Chapter 105 - 93: Chivalry and Justice 2
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In a corner of Benma Town stood an unassuming residence.
It wasn’t particularly large, nor was it particularly small.
Peace reigned within the estate, with scattered points of firelight illuminating key areas like the corridors.
A figure cut through the darkness, soaring through the air before landing in a small courtyard within the residence.
The room off the small courtyard was lit by firelight. Perhaps hearing the commotion, the door creaked open as someone pushed it from inside.
A middle-aged man with a thick beard and eyes that seemed perpetually squinted stepped out.
He immediately spotted the person standing in the courtyard and smiled a little nervously:
"Hero Jiang."
"There’s no need to be so formal, Master Ma."
Jiang Ran smiled and walked up to Master Ma:
"Still up at this hour?"
"I wouldn’t dare rest."
Master Ma gave a wry smile:
"With you two arriving one after another, and with no leads on the tasks you’ve given me, how could I dare to rest?
"To be honest, I feel like I’m sitting on pins and needles."
"You’re exaggerating, Master Ma."
Jiang Ran gently patted his shoulder:
"The work needs to be done, but you also need to get proper rest. Go on, I’ll head inside first."
"Of course."
Master Ma quickly agreed, and as if granted amnesty, scurried out of the courtyard with quick, short steps.
Jiang Ran watched his retreating back for a moment, then looked away with a slight smile and stepped through the door.
The first thing he saw was Li Tianxin, sitting at the table clutching his saber and striking a pose.
Jiang Ran wasn’t surprised to see him.
Returning to Benma County this evening, Jiang Ran had sought lodging in Master Ma’s territory.
A local boss often wields unexpected power.
And it was never difficult to meet such people.
He just hadn’t expected Li Tianxin to be here as well.
He’d figured Li Tianxin was still roughing it in the wilderness with that Gui Shisan.
The kid was pretty sharp.
He casually picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup of tea, and was about to drink it. After a moment’s hesitation, he pushed it toward Li Tianxin.
Li Tianxin’s face instantly darkened:
"If I ever drink tea you give me again, I’m your grandson."
"Don’t say that. I’m not worthy of the honor."
Jiang Ran waved his hand dismissively. "He’s not awake yet?"
"Yeah."
Li Tianxin nodded:
"The palm force of the Myriad Transformations Skynet Palm is a bit strange.
"I acted a fraction too late, and he was caught in the palm’s shockwave.
"Now I don’t know when he’ll wake up... Speaking of which, aren’t you skilled in medicine? Take a look at him."
"What’s in it for me?"
Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow.
"What do you want?"
Li Tianxin shot Jiang Ran a sidelong glance.
Jiang Ran was silent for a moment. "Just tell me, why did you suddenly save him?"
"To uphold justice and act heroically, of course."
Li Tianxin stuck out his chin proudly.
Jiang Ran raised his eyebrows and gave him a thumbs-up:
"Impressive! Hero Li, your righteousness is peerless. Seeing injustice and acting bravely... you are truly a model for us all.
"In that case, if you’re going to save someone, you should see it through to the end. The person Hero Li saved is the person Hero Li should figure out how to cure. I’ll be taking my leave."
"...Wait, wait, wait."
Li Tianxin quickly blocked his path:
"Aren’t we friends? What’s the difference between someone I saved and someone you saved?"
"That sounds familiar."
Jiang Ran chuckled:
"Trying to use my own words against me?
"But Hero Li, are we really considered friends?"
"Of course we are!"
Li Tianxin nodded immediately.
"Alright. Since we’re friends, we should be honest with each other.
"Allow me to ask, then: where does Hero Li come from, who was his master, and what school or style of martial arts does he practice?"
Jiang Ran looked at Li Tianxin with a half-smile:
"Even if you’re unwilling to say all that, you should at least tell me your reason for saving him, right?
"You try to fob me off with ’upholding justice,’ and you still have the nerve to say we’re friends?
"I consider you a friend and open my heart to you, but what do you take me for?"
"I..."
Li Tianxin wanted to argue, but he felt that what Jiang Ran said actually made some sense.
After thinking about it carefully, he realized something was off:
"Wait a minute, when have you ever opened your heart to me?"
"I haven’t?"
Jiang Ran blinked.
"No, you haven’t!"
Li Tianxin said at once:
"Where do you come from? Who was your master?"
"If I tell you, will you tell me?"
"Then let’s just forget it..."
Jiang Ran sneered.
"Alright, fine."
Li Tianxin let out a long sigh:
"Do you remember what I said before? Ten years ago, the Jade-Faced Qilin had quite a name for himself in the martial world.
"His martial arts weren’t the most outstanding, but he had an extraordinary face.
"He was eager to serve the public good, a man of true chivalry.
"How could I let a man like that, who vanished for ten years only to suddenly reappear, die so easily in a place like that?"
"Is that all?"
Jiang Ran glanced at Li Tianxin.
Li Tianxin was silent for a moment before he finally said:
"I want to find the whereabouts of the Heartless Ghost Mansion through him."
"Now that’s the truth."
Jiang Ran shot him a look:
"I thought you were only interested in the Demon Sect."
"And you think... the Heartless Ghost Mansion has nothing to do with the Demon Sect?"
Li Tianxin mimicked Jiang Ran’s earlier glance, shooting one back at him.
Jiang Ran’s brow furrowed slightly:
"What’s the connection?"
"I don’t know."
Li Tianxin shook his head. "That’s why I want to investigate..."
"Speaking of which, you’re not going to tell me you don’t know how to get into the Heartless Ghost Mansion, are you?"
Jiang Ran glanced at him:
"You never thought of using that method to get inside?"
"I have."
Li Tianxin said coolly:
"In fact, some people have already tried..."
"Judging by your attitude, it didn’t end well for them."
"That’s right."
Li Tianxin nodded:
"They all died... and were sent right back to where they came from.
"The Heartless Ghost Mansion controls far more than we can see."