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

Chapter 402: I'm Determined to Cultivate at Qingfeng Mountain

Fang Xiaoxiao remained calm and composed, her gaze clear and firm. She said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Master, I've come to tell the village chief that I'm certain I'm going to Qingfeng Mountain to cultivate."

The words had barely left his mouth when the bald monk paused for a moment, then burst into a wild, unrestrained laugh, the sound shaking dust from the rafters. The other monks joined in, laughing so hard they were doubled over, as if they had heard the biggest joke in the world. The village chief, his eyes narrowed into slits, his face creased with deep wrinkles, kept echoing, "Good, good!"

Pei Yan, hiding in the shadows, felt his heart leap into his throat, his brows furrowed, and his eyes filled with worry.

Seeing this, Fang Xiaoxiao pretended to leave, but after taking only two steps, the bald monk waved his hand, and several burly men blocked her way.

"Since you're already here, stay and have some fun." The bald monk grinned wickedly, his eyes revealing ill intent.

Fang Xiao's eyes darted around, and after a moment's hesitation, she readily agreed, "Alright then, since the master has so kindly invited me, how could I dare to refuse?"

She already had a plan in mind, but her face remained calm. She cleverly coaxed everyone, saying, "It's a rare occasion for us to get together today. Why don't we drink and make merry together? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

The bald monk looked surprised upon hearing this, wondering to himself what this young girl was up to. The village chief, standing nearby, hurriedly smiled obsequiously, bowing and scraping, saying, "Yes, yes, drink! Drink!"

At this moment, the atmosphere inside the room became increasingly eerie, with candlelight flickering in the wind, reflecting the various expressions on everyone's faces.

Taking advantage of their momentary lapse in attention, Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes flashed, and with lightning speed, she discreetly slipped poison into their wine. Her movements were so swift that no one noticed. She smiled sweetly and urged them to drink, her alluring demeanor plunging them into a false sense of security. After a few drinks, the bald monks were swaying and staggering, completely drunk and fast asleep.

At this moment, Pei Yan appeared silently like a ghost. His eyes were as cold as ice, and he gripped his long sword tightly in his hand. The blade gleamed coldly in the dim light. He said in a low voice, "Take this opportunity to kill these people and end it all."

Fang Xiaoxiao quickly reached out to stop her, her expression grave, and said in a low voice, "It's not the right time yet. Don't act impulsively and ruin everything."

Pei Yan frowned, his eyes filled with resentment, but he gritted his teeth and obeyed Fang Xiaoxiao's words. The two of them left quietly.

The next morning, Fang Xiaoxiao followed the large group to Qingfeng Mountain. In the group, the second daughter of the Wang family blinked her innocent eyes and curiously asked, "Miss Fang Xiaoxiao, why did you come along?"

Fang Xiaoxiao smiled slightly and said casually, "It's for money. In this world, you can't survive without money."

Upon hearing this, Wang's eldest daughter turned around with a face full of dissatisfaction, pouting and saying, "Hmph, you're just hypocritical. You clearly have ulterior motives. Don't think I don't know."

Fang Xiaoxiao wasn't angry; she still wore a serene smile, as if she hadn't heard her words.

Wang's second daughter said anxiously, "Sister, you've gone too far. Miss Fang Xiao isn't that kind of person."

The eldest daughter of the Wang family glared at her younger sister and shouted, "What do you know, you little kid! Besides, you shouldn't have come. This is no joke."

Wang's second daughter retorted angrily, "Why can't I earn money just because my older sister does? I'm going to do it anyway."

Wang's eldest daughter was speechless, her face darkening as she turned away, no longer uttering a sound.

At this moment, the mountain road was rugged and uneven, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, dappling the tired faces of the group.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out ahead, and a group of robbers, wielding large knives, menacingly blocked the group's path.

Upon seeing the menacing robber, the women were terrified. Some screamed and huddled together, while others' legs went weak and they almost collapsed to the ground.

The bald monk, however, appeared completely calm, as if he and the robbers were old acquaintances. Fang Xiaoxiao frowned slightly, her eyes revealing alertness, keenly sensing that something was amiss.

The eldest daughter of the Wang family was pale as a ghost, cowering behind her younger sister like a frightened quail, and said in a trembling voice, "What should we do?" The second daughter of the Wang family straightened her chest and said firmly, "Sister, don't be afraid, I'm here."

Fang Xiaoxiao glanced lightly at the two women from the Wang family, then her gaze sharpened as she stared intently at the bald monk. The bald monk strode up to the robber and muttered a few words in a low voice. Upon hearing this, the robber revealed a wicked, meaningful smile, his eyes sweeping freely over the women.

Surprisingly, the robbers waved and let them go. The bald monk immediately became smug and boasted in front of everyone: "This is the power of my Buddhist teachings, capable of saving all sentient beings. Even this robber has a connection with Buddhism and has laid down his butcher's knife." He then launched into a long and rambling sermon, spitting as he spoke.

After the presentation, the group set off again. Qingfeng Mountain is about 100 li (50 kilometers) from Wangjiagou, and everyone was exhausted and complained constantly along the way.

Finally arriving at Qingfeng Mountain, Fang Xiaoxiao mingled among the crowd and was surprised to find that the bald monks not only didn't make things difficult for everyone, but the eldest daughter of the Wang family had also transformed into the team leader. She proudly proclaimed, "Once we arrive at Qingfeng Mountain, everyone will be free." The women cheered excitedly upon hearing this.

Only the second daughter of the Wang family looked worried and troubled. Fang Xiaoxiao noticed her unusual expression and asked softly, "Why the expression?"

Wang's second daughter bit her lip and said, "I always feel a strange feeling that I can't quite put my finger on."

Fang Xiaoxiao gently patted her shoulder and softly comforted her, "Don't be afraid, stay with me, don't stray too far."

Just then, Fang Xiaoxiao noticed that the layout of the buildings on Qingfeng Mountain was very peculiar, and she decided to investigate it secretly.

Night fell, the darkness was as black as ink, and the entire Qingfeng Mountain was immersed in tranquility. Fang Xiaoxiao quietly sat up in bed, her eyes revealing determination and vigilance.

Wang's second daughter groggily opened her eyes and asked sleepily, "Miss Fang Xiao, where are you going in the middle of the night?"

Fang Xiaoxiao quickly made a shushing gesture and said in a low voice, "Keep your voice down, I need to get up to use the restroom."

Wang's second daughter suddenly became much more alert and said, "Then I'll go with you."

Fang Xiaoxin secretly groaned, but she couldn't refuse, so she could only nod in agreement.

The two had just reached the door when they were stopped by a bald, menacing-looking monk guarding the entrance. The monk, with his large, bell-like eyes, asked gruffly, "What are you doing out there in the middle of the night?"