This Child Must Not Be Kept

Xie An had carefully considered the matter of buying his freedom.

Before, Xie An had neither savings nor strength, and he was also old. It would have been difficult to make a living after leaving the Li Manor.

Now, after more than half a year of intense cultivation of the Health Cultivation Technique, especially with the boost from Tang Qingfeng's unique medicinal prescription, Xie An's roots and body had greatly improved. He felt he now possessed the strength to easily defeat a martial artist who had just entered the Bronze Skin Realm.

And these past few months, every time Xie An went to the black market in disguise, Zhang Lin had warmly welcomed him, repeatedly extending invitations, his desire to recruit Xie An growing stronger.

Now that Xie An's strength had improved, he thought there should be no problem becoming an executive at the White Feather Hall.

An annual income of two hundred and forty taels, plus various generous martial arts training benefits. This would not only solve his livelihood problems but also provide resources for his martial arts training.

Just as Xie An was contemplating, a commotion arose from the living room.

"Manager Zhang, you're a rare visitor! Welcome, welcome."

Li Ru, wearing a festive crimson robe, hurriedly rose and warmly welcomed a robust man in his forties into the living room.

Even the Li Manor's eldest young master, Li Shaoyun, stood up to greet him, "Manager Zhang, welcome, welcome."

The man called Manager Zhang entered carrying several bags of gifts. As he handed the gifts to a maid, he said with a smile, "I, Zhang Biao, also came from the county's Martial Arts Hall. Shaoyun is like a younger brother to me. Now that Shaoyun has passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, I, as his elder brother, naturally have to come and offer my congratulations."

"Manager Zhang's visit brings honor to our humble Li Manor. Why did you bring gifts? You're too kind. Please, sit down quickly."

"Master Li, please."

Xie An sat in his seat, no longer in the mood to eat. His gaze was fixed on Zhang Biao, who was seated at the head of the table.

This was the executive Zhang Biao that Zhang Lin had mentioned.

It was said that only after Zhang Biao left would the executive position become vacant...

After contemplating for a while, Xie An quietly asked Chunlan, who was beside him, "Miss Chunlan, is Manager Zhang very familiar with Master?"

Chunlan didn't hide anything in response to Xie An's question. "They weren't very familiar originally. But after the deaths of Zhang Wei and the elder son-in-law, Manager Zhang started visiting more frequently."

"Why is that?"

Chunlan glanced around, noticed no one was paying attention to them, and then leaned close to Xie An's ear, whispering, "It's said that Zhang Wei was Zhang Biao's nephew. Zhang Biao has come to the Li Manor many times to exchange information and has been secretly investigating the killer."

Hearing this, Xie An was startled. He subtly glanced at Zhang Biao in the distance.

So Zhang Wei was his nephew, and he was secretly investigating the killer?

Xie An lowered his head and began to ponder... Originally, Xie An hadn't had a strong desire to deal with this Zhang Biao. Xie An didn't want to get too involved in the feuds of the martial world.

But if that were the case, then...

During the banquet, Master Li naturally couldn't help but brag about how talented his son was, and then distributed some money.

After about an hour, the banquet ended.

Xie An and the other servants were the first to leave.

Xie An privately found Chunlan. "Miss Chunlan, I need to trouble you with something."

Chunlan was straightforward. "Master Xie, just say what you need to say."

Xie An said, "I'm getting old, and my energy isn't keeping up. I'm afraid I'll delay the pawnshop's business. Besides, my two disciples are ready to graduate. I'd like to ask Miss Chunlan to help me probe Master Li's intentions, to see if he can allow me to buy my freedom and retire."

Madam Li was considerate in her dealings, but Master Li was stingy and harsh. Xie An could tell from the time he cut off his medicine. To avoid any awkwardness, Xie An felt it was more appropriate to have Chunlan probe indirectly.

Chunlan was very surprised to hear this.

In this day and age, servants were humble.

Especially when they got old, being able to rely on the master's household for their retirement was undoubtedly a very good outcome for a servant.

It was truly rare for an old person to still want to buy their freedom.

"Master Xie, at your age, leaving the Li Manor, with all the chaos outside, you should think carefully?"

"I've thought it through."

Chunlan stopped trying to persuade him. "Alright. Then you wait for me outside the door. I'll go find Madam now. Today is New Year's Eve, a festive occasion. Perhaps Madam will agree if she's in a good mood."

"Thank you, Miss Chunlan."

After seeing Chunlan off, Xie An went to the main gate of the Li Manor to wait alone.

