Jianghu Qimen Lu

Chapter 38 Shifting the Blame

Red Moon, ever as astute, was actually more afraid of their alliance with Kong Dun. A plan formed in her mind, and she smiled, saying, "Actually, I've been with your sect leader these past few days. We agreed to storm the execution ground at the Western Restaurant in Hangzhou to rescue my father. However, even after I was captured, I never saw Black Sun. Only after being imprisoned in Hangzhou did I learn that Sun... had been surrounded by a large number of soldiers and chased all the way to a cave on Lonely Mountain before collapsing and dying. How could I not be frantic with worry upon hearing this news? I'd risk my life to..." She escaped from prison to see the sun one last time! Taking advantage of the guards' inattention while they brought food, she killed two men, opened the cell door, and then used her lightness skill to leap over the high wall and escape. The young woman traveled all night to Lonely Mountain, searched everywhere with a torch, and finally found the sun's body in a cave. Fearing the Qing court would desecrate his body and that pursuers would arrive, she had to choose a quick way to dispose of the body, using corpse-dissolving powder to bury the sun and send him to heaven. Unexpectedly, just as she finished, the pursuers caught up…” Her story was so coherent and flawless that the Four Fiends of the Underworld couldn't help but believe it. Overwhelmed with grief, the Fujibayashi Jonin said, "Chief Hong, you've misunderstood! Those four men in white weren't government pursuers, but warriors of my Fujibayashi clan—Jonin-level ninjas! It's pitiful that they, with their illustrious battles and lifelong loyalty, were injured by the Bone-Dissolving Powder in a foreign land, ultimately vanishing into nothingness! They didn't even leave behind a single bone. How can I face their families when I return?" As she spoke, tears unknowingly streamed down her face.

"They say men don't easily shed tears, unless they're truly heartbroken. It seems this Japanese pirate is quite the sentimental one! Since he's so dramatic, why doesn't he stay in his own country instead of crossing the ocean to wreak havoc on our soil?" Red Moon thought to herself, but said aloud, "I'm so sorry, sir, I didn't know you were my friend! It's a misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding!" The Fujibayashi ninja remained silent, likely furious with her, but unable to express his anger, he had to keep it bottled up. Musashi Ichiro and the others went over, patted him on the shoulder, and comforted him. Kong Dunjie chuckled, his hoarse voice trying to smooth things over: "Alright, ignorance is bliss! They're just a few underlings, what's the big deal? Sometimes when our Beggars' Clan encounters large Qing Dynasty guerrilla forces, countless people are killed or wounded in a single battle, and who bothers to count the numbers!" Seeing that both sides' expressions had improved slightly, he then suggested, "Now that we're all part of the family, we should unite and stand together against a common enemy! Didn't you just say that the 'Complete Guide to the Martial World' is in the Southern Fist Sect's incense shop? Why don't we take advantage of the quiet of the night and go to the incense shop to investigate? If we're lucky, we might even find something unexpected!" Seeing his impatient and eager manner, Red Moon secretly spat: "Like master, like disciple. It seems this Kong Dunjie is even more..." "Even more shameless, he's definitely become a traitor!" He asked with some doubt, "Is the situation true?" Fujibayashi Jonin's face flushed red, and he said seriously, "We ninjas always do things one by one, two by two, without the slightest slackness! As for false information, it can be said that it has never happened in history! Nor is it allowed to happen!" Kūden laughed, "That's perfect! Tonight we'll all go down and get our hands on the 'Complete Book of Jianghu,' or we'll make the entire Southern Fist Sect a scene of chaos, digging three feet into the ground without stopping!" Seeing his high spirits, Fujibayashi Jonin was also excited and raised his arm to shout, "Alright, tonight we'll witness the superior martial arts of the Southern Fist Sect!" The remaining three Fiends, even Musashi Ichiro, obeyed him and clapped in unison. Red Moon walked up to Kameda Ryuu and asked softly with concern, "How badly is your rib injury? Let me see." Kameda Ryuu was unconvinced and coldly roared, "What do you want?!" Red Moon smiled and opened her treasure pouch from her waist, took out a delicate white porcelain bottle, opened the lid, poured out a small white pill, and said, "This is a bone-setting pill. If you drink it, your rib pain will be gone in half an hour. New bone will grow in a month, and you will be back to normal in three months." Kameda Ryuu was somewhat skeptical, but Fujibayashi Jinnin laughed and said, "Based on my own feeling, I can guarantee that Red Moon is sincere, Kameda-kun. Just take the medicine!" In fact, Kameda Ryuu's ribs were in excruciating pain. Seeing this, he said nothing more, took the pill, threw it into his mouth, and swallowed it in one gulp! Because he didn't have water to swallow it, he almost choked to death and coughed for a long time before finally swallowing it. A short while later, the pain indeed lessened slightly. Kameda Ryuu unconsciously bent down and bowed respectfully to the Red Moon, performing a samurai salute, and sincerely said, "Thank you!" In that instant, the four fiends of the Underworld all changed their attitude towards her, treating her as one of their own. The group then tidied themselves up and set off.

