mtl008 Chapter 318: Sooner rather than later
Chapter 318: Sooner rather than later
What Liu Yunhe said was what everyone was worried about.
It always makes people feel uneasy when something comes too easily and is handed to them.
"We have no time to delay or hesitate. Even if it's a trap, we must give it a try." Qingchuan looked at Lin Lezhi with determination and asked, "Lezhi, what do you think is the best time to go?"
"tonight."
Lin Lezhi didn't hesitate at all, his eyes firm as he spoke, "I've been observing the fog every day for the past three days since I came to the island with you. The fog that gathered between the mountains has gradually dissipated, and the fog around the mountains must have also thinned out, not as thick as it was three days ago. Fortunately, the nights are cold, and the fog is thickest between midnight and 3 a.m., which will help us better find the way into the mountains. It's better to do this sooner rather than later."
late.
If the fog has almost dissipated and only thin mist remains, it will be hopeless to find the way into the mountains.
Qingchuan thought calmly for a moment and agreed, "Lezhi is right. It's better to go sooner rather than later. Let's go tonight."
Everyone had no objection to this decision, but it would be easy for five people to be discovered if they traveled together. In order to avoid attracting attention, they agreed to travel separately and meet at the edge of the woods at midnight.
After the discussion, before everyone was about to go back to their rooms, Guan Ziheng drank the tea in front of him. The moment he took a sip, a look of surprise and approval appeared in his eyes, but his face was still calm, as he didn't want to show weakness in front of Xiao Yihuo and his group.
He had been attracted by the aroma of tea and was eager to try it, but he had been holding back.
Noon.
Lin Lezhi and Guan Ziheng went to the lobby of the inn to eat. As soon as they entered the lobby, they heard a lively conversation in the lobby. The inn was full of people inside and outside.
Everyone was indignant about the Huaifeng Village case, and it became a hot topic at every table.
of course.
Another reason why there are so many people crowded inside and outside the inn is that Jiang Lian'an lives here.
The fact that Jiang Lian'an solved the Huaifeng Village case and was staying at the Jianghe Inn was known to everyone in Pinghai Town. Some people even came from other places to catch a glimpse of the detective.
The result is.
As soon as Lin Lezhi appeared, he was surrounded by a crowd of people.
Food, drinks and other daily necessities, everything that could be delivered was sent to Lin Lezhi. Fortunately, Guan Ziheng was quick-witted and stood in front of Lin Lezhi, but the power of one person is always like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
"Don't push him, he's injured."
Guan Ziheng was quickly pushed aside by the crowd, and his words were drowned out by the noise of the crowd.
Lin Lezhi was also shocked by this scene.
Before, when he was in Zhouqing Town, he was only famous, and only the people who appeared in Ya Renzhuang had seen his face. Therefore, he was able to hide his identity and leave after the task was completed.
"Thanks to Jiang Guitan for solving the Huaifeng Village case, redressing the injustice for the people of Huaifeng Village, and restoring peace to our Pinghai Town, I must toast you a glass. Jiang Guitan, all the expenses for food, clothing and other expenses in the inn will be charged to me."
"Jiang Guitan, you have helped us so much. These small gifts are not meant to be a token of respect. I hope you will accept them without any objection."
"........."
It would be fine if someone wanted to give gifts and treat him to a drink, but there were even worse ones who said they wanted to marry their daughter to Lin Lezhi.
Lin Lezhi was so shocked that his eyes widened.
Lin Lezhi waved his hands repeatedly, but the moment he waved, the gifts were all put into Lin Lezhi's hands.
"Stop pushing him! Don't you know he's injured?"
Liu Yunhe, who came down from upstairs, saw this scene and shouted angrily.
This shout shocked the people crowded downstairs for a moment. They all looked in the direction of Liu Yunhe. When they looked at Jiang Lian'an with guilt in their eyes, they found that Jiang Lian'an had disappeared.
The crowd calmed down and Guan Ziheng finally squeezed out. Seeing that Lin Lezhi was gone, he looked completely confused.
"You are quite popular now."
Lin Lezhi was also confused. When he came to his senses, Xiao Yihuo had already dragged him to a relatively quiet corner in the backyard where no one would disturb him.
"Stop teasing me. Is it funny?"
Xiao Yihuo's eyes fell on Lin Lezhi, his eyebrows raised slightly, and he said jokingly, "It's quite funny."
Because he had been pushed, Lin Lezhi's clothes and hair were a little messy.
"you…"
Lin Lezhi was about to retort when a customer passed by. Lin Lezhi quickly pulled Xiao Yihuo to the side. Only after the footsteps left did Lin Lezhi breathe a sigh of relief.
