After Yan Nanfei and his companions introduced themselves, it was their turn to inquire about Yan Shouyi's situation.
Although Ling Xiaoxiao was named "Xiaoxiao," she was rather impudent. She pointed at Yan Shouyi's face and asked, "Why are you wearing that mask?"
Yan Shouyi instinctively touched his face, then said in a low voice:
"When I was young, my face was burned in a fire. I was always self-conscious and didn't even dare to talk to people. Finally, my master bestowed this mask upon me, which allowed me to regain my confidence. So... I apologize, everyone. I'm afraid you'll have to interact with this mask for the time being."
Sorry, Ah Gong!
Yan Shouyi borrowed Ah Gong's story, and the three people in front of him had no doubts.
The simple and honest Chang Shan comforted him, "Amitabha! Brother Dao, do not be self-conscious. A pure heart leads to a radiant countenance."
Yan Nanfei also said, "There's a saying that a beautiful appearance is a dime a dozen, but an interesting soul is one in a million. I find fellow Daoist Wu Nian to be very interesting, and you don't need to worry about your appearance."
"Thank you."
Getting along with these three turned out to be quite pleasant.
Yan Shouyi wondered in his heart, since they weren't bad people, how did they become enemies with his father back then?
He would probably have to ask his father about the cause and effect of all this when he had the time.
Yan Shouyi hadn't asked before mainly because Yan Chou had too many enemies. There were over a hundred people in just that chat group, and it would take three days and three nights to tell all their stories.
Another thing that puzzled Yan Shouyi was that his father had taken his grandmother back to Mount Emei. According to the calendar, they should have arrived by now. How was it that Ling Xiaoxiao was still coming to seek revenge?
As Yan Shouyi was pondering, a hand suddenly patted his shoulder.
He turned his head to see Long Feicheng. Yan Shouyi's expression changed immediately. Before he could stop him, he heard Long Feicheng panting and saying, "Brother Yan, I've been searching for a long time and still haven't found that kid! Do you think that kid isn't even around here at all?!"
"What did he call you?" Yan Nanfei asked in surprise.
"He called me... Brother Nian!" Yan Shouyi quickly introduced, "This is my junior brother, Long Feicheng. He was kicked in the head by a donkey when he was young, so his brain isn't quite right."
Ling Xiaoxiao and Chang Shan immediately cast sympathetic glances. "Ascension Immortal Temple truly lives up to its reputation as a famous Daoist temple. We are impressed!"
Indeed, other sects would select disciples with good looks and superior aptitude.
But Ascension Immortal Temple accepted those who were either burned in fires as children or had their heads kicked by donkeys – all cripples and invalids!
However, the three were also genuinely impressed with Ascension Immortal Temple. They believed that a sect should be like this, but most sects nowadays were chasing fame and fortune, forgetting their roots.
Long Feicheng was utterly bewildered. How did he become an idiot whose head was kicked by a donkey as a child?
Fortunately, he and Yan Shouyi had a tacit understanding. He quickly realized the situation of the three strangers and thought of the chat group.
In fact, Long Feicheng knew these people better than Yan Shouyi, as he was the one who had been tricking Yan Chou's enemies in the group. He had even strongly urged them to send more good-looking female disciples, claiming that they could seduce Yan Shouyi with their beauty when necessary.
Therefore, Long Feicheng, having regained his senses, immediately greeted them, "Oh, could this be fellow disciple Yan Nanfei from the Yan family of Kunlun Mountain! And this is junior sister Ling Xiaoxiao from Mount Emei? Hi! Little Master Chang Shan, I've heard so much about you!"
This guy greeted the three enthusiastically, as if they were old friends who hadn't seen each other for years, leaving Yan Shouyi stunned.
Seeing that the newcomer, Long Feicheng, could actually name their origins, Yan Nanfei's trust in Yan Shouyi and his companions increased.
Yan Shouyi pulled Long Feicheng aside and asked in a low voice, "Do you know them?"
"Yes!" Long Feicheng replied. "They sent a total of five young talents to hunt us down this time. The original agreement was that they would arrive the day after tomorrow, but for some reason, these three arrived early."