The waning moon hung high in the sky, yet the night remained shrouded in mist. Distant mountains resembled brows, West Lake was like a mirror, and the Su Causeway stretched like a long ribbon across the water and sky. The Jiangnan Xiang Mansion stood majestically in the night, appearing even more solemn and imposing. Red Moon and her group of six, leaping and bounding, had just reached the inner roof when, with the keen senses of night travelers, they sensed something amiss! Two people were hiding near the restroom, whispering amongst themselves. A clear voice rang out, "Our leader is still unwell, yet you are so bold and meticulous, not only easily obtaining the extraordinary book 'The Complete Book of Jianghu,' but also framing the thief Red Moon. A double kill, truly ingenious!" Hearing this, everyone's hearts pounded, and Red Moon's blood rushed to her head. She tiptoed, as light as a cat, to the entrance of the men's restroom. Then another deep voice lowered and said, "Third Brother, this extraordinary book concerns the very lifeline of the people. If the Qing court intercepts it, not only will our plan to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming be hopeless, but the revival of the Red Flower Society will also be a distant dream! This extraordinary book will be our Moqing Society's bargaining chip, and also our weapon to win over all the sects and factions in the martial arts world! Third Sister, you must keep it safe! Once I recover, our Moqing Society will rise up with the heroes of the world to fight against the Qing dogs!"

"Judging from that voice, isn't that Stinky Feet, the leader of the Moqing Society? And that clear, crisp voice undoubtedly belongs to Thousand-Hand Guanyin, the third-in-command of the Moqing Society! Judging from this situation, Stinky Feet has been embezzling from his own position, and not only that, he's crying 'stop thief!' and has even switched the blame onto me! We've never met before, and we have no grudges against each other, so why would you do this, Stinky Feet? In the martial arts world, you, Stinky Feet, are a well-known hero, always upholding justice and helping the people make a living. You have a great reputation! What happened this time?" "How can you act so dishonestly? So despicable!" Red Moon was about to jump out and question them when Thousand-Hand Guanyin said, "There's something I want to report to the leader. According to our informant, Red Moon, who colluded with the Japanese pirate Black Sun, has been released by White Lightning! It's said that the two talked privately for a long time, probably about some earth-shattering conspiracy!" Upon hearing this, the Four Fiends of the Underworld and Void Escape all changed their expressions drastically, their gazes sharpening as they all focused on Red Moon's face! The meaning couldn't be clearer: Are you perhaps an informant for the government?!

Red Moon hurriedly gestured, saying, "Those two are highly skilled in martial arts and possess superb internal energy. They probably already knew we were lurking nearby, so they deliberately spread lies and fabricated stories to sow discord!" These petty people were all narrow-minded and suspicious; how could they possibly feel at ease? They all stared at her with strange looks, remaining silent. Red Moon could no longer contain herself. She leaped out and, in one swift motion, went straight into the men's restroom.

Stinky Feet and Thousand-Hand Guanyin were both startled. A sharp shout rang out: "Who goes there?" Stinky Feet had already launched a kick through the air, aiming straight for Red Moon's face! Seeing the surging, powerful energy hidden within his kick, they knew he was going to kill right from the start, intending to silence her—utterly ruthless! Not daring to meet him head-on and risk provoking his attack, Red Moon quickly dodged to the side, his two fingers gripping a thin blade as he slashed at the tendon beneath Red Moon's ankle bone! This move was even more vicious; if you won't let me live, I'll cripple you! Red Moon, furious that Stinky Feet had framed him, naturally showed no mercy in his attack. Unexpectedly, a flash of cold light appeared beside him. Thousand-Hand Guanyin, a master of hidden weapons, suddenly launched a deadly attack, her left hand flicking out, a chilling throwing knife aimed straight at her right wrist! Truly fast, ruthless, and accurate! Terrified, Red Moon dared not attack Stinky Feet anymore, quickly spinning outwards and leaping onto the toilet wall! Then, with a loud bang, the stinky-footed man's flying kick actually stomped a large hole in the high wall!