Chapter 10: Monks and Nuns

Qu Heng was very surprised because he hadn't heard anything, only the torrential rain outside. He had practiced martial arts for decades, and though internal cultivation wasn't his primary focus, his decades of accumulation meant his internal strength wasn't low. Combined with over twenty years of escorting experience, his vigilance was extremely high.

Yet, he hadn't detected anyone outside at all.

However, he knew Gu Mo and understood that Gu Mo wasn't someone who spoke carelessly. Immediately, he gripped his longsword and gestured to the other escorts. These escorts had worked under him for many years and cooperated seamlessly.

Upon seeing Qu Heng's warning signal, they quietly drew their weapons and moved closer to their target, Tang Buyi, positioning themselves to mutually support each other.

Tang Buyi, who was sitting by the fire, also realized that danger might be approaching. He became completely alert, his hand gripping the sword hilt tightly.

Qu Heng slowly drew his longsword, gazed at the doorway, and called out clearly, "To the two friends outside, are you passing by or seeking shelter? If passing by, then safe travels. If you wish to rest, please come in. When traveling, assisting others is assisting oneself. I am Qu Heng, the escort leader of Changfeng Escort Agency. My regards!"

After speaking, Qu Heng waited quietly.

However, there was no response from outside, only the continued torrential rain.

After waiting for a while with no movement, Qu Heng began to suspect Gu Mo might have been mistaken. He looked at Gu Mo and began, "A'Mo..."

"The roof!" Gu Mo suddenly interjected.

Qu Heng was startled. Just then, with a loud crash, a hole burst open in the roof, and a figure descended. It was a monk clad in a袈裟, holding a monk's staff, which he swung directly at Tang Buyi.

Qu Heng hastily drew his sword to intervene.

But the monk's martial arts cultivation was profound. In their brief exchange, he immediately repelled Qu Heng, then quickly attacked Tang Buyi.

Fortunately, thanks to Gu Mo's warning, Tang Buyi was somewhat prepared and quickly swung his sword to block. However, this young master Tang clearly wasn't serious about martial arts in his daily life. Although his reaction was swift enough, his skill was mediocre, and he was sent flying by a single strike from the monk's staff, immediately spitting blood and barely able to stand.

Seeing this, Qu Heng quickly thrust his sword forward again.

However, at that very moment, the monk revealed a faint smile, then suddenly threw a handful of lime at Qu Heng, disrupting his rhythm. Instead of continuing his attack on young master Tang, he redirected his monk's staff and swung it at Qu Heng.

Qu Heng hastily retracted his sword to block.

With a resounding clang,

The monk's strength was terrifying. Qu Heng was forced back several steps, his hand gripping the longsword trembling violently.

"Protect young master Tang!"

Qu Heng shouted. The escorts rushed to shield young master Tang, who also reacted by drawing his longsword and confronting the monk.

"Hehehe," the monk said, looking at young master Tang, "I can't believe my luck is so good! Just looking for shelter from the rain, and I stumble upon such a plump lamb. Wouldn't you agree? For the esteemed eldest young master of the Tang family, three to five thousand taels of silver isn't asking too much, is it?"

Inside the room, two bonfires had been burning.

However, with a large hole in the roof, the pouring rain cascaded down, directly extinguishing one of the bonfires. Still, the flickering light allowed them to clearly see the monk, who was very burly, with a centipede-like scar on his head, looking quite ferocious.

"You are Iron Arhat Xuanzhi!" Qu Heng stated in a deep voice.

"Heh heh," the big monk chuckled, "Since you recognize me, then leave on your own, lest you lose your lives in vain. I only want young master Tang; I won't kill him, just exchange him for some money. You are escorts, earning honest money; there's no need to throw your lives away!"

Qu Heng's expression turned grim.

Iron Arhat Xuanzhi was a notorious evil master in the Linjiang Prefecture area. Originally a martial monk, he cruelly poisoned the kitchen after a verbal dispute with the temple abbot, then massacred all forty-odd fellow monks, stole secret scriptures, and fled into the martial world, falling into evil and committing many heinous crimes.

