Goodbye Old Steward

Fifty silver—a massive, astronomical sum!

Chen Han, however, saw the situation with perfect clarity: even if it were a hundred taels, it would eventually find its way back into this man's hands.

In these chaotic times, whoever has the hardest fist makes the rules.

"Big Brother, I don't want it."

Shen Yue cast a look of disgust at this strange person who seemed neither man nor woman, clutching Chen Han's sleeve tightly with a nervous hand as she whispered with a pained expression.

Although being able to survive and eat one's fill in these chaotic times was already a stroke of luck, this person clearly wasn't a good sort, and who knew what kind of twisted habits he might have.

Moreover, he would never trust anyone else.

His family was only safe when they were by his side.

"Lord Hou, I'm afraid that won't do. My little sister is still young, and I can still earn enough to put food on the table; I have no plans for her marriage for the time being."

Chen Han shielded Shen Yue, his tone humble.

"Oh?"

Hou Chun stared at Chen Han, his gaze turning increasingly dangerous. He had intended to offer a condition Chen Han couldn't refuse, but then he paused.

This was the second time he had seen Chen Han, but the first time he had truly examined him.

He saw that the man's face was sharp as if carved by a knife, his features distinct and angular, with a touch of ethereal grace between his brows. At first glance, he seemed ordinary, but upon closer inspection, he was quite pleasing to the eye.

Practicing the Taiji Health Cultivation Technique could nourish the body and refine one's temperament and posture; thus, it was no exaggeration to say that the current Chen Han was as elegant and dashing as a jade tree in the wind.

If he were to dress up, he would undoubtedly be a handsome man.

Hou Chun had never seen such a handsome fellow, and his gaze shifted several times within a few breaths. "If not her, then you shall take her place."

Chen Han didn't react for a moment, thinking he had misheard.

"I'll give you thirty taels of silver. Come with me."

Chen Han's expression shifted. He had once heard a ridiculous rumor in the city that one of the Seven Sha of the Black Mountain Gang had a peculiar obsession with those of exceptional appearance, harboring a fanatical fixation on handsome men.

Yet, within a few days, the men taken away by him were either dead, crippled, or driven mad; no one knew what they had endured.

At this thought, a chill ran through Chen Han. I never expected this to fall upon me one day! It's over!

Chen Han's heart hammered against his ribs, his face filled with terror. "Lord Hou, please, let it go. Spare this lowly one—if I go, what will happen to this family?"

"So, you're saying you're unwilling."

The Lord's gaze grew icy. He had grown up in a distorted family, which had turned him into a creature neither human nor ghost, and his only pleasure was tormenting those with good looks.

Especially men; whenever he carved into their flesh, they would let out heart-wrenching roars like savage beasts, filled with pain and despair.

This often brought him great physical and mental satisfaction.

"Lord Hou, this lowly one truly cannot agree to your request."

Chen Han averted his gaze, acting as if he didn't dare look at Hou Chun.

The few thugs accompanying them in the courtyard saw this and wore meaningful smiles.

"Very well, you won't comply, will you... then don't blame me."

The Lord scanned the surroundings and spotted the mother and daughter watching from the corner. "That girl looks quite decent; she'd probably fetch a good price sold to a brothel. And that woman in her forties could be sold for some silver as well..."

He looked at Shen Yue again. "And this young girl, tsk tsk, she is truly delicate. The Music Conservatory should take her."

Shen Yue trembled with fear, her palms sweating, her head bowed so low she didn't dare look at Hou Chun.

Chen Han's heart sank.

Because of the Red Spider incident, the city's official forces were severely depleted, and whether the army sent to suppress the Red Spider would succeed remained uncertain. This city might not even exist in the future; in such circumstances, the darkness of human nature was displayed in full.

Previously, these gangs would at least put on a facade, only collecting "peace money," or at most increasing the amount.

But now, they had begun to rob in broad daylight!

No wonder Shen Wuren had left him those words before leaving; he had clearly foreseen this.

"L-Lord, please, come back tomorrow. Give this lowly one some time to consider."

