I didn't talk back, not because I didn't dare, but because I felt guilty. I had indeed shown cowardice just now, embarrassing! But if I hadn't acted that way, I might have ended up like that hunting dog, no different in the eyes of that terrifying giant.
"Get off!"
Fatty pulled Ling Qian behind him, then stood beside me and said, "My brother doesn't have your skills, and you call him a coward? Don't you know what strategic shift is? The great Chairman Mao even crossed the Chishui River four times, and our Red Army martyrs had fought guerilla warfare! Blindly rushing into things, does that mean our motherland won't be liberated?"
Fatty's words came one after another, and Ling Qian glared at him, then said, "Let's talk about this later."
Turning away, she left. The hunter who had lost his hunting dog looked sad, but the others all had a relieved look on their faces, with a lingering sense of terror.
Ling Qian remained silent on the way back, and Fatty walked beside me. Seeing that I was also silent, he patted my shoulder and said softly, "Don't listen to that woman's nonsense, I think you were not wrong. A fool is someone who doesn’t retreat when they can't win!"
I reluctantly nodded, and when we returned to the village entrance, we saw a smaller off-road vehicle parked next to our Beijing 212 from a distance. Fatty took a look and said, "It's the Soviet-made Lada Niva, I've only seen one or two in Shanghai, but how can it be here in these deep mountains?"
Lada Niva is a direct translation from Russian. It is an early Soviet off-road vehicle that once competed with the Beijing 212 for a period of time and was considered a relatively good car during our younger days.
This is a deep mountain forest. Let alone a car with four wheels, you rarely even see a bicycle. Today, another one has come, seems like it's not a good thing.
"Here comes the competition for business."
After dropping these words, Ling Qian walked forward with a stern face. Sure enough, as soon as she entered the village, she saw four men in black clothes talking to the village chief. Three of the men looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, while the one talking to the village chief was a middle-aged man of about forty. This man should be the leader, wearing glasses, and looking polite.
Our appearance immediately attracted the attention of the people opposite. The three young men habitually placed their hands on their waists, looking vigilant.
"Welcome back, welcome back."
The village chief smiled as soon as he saw us, quickly walked over, and the men next to him also came to us.
"These few are also here to help our village deal with evil spirits and ghosts, they are colleagues with you. Haha..."
Even without the village chief saying it, I knew it. The middle-aged man with glasses slowly walked up to us with a faint smile on his face, but this time, I saw his full face clearly. Unlike his genteel profile, the other half of his face had a distinct scar running from the corner of his eye to the corner of his mouth.
His originally genteel demeanor instantly turned fierce. This smiling guy was definitely not someone to mess with!
"Hello, I am Qin Qianqiu from Xiangyang. How do you address yourselves?"
He introduced himself, we, including Pounds and myself, were not familiar with the industry, but upon hearing his name, Ling Qian's expression changed slightly, becoming more vigilant between her eyebrows.
"You are the Earth Dragon Qin Qianqiu from Xiangyang?"
"Earth Dragon" is a nickname, but unlike the nicknames casually given in martial arts novels, the nicknames in the business of exorcising ghosts and catching demons are given by others. In other words, someone with a nickname in this circle must have some standing.
"Do you know me, little girl?"
Qin Qianqiu asked with a smile.
"Xiangyang has three dragons, Earth Dragon, Sea Dragon, and Stone Dragon, referring to three capable figures in Xiangyang. I have long heard of the Earth Dragon Qin Qianqiu. It is rumored that after mastering the San Yang Gong techniques at Wutai Mountain, you descended the mountain into the world and once stole the Ming Water Stone of Tianhuang Mountain. You have also caught wind demons in the area of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and have gained quite a reputation. Now, you are a well-known figure in this circle..."
Ling Qian indeed knew him. Pounds and I, though not entirely understanding, also felt that this guy was not easy to deal with.
"Oh? May I ask the names of the young lady and the others?"
Qin Qianqiu asked again.
"I am Ling Qian, the inheritor of the Kunyu Sect, and a cultivator of the Yuyang Yin technique. My brother is the main pillar of the Three Mountains..."
