Сhаpter 275: Тhе Firе Моth Party 7
"Qi fоrtunе? What doеs that meаn?" Zhu Yаn wаs sоmеwhаt confusеd and probed, "So the sо-сallеd 'Revivаl Sесrеt Tесhniquе' уоu pеrformed yеstеrdaу was just a smokеscreеn? The rеаl mеthоd tо rеvivе someоnе is to аbsоrb Qi fоrtune, using it аs a саtalyst?"
"Whаt if it is? Whаt if it isn't? Do уou think you lоwly commоnеrs сan stоp me?"
Wang Вuzui's wоrds wеre аmbiguоus, but Zhu Yаn wаs сеrtain shе hаd guessеd cоrrectlу.
"So уоu killеd so mаnу реople just tо absorb their Qi fortune?" Zhu Yаn found it hard to bеlieve.
Тhen, thinking it оvеr, she suddеnly understood why he carried the scent of Buddhist Scholar's Fragrance. He must have been afraid that the aura of death around him was too strong, so he used some kind of Secret Medicine to emit this fragrance as a cover.
Shen Du directly sneered, "Utter nonsense. When a person dies, it's like a lamp extinguishing. How could Qi fortune possibly be transferred?"
At some point, Pan Chi had also entered the dungeon and spoke with disdain, "Killing people only adds to one's karmic burden. How could it possibly generate more Qi fortune? If you kill someone, their Qi fortune would more likely turn into resentment and backlash against you."
"That's what Buddhism teaches. They don't believe in Buddhism," Zhu Yan said calmly.
Pan Chi nodded and sneered, "A lone lamp flickers as wild moths fly. Such tiny moths dare to defy the laws of heaven and earth? Ridiculous."
Even after traveling far and wide for many years, this was the first time he had heard such an absurd claim.
"Shut up, you arrogant fool! Don't you dare spew such nonsense and slander our Lord!"
If he hadn't been restrained, Wang Buzui would have already charged over to attack.
"What moth flying into the flame, dying and being reborn—all I know is that since ancient times, those who kill must pay with their lives. That is the natural order," Shen Du said coldly, looking down on Wang Buzui, which inexplicably made Wang Buzui step back, a chill running down his spine.
At this moment, Mo Qianzhi tried to push away the Inner Guard restraining him and mocked, "In that case, Shen Du, what are you waiting for? Kill him! Wang Buzui has been lurking in Gannan Circuit for so many years, how many lives has he stained his hands with? Aren't you supposed to fight for the people? Then go ahead and kill him!"
Kill him? Hearing Mo Qianzhi's voice, Shen Du furrowed his brow, his gaze shifting between Wang Buzui and Mo Qianzhi, but he neither moved nor gave any orders.
Mo Qianzhi still refused to stay quiet, "Isn't the Great Pavilion Commander supposed to rid the people of evil? How come you don't even dare to kill him?"
His words were deliberately provocative.
"Shut up, Mo Qianzhi." Seeing that Shen Du was already mentally exhausted from these past days, Zhu Yan tugged at his sleeve, trying to bring him back to his senses, while glaring at Mo Qianzhi.
Could Mo Qianzhi really not see Shen Du's intentions? He had been trying his best to maneuver, hoping to spare Mo Qianzhi's life, but Mo Qianzhi...
Unexpectedly, Mo Qianzhi suddenly laughed, looking at Zhu Yan with mockery.
"Troublemaker," he spat to the side, not even bothering to look at her directly.
At the same time, Shen Du shielded Zhu Yan by his side, wrapping an arm around her. Before he could speak, Pan Chi couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward, positioning himself squarely between the two sides, and stared at Mo Qianzhi.
"Always calling others troublemakers, but what good are you?"
Hearing someone insult Mo Qianzhi, Wang Buzui was naturally pleased and even chimed in with a few words. However, Zhu Yan noticed that he was no longer standing in his original spot but had moved closer to the corner, heading toward the cell door.As for Mo Qianzhi, he had no desire to engage in a war of words with Pan Chi. Suddenly raising his hand, he gave Pan Chi a shove on the shoulder. Already severely injured, Pan Chi staggered backward several steps.