"So, there are still two who haven't arrived?"
"Uh-huh!"
"Alright, I'll tell them that we are fellow disciples and our masters are in seclusion... Do you know how to play along from here?"
Long Feicheng made an OK gesture and said confidently, "Don't worry, Brother Yan. If I don't get a chance to enter the entertainment industry, I could win an Oscar every year!"
Yan Shouyi rolled his eyes at him. "Stop bragging. Be careful. These people are not to be trifled with."
After the two had communicated, they turned back and smiled.
Ling Xiaoxiao asked curiously, "Who were you chasing just now?"
Long Feicheng was stunned, then slapped his thigh in annoyance, "Who else could it be! Of course, it's that Lu Ban descendant, Yan Shouyi, who has done all sorts of evil and deserves a thousand punishments!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Shouyi couldn't help but give Long Feicheng a thumbs-up in his heart.
He really knew how to spin a yarn!
The three were shocked. "That person just now was Yan Shouyi?!"
"You ran into him?" Long Feicheng was a little guilty. "Did you see what he looked like?"
Yan Nanfei shook his head. "He was wearing a hat, and we didn't pay much attention at first... But hearing what you said, now that I think about it, it really does sound like Yan Shouyi!"
Chang Shan also said, "He spat blood and seemed to be injured. He looked quite flustered when he saw us."
"That's right!" Yan Shouyi chimed in, cooperating. "He knew we were coming to capture him, so he panicked!"
Yan Nanfei frowned. "But he's already escaped. It's too late to chase him now."
Capturing the赊刀人 (赊刀人,赊刀人,赊刀人,赊刀人) was originally Yan Shouyi's goal, but now that Yan Nanfei and his companions had arrived, this matter would likely have to be postponed.
He had to think of a way to deal with these uninvited guests.
So Yan Shouyi said, "In the West Lake behind us, there is something he wants, so he won't leave Rongcheng anytime soon. We will definitely have another chance to catch him later! ... How about this, you three have traveled a long way and must be tired. I will arrange accommodations for you first."
These words struck a chord with the three. After all, they were on a mission during their journey and hadn't rested properly. Moreover, the allowance given by their elders wasn't much.
Now that they had arrived, someone was willing to arrange food and lodging, and they were delighted.
However, they still had to put on an act. Ling Xiaoxiao deliberately said, "This wouldn't be good! Actually, we have our own places to stay..."
"Oh, Rongcheng is our territory, so of course, we should arrange it! Just listen to me!"
How could Yan Shouyi not see Ling Xiaoxiao's intentions? His words greatly increased Ling Xiaoxiao's good impression of him.
He hadn't seen such a considerate "big spender" in a long time!
Yan Shouyi turned to Long Feicheng and said, "Call that brat and explain the situation, and have her arrange the hotel."
"Understood... Uh... Yes! Senior Brother!"
Long Feicheng pretended to salute Yan Shouyi and stepped aside to call Lin Zitong.
Soon, everything was arranged. Yan Shouyi led the three to the entrance of a luxurious five-star hotel under the Lin family's name, following the address given by Lin Zitong.
Looking at the magnificent hotel, Chang Shan looked a little embarrassed. "Amitabha, monks practice simplicity in all things. In such a luxurious hotel, my heart feels... unsettled."
Yan Nanfei was very appreciative and helped to comfort him. "Chang Shan, doesn't your Buddhist sect believe in rebirth in the next life? If you can stay in this hotel today, it must be because you helped fellow Daoist Wu Nian in your past life, and he is repaying your kindness. So, you should accept it with peace of mind!"
Yan Shouyi, standing nearby, found this incredibly ridiculous.
So, I'm inviting you to stay at a hotel, and now it seems like I owe you something?
When I've dealt with you all, you'll have plenty to cry about!
After convincing Chang Shan, Yan Shouyi checked them in and took the elevator to their rooms.
Ling Xiaoxiao was not polite at all. As soon as she entered the room, she jumped onto the bed, making some soft humming sounds.
Long Feicheng, standing in the hallway, whispered to Yan Shouyi, "Brother Yan, I think my true love has arrived."
