Enemies on a Narrow Road (1)
Enemies on a Narrow Road (1)
After an unknown amount of time, Li Xiaoyao slowly opened his eyes and saw what was in front of him.
Under the starlight that filled the sky, Zhao Ling 'er was looking down at him gently. Tears hung on her pale face, and she was extremely worried.
Seeing Li Xiaoyao wake up, Zhao Ling 'er broke into a smile.
Li Xiaoyao was currently lying on her lap. He sat up and asked curiously,""Eh? The wound on my chest…Why doesn't it hurt anymore?”
"You fainted just now. I was so worried!" Zhao Ling 'er choked.”
"I'm lucky," said Li Xiaoyao with a smile,"so this injury won't be a problem."”
"That sword stabbed into your heart meridian just now, and you almost lost your life."”
"Oh?" Li Xiao Yao lowered his head and looked at his own body. There was indeed a large hole in his clothes, and it was dripping with blood. He was definitely injured badly just now.
" Then, then how did I…" Li Xiaoyao noticed that Zhao Ling 'er's voice was weak, and her face was very weak."Did you do something? Otherwise, how could I have recovered so quickly?”
Zhao Ling 'er gently shook her head and said,""As long as you don't leave me and let me be alone again, I…I'm willing to do anything.”
Li Xiaoyao grabbed her shoulders and asked,""What method did you use to save me?”
"It's nothing. I just used the Soul Returning Curse that Master taught me…" Zhao Ling 'er said.
"Resurrection Curse?"
Although Li Xiaoyao didn't know any spells, he knew that his injuries must be more serious than he had imagined when he heard the name. He was even more flabbergasted.
Zhao Ling 'er said," This is a healing saint spell that my master taught me. I've been unable to comprehend it. When I saw you faint, I panicked. In a moment of desperation, I could only take the risk and try. Fortunately, the heavens blessed me and it worked."”
" I heard that it's very easy to go berserk if you forcefully use a spell that you haven't mastered yet," Li Xiaoyao said." You're taking such a risk for me. I…I'm really…"
Zhao Ling 'er's tears flowed down again as she said in a low voice,""It's all my fault for not studying properly in the past. If I had mastered this spell earlier, grandma…grandma wouldn't have died.”
Li Xiaoyao didn't expect that this would trigger her sadness again. He pressed his hand on her shoulder and didn't know what to say to comfort her. He simply pulled her into his arms and whispered,"Don't be sad. You're still young. You'll learn slowly in the future.”
Zhao Ling 'er leaned her head into his arms and said,""I have no one to rely on now. Brother Xiaoyao, if you leave me, I really don't know what to do.”
Li Xiao Yao held her small face up, his heart fluttering. He couldn't help but lower his head and gently kiss her eyelids. Zhao Ling 'er's pretty face flushed red as she lowered her head.
Although the person in front of her had once been her husband and wife, it had happened so quickly back then. Zhao Ling 'er had never spent time with him. At this moment, Li Xiaoyao had forgotten everything and spent time with Zhao Ling' er without any other thoughts. Zhao Ling 'er also vaguely felt that this was actually good. She could also treat it as a new beginning and truly fall in love with Li Xiaoyao.
The two of them hugged each other silently. They looked up at the stars in the sky and felt very happy.
Li Xiaoyao held her in his arms and raised his hand.""Ling Er, I, Li Xiaoyao, swear to the heavens that from now on, I will never let you be alone.”
"Thank you, Brother Xiaoyao," Zhao Ling 'er said softly.”
Her clothes were thin, and the night was getting darker. The ground was getting damp, and it was not suitable for her to sit for long.
Li Xiaoyao stood up and said,"Let's hurry into the city and find an inn to stay in!"”
"Yes." Zhao Ling 'er picked up the whip and sword on the ground and said,""This was left behind by that girl. We have to find a chance to return it to her.”
Li Xiaoyao said," Hmph, that unruly girl. If she lost something, so be it. You're still so kind. You want to return it to her?"”
"I don't hate her." Zhao Ling 'er smiled.”
"She almost killed us! This is still secondary. Suzhou is so big. We can't even finish our work. How can we return the things to her?”
Zhao Ling 'er said," Her surname is Lin. We just need to find out if there's a young lady with the surname Lin who knows martial arts. It'll be easy to find her." If it doesn't work, at least we've tried our best.”
Li Xiao Yao had no choice but to put the long whip and the exquisite sword into his bag. He carried his luggage and said,""Let's go!"
