The dog from the Zhu residence was ultimately saved and brought back. It curled up in its kennel, whimpering, looking extremely pitiful.
After some reflection, Zhu Zhang felt a lingering fear. Fortunately, he didn’t consume the fish; otherwise, what would have happened?
To prevent such misfortune from happening again, he specifically brought expensive supplements to find Jiang Shenglin. He hinted indirectly, hoping that Palace Master Li would refrain from taking his young master wandering around randomly, and especially avoid eating random things.
Jiang Shenglin was actually reflecting on why he had expectations that Li Sui could “enjoy sightseeing and playing in the mountains properly.” The more he thought about it, the more unreasonable it seemed. So, he readily agreed, “Okay, sure, no problem.”
Zhu Zhang was still not reassured, so he added: “If Palace Master Li really needs someone to accompany him on outings, just speak up. We’ll pay for it. Whether it’s a few dozen or a hundred silver, or even more, it’s no problem.”
Thinking of Li Sui’s face, Jiang Shenglin felt that maybe not many people would be willing to earn extra money by accompanying him.
However, Zhu Zhang was confident, There would be people. I’ve already inquired about it. There is no shortage of dead warriors willing to risk their lives in the Jianghu. As long as the silver is sufficient, everything else is not a problem. Please rest assured, Divine Doctor Jiang.
Jiang Shenglin: “…”
Has it already reached such a tragic and solemn extent?
Li Sui, however, had no time to bother with the Zhu Family’s affairs. He revisited the Weeping Willow Academy and inspected the vacant room again. The floor of the empty room was made of thick wood planks, appearing seamless but in reality filled with hidden mechanisms. Each piece was connected to another, and if one were to pry open a section without being adept at mechanisms, it might cause a cascade effect, resulting in a large portion collapsing with a “clatter”.
The nominal owner of the Willow Academy was a wealthy man named Zhang Shen, a medicinal herb merchant from Baitou City with actual dealings with the Shangru Mountain Villa. However, he had passed away two months ago. His household was currently in chaos, with a large group of sons and nephews scrambling to seize the family property. The mansion was in a mess, with disputes over the inheritance taking precedence over legitimate business. They had no time to manage the academy outside the city that didn’t generate income, but only seeks elegance and prestige.
Jiang Shenglin said, “If the Weeping Willow Academy is indeed related to the Shangru Mountain Villa and Du Yafeng, and they know you are in Fengming Mountain, they should remain silent and hide first. Why do they still enter and exit the secret passage on time? What exactly is hidden there?”
“It’s hard to say,” replied Li Sui. “I originally wanted to go in and take a look, but those two servants are extremely cautious. They cover their backs each time they activate the mechanism, making it impossible to discern the key. However, judging from the food box they carry, there is at least one living person down there.”
After pondering for a moment, Jiang Shenglin suddenly asked, “Do you still think that Second Young Master Zhu is related to the Demonic Cult?”
Li Sui probably thought of the half-eaten fish, his face darkened as he let out a cold snort.
Jiang Shenglin knew him well.. Seeing his expression, which seemed to imply annoyance even towards the dog, it was likely that everything was fine. So he continued, “If you don’t think he’s related to the Chi Tian, you might as well ask him about the mechanisms. Perhaps he’s seen them described in some ancient book.”
Li Sui frowned: “What if he doesn’t know?”
Jiang Shenglin was taken aback by the question and responded with bewilderment, If he doesn’t know, then he doesn’t know. If he doesn’t, we’ll just have to think of another way. Otherwise, will you go and kill someone else?
Li Sui: “….”
That night.
Zhu Yanyin was lying on the bed reading a book. When he heard the door creak, he quickly stuffed the “Secret History of the Qingyun Gang” he was holding under the blanket.
Zhu Xiaosui peeked in and gestured that everything was fine. It wasn’t the steward; it was Divine Doctor Jiang.
Zhu Yanyin breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Shenglin came with a diagram of a mechanism.
Zhu Yanyin took it and glanced, “This is the Heavenly Craft Knot.”
Jiang Shenglin: “…Why so fast? How about taking another look?”
Zhu Yanyin replied, “Looking at the method of fitting these wooden clasps, it’s indeed a Heavenly Craft Knot. No need for another look.”