"Get lost! Last time you took me for a foot massage, you said the same thing when you saw the masseuse. But when I asked, she was a thrice-divorced woman, and you said the time wasn't right."
Yan Shouyi glared at Long Feicheng.
"Is that what you call liking someone? You're just lusting after their bodies, you're vulgar!"
Long Feicheng: "..."
"What were you talking about, foot massage?"
Just then, Lin Zitong quietly approached them from behind.
Yan Shouyi's shoulders stiffened immediately, and he quickly changed the subject. "Those three are inside. In a moment, you'll say you are my junior sister and Little Long's senior sister, understand?"
"I understand, but what about the foot massage?" Lin Zitong asked.
Yan Shouyi: "..."
Long Feicheng turned away and pretended to smoke, acting as if he hadn't heard anything.
Lin Zitong gave them a disgruntled look but didn't pry further. Instead, she asked, "Did that赊刀人 escape?"
Yan Shouyi replied, "We missed him for now, but he definitely won't give up. We can use this opportunity to shift the focus and give these three guys something to do."
As they were speaking, the three people inside had put down their luggage and came out into the hallway.
"Let me introduce you, this is my junior sister, Little Long's senior sister," Yan Shouyi introduced.
Lin Zitong bowed to the three and added, "My Dharma name is Zi Qing."
Seeing Lin Zitong, the three felt a sense of awe. After all, they had seen many beautiful women in their hometowns, but a woman like Lin Zitong, who emerged unstained from the mud and remained pure without being seductive, was something they had never encountered before.
For example, in Kunlun Mountain, where Yan Nanfei was from, the women who ascended the mountain were all ethereal, walking with a celestial grace that created a sense of distance.
But Lin Zitong, born into the secular world, had entered the Daoist sect. She possessed both celestial and worldly charm. While her beauty was astonishing, she didn't evoke a sense of remoteness.
Yan Nanfei even involuntarily swallowed.
Seeing this, Lin Zitong directly took Yan Shouyi's arm and said, "Fellow disciple Wu Nian and I are Dao companions."
Ling Xiaoxiao's mouth widened, and then she showed an envious expression. "What a divine couple!"
It was evident that the young girl also had some yearning for love.
Yan Nanfei, being a gentleman, once he learned that Lin Zitong was taken, no longer harbored any ulterior motives. He even cupped his hands towards Yan Shouyi, silently apologizing for his earlier transgression.
This surprised Yan Shouyi greatly, and he felt that Yan Nanfei was a true gentleman who dared to act and bear responsibility.
Lin Zitong said, "You must be tired from your journey. Master has ordered us to prepare a banquet. Let's eat and chat tonight."
Ling Xiaoxiao couldn't help but swallow. "Okay, okay! I'm starving! Following Senior Brother Yan and Senior Brother Chang Shan, who are as dense as wooden heads, I haven't been taken care of at all!"
The two groups then went downstairs, chatting and laughing, as if they were old friends gathering, with a very harmonious atmosphere.
However, after they went downstairs, a man wearing a hoodie came to Ling Xiaoxiao's door, keeping his head down.
His eyes, hidden in the shadow of his hat, revealed a hint of anger.
"So you're all in this together. You injured me during the day, and I won't let you have an easy night!"
This赊刀人 decided to strike back and teach Yan Shouyi and the others a lesson.
He confidently took out his lock-picking wires and then found himself stumped by the electronic lock of the high-end hotel room.
Just as he was wondering what to do, a hotel attendant passed by. Seeing the赊刀人 looking confused, she proactively took out a key card.
"Guest, did you forget your room card in your room?"
The赊刀人 nodded silently.
"I'll open it for you."
The attendant's thoughtful service allowed the赊刀人 to easily open Ling Xiaoxiao's room door.
However, upon opening the door, both the赊刀人 and the attendant were stunned.
The room was filled with Ling Xiaoxiao's clothes, which were not only pink and tender but also in very small sizes.
Even if the赊刀人 wanted to claim he was a cross-dresser now, the attendant wouldn't believe him.
So, after exchanging glances, the赊刀人 knocked out the attendant and quickly dragged her into the room, closing the door tightly.