Departure

The night was deep, and a thread of chill drifted through the silent streets.

Chu Ning moved through the alleys, his steps steady yet faintly hurried.

The Wang family's search was intensifying. He had to return to his lodgings as quickly as possible and arrange a place for his elder sister.

When he pushed the door open, an oil lamp was burning quietly, its feeble glow illuminating everything inside.

Chu Yun was leaning against the bed. Seeing Chu Ning return, she revealed a faint smile. "Brother Ning, it's so late. Why have you only just come back?"

Looking at his elder sister's still-pale face, which was clearly much better than before, Chu Ning felt a faint warmth in his heart.

He walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and asked softly, "Elder Sister, how are you feeling?"

Chu Yun nodded lightly and said gently, "Much better. The physician prescribed new medicine these past few days, and I feel quite a bit stronger than before."

She reached out and took Chu Ning's hand. Her gaze was gentle, with a trace of heartache. "Brother Ning, have you been very busy lately? You've been coming back less and less often."

Chu Ning paused slightly, then chuckled. "I have been busy with some things, but don't worry. I've always been thinking about you."

Chu Yun looked at him, a complicated emotion surfacing in her eyes. In a low voice, she said, "Brother Ning, you really don't have to do so much for me... You have to take care of yourself, too."

Chu Ning's heart trembled, and a trace of resolve flashed through his eyes. "Elder Sister, we're each other's only family. If I don't protect you, who will?"

Chu Yun smiled faintly, the rims of her eyes turning slightly red as she tightened her grip on Chu Ning's hand. "You... You've always been like this since you were little, always thinking about protecting me..."

The lamplight inside the room swayed gently, illuminating their figures—warm and steadfast.

After a moment, Chu Ning said softly, "Elder Sister, I plan to have you move to Thunderclap Martial Hall."

Chu Yun paused slightly. "Why?"

"The Wang family is conducting a massive hunt for the culprits behind the destruction of the hunting party. I don't want you staying here alone." Chu Ning's gaze was firm. "Besides, the martial hall is safe. With Hall Master Lei protecting you, no one will dare cause you trouble."

Chu Yun lowered her head and pondered for a moment before looking up. "But the martial hall... Is it really convenient?"

"Hall Master Lei has already agreed." Chu Ning smiled. "Besides, if you go there, you'll be able to see many martial artists in your daily life, which will also benefit your recovery."

Chu Yun stared into Chu Ning's eyes. In the end, she let out a soft sigh and nodded. "All right."

Early the next morning, Chu Ning packed some important belongings from the house and took Chu Yun to Thunderclap Martial Hall.

Along the way, he could clearly sense that the Wang family had increased its manpower and tightened its patrols. They were obviously conducting a carpet search.

But relying on his status as an enforcer of Thunderclap Martial Hall, he ultimately kept the Wang family's men from stopping them.

Before long, they arrived safely at Thunderclap Martial Hall.

After learning that Chu Ning would be bringing Chu Yun over that day, Lei Wanjun had specially arranged a secluded little courtyard for Chu Yun to recuperate in.

The courtyard was not luxurious, but it was exceptionally clean and orderly. Green bamboo grew thickly all around, and when the breeze swept past, bamboo shadows danced in a scene of considerable elegance.

There was a stone table in the courtyard, with a small pool beside it. The water was clear, and a few koi occasionally swam through it, adding several strokes of vitality.

Chu Yun entered the courtyard and looked around, surprise appearing in her eyes.

Her fingers twisted the cloth of her bundle until they were white. In her eyes, the moon gate half-hidden among the green bamboo resembled the gaping maw of a man-eating beast. Three months ago, when the village widow Li had been dragged away by her creditor, the gateframe had been just as exquisite.

"Elder Sister, the stone steps are slippery." Chu Ning reached out to support her, but she suddenly seized his wrist.

"Brother Ning..." Her voice was as light as a falling leaf. "Can this place truly accommodate us?"

Chu Ning covered the back of her cold hand with his own. The thick calluses forged by the Rough Stone Hardening Technique rubbed against those old burn scars. "Elder Sister, this will be your home from now on."

Lei Wanjun walked over and said with a smile, "Miss Chu Yun, this courtyard is quiet and elegant. If anything is inconvenient, just send someone to find me."

Chu Yun hurriedly said, "Thank you, Hall Master."

Lei Wanjun waved his hand. "Just call me Uncle Lei."

Chu Yun was somewhat unaccustomed to it, but in the end she still nodded. "Thank you, Uncle Lei."

Lei Wanjun smiled faintly, then said to Chu Ning, "Rest assured and let your elder sister recuperate here. I've also arranged for an experienced female martial artist to take care of her meals and daily needs."

After hearing this, Chu Ning finally set his mind completely at ease.

At that moment, bursts of shouts came from outside the courtyard.

