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墨書 Inktalez
Shi Jin looked closely at the words on the plaque, and his body stiffened involuntarily, his face changing dramatically! He felt a chill rising from his tailbone straight to the top of his head, and he couldn't help but take a few steps back.
Is this from Water Margin and Strange Tales?
"Bang!" His back collided with something.
Shi Jin turned his head and saw a person with disheveled hair standing behind him. In the backlight, the person's face was unclear, only two pairs of eyes glimmering faintly, grinning eerily at him.
Shi Jin's hair stood on end, and he let out a strange scream, kicking out with one foot and striking that person's chest.
"Ah!"
"Thud!"
The person let out a miserable cry and flew out, landing in the grass.
.......
Shi Xiu sat on the stone steps, covered in dirt and glaring fiercely at Shi Jin.
Shi Jin awkwardly sat on a nearby stone, forcing a smile. "Um, brother, I'm really sorry. I thought it was... a ghost."
Shi Xiu spat and coughed up a mouthful of blood phlegm before saying, "Nonsense! In broad daylight... cough cough... where would a ghost come from?"
Shi Jin rubbed his nose, feeling speechless inside. This scene was reminiscent of the classic opening from A Chinese Ghost Story; in his panic, he overreacted and kicked Shi Xiu, who had come out to greet him. Fortunately, he realized something was off at the last moment and pulled back his strength; otherwise, that kick could have sent Shi Xiu flying.
Shi Jin surveyed his surroundings; whether it was psychological or not, he still felt an eerie atmosphere in this temple. He frowned and said, "Why did you choose this place? You suddenly appeared behind me with your hair all over the place..."
Shi Xiu interrupted angrily, "The officers in the city are after me! How could I not hide far away? I already called out to you; who would have thought you’d just turn around and kick me!"
As he spoke, he became even more agitated and stood up, glaring at Shi Jin. "Do you really think I'm afraid of you? Come on, let's fight again!"
Shi Jin quickly took a step back, repeatedly waving his hands in apology. "Big brother, Shi Da Ge, it's all a misunderstanding! I truly didn't hear you; that kick was purely accidental." He had been focused on that plaque earlier and genuinely hadn't heard Shi Xiu calling him.
Shi Xiu saw that his tone was sincere and his posture was low, and his anger diminished slightly. He also knew he couldn't defeat him, so he snorted and sat back down.
Shi Jin noticed that he had calmed down a bit and moved closer to sit beside him.
Shi Xiu glanced at him sideways and asked in confusion, "Why did you just act like you saw a ghost?"
Shi Jin smiled awkwardly and still asked uneasily, "Did you see any strange people... or anything unusual here?"
Shi Xiu shook his head in bewilderment and said, "Nothing but some foxes and rats."
He then grew impatient and scolded, "Why are you being so indecisive and rambling on?"
Shi Jin didn't know how to explain to Shi Xiu, as he couldn't just say that this temple was a checkpoint from Strange Tales. He could only ask, "Why do you look like that?"
Shi Xiu replied sullenly, "Those dog officers were chasing me closely. I barely got rid of them, but I ended up all dirty, so I washed up in the puddle in front of the temple when you arrived."
Shi Jin thought to himself that it was no wonder this guy looked like a drowned ghost.
Just as Shi Xiu finished speaking, his stomach suddenly let out a loud rumble. He awkwardly asked, "Do you have any food on you?" He hadn't eaten a single grain of rice since morning and was extremely hungry.
Shi Jin didn't mind and said, "Wait a moment!" He got up to grab a package from the horse's back.
After opening it, he took out several oil-paper-wrapped flatbreads and a piece of cooked beef, handing them to Shi Xiu. He had guessed that Shi Xiu might be looking for him, so he brought some food along.
Shi Xiu was overjoyed and immediately began to wolf down the food. However, he ate too quickly and choked after just a few bites, his eyes bulging as he stretched his neck.
Shi Jin hurriedly handed him a water pouch and said, "Slow down while eating!" He patted his back to help him breathe easier.
After drinking several mouthfuls of water, Shi Xiu finally recovered. He let out a long sigh, looked at Shi Jin, felt a warmth in his heart, nodded, but his expression was complex.
When the two first met, they faced each other with hostility, leading to an unpleasant encounter. However, later on, Shi Jin risked his life to save him from danger. In a moment of desperation, Shi Xiu was the first to think of asking Shi Jin for help. To his surprise, Shi Jin actually came and even thoughtfully brought him food. Their interactions felt natural, as if they were old friends, and he himself did not find it strange; it was odd upon reflection.
He asked, "Brother Shi, we are strangers and I treated you harshly when we first met. Why do you continue to help me?"
Shi Jin found it difficult to answer; he couldn't just say that they were sworn brothers in a past life. He smiled and replied, "In this vast world, eating is the most important thing. You should eat your fill before we talk."
Shi Xiu shook his head and said, "I can't understand this; it's hard to swallow food right now!"
Shi Jin could only helplessly say, "This morning I was rash and impatient. You already said you wouldn't sell, yet I kept insisting; it's no wonder you were annoyed. Later, I helped you escape because I knew that hooligan wasn't the one who killed. I couldn't let you be wrongfully imprisoned."
At this point, Shi Jin paused before continuing, "The subsequent events were merely coincidences. Since you trust me, I cannot let you down. Friends in the martial world act on impulse; there are not always so many reasons behind it!" He finished with a carefree laugh.
Though he spoke with charm, his reasoning was somewhat forced; if the other party weren't Shi Xiu, he might not have exerted himself so much.
Shi Xiu was unaware of this and felt stirred by his words. He stood up to bow and said, "Brother's righteousness is commendable; I was reckless earlier."
Shi Jin quickly returned the gesture and laughed, "Perhaps in our past lives we were brothers, and I owe you from then!"
Shi Xiu was taken aback by this and they exchanged hearty laughter, dispelling any previous misunderstandings.
Once seated again, Shi Jin asked, "Now that you've escaped, why do you linger here? It would be troublesome if you're caught."
Shi Xiu had a swift horse; once he left the city and ran elsewhere, it would be difficult for the authorities to catch him. If he waited a while, this matter might resolve itself since Gao Qiu wasn't killed by him.
However, lingering near the city was dangerous.
Hearing this, Shi Xiu sighed and said, "I want to avoid trouble for a while too, but unfortunately my uncle and servant have been captured by the authorities. If I leave, what will happen to them?"
Shi Jin was taken aback upon hearing this; it made sense now.
He recalled that in Water Margin it mentioned that Shi Xiu's parents had died when he was young and that he was raised by his uncle. However, during a horse and sheep trading venture, his uncle fell ill and their business failed. Since then, Shi Xiu had drifted in the martial world until he later encountered Yang Xiong, which led to a series of events including killing his sister-in-law and joining Liangshan. He wondered if this was when his uncle fell ill.
But what about Gao Qiu's demise?
Shi Jin felt confused as if an invisible hand was manipulating events behind the scenes.
Shi Xiu continued, "My uncle was injured by those hooligans and has been detained in the Yamen; I'm afraid his situation is dire. I'm unfamiliar with Bianjing and feel helpless. I ask for your assistance in rescuing my uncle." He bowed again respectfully.
Shi Jin hurriedly supported him but showed a troubled expression.
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