint smile, nodded to Xiao Wan in farewell, and turned to go, soon vanishing into the distant thin mist.

Even after Qin Wujiu's figure had disappeared, Jin Pingyue remained silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a long breath.

Standing behind her, Xiao Wan felt almost at the same instant that Jin Pingyue's body had been taut all along, only now relaxing.

"Sister, are you all right?" Xiao Wan asked, a note of worry in her voice.

Jin Pingyue shook her head slightly, glanced at Xiao Wan, and said softly, "I didn't get here in time just now—you weren't hurt, were you?"

Xiao Wan smiled and shook her head. "I'm fine. It's just that when it rained earlier, I got a bit soaked, but luckily there was... oh no!"

Jin Pingyue was taken aback. "What is it?"

Xiao Wan stamped her foot. "I forgot to return the umbrella to that Daoist!"

Jin Pingyue shrugged. "Then keep it for now. If we meet again someday, you can return it then."