Long Aotian’s Beautiful Butler Has Run Away chapter 114

Chapter 114: Meeting Point

Shen Bingsi raised his eyebrows, his expression improving slightly. He reached into his robes, fumbled around, and pulled out two pebble-like Sound Transmission Jade Tokens.

Rong Xie reached out to take them, but Shen Bingsi dodged his hand, insisting on hanging them on him personally.

“If you hang them now, I’ll just have to take them off to sleep later,” Rong Xie said.

“Hang them first.” Shen Bingsi held Rong Xie’s waist with one hand and rotated the two jade tokens in the other like rolling walnuts. He put one down, pinched the other, chose a spot on Rong Xie’s side, and tied it on.

Rong Xie looked down. There were four Sound Transmission Jade Tokens on his belt: three on one side and one on the other. Shen Bingsi had hung it on his left side, occupying a spacious area all by itself.

“Why hang it on this side?” Rong Xie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “It’s not handy on this side.”

“That side is too crowded. In a crisis, what if you grab the wrong one?” Shen Bingsi analyzed seriously. “If it’s not handy, swap sides when you get up tomorrow morning.”

Rong Xie was about to agree when he suddenly realized Shen Bingsi’s intention. He had gone in such a big circle just to monopolize the handiest spot for himself.

“Fine. Two of them aren’t needed for now; I’ll put them away.” Rong Xie took off the jade tokens for contacting Shen Yan and Wang Mu, leaving only the two for Captain Zhao and Shen Bingsi.

“This is good, this is good.” Shen Bingsi beamed with joy.

“Eh?” Rong Xie turned over the jade token Shen Bingsi gave him and found the character “Bing” carved on it, not the one that belonged to him. “Did you take the wrong one? How is this…”

Shen Bingsi smiled, pursed his lips, and looked away, seemingly pleased with himself about something unknown.

“Wrong one. Where is mine?” Rong Xie poked Shen Bingsi.

“Didn’t take the wrong one.” Shen Bingsi turned his head away. “Hurry up and rest. I need to meditate and regulate my breath. I’m nervous. The guy next door might surpass me later.”

Rong Xie didn’t know what drama this was—maybe a part of some touching friendship. He didn’t care; it made no difference which side the jade token was on.

“By the way.” Rong Xie took off the jade tokens, took off his outer robe, folded it, and lay on the couch. Then he propped himself up and turned back, seeing Shen Bingsi had really started meditating.

Shen Bingsi opened his eyes. “What is it? I haven’t entered a trance yet. Need me to sleep with you?”

“…No.” Rong Xie pointed to the neatly folded outer robe by the couch. “Wear this tomorrow. It still has Madam Mei’s scent on it; it won’t easily reveal flaws.”

“Alright then.” Shen Bingsi hesitated, then asked, “Can I hold it now?”

“Mn?” Rong Xie didn’t understand what he meant. “Take… take it then.”

Sponsored

Shen Bingsi beamed, untangled his long legs from the chair, stepped over like a child getting a treasure, scooped up the outer robe from the bed, and hugged it in his arms.

Fortunately, Shen Bingsi didn’t bury his head to sniff it; otherwise, Rong Xie wouldn’t have been able to stop himself from kicking him.

In the latter half of the night, Rong Xie slept exceptionally soundly. Perhaps due to exhaustion, he didn’t even dream.

It felt like only a short time had passed when the sky brightened. Faint morning light filtered through the window paper and fell on his face.

“Mm… what time is it?” Rong Xie rubbed his eyes, suddenly woke up fully, and hurriedly sat up to look out the window.

“Just dawn. Mao hour hasn’t passed yet,” came Shen Bingsi’s voice from the chair.

Rong Xie sighed in relief and lay back down. He trusted Shen Bingsi’s timekeeping implicitly. Back at Huanxue Villa, Shen Bingsi could hear the bell on the main peak across so many valleys and peaks. In the Lu estate, which had water clocks for timekeeping, it wasn’t surprising Shen Bingsi could tell the exact time.

“Nothing happened last night, right?” Rong Xie asked.

“No, very quiet,” Shen Bingsi said.

Rong Xie had heard someone screaming in the middle of the night last time he was at the Lu estate. This time, there was no sound at all. Presumably, with Lu Yingqi back, the Lu family found it inconvenient to do things right under his nose.

