Chapter 115: Everything Happens for a Reason

The contest between the two finally came to an end with Ye Dong’s narrow victory. Meanwhile, Little Bao and the others had collapsed to the ground, their faces pale as paper. It was clear that they had long since exhausted their strength.

“I wonder if Junior Brother Ye Dong will manage to escape alive?”

Zi Long, the only one whose face still retained a hint of color, looked toward Chen Yao, his eyes filled with worry.

Chen Yao wiped the sweat from his brow and gazed at the talisman that had been burned to ashes on the ground. His expression was unusually resolute.

“I believe Ye Dong will fight until the very last moment. He’ll never give up!”

“Guangqi may be as sly as a fox, but Ye Dong is even more clever and courageous. He’ll certainly find a way to save Huiyan.”

Officer Li slowly exhaled the smoke from his mouth before continuing, “Ye Dong is not only Brother Chen’s direct disciple; he also counts as half my student. Everything we’ve taught him over these past few days will surely help him.”

Indeed, as Officer Li had said, Ye Dong’s ability to defeat Guangqi this time came not only from his mastery of magical arts, but even more from the determination and quick thinking he had forged during their recent intensive training.

“And with Huiyan in danger, he won’t give up either.”

Liang Lingzhi gave a bitter laugh. “Ye Dong places great value on loyalty and affection. He was even bold enough to prank Officer Li just to avenge Little Bao. If it’s for the sake of saving Huiyan, he can think up tricks far more outrageous than that. I know him too well.”

Everyone present chuckled softly, involuntarily recalling the scene of Ye Dong and the other two carrying Officer Li out of the dog-fighting arena that day. Little Yang and Little Wang, however, wore awkward expressions. After all, they had once been locked in the bathhouse by Ye Dong together with those lustful dogs, where something indescribable had taken place.

Though the group joked lightly, the heavy stone in their hearts still had not lifted. Guangqi truly held every advantage, and they still had no idea what fate awaited Ye Dong and Huiyan.

“It hurts badly, doesn’t it?”

As Ye Dong bandaged Huiyan’s injured hand, he asked, “I can see the bone.”

At those words, his eyes reddened slightly, and he dared not look up at her.

“It doesn’t hurt.”

Huiyan gritted her teeth and forced herself to endure the agony. “Not one bit.”

“I know it hurts.”

At last, Ye Dong raised his tear-filled eyes to her. “Every time your hand aches, my heart aches with it.”

Hearing those sweet words, Huiyan blushed. She lowered her head and smiled bitterly.

“As long as you’re all right, I can endure any pain.”

“Huiyan…”

After finishing the bandage, Ye Dong could no longer restrain his feelings. He gently pulled Huiyan into his arms and was just about to savor her lips when she pushed him away, her face flushed.

“What—what’s wrong?” Ye Dong asked, somewhat puzzled. “According to the plot, shouldn’t the male and female leads share a passionate kiss at this point to thank the audience for all their support and expectations?”

“Dong, have you forgotten? Yu Menglan is here too.”

Only then did Ye Dong remember.

“Oh, right! Yu Menglan is here too! How could I forget her?”

He cleared his throat twice. “Miss Menglan, you can stop hiding in the shadows and secretly watching us flirt. Come out.”

“Hehe, sorry about that.”

Yu Menglan giggled. “I was afraid of interrupting you, so I hid.”

As she spoke, she revealed her true form. Perhaps because she had borrowed another person’s body twice in succession, her face was now noticeably paler, and she looked extremely weak.

Seeing how bloodless she was, Ye Dong gave a bitter smile.

“Miss Menglan, thank you for your help. I, Ye Dong, will never forget your kindness for as long as I live.”

Yu Menglan shook her head with a wry smile.

“Ye Dong, shouldn’t I be saying that to you?”

She looked at the two of them leaning against each other and smiled with relief.

“I’m truly happy to see that you’ve finally put aside your grievances and come together.”

Ye Dong felt warmth spread through his heart. He exchanged a smile with Huiyan, then gently kissed her on the forehead.

Although none of the three were in mortal danger, their souls had ultimately suffered injuries. It would be best to descend the mountain as soon as possible and report everything to Chen Yao and the others.

“The motorcycle has run out of fuel.”

Ye Dong walked over to where the motorcycle was parked.

“Well, if there’s no vehicle, then there’s no vehicle. A walk will do us good.”

He sighed and looked himself up and down, taking in his mud-covered body.

“My own body really is more convenient.”

Huiyan complained, “That bastard Guangqi was so cautious and sly that he didn’t even bring a phone up the mountain.”

“A phone can transmit a signal and become a tracking beacon for the police. Someone as cunning as him would naturally think of that.”

Ye Dong let out a quiet laugh. “Besides, according to his plan, he thought he was certain to win.”

“Hey, Dong! Look over there. Why is there a little bald kid?”

As the two humans and one ghost walked on, they spotted a small monk equally caked in mud beneath a tree. He was gnawing on a wild sweet potato and seemed to be enjoying it immensely.

“Hey, little baldie! Are you human or a ghost?”

Ye Dong moved in front of Huiyan and cautiously tested him.

“What?”