It was the dead of winter, with continuous wind and snow.

Passersby were all wearing thick cotton-padded clothes, constantly rubbing their hands and exhaling warm air to keep warm.

Xie An, however, stood straight in the snow, letting the falling snow land on his shoulders without feeling the cold at all. The warm current in his lower abdomen continuously generated heat, flowing through his limbs and bones.

This was an ability that only martial artists in the Bronze Skin Realm possessed.

"You are Xie An, the Appraisal Master from the Li Family Pawnshop, aren't you?"

A lukewarm voice interrupted Xie An's thoughts. He looked up and saw Zhang Biao and Li Shaoyun walking out side by side.

The one who asked the question was Zhang Biao, with a look of arrogance on his face.

Xie An replied, "Indeed."

Zhang Biao, with an overbearing demeanor, said, "I heard that Zhang Wei had a dispute with you at the pawnshop before. Is that true?"

Xie An calmly recounted the events that had transpired. He then added, "I've been an appraiser at the pawnshop for many years, always diligently maintaining its business and doing my best to find ways for the shop to earn more silver. I've never dared to make even the slightest mistake."

Li Shaoyun was satisfied with Xie An's explanation. He then grabbed Zhang Biao's shoulder and said, "Brother Zhang, Old Xie has been a servant for the Li family for thirty years and has always acted with discretion. Pricing for antiques naturally fluctuates, and some disputes are perfectly normal. Let's go quickly, we have important matters to attend to. There's no need to waste energy on a mere servant."

"I hope I'm just overthinking things!" Zhang Biao snorted coldly before following Li Shaoyun away.

Once the two had gone far, Xie An slowly raised his head.

He was confident that he had left no trace of his identity when he killed Zhang Wei and Lu Wei. No matter how much Zhang Biao investigated, he wouldn't find any evidence.

However, being constantly watched was always a hidden danger.

It was like in his past life, when a murder occurred, the police would not only collect evidence from the scene but also focus their investigation on those who had a conflict with the deceased.

The thought of getting rid of Zhang Biao began to take root and sprout in Xie An's mind.

A short while later, Chunlan arrived.

"Madam Li said this matter needs to be discussed with Master Li. She wants you to come to the Li Manor in three days."

After speaking, Chunlan added, "In my opinion, Madam Li is showing you consideration and intends for you to buy your freedom. However, it seems Master Li is unwilling to let you go."

"Thank you, Miss Chunlan."

Xie An understood, thanked her, and hurried away.

It was New Year's Eve, and Xie An did not return directly to the pawnshop. Instead, he bought some gifts and went to Chen Martial Arts School to visit Chen He.

Having lived in Wuqiao Town for thirty years, Xie An had very few close friends.

Chen He was one of them.

Xie An naturally wouldn't neglect the proper courtesies.

After sharing a few drinks with Chen He, Xie An declined Chen He's invitation to stay overnight for the New Year's Eve celebration and took his leave.

When he returned to the pawnshop, it was already late at night.

As soon as he reached the entrance, he heard sounds of crying from inside.

Had something happened?

Xie An quickly pushed the door open and entered. He saw He Chunli lying on a stool, his pants pulled down, revealing his buttocks, which were covered in torn flesh. Beside him, Han Li was applying a hot towel to He Chunli's wounds.

"What happened?"

Han Li spoke indignantly, "Constable Liu just took Little He for questioning and wouldn't let me follow. And then Little He ended up like this."

In these chaotic times, it was common for constables to detain people and interrogate them harshly.

Xie An vaguely realized something and asked He Chunli sternly, "What did Constable Liu ask you?"

He Chunli, enduring the pain and holding back tears, gritted his teeth and said, "Nothing, just some ordinary questions."

Xie An snorted, "Are you treating your master like an outsider?"

He Chunli immediately became flustered. Finally, he said with tears in his eyes, "I, I didn't mean to hide anything from you, Master. I just didn't want you to worry."

"If you didn't want me to worry, then tell me everything clearly."

He Chunli then said, "Months ago, when Zhang Wei came to the pawnshop, he had a dispute with me. Constable Liu asked if I held a grudge and sought revenge afterward... I said no, and Constable Liu tortured me, trying to force a confession. Seeing my stubbornness, he finally let me go."

Xie An's gaze deepened.

Abuse of power was being directed at his own disciple.

Considering what Zhang Biao had said to him at the entrance of the Li Manor earlier...

It must be Zhang Biao's doing...

This person cannot be allowed to live!