Film & TV: Public Enemy of Justice

"Sister, sister, are you here to visit our town?"

A silly-looking little boy ran over and said to Hua Qiangu.

"Your town? What kind of town is this?" Hua Qiangu asked, looking at the clever little devil.

Our town has a very nice name: Poor Town!

The little boy said, puffing out his round belly, looking very proud.

"Poor Town? What good food do you have in your town?" Hua Qiangu followed him all the way to the town.

"Delicious food?" The little boy's eyes lit up. "Of course! The crispy candy that Grandma Wang bought, the candied hawthorn that Old Zhang bought, and the crystal soup dumplings that Ling Ji sells! They're all the specialties of our town!"

"All those crispy candies and candied hawthorns, you just like to eat them yourself, don't you!"

Ni Mantian interjected, and the little boy, undeterred by his lie being exposed, continued, "Alright, alright! The crystal soup dumplings sold at Ling Kee are really super delicious!"

Hua Qiangu was getting impatient after hearing what he said: "Brother Yaoxie, can we go and try a batch of steamed buns first?"

Looking at her pitiful appearance, Lin Yaoxie deliberately said, "Go ask the Minister of State!"

Hua Gangu quickly turned to look at Luo Shiyi, who nodded quickly.

Hua Qiangu was Lin Yaoxie's precious treasure. No matter how bizarre her requests were, Lin Yaoxie had never refused her. How could he refuse a request from his little darling?

"Yay! Water everywhere! Let's go eat crystal soup dumplings!"

The three girls followed the little boy through a maze of twists and turns until they arrived at the entrance of Lingji.

Sure enough, a long queue had already formed outside the store. The small steamed buns were so translucent and tempting, and the aroma that filled the air made passersby's mouths water.

"See, I told you so!" The little boy was even more smug, as if he owned the steamed bun shop.

When it was Hua Qiangu's turn, she had been eagerly waiting. The small crystal soup dumplings, filled with soup, had a transparent skin and a soft, glutinous meat filling. They were absolutely delicious.

"Hey, the steamed buns in your town are definitely the best I've ever had!" Dongfang Huoqing said.

The little boy got two steamed buns by following the crowd, and is now wolfing down his third one. "Of course! Ouch...it's so hot!"

"Eat slowly, no one will try to take it from you," Qing Shui said softly.

"Brother and sister, it's getting dark. Where are you planning to rest?" the little boy asked with his chubby cheeks. "I know a really nice inn!"

"What inn?" Luo Shiyi asked.

“Xiaobao Inn,” the boy replied.

Luo Shiyi glanced at Lin Yaoxie, and seeing that the other party did not react, said, "Lead the way!"

The little boy happily skipped and hopped ahead, leading the way!

"Boss lady! A customer has arrived!"

Before even entering the shop, the little boy had already rushed in shouting. This time, his recommendation was quite different from the steamed bun shop he had just recommended. There weren't many customers, and there weren't many horses in the stable either.

"You brat, so you finally know how to come back!" The landlady grabbed his arm. "You didn't go to school again today!"

Everyone then realized that there was no enthusiastic little boy at all; he was clearly just trying to drum up business for their inn! But since they were already inside, they felt it wouldn't be appropriate to leave.

"Boss lady, please make arrangements for us to stay at the inn," Luo Shiyi said.

The proprietress was incredulous to see that her brat had actually brought so many people, and quickly let go of the child, saying, "I'll deal with you later!"

He turned around and walked in front of the crowd.

"Waiter, quickly prepare a few superior rooms!"

"Sir, please have some dinner first, then you'll be in your room in a little while!" the landlady said, pointing to the menu on the wall.

"Boss lady, your son just took us to eat Ling Ji's crystal soup dumplings!" Dongfang Huoqing joked.

"I'm so sorry," the landlady said somewhat embarrassedly. "Business has been tough these past few years. Several new inns have opened in town, and my rascal son skips school every day to go out and solicit business for me. And he just happens to have a sweet tooth. Ling Ji's steamed buns are slightly sweet, which he loves, so he always recommends them to passersby."

"However, he made the right recommendation; it really is delicious!" Hua Gan Gu said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take a look at the dishes first. Our cooking is truly honest and trustworthy, and we guarantee that the food is of the highest quality! While we may not be as unique as Ling Ji Baozi, it is definitely so delicious that you'll want to order another bowl of rice!"

"Four, what would you like to eat?" Luo Shiyi felt that she had truly fulfilled her role as a nanny to the best of her ability!

"Whatever you want, order whatever you like." Lin Yaoxie felt something was off about him ever since he entered the town, and he felt uncomfortable all over.

Hua Qiangu, Qingshui, and Mantian ordered more than a dozen dishes in no time, then grumbled that they would order more if it wasn't enough.

Just then, a loud "crash" was heard outside the door, like the sound of a wine jar breaking. "Please excuse me, sir! My husband must have had too much to drink again! Please wait a moment, the dishes will be ready soon!"

Chapter Thirteen: The Long Night

The food at the inn was indeed as the landlady said—generous portions and delicious.

However, Luo Shiyi was still somewhat disappointed. He had originally wanted to wait for the landlady to return so he could inquire about the town, but perhaps the boss was very drunk, because the landlady did not return even after they finished eating.

Even the little boy never reappeared.

"Report four, the three girls each have a room, so let's split into pairs and share a room."

After finishing his meal, Eleven took the doorplate and spoke to Lin Yaoxie.

Lin Yaoxie nodded, and everyone went upstairs together.

"Make sure the door is locked from the inside, and shout loudly if there's any problem." Lin Yaoxie instructed again as the girls entered the room.

