Mountain, Resolve Dispute

Master Deng had spent the night at the opera house and was in low spirits. He drooped his eyelids and squinted at Lu Chen, "Hah, how much tuition have you even paid? You stir up trouble with the authorities outside, yet you have the gall to come begging me for help?"

Lu Chen fell to his knees with a thud, remaining silent.

The Mistress spoke softly, "The boy is diligent and often runs errands for me without a single complaint. Since he has run into trouble and sought our help, it wouldn't be right to let him be taken by the officials; it would reflect poorly on the reputation of the Plum Blossom Martial Hall."

Master Deng disagreed, saying:

"My lady, we run a martial hall, not a charity. He pays, I teach—it's a simple transaction. He isn't a direct disciple who has kowtowed and presented a formal letter of intent. Are we expected to wipe the backside of every stray cat or dog that gets into legal trouble from now on?"

The Mistress let out a cold scoff, "Since when have the yamen officials ever seriously hunted down criminals? They just grab some unlucky soul to close the case."

Master Deng curled his lip, "Then he can only blame his own bad luck. Injuring an officer and resisting arrest are major crimes; who would want to touch such a mess? Do you know how much silver and how many favors it would take to smooth this over? My lady, it's not worth it for a mere pauper of an apprentice!"

"Whether it is worth it or not, is that something to be measured solely by silver?"

The Mistress's phoenix eyes sharpened, a hint of cold anger coloring her tone.

Seeing her reaction, Lu Chen understood the situation. Perhaps it was the favor he had earned through his daily diligence, or perhaps the loneliness of the deep manor had stirred a sense of pity in her.

Regardless, with the Mistress as his backer, he would surely clear this hurdle.

Master Deng had married into the family and was already at a disadvantage; seeing the Mistress's displeasure, his tone softened involuntarily.

"Don't be angry, my lady. Look at his ragged clothes—where would he get the silver to learn martial arts? This money is of unknown origin; it might even be the result of some dark deed. Let the maid go and probe the truth first. If he is truly innocent, then it won't be too late to help."

The Mistress thought for a moment and said, "Very well. Let Liu Qi accompany Xiao Gao."

Xiao Gao was the maid who had woken Lu Chen up that morning.

It wasn't that the Mistress didn't trust her, but the South City was always a chaotic place. If a young girl went alone, there was no guarantee she wouldn't be harassed by local thugs and ruffians. Sending Liu Qi along was a safer bet.

After the maid Xiao Gao confirmed that Lu Chen lived on Sheep Pen Street, she went to the martial hall to find Liu Qi, and the two headed to Sheep Pen Street together.

The pair found a tea stall and began asking the owner about Lu Chen.

Just then, the Blind Man turned the corner.

After hearing Lu Chen's signal last night, they had all managed to slip out of the city in time, only returning quietly at dawn.

After all, it was Lu Chen the bailiffs were after.

As long as the Blind Man and the others didn't run into the officers head-on, they were safe for the time being.

He had been wondering where his boss had hidden himself, when he suddenly spotted Liu Qi at the tea stall asking about Lu Chen.

A flash of ferocity crossed the Blind Man's single eye. Without a word, he walked straight to the stall, sat down, picked up the teapot, and poured himself a bowl of hot tea.

Liu Qi and the maid didn't recognize him, but they felt a sinister chill radiating from him; he didn't look like a good person.

The tea stall owner, however, had turned deathly pale, his hand trembling as he gripped his rag.

With the Blind Man sitting right there, how could the stall owner dare to utter a single word against Lu Chen?

He forced a smile at Liu Qi and said:

"That boy Lu Chen is beyond reproach! Who in the neighborhood doesn't praise him for being loyal and honest?"

Liu Qi nodded, and he and Xiao Gao left the stall to continue their inquiries along the street.

Everywhere they went—the old man selling steamed buns, the cobbler, and even the streetwalker leaning against a doorway—everyone sang Lu Chen's praises.

The Blind Man, Shuan Hu, and the others followed at a distance, their dark gazes sweeping over every neighbor who spoke.

After circling Sheep Pen Street, Liu Qi couldn't help but exclaim:

"I told you! Brother Lu is a top-tier man; he must have been framed. Look at this reputation—is this something a villain could have?"

