Chapter 350 - Stubborn Waylays (1/2)
Meanwhile, on a certain rooftop, a certain old man's head was dangling side to side, back and forth. It lulled too much to back and then, down he went, noisily rolling down the roof and falling down into the ground with a loud thud!
The two guards standing at the entrance both froze and stared at the area the sound came from. The ground was clearly empty and well strange things have been happening here since that Monk arrived.
”Y-you know... I... I really think this place is curs-”
”Shhh! Some things shouldn't be said out loud...” The Second guard advised in a whisper.
”S-so you know it too?” The first guard whispered, he then glanced at the building to ensure no one was coming and scooted closer, ”I wasn't going to say anything, but last night, when I was doing my rounds, I could swear I heard snoring coming from the roof! I thought it was just because I was tired but... others have been experiencing odd things too. I'm telling you, things have been really strange since that Monk got here. I think he may have put a curse o-”
”I told you to stop. mentioning it. You'll bring the curse up- What are you doing?!” The second guard exclaimed as he dodged the fist flying towards his face.
”I don't - I swear I didn't do it! I th - I just told you I didn't do it!” The first guard indignantly said as he ducked to dodge the fist now gunning for his own face.
”Sorry, I didn't mean to - Stop messing around!”
”I swear I'm not doing anything! - Hey, be reasonable. Stop!”
”You stop!”
The two very confused guards continued their sparring - more like a dance session, where they were throwing and dodging punches and kicks across the front garden of the Empress dowager's palace.
”Who's a curse again? I'll show you a curse you little brats hehehe~” Doctor Lou said, squinting at the guards. He was still sitting in the same ”empty” spot he landed. He was holding up his fists in front of his face with his two index fingers pointing at the two guards directing their ”play” combat.
”What do you two think you're doing?!” Eunuch Li's voice suddenly came from the building and Doctor Lou immediately stopped and turned his head to see Eunuch Li standing at the side of the building.
”Tch...no fun person.” Doctor Lou mumbled, folding his arms as he glared at the approaching Eunuch Li. The two guards who were now released from his manipulation fell to the ground, breathless and gaping at each other in confusion, then they quickly scrambled to their feet just as Eunuch Li stopped before them with a frown, ”What is the meaning of this nonsense? Don't you know where this is?!” Eunuch Li scolded, he had just been making his way out after checking on the Empress dowager only to be met with the scene of the guards play-fighting in the front garden.
”It wasn't us, it w-” The first guard stopped when his partner gave him a hard elbow jab in the ribs. The second guard quickly cupped his hands and bowed, ”We apologize, we got carried away, it won't happen again.” There was no way they could tell Eunuch Li that the Empress dowager's palace seemed cursed, he would think they were insulting the Empress dowager and if that were the case, they would die.
”Got carried away? Where do you think this is to be carried away? Even if there are no external threats so deep within the palace, you must still remain vigilant. If anything were to happen to -” He paused and let out a breath and then dismissively said, ”Go report to Commander An for your punishment and have replacements sent over... Now.” Eunuch Li added when the guards seemed to be hesitating.
The guards quickly bowed and ran off to do as they were bid. Eunuch Li sighed and began walking towards the doors, he would stand guard until the new guards showed up. But then his leg suddenly tripped on something and he almost fell over but managed to catch himself with a hop jump movement which had Doctor Lou snickering as he withdrew his out-stretched leg.
Eunuch Li frowned and immediately turned around to see what he had tripped on but he found only air and flat ground. He blinked in confusion and then frowned at the ground, then he cleared his throat and surreptitiously glanced about to confirm that no one saw and then brushed his clothes and turned and resumed walking.
{...I must be pushing myself too hard recently... Need to rest more..}
Doctor Lou chuckled and then sauntered after Eunuch Li. Guard duty was very boring work and being the very understanding person that he was, he had been entertaining the guards with little things here and there to make their day. Of course, nothing quite like he did tonight with those guards but they had insulted his person so he had to teach them a lesson.
Not to mention, since he had been so rudely awakened, his mood was not the best at that time - that roof was really not conducive for sleeping at all. So he needed more uplifting than usual for his mood. But then Eunuch Li had come to ruin the fun and sent away his comrades. Therefore, it was only natural that Eunuch Li should substitute.
Doctor Lou jumped ahead on the path again, squinting at Eunuch Li as he raised his robes to stretch out his leg again, but then he suddenly froze and looked up to the sky with a confused frown. In the next moment, the troublesome invisible Lou disappeared and an oblivious Eunuch Li continued on his path unhindered, spared from the impending face plant.
***
”What do you think you're doing?!” Doctor Lou's voice reverberated in the room before his person appeared.
”Shhhh... You'll break my concentration.” Xiao Ying calmly responded, unfazed, without even turning her head to acknowledge the intruder.
Doctor Lou's face twitched, ”I thought you already gave up on this…” He paused and waved his hands trying to think of an appropriate term, ”...this childish infant -”
”I did give up. You said that we should always uphold their promises - when we can. I made a promise here, so I'm working on it.” Xiao Ying said, her eyebrows knitting with irritation. It was already hard enough to concentrate on what she was doing, the last thing she needed was someone scolding her.