Moonless Night

"Poor scholars, rich martial artists. Practicing martial arts is definitely a bottomless pit that devours money. As far as I know, those medicinal tonics don't come cheap. Kid, if you're not willing to spend even that much, how do you expect to become a Martial Artist?"

Liu Dabiao spoke with absolute conviction, backing up every word with reason.

Chen Feng was about to refuse when a few lackeys fixed him with cold, unwavering stares. Their intentions were obvious.

"Then... could I borrow a little?"

"Now you're talking. Once you leave this alley, where else will you find a good-hearted man like me willing to lend you money? If you become a Martial Artist, everything you spend now will come back to you in the end."

Chen Feng pondered for a moment, then borrowed Five Taels of Silver from Liu Dabiao at three-tenths interest per month. When Chen Feng pressed his thumbprint onto the paper, Liu Dabiao smiled in satisfaction.

"Kid! I look forward to seeing you become a Martial Artist soon. Ha ha!"

With that, he strode away.

Chen Feng watched them leave. Faintly, he heard Liu Dabiao and his lackeys talking.

"Master Biao, is it really all right to lend him that much? Should we..."

"Shut up! What about my reputation? I just lent him the money, and he gets robbed right away? How am I supposed to do business? We'll have to wait a few days, at least..."

"What if that kid really..."

"Heh, just look at how pathetic he is. If he can make it, I, Liu Dabiao, will never touch another woman for the rest of my life. Born to be poor, yet he dreams of turning into a rich lord? Pah!"

"Ha ha, hahaha..."

Chen Feng's gaze gradually turned mocking.

At three-tenths interest per month, the rate was exorbitant. An ordinary person would be stuck working for Liu Dabiao for the rest of his life.

But Chen Feng... had no intention of paying him back. It was free money.

Just then, the system's voice rang in his ear—

[Forced into a loan... Experience +225]

Now he'd profited even more.

Pingcheng, the Lin Family.

High walls enclosed a spacious courtyard. Blue flagstones paved the ground, several pots of precious Orchid Grass sat before the steps, and exquisite Palace Lanterns hung beneath the eaves. Everything spoke of the orderliness of a Wealthy Family.

Ever since they'd hitched their wagon to the Li Family's, the Lin Family had been living more and more comfortably.

"Father! That Chen boy is still alive!" Lin Yan cried, sounding alarmed.

"Not dead? Didn't I tell you to make sure the job was done properly? What have I taught you? When you do something, you finish it. What's the point of leaving loose ends?" A slightly portly, middle-aged man sat high in the main hall, his brow furrowed.

He was Lin Yan's father, Lin Chong'an.

"I hired two local thugs to do it. They clearly told me Chen Feng was dead! They must have lied to me."

"Why didn't you handle it yourself?"

"Wasn't I still studying at the time? I was afraid something might go wrong. A stain like that could affect my Official Career."

"...And those two thugs?"

"After I gave up my studies, I took care of them a long time ago."

Lin Chong'an took a sip of tea and said calmly, "It's fine. The Chen Family has already been wiped out. Even if that kid's alive, he can't make any waves. Focus on your martial arts. This kind of trivial matter can be handled by anyone."

"He joined the Dragon Walk Martial Arts School."

"..."

"He's now Zhou Bingzhong's Registered Disciple."

"..."

"He's just one step away from becoming a Martial Artist. Then he can be taken on as a personal disciple."

"..."

Lin Chong'an set down his teacup, slapped the table, and cursed, "You unfilial brat! You're going to be the death of me! Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Father, I only just heard the news myself," Lin Yan replied quickly. "The most urgent thing is to eliminate this threat."

Just then, a graceful, beautiful woman entered the hall. She was Lin Yan's mother, Madam Zhang.

"Stop scolding Yan'er. No one could have expected that little beast to still be alive. But it doesn't matter. We can crush him before he grows into a threat. What good does it do to fly into such a rage?"

Madam Zhang reproached him.