Zhao Ling 'er held Li Xiaoyao's hand and followed him with a smile. However, Li Xiaoyao noticed that Zhao Ling 'er's footsteps were slower than before, and her expression had become weak. He guessed that she had indeed exhausted too much Yuan Qi to save him just now.
Li Xiao Yao also slowed down his pace and reached out to hold her hand. The two of them slowly walked into the city.
Although it was already late at night, there were still people everywhere in Suzhou. There were also many shops open. It was unknown how lively it would be during the day.
"Why are there so many people at night?" Zhao Ling 'er asked in surprise. Don't Suzhou people sleep?"
"I heard that big cities are like this."”
The two of them walked past a small stone bridge, and a puppy lying by the door immediately barked.
"Xiao Huang! Silence!"
The man inside shouted. Li Xiaoyao raised his head and saw that it was an inn. He entered the inn with Zhao Ling 'er.
There were only a few lights on the cabinets in the shop. The shop was half-lit and there were some men eating and drinking at a few tables.
The waiter saw that someone had come to the door again and hurriedly said,"Young master, welcome. Staying and eating?"
"I want to stay in a hotel, two rooms."”
The shopkeeper inside the cabinet rubbed his eyes and saw that there was a woman behind Li Xiao Yao. He said,""Sir, unfortunately, this shop is full.”
"Didn't you just ask if you wanted to stay in the hotel?" Li Xiaoyao asked. Why are you saying that it's full now?"
"If you're alone, there's a room. There's nothing for the two of you."
"This…is there only one room left? One room then." Li Xiaoyao was also a little helpless. However, he was outside, and this kind of inconvenience would continue in the future. He could only stay in the same room as Zhao Ling 'er.
Unexpectedly, the shopkeeper still said,"No, two people in one room is not enough."”
"What's going on?" Li Xiaoyao said angrily. Are you afraid that I'll live here for nothing?"
The shopkeeper was not in a hurry and said with a smile,"Don't be angry, don't be angry. This young master is from another place, he doesn't know the rules here…"
"Your rule is not to let people stay in the hotel?”
"You can say yes, but you can also say no.”The shopkeeper lit his cigarette and took a puff before saying,""Of course it's for people to stay in, but it has been booked for the past seven days.”
"Book it…?"
"You really don't know?" In the past five years, our inns and restaurants in Suzhou have only been doing business for one family for seven days at this time.”
"Which one? Why did he book all the rooms in the inn?”
"The richest man in the area, Old Master Lin of the Lin Family Castle, holds the Joust For A Spouse Festival every year. Therefore, he booked all the guest rooms for those who come from other places to participate in the Joust For A Spouse Festival for free.”
Li Xiao Yao remembered that the unruly girl from earlier in the day also had the surname Lin and couldn't help but feel angry."I really had a conflict with that Lin guy today!”
"But are they really full?" asked Li Xiaoyao. If it's not full, give us one or two rooms for convenience…"
"This isn't a problem of giving up one or two rooms. The rooms have already been booked out. If I let you stay in again, it's equivalent to me renting two rooms in one room.”The shopkeeper said leisurely.
Li Xiao Yao couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. The shopkeeper still smiled and said," Besides, if people know that I let outsiders stay here, the entire Suzhou will know immediately. This will greatly damage the reputation of our store. I hope the host understands…"
He seemed to ignore Li Xiaoyao's impatience and Zhao Ling 'er's tiredness as he continued to talk. This made Li Xiaoyao feel even more disgusted and said,"Forget it, let's go ask somewhere else.”
After saying that, he walked back with Zhao Ling 'er. The shopkeeper seemed to be talking to himself on purpose,"Sigh, I think it's the same for other families…"
Li Xiaoyao was a little angry and walked quickly. Zhao Ling 'er hurriedly said," Brother Xiaoyao, don't be angry. I think we should just find a place to rest first. I don't want to stay in that house anyway. They're all smelly boors…"
Li Xiaoyao knew that Zhao Ling 'er was trying to comfort him, so he smiled and said,""I'm not angry. You're right. Let's find a place to eat first and talk about the rest slowly.”
Zhao Ling 'er held his hand and leaned against him with a relieved smile on her face.
The night was as cold as water. On the wide stone ground, there were occasionally noble carriages strolling slowly. The sound of hooves and bells echoed faintly in the night. The faint sound of flute and drum in the distance added to the tranquility. Although Zhao Ling 'er was tired, she was satisfied and said softly,""Brother Xiaoyao, I think I like the nights in Suzhou the most.”
"Have you been here before?"
"No, I've never been here before, but I like it very much.”Zhao Ling 'er smiled.
"It's dark and you can't find a shop to shop at. You still like it?”
