Qin Yurong's expression cooled slightly. Without drawing attention, she shifted half a step to the side, neatly avoiding his hand.
At the same time, she said coolly:
"Sorry for the trouble, Young Master Shen.
I'm fine, thanks entirely to this young hero, Yang, who helped me escape danger."
Young Master Shen's wandering hand grasped at empty air. A flicker of embarrassment crossed his face, but he quickly plastered on another smile.
"As long as you're all right, Yurong. As long as you're all right!
You truly are blessed by heaven."
His gaze shifted, and only then did he "notice" Yang Ning standing nearby. His face showed just the right amount of surprise and gratitude.
"So this is the righteous hero Yang?
Truly a fine young man, with an extraordinary air about him!
I'm Shen Lian, the second son of the junior branch of the Wind-Chasing Shen Family in the Inner City.
On Yurong's behalf, I thank you for coming to her aid!"
His words were warm, but his eyes quickly swept over Yang Ning's old clothes, faded from washing. A trace of disdain flickered in their depths, almost too subtle to notice.
"Forgive my ignorance, but I've never heard of a martial family surnamed Yang in Kuishan County. May I ask which family Brother Yang..."
Qin Yurong frowned slightly. Yang Ning, too, saw straight through the young noble's intentions. He smiled faintly and said:
"So you're a young master of the Shen Family in the Inner City. I'm just a nobody from East Street, nothing compared to your illustrious family background."
Shen Lian narrowed his eyes and smiled, about to speak.
"But seeing how extraordinary you are, Brother Shen, I took you for the heir of the senior branch, the family's chosen successor.
I never knew a man of your great talent would be relegated to the very bottom of the junior branch. It truly pains me to see you in such a position!"
The smile on Shen Lian's face turned hideously ugly in an instant.
"Pfft."
Two snickers sounded behind them at the same time.
Yang Ning's sarcastic remarks had made both sisters, Qin Yurong and Qin Yuhui, burst out laughing.
Qin Yurong was laughing because the toad who'd clung to her shamelessly for so long had finally been made to eat humble pie.
He had a thoroughly rotten reputation and was especially fond of newlywed young women and half-grown little girls. Usually, he threw his weight around and bullied people everywhere, flaunting his status as a disciple of the Shen Family in the Inner City.
But after falling in with her elder brother, he'd started acting like a refined gentleman whenever he saw her, as if he'd reformed. He even claimed to have fallen in love with her at first sight.
Once she learned more about him, though, she'd found him utterly revolting. Just looking at him made her uncomfortable all over.
Yang Ning's words had landed a vicious blow today. Shen Lian valued his status above all else, but he was also most sensitive about people saying he wasn't a direct-line heir.
Yang Ning had struck him right where it hurt.
Qin Yuhui, meanwhile, had her own reasons to be pleased.
Yang Ning had snapped at her, and she'd had no grounds to argue back. But after Shen Lian was mocked, she realized there was someone worse off than she was. Her sadness faded, and she felt happier with every passing moment.
Shen Lian gritted his teeth and spoke slowly:
"Fine. Very well. You..."
But another voice cut him off...
"Yurong, Yuhui! Are you both all right?"
At that moment, another group hurried over.
At their head was a man in his thirties, tall and straight-backed. His face bore some resemblance to Qin Yurong's, but his brows held more composure and the bearing of someone long accustomed to giving orders.
His steps were steady and his gaze sharp as lightning. He first gave Qin Yurong a careful look, and only after confirming she was unharmed did he let out a breath of relief.
"I heard you'd been attacked at Chunyuan Restaurant, and I was beside myself with worry.
I hurriedly took my leave of Patrol Commander Gong and rode back at full speed. It's such a relief to see you return safely."
"Brother."
At the sight of him, Qin Yurong finally broke into a genuine, relaxed smile.
The man was the two Qin sisters' older brother.
Qin Yuwei.
Qin Yuwei nodded to his sister, then turned to Yang Ning with a hearty laugh and cupped his fists.
"So you're the young hero Yang Ning my sister mentioned?
Indeed, heroes emerge from the young!
I've already heard a brief report from my men. You kept your cool in a crisis, punched Wang Teng to death, and rescued my sister from danger. My Qin Family will always remember this kindness!"
His hearty laughter carried a boldness that naturally put people at ease.
Yang Ning returned the salute with cupped fists.
"You flatter me, Young Master Qin.
When you see injustice, it's only right to act.
Besides, Wang Teng was arrogant and domineering, and meant to silence everyone. My family was there too, so I acted to protect myself."
"Well said: 'It's only right to act'!
And well said: 'In saving yourself, you saved others'!"
The admiration in Qin Yuwei's eyes grew stronger.
"You take no credit and boast of nothing. A true and honest gentleman!
With a heart and courage like yours, you deserve to be an honored guest of the Qin Family!"
He swept a hand toward the young gentlemen who had followed him over, apparently having been at the same banquet before rushing back at the news.