“Is Lu Yingqi still next door?” Rong Xie asked again.

“Yes, he is still meditating,” Shen Bingsi replied.

“Okay. After I wash up, you transform into my appearance and go out to let Lu Yingqi take a look. If there are no problems, we start the operation officially,” Rong Xie arranged.

“Done!”

Half an hour later, everything was ready. Shen Bingsi made a round next door and returned to report to Rong Xie that Lu Yingqi hadn’t noticed he was fake and even asked if he wanted breakfast.

Hearing this, Rong Xie felt relieved.

A while later, a knock came on the study door. Lu Yingqi said from outside that he was going to pay respects to the Old Master and asked if Rong Xie wanted him to bring any food back.

Rong Xie opened the door, told Lu Yingqi no need for food as he had no appetite, and asked about Lu Yingqi’s detailed schedule.

Lu Yingqi wasn’t sure. He might stay there after paying respects. Yesterday’s events were sudden, and the relatives hadn’t had a chance to talk to him. Today, they would probably hold him for a longer chat, likely until the welcome banquet at noon.

“You can start the operation a bit earlier, but not too early,” Lu Yingqi pondered. “I will tell you when you can start.”

Sponsored

Lu Yingqi didn’t need a Sound Transmission Jade Token. Within the range of his spiritual perception, he could transmit his voice directly.

“Okay,” Rong Xie said. “I’ll wait for your news here.”

With the plan set, Lu Yingqi left, leaving only Rong Xie and Shen Bingsi in the room.

Rong Xie had Shen Bingsi re-establish the barrier, then took out his Sound Transmission Jade Token to contact Captain Zhao.

Captain Zhao had risen very early and had been waiting for Rong Xie’s contact. The Treasure Hunting Team had stayed in a mountain village around Qinghe County last night and gathered quite a bit of news.

The Lu estate was indeed not as innocent as Madam Mei claimed. Whenever a new young master or miss was born in the Lu estate, children in the surrounding mountain villages would go missing inexplicably for several years afterward. Rumor had it the Lu estate stole the children.

Some parents who lost children went to block the door to demand them back. Some actually managed to get them back. It was said those were children the Lu estate had selected and deemed to have poor aptitude. Those with excellent aptitude were never returned, no matter what. Plus, with the Qinghe County Yamen backing the Lu family, how could villagers fight the officials? Whenever a new child was born to the Lu family, everyone could only watch their own children closely and pray for blessings.

Hearing that some families actually got their children back from the Lu estate, Rong Xie hurriedly asked Captain Zhao if those children said what they saw.

Captain Zhao had indeed taken team members to find them. They found two families. One child was taken at too young an age and remembered nothing. The other was foolish and mentally disabled, born with disabilities.

“The Lu estate really does things watertight…” Rong Xie said regretfully.

“But the adults of that second family told us their child often has nightmares after coming back, muttering ‘black’ and ‘well,’ and also saying there is a huge flower that eats children.”

Rong Xie was startled. “Eats children?”

Wasn’t that evidence of a monster?

“Yes, but their child is foolish and often speaks nonsense. Who knows which sentence is true and which is false,” Captain Zhao added. “I only told you, Fellow Daoist Rong, because I heard them mention ‘well’ and thought it might have some reference value.”

“Mn…” Rong Xie pondered. Captain Zhao made sense. The Lu estate captured children to cultivate attendant boys, not to feed monsters. If there really was a monster that needed children for food, it would be extremely evil, and the Sky Mirror should have shown it long ago.

Regardless, a field investigation was necessary. Rong Xie put aside the “flower eats children” matter for now and discussed the action plan with Captain Zhao.

Captain Zhao and the others found out that the Lu estate transported vegetables and fruits from the farm into the estate every day. Today was an important day, so the demand for ingredients was high. They would disguise themselves as villagers delivering vegetables to enter the estate, then use magic to hide their tracks and sneak to the vicinity of the “Well” to meet Rong Xie and act together.

“That couldn’t be better,” Rong Xie said. “Be careful on the road. Notify me immediately if any accident happens.”

“Will do. Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Rong!”

After speaking, Captain Zhao cautiously asked if there were any unexpected situations on Rong Xie’s side, like an extra person in the room or something.

