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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 61 Regulation Pavilion Qian Feng
Shen Bifan and Lin Chuyu wandered aimlessly through the streets. Aside from the endless stream of people and the various unpleasant odors from different places, Shen Bifan couldn't feel anything else. Her head began to spin. "There are so many people; I'm feeling a bit dizzy."
Lin Chuyu empathized with her. "I know how you feel. Back at Corner Lodge, I spent most of my time in the inner city and rarely interacted with others. Whenever I encountered a crowd, I would also feel faint. I'm tired from all this walking; let's head back."
The two made their way back toward the Inn. As they approached, a group of seven Sand Bandits passed by the entrance. Upon seeing the leader, Lin Chuyu felt as if she had been pierced by a thousand needles. The horrifying image of Lin Uncle's tragic death flashed in her mind. Overwhelmed by rage, she forgot her own vulnerability and trembled with anger. Noticing something was wrong, Shen Bifan asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Lin Chuyu was lost in memories of that fateful night when Lin Uncle and his companions were brutally killed. She couldn't hear Shen Bifan's questions anymore. Breathing heavily and sweating profusely, her blood felt like it was freezing in her veins as she recognized the figure before her. It was terrifying—Vajra had unknowingly gripped tightly in her hand. "It’s him! I will not be mistaken!"
In an unexpected turn, Lin Chuyu, holding Vajra, lunged at the man. "I will kill you!"
Her target was a man in his thirties, with a bronze complexion, sharp eyebrows, high cheekbones, and a muscular build. He wore his arms bare and carried a large sword on his back that was wider than his body.
This man walked arrogantly at the forefront of the group of Sand Bandits, clearly their leader.
Known as Mad Bull, no one knew his real name.
As Mad Bull passed by Lin Chuyu, he did not recognize her. When she thrust Vajra at him from behind, he was facing away and should have had no chance of survival. However, having lived a life on the edge, Mad Bull instinctively reacted with incredible speed, drawing his sword and turning to block with it just in time. The impact of Lin Chuyu’s strike met the blade of his sword.
With brute force, Mad Bull pushed back against her attack, sending Lin Chuyu flying as if she had been struck by a full-grown bull. She rolled across the ground for several yards before crashing into a noodle vendor's stall. The vendor, about to shout in anger at the destruction of his stall, swallowed his words upon seeing the furious expression on Mad Bull's face.
Fuming, Mad Bull glared at Lin Chuyu. "Where did this wild girl come from?"
Lying on the ground, Lin Chuyu groaned softly before struggling to rise unsteadily to her feet. Meanwhile, Shen Bifan, shocked and bewildered, exclaimed, "What is she doing?"
The remaining Sand Bandits immediately shouted:
"Who is this girl?"
"Hey, who is this girl...?"
Mad Bull was equally perplexed and said, "Who knows? She just lunged at me out of nowhere."
Lin Chuyu and Vajra landed a few feet away. Lin Chuyu gritted her teeth, trying to endure the pain in her body as she moved to pick up Vajra. Mad Bull had no intention of showing any mercy; he lifted his foot and kicked towards Lin Chuyu. Wearing leather boots, the kick came with tremendous force and speed, and if it hit Lin Chuyu, she would surely be gravely injured.
In that split second, Shen Bifan turned like a gust of wind, pulling Lin Chuyu back several feet. The fragrance of Shen Bifan wafted through the air, refreshing Mad Bull's senses. When he looked up, he saw yet another delicate girl.
Finding it amusing, Mad Bull laughed heartily and said to Shen Bifan, "My lady, you smell wonderful! Come closer so I can enjoy your scent."
Shen Bifan's eyes flashed with displeasure as Lin Chuyu gritted her teeth and said, "It’s you! You killed Uncle Lin and the others!"
"Uncle Lin?" Mad Bull recalled hearing that name somewhere before. Suddenly, he burst into wild laughter. "I see now; so that's how it is!"
Mad Bull looked at Lin Chuyu with great interest and said, "You’re one of those impostor villagers! I thought you were dead; I didn’t expect... But this is truly exciting! What a coincidence to meet you again."
He took two steps closer to Lin Chuyu when Shen Bifan coldly commanded, "Stop right there!"
Mad Bull halted and chuckled, "Does my lady have something to say?"
Shen Bifan replied, "If you come any closer, I won’t hold back!"
Behind Mad Bull, a Sand Bandit noticed Shen Bifan’s unparalleled beauty and smirked with ill intentions. "My beauty, did your friend strike first, or do you want to take responsibility for her actions?"
Shen Bifan frowned and retorted coldly, "I know she struck first. Although I don’t know what happened exactly, she’s not someone who causes trouble for no reason. That Uncle Lin must have been very important to her. You killed someone; you should pay with your life! Do you want to face me yourself or should I kill you?"
Mad Bull laughed heartily. "Now that’s some spirit!"
He stepped forward to pick up the fallen Vajra. Seeing him retrieve it, Lin Chuyu suddenly clenched her teeth and exclaimed, "Give me back my Vajra!"
Mad Bull glared menacingly and said, "Want it? Fine, I'll give it back to you!"
He tossed Vajra behind him like a swift arrow shot from a bow, aimed directly at Lin Chuyu. Shen Bifan raised her index finger, ready to slice Vajra in two, but someone was quicker to respond. A whip-like shadow, resembling a snake, expertly coiled around the flying Vajra, and with a swift pull, it was already in Meng Hai's hands.
