Thick clouds floated overhead, the sunlight began to thin, but the wind was cold, as if it could blow into one's heart.
This time I ran into a tough one, and I had no confidence in being able to save my own life. The Three Mountain Master pulled my hand and dragged me into the village. Ling Qian saw my face change instantly, rushed to me, raised her hand, and punched me in the abdomen. This woman was really practiced, and her strength was not small. The muscles that were hit were sore, and I grimaced with a few shouts.
"Dare to mess with my affairs, I'll kill you!"
While speaking, Ling Qian had already placed the dagger in her hand on my neck. The cold blade fell into the throat, just a light stroke would immediately cause a cut, but at this moment, the Three Mountain Master held Ling Qian's wrist and smiled, "Sister, it's not the time yet."
Actually, Ling Qian's personality was quite wild. Even if she liked to dress up like a lady, she was not hesitant at all when it came to killing. But at this point, she obediently put her hand back, in my opinion, it seemed like the Three Mountain Master could really control her.
"We need to talk in private, I have something to discuss with you."
The head of Sanshan Mountain took me into a nearby room, closed the door, and we were the only ones in the room. He sat across from me, still looking calm and without any trace of excitement.
But just like the calm before a storm, there was an undercurrent brewing, and I became even more cautious.
As soon as I sat down, I immediately said, "Big brother, there was a misunderstanding between me and your sister this time, but luckily no one was hurt. I didn't do anything to your sister, so can we just settle this matter amicably?"
Sanshan Mountain poured himself a bowl of water, sat across from me, crossed his legs, and lightly tapped the table with his fingers. I looked at him nervously, but he remained silent, as if pondering something. An invisible pressure fell on me, and I was wondering whether I should bring up Li Dunzhu, but finally, Sanshan Mountain spoke after taking a sip of water.
"Li Dunzhu told me that you went to a temple in Shanghai, discovered an underground space, and almost died inside. Is that true?"
To my surprise, he brought up the matter of Xuanming Temple. I hesitated a little, but there was no need to hide this, even though I didn't want it to spread. Obviously, there were treasures in the underground cave of Xuanming Temple. Although the three of us couldn't handle it, if the news got out, there were many experts in the underworld who could come to Shanghai. Xuanming Temple would definitely be turned upside down, and neither I nor Fatty would benefit. Therefore, I always wanted to keep it under wraps. However, since Sanshan Mountain asked, he must have already known about it. Even if I denied it, it would be useless. So, I boldly admitted, "Yes, there is an ancient temple called Xuanming Temple in Shanghai. There is a cave underground where we encountered some strange things, but I'm not sure if there are any treasures."
It was the truth. Sanshan Mountain smiled again, and each time he smiled, he was inscrutable, as if his face were a mask behind which something was hidden, but I couldn't figure out what it was.
"Your name is Ba Xiaoshan, right?" he asked.
I nodded, and he continued, "The relationship you have with my sister is not deep, but it's not shallow either. Our Ling family has some reputation in the underworld, and my sister is the treasure of our family. Offending her is like slapping our Ling family. Think about how serious that is."
I thought to myself that I couldn't exaggerate the situation, otherwise, it would only get worse. But obviously, Master Ling had no intention of resolving the matter.
"Big brother, we can't put it this way. It was my fault, but it was also to save someone. Maybe you..."
Before I could finish, Ling Feng raised his hand as if impatiently and shouted, "Kid, let me tell you one thing. In this underworld, nobody cares about right or wrong, black or white. The only thing that matters, the only thing, is that whoever has the strongest fist has the authority."
I lowered my head like an apprentice, unwilling in my heart, but with Fatty still being held at gunpoint outside and my elderly parents at home needing my support, I had to succumb to the situation.
"However, although this situation is serious, it doesn't mean it can't be resolved," he said, changing his tone, as if offering me a way out. But I was not naive; this kind of talk was definitely a trap, and it was a trap that I had no choice but to fall into.
"Promise to help me with two things, and if you do, I will let you and your friend go. If you don't, you might not survive today."
"I agree," I responded quietly.
"The first thing is, after this matter is settled, return to Shanghai. At that time, I will send over some capable people to help. You will then serve as bait to lure out the monsters from under the old temple. And all the things you find under that temple must belong to me."
I knew that his mention of Xuanming Temple was not a good sign. He wanted to use me as bait, which was not only dangerous but would also leave me with nothing in the end. Despite my reluctance, I was forced to nod in agreement.
"What about the second thing?" I asked.
"If you manage to come out of the old temple alive, then you will qualify to know the content of the second thing."
He didn't reveal much, but I couldn't help but think that I could just find a place to hide for a while. He might find me, but surely he wouldn't dare to harm me in a big city. I might be able to avoid this trouble with caution. However, ultimately, I was too young. As I was thinking this, Ling Feng took out a small jar from his pocket. The jar was about the size of a beer mug, made of wood, and had some strange patterns carved on it.
As I was wondering, he suddenly reached out and grabbed my collar, pulling me towards him. Then he pressed his two fingers against my neck, and I immediately struggled to breathe, as if something was blocking my nose, and I couldn't speak. I tried to push him away, but he took out some dark stuff from a wooden jar and forcefully stuffed it into my mouth.
After releasing his grip, I swallowed it, then coughed repeatedly.
"What did you make me eat?" I shouted with a flushed face.
He lifted the wooden jar and said softly, "This contains a poisonous insect called 'Black Shen,' prepared by a sorcerer near the Dian-Mian region. When this insect is swallowed, it is digested by stomach acid and releases black poisonous gas, which quickly penetrates the internal organs and stabilizes."
"Are you trying to poison me?" I asked in amazement.
"Only if you fail to do what I ask, or if you try to escape, would you be poisoned. The 'Black Shen' generally takes effect in two months, so from now on, you have two months to live. The antidote is currently only available with me, unless you take the risk to find help in Dian-Mian, but be sure to calculate your time and not die on the way."
This kind of plot from a movie novel seemed to be happening to me for real. I furrowed my brow as the Lord of Sanshan put away the wooden jar and said, "I know what you're thinking. Perhaps I have deliberately deceived you, and maybe there is no such thing as 'Black Shen' poison. Unfortunately, I can only tell you that in my eyes, you are just a pawn with some utility. If it weren't for your capability to be my bait, you would be worth less to me than my poisonous insects. The method of verification is simple, after you return to Shanghai, ask Han, a senior from the Zhengyi School, and you'll know."
After that, he slowly walked to the door, opened it, and the clouds floated by, revealing the sun once again. He turned and looked at me, and said coldly, "Welcome to this cruel world."
As a strong wind blew, he turned and walked away. Then I heard the high voice of Lingqian shouting, "Get ready, this time my brother will lead the team to hunt down the mysterious giant. After supply replenishment, we'll set off. Don't just stand around, let them go!"
I turned around, remembering a sentence the chubby boy's grandfather used to tell us when he told us stories.
"What is the scariest thing in the world? It is the human heart. Some people are the true monsters who eat people without spitting out bones."