Saving Someone

The three-day deadline arrived in the blink of an eye.

By evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Lin Qing had already quietly slipped out of Benevolent World Hall.

He had carefully disguised himself, wearing a dark gray martial outfit with a gray cloth mask over his face and a horizontal blade strapped to his back.

His body was brimming with blood energy, the power of the Tendon Opening Realm circulating through his limbs and bones, leaving him with less trepidation and more confidence for the upcoming operation.

Following the agreement, he arrived at the dilapidated, long-abandoned Land God Temple at Ten Mile Slope outside the city.

The sunset, like a veil, draped over the broken walls and ruins, adding to the sense of desolation and secrecy.

Zhang Shun was already waiting there.

He had also changed into a sleek night-traveling outfit and was masked, his face bearing his usual bold demeanor.

Yet, deep in his eyes, there was more gravity and urgency than usual.

"Junior Brother Lin, you're on time!"

Zhang Shun stepped forward to greet him, his voice low.

"Senior Brother Zhang."

Lin Qing cupped his hands, his gaze sweeping the surroundings: "Just the two of us?"

"Correct."

Zhang Shun nodded, his eyes sharp.

"This matter should not be publicized; the fewer people who know, the better."

"I only invited you because I trust you, Junior Brother."

He paused, a look of ruthlessness appearing on his face, and stopped holding back, stating the truth directly: "I won't hide it from you, Junior Brother. The mission has changed at the last minute. Our target today is Pan Family Manor, twenty miles outside the city."

"Pan Family Manor?"

Lin Qing's gaze sharpened. Truly, enemies often cross paths.

He had not expected to clash with the Pan family again so soon.

"It is indeed that very Pan family!"

Zhang Shun spat, his tone filled with disdain.

"The second young master of the Pan family, Pan Zhongyou, known as Pan Three-Inch, is a good-for-nothing, lecherous wastrel."

"Relying on his elder brother's influence and his younger sister, who is a concubine to the county magistrate, he acts without any regard for the law!"

"This Pan Family Manor is his secret den specifically for his debauchery. Who knows how many innocent women he has lured or forcibly abducted to be humiliated and toyed with."

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white: "Just counting the ones that resulted in death, I know of at least three or five cases. In the end, the Pan family used money and influence to suppress them all."

"The victims had nowhere to seek justice and could only swallow their grievances, watching their families destroyed!"

Lin Qing listened quietly, his expression beneath the mask growing cold.

Pan Yun was aggressive, and the younger members of the Pan family were just as depraved.

This Pan family was truly a nest of vipers.

"Why is Senior Brother so invested in this matter?"

Lin Qing asked; he needed to know Zhang Shun's true motivation.

Upon hearing this, a complex emotion flashed across Zhang Shun's face, tinged with a hint of pity.

He was silent for a moment, his voice dropping lower: "Among the women abducted into the manor recently, there is one who was my former neighbor. The neighbors all called her Widow Zhang."

He paused, seemingly lost in memory: "Her husband died early, and she ran a sesame cake stall alone. Life was hard, but she was strong-willed and very virtuous."

"We grew up together. Although there was nothing improper between us, still... alas!"

He sighed, unable to continue.

But the pain and regret in his eyes said everything.

"I cannot stand by and watch her be ruined to death by that animal, Pan Three-Inch!"

"This change in the mission was my own private decision, Zhang Shun's. It has nothing to do with the martial arts hall or the association."

"Junior Brother Lin, if you feel the risk is too great, you can withdraw now, and I will have no complaints!"

Lin Qing looked at Zhang Shun.

This senior brother, usually so bold and forthright, now had a look of absolute determination in his eyes.

He was testing him, but also pleading with him.

This private trust weighed heavier than any mission from the association.

Lin Qing did not deliberate for long.

The grudge was with the Pan family, the evil was committed by the Pan family's kin, and what Zhang Shun sought aligned with the chivalry in his own heart. Both publicly and privately, he had no reason to retreat.

"Since Senior Brother trusts me, how could I be a man who shrinks from danger?"

Lin Qing's voice, muffled by his mask, carried a surge of hot-blooded resolve.

