Chapter Thirty-Two: Secretly Snacking on Pastries!

“You scoundrel! How dare you steal the offerings? My lady made them herself—put them down at once!”

Just as he was enjoying his feast, a furious shout rang out, and two figures appeared—the white-robed maiden and her attendant Little Man, whom he had met earlier at the mountain gate. The latter stood with hands on her hips, angrily berating him.

It turned out the box of pastries had been accidentally left behind during their rest. When they returned to look for it, they found Li Zhao caught in the act.

“Ahem, let me explain—there was nobody here, just a box of pastries set out. I tried and tried to resist… ahem, ahem…” Overwhelmed by guilt, Li Zhao attempted to explain, but forgot he still had a mouthful of pastry. He managed only a few words before choking, pounding his chest to no avail. His face flushed red, unable to breathe, his mind growing dizzy from lack of air…

Among those who crossed over, none had choked to death on food before. Was he to become the first?

In novels, whenever a beauty met with trouble, a hero would always come to her aid—or vice versa.

A water flask was thrust toward him. Li Zhao hastily grabbed it, gulping down several mouthfuls until the pastry slid down his throat. He exhaled deeply, his chest finally unburdened… licking his lips, he tasted a faint sweetness.

Something had been added to the water—honey, red dates, malt sugar… none of those. There was a faint red mark on the flask’s mouth—he recognized it as a woman’s lipstick.

Before him stood two women. Little Man, the attendant, had a plain face, untouched by powder or rouge. The source of the lipstick was obvious… did this count as an indirect kiss?

“Thank you, miss, for your help. About the flask… the handkerchief… and the pastries, I truly apologize.”

Li Zhao wanted to return the flask, but it was covered in his saliva. The handkerchief had wiped his mouth and was stained with crumbs. He felt a bit embarrassed.

How could the lady use them now? Would it mean another indirect kiss?

“You needn’t be so formal, young master. The flask and handkerchief are yours.”

“Miss, he stole the pastries—he hasn’t answered for that yet! The handkerchief you embroidered yourself—so many noble sons have begged for it to no avail!”

“Let it go. He’s still just a child. Don’t be too harsh.”

“Hmph, you got off easy. Next time you try this, watch out—I’ll teach you a lesson!”

…

Li Zhao was already sixteen, though his body had yet to fully mature.

The white-robed maiden stood tall and graceful, her figure elegant and shapely, at least half a head taller than Li Zhao. No wonder she mistook him for a child.

After a slight bow, the white-robed maiden turned and left the cave. At the entrance, Little Man glanced back, shooting him a fierce glare and shaking her fist.

Watching their graceful forms recede into the distance, Li Zhao licked his lips, savoring the lingering sweetness. He glanced at his own small frame… Clearly, he needed to train harder and grow up faster, or else all the good girls would be snatched away by other “wild boars.”

He finished the remaining pastries and left the pavilion. He meant to look for Aunt Qing and the others, but unfamiliar with the paths, he took several wrong turns and unwittingly wandered into a stone forest. All around were bizarre, massive rocks—some weighing over a thousand pounds, others taller than a man and several hundred pounds.

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Some were shaped like a rhinoceros gazing at the moon, others like a white tiger descending a mountain. Many were riddled with holes, resembling honeycombs, all formed by nature.

He was about to find an exit when voices came from behind one of the honeycomb stones:

“Hmph! That little wretch from the Mei family—so what if she has a bit of money? She doesn’t know her place, refusing my kindness again and again. Shameless! This time, I’ll have her. Then, the beautiful woman and her vast fortune will all be mine—ha ha!”

The voice was arrogant and somewhat familiar—he’d heard it somewhere before.

Peering through the honeycomb stone, Li Zhao saw two figures. One was none other than the notorious libertine Wei Renzha, who had recently galloped wild on the city streets.

The other was a middle-aged, short, fat man—round face, flat nose, pale and beardless, with shifty eyes that gleamed with mischief. He was clearly up to no good.

A dozen thuggish attendants stood nearby.

What was Wei Renzha doing here? Who was the “little wretch from the Mei family”… Li Zhao hid himself well, pricking up his ears to listen.