"What's the big deal?" Zhao Ling 'er asked. It was so quiet, as if everyone in the city had fallen asleep, leaving only us awake.”
At this moment, there was a commotion not far away. At the end of the dark alley, there was a faint light.
Li Xiaoyao said," It seems to be very lively there. However, it's so late at night and it's still so lively. It's definitely not a good place. Let's take another path."”
He pulled Zhao Ling 'er and wanted to take a detour, but Zhao Ling' er turned around and looked in the direction of the lights and laughter. She said curiously,"Why can't a place that's still lively at night be a good place? Is that a bad place?"
"Of course, you're a girl, so it's better not to get close to you.”
"What kind of bad place is it? Was there a poisonous snake? Or a tiger?"
"None, only the worst people in the world.”Li Xiaoyao said.
"Are they as bad as those people who killed Granny?" Zhao Ling 'er's expression changed.”
Li Xiaoyao said," There are many kinds of bad ways. Killing is one kind of bad, and lying is another.”
Zhao Ling 'er hugged Li Xiaoyao's arm tightly in fear and said,"I thought that only Miao Jiang had bad people. I didn't expect that Suzhou, which I like, also had bad people.”
The two of them were about to leave quickly when they suddenly heard a cry.
"Wow!"
That was the cry of a child, causing Zhao Ling 'er to stop in her tracks.
"Why are there children?" Zhao Ling 'er said.
Li Xiaoyao was also baffled. From where the light came from, there was another cry of pain, followed by a rough roar,""Little brat! Sneaking in to eat for free, do you want to die?”
"Grandpa, I don't dare to do it anymore, I don't dare to do it anymore…" the child shouted.
Zhao Ling 'er turned around and quickly ran in the direction of the voice. Li Xiaoyao quickly caught up and said,"Ling 'er, where are you going?"
Zhao Ling 'er turned around the alley. In front of her was a brightly lit big shop. A huge black plaque hung on the tall door. It was imposing, but because the lights were dazzling at night, she could not see what was written on the plaque. The door of the shop was closed, and one could see that there were many people inside. The sound of drinking and playing was very lively.
On the road outside the gate, a burly man stood with his arms crossed in front of his chest. In front of him was a child in ragged clothes who was in a very sorry state. He crawled up from the ground with a dusty face, but was kicked over by that man.
"What are you doing?!" Zhao Ling 'er asked.
When the man saw this, he was somewhat surprised. He didn't expect to see such a beautiful girl. For a moment, he was dumbfounded.
Zhao Ling 'er went forward to help the child up and gently wiped the dirt off his face. Li Xiao Yao also rushed over and said to the man,""Hey, why are you bullying a kid?"
The burly man glanced at him and said,""He stole the food in the shop and the boss deducted all my money. So what if he got kicked by me?”
"How much can a child eat?" Li Xiaoyao said angrily. Do you want to kick him like this?"
"Hmph, kid, I have a family to support too!" Do you want my entire family to starve to death for him?”
"Starving to death with a few coins? How much did he eat? I'll pay for him!" Li Xiaoyao said.
The man spread his hands and said,"Alright, if you're willing to pay, I'll apologize to him!" Five thousand wen, five taels of silver, give it to me.”
Li Xiaoyao became even angrier when he heard that. He had followed his aunt for many years and had a good idea of money. He said,"Hey, don't go too far. A family's monthly expenses are only one or two taels of silver. Aren't you asking for too much?”
"I'm asking for an exorbitant price? This brat was asking for too much! His stomach was like a bottomless pit. If he didn't discover it in time, the kitchen would probably be cleaned out by him alone!”the man said.
Li Xiaoyao was stunned for a long time before he said,"How can this be possible?"”
"Little friend, what's your name?" Zhao Ling 'er asked curiously.”
"My name is Little Bean."”
"Where are your parents?"
"I don't know."
"Why are you stealing food?"
"I…I'm so hungry…" Little Bean said.
Zhao Ling 'er felt that his face was still a little greasy. It could be seen that he had really eaten a lot. However, his pitiful appearance did not seem to be faked. Zhao Ling 'er's heart was filled with sympathy." Brother Xiaoyao, let's just let this child have a full meal. He's quite pitiful."”
"Alright, let's see how much this child can eat!" Li Xiaoyao said.”
"He'll definitely eat you up. If you don't believe me, try it!"”
Everyone entered the house. The shop was filled with smoke and all kinds of people gathered. It seemed that other than inns and restaurants, there might be casinos and teahouses here, which was why there were so many people.
