GBP Chapter 1902 A Dilapidated Temple in a Desolate Mountain
Chapter 1902 A Dilapidated Temple in a Desolate Mountain
Cheng Kui felt the urgency in Li Xiangnan's tone as Li Xiangnan gripped his arm tightly, and knew that this matter must be of great importance.
He closed his eyes, pressed his fingers hard against his temples, and the veins on his forehead bulged as he tried his best to search for that blurry mark in his chaotic memories.
"Where... I smelled the little monk's scent earlier... it really felt familiar... where... think quickly..."
He muttered to himself, the hall so quiet you could hear a pin drop, everyone holding their breath waiting for his next words.
Li Xiangnan and Song Ziming exchanged a glance; both were clearly equally anxious.
Sudden.
Cheng Kui suddenly opened his eyes, a look of realization and shock flashing in them. "I remember now!"
"Where?" Li Xiangnan's heart skipped a beat.
"It was during the summer and autumn of the year before last! Our coffin-carrying team took on a long job to carry a coffin and bury a wealthy family at the foot of Xishan Mountain! On the way back that day, the weather suddenly changed and a torrential rain began. Good heavens, that day's thunderstorm was like covering Yanjing City with a cotton blanket. The downpour instantly made the mountain road muddy and impassable!"
We met in the summer and autumn of the year before last?
Li Xiangnan's heart skipped a beat. Could it be the torrential rain during military training in September 78?
At that time, he and his classmates were caught by their instructor, Qin Jingchuan, and made to run back and forth to Baiwang Mountain...
"Our group of more than a dozen people, carrying our equipment, could only find a nearby place to take shelter from the rain! Strangely enough, on the southern slope of West Mountain, in a remote area a little further in from Black Tiger Gully, we actually found a dilapidated temple!"
"From the outside, it looked like a deserted temple that had been abandoned for many years. Even the words on the lintel were illegible! We were in a hurry to get shelter from the rain and didn't think much of it before we rushed in!"
Cheng Kui's description has a strange, immersive quality, making the reader feel as if they are there.
"That temple is strange! It looks dilapidated from the outside, but it doesn't seem unattended inside! There's no incense smell like in ordinary temples, instead... as soon as you go in, you smell an extremely pungent odor! Yes, it's that smell of rotting herbs and minerals!"
"Thinking back now, that smell was more than ten times stronger than the smell on the little monk! In this desolate mountain and dilapidated temple, we dared not investigate anything strange! At that time, the rain was too heavy, and the sky was covered with dark clouds, making the temple even darker. We were doing a funeral, so we didn't dare to delve into the inner workings of the temple and didn't dare to go in to investigate. We just squeezed under the porch at the entrance to take shelter from the rain!"
Cheng Kui looked at Li Xiangnan as he said this: "But that smell, mixed with the moisture and rain from the foot of the mountain, kept getting into our noses, making our heads hurt, so I really can't forget it!"
Li Xiangnan squinted and pondered, "Perhaps it was that time of seeking shelter from the rain that made that little monk notice the existence of your ward!"
"..." These words made Cheng Kui's face turn pale, and a look of realization flashed in his eyes, "So... that makes sense in line with the trend of development later on!"
He waved his hand, seemingly unwilling to change the subject, and quickly said, "Dr. Li, now that I think about it, the smell in the temple and the smell on the little monk definitely came from the same source! It's just that the smell there was stronger and more mixed...it was very uncomfortable, and,"
He paused, then frowned and said, "I vaguely heard some noises deep inside the temple, like someone pounding medicine or grinding something. But the rain was too loud at the time, so I'm not sure if I misheard!"
On the southern slope of Xishan Mountain, deep in Heihugou, there is a dilapidated temple in the wilderness, with a pungent smell of medicine, suspected to be caused by human activity!
The combination of these keywords made Li Xiangnan's heart race.
It's almost certain that even if that's not the Little Buddha's lair, it must be an important stronghold!
It's very possible that the mysterious little monk came from there!
"Thank you so much, Gangtou! This clue is extremely important!" Li Xiangnan suppressed his excitement and thanked him solemnly.
Now that the conversation had progressed, he had learned what he needed to know, forged what he needed to forge, made what he needed to vow, and even eaten what he needed to eat. He raised his wrist to check his watch and said honestly, "Cheng Gangtou, the old man is alright for now. Just follow my instructions for taking the medicine. I need to get back to Nanluoguxiang immediately. There's another family there who have also been poisoned by the Ice Marrow Leech. I must get there within twelve hours; I can't delay any longer!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Kui naturally knew the situation was urgent. Since his own father had been saved, he naturally had to save everyone else's father as well. He immediately stood up and said, "Dr. Li, please go quickly. I'll stay here. Gouzi, go and call a tricycle for Dr. Li and Brother Song... Never mind, I'll take you there myself!"
"Don't trouble yourself, Cheng Gangtou! I came here on a motorcycle, it's a quick trip!" Li Xiangnan waved his hand in refusal.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Kui laughed heartily.
The group then walked from the inner courtyard to the front courtyard.
The scene before him moved Li Xiangnan slightly.
The courtyard was packed with men, more than before, probably over a hundred.
They automatically made way for Li Xiangnan, their eyes fixed intently on him. There was no longer any hostility or scrutiny in their gazes, only pure admiration, gratitude, and even a hint of looking up to him.
Someone whispered, "Dr. Li, please take care..."
Immediately, everyone clasped their hands in a fist salute and bowed, their movements perfectly synchronized. Though silent, their gestures spoke volumes.
This silent farewell is more profound and sincere than any boisterous expression of gratitude!
They witnessed firsthand how Li Xiangnan had miraculously saved Lao Gangtou from the brink of death, and they were deeply impressed by his kind heart, compassionate nature as a doctor, and generosity.
A warm feeling welled up in Li Xiangnan's heart. He clasped his hands in return to the greetings and then led Song Ziming away from the grieving room.
As soon as he left, Cheng Kui's gentle expression vanished instantly, and he reverted to being the ruthless and decisive gang leader.
His gaze swept over the people in the courtyard, his voice deep and resonant.
"Everyone saw that Old Man Li was saved today, right? Dr. Li is a great benefactor to our ward, and an amazing doctor! From today onwards, his words are my words, and his affairs are the most important matters in our ward!"
He paused, put his hands on his hips, and began assigning tasks.
"Dog, pick thirty of the best and most agile brothers, divide them into three shifts, and starting tonight, secretly guard the area around Doctor Li's courtyard! Keep your eyes peeled, and don't let anyone suspicious get close! Make sure Doctor Li and his family are not disturbed by Little Buddha in the slightest, understand?"
"Understood, Gangtou!" Gouzi shouted in response and immediately began to call out names.
"The rest of you," Cheng Kui gestured, "make sure you guard your own territory well, and keep your gear sharp. I reckon that little Buddha's scheme has failed, and he won't let it go easily! Everyone, be on your guard! Our gang isn't some pushover!"
"Yes!"
The crowd responded in a thunderous roar, their voices shaking the heavens.
A sense of shared hatred for the enemy and a determination to defend our homeland arose spontaneously.