After dealing with the last tomb-guarding snake ghost, peace finally returned to the mountain forest.
Yan Shouyi and his companions rested where they were, and the rest of the people caught up.
The surviving unique individuals, having witnessed Yan Shouyi's skills, were now filled with admiration and eagerly came forward to greet him, hoping to get closer to the legendary descendant of Lu Ban.
Yan Shouyi's attitude towards these people was much colder.
Firstly, unlike the Ma siblings, they didn't share the same sense of familiarity as fellow members of folk sects. Secondly, they had coerced the nearby villagers into the cave to lure out the tomb-guarding snake ghosts, an action he could not approve of.
However, it wasn't time to fall out with them yet. To ensure that more manpower would be available to help enter King Jian's tomb and to quickly resolve Lin Zitong's蛊毒 (gu poison), Yan Shouyi could only offer them a brief greeting.
Both sides tacitly avoided mentioning Yan Shouyi's earlier disruption, thus preventing awkwardness.
Long Feicheng, holding the Caiwei Sword, cautiously scanned their surroundings. "Brother Yan, I don't seem to see any other snake ghosts. Have they all died?"
This reminded Yan Shouyi. Ever since the tomb-guarding snake ghost died, the other small snake ghosts had also disappeared.
It appeared that the small snake ghosts were all manifestations of the main snake ghost.
"Did the last tomb-guarding snake ghost die? Where is the tomb-guarding snake gall?"
At this moment, Boss Zhou rushed out from behind the crowd. With his chest puffed out and an air of superiority, as if he hadn't been the one cowering fearfully behind them just moments ago.
Ma Jinxuan held the tomb-guarding snake gall. This time, she hesitated, not handing it over to Boss Zhou immediately.
This was because the tomb-guarding snake gall was obtained with the help of Yan Shouyi and his companions, and she had no right to dispose of it.
Seeing this, Boss Zhou frowned, then sized up Yan Shouyi and his group.
He narrowed his eyes and said, "Was it you, kid, who ruined my plans just now?"
Yan Shouyi had no good feelings towards Boss Zhou; after all, Uncle Jiang had died because of him.
So Yan Shouyi let out a cold snort and said, "I am from Chenjia Village. Your disregard for human life, even if I don't deal with you, you will eventually face retribution."
Boss Zhou laughed heartily, "Kill and set fires, gain fortunes; build bridges and repair roads, find no bodies. If bad people truly faced retribution, why would I be wealthy beyond compare, while you are just a bumpkin?"
Yan Shouyi disdained arguing with Boss Zhou over such matters. There were many ways to become rich, and wealth was merely the most superficial.
Moreover, the Yan family's wealth was something Boss Zhou could never imagine, and Lin Zitong's was certainly far superior to his.
It was the straightforward Long Feicheng who, seeing Boss Zhou's arrogant demeanor, directly placed the Caiwei Sword at his throat.
"Brother Yan, why waste words with him? This fat toad has done countless evil deeds. Why don't I act on behalf of heaven?"
Before Yan Shouyi could speak, Boss Zhou mocked him, "A broken wooden sword, are you trying to scare children?"
Seeing Boss Zhou looking down on the Caiwei Sword, Long Feicheng directly swung the sword at a nearby bamboo.
His cultivation was not as good as Yan Shouyi's, but chopping a bamboo was not a problem. As the bamboo fell, Boss Zhou immediately caved, "K-killing people is illegal!"
"You damn well know that?" Long Feicheng kicked Boss Zhou.
Boss Zhou angrily retorted, "Try hitting me again! Believe it or not, I'll have you chopped up?!"
The unique individuals were also in a dilemma, unsure whether they should help Boss Zhou.
After all, Yan Shouyi and his companions were not to be trifled with.
"You'll chop me? I'll chop you first!" Long Feicheng shouted, "They have leverage over you, but we don't. Do you really think I'm afraid of you?!"