The man led them to a table in the corner. After a while, the waiter came forward and said,"What would you like to order?"
"Old Fifth, this couple wants to see how much Little Bean can eat!"”
"This…this isn't good, is it?" The waiter was shocked.”
"How much can a child eat?" Li Xiaoyao asked. Just send it up!"
The waiter shook his head and said," Sir, you should mind your own business. I don't know what's wrong with this child. He has become very gluttonous in the past year. He can never eat his fill. It's as if he's been possessed. You should let him go!"”
"I don't believe you. I told you to send it over, and you just did it!" Li Xiaoyao said.”
The waiter shook his head and turned around to leave. Zhao Ling 'er seemed to be deep in thought. No one knew what she was thinking.
After a while, the waiter brought out a large plate of glutinous rice cakes. This was food that could easily fill one's stomach. An ordinary child wouldn't even be able to finish one piece. The waiter immediately brought out a large plate and placed it on Li Xiaoyao's table, giving him a shock.
"How…how do I eat this?"
The waiter said,"Sir, I'm just helping you with your wallet. If you call for something else, I'm afraid even a well-off family will collapse!" Little Bean, this young master wants to treat you. You can eat, we won't chase you away."”
Little Bean timidly looked at Li Xiaoyao and then at Zhao Ling 'er. Zhao Ling' er patted his head and said,""Don't be afraid. You can eat it.”
"Thank you, sister!"
Little Bean immediately reached out with both hands, one in each hand. She grabbed two pieces of cake and stuffed them into her mouth. In the blink of an eye, she finished them all. Then, she grabbed another two pieces. It was an unbelievable fast eating method.
The waiter and the man stood to the side and watched. Not long after, more and more people surrounded them to watch. The noise gradually quieted down. By the time Little Bean finished the entire plate of glutinous rice cakes, everyone was dumbfounded and speechless.
"Are you still hungry?" asked Zhao Ling 'er.
Little Bean nodded. The waiter quickly parted the crowd and brought another plate over. He placed it on the table and said,""You eat, you eat."
Little Bean didn't even wait for a moment before she swept away another twenty pieces.
Li Xiaoyao was dumbfounded, but Zhao Ling 'er was not surprised. She said to the waiter,"Go get it again. This child will be full.”
The waiter had never really seen how much this child could eat. Since someone was willing to pay, he was happy to broaden his horizons and brought it over again.
Little Bean ate with all her might. The surroundings had long been surrounded by onlookers. Many people were pointing and whispering. Some said,"This child's appetite is probably the best in the world!”"But why are you so skinny?”"That fairy-like girl said that he would be full. What's going on?”"Wow, I finished another big plate…"
Li Xiao Yao saw that the number of empty plates on the table was increasing and finally believed the man's words. He couldn't help but ask Zhao Ling 'er in a low voice,""Ling 'Er, what's wrong with this child? How can you eat so much?"
" I've heard from Granny that there's a kind of insect called the Demon-Eating Insect," Zhao Ling 'er said." If it burrows into a person's stomach, that person will be extremely hungry, as if they will never be full…"
"What is it? Then…then what should we do?"
Zhao Ling 'er said," As long as he has a full meal, the Demon Eating Insects will come out on their own. This person will be saved." However, ordinary people didn't know that they didn't eat their fill well, so the worms would always stay in their stomachs and couldn't climb out.”
"In that case…how much do I have to eat to be full?”
"I don't know either. I'll just take a look!" Zhao Ling 'er said. However…this was probably just a small problem.”
Li Xiaoyao sighed." We might run out of money here. How is it a small problem?"”
Zhao Ling 'er said," Granny said that all things are mutually reinforcing and restraining each other. There must be a demon with great cultivation in the places where demon-eating insects appear!" I didn't expect that there would be demons in Suzhou…"
"Is that so?" Li Xiao Yao was also a little surprised. The two of them spoke very softly, and the people who were watching the show were all talking at once, so they did not hear their soft conversation.
"Hey, hey, slow down!" Someone in the crowd said.”
"Are you full?"
The big bowl of eggs in front of Little Bean was almost finished. The table and the floor were also filled with empty plates and bowls. This food could feed at least a hundred big men. The amount was indeed considerable.
Li Xiaoyao looked at Little Bean and stopped eating.
"Are you full?" Zhao Ling 'er asked.
"I…I don't know. I just don't want to eat anymore."”
Zhao Ling 'er pressed her right hand on Little Bean's Tianshu acupoint and her left hand on his abdomen. She closed her eyes and started chanting. Little Bean's expression suddenly changed, and she bent over and vomited.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。