I Can Capture Attacks
Chapter 22: Fu Lan

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Fu Lan

"Young Master, I don’t understand what you’re trying to say." said the old man, with fear and confusion.

"Who are you?" asked Zixin.

"Fu Lan. My teacher who was the previous owner of this restaurant gave me his surname since I was an orphan. He took me in when I was only ten years old and taught me culinary skills." quickly answered the old man.

"Fu Lan you say, if you can tell me where I can find one of these Battle Beasts or anything related to them then I’ll let you go, otherwise, I’m leaving with your head." said Zixin.

"Young Master, please spare me!" said the old man and immediately kowtowed. Zixin ignored his pleas and instead passed a small paper to him.

"Here’s the list, check if there’s one you recognise. Fu Lan, don’t lie to me. As an excellent cook, you must have some knowledge, no matter how small."

The old man took the paper with remaining hands and read through the list and after a few seconds, he passed the paper back to Zixin who then stored it in his storage ring.

"I’m sorry Young Master but I don’t recognise any of the beasts on that list, I really don’t." said Fu Lan.

"It’s fine," said Zixin while patting Fu Lan’s shoulder.

[Ding! Burning Flesh attacks successfully released. ×10]

"Aaaghhh!" screamed the old man in excruciating pain.

"Wan Shui!"

Tiing!

Plop!

Wan Shui took out a sword from his storage ring, unsheathed it and cut off the old man’s head. His speed was so fast that it all ended in a blink of an eye. Zixin then picked up the severed head and grabbed at the skin and pulled on it and removed it.

"Skin mask. I didn’t expect to be this lucky and find one of my targets so quickly."

"Master, how did you discover him? Members of the Dark Tree are very difficult to find."

"Simple, I’ve read books about "ordinary" old men like him. Plus, the wine is poisoned, as for the poison he used, I don’t know." said Zixin calmly.

"What?!" exclaimed Wan Shui before taking out a pure white fly that then had a sip of the wine with its small mouth, it then changed colour from white to brownish yellow.

"Yellow Bark poison. Doesn’t work immediately, often taking about half a month to start working, causing organ failure, even someone at my level is no match for this poison. Fortunately I have the antidote, here Master, this pill will nullify the poison."

"Mhm." Zixin nodded and swallowed the pill. The other diners were now sweating bullets, some even regretted dining here when they should have had food at home. Also, they’d heard enough secrets to warrant death.

"You can leave now," said Zixin while putting food on his plate using chopsticks, Wan Shui was also doing the same. How could they waste such delicious food just because the wine is poisoned? The diners ran out of the restaurant at full speed, some escaped through the windows while others destroyed the wooden walls to escape. In seconds, only two people were left in the restaurant.

...

"Patriarch, the Demonic Sect has come to visit. They said that they were looking for a place to stay the night and chose the Hong Family Manor." reported the guard.

"What?! Where are they?!" exclaimed the Hong Family Patriarch. He was wearing light blue robes, a full beard and hair tied in a neat bun.

"They insisted on touring the place, we wanted to refuse but my partner was slapped to death. His h-head exploded before my eyes!" said the guard, clearly shaken by what had happened.

"It’s fine. I’m giving you a month off to enjoy with your family. Also, go to the treasury to receive ten silver coins."

"Thank you Patriarch! Thank you very much!" The guard bowed many times before leaving.

"Damn Demonic Sect, causing trouble for me and the Hong Family as soon as they make public appearances. Why didn’t they go to the Demonic Cult?!" exclaimed the Hong Patriarch, clearly annoyed.

While this was happening, the duo had already reached the garden where lotus flowers floated on the pond’s surface and the winding, zig zag bridge that led to the small pavilion at the centre of the pond. The two walked slowly, appreciating the artistic beauty of nature.

"Wan Shui, what do you think? This Lotus Garden is very beautiful right?"

"Mhm, it’s very beautiful, more beautiful than even mine. When I have time, I’ll also find someone to design a Lotus Garden for me too."

"And that music, who’s playing such beautiful music?"

"The woman in that pavilion, she’s the one who’s playing the guqin. The way she plays those strings is quite remarkable."

"Come, let’s go over. Such good music, I want to hear it up close."

...

🎵I sit alone under the moonlight

🎵My heart ripples with emotions l thought I’d forgotten

🎵Under the embrace of the gentle breeze and company from the lonely moon

🎵Flowers blossom, bees flourish yet my heart strings remain still

🎵I sit alone under the moonlight

🎵Waiting for my Prince Charming

...

"Beautiful! Beautiful! Little girl, your guqin skills and your voice are simply out of this world. Your song has brought back memories I’d long forgotten!" said Wan Shui in genuine appreciation.

The lady with a veil looked at the two approaching men in red robes. She had scarlet eyes and a lotus mark on her forehead and wore white robes, her dainty hands hiding beneath her sleeves.

"Who are you?" she asked in a delicate voice.

"Visitors. And who might you be?" asked Wan Shui.

"The Hong Family would never welcome the Demonic Sect as guests so who are you and why have you come here for?!" she said coldly.

"If you’re strong enough,you can do whatever you want and no one will say or do anything, like making yourself comfortable in other people’s houses. And again, we’re just guests who came out to get some fresh air, no need to overreact." said Wan Shui in a nonchalant voice, then Zixin sat down opposite the lady and Wan Shui remained standing.

"I was wondering about these Battle Beasts, do you know anything about them? Take your time and really think about them otherwise..."

[Otherwise what?]

"Otherwise, I’m leaving with your head."