This man was infamous in the martial world but had always remained at large, relying on his exceptionally powerful martial arts.

As the saying goes, a man's reputation precedes him.

Qu Heng had suspected when he first saw Xuanzhi, and now, seeing the other party admit his identity, his heart sank to the bottom. This was a ruthless killer, and it would likely be difficult to resolve the situation peacefully today.

However, escorts always valued peaceful business, avoiding combat whenever possible. So, Qu Heng still braced himself and said, "Sir, please consider carefully. My Changfeng Escort Agency is not to be trifled with, and the Tang family is a renowned martial arts clan..."

Xuanzhi waved his hand. "Escort Leader Qu, my patience is limited. If you don't leave now, don't blame me for unleashing a massacre!"

Qu Heng said gravely, "There's no room for negotiation?"

"No negotiation..."

"Bang!"

At that moment,

The door was kicked open, and a middle-aged nun walked in, holding a longsword. She appeared to be in her forties, stout and sturdy, wrapped in a drab, rough cloth monastic robe. A hemp rope was tied around her waist, from which hung a string of brightly colored prayer beads.

The nun immediately entered, fuming, "Big monk, what the hell are you babbling so much for? I've been waiting outside for you for ages! Are you fighting or not? Why so much talk? Just kill them all! What kind of rubbish is this Changfeng Escort Agency, anyway?!"

"Nun Kuxin!"

When he saw the nun enter, Qu Heng's heart truly sank. This was another heinous evil master, a notorious partner of Iron Arhat Xuanzhi. The monk and nun pair were highly recognizable in the martial world, frequently appearing together to commit murder and arson.

One Iron Arhat was already difficult to handle, and now there was Nun Kuxin as well.

Qu Heng secretly groaned, realizing how unlucky they were to encounter these two. However, their escort agency had its rules; they couldn't just hand over their charge.

"A'Mo, Chuxia, you two are no longer part of our escort agency. This matter doesn't concern you; quickly leave!" Qu Heng looked at Xuanzhi and said, "Master, Nun, you've seen those two; one is blind, the other is a young girl. Can you let them go?"

Xuanzhi grinned. "Escort Leader Qu, I apologize, but I advised you to leave earlier, and you didn't. Now none of you can leave. As you can see, that old hag is angry, so you can only blame your bad luck. Don't worry, after you die, I will chant scriptures for your souls..."

Before he could finish speaking,

Xuanzhi suddenly moved, swinging the monk's staff in his hand at Qu Heng.

Xuanzhi's staff was very thick, about the size of a bowl, and when swung, it whistled with terrifying force, as if possessing immense power.

Previously, Qu Heng had exchanged a blow with Xuanzhi.

At that time, Xuanzhi's casual strike had left Qu Heng's arm numb and unable to recover for a while. Now, seeing Xuanzhi unleash his full power, Qu Heng dared not clash head-on and hastily dodged, shouting to the escorts, "Take young master Tang and go!" He then looked towards the corner and roared, "Chuxia, what are you standing there for? Take your brother and go!"

"You'd better worry about yourself!"

Xuanzhi sneered and fiercely attacked Qu Heng.

Qu Heng was completely suppressed, retreating continuously out the door. Taking advantage of the spacious outdoor area, he desperately dodged Xuanzhi. Meanwhile, inside the woodshed, Nun Kuxin also made her move, engaging in fierce combat with several of the Changfeng Escort Agency's escorts, easily overpowering them.

"Brother!"

In the corner, Gu Chuxia, gripping her Tang saber, whispered, "Should we help?"

"Help!"

Gu Mo's reply was unequivocal. Given his relationship with Qu Heng, he couldn't stand by and watch Qu Heng be killed. Moreover, Iron Arhat and Nun Kuxin were also wanted criminals; since they had encountered them, letting them escape was out of the question.

New target detected.Wanted Target: Iron Arhat XuanzhiMission Level: Two-starMission Reward: Max-level Dragon Capture Art...New target detected.Wanted Target: Nun KuxinMission Level: One-starMission Reward: Minor Restoration Pill