Extend Life for One Year (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

With the matter settled, the Zhou Clan saw no reason to keep him any longer.

Chen Ye took the hint and prepared to leave.

As he was departing, the Zhou Clan cast a glance at him and cautioned, "Do not speak of the affairs within the Feng Mansion to those outside. Do not bring trouble upon yourself."

"Rest assured, Madam. I know the gravity of the situation."

With that, Chen Ye turned and retreated from the main hall to the doorway.

At the end of the corridor, just as Chen Ye was about to step out of the courtyard gate, a flurry of light footsteps sounded behind him.

A young boy of four or five years old ran out from the side hall, his eyes rimmed with red as he collided into the arms of the Zhou Clan.

"Mother, was it really Eldest Uncle who harmed Father?"

Chen Ye's footsteps faltered.

He glanced to the side and saw the Zhou Clan crouch down, wrapping her arms around the child's shoulders.

She did not answer, merely pressing the child's head gently against her shoulder.

Only after a moment did she speak, her voice far softer than it had been when conversing with Chen Ye.

"From now on in this mansion, it will just be the three of us left to rely on one another."

The five-year-old child bit his lip, two trails of tears flowing silently down his face.

He straightened his back and said, "Mother, don't worry. My brother and I will protect you. No one will dare to bully you."

"Good boy."

The Zhou Clan pulled the child into her embrace, resting her chin on the top of his head, her gaze fixed on the shadows of the plants in the courtyard.

Chen Ye withdrew his gaze, stopped lingering, and turned to walk out of the courtyard.

The child broke free from the Zhou Clan's embrace, rubbed his eyes, and stole a glance outward.

He saw only the silhouette of a blood-stained figure fading into the distance, utterly unremarkable.

He looked up and asked, "Mother, who was that man?"

The Zhou Clan stood up, took the child's hand, and watched the figure that had already vanished beyond the courtyard.

"A clever man whom Mother might have to make use of in the future."

Chen Ye walked out of the main hall and waited for a while outside the Feng Family Ancestral Hall until he saw Zuo Dongxi and Su Guang emerge from the dungeon.

Both men were gaunt and pale, the torture of the dungeon having left them barely recognizable.

Unaware of the internal events that had transpired within the Feng Mansion over the past two days, they had assumed as they were dragged out that today would be their end.

It was only when they saw Chen Ye's upright figure that they realized they had been saved.

"Brother Zuo, and this brother here, you are safe now."

Though his clothes were tattered and stained with blood, Chen Ye's spirit was high, his eyes gleaming with a sharpness that left a deep impression.

Zuo Dongxi and Su Guang exchanged a look; even in their sluggish state, they realized that their survival and exit from the dungeon were inextricably linked to this young man before them.

Su Guang looked over to see that the servants of the Feng Mansion had already packed his personal belongings and placed them there.

Though no one said it aloud, he knew he had been cast out.

Yet, he felt little sadness, experiencing instead a sense of relief at having escaped with his life.

He bowed deeply, his hands clasped: "The great kindness of this little brother is something Su will never forget."

Chen Ye reached out to support his arm: "Brother Su, there is no need for this. A man's knees have gold; he does not kneel easily. If not for your help that day, I might not have succeeded so smoothly. Let us speak more once we are out of the mansion."

Guided by a servant of the Feng Mansion, the three of them quietly departed through the back gate.

Zuo Dongxi had spent over a decade in the Patrol Horse Gang, having endured blades and backstabbing alike, and he prided himself on being a man of loyalty.

Yet today, for the first time, he felt like a scoundrel.

He had originally dragged Chen Ye into the murky waters of the Feng Mansion specifically so that someone else would be there to take the brunt of any trouble.

In the end, the man he had treated as a shield had been the one to save his life.

He felt ashamed for having previously assumed that Chen Ye was merely using him.

Now, it seemed he had judged a gentleman by the measure of a petty man.

After stepping out of the back gate, he paused and blocked Chen Ye's path, saying, "Brother, words cannot express my gratitude. If there is ever anything you need of me in the future, even if it means crossing a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, just say the word."