"Indeed, Brother Lu is kind-hearted and often helps us with our errands," the maid Xiao Gao chimed in softly.

The two returned to the manor and reported everything they had seen and heard.

The Mistress sat upright in her chair, a smile blooming on her beautiful face as she turned to Master Deng:

"Well? I told you long ago that Lu Chen is a decent boy."

Master Deng snorted through his nose, turned his head away in disdain to fiddle with his tea set, and offered no reply.

Lu Chen had already anticipated this outcome.

People scraping a living on the streets only wanted a peaceful life; they sought to avoid trouble and certainly didn't want to invite it for no reason.

No one would offend him for the sake of a few idle words, especially since the Blind Man and his crew had likely returned and were keeping watch.

Even if someone had doubts in their heart, they wouldn't dare say a single word against him.

The Mistress ordered Master Deng to make a trip to the yamen to settle Lu Chen's matter.

The Plum Blossom Martial Hall had operated in Wen'an County for many years and naturally had established connections within the yamen. Relying on the prestige the hall had built up over the years, the officials would surely grant them some convenience.

Master Deng was not happy about going and kept stalling, refusing to set off.

It wasn't until the Mistress shot him a glare that he slowly straightened his clothes and grumbled his way out the door.

About an hour later.

Master Deng returned at a leisurely pace.

"The yamen says the evidence is ironclad; the brat injured three constables. If we want to settle this, we have to pay up."

"How much?" the Mistress asked.

"Ten taels per constable, thirty taels in total. Heh, this poor wretch, can he even afford to pay?" Master Deng said, gloating.

Lu Chen knelt on the ground, head bowed in silence.

The Mistress glanced at him, her heart inexplicably softening. "The martial arts school will cover the thirty taels for him first."

"What? You're muddled, Madam! That's thirty taels of silver! That's a whole month's expenses for the estate, how can we do this!"

Master Deng had always been stingy; hearing that money was to be fronted, he jumped to his feet in a panic.

"Lu Chen is a child who knows how to be grateful; he will pay it back," the Mistress said.

Lu Chen chimed in at the right moment: "Please rest assured, Master, I will definitely pay this money back."

"Hmph, then consider this money a loan to him, and it will accrue interest," Master Deng snorted.

"I leave it entirely to your arrangement, Master," Lu Chen said.

Master Deng immediately drew up an IOU:

Borrowed thirty taels of silver, monthly interest of one percent, compound interest, to be paid in full within one year.

Lu Chen pressed his thumbprint onto the paper.

Master Deng tucked the IOU away and smiled. "Good. If it isn't paid by the deadline, don't blame your master for handling this according to the rules of the jianghu."

The Mistress said softly, "Since the seal is pressed, this matter is now under the school's jurisdiction. Lu Chen, go and rest for now."

"Yes."

Lu Chen bowed and exited the main hall, returning to the guest room.

At noon.

The maid Xiao Gao brought over a meal and relayed a message:

"Brother Lu, the Mistress says the lawsuit at the yamen has been settled. You may return home after you finish your lunch."

Lu Chen nodded, and after eating, he went to thank the Mistress.

In the spacious courtyard, the winter afternoon sun was warm and gentle.

The Mistress was practicing her fist techniques, dressed in a short jacket and long trousers.

The fabric clung tightly to her jade-like legs; her thighs were plump and full, stretching the trouser legs until they were taut and rounded, while her calves tapered sharply. The fabric rubbed against her flesh, and the sweat-dampened cloth clung to her inner thighs, becoming semi-transparent and revealing the color of her skin beneath.

Such a figure possessed both the suppleness of a martial artist and the unique, voluptuous maturity of a woman.

Lu Chen stood waiting to the side, and only when the Mistress finished her stance did he slowly step forward.

A maid approached with a towel. The Mistress took it to wipe the fine beads of sweat from her forehead, then turned her eyes to him: "Since the matter is settled, why haven't you gone back? What are you standing here for?"

He bowed and said, "Lu Chen will remember the kindness shown today."

The Mistress chuckled. "I only helped you because you've been useful running errands for me in the past."

"It is my honor to serve you, Mistress," Lu Chen said.

The Mistress laughed lightly. "Anyone can say pretty words. Practicing your martial arts well is more substantial than anything else." She waved her hand. "Go on."

Lu Chen said no more and quietly took his leave.