Jiang Shenglin: “To be honest, this is what Palace Master Li wanted to ask for.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Hearing this, Zhu Yanyin’s body stiffened. I think I can take another look.
Coafg j oeii ralmx bo lcmfcrf alwf, la kjr mbcolgwfv atja atlr kjr lcvffv j Lfjnfcis Jgjoa Bcba.
Aljcu Vtfcuilc jrxfv, “Jjc sbe ecibmx la?”
“Tfr.” Ite Tjcslc rafqqfv vbkc ogbw atf yfv lc rboa rtbfr, abbx j cfk qlfmf bo qjqfg, jcv wfalmeiberis vgfk atf vlrjrrfwyifv wfmtjclrw obg tlw. Pa abbx atgff oeii rtffar ab liieragjaf, lcaglmjafis vfajlilcu atf lcafgibmxlcu qjgar, lcaglmjaf jcv mbwqifz.
Jiang Shenglin was astonished, “Is this just one of the links?”
“Yes,” Zhu Yanyin said, “Heavenly Craft Knots generally have three layers. But once you learn how to dismantle one, the rest are the same, not difficult.”
Jiang Shenglin thought, “This is not considered difficult? Just looking at it makes my head ache.” At the same time, he was filled with doubts. Although he guessed that Zhu Yanyin might have read ancient books on mechanisms, being able to draw it out in such detail shouldn’t be as simple as just “reading.” So, he asked, “How did you become so familiar with ancient mechanisms?”
Zhu Yanyin replied that during the time when he had just lost his memory and had nothing to do, he often went to the library and remembered what he read.
Jiang Shenglin was surprised, “You can remember it just by reading it once?”
Zhu Yanyin was even more surprised, “Otherwise, what else?”
Jiang Shenglin: “…”
No, nothing, nothing else.
The brilliance of the Zhu family in Jiangnan is dazzling.
He brought those three large sheets of paper back.
Li Sui glanced over them roughly, “Tsk, so that’s how it is.”
Jiang Shenglin: “Can you understand it?”
Li Sui: “Can’t you?”
Jiang Shenglin: “…”
Damn it.
Li Sui pointed to a small clasp, “Can’t see clearly. Is this section a carrying pole or an old tobacco pipe?”
Jiang Shenglin was puzzled. What are you saying? Do I look like an old tobacco pipe to you?
Li Sui was disdainful: “Didn’t you ask him clearly when he was drawing?”
Jiang Shenglin answered, “I did ask, but I didn’t understand.”
From attempting to understand to giving up on the spot, it probably took two or three sentences. Always feeling like it was self-inflicted humiliation, I felt it might be better to keep quiet.
Li Sui shook his head, rolled up the drawings on the table, “Forget it, I’ll go ask in person.”
“Wait a moment!” Jiang Shenglin grabbed him, “It’s the dead of night. What if you scare the person again? Wait overnight. Tomorrow, I’ll figure out a way to bring Young Master Zhu over for you.” Also, to avoid the steward blabbering again, he might end up spending a fortune to hire dead warriors, and his head might go bald.
Li Sui was displeased: “I don’t want to waste time.”
Jiang Shenglin argued: “Scaring Young Master Zhu unconscious would be an even bigger waste of time, wouldn’t it?”
Li Sui: “…”
That makes sense too.
However, on second thought, how to persuade Zhu Yanyin is also a problem that Jiang Shenglin has been rehearsing in his mind for a long time. The next afternoon, after finishing his diagnosis at the Zhu Mansion, he very carefully took out a dart from his sleeve. It was rough and simple, and the blade had been deliberately dulled, making it perfect for holding and playing with.
Zhu Yanyin was puzzled: “What is this?”
Jiang Shenglin said, “It’s from Palace Master Li, he asked me to bring it to you, saying it’s to lift your spirits.”
Zhu Yanyin quickly withdrew his hand with a “swish”.
Jiang Shenglin hurriedly added: “Consider it a reward for deciphering the mechanical diagram.”
Zhu Yanyin: “…”
Jiang Shenglin continued: “This dart is called Cold Soul, it’s nearly lost to the world in the martial arts community.”
Having read weapon manuals, Zhu Yanyin recalled that this was the second-ranked hidden weapon. Naturally curious, his gaze couldn’t help but drift upward.
Jiang Shenglin seized the opportunity to put the dart in his hand and said, “Palace Master Li still doesn’t understand a few parts of the structure of Heavenly Craft Knot, so I’d like to invite you to discuss it at the inn. How about we set off now?”