"Don't worry, Brother Yaoxie!" Little Bone poked her head out again and assured Lin Yaoxie.

Having endured wind and rain for the past few days, and having not slept in bed for several days, Lin Yaoxie returned to the guest room with Luo Shiyi, took off his shoes and hat, and lay down on the bed to rest.

Lin Yaoxie calmed his breathing, pretending to be asleep, and listened quietly as several girls from next door quietly approached Xiao Gu's room, giggling and talking.

"Sister, sister, are you there?" The little boy knocked on Xiao Gu's door.

"Huh? Is something the matter?" Xiao Gu opened the door and found it was the little boy who had brought them there.

"Sister, my parents are arguing fiercely, and I want to come here to hide for a while," the little boy said with tears in his eyes.

"Come in!" Qing Shui said softly, feeling a pang of sympathy for the little child.

“Tell your sister what your name is?” Ni Mantian sat down on the stool and took the little boy’s hand to ask.

My name is Xiaobao! This inn is named after me!

Xiao Bao said with a hint of pride, having already forgotten why he came here and his parents' quarrel.

"Oh, Xiao Bao, has your family always run an inn here?" Qing Shui asked.

"Probably. Ever since Xiao Bao was old enough to understand, his mother has been staying at the inn, but his father..."

As she spoke, she suddenly burst into tears.

"What's wrong, Xiao Bao? Why are you crying all of a sudden!" Xiao Gu gently patted Xiao Bao's back.

“Father always drinks, he always drinks. When he drinks, he throws things, which makes Mother very unhappy. Father’s behavior always scares away customers, and business is getting worse and worse, which makes Mother even more unhappy!”

"What a filial son!" Qingshui patted his shoulder. "Don't be sad, Xiaobao. He'll be alright when he grows up!"

"But when will Xiao Bao grow up?" Xiao Bao asked, blinking his innocent eyes.

"Once Xiaobao finishes his studies at school, he'll be all grown up!" Ni Mantian said.

"Yes, yes, what did Xiao Bao learn at school yesterday?" Xiao Gu asked.

"Yesterday?" Xiao Bao rolled his eyes in confusion, still unable to remember. "I don't remember, sister, I don't remember!"

The girls laughed. This little kid hasn't grown up yet, and his memory isn't very good!

"So, Xiaobao, you must study hard and read your books diligently from now on! Do you understand?"

"Okay!" Xiao Bao said, head bowed.

"Alright, it's getting late. The landlady will worry again if she can't find you. Go back to sleep for now, and we'll take you around your town tomorrow!" Ni Mantian said as she saw Xiaobao out.

The girls chatted for a bit about the landlady's family gossip, then yawned, said goodbye, and went back to their rooms to rest.

"Clang. Clang." Lin Yaoxie quickly opened his eyes, then stood up. What was that sound?

Luo Shiyi was also startled awake by the strange sound and sat up as well. "Report to Si, what's this?"

Lin Yaoxie shook his head, then climbed out of the window and leaped onto the city wall. He listened for a few seconds, but the sound never came again. What was that? However, not a single household in the town lit a lamp, as if they were not disturbed by the noise.

Lin Yaoxie found it strange. He took a few steps back to the inn, but the inn was not lit, and even the chicken coop was quiet.

"Did you find anything, Report Four?" Luo Shiyi asked.

"After I went out, the sound never came again, but strangely enough, mortals probably couldn't hear it at all." Lin Yaoxie glanced at his teammates who had gathered together. "Where's Xiaogu?"

After saying that, he rushed to the door of the small bone room and forcefully shook open the lock.

Hua Qiangu was peacefully drifting in her dreams, seemingly oblivious to the noise. Lin Yaoxie gestured for everyone to be quiet and then signaled them to leave Hua Qiangu's room.

"If Xiao Gu can't hear, what about Dongfang?" Yin Shangpiao asked Dongfang Huoqing, who was already standing among the crowd.

0oo one requests flowers

Meng Xuanlang's expression was somewhat unnatural: "Dongfang must have been frightened by me."

Then, somewhat hesitantly, he said:

"I... I haven't cultivated enough yet. Suddenly, in my dream, I heard a dragging sound like chains. It was a bit eerie and terrifying. I felt like something was binding me, so I screamed. I scared Dongfang too. He scrambled over to me and asked me what happened."

Everyone looked like they suddenly understood, but Lin Yaoxie sneered inwardly. What kind of explanation is this? He could have heard it first and watched you make a fool of yourself. Besides, he never denied hearing the sound from beginning to end!

"Alright, since only cultivators can hear this, everyone should go back and rest."

... 0

Lin Yaoxie gestured to everyone not to gather here so late at night, as it wouldn't make any difference.

"Brother Lin, will the voice come again?" Qing Shui asked, somewhat frightened.

Indeed, the sound just now was very jarring, like something rubbing against something like steel, making a rattling dragging sound, yes, like the clanging of iron chains.

“Yes, Brother Yaoxie, that voice is terrifying!” Ni Mantian nodded in agreement.

Lin Yaoxie looked at the two girls; they had a fine layer of sweat on their foreheads, clearly indicating that they were frightened.

"Here's what we'll do: you two go to one room to rest, so you can look out for each other. There shouldn't be any more noise tonight. I'll be right next door, and I'll protect you if anything happens!"

Hearing this, Qing Shui and Ni Mantian felt that they could look out for each other if they were together, so they held hands and went to Ni Mantian's bedroom, which was closer to Lin Yaoxie.

"Report four, what could be making that noise?" Luo Shiyi asked, unable to sleep.