The little monk glanced at Ye Dong, released the sweet potato from his teeth, and replied coldly, “Are you blind? What do you mean, ‘little baldie’? Can’t you see the戒 scars on my head?”

“Oh? So you’re a little monk!”

Ye Dong and the others hurried over with broad grins.

“What are you eating? Can you give your big brother a bite?”

“Help yourself if you want to eat.”

The little monk pointed his small head toward the patch of wild sweet potatoes on the ground.

“If you want one, dig it up yourself.”

“Tch, what a miser.”

Ye Dong did not stand on ceremony and began digging for sweet potatoes himself.

“Hey, hey, can you be a little gentler? Do you even know how to dig for sweet potatoes? At this rate, you’ll uproot all the little ones too!”

The little monk advised him disdainfully. “You don’t look like someone who’s used to hard work.”

“I really don’t know how to dig for sweet potatoes.”

Ye Dong ignored him and continued digging as he pleased.

Seeing that Ye Dong would not listen, the little monk spoke again.

“Good grief, I already told you, and you’re still digging like that! Why are you Taoists so stubborn?”

“What?”

All three of them were startled. Ye Dong immediately stopped digging and stared at the little monk in astonishment.

“How did you know I’m a Taoist?”

The little monk merely pouted. Ignoring the question, he tossed Ye Dong a sweet potato.

“Eat mine. And stop ruining those little seedlings!”

“You still haven’t answered me!”

Ye Dong stuffed the sweet potato into his pocket, then pressed on.

“Who are you?”

“Why should I tell you? Did I ask who you were?”

The little monk paid no attention to his questions and muttered, “I don’t want to talk to you. I’ve never liked Taoists.”

“Well, aren’t you a spirited little monk?”

Ye Dong gave him a disdainful look. “What are you doing digging for sweet potatoes in the middle of these mountains and wilderness?”

“Aren’t you in the middle of the mountains and wilderness too?”

The little monk shot back. “Hey, you’ve asked so many questions. Are you going to eat that sweet potato or not? If not, give it back.”

“Of course I’m eating it! I’m starving to death!”

Ye Dong broke the sweet potato in half, gave the larger piece to Huiyan, and began wolfing down his own.

“I’m a lumberjack from the mountain, heading home after work. What about you?”

The little monk cast him a sidelong glance.

“Who are you trying to fool? There’s blood on you, and you’re surrounded by murderous energy. You must have killed something just now. Tell me—are you a hunter?”

“Good grief!”

Ye Dong’s brows knitted together.

How was this monk so perceptive? Not only had he recognized Ye Dong as a Taoist, he had even realized that Ye Dong had killed something moments ago.

After clearing his throat, Ye Dong replied, “That’s right. I’m a hunter. I specialize in hunting wild boars that dig up sweet potatoes.”

“Hmph. A stinking Taoist hunter with a female ghost at his side. Sneaking around like that—you’re certainly no good person.”

At those words, Yu Menglan, who had been hiding behind Huiyan, took two steps back, her heart pounding.

How could this little monk be so formidable?

Ye Dong swallowed as well.

“Little monk, what are you talking about?”

“I’m saying exactly what you already know. If you use ghosts to commit evil, I’ll call someone to subdue you!”

“This little monk is rather interesting.”

Ye Dong was both startled and delighted. He wondered which temple the child belonged to.

When Ye Dong failed to answer, the little monk patted the dirt from his backside, stood up, and prepared to leave.

“Hey, where are you going? It’s easy to get lost in these mountains.”

Huiyan asked with concern. After all, they had met by chance, and the little monk had even given Ye Dong a sweet potato to stave off his hunger. It was only natural for her to show some concern.

“To the city.”

The little monk looked into the distance, then turned and asked, “Hey, is the city in this direction?”

“Yes. We’re heading there too. Why don’t you come with us?”

Ye Dong grinned.

“Your big brother will lead you out, so you don’t get lost and starve to death here.”

“Bah!”

The little monk glared at him and muttered, “All you stinking Taoists are the same—insufferably foul-mouthed.”

“Hey, hey, can you stop saying ‘stinking Taoist’ this and ‘stinking Taoist’ that? Taoists have dignity too!”

Ye Dong reproached him. “Have Taoists offended you?”

“Hmph. Just lead the way. Don’t talk to me.”

The little monk looked thoroughly displeased, as though he had been stewing in resentment for a long time.

“I hate Taoists most of all. And I hate anyone—or any ghost—who works for them!”

Ye Dong and the other two exchanged bitter smiles. It seemed this little monk had some serious grudge against Taoists.

“Little monk, what happened?”

Seeing his expression, Ye Dong teased him with a grin.

“You look rather angry. What’s bothering you? Talking about it might make you feel better.”

“So what if I’m angry?”

The little monk pouted.

“This monk is going into the city to take revenge!”

“What? You’re so young. What sort of grudge could you possibly have?”

Ye Dong’s curiosity sprang to life.

“He burned down my room! You tell me—doesn’t that count as a grudge?”

“Haha!”

Ye Dong burst out laughing.

“So even monks have enemies. Who’s your enemy? Tell us about him!”

“Then I’ll tell you! What does this monk have to fear?”

The little monk glared angrily down the road and spat out three icy words:

“He Wentian.”