劍問蒼天 - 第128章 追蹤 - 清風書屋

Facheng and Lu Xueling, not to be outdone in courtesy, returned the salute together. Facheng smiled and said, "Martial Uncle Shangguan is too kind. Qingyun, Tianyin, and Fenxia Valley have always been one family of the orthodox path; to lend righteous aid is simply our duty. But I see that Martial Uncle's complexion seems poor—might something have happened last night?"

As he spoke, he raised his eyes toward Shangguan Lue, a kindly smile at the corners of his mouth, a warmth and serenity beyond description—the very image of a great monk of the Buddhist gate.

Shangguan Lue snorted inwardly, but on his face appeared a grateful smile. "Nothing worth mentioning. This old man ran into a few petty thieves and wasted a little time, that is all. But since matters here are more or less settled, this humble valley truly dares not trouble the two of you any further. Please return to your mountains. If the chance arises in the future, I will certainly climb your gates together with our valley master, Senior Brother Yun, to pay a visit."

Facheng and Lu Xueling exchanged a glance. Both were perceptive souls—how could they believe such nonsense about Shangguan Lue running into a few petty thieves? Any bandit in this world capable of robbing Shangguan Lue had likely not yet been born! Yet even knowing he was making excuses, they could hardly expose him to his face. The two had no choice but to bow and nod in agreement.

Shangguan Lue exchanged a few more polite remarks, then rose and took his leave.

Watching his figure recede and vanish among the clouds, Lu Xueling suddenly said, "His mind is heavy with something."

Facheng smiled faintly. "Indeed. Who knows what Martial Uncle Shangguan was really doing last night..." He broke off mid-sentence. On Lu Xueling's face there was nothing but coldness, not the least hint of a smile. At first glance, this woman in white was simply gazing into the distance, her bright eyes complex and misted—and her thoughts seemed yet heavier than Shangguan Lue's.

What was she thinking about now?

Facheng softly intoned a Buddhist invocation and said nothing more.

On the mountain ridge.

Xiao Bai supported Ming Li as they gazed down into Qili Tong, watching the last two figures of the outlanders fly into the sky and gradually disappear.

"They've gone," Xiao Bai said with a smile.

Ming Li silently withdrew his gaze from the clouds. After a moment of silence he said, "Let's go down."

Xiao Bai nodded, but then looked at Ming Li's body and said gently, "Why don't we rest a little first? Your wound is bleeding so much again."

Ming Li shook his head. "My body is nothing to worry about. Finding the Great Wizard is what matters."

With that, he was the first to rise.

"Zhi zhi, zhi zhi." A familiar screech sounded nearby, and a grey shadow darted out from the side, hopping onto Ming Li's shoulder in two or three bounds. Its movements still seemed a little clumsy and unsteady, but the monkey, having finally sobered up from its drunkenness, was clearly in high spirits and excellent humor, grinning broadly.

Xiao Bai rose as well and walked to Ming Li's side. She shot Xiao Hui a withering glare and said, "What are you grinning at? Do you know your fool of a master nearly died last night?"

"Hiss!"

A low, angry growl answered her. Xiao Hui, perched on Ming Li's shoulder, bared its fangs in a fierce and fearsome display, glancing this way and that, its two little fists clenched and swinging up and down—the very picture of a monkey looking for someone to fight.

Xiao Bai snorted. "Drop the act. You're wise after the fact!"

Xiao Hui rolled its eyes upward and gave Xiao Bai a look of disdain, chirped twice, then shrank back, clutching Ming Li's collar as though it had heard nothing at all, clinging only to its master.

Ming Li reached up and patted its head without a word, then continued down the mountain. Xiao Hui turned its head, mightily pleased with itself, and stuck out its tongue at Xiao Bai, pulling a face.