lcionline Chapter 181 Using a Bodyguard to Pay Off Debts
Chapter 181 Using a Bodyguard to Pay Off Debts
Dou Weiyi became more and more excited as she spoke.
Even with all his hands and feet moving, he still couldn't express his three thousand joys.
He was so excited that he turned around and went to the neighboring courtyard house, taking Aunt Feng with him, and hurried towards the village entrance.
Gao Mengli stood on tiptoe at the door, watching Dou Weiyi's hopping and skipping steps, and clicked her tongue twice.
Turning around, I saw that the village chief was also leaving, while Lin Yong was happily busy with the wood.
Seeing that everyone was busy, Gao Mengli returned to her new home.
As soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw A Limu Leng standing there, watching Lin Xi squatting on the ground sharpening a knife.
Lin Xi held the knife in both hands, sharpening it up and down, occasionally testing its sharpness with her thumb. "Ah Li, your crescent blade is really sharp. Let me sharpen it for you, and I can borrow it to cut meat tomorrow!"
Tomorrow we're hosting a feast for the villagers, so pork chops are a must, and sliced meat is essential.
This crescent-shaped blade is so ergonomically designed! It's so easy to hold, a great tool for slicing meat!
A-Li: ...
My knife has killed countless people and drunk the blood of millions, yet I'm asking it to "condescend" to scrape pork?
I dare to lend it, but would you dare to eat it?
Seeing this, Gao Mengli quickly stepped forward and pressed down on Lin Xi's hand that was sharpening the knife. "Xi Xi, give the knife back to him. I'll order a good set of your kitchen utensils from the blacksmith when I have time."
Even if someone in the martial arts world said that the knife didn't have the ability to drink blood, she wouldn't believe it even if they strangled her.
Is this cut of meat still edible?
Of course not, it's just that her Xixi is sometimes so single-minded that she doesn't think of that much.
"Oh my, Mengli, this knife is so sharp it can cut hair in an instant, it's really useful!"
Lin Xi refused, saying that this knife was so good that it would definitely save time and effort when cutting meat!
He gripped the crescent-shaped knife tightly, refusing to let go. Besides, that kitchen utensil was cumbersome, far inferior to the knife!
Why not choose the sharper crescent blade?
Gao Mengli slapped her forehead, speechless.
When her husband Lin Xi gets stubborn, his IQ is practically negative infinity...
Gao Mengli glanced apologetically at A Li, then snatched the crescent blade and tossed it to A Li, who was standing to the side.
"Quickly return it to him; this is his livelihood as a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the martial arts world) man."
Gao Mengli emphasized the word "eat" so much that Lin Xi suddenly realized something and shuddered.
He looked up at Ah Li, who was wiping the blade with his sleeve, and asked, "Ah Li, are you good at martial arts?"
Skilled in martial arts, one might have even injured someone while traveling the martial world, so this knife...
He suddenly realized...
When Ah Li saw that Lin Xi "doubted" his martial arts skills, he immediately became unhappy and walked to the dining table in the courtyard.
With a raised palm, he smashed the dining table to pieces.
Gao Mengli: ……
Lin Xi: ……
"Ouch——"
Lin Xi rushed over and stood in front of the dining table, emitting a sharp explosion.
Ah Li's icy face had a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth.
Lin Xi, however, pointed at A Li with a "spendthrift" look on her face, exasperated, "A Li, are you crazy! This is a square wooden table with old lacquer that has been polished for a long time, how could you smash it?! My table..."
Ah Li was taken aback, thinking Lin Xi would praise his martial arts skills, but instead she felt sorry for the table...
Gao Mengli also looked pained, and her lips twitched.
This lacquered wooden table is not something anyone can make, since many people are allergic to lacquer trees.
This lacquered wooden table, painstakingly painted by her father-in-law bit by bit, was a square table that they had never used in later generations...
A-Li touched his nose somewhat awkwardly: "I... I just wanted to show off my martial arts skills. Or... I... I'll compensate you."
Lin Xi was displeased and pouted, "How are you going to compensate me? You only earn fifteen coins a day, while a lacquered wooden table costs five hundred coins."
Besides, fifteen coins aren't even enough for your food!
Lin Xi hugged a table leg, his face full of pain. It was all his own fault for being so talkative and asking someone about martial arts.
Now that they've proven their military strength, he's unhappy about it.
A-Li: ...
We simply can't afford to pay the compensation...
Furthermore, he didn't receive fifteen coins as wages...
Ah Li frowned, looking at Lin Xi, "How about I... I become your bodyguard to pay off my debt..."
Lin Xi's eyes widened as she looked A Li up and down. "To be a bodyguard?"
He then turned to look at Gao Mengli, since he couldn't make that decision himself.
Gao Mengli walked to a stool and sat down. She looked A Li up and down, pondering in her mind.
This person is indeed very strong in martial arts; he could be a good bodyguard.
After all, they are "outlaws of the greenwood," and they value brotherhood above all else.
If they have a job, they will do their best to fulfill it.
Gao Mengli remained silent for a while before speaking softly, "Ali, how many people are in your family? Where do you live?"
Ah Li said calmly, "Alone, without a home."
People who live with their lives hanging by a thread every day, where is their home...?
Hearing his answer, Lin Xi raised her head. "Are you an orphan?"
Ah Li nodded slightly, "Mm."
Lin Xi turned to look at Gao Mengli, asking for her opinion with her eyes.
After weighing the pros and cons, Gao Mengli nodded, "Alright, then you can be a guard, six hundred coins a month."
The first month you won't get paid; the cost of the table will be deducted from your wages.
Ah Li nodded upon hearing this, his expression unchanged. After all, the assassination mission was over, and he needed the travel expenses to return home.
Even a hero can be brought down by a single penny, and so can an assassin.
So, A-Li stayed.
As for Magistrate Dou's life, he can postpone it for another month or two.
Seeing Gao Mengli nod, Lin Xi then released the table leg and arranged a room for A Li.
Lin Xi pushed open the door and led A Li into the room. "A Li, this is your room from now on. The bedding is all new. The outhouse is on the west side. Remember to flush after you use it."
Ah Li walked into the room and looked around. Although the furnishings were simple, the room was clean and tidy.
He turned to Lin Xi and clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you."
Lin Xi waved her hand, "Our rural area is not as good as the county town. As long as you do your job well, we will not treat you unfairly."
Ah Li clasped his hands in a fist salute again, his expression earnest: "I will always remember your kindness in taking me in."
Being an assassin is simply a means to an end—to have enough to eat and to survive.
Ah Li's eyes became much deeper.
After taking Ah Li back to her room, Lin Xi didn't disturb her any further and prepared to go out to find Gao Mengli.
To everyone's surprise, Mengli went out.
He had no choice but to go back to the kitchen, take out the cleaver, and continue sharpening it.
After all, a skilled craftsman must first have the right tools!
After Gao Mengli settled A Li, she heard the village chief bringing the strong men from the village to help her father-in-law plank the wood.
She quickly stepped out of the courtyard. "Village chief, I need to talk to you."
Hearing the noise, the village chief quickly ran over, "Oh? The Lin family, what's the matter?!"
Gao Mengli wanted to inquire about the situation of the hundred or so workers, "Village chief, where are the village's bandits staying lately?"
The village chief scratched his head, not understanding why Gao Mengli asked such a question, but still told the truth, "Oh, you mean this? They live in the mountains behind our village, what happened?"