Then Lin Lezhi looked around, his eyes darkened a little, and without bothering to tidy up his clothes, he pulled Xiao Yihuo's wrist and said with a serious and solemn expression: "Follow me."
Lin Lezhi avoided the guests staying in the inn all the way and pulled Xiao Yihuo to the room where he and Guan Ziheng lived.
The fastest and least conspicuous way to get to their room was from the backyard, and it was also a convenient place to talk.
Lin Lezhi pulled out a few small packages from his sleeves, along with Xiao Yihuo's knife, and handed them to Xiao Yihuo. "I took these out of your sleeves. Here they are. I was planning to return them to your room after dinner. Take a look and see if anything is missing or omitted."
"Oh, by the way, this is yours too."
As he spoke, Lin Lezhi untied his belt, intending to remove the safety knot around his waist.
While on the island, he switched places with Xiao Yihuo.
Xiao Yihuo took it but didn't check it. He looked at Lin Lezhi with a slightly condensed expression and said, "Since you have the things with you, if you want to return them to me, you can just give them to me in the backyard. Why did you bring me to your room?"
Lin Lezhi paused as he untied his belt, knowing Xiao Yihuo would definitely react. Rather than tying the knot, Lin Lezhi went straight to the point and said frankly, "Because I have something to tell you."
"What's the matter?"
Lin Lezhi said with a serious and worried look, "Don't go explore the mountains tonight."
Lin Lezhi's words made Xiao Yihuo's eyes become more serious after a slight start. He asked in a deep voice, "Why?"
Lin Lezhi had no intention of hiding anything. He took out another piece of paper used to wrap the medicine from his arms and spread it out in front of Xiao Yihuo. Xiao Yihuo glanced at the words on the paper with a serious look.
He paused for a few moments on the three words 'June 6th', then looked at Lin Lezhi and asked, "What is this?"
"The days circled on this paper are the days when the poison attacks you. Have you ever noticed what happens around you every time the poison attacks you?"
Seeing Xiao Yihuo's eyes full of thought, Lin Lezhi said directly: "The smell."
"odor?"
Lin Lezhi nodded, his eyes solemn as he spoke, "Although I don't know what happened to the flowers in the Xing family's basement, according to Qingchuan himself, the flowers near the mountains were destroyed in the same way and smell exactly like the flowers in the basement. That smell is very similar to the yellow powder attached to the treasure."
Lin Lezhi paused, his eyes growing more serious as he spoke, "As the saying goes, there's an antidote within a hundred steps of a poison. Poison and antidote mutually promote and counteract each other. You reacted to the scent of the bone lotus, causing the poison in your body to break out prematurely, which means the bone lotus is indeed having a miraculous effect on you. The bone lotus can repel the white snakes attracted by the yellow powder. The poison in your body is most likely related to the yellow powder or the white snakes on the island. The mere smell of it will stimulate the poison in your body."
Seeing Xiao Yihuo's increasingly serious expression, he must understand the relationship between them.
Lin Lezhi said with concern in his eyes, "Although this is just my guess, whether it's right or wrong, none of us can afford to gamble, let alone take the risk. For your own safety, and to prevent Qingchuan and Yunhe from worrying about you, I hope you don't go tonight. Just give Qingchuan and Yunhe a reason and stay at the inn."
Xiao Yihuo's brows were grim as he stood there in silence for a long moment. His eyes were filled with determination, and he showed no sign of retreating as he spoke, "Beyond the mountains, the dangers are unknown, and life and death are unpredictable. Besides, this journey was originally initiated because of me. I can't stay out of it and watch you take such risks. I will go with you, regardless of life or death."
"Xiao Xu!"
Hearing Lin Lezhi calling out his name anxiously, Xiao Yihuo's eyes were moved, and then a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He didn't take it seriously, and said calmly and fearlessly, "It's okay. This poison has been with me since I was a child. If my master hadn't taught me the internal skills, I wouldn't be alive today, and I would always be prepared to die from the poison. Living for these extra ten years is a blessing for me. Besides, you've already figured out a way to enter the valley, so I don't have to die, right?"
"Can…"
"I believe you." Xiao Yihuo's eyes were filled with certainty and conviction as he placed the knife on the table. "I don't use this knife on a daily basis, so you should keep it for me. It will be more useful in your hands than in mine."
After saying that, Xiao Yihuo didn't stop and walked towards the door, curling his lips slightly and said, "The peace knots are all the same, this is fine, no need to change."