Sponsored

Rong Xie knew he meant Shen Bingsi, so he told him Shen Bingsi was currently impersonating him in Lu Yingqi’s room. If any accident occurred, Shen Bingsi would also come to help.

Hearing this, Captain Zhao instantly felt relieved. He agreed with Rong Xie to thoroughly investigate the evil deeds done privately by the Lu estate and seek justice for those innocent captured children.

After ending the contact with Captain Zhao, Rong Xie began to wait for Lu Yingqi’s news. During this period, Shen Bingsi was restless again, wanting to go with Rong Xie. After all, this case sounded extremely evil, involving a monster that ate children. Slaying demons was Shen Bingsi’s trade; it made no sense for Rong Xie not to let him go.

“Isn’t it because there’s no evidence? Once I find evidence, I’ll notify you immediately,” Rong Xie said helplessly.

Lu Yingqi’s transmission came earlier than expected. After receiving it, Rong Xie immediately notified Captain Zhao to start the operation.

Captain Zhao had already infiltrated the vegetable delivery villagers’ team with the core members of the Treasure Hunting Team. With one order, they could head to the meeting point.

Rong Xie checked his talismans and magical tools, tightened the bindings on his wrists and calves, and changed into a fitted outfit suitable for action, with a windproof hooded cloak over it. He looked valiant and heroic, like a knight errant walking the martial world.

Shen Bingsi saw Rong Xie dressed like this, a longing look appearing on his face again. He escorted him all the way to the main house door.

“Don’t worry. If I encounter demons or monsters, I’ll contact you immediately.” Rong Xie reassured him. Without looking at Shen Bingsi too much, he waved his hand with his back turned. With a soft poof, Rong Xie’s figure vanished.

Only Shen Bingsi, transformed into Rong Xie, remained clinging to the doorframe, looking resentfully at the spot where the figure disappeared.

Rong Xie stuck on an Invisibility Talisman and walked along the Lu family’s paths with ease. As planned, the Lu family members were all drawn to the welcome banquet. There was no one on the road. Rong Xie arrived smoothly at the “Well” location to wait for Captain Zhao and the others.

Strangely, after waiting for a long time, not a single soul appeared.

Rong Xie felt uneasy and contacted Captain Zhao again.

Fortunately, the connection was made quickly.

Captain Zhao lowered his voice and asked anxiously, “Fellow Daoist Rong, where are you? We are already next to the circular walled building.”

“What?” Rong Xie immediately looked around. “I am also here. Why don’t I see you?”

“Maybe we aren’t on the same side. This wall is huge.” Captain Zhao seemed to be walking while talking. “Fellow Daoist Rong, don’t move. We’ll come find you.”

“Are you going around left or right?” Rong Xie asked.

“Right.”

“Okay, then I’ll go left,” Rong Xie said. “It’ll be faster.”

Sponsored

He thought the two parties would meet soon, but after circling for a long time, he still hadn’t seen a single person.

“What is going on? We’ve circled back to the starting point and still haven’t seen you!” Captain Zhao’s voice was noticeably agitated.

Rong Xie pondered for a moment and said, “This place is very strange. We cannot take it lightly.”

“What do we do now?” Captain Zhao said. “How about we go directly up the wall to look! Regardless of what maze is below the wall, once we go up, it will be clear!”

“Wait,” Rong Xie stopped the team member about to throw a rope. “The closer to the ‘Well,’ the greater the danger might be—is Miss Ling Long’s Eagle-Headed Falcon still there?”

Captain Zhao paused, then reacted quickly. “Right, we can send Ah Ying up to look. How did I forget that… Ling Long!”

Voices of Captain Zhao and Ling Long talking came from the jade token. A while later, Captain Zhao said, “Fellow Daoist Rong, Ah Ying has flown up. Stay where you are and see if Ah Ying can find you.”

“Okay—” Rong Xie looked up. The sunshine today was excellent, unlike winter. Amidst the blue sky and white clouds, a black dot suddenly appeared. The black dot grew larger. Rong Xie gripped the Sound Transmission Jade Token. “It’s coming. I see Ah Ying.”

The Eagle-Headed Falcon flapped its wings and landed on Rong Xie’s shoulder. As if knowing he was contacting its master via the jade token, it tilted its head close to the token and let out a “Gah.”