“Shen Er, is everything ready? That little wretch rarely ventures out—don’t let her slip away.”

“Rest assured, young master. I’ve found out everything. Miss Mei came to the Great Mercy Monastery this time to pray for her late mother. After worshipping Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, she’ll go to the pond behind the temple to release some sacred turtles herself. Her guards remain at the temple gate; only her attendant Little Man accompanies her. The pond is secluded and few tourists go there—perfect for you to act.

I bought this ‘Soul Scatter’ powder from a wandering martial artist for a hefty sum. Sprinkle a little on a handkerchief and wave it in front of Miss Mei—she’ll sleep for hours, completely unaware. You can do whatever you like, hehe!”

As he spoke, Shen Er produced two small gourds—one black, inscribed with “Soul Scatter,” and the other red, containing the antidote.

Wei Renzha pocketed both gourds, nodding with satisfaction. “Well done. First, I’ll try persuasion; if she agrees, all the better. If not, I won’t be polite. I’ll knock her out, then have my way with her. Afterwards, for the sake of her reputation, she’ll have no choice but to marry me—ha ha!”

…

“Master, I’m still puzzled. Miss Mei is certainly beautiful, but her fate is said to be ‘too hard’—her fiancé died before they wed. All of Chang’an says the red mole between her brows marks her as cursed—any man who marries her is doomed to misfortune. Why bother with her?”

“Bah! What do you know? I’ve consulted experts. Miss Mei isn’t cursed—she’s got too much noble fortune, a rare ‘husband-prospering’ fate. Her previous fiancé was too weak to bear her fortune, so he died.

I’m different—born to a noble family, blessed and favored by fate. I can handle her fortune, maybe even ride her luck to high office and glory!

Enough. It’s almost time. I’ll go find the beauty and have my fun. You all stay up front, keep an eye on the Mei family’s guards and the pilgrims—don’t let anyone spoil my plans.”

…

“Don’t worry, young master. We’ll watch closely and let nothing ruin your good fortune.”

After a brief exchange, the thugs stayed at the temple entrance, while Wei Renzha swaggered off toward the pond behind.

“Miss Mei… Little Man… the pond—it’s them!” From behind the honeycomb stone, Li Zhao heard everything and understood at last.

This Wei Renzha, notorious libertine, had been pursuing the white-robed maiden—Miss Mei, Mei Shuying—hoping to make her his wife, only to be refused.

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Refusing to give up, he now planned to take advantage of her visit to the temple, forcing himself upon her. Truly shameless.

Now that Li Zhao understood, what should he do?

He never turned a blind eye to injustice. That wasn’t his way.

A man should repay kindness and enmity alike. He’d eaten her pastries and drunk her honeyed water—he owed her.

And besides, he hadn’t forgotten that whip.

With that thought, Li Zhao locked eyes on Wei Renzha’s figure and quietly followed… Tracking and ambush were specialties of mountain commandos.

…

Meanwhile, Wei Renzha, his mind filled with lustful schemes, had no idea he’d become someone else’s prey. He left his attendants behind, passed through the main hall, the Arhat Hall, and a bamboo grove, quickly reaching the pond. Circling it, he soon spotted his quarry:

Mei Shuying and Little Man stood on a massive stone by the water, scattering fragrant rice to attract a swarm of fish, which jostled and competed for the food—an amusing sight.

Beauty and scenery—an enticing combination.

“Pretty girl, I’ve come to dote on you, ha ha!”

“Is that so? Too bad you won’t get the chance.”

“Who’s there?”

“A champion of justice!”

Startled by the voice behind him, Wei Renzha spun to see who it was, only to feel a heavy blow to the back of his head. He collapsed, unconscious.

Li Zhao leapt out, grinning mischievously, a half-brick still in his hand.

Ambush successful—now for the spoils.

Though Wei Renzha’s character was rotten, he carried plenty of treasures: a pearl diadem, a jade pendant, a jade ring, a gold belt hook—worth thousands of cash, perfect for robbing the rich to help the poor.

Li Zhao also confiscated the two gourds—they might come in handy someday.