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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 18: Fire Cloud Residence Guard
The three of them arrived at the platform outside. Lin Chuyu leaned lightly against the railing, gazing out at the lush greenery of the mountains, feeling a sense of comfort and openness. She laughed heartily, "Brother Ji, this place is beautiful!"
Ji Zichen also perked up at the sight. "Yes, it's lovely. Just be careful and don't fall."
Ji Zichen found a table and sat down with Xia Zhou. There were three tables on the platform, and they chose one in the corner near the right wall, where the overhanging roof provided some shade, making it much cooler than the other two tables.
Not long after they sat down, they noticed Killer's previous team arriving at the platform, but Killer himself was nowhere to be seen. While Killer had been relatively polite to Ji Zichen, this new group seemed to harbor a strong dislike for him. Each member glared at Ji Zichen with evident hostility. Ji Zichen thought to himself, "They look like they have animosity towards me. Could they be remnants of Killer's former team leader?"
With that thought in mind, Ji Zichen avoided making eye contact with them; he didn't want to provoke any unnecessary conflict.
Sometimes, even if one wishes to avoid trouble, it can still come knocking. A Sand Bandit slowly approached Ji Zichen.
Seeing that the newcomer did not seem friendly, Lin Chuyu dared not linger by the railing and stepped forward to stand beside Ji Zichen. Xia Zhou also sensed something was off and whispered, "Looks like someone is looking for trouble."
Without needing Xia Zhou's warning, Ji Zichen already knew that this Sand Bandit was stronger than the others. The man spoke in a voice as fierce as a tiger, " Ji Zichen, you're sitting in the wrong place. This is our Yellow Sand Gang's spot!"
Being new and unaware that this table was already claimed, Ji Zichen wasn't there to cause trouble. He stood up and said to Lin Chuyu, "We've enjoyed the view; let's head inside."
The Sand Bandit pressed closer, saying menacingly, "Leave? You think this is some rundown temple where you can just come and go as you please?"
Seeing his unreasonable behavior, Ji Zichen intended to avoid confrontation but couldn't help but smirk coldly. "What do you want?"
The Sand Bandit arrogantly declared, "Bow down and apologize!"
Before Ji Zichen could respond, Xia Zhou angrily interjected, "Don't push your luck!"
The Sand Bandit sneered, "Get them!"
The five Sand Bandits surged forward, and Lin Chuyu exclaimed anxiously, "Wait... don't hit them..."
Xia Zhou scoffed, "Don't be afraid. They won't know their place unless we teach them a lesson."
Just as Xia Zhou was about to throw the Eight Desolation Needles, Ji Zichen stepped in quickly, smiling wryly as he entered the fray of approaching Sand Bandits. "Don't throw the needles; we can't destroy Fire Cloud Residence."
Ji Zichen swiftly kicked one Sand Bandit to the ground. Seeing that the Sand Bandits were not much of a threat, Xia Zhou decided to retract the Eight Desolation Needles. Using them against such opponents would indeed be overkill.
After Ji Zichen took down one Sand Bandit, another charged at him with a knife. Instead of drawing his Demon-Slaying Sword, Ji Zichen sidestepped and used a table to strike the attacking Sand Bandit. The machete collided with the table, splitting it in half as it fell to the ground. Feeling a surge of anger, Ji Zichen swiftly grabbed the Sand Bandit's wrist.
With a sharp pain in his wrist, the Sand Bandit dropped his knife. Ji Zichen pushed him to the right, and the Sand Bandit was propelled forward by an unseen force, crashing through the railing and plummeting from the second floor.
The remaining Sand Bandits were furious and prepared to attack when one of them shouted, "Stop!"
The Sand Bandits halted their assault. Ji Zichen turned to see who had spoken; it was Killer.
Killer's eyes glinted with displeasure as he fixed his gaze on Ji Zichen. " Ji Zichen! How dare you touch my men!"
Ji Zichen met Killer's gaze defiantly. "I have already let them off once; they kept pestering me."
Killer sneered, "So what? Touching my people is like slapping my face!"
Killer stepped closer to Ji Zichen, and a cold voice echoed through the hall, "Killer! Don't cause trouble on my turf!"
Killer turned around and saw Mad Bull. There seemed to be a hint of apprehension in Killer's demeanor, but he refused to back down, sneering, "Mad Bull, you've left the Yellow Sand Gang and no longer have the right to—"
Before Killer could finish his sentence, Mad Bull interjected, "I'm speaking to you as a Fire Cloud Residence Guard."
Ji Zichen's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Mad Bull. "It's him!"
Ji Zichen had encountered Mad Bull in Qingyang City, but since their last meeting, a long time had passed without seeing him. How could Mad Bull be here as a guard for the Fire Cloud Residence? Wasn't he part of the Yellow Sand Gang?
Ji Zichen's gaze shifted to Lin Chuyu. Back then, when they met Mad Bull, Lin Chuyu hadn't lost her memory yet. Lin Chuyu stared at Mad Bull in shock, muttering, "I feel like I've seen him before... Where did I see him...?"
Ji Zichen thought to herself, "He really is lucky; Shilan and Kong Qi didn't manage to kill him when they destroyed Qingyang City."
Mad Bull glanced at Lin Chuyu for just a moment, as if he didn't recognize her at all. To Mad Bull, Ji Zichen seemed like nothing more than air. He addressed Killer, saying, "If you want to drink, then sit down quietly; good wine will be served."
As Mad Bull stepped in to mediate the situation, Killer shot Ji Zichen a fierce glare before smiling at Mad Bull. "Of course I'm here to drink; it wouldn't make sense to fight and miss out on Swallow Brew."
Mad Bull gestured for other Sand Bandits to enter the hall. As Killer passed by him, he pointed at the broken railing and said, "He broke this; don't blame me for it."
