I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 394: Let's go back and take a look.

"Go quickly!" Her voice was firm and decisive.

Soon, the monks and the old man's son-in-law's painful and miserable cries came from inside the dilapidated temple. The sounds were particularly shrill and terrifying in the quiet night, sending chills down one's spine.

After leading the old man a short distance, Fang Xiaoxiao used the antidote to save him.

He Jinnian stood aside, quietly watching Fang Xiaoxiao, his eyes thoughtful, his heart filled with admiration and appreciation for Fang Xiaoxiao's wit and decisiveness.

The rain poured down, large raindrops pounding the ground with a loud pattering sound. The faint sounds that had been emanating from the dilapidated temple gradually faded away in the torrential rain, until they were completely drowned out.

Fang Xiaoxiao listened intently for a moment, and after confirming that there was no further movement, she turned to look at He Jinnian with a firm and calm gaze, and said, "Let's go back and take a look."

He Jinnian nodded slightly and followed closely behind Fang Xiaoxiao.

The two stepped back into the dilapidated temple, and the pungent smell of blood immediately assaulted their nostrils. He Jinnian frowned, his stomach churning. He forced himself to endure the discomfort and looked up. Inside the temple, the three monks and the old man's son-in-law were entangled together like a pile of rotten flesh. Their exposed skin was a stark white in the dim light, and the ground was covered with mottled bloodstains—a horrifying sight.

He Jinnian couldn't help but turn his gaze to Fang Xiaoxiao again, his heart trembling, constantly reminding himself: Never, ever provoke this woman again, or the consequences will be even worse than this!

Fang Xiaoxiao seemed completely unconcerned about the bloody scene. She walked straight to a monk lying on the ground, barely breathing, and slowly squatted down. Her eyes were icy cold as she stared intently at the monk, coldly asking, "Tell me, where is your leader?"

Although the monk was barely breathing, a hint of stubbornness and ferocity still flashed in his eyes as he tried to remain silent and resist to the end.

Seeing this, He Jinnian was enraged. He stepped forward and slapped the monk hard across the face. With a crisp "smack," the monk's face was turned to the side, and several bloody teeth flew out of his mouth.

"Ah! Please, just give me a quick death!" The monk could no longer bear it and pleaded in agony.

Fang Xiaoxiao's lips curled into a cold smile, her voice as cold as the wind in the night: "Want a quick death? Fine, as long as you honestly tell me where your boss is hiding and where the captured princess is being held, I'll consider giving you a quick death."

The monk's eyes revealed a hint of hesitation and struggle.

He Jinnian said sternly from the side, "Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"

The monk finally gave in, saying weakly, "The princess we captured is being held in Qingfeng Village at Dahekou, which is a hundred miles from the capital."

He Jinnian then explained, "Qingfeng Village is located in a strategic location with steep mountains, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack."

After hearing this, Fang Xiaoxiao stood up without hesitation, ready to leave.

The monk cried out in despair, "Please, give me a proper end!"

Fang Xiaoxiao turned around and said with a mocking expression, "Hmph, I'm a woman, so what if I don't keep my word?"

The monk's eyes widened in anger as he shouted, "Fang Xiaoxiao, you beast!"

Fang Xiao raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Who are you calling a beast?"

The monk roared in exasperation, "You beast are cursing me!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the monk realized he had fallen into Fang Xiaoxiao's trap. Overwhelmed with shame and anger, he spat out a mouthful of blood and died on the spot.

Without hesitation, Fang Xiaoxiao turned around, her posture as upright as a pine tree. Her exquisite face was now as cold as ice, her eyes flashing with a sharp light, like a sword about to be drawn. She strode confidently towards the capital city, each step carrying an undeniable aura.

He Jinnian looked bewildered, quickly followed, his brows furrowed, and asked anxiously, "Going back already? Why?"

Fang Xiaoxiao stopped and turned to look at He Jinnian, her gaze sharp. She said irritably, "Are you stupid? It's just the two of us. Going to Qingfeng Village to rescue people is just courting death. We're clearly short-handed right now. Instead of going back to the capital to find a solution, are we just going to sit here and wait?"

Upon hearing this, He Jinnian was taken aback at first, then slapped his forehead and exclaimed in realization, "Oh dear, look at my brain, you've thought of everything."

Upon hearing of his son-in-law's death, the old man beside him instantly transformed, dancing with joy and his face flushed with excitement. His eyes shone with ecstatic elation as he scurried to Fang Xiaoxiao's side, pleading obsequiously, "My benefactor! You are simply a living Bodhisattva sent by heaven to save me! From now on, my worthless life belongs to you. I am willing to serve you like a slave, even if it means going through fire and water! I would gladly wash your underwear for the rest of my life!" As he spoke, he repeatedly kowtowed and bowed.

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, a hint of disgust on her face. She didn't bother to pay any attention to the old man and continued walking briskly forward.

He Jinnian glanced at the old man, shook his head helplessly, and quickly followed Fang Xiaoxiao's steps.

The two traveled quickly and soon arrived at the Lingxi Pavilion shop they owned in the outer city of Kyoto.

The area in front of Lingxi Pavilion was bustling with people, a lively and noisy scene. Fang Xiaoxiao and He Jinnian arrived at the front and looked at the surging crowd, but they couldn't find a single gap to squeeze through.

The old man's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth agape as he stammered, "This...this Lingxi Pavilion is actually your property?"

He snapped out of his daze, hurriedly approached Fang Xiaoxiao, bowed and scraped, and said with a fawning expression, "My benefactor, you saved my life. I will definitely repay your great kindness by working like a slave!"

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned and said with a look of disgust, "Okay, I'll repay you, but don't bring up the matter of washing underwear again."

The old man stubbornly insisted, "No, no, I absolutely have to wash your underwear!"

Fang Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes helplessly, too lazy to argue with him anymore, and turned to walk outside with He Jinnian.

Fang Xiaoxiao gestured with her chin toward the shop assistant and said, "Take this old man to do some work."

The old man thanked him profusely, tears streaming down his face, saying, "You are a living bodhisattva, a truly kind person!"

Afterwards, Fang Xiaoxiao and He Jinnian arrived at the county government office. As soon as they entered, the county magistrate rushed out in a flurry.

The magistrate looked anxious, his forehead covered in sweat, and asked He Jinnian, "What should we do about this? I'm going crazy with worry!"

He Jinnian took a deep breath and recounted his experience at the dilapidated temple in detail.

Upon hearing the words "Qingfeng Village," the magistrate's face turned deathly pale, his eyes filled with fear and panic, and his lips began to tremble.