12dz Chapter 524 Becoming a Disciple of the Lotus Palace
Chapter 524 Becoming a Disciple of the Lotus Palace
"Haunted? Is this the explanation the government gave?" Lin Ping sighed, never expecting the government to come up with such a flimsy reason in order to protect Lotus Palace.
"We want the best room." Lin Ping didn't offer any further explanation, tossed down ten taels of silver, and went straight upstairs.
"Sigh..." The shop owner shook his head, holding the ten taels of silver in his hand, and was immediately filled with emotion: It's really delicious.
Because of the innkeeper's kindness, he would always try to persuade visiting guests, so the inn didn't have many guests.
After nightfall, all the guests locked their doors and windows, fearing that evil spirits would invade.
Lin Ping had observed these Lotus Palace disciples who came down the mountain to capture people, and most of them were at the Yellow Lotus Realm, barely able to defeat three to five ordinary soldiers.
They can't even be called experts; they wouldn't dare to easily break down doors and windows to grab people.
As long as you keep doors and windows closed at night, you can ensure safety.
"Are they already waiting outside for their prey to appear?" Lin Ping sneered, naturally noticing five or six Lotus Palace disciples outside the inn.
"Damn it, there's not a single person on the street. Isn't Ningcheng supposed to be bustling? Looks like I'm going to go home empty-handed again."
A Lotus Palace disciple said angrily.
"It seems the people are already on guard, after all, we arrested more than a thousand people," another person analyzed.
"Why don't we just charge in? A few waiters can't stop us."
There are quotas for how many people to bring back each day, and if they fail to meet these quotas, they will be punished by the Lotus Palace.
That's when the idea of taking a risk came about.
“No, the Peak Master said we must not reveal our identities,” another person stopped him.
If their identities are exposed, it will surely cause public resentment, and even if the government intervenes to suppress them, it will only have the opposite effect.
The power of the common people is immense. Although they are not experts and have no weapons, their numbers are enormous.
Once united, they could form a terrifying force.
"This won't work, that won't work, it's driving me crazy!"
Just as the group was getting extremely anxious, a noise came from inside the inn.
"Where are you two headed, sirs? It's dark at night, so it's best not to go out." The shop owner kindly reminded Lin Ping and Jiang Mo as they came downstairs.
"I heard Ningcheng is lively at night, let's go out and broaden our horizons," Lin Ping said, mimicking the words of the city guards.
"The streets were indeed lively a few months ago, but recently they've been haunted, and there's not a soul in sight. It would be best if you two didn't go out," the shop owner continued.
“Since it’s haunted, that’s even more interesting. I want to see if they have three heads and six arms, and blue faces and fangs,” Lin Ping insisted.
"Oh, right, I have a hundred taels of silver notes on my table. If I don't return safely, the notes will belong to the shop owner."
After saying this, Lin Ping ignored the shop owner's attempts to stop him and forced his way out, considering the hundred taels of silver as a way of repaying the good person.
He could tell that the inn was not doing well, and that the owner must be in dire straits.
Even so, we still kindly advise guests not to stay at the hotel.
For this reason alone, he should receive a reward of one hundred taels of silver.
"The moon is beautiful tonight." After going outside, Lin Ping first glanced at the enemies hiding in the shadows, then looked up at the sky.
"Let's go take a look over there. I heard that the most bustling area is just beyond this alley," Jiang Mo said, pointing to a secluded alley.
"Let's go!" Lin Ping strode forward.
The two men's actions left the men in black somewhat bewildered. Were they just easy prey who had offered themselves up?
Despite the doubts, we still have to get down to business.
These men secretly followed Lin Ping and Jiang Mo, then suddenly appeared from the darkest part of the room, each striking them with a club and knocking them down.
"Pack it up and take it back to report."
The group put Lin Ping and Jiang Mo into a black cloth bag, obviously to prevent them from remembering the way up the mountain.
"Damn it, that really hurt," Lin Ping muttered to himself, rubbing the back of his head.
From childhood to adulthood, he has always been the one hitting others; he has never suffered such humiliation.
There was no other way; in order to find his wife as soon as possible and implement his plan to live off her, he had to make do with what he had to do.
Jiang Mo, who was in the other bag, was even more furious. He was a top-notch expert, yet he had been beaten by a few Yellow Lotus disciples.
If this gets out, people will laugh their heads off.
He wanted to burst the bag and jump out to kill these weaklings, but he was afraid he wouldn't be able to enter the Lotus Palace, so he could only swallow his anger.
"I'm afraid these two aren't thinking straight, actually daring to go to the most dangerous place," a Lotus Palace disciple said disdainfully.
"So what if we're stupid? It's better than nothing. At least we can go back and report," the other person replied.
Lin Ping, inside the sack, listened intently to their conversation and nearly exploded with anger.
He was known for his wisdom and resourcefulness, so much so that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe him as almost supernatural, yet this person treated him like a fool.
No, I have to swallow this.
And so, the two were carried on the shoulders of the man in black and rushed towards Tianmu Mountain.
These people had mediocre lightness skills, even worse than Lin Ping's. The journey was extremely bumpy, and Lin Ping, who never gets carsick, kept gagging.
After walking for two full hours, the group finally arrived back at the rushing river.
"If you're still alive, take a breath, or you'll die a horrible death," a man in black warned.
Their goal was to help Lotus Palace recruit disciples; the strong men they had finally managed to capture couldn't be allowed to suffocate.
Whether they can pull through depends on their abilities.
"Wait, I'm not ready yet!" Lin Ping shouted as he was about to fall into the water.
His voice was eventually drowned out by the rushing river, and when he came to his senses, he had already disappeared underwater.
Lin Ping shouted in regret, which wasted a lot of his lung capacity.
To conserve oxygen, Lin Ping tried his best not to move around and remained in a state of suspended animation. Even so, his face still turned red from holding his breath.
Jiang Mo's situation is much better. He is a top expert, and even if he is not a swimmer, he can hold his breath for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
"Alright, you're ashore now, silly boy. Are you still alive?" a man in black asked mockingly.
Cough cough cough...
Lin Ping coughed twice, feigning panic, and asked, "Who are you? Where are you taking us?"
"Now that you've entered the mountain gate, I'm not afraid to tell you. This is the Lotus Palace, and from now on, you are disciples of the Lotus Palace." The man in black said as he removed the cloth bags that were covering their bodies.
In the dimly lit cave, a few torches were lit, barely enough to make out the other person's appearance.
"Lotus Palace? You are disciples of Lotus Palace?" Lin Ping was terrified.
"Being able to become disciples of the Lotus Palace is an honor for you, so don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit." One of them saw Lin Ping's reluctance and angrily threatened him.
“Only kids like practicing martial arts. Adults only want to make money. Let us out of here right now,” Lin Ping replied stubbornly.