"Consider?"

Hou Chun was quite displeased and took a deep breath. "Fine, I will give you one day to consider. I will return tomorrow."

After seeing the group of burly men from the Black Mountain Gang off, Chen Han turned around to find Shen Yue throwing herself into his arms.

"Big Brother, don't go with those bad people! Wuwuwu!"

The young girl sobbed uncontrollably, her tears soaking the clothes on his chest.

"Husband, are... are you really going to do this? If you leave, we orphans and widows will eventually be sold by those villains from the Black Mountain Gang, or worse!"

Shen Wan'er paced back and forth in a panic.

Lu continued to wipe away her tears.

"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid."

Chen Han's expression was calm and easygoing, showing none of the humble, fawning demeanor from moments ago, for he knew that if he were to panic, it would only leave the three women feeling even more hopeless.

He cupped Shen Yue's face, gently wiping the tear stains from her soft, flushed cheeks; her watery eyes were truly endearing.

"That was just a temporary measure, don't worry."

"Really?"

Chen Han ruffled her hair, "What do you think?"

That same day, Chen Han arrived at his family estate and, after making some inquiries, located the position of the family steward.

Indeed, his plan was to borrow the tiger's might to bolster his own standing.

A direct assault was naturally the worst of all possible strategies; his right hand was currently suffering from repeated, severe injuries. He could not manifest hidden energy, and his overt energy was merely that of the Taiji Health Cultivation Technique—though it had some merit, it lacked a foundation.

Even if he possessed the skill, he lacked a sufficiently strong body to execute it.

The Chen Family's martial art, Mountain Breaking Fist, was even more demanding.

If he were to forcefully execute a standard Mountain Breaking Fist, his repeatedly injured right hand would suffer necrosis on the spot, leaving no room for recovery.

Against any seasoned martial artist, Chen Han did not have the slightest chance of victory.

Back then, killing Master Bear and his men had been a desperate necessity; otherwise, he would never have risked the destruction of his entire family to strike.

Now that there was room to maneuver, he naturally had to avoid his own weaknesses, strike at theirs, and ultimately win through wit.

Although the Chen Family could not completely resolve this matter, they could certainly provide a brief period of deterrence, which was the best solution for the time being.

On a small path by the lake, Chen Han finally found the old steward. The old man seemed to have aged even further, the wrinkles on his face deepening, yet he still wore that same benevolent expression.

At this moment, he was strolling leisurely while chatting with a young woman.

Chen Han recognized her; this woman was none other than Chen Qiuyu, who had humiliated him earlier.

Chen Qiuyu was dressed in a green gown, her long hair flowing, her beauty soul-stirring. Yet, in Chen Han's eyes, this devastatingly beautiful appearance was utterly repulsive.

A face like a peach blossom, a heart like a scorpion!

That was exactly the type of person she was.

"Old Steward."

Chen Han stopped before the old steward and bowed in greeting.

"Is that little Han? Have you come to find this old man because you've encountered some trouble?"

The old steward's aged face was filled with concern as he hurriedly helped Chen Han up to ask.

"Old Steward, your nephew has been bullied outside!"

Chen Han's voice was hoarse, laced with a sob.

The original owner's deep-seated memories of the old steward surged to the surface. Although he had not experienced them himself, he still felt them profoundly, and the grievances he had held for days finally found a brief outlet, his eyes involuntarily turning red and brimming with tears.

The old steward had never practiced martial arts, but he had worked diligently in the Chen Family for many years, treating the descendants of the Chen Family as his own, and his affection for them ran deep.

Especially since Chen Han was orphaned and alone, it was the old steward who had raised him from a child.

He was a man who could never resist old sentiments. Now, after a long separation, seeing the young man he had watched grow up from a small child crying before him, his heart softened instantly.

"Who is it? Who dares to bully a son of the Chen Family!"

His aged body seemed to straighten with sudden vigor.

"It's the people from the Black Mountain Gang; they want to snatch my wife and daughter!"

Chen Han gritted his teeth, his eyes brimming with tears.