Meng Hai chuckled lightly, "This is your Brother Zichen's treasure."
Seeing Meng Hai's whip skillfully snatch the speeding Vajra, Mad Bull realized just how capable Meng Hai was. He fixed his gaze on Meng Hai and asked, "Who are you?"
Meng Hai dismissed the question with disdain, but a Sand Bandit chimed in, "Boss, I know him. He’s from The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant, part of the Eight Cities Order."
Mad Bull grinned wickedly and replied without changing his expression, "I've heard of the Eight Cities Order from The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. You’re all skilled relic experts who can freely enter and exit ruins. With such abilities, it makes sense. But are you stepping in for these two girls to oppose us Sand Bandits?"
Meng Hai shot a sideways glance at Mad Bull, mocking him, "We have rules that prohibit private battles with relics against innocent people. But looking at you, I don't think you qualify as innocent."
Instead of getting angry, Mad Bull chuckled darkly and said, "Then let me see what your relic can do!"
Just as they were about to clash, a patrol squad appeared at the end of the street. One of the Yellow Sand Bandit Path members shouted, "Boss, the Official Army is here!"
Mad Bull raised an eyebrow dismissively; even with another squad of the Official Army, he wasn't concerned. However, he had important matters to attend to in the Desolate Central Plain. Not wanting any complications, he feigned regret and said, "Sorry, Eight Cities Order, but I can't witness your relic's prowess this time. I'm sure we'll meet again."
Unfazed by Mad Bull's intimidation, Meng Hai smiled back and replied, "I know. I'm looking forward to our next meeting."
Turning his attention to the instigator, Lin Chuyu, he asked, "My lady, what is your name?"
With clenched teeth and cold resolve, she responded, "Lin Chuyu!"
In a slow and chilling tone, Mad Bull remarked, "My lady, daring to strike at me... I've remembered your name."
He waved his hand to signal his companions to leave and walked past the arriving Official Army, saying casually, "Hey, keep an eye on them."
A Sand Bandit replied, "Boss, I know. We won't let them off the hook!"
Mad Bull chuckled, "Other people's lives are none of my concern, but that girl named Lin Chuyu cannot die. I really misjudged her; I didn't realize she was wearing the Vermilion Bird Pearl."
---
Lin Chuyu lay on the bed in the guest room, her back to the door. Ji Zichen pushed open the door and glanced at Lin Chuyu's lonely figure before slowly closing the door. Returning to her own room, Kiko found Meng Hai and Shen Bifan there as well. Shen Bifan asked with concern, "How is she?"
Kiko shook her head and simply said, "Let her be alone for a while."
Meng Hai sighed, "That girl shouldn't have provoked Mad Bull."
Kiko pondered for a moment and asked, "Who is Mad Bull?"
Meng Hai scoffed, "Mad Bull is the most notorious among the Sand Bandits, known for his dirty tactics. Most Sand Bandits in Yellow Sand Plain only rob for money, but Mad Bull wants both money and lives. He colludes with the Suffering Holy Church and specializes in unspeakable dealings."
Shen Bifan's eyes showed disdain as he suddenly stood up and said, "I'll go keep her company, even though I don't know what to say."
Kiko calmly replied, "Don't go. Some people can recover from their despair with comfort, but this isn't the kind of despair that can be cured with mere consolation. She can only resolve her heartache by killing Mad Bull. I promised her I'd help find a magical artifact. Uncle Meng is here, so let's go to the Merchant Alliance to pick one out. Even though I've been expelled from The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant, buying a magical artifact at the Merchant Alliance shouldn't violate any rules."
Shen Bifan suddenly became anxious and said, "Brother Zichen, you were expelled from The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant! You can't go back! I thought it was because of the long journey; why would you..."
Kiko interrupted Shen Bifan with a wry smile, "It's in the past. We'll talk about it later when we have time."
Meng Hai sighed and said, "Now that you've gotten involved with Mad Bull, it's good to help her pick a protective artifact. However, good artifacts are hard to come by; you don't need me to remind you of that."
Kiko replied, "I understand. Let's just see what's available."
Shen Bifan asked, "Brother Zichen, can I go with you to take a look?"
Ji Zichen smiled and said, "If you want to go, then go ahead."
The three of them left the Inn and arrived at the Merchant Alliance. The Merchant Alliance had a large store in Qingyang City, where antiques, porcelain, magical artifacts, and silk were sold.
They entered the branch of the Merchant Alliance.
The interior of the store was exquisitely decorated and very tidy. As soon as they walked in, there was a large counter, behind which stood a shelf filled with porcelain. Most of the shelf was empty, indicating that business was good.
The Keeper of the Merchant Alliance was at the counter, calculating accounts with an abacus. Ji Zichen pushed the door open and smiled, "Keeper, long time no see."
The Keeper looked up and was surprised to see Ji Zichen. "Oh, it's you...," but quickly changed his words, "Brother Ji, what brings you here?"
Ji Zichen had previously come to sell magical artifacts, so he and the Keeper were somewhat familiar with each other.
Ji Zichen stated his purpose directly, "I'm here to buy a magical artifact."
The Keeper chuckled and said, "You came to me to buy a magical artifact? It's funny how life can lead to such encounters."
Just then, someone came out from the inner hall and also laughed, "Indeed, life is full of surprises."
Meng Hai and Ji Zichen were taken aback upon seeing this person. Meng Hai exclaimed, "Qian Feng! What are you doing here? Qingyang City is really lively now!"
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