Lin Chong'an fell silent for a long while before saying, "I'll send someone to find out where that kid's living now. We'll hire someone from a gang to get rid of him, before he can cause more trouble."

A flash of delight crossed Lin Yan's eyes. Hmph. Chen Feng was nothing but a jumping clown. Let's see how you'll fight me now.

Then Lin Yan spoke again. "There's one more thing..."

"Go on."

"I made a breakthrough in my Martial Way today. I'd like to treat some Fellow Disciples to a banquet, but..."

Lin Chong'an understood what his son wanted before he'd even finished. He waved a hand and said,

"If you need money, go take some. Be generous with your friends. They'll be your connections in the future. If there are any promising talents, you can offer them a share of the benefits to bring them over. Decide for yourself how much to give..."

Lin Yan nodded repeatedly, listening humbly.

Seeing him like that, Lin Chong'an couldn't help sighing inwardly.

His son was clever enough, but he was too fond of play. It seemed he hadn't been putting much effort into his martial arts either. Most of the money he gave him probably went toward drinking and feasting.

"Forget it. Go."

Night fell.

The darkness was so thick it seemed impossible to pierce. Even the stars had been swallowed by the clouds. A cold wind swept through the streets, carrying a biting chill and rattling the branches of old trees.

In the distance, Fúshēng Restaurant blazed with light. The wealthy young men were still reveling.

Chen Feng concealed himself in a dark corner.

His clothes were tattered, and his face was smeared with mud. He looked like a homeless beggar.

He leaned against the wall with his head bowed.

Unless someone looked carefully, they wouldn't notice him at all.

Ever since Sun Qiang had told Chen Feng the news, Chen Feng had been sneaking near the Lin Family every night, scouting the area and familiarizing himself with every road around the estate.

This alley was the route Lin Yan always took between the restaurant and home. Clutter was piled along both sides, and few people passed through.

Chen Feng was like an experienced hunter. He'd quietly prepared everything and was simply waiting for his prey to take the bait.

He'd long since figured out Lin Yan's routine.

Every so often, Lin Yan would host a banquet at Fúshēng Restaurant, or go to Zuìchūn Tower to enjoy himself.

That was also why Chen Feng was confident he could take Lin Yan down alone—years spent frequenting the pleasure houses had drained Lin Yan's body with drink and lust.

He had the Upper Grade Root Bone, but no real combat ability.

Chen Feng held a dagger. The Five Elements Fist was easy to recognize, so he wouldn't use it. A sharp blade at the throat could kill in a single strike.

Now all he had to do was wait for Lin Yan to come out...

As the night wore on, the din from the restaurant gradually died down.

A moment later, familiar voices carried through the night and reached Chen Feng's ears. Several unsteady figures staggered out the door, with Lin Yan at their head.

After bidding one another farewell, the group scattered outside the restaurant. Lin Yan was left alone, humming an off-key tune as he swayed toward Chen Feng's end of the alley.

"Hmph! Cheng Huaian's another one who doesn't know what's good for him... Hic!"

Lin Yan's voice drew closer, thick with drink.

Chen Feng's eyes darkened. His whole body tensed. Then he slowly shifted into a new position, making himself look as though he were half collapsed inside the alley.

The clutter wasn't enough to hide him completely. If Lin Yan spotted a shadow and grew wary, the whole plan would be ruined. So instead of lying in wait, Chen Feng disguised himself, doing his best to look harmless.

Closer.

Closer still...

Lin Yan walked into the alley without a care. He caught sight of Chen Feng leaning against the wall and narrowed his eyes to size him up. Then he took him for an ordinary beggar and walked past in disgust.

"Pah! What beggar is this? You scared the hell out of me. What rotten luck!"

After cursing, he even kicked Chen Feng.

[Experiencing a beggar's life... Experience +23]

Chen Feng: "..."

When Lin Yan's back was fully turned toward him,

Chen Feng didn't hesitate.

The moment he'd been waiting for had arrived.