Chapter 45: A Visit in the Deep Nigh (2/2)

“What do you think of them?” said Xugu Ling, who took two steps towards the side to sit on a chair.

The abbot didn’t give a quick response. If there was nothing wrong among those people, Xugu Ling would not have asked. As a result, their motives were questionable.

He was uncertain in his voice. “According to our nodding acquaintance, I fail to confirm their identities, but Patron Luo keeps them company, perhaps…”

Xugu Ling raised his lips and gave a chuckle. “That man claims to be Gu Yusheng, the young gentleman of the Gu family. We’ve investigated in secret, only to find nothing. However, all the followers of the lord have a file in Xugu.”

The abbot turned serious. “Do you mean there is no file for him in Xugu?”

Another matter occurred to the abbot who squinted his eyes at Xugu Ling. “Wait, the lord ever ordered that the young gentleman of the Gu family would not be in the control of Xugu.”

“You have no knowledge of what happened in the following days since you’ve lived in the Hanshan Temple for years. Indeed he isn’t in the control of us. However, his identity is in close connection with Xugu. What’s more, there are few people who are aware of the truth, only the lord, the master and me. For the sake of his security, we’ve kept you from this. Beyond our expectation, it turns out that they’re aimed at this opportunity.” said Xugu Ling in a slow but firm tone.

Standing still, by the dim candlelight, the abbot looked a bit cold in his eyes. “But you’ve told me. Is it the meaning of the lord? Or it’s you who follow your own bent.”

He was on high alert. If there was anything wrong, he would never drop his guard.

After all, if he was off his guard, he would have already been replaced by others during these years.

Xugu Ling nodded. “Before departure, the lord has ordered that I could decide whether to tell you on my own. How could I allow that man to deceive you since you are not only the trusted follower of the lord but also the nerve center of our intelligence sources?”

Others might as well believe in what he had just said, but the abbot was aware that he just gave polite remarks.

“But Patron Luo…”

When Uncle Luo was referred to, they both changed the face. Different form others, they had close acquaintance with Uncle Luo. Could he still be reliable under such circumstances?”

Xugu Ling lapsed into silence for a while. “Don’t worry. As to Uncle Luo, I’ll go and investigate.”

The abbot nodded while twirling the beads, and then he looked up. “It seems to be improper to keep benefactor Xie in the dark. Do we need to inform her?”

Instead, Xugu Ling was not worried. “The young lady from the Xie family isn’t silly. If she has a blind faith in those people, she would have preferred to take them to meet the elders rather than leave them alone.”

He added: “She’s on the alert.”

The abbot realized that he was troubled about unnecessary fuss as the young lady from the Xie family didn’t grow in a greenhouse.

“You just intend to get across to me this matter?”

Xugu Ling stood up and took out a letter from his sleeve. “In addition, I have to trouble you to send this letter to the lord.”

“Okay.” It was his share of work so that the abbot put away the letter in his sleeve. “According to the message from the lord, you’re going to the southern reaches of Yangtze River in the company of benefactor Xie. When will you set out?”

Xugu Ling seemed to be thinking about this matter as well. After a moment of consideration, he said: “Rest assured. When she’s to leave the temple, I’ll follow her.”

“Thank you for all the trouble you’ve taken.” The abbot was in old acquaintance with the Xie family so that he was more worried about her safety than others.

“You’re welcome.” Xugu Ling showed a faint smile. The window opened again the instant he finished his words. With a flash of the figure and a flickering candle, he already went away.

Xugu Ling was well-versed in kung fu. In the dark, he was in deft movement. Only a dab hand could become aware of him.

He walked on the roof as if on the flat ground. His sound was extremely subtle even in the silent night.

Instead of leaving, he landed on the rooftop of a wing-room after wandering about.

Inside the room, all of a sudden, someone opened the eyes in the dark, with a terrible look.