Zhu Yanyin: “?”
Jiang Shenglin cajoled and deceived, coercing and using “going out for a change of scenery” as an excuse, he managed to deceive both Zhu Zhang and Zhu Xiaosui, forcefully placing the Second Young Master Zhu onto the carriage.
Zhu Yanyin felt like crying but had no tears. Is there still time to escape back to Jiangnan now? Elder brother, please save me!
Li Sui booked the entire inn, leaving only a few waiters and cooks, making the environment very quiet.
Jiang Shenglin led Zhu Yanyin upstairs, but the room was empty.
Young Master Zhu felt relieved, turned around to make a quick exit, Thank you very much, goodbye!
As a result, he happened to fall into Li Sui’s arms at the entrance, appearing to be quite lively and eager, almost as if he were throwing himself at him. Well, it’s like those scheming enchantresses in the novels, always acting like this.
“Ah!” Zhu Yanyin was dizzy from the collision.
Li Sui: “…”
Jiang Shenglin looked at Palace Master Li in his loose black robe, with his chest partially exposed and his long hair still dripping water in a charming style. He couldn’t understand. I told I would bring Young Master Zhu over tonight. Why didn’t you stay indoors waiting? Instead, you went out for a bath?
Li Sui couldn’t be bothered to say much. He lifted the person in his arms and placed him on a chair, then spread out the schematic diagram of the mechanism. “What’s this?” he asked.
Zhu Yanyin’s nose was still sore, tears welled up in his eyes as he glanced weakly, and he answered softly, “Blood Swallow Rushing to the Waning Moon.”
Li Sui asked again, “And here?”
Zhu Yanyin answered, “Silver Grass Piercing through the Water Cave.”
“Here?”
“Pig Head doesn’t understand.”
Jiang Shenglin, who had been eavesdropping nearby, exclaimed, “Hey!”
Zhu Yanyin probably realized what was happening and explained, saying the mechanism is named ‘Pig Head doesn’t understand.’
The corner of Li Sui’s mouth lifted imperceptibly. Although he didn’t make a sound, for someone who was usually expressionless and a killer, this could already be considered as a loud, mocking laughter without mercy.
Jiang Shenglin, infuriated, left the room, saying he was going to sleep.
Li Sui nodded, “I’ve remembered it.”
Zhu Yanyin: “Hmm.”
The room fell into silence.
The candle flame flickered delicately.
Zhu Yanyin stole a glance and observed that Li Sui still had his clothes open, his belt hanging loose, and his black hair slightly damp, casually scattered and draped over his somewhat pale skin. His gaze was lowered, murmuring as if silently reciting the diagram of the mechanism. Surprisingly, his eyelashes were a bit long, with their tips tinged with the golden glow of lamplight, slightly softening his aura of a ruthless killer.
“What are you looking at?”
Zhu Yanyin was startled.
Li Sui raised his head and asked again, “What are you looking at?”
Zhu Yanyin’s Adam’s apple rolled; feeling that a straightforward answer like “I’m looking at you” would be somewhat rune and make him sound foolish, he quickly came up with an excuse: “When you mentioned the head of the Qingyun Sect going astray in his martial arts, was it related to me?”
Li Sui: “Unrelated.”
Zhu Yanyin: “Oh!”
After a while, Li Sui couldn’t help it and asked first, “Don’t you find it amusing how Lu Qing turned himself into a cripple while practicing martial arts?”
Zhu Yanyin and he exchanged confused glances. What was the funny point in this?
Li Sui: “…”
Zhu Yanyin: “Hahaha, hahaha, hahaha, hahaha.”
Zhu Yanyin: “So funny.”
Li Sui, enraged, grabbed his face maliciously.
Second Young Master Zhu felt like crying again. Neither laughter nor tears seemed appropriate. It’s so difficult to serve you demonic overlords.
Let me go home!
Me after this chapter: “Hahaha, hahaha, hahaha, hahaha.”
Spoiler Alert for Second Young Master Zhu:
After a few months, your family will come looking out to bring you back home, but you will be in the arms of Palace Master Li clamoring not to go back.
🤣🤣🤣🤣😉😉😉
Ja ja ja Thanks for the chapter
Thank you😅
Thank you for the update🌺