Seeing that he was about to take further action, Ma Xingping quickly stopped him.
"Brother Long, calm down. While Boss Zhou is not a good person, he is familiar with the internal situation of King Jian's tomb, which will be helpful when we descend later!"
"So you're helping this Boss Zhou for that reason?" Yan Shouyi asked. "He's just an ordinary person, not even from the inland, how can he be familiar with King Jian's tomb?"
Ma Jinxuan replied, "His ancestors were artisans who built the tomb for King Jian. After completing the tomb, they were supposed to be buried alive with it, but his ancestor secretly left an escape route while building the tomb and managed to escape. He also left behind an ancient book, which recorded the structure and various mechanisms of King Jian's tomb."
"So that's how it is..." Lin Zitong let out a cold snort, "So he's set his sights on King Jian's tomb?"
Ma Xingping nodded and stood in front of Boss Zhou.
"King Jian's tomb is bound to be fraught with danger. With Boss Zhou present, it will certainly reduce some casualties. If you truly want revenge, you can deal with him after we come out, but before we enter the tomb, I won't let you kill him."
Long Feicheng was furious, "I thought we had formed a revolutionary friendship, and now you're protecting this scoundrel."
Yan Shouyi quickly intervened to mediate, "Little Long, don't be impulsive. At least for now, our goals are aligned. To reduce casualties, what's wrong with sparing his life for the time being? And think about it, we all have abilities. When we descend into the tomb later, the most dangerous person will actually be..."
Long Feicheng was taken aback.
Yes, when we descend into the tomb later, I am the most dangerous person...
In an instant, Long Feicheng changed his attitude, "Then let's spare his life. the monk can run, but the temple cannot. We'll settle the score properly after we come out!"
Yan Shouyi was speechless. He had the deep hatred for Boss Zhou, but Long Feicheng reacted even more strongly than he did.
However, Long Feicheng was simply a bit chivalrous. Perhaps it was because he had lived a hard life in the past, and now he couldn't bear to see human suffering or villains prosper.
Yan Shouyi also had his own plans; if necessary, he would abandon or sacrifice Boss Zhou, letting the guy taste his own retribution.
With the conflict resolved, Boss Zhou became arrogant again, "So, you've bypassed me and directly formed a partnership with them?"
Yan Shouyi retorted, "You disagree?"
"Of course, I disagree," Boss Zhou sneered.
Yan Shouyi quietly took out his Zanpakuto, "Then if we can't reach an agreement, there's no need for me to keep you alive, right?"
Boss Zhou was stunned, not expecting the rejection of Yan Shouyi's offer to come so quickly.
Ma Xingping said, "Boss Zhou, you've also witnessed the capabilities of Yan Shouyi and his companions. We haven't even entered King Jian's tomb, and it's already so perilous. Once we go down, who knows what we might encounter. Moreover, we've lost quite a number of our men. When we descend now, facing danger, who knows how many of us will return alive..."
This was Ma Xingping giving Boss Zhou an out. After all, Boss Zhou, who knew the situation of King Jian's tomb, was a core figure. Even if Ma Xingping didn't cooperate with Yan Shouyi, he wouldn't casually abandon Boss Zhou.
Boss Zhou was also pragmatic and could only grit his teeth and reluctantly agree, "A partnership then, but shouldn't you give me the last tomb-guarding snake gall?"
Ma Jinxuan sought the opinions of Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong. Seeing them nod, she handed the tomb-guarding snake gall to Boss Zhou.
Thus, the three parties, each with their own objectives, reluctantly reached a cooperation.
Yan Shouyi did not reveal his purpose for descending into the tomb, only stating that his target was not the Roulingshi.
He worried that if he revealed Lin Zitong's situation, Boss Zhou might secretly harm them.
However, Ma Xingping trusted Yan Shouyi. As long as their goal was not the Roulingshi, then the two sides had no conflict of interest and could remain friends.