"Gentlemen, my sister had a terrible fright tonight, but fortunately, Young Hero Yang helped her escape danger.
I need to settle my family and handle what comes next. I'm sorry to have spoiled your evening.
I'll host a banquet at my residence another day and thank you all properly. For now, please return home and rest."
The young gentlemen all cupped their fists.
They offered the usual polite remarks, like "You're too kind, Brother Qin" and "It's good that Miss Yurong is safe," but every one of them let their gaze linger on Yang Ning a little longer, each wearing a different expression.
Young Master Shen gave Yang Ning a long look before taking his leave with the others.
Only then did Qin Yuwei turn to Qin Yurong, Qin Yuhui, and Yang Ning.
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's go inside and continue there. Young Hero Yang, please!"
Deep in a secluded alley off South Fourth Street.
From the outside, the old house looked no different from the surrounding dilapidated homes. Inside, however, the doors were shut tight and the curtains were thick, letting not a glimmer of light through.
A blurred figure wearing a black veil over their head approached the house as silently as a ghost.
Then their qi and blood stirred, and the tightly closed front door gave a faint clatter. They gently pushed open the back door, which had been left ajar, and slipped inside.
The house was unlit and pitch-black. Only a few figures, likewise cloaked in darkness, could just barely be made out. They had been waiting there for some time.
The air was still, heavy with an oppressive atmosphere.
The newcomer walked to the center of the room and spoke in a voice made hoarse and unrecognizable by a special technique, breaking the silence:
"What happened at Chunhua Restaurant has been exposed.
The Blood Ape Gang was defeated, and Wang Teng is dead.
Qin Yurong wasn't abducted and has returned safely to the Qin residence.
The plan has changed. The Blood Ape Gang line...
now poses a far greater risk of exposing our sect. We should consider abandoning it as soon as possible and cutting all ties."
As soon as the words fell, a low voice of dissent sounded from elsewhere in the darkness.
"One failure is no reason to go that far.
This branch of the Qin Family has only recently moved here. Its roots in the Outer City are shallow, and its strength limited.
The Blood Ape Gang is an important piece we've spent years cultivating. It controls numerous underground channels on East Street. Abandoning it would cost us dearly and render all our past efforts useless."
"Exactly,"
another cold voice interjected.
"The Blood Ape Gang has grown powerful, with over a thousand members. It controls thirty percent of East Street's illicit trade and the hidden channels of the black market.
Though Wang Teng is dead, his father, Wang Han, still has a solid foundation. He's a man who holds grudges over the smallest slight. He'll never let his son's death go unanswered.
Perhaps we can use this opportunity to further inflame the conflict between the Blood Ape Gang and the Qin Family. Then we can sit back and reap the rewards."
"Inflame the conflict?
What if the Qin Family hardens its resolve and joins forces with the authorities or other factions to wipe out the Blood Ape Gang in one stroke?
I've heard that a new County Magistrate is coming up from the Inner City—not one of those useless aristocrats who does nothing but draw a salary, nor a puppet pushed forward by some other faction.
He's been sent by the Prefecture City! Understand?
This County Magistrate sent by the Prefecture City will surely want to make his mark. He might well whip up a storm in the city.
If we're not careful and cautious at a time like this, won't all our years of investment go up in smoke?
When it's time to cut your losses, cut them!"
"It may not come to that. This branch of the Qin Family has only just arrived in the Outer City. They may not dare act so ruthlessly..."
In the darkness, the group argued in low voices, each holding to their own position.
"Enough."
An elderly voice came from the seat of honor at the very back of the room.
It was calm and even, yet every argument fell silent at once.
"We'll keep the Blood Ape Gang line for now, but lower the level of contact, cut back our investment, and watch how things unfold."
The figure in the seat of honor spoke slowly.
"Watch how Wang Han responds, how the Qin Family handles this, and... this sudden newcomer, 'Yang Ning.'
We'll see how the situation develops from here.
If the Blood Ape Gang withstands the pressure, or even manages to cause enough trouble for the Qin Family's forces in the Outer City, it will still have value.
But if it collapses quickly, or shows signs of exposing us to danger..."
The voice paused, then uttered two icy words:
"Cut ties."
The others fell silent for a moment, then lowered their heads in unison.
"Understood."
The brief meeting came to an end.
No one moved, yet several different exits quietly opened in the four corners of the room and in the shadows along its walls.
One by one, the figures vanished without a sound into the darkness outside, as if they had never gathered there at all.
A moment later, an oil lamp as faint as a firefly was lit in the corner of the room, illuminating only a tiny patch of space.
Only the veiled leader remained in the seat of honor.
His bony fingers tapped lightly on the cold tabletop. The gaze behind his veil was deep and unreadable as he stared at the tiny, dancing flame, as though watching the turbulent whirlpool on East Street.
After a long while, a barely audible whisper drifted through the empty room:
"East Street... Yang Ning?"
Before you continue