Ling Qian reported her brother's nickname. It was strange that she had not mentioned her brother's name during the journey. According to the words of Pearl, her brother was also a famous master. Why didn't she show off having a formidable brother previously? It seems that today she mentioned it to suppress the other party.
"Oh? You are the sister of the Lord of the Three Mountains. I am truly sorry, I have long admired the Lord of the Three Mountains. I was actually planning to pay a visit to him after finishing this business, but I didn’t expect to meet his sister here first."
Qin Qianqiu seemed unmoved. Ling Qian's expression became more difficult, suddenly bringing up the subject, saying, "We have taken on this business. If Earth Dragon is willing to withdraw, I would be very grateful."
Qin Qianqiu did not immediately respond, his gaze shifted from Ling Qian to Pounds and myself. After looking at me with no significant reaction, he then looked at Pounds, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but then shook his head and said, "This business may not be achievable with the two newcomers you have brought."
He actually saw through that I and Pounds were newcomers at a single glance. His vision was quite sharp! Pounds was about to shout, but Ling Qian stopped him from speaking, then continued, "Whether using Zhang Liang's tactics or crossing the wall ladders, we each have our own methods. However, if two groups are competing for a business, it is likely that it will end up in a quarrel. If something happens to me, my brother probably won't take it well…"
Ling Qian made it clear that she was threatening Qin Qianqiu, wanting to use her brother to pressure him. Qin Qianqiu's face turned somewhat unsightly, seeming displeased, and he leaned in closer to Ling Qian, saying, "I, Qin, have been in this business for so long, and I have never been afraid of anyone. Success in business goes to the worthy. I don't want to back down, and you don't want to leave, it's simple! Whoever is capable will make money!"
The competitive relationship was finally brought to light at this moment, and Ling Qian's threat was useless, but instead it only angered the other party.
"Little sister, I have a word for you," Qin Qianqiu said with a smile on his face, but a hint of wickedness in his eyes, "In the martial world, there are many false reputations. Don't be too arrogant..."
After speaking, he turned around with a few other people and walked towards another direction in the village. From start to finish, I and Fatty did not say a word. Ling Qian clenched her fists, but it was obvious that she had no way to deal with Qin Qianqiu.
"Let's go back first."
Ling Qian led the way to the barn where we were staying. In the afternoon, we sat inside the barn, and after looking at me and Fatty, Ling Qian said, "I'll give you some advice, don't get involved in this matter. Even if the Earth Dragon doesn't come, I was already thinking, but now that a formidable enemy is ahead and a mysterious creature is behind, this business is not as easy as you think. With your skills and abilities, it's better not to get involved in this mess, go back to Shanghai quickly. I will find someone else to help..."
"Damn, what do you mean? Look down on us?" Fatty cursed discontentedly.
"Huh, it's not that I look down on you. Today, when Qin Qianqiu heard my brother's name, he already had the intention of backing off, but when he saw you two, he knew you were novices and that's why he became arrogant. Judging from the sudden appearance of the giant today, this business is no longer as simple as a malicious apparition. You'd better go back. Just as you said before, it's not embarrassing to shift strategy. It's not embarrassing to leave now either."
Ling Qian wanted us to leave, and Fatty was naturally unwilling. After coming all this way and not getting anything in the end, and being looked down upon by a girl like this, he was not happy, but since he had no ability, he could only shake his head and remain silent.
"What's your attitude?" Ling Qian asked me.
I slowly stood up, walked to the table, and after thinking for a moment, I said, "I admit that I was afraid before, but momentary fear doesn't mean I'm a coward. I know that the guy Qin Qianqiu looked down on me today, and that's what I hate the most. I won't leave, even if I die in these mountains, I won't leave."
I was born stubborn, and this is a trait that I cannot change. Ling Qian looked at me somewhat surprised, she didn't expect me to suddenly become so determined.
"Don't bother with nonsense, I don't want to hear it. I'll take care of my own life and won't blame you if I end up dead." After a pause, I continued, "You first take a look at the origin of these black stones..."
As I spoke, I opened my hand, and a few black stones fell onto the table.