The young monk's eyes reddened at Ziyan's question, tears almost falling.
"Benefactress, the back mountain has collapsed, affecting the wing rooms behind our temple, and the courtyard has also been impacted. Several senior monks were injured. Fortunately, it's been snowing these past few days, so there were no pilgrims, otherwise, we might have injured some."
Ziyan was worried, "Miss, let's go quickly to take a look!"
Li Man'er's face remained calm, appearing very composed. "How is your temple custodian? He injured his arm last time, I hope it's not worse this time?"
The young monk looked like he was about to cry. "Of course, it's worse. That hand might be crippled. Benefactress, would you like to come and see the temple custodian?"
"Alright," Li Man'er said. "Lead the way. I happen to have my medicine chest with me, and I can take a look at the masters in the temple. Ziyan, go get the medicine chest."
The young monk, however, said, "Miss, there's no need to rush for the medicine chest; the temple has one." He quickened his pace, leading Li Man'er and Ziyan toward the back courtyard, as if afraid they couldn't keep up. He urged them on, "Benefactress, hurry up, perhaps the temple custodian's hand can still be saved."
Ziyan felt something was off, but couldn't pinpoint it. She turned to look at Li Man'er and found her eyes were icy cold, with a mocking curve to her lips.
Ziyan let it go. She wasn't clever enough to figure out what was wrong, but Miss was smart! Judging by her expression, she must have already understood.
As they reached the moon gate, the young monk seemed to vanish as if his feet were greased. Ziyan hadn't reacted yet, still wanting to call out to him, when several people suddenly sprang from a corner. They were all holding winnowing baskets filled with plant ash and, without a word, flung them towards the mistress and her servant.
Li Man'er was quick. She pulled Ziyan back, causing Ziyan to stumble several steps and nearly fall.
It was precisely because of these few steps back that Ziyan was spared from the plant ash attack. Li Man'er shielded her, covering her head with her large cloak and avoiding the ash.
Seeing their first attempt fail, those people resorted to another trick. From who knows where, they produced a large net and cast it over Li Man'er.
"Miss, be careful!" Ziyan cried out, warning Li Man'er.
Li Man'er shook off her cloak. Somehow, a dagger appeared in her hand. Before the net could fall on her, she slashed it into pieces.
Those hidden in the dark stomped their feet in anger, wishing they could rush out and tear Li Man'er to shreds.
The ambushers were not novices. Seeing Li Man'er evade them twice, they drew their weapons, intending to capture her in one fell swoop.
However, they had underestimated Li Man'er. Her skills far surpassed their expectations. She was agile and strong. When she engaged them, there was no gentleness; her every move was a killing blow aimed at their vital points, making them defenseless and leaving them at a disadvantage.
Ziyan, who had been worried about her mistress's safety, was thinking of scrambling up to find a weapon and help, even if it was just to block a few blows for her. To her surprise, her mistress fought with a ferocity even greater than that of the Marquis. The straightforward, brute force techniques she practiced in the courtyard were proving to be incredibly lethal.
Ziyan covered her mouth, watching tensely. Only after Li Man'er had subdued everyone did she excitedly run forward. "Miss, you're so amazing! How did you know there was an ambush here?"
The attackers lay on the ground, some clutching their heads, others their stomachs, all groaning. Even more unfortunate were those who had fainted, lying there like corpses with no reaction.
Li Man'er didn't even glance at them and walked straight towards the wing rooms. Ziyan hurried to follow.
The people inside panicked and quickly pulled someone from the back of the room.
This person was none other than Old Sun, the temple custodian Li Man'er had been looking for. He was now bound tightly like a large zongzi.
His eyes were covered with a cloth, and his mouth was gagged, so he could only make muffled sounds of protest.
Something was pressed against his neck, and a woman's voice said, "Don't move, or I'll kill you."
The woman lacked confidence; her hands were trembling. But Old Sun was bound and completely defenseless, so he could only obey her.
With a clang, the door to the wing room was pushed open by Li Man'er. Seeing Qian Fangruo, she wasn't surprised at all. Instead, she smiled and said, "Second Miss Qian, we meet again."
Qian Fangruo was truly infuriated. Her plan had been perfect; she intended to kidnap Li Man'er here, without anyone knowing. Once Li Man'er was captured, she would surely have her chance for revenge. Let alone beating her, even killing her would go unnoticed.
But despite all her careful planning, she hadn't anticipated that Li Man'er would know martial arts. She had always thought Li Man'er only knew some flashy moves, never imagining that even bounty hunters were no match for her.
"You knew it was me?"
Li Man'er shook her head innocently. "I didn't know it was you."
"Nonsense, Li Man'er. If you didn't know it was me, why weren't you trapped, and why were you prepared?"
Li Man'er laughed. "I can only say that the person Second Miss Qian hired was too stupid. The Medicine King Temple doesn't have many monks. I've been here a few times, but I've never seen the little monk who received us. It's not a big deal, perhaps I just hadn't seen him before and he looked unfamiliar! But that little monk was too unprofessional, his words were nonsensical. What monk would refer to himself as 'my'?"
Ziyan suddenly understood. That's why it felt strange.
The monks in the temple all referred to themselves as "poor monk" or "little monk." More straightforward ones might call themselves "this monk," but she had never heard a monk call himself "my."
"And the little monk saying the back mountain collapsed, that was also..." Li Man'er shook her head. "I've been to the back mountain. If it had rained heavily, causing a landslide and collapse, it would be believable. But a collapse in the middle of winter due to snow? I've never heard of such a thing. I was suspicious then. I asked him if the temple custodian's injured arm was worse. To gain my trust, he said that hand would be beyond saving if I delayed any longer."
"But the temple custodian is in your hands. Where is his hand injured? It was clearly a deception."
Qian Fangruo's eyes turned red. "Li Man'er, you are indeed clever, but what of it! Now that this person is in my hands, do you think I will surrender so easily?"
"Second Miss Qian, our enmity, why must you involve others? This temple custodian is merely an unrelated person. Release him, and we can talk things out properly. Let's not ruin our harmony."
Qian Fangruo sneered. "You think I'd believe that? I'm not that stupid."