Chapter 174: No One Sleeps Peacefully

Chapter 174: No One Sleeps in Peace

Though the night is not long, no one can find rest tonight.

The news of Luohan Temple's fall plummeted into the deep sea of sharks surrounding Chongqing Prefecture like a drop of sweet blood.

Beneath the seemingly calm surface, dark currents have already begun to surge.

Cao Cang, his clothes dusty from travel, stood outside Feilou Pavilion. After repeatedly confirming there were no unusual sounds within, he finally pushed open the door with a sudden jerk.

The walls bore no traces of speech, and the curtains by the bed rose.

A young woman sat on the bedside, her sharp jawline and round forehead framed by jet-black hair styled into cloud-like buns.

Her short skirt, reaching only to her thighs, revealed two slender legs of snow-white skin, with two faint golden lines embedded in them, stretching from her ankles upward to that tantalizing hidden place.

She sat there, and her beauty was so captivating it seemed to steal one's soul.

This stunning woman was none other than Yuan Mingfei, one of the "Eight Generals" of the Sichuan-Chongqing metropolis.

"You finally deigned to show yourself?"

Her voice was like a lament, with a bewitching charm laced with resentment.

Cao Cang's brows, sharp as blades, slightly furrowed as he replied in a flat tone: "I've been busy lately."

"Really a wooden dummy. If this lady didn't know you'd had meat before, I'd think you'd been castrated like those eunuchs."

Yuan Mingfei muttered under her breath, her eyes flickering with another wave of enchanting charm.

"That traitor Gong Qinghong can't be found, but you've worked so hard? He's just a minor character; it won't affect the bigger picture."

Cao Cang shook his head: "I promised someone else. Gong Qinghong must die."

"A stubborn mule!"

The woman huffed, then her tone shifted as she giggled: "Did you know your patron made quite a splash today?"

Cao Cang nodded: "I saw it on the forum at the assembly on the way here."

"Those two Buddhas—using Buddhist terms, they're both 'living arhats' now. One is dead, the other fled, and even the Yellow Lotus host was destroyed. A family scattered and ruined—what a tragedy."

Yuan Mingfei's tone was mocking, as if she were reveling in the misfortune.

Cao Cang remained silent, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of admiration.

The woman's smile brightened, her lips clicking: "No wonder the Qingcheng Group offered a bounty of five million. If I were them, I wouldn't sleep soundly either, having such a grudge against this man."

"We don't lack that kind of money!"

On Cao Cang's wooden face, a hint of tension finally emerged, as if he feared this madwoman might hatch some wild scheme.

"Why so tense, little Cao Cang?"

Yuan Mingfei, watching his increasingly grave expression, burst into laughter: "Relax. I'm not interested in money—I'm interested in him."

The woman extended her fingers, twirling a strand of green silk around her fingertip, her face flushed, her eyes sultry.

"In those days, the martial artists loved to indulge in Yellow Lotus's Buddhist realm. Do you think this widower still has the guts to practice Joyful Meditation with me?"

Though he'd seen countless such scenes, Cao Cang still felt uneasy with her way of speaking.

In the past, he might have chosen silence as his answer.

But today, for some reason, Cao Cang suddenly felt a stir in his heart and, almost against his will, replied: "He'll dare, but you should be careful—your body might change shape."

Yuan Mingfei's phoenix eyes widened, her crimson lips parting. After a moment's stunned silence, she suddenly raged:

"Good for you, kid. After all these years I've taken care of you, you've been cold and distant. Now that he's been beaten, you're rushing to defend him? You can't tell right from wrong, can you?"

Cao Cang watched her mouth flapping wildly, his heart filled with regret.

Yet beneath the regret, a strange sense of relief stirred within him.

Yuan Mingfei let out a cold snort: "This martial artist named Li Jun probably won't last long."

Cao Cang's brow suddenly tightened: "What do you mean—the Buddhist sect won't let this go?"

