Chapter 14 – Someone Wants to Silence Us

Zhang Qingxi quickly grabbed his new Taoist robe, throwing it over himself as he hurried after the girl. But the breeze made him suddenly aware of his lower body, and he felt slightly awkward.

Sun Yanwan was less hurried. He calmly dried himself with his old clothes before putting on his new robe and shoes. Unfortunately, the craftsmanship in this world wasn't very good, making the new outfit uncomfortable.

“Too bad the tailors here aren’t skilled,” Sun Yanwan thought.

He said to Zhang Qingxi, “Senior Brother, dry yourself and change first. Then we'll chase after that girl thief.”

Zhang Qingxi paused and laughed, “A girl thief? Is there really such a thing?”

Sun Yanwan sighed, thinking, "He clearly hasn't met tricky women before," but decided not to explain, simply replying, “I'll chase her first.”

That red-dressed girl almost shot him dead earlier. He wouldn’t easily forgive her.

At least, he planned on teaching her a lesson.

Sun Yanwan used his light martial arts to chase her, and soon he felt a breeze behind him—Zhang Qingxi, already changed, quickly caught up. Sun Yanwan was amazed seeing his senior brother’s graceful and swift movements, as if gliding on air effortlessly.

“Senior Brother, what's this skill?” Sun Yanwan asked eagerly.

“This is our Songyang Sect’s special technique, Riding the Wind. Our ancestor could soar into the sky and float for a long time,” Zhang Qingxi replied modestly. “I can only use it simply for speed.”

Sun Yanwan was impressed, recalling his master's skill of meditating above water. "So that was Riding the Wind too?"

Zhang Qingxi smiled and nodded.

After chasing several miles, they found an arrow stuck in a tree with a note. Zhang Qingxi warned, "Never touch these directly; they could be poisoned."

Sun Yanwan carefully used a stick to pull down the note, which read, “Wu Qingying apologizes for accidentally shooting you earlier. I came to apologize. Please don't be angry."

The handwriting was shaky, indicating her nervousness.

Sun Yanwan felt annoyed but realized chasing her further was pointless. Zhang Qingxi advised him, "It was just a misunderstanding, let it go."

"She almost killed me! How can I just forgive her?" Sun Yanwan complained, making Zhang Qingxi laugh again.

Meanwhile, Wu Qingying fled, blushing deeply from embarrassment after accidentally watching them bathe. She couldn't stop picturing their naked bodies.

“I really must hurry,” she thought urgently. "The lady needs help immediately, otherwise I'd stay and apologize properly."

Wu Qingying quietly returned to the Taiyi temple, noticed the horses Sun Yanwan had brought, and borrowed one, rushing away quickly.

Returning later, Sun Yanwan noticed a horse missing, annoyed again, but let it go easily. He just reminded Zhang Qingxi, “Next time don't stop me from beating any girl thieves.”

Feeling hungry after their efforts, Sun Yanwan cooked noodles with mushrooms and fresh vegetables. Zhang Qingxi loved it, jokingly suggesting Sun Yanwan become the temple cook. Sun Yanwan immediately refused, preferring not to take on extra work.

Suddenly, noise erupted outside. Alert, Zhang Qingxi said urgently, “Brother, bring weapons quickly!”

Sun Yanwan hurried inside, grabbing two swords he'd previously taken. Returning, he saw Zhang Qingxi had already knocked down several attackers.

Zhang Qingxi appeared calm, smiling confidently, “Brother, just watch me demonstrate our sect’s sword techniques.”

Clearly, these attackers wanted to silence them, likely associates of the gang they'd fought earlier. There were dozens now, lighting up the night with torches.

In their midst stood a stern-faced man gripping a sheathed sword, clearly the leader. After seeing Zhang Qingxi defeat several of his men effortlessly, he grew worried.

“This is bad,” he thought. “We've encountered skilled disciples from a reputable sect! The girl who warned the Sima family must have been rescued by them. If we don't kill these two, we're doomed. But killing them might cause even more trouble.”