Pan Chi, still recovering from serious wounds, could hardly withstand such a push. He immediately hunched over, his face contorted in pain. But with Zhu Yan standing behind him, he forced himself to rise, barely steadying his stance. Sweat beaded densely on his temples, yet his back remained ramrod straight.
Though others might not see it, Mo Qianzhi observed it clearly. Without showing any expression, he taunted, "What? Want to have a go at me?"
Pan Chi frowned. "A go?"
"Don’t tell me you don’t even have that much skill?" he added, resting his chin on his hand. "I think you’d better go back to your father, Commander Pan, hide away, and live the leisurely life of a young master. Why stay here and nearly throw your life away for nothing?"
Pan Chi shot Mo Qianzhi a sharp glare, then took a swift step forward to close the distance. Tilting his head back, he tried to look down on him. "Fine, a match it is. You think I’d be afraid of a scoundrel like you?"
His tone was relaxed, just as usual.
"If you’ve got the guts, open the cell door and let’s settle it outside. There’s no room to move in here."
"Fine!"
Seeing this, Shen Du immediately sensed something amiss and barked out a command:
"Stop right there!"
Pan Chi turned to look at Shen Du. Suddenly, Mo Qianzhi let out a sinister chuckle and kicked the person blocking the doorway.
Wang Buzui, who had been silent until now, also stepped forward and began grappling with the Inner Guards.
With just these two, a prison break would be impossible. Shen Du grew instantly wary—perhaps they had conspired with outside accomplices even before being imprisoned.
Of course, it couldn’t be just the two of them.
Before Shen Du could react, he heard Mo Qianzhi issue an order, and the imprisoned guards swarmed forward all at once.
For a moment, the Inner Guards were completely overwhelmed.
Shen Du immediately shielded Zhu Yan behind him, keeping an eye on Mo Qianzhi and the others while protecting Zhu Yan from harm.
He kicked one assailant in the stomach, seized him, and hurled him aside, while using his other hand to block another attacker’s strike.
Leaning against the cell door to catch his breath, Pan Chi couldn’t resist a jab. "So Lord Mo wants to break out of prison? You should’ve said so earlier. Why go through such an elaborate charade with me?"
Mo Qianzhi suddenly realized—Pan Chi had seen through it all along. And Shen Du…
"You two certainly kept your cool. I should thank you for putting on such a good show with me."
Mo Qianzhi didn’t care. With the guards’ help, he quickly broke free, only to be cursed by Wang Buzui for being a heartless scoundrel. He then turned back to help Wang Buzui escape danger.
Having suffered from the earlier beating, Wang Buzui was naturally no match for the well-trained Inner Guards, whom even the Qianniu Guards of Weiyang Palace feared. The Inner Guards were no fools—they wouldn’t waste time on the guards. After dispatching them, they focused solely on Wang Buzui.
Mo Qianzhi bent his arm and struck one man hard on the head, freeing Wang Buzui from his grasp, which only enraged the opponent.
Just as the two were about to turn and flee, Jing Lin blocked their path.
Chaos reigned all around. Screams and the sounds of flesh striking flesh filled the prison. Shen Du dealt a heavy blow to a guard who had nearly seized Zhu Yan.
These guards had long served under Mo Qianzhi and were fiercely loyal to him. They threw themselves forward without regard for their own lives, determined to hold off the Inner Guards so Mo Qianzhi and his accomplices could succeed.Pan Chi watched as the two were about to escape, but remembering his own severe injuries prevented him from intervening, he could only signal to Shen Du.
"You go and stop those two. I'll take care of Yan'er here."
Shen Du withdrew his gaze and fixed it on him, then turned back to continue observing the unfolding situation.
Yan'er, indeed—this fellow had spent too long in the barbarian lands. Knowing full well Zhu Yan's status, he still addressed her so intimately without restraint. Once they returned to the capital, the first order of business would be to ask the Empress to arrange a marriage for Pan Chi.
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