The Pan family usually ran rampant, having offended no small number of people.

Now that he had the chance to cause them trouble, he would certainly not refuse.

"I shall accompany you to this Pan Family Manor, Senior Brother."

"Good, good brother!" Zhang Shun slapped Lin Qing's shoulder heavily, his eyes filled with excitement.

"I, Zhang Shun, will remember this favor."

The two spoke no more; taking advantage of the final cover of the setting sun, they unfurled their forms like two black shadows, sprinting toward the direction of Pan Family Manor.

Pan Family Manor was nestled in a secluded mountain hollow, surrounded by high walls, deep courtyards, and dense trees—truly a perfect place to hide filth and harbor evil.

Upon arrival, the two lurked at a distance to observe, noting the patrol patterns of the guards and the intervals between their shift changes.

It was not until midnight, with neither stars nor moon in the sky, that the time for action arrived.

Both were martial artists of no small skill; agile and swift, they neutralized several overt sentries and hidden lookouts before silently scaling the high wall and dropping into the manor.

The manor was sparsely lit, with most areas plunged into dark silence, save for an exquisite courtyard in the back that remained bright, with faint sounds of revelry drifting out.

Zhang Shun clearly knew the path well; he gestured to lead Lin Qing, using the shadows of flowers, trees, and rockeries to sneak toward that courtyard.

The closer they drew, the more they could smell a thick scent of perfume mixed with the stench of alcohol.

The guards around the courtyard were surprisingly lax, likely because Pan Zhongyou felt this place was so secret that no one would dare disturb his refined pleasures.

The two found a blind spot and, like geckos scaling a wall, climbed onto the eaves, lowered their bodies, and gently lifted a roof tile to peer down.

Inside, the room was luxuriously furnished, covered in thick velvet carpets and brightly lit by candles.

A middle-aged man with a sinister face, dressed in a brocade robe, was drinking and making merry while embracing two disheveled women who were forcing smiles.

Pan Yun, why is he here?

Lin Qing's eyes narrowed, a surge of killing intent roiling within him.

In the shadows of the room's corner, three or four women were curled up.

Each of them had a slender build, but they were currently in rags, revealing shocking lash marks, some of their wounds still oozing blood.

Their eyes were hollow and numb, like puppets that had lost their souls, shivering as they huddled there, barely clinging to life.

As Lin Qing's gaze swept over them, an unnamed fire ignited in his heart.

These women, without exception, all possessed long, straight legs—clearly, they had been deliberately collected by Pan Three-Inch.

Because he was short of stature himself, he took pleasure in humiliating tall women.

Such conduct was truly perverted; he was no better than a beast!

Zhang Shun's gaze, however, was locked firmly onto a woman lying low on the ground.

Though her face was covered in blood and her long hair was disheveled, her delicate silhouette and long legs were still faintly visible; it was indeed Widow Zhang.

She seemed to have suffered even heavier torture, lying motionless on the floor.

Only the slight rise and fall of her back proved she was still alive.

"The Young Master is coming tomorrow. I'll discipline you today; if you still don't know what's good for you, I'll beat you to death."

Pan Yun spoke with a cold sneer.

"You villain, I will not submit even if I die!"

Widow Zhang gritted her teeth and said.

Zhang Shun's eyes turned blood-red in an instant, his breathing heavy; he could barely restrain himself.

Lin Qing pressed gently on his shoulder, signaling him to stay calm.

"The one below is not Pan Zhongyou." Lin Qing lowered his voice.

"I know. This man is his lackey. I only asked you to come because I knew Pan Three-Inch was not here today," Zhang Shun replied in a low voice.

Lin Qing nodded inwardly; if they killed the young master of the Pan family, it would be no small matter, and the Pan family would surely be enraged.

But if they only acted against this man, it wouldn't be too much of a problem.

The two exchanged a look, deciding to wait until Pan Yun fell asleep or left before making their move.

About half an hour later, Pan Yun seemed to be overcome by the alcohol and waved away the women beside him.

He staggered toward the inner bedroom, and soon, the sound of snoring drifted out.

The women serving in the outer room also felt as if they had been granted amnesty and quietly retreated.

The time had come.