"You are too kind, Gang Leader Zuo." Chen Ye glanced at him, saying nothing more.

With Su Guang nearby, Zuo Dongxi immediately added, "I shall host a banquet tonight in a private room at the Fengqing Restaurant. Just the three of us, I insist you do me the honor."

Having survived such an ordeal, the three of them agreed on the spot to meet at the Fengqing Restaurant that evening.

After Zuo Dongxi finished speaking, he hurried off in the direction of the Patrol Horse Gang, and Su Guang returned to his own residence.

Chen Ye returned to the carriage firm alone.

As soon as he entered the main hall, the few workers who recognized him widened their eyes in astonishment, hurriedly scrambling toward the courtyard behind the carriage house.

"Steward Shen, Steward Shen, Chen Ye is back!"

Shen Chongsan was busy tending to chores when he looked up in astonishment at the news.

He had already heard rumors about what had transpired at the Feng Mansion.

In his view, small fries like them without any backing who waded into the murky waters of the Feng Mansion were nine times out of ten going to lose their lives.

Had this little guy actually come out unscathed?

He set down his work and walked out quickly, seeing Chen Ye for the first time in several days.

Chen Ye cupped his hands and said, "Steward Shen, there were many twists and turns during this escort mission, which delayed quite a few things. I truly apologize."

Shen Chongsan looked him over and sighed, "It is good enough that you are unharmed."

"I heard that you even upheld our firm's reputation at the time. Come with me to see the boss and see how he wants to arrange things."

"I am obliged."

Shen Chongsan led Chen Ye to the main room from before, pushed the door open, and entered alone, leaving Chen Ye to wait outside.

Unlike last time, Shen Chongsan stayed inside for a bit longer.

Standing at the door, Chen Ye could vaguely hear the sounds of an argument that lasted for quite a while.

After a long time, Shen Chongsan walked out with a complicated expression on his face.

When he saw Chen Ye again, he hesitated to speak, but eventually shook his head, "I am sorry, little brother. The boss does not want to invite this trouble."

Shen Chongsan gave a bitter smile and continued, "He told me to settle this month's wages for you. You should look for another way out."

Chen Ye had long anticipated such an outcome and said gracefully, "I still thank Steward Shen for looking after me during this time. Such is fate; I cannot blame anyone."

Shen Chongsan waved his hand, said nothing more, and took him to the accounting office to settle his pay.

What slightly surprised Chen Ye was that the compensation, which should have only been about one tael, was increased by an extra two taels.

According to Shen Chongsan, this was meant as additional compensation.

Shen Chongsan also handed him a brand-new wooden plaque.

This was an official identity token from the government, which the firm had guaranteed and processed for him a few days ago.

"From here on out in the Capital City, you must rely on yourself." Shen Chongsan patted his shoulder and sighed, "You can stay in your quarters for a few more days. Move out once you find a suitable place."

"I will keep Steward Shen's kindness in my heart."

Returning to his familiar quarters, Chen Ye could not help but feel a sense of relief.

He closed the door, placed the silver and his identity token on the table, and then pulled ten gold leaves from his bosom.

These were given to him by the Zhou Clan from their private treasury.

One gold leaf was equivalent to ten taels of silver.

Ten leaves made exactly one hundred taels.

With a thought, Chen Ye summoned the Pawn System, and the familiar interface appeared before his eyes.

[Name: Chen Ye]
[Current Martial Arts: Foundation Cultivation Technique (Perfected)]
[Realm: Mortal Shedding (Second Stage)]
[Current Remaining Lifespan: Two months and thirteen days.]

Up until now, he still had one thousand and forty-six days, or about three years of lifespan, that had not been redeemed.

The one hundred taels in his hand were enough to redeem one year.

Chen Ye took out nine gold leaves along with a few bits of broken silver, holding them in his palm.

The gold and silver melted away silently, and the system panel changed accordingly.

[Current Remaining Lifespan: One year, two months, and thirteen days.]

Chen Ye looked at the numbers and let out a long breath.

At least for the time being, he would not have to worry about the issue of his lifespan.