Following the sound, Chu Yun saw the martial hall's disciples training.

Their steps were orderly, their techniques fierce, and the wind of their fists howled. Every punch struck with an imposing force like rolling thunder.

A trace of surprise flashed through Chu Yun's eyes. "They... They're amazing."

Chu Ning smiled faintly. "Once you've recovered, I'll teach you some simple body-forging techniques, too."

Chu Yun looked at Chu Ning in surprise, then lightly nodded. A long-lost radiance surfaced in the depths of her eyes.

Lei Wanjun patted Chu Ning's shoulder, his expression grave. "Your strength is not weak, but remember: beyond every mountain stands another higher mountain. The prefectural city is nothing like the county town. Experts are as numerous as clouds there, and capable people emerge one after another."

He pondered for a moment, then took a letter from his robes and handed it to Chu Ning.

"Keep this letter safe." Lei Wanjun's gaze was deep. "If you run into an impassable obstacle in the prefectural city, go to Fulong Residence and find someone named Song Cang. Give him the letter."

Chu Ning accepted the letter, looking slightly puzzled. "Who is this Song Cang?"

Lei Wanjun smiled. "He's an old acquaintance of mine in the prefectural city, once a renowned figure. If you truly encounter a predicament you can't resolve, he'll help you through it."

Chu Ning drew a deep breath, solemnly tucked the letter into his robes, and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Hall Master."

Lei Wanjun waved it off and laughed heartily. "What are you thanking me for? You're one of mine, so of course I have to protect you."

Chu Ning bade farewell to Chu Yun and Lei Wanjun, then strode out of Thunderclap Martial Hall with a resolute gaze.

However, he did not immediately set off for the prefectural city.

He still had an account to settle before he left.

The Wang family pawnshop's lamb's interest.

The poison of usury devoured the flesh and blood of countless commoners at the bottom of society.

Tonight, he would cut off this entire "flock"!

He arrived at Shen's Leather Shop.

Shen Yan sat behind the counter, his eyes slightly narrowed as his fingers tapped against the ledger, his expression languid.

The wind chime at the entrance suddenly rang.

A familiar figure quietly walked in.

"Chu Ning?" Shen Yan raised his eyelids, the corners of his lips curling upward. "You came to see me. Surely this isn't merely a social call?"

Chu Ning walked up to him. His voice was low. "Where is the Wang family pawnshop's wealth usually kept?"

Shen Yan's pupils contracted slightly, then he let out a low laugh. "Don't tell me you're planning to... make a move against the Wang family?"

"That's right." Chu Ning's expression was calm. "I want one hundred taels of gold."

Shen Yan stared at him for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "You really are audacious beyond the heavens. Still, I'd be delighted to see the Wang family suffer."

He closed the ledger and lowered his voice. "The Wang family pawnshop's assets are kept in three places."

"First is the pawnshop itself. Money flows in and out heavily there, and most of what's stored consists of mortgaged goods rather than large quantities of gold and silver."

"Second is the pawnshop's underground vault. That's where its core wealth is stored, but the guards are tight and the defenses formidable."

"Third is the Wang family's transport convoy. Every ten days, the Wang family sends the pawnshop's collected interest, the proceeds from pawned goods, and repaid loans to the prefectural city."

Shen Yan paused, his sharp gaze turning toward Chu Ning. "Tomorrow is the transport day."

The corners of Chu Ning's lips lifted slightly. "Then we'll rob the convoy."

Shen Yan dipped his finger into tea and sketched on the sandalwood table. "Coiled Dragon Mountain Pass is shaped like a shed snakeskin, but the true death point is here—" His fingertip jabbed heavily at one spot. "The Cracked Stone fissure at Eagle Beak Cliff. Three years ago, torrential rain washed away the load-bearing rock. Now only a half-foot-wide foothold remains."

Chu Ning studied the map traced in water, then suddenly drew his short blade and sliced through the candlewick. Amid the leaping shadows, the blade tip landed precisely on the cliff top. "Good. Tell me the exact time."

"Block the road with falling rocks, then catch the turtle in the jar." Shen Yan clapped his hands and laughed loudly. "No wonder they call you a madman daring enough to kill Wang Li!"

Shen Yan's fingertip rubbed the edge of the ledger, and he suddenly chuckled. "The Wang family's transport wagon leaves the city at the Xu hour."

He raised his eyes, a playful glint flashing through them. "However..."

"However what?" Chu Ning frowned.

"The leader of the convoy is Wang Chongshan's adopted son, Wang Zheng." Shen Yan lowered his voice. "He practices the Blood Fiend Palm. Anyone touched by his bloody palm force will rot. Three years ago, he single-handedly slaughtered more than a hundred bandits of Black Wind Stronghold."

Chu Ning sneered, faint thunder patterns drifting across his palm. "Perfect. We'll settle the new account and the old debt together."