Jiang Kuang's friendly smile, the previous words of praise, all had a purpose!
Multiple words are simply to negotiate.
It's understandable that not giving things is also within their rights, but now that they have been given, it's inevitable that they want us to do something in return.
The sword's tip represents my stance.
The things must be given; if it's due to us, we can take them.
No need to discuss business!
At that moment, Jiang Kuang's body and face both appeared remarkably rigid.
I sidestepped him, and the three of us walked quickly towards the factory exit.
Clearly, Jiang Kuang had no intention of starting a fight with us.
In other words, during the day, he couldn't make a move.
Returning to the original path, we followed the direction of our journey and walked straight ahead at a brisk pace.
"Is... this really okay? I feel that we should at least listen to what others have to say... after all..."
Liang Yu appeared nervous and uncomfortable.
"Listening to him isn't good. Offering affection with no reason behind it is either deceit or theft." My tone was decisive.
Xiaoying nodded in agreement, humming softly.
The momentary unease on Liang Yu's face suddenly disappeared, replaced by composure.
Behind us, Jiang Kuang did not pursue us.
Clearly, the man is a smart person, knowing that it would be pointless to chase us.
"I feel... as though something is a bit off," Xiaoying said, looking slightly puzzled.
"Not right?" I, however, didn't feel like there was anything wrong.
Liang Yu whispered softly, "We neither lingered nor touched anything. There should be nothing out of the ordinary."
"Perhaps..." Xiaoying sounded somewhat reluctant.
Shortly after, we left this old factory and stopped by the side of the road.
Liang Yu's car was parked here.
After the four of us got into the car, and we put down the bamboo baskets, I felt significantly lighter.
Liang Yu started the car, and Xiaoying climbed into the passenger seat. The car then sped off at once.
To be honest, it was so easy to take the things, and I felt a bit of a heartbeat drop.
However, in my palm was a tangible piece of thunder-struck wood, jujube wood no less.
The rings on the tree can tell you its age.
I used to chop wood for coffins, so I'm somewhat experienced in this area. A quick glance reveals that this piece of jujube wood is not less than three hundred years old.
One material for the Four Regulations and Bright Mirror was found just like that!
"It seems to be... are you noticing anything wrong with the statue that Jiang Kuang worships?" Xiaoying opened her mouth again.
I frowned, slightly calming my mind, and carefully began to ponder.
The thoughts in my mind were like a tangled mess, but I seemed to have caught a thread, as if there were some scenes that were similar, though I hadn't thought of them yet.
"I have not accompanied you to the core area of Jin Yang Guikn, but I have heard some rumors saying that every Guikn organization will worship a large ghost, and the ghost will disperse a thread of soul, forming a protection for the Guikn people." Xiaoying's tone was extremely solemn.
My face changed dramatically, and suddenly, a light bulb went off in my mind!
Suddenly, a scene emerged in my mind. At that time, when Zhang Guo led me to the core area of the Guikn, what I saw wasn't it a huge phantom statue?
However, the statue at Jiang Kuang's place was much smaller.
But upon careful comparison and review of my memory, it's basically certain that the layouts of the two are almost identical!
Just that the Jin Yang Guikn is much more popular, with more offerings and more people!
How is it that this place is just Jiang Kuang alone!?
A sense of unease surged up, subtly; we had actually entered the core of a Guikn without realizing it?
Even on a bright day and with limited strength, that place is incredibly dangerous.
We just walked out of there unscathed!?
"The Taoist temples in Jiang Huang City are prosperous, and the Guikn organizations and the underworld organizations are much weaker. It's very likely that the Guikn here is on its decline." Xiaoying spoke again, her tone still laced with a hint of fear.
It was clear that Liang Yu had understood something. She also appeared to be very cautious.
"So... to the Liang family? It should be safer there..." Liang Yu hesitantly asked.
"No need," I shook my head and said, "He didn't follow us. You can drop us off in the city as you wish, we'll keep an eye out for tails ourselves."
My words not only mean not going to Liang's family, but also separating Liang Yu.
Liang Yu looked pitifully at Xiaoying at that moment.
Xiaoying looked at Xiaoying with a slight apology, then turned to look out the window.
...
Approximately half an hour later, we entered the bustling area and Liang Yu and I got out of the car. First, we watched as Liang Yu's car left. Only then did we call for a car to return to our place in the courtyard.
After entering the courtyard, closing the door, I placed the bamboo basket of rice in the living room of the hall, with a slight sweat on my forehead.
"Jiang Huang City, we can't stay long. Fortunately, he only knows that I and Liang Yu come from a certain background, but he doesn't know who you are. The Guikn in Jin Yang is always in heavy losses, the news has become thin, and coupled with Changfeng Taoist Temple..." Xiaoying spoke quickly.
I interrupted her, shaking my head and saying: "I'm afraid not. Is it possible that he has already found out who we are, the ones who completed the notice? His purpose is just to stall, right?"
"You mean... he knows? Just that he's lacking in manpower..." Xiaoying grew increasingly uneasy.
"I'm just making an assumption. After all, the Jin Yang Guikn was almost destroyed, and the son of the deputy leader of the official guild of ghosts was killed by us. Guikn are revengeful organizations; news can't be so delayed."
"Let's pack up. We'll leave right away! I'm not going to Liang's family because I don't want to drag Liang Yu into unnecessary trouble." I spoke in a deep voice again.
Xiaoying pressed her lips tightly and went into her own room. I similarly returned to my room to start packing up.
Actually, this is perfect. We were planning to go to Four Regulations Mountain anyway, and Jiang Huang City can't be stayed in for long.
Moreover, the information we wanted to learn has been found out. Staying here adds no meaning and only increases the variables.
Before long, we had everything packed up.
Xiaoying was fiddling with her phone, ordering a car.
The knock on the door came suddenly.
"Who?" I asked, my expression changing slightly, my tone filled with vigilance.
We have lived here for so long, and not a single stranger has come to chat or visit.
At this moment, someone knocking on the door was extremely strange.
The knocking sound came again, rhythmic and strong.
Xiaoying was extremely alert and was about to open the door.
I reached out and stopped Xiaoying, hiding the half-meter-long copper sword in my hand, slightly tilted and raised, then slowly moved forward.
Arriving at the door, I pulled the courtyard gate open with one hand.
What caused my pupils to contract and my heart to stop was that Jiang Kuang was standing at the door!
His smile was plastered on his familiar face, devoid of any killing intent, and he said, "Brother Luo, you said time is precious. Why did you come home? I thought you had some business to take care of."
Jiang Kuang's tone was even more calm, as if he posed no threat to anyone.
However, the phrase "brother Luo" he mentioned has already betrayed him!
He indeed knows about our information and background!
The next moment, he actually took a step towards the room.
My hand suddenly extended, and in the next second, the sword tip could pierce through his throat!
However, he didn't dodge.
The tip of the sword pressed against his throat, oozing out a few drops of blood.
"Outside there are several cameras. If you kill me here, Luo brothers, you'll not only be squeezed and captured by the shadows, but also face difficulties in the open." Jiang Kuang's tone was as sincere as before.
"And besides, I'm not here to target you, nor do I want to find an excuse to keep you here while others come to catch you. I have something to ask."
Jiang Kuang took two steps forward, and I narrowed my eyes, the hand only retreating.
He walked into the doorway, closed the door with his hand.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the courtyard became extremely tense and oppressive.