Ji Zichen looked at Mad Bull in astonishment, wondering who the owner of the Fire Cloud Residence was that could command Mad Bull to serve as a guard here.
Her thoughts quickly faded as she stepped forward and said, "The railing was broken by me; I'll pay for it."
Mad Bull glanced at the railing before turning his gaze back to Ji Zichen and coldly replied, "Of course you should pay."
With that, Mad Bull turned and walked away.
The waiter approached the platform with a tray of food, only to find the railing damaged. Startled, he exclaimed, "What happened here?"
Ji Zichen smiled wryly and replied, "It's nothing. Just take us to the Private Room."
The waiter hesitated, feeling frustrated. "This customer is hard to please; one moment here, the next moment there."
Of course, he could only think this in his mind. He led Ji Zichen to the Private Room and set down the food before retreating.
Inside the Private Room, Ji Zichen and the others had no appetite for eating at that moment. However, Xia Zhou seemed unaffected by the commotion and was enjoying the meal heartily. Xia Zhou praised, "These dishes are truly delicious, and this wine has a lingering fragrance."
Ji Zichen glanced out from the Private Room towards the center of the hall, where Killer and other Sand Bandits were seated at a large table. The Sand Bandit who had been kicked down earlier by Ji Zichen was helped back up, looking battered and bruised. Killer scolded him angrily, "Get lost! Useless fool, you've really embarrassed me!"
The other Sand Bandits helped the injured one away.
Lin Chuyu also looked towards Killer and exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Ji, who is that fierce-looking man sitting with that woman at his table?"
Sitting beside Killer was a woman who, though somewhat past her prime, had made an effort to dress attractively. With her well-maintained figure and captivating charm, she still exuded a seductive allure. She smiled coyly at Killer and said, "Killer, you really know how to make a scene when drinking."
Killer laughed heartily as he gazed at her ample bosom. "It’s been a few days since I last saw you; your charms are as enticing as ever."
The woman playfully retorted, "You’re quite shameless to say such things out loud."
Killer continued unabashedly with a lewd grin, "Shameless? You certainly didn’t hold back when we were in bed."
Upon hearing this, the woman burst into laughter, her beauty shining even brighter.
From their conversation, Ji Zichen could already discern the identity of the woman. He turned to Lin Chuyu and said, "She's just a hostess, let's not bother with her. Let's eat."
Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu began to eat.
The woman poured a drink for Killer, who took a sip and remarked, "This Swallow Brew tastes just like before, but it lacks a bit of that youthful flavor. Are you the one responsible for that, Mad Bull?"
At that moment, Mad Bull placed a jar of wine on Killer's table and said, "This jar of wine is on me, as a thank you for not causing me trouble."
Killer smiled faintly. "Oh, Mad Bull, what exactly is your position here at Fire Cloud Residence? One moment you're a guard, the next you're an assistant."
Mad Bull ignored Killer's sarcastic remarks and replied, "As long as you don't cause me trouble, I can be whatever you need."
Mad Bull turned to leave when Killer called out, "Wait! Mad Bull, you've changed a lot."
Mad Bull's face showed no emotion. "I've changed? In what way?"
Killer mocked him, "What? Have you forgotten? Your temper used to be hotter than mine!"
Mad Bull turned back slowly and said, "I'm just a guard now. What do I need such a temper for?"
Killer let out a cold laugh. "You sound like a docile wife now."
With a heavy thud, Killer slammed his hand on the table, causing one of the supporting pillars underneath to crack instantly. The woman beside them turned pale at Killer's actions. He shouted angrily, "I refuse to believe that someone like you, who thrives on killing, could suddenly change overnight!"
Mad Bull's expression darkened, resembling a thousand years of frozen ice. He glared at Killer and said, "It seems you're here specifically for me."
"Killer" smiled and said, "I thought you had gone dumb from being a guard. This time, it's the leader who sent me. You swore an oath to join the gang; you can't just leave with a single word."
"Mad Bull" suppressed his anger and replied, "I've already discussed this with the Elder. He has given his approval."
"Killer" arrogantly laughed, "The Elder? Is this gang under the leader or the Elder?"
"Mad Bull's" face darkened. "Why does the leader insist that I return?"
"Killer" recalled the leader with respect and said, "How would I know? But you must come back with me. The leader only said you need to return with me; he didn't mention whether you are missing an arm or a leg."
"Mad Bull's" eyes narrowed as he turned away. "I am now a Fire Cloud Residence Guard; I cannot leave with you."
Seeing "Mad Bull" daring to refuse the leader's message, "Killer" became furious and shouted, "You can't leave!"
As "Killer" stood up, he grabbed a long bench and swung it at "Mad Bull." Although "Mad Bull's" temperament had become more restrained than before, he was not willing to be beaten, as he could not lose face as a Fire Cloud Residence Guard.
"Mad Bull" swiftly caught the incoming bench with one hand, squeezing it with all his strength. He crushed the upper half of the bench into pieces. Seeing this, "Yu Ren" was shocked. "Mad Bull," holding the shattered remnants of the bench, threw them at "Killer's" face. "Killer" never expected such a move from "Mad Bull," and there was no way to dodge it; he was hit squarely in the face by the debris.
The fragments were light enough that they couldn't even kill an ant, so how could they harm someone like "Killer"? However, it wasn't the debris that was dangerous; it was "Mad Bull's" fists. His punches were like hard stones, landing two blows squarely on "Killer's" face.
After taking two punches, "Killer" felt dizzy.
"Mad Bull" seized "Killer" by the neck and lifted him off the ground with one hand. With a fierce glare, he declared, "I've told you before; I am no longer part of the Yellow Sand Gang! I am a Fire Cloud Residence Guard! If you keep pestering me, I'll kill you!"
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