"Of course not. These bald monks don't have the habit of letting things slide. Now that someone spat thick phlegm in their faces, how could they not retaliate?"

The allure on her face faded, replaced by a sharp, fiery intensity.

She pulled out a jade-green cigarette and tucked it into her mouth, taking a deep drag before exhaling a large plume of pungent smoke.

Her movements were practiced to perfection, clearly a veteran smoker.

Yuan Mingfei's face turned cold: "Besides, do you know who's behind Luohan Temple? It's Shaolin Temple—the biggest moneybags in the Buddhist world!"

"Luohan Temple is just a nail they hammered into the southwest. If it weren't for the fact that all the forces in Chongqing Prefecture want to drive the Buddhist sect out, do you think Li Jun could've so easily destroyed Luohan Temple?"

Cao Cang's expression showed sudden realization, and some of his doubts were finally resolved.

Luohan Temple had managed to establish itself in Chongqing Prefecture and engage in the "incense money" business—this wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Li Jun was formidable, but taking on an entire faction alone was still a bit too incredible.

Now, hearing Yuan Mingfei's words, Cao Cang realized the situation in Chongqing Prefecture was far more complex than he'd imagined.

"Now that Luohan Temple has been destroyed in broad daylight, with people killed, Shaolin Temple will surely send someone to deal with it."

The woman spoke coldly: "And I heard he also killed a white-robed monk from White Dragon Temple. The White Dragon Temple's backer, Dazhao Temple, has considerable influence in the area—they might use this excuse to send people into Chongqing Prefecture too."

"Shaolin Temple and Dazhao Temple..."

Cao Cang raised his eyebrow, and his upright stance suddenly exuded a chilling killing intent: "I won't let them near you!"

"You're worried about me now?"

Yuan Mingfei rolled her eyes irritably, then suddenly smiled: "As long as you have that heart, there's no need to worry so much. Though I'm of the Buddhist-martial sequence, I've long left Yellow Lotus's Buddhist realm. Now I'm just a wandering nun without any credentials."

"Besides, Luohan Temple's matter has nothing to do with me. Even if those Buddhas are domineering, they can't use this excuse to trouble me, can they?"

"They need a guide familiar with the situation. Without Luohan Temple, you're the best fit."

Cao Cang's eyes were cold and sharp, and his concise words pierced the woman's unspoken concerns.

Yuan Mingfei's smile froze on her face, her lips smacking a few times before her graceful figure was swallowed by the smoke.

"That's why I came to see you today—to tell you to be careful. If things go wrong, leave Chongqing Prefecture immediately. Don't hesitate."

"I can't do that."

Yuan Mingfei snapped: "Didn't I give you a 'mind ape' mechanical heart? You don't need to repay me with your life."

"Honestly, I've regretted giving you that mechanical heart. It's made you stubborn and caused me so many enemies. The worst part is you don't even know how to win my favor."

Cao Cang ignored her words, speaking to himself: "The gambling house."

The woman waved her hand, her interest waning: "Forget it. Those people are dying to see me dead so they can take my place as the 'Ballad General.'"

"It doesn't matter. I've had enough of these carefree days in Chongqing Prefecture. If they drag me back to serve the Buddha, my skills haven't gone rusty—I can manage."

"Since the gambling house people can't be relied on, I'll have to team up with that person."

Cao Cang didn't listen to her consolation, thinking to himself.

With his mind made up, he no longer delayed and turned to leave.

Only after the door was shut with a heavy thud did the woman's sorrowful expression finally fade, and she whispered to herself:

"Would I have to play the martyr if not for that martial artist's vendetta against the Buddhist order?"

Yuan Mingfei let out a long sigh, cradling the cigarette in her arms, then leaned back and collapsed into the soft, expansive quilt.

"To seek a moment of peace is truly no easy feat. The world is full of suffering—why should I care? I shall cross my own river, and that suffices."