Returning to the Residence

Not only that, but those three hundred taels of silver had also vanished without a trace.

Once Master Li and the eldest son returned, this debt would inevitably be pinned on him.

The more Li Jiwu thought about it, the angrier he became. He kicked a charred wooden plank nearby with all his might; the plank flew a long distance, slammed into the wall, and split in two with a sharp crack.

"What are you looking at!"

Li Jiwu rarely lost his composure, but he roared at the servants who were craning their necks to peek.

"Clean this place up! Get back to work! Why are you all crowding around here?!"

The servants shuddered at his shout and scattered in a hurry, rushing to fetch water or sweep the floor, frantically beginning to clear the ruins.

Shen Chu blended into the crowd, turning slowly to walk toward the Sword-Forging Courtyard.

His face remained impassive, but in his heart, he was recalling the fleeting look of anomaly on Constable Zhang's face when he had examined the corpses earlier.

That Constable Zhang had definitely noticed something, but he had chosen to conceal it.

The reason for this was likely even more intriguing than whether Zhao Dezhu was dead or alive!

The disappearance of Zhao Dezhu and the two charred corpses cast a shadow over the Sword-Forging Courtyard. Everyone worked with a sense of unease, and seeing this, Shen Chu uncharacteristically slowed his own pace.

After a day of labor, Shen Chu returned to his quarters, closed the door, and took out the silver pouch and banknotes from his bosom to count them.

The three hundred taels of procurement silver that Zhao Dezhu had drawn from the accounts, plus the silver and banknotes found in the secret compartment under his bed, totaled about six or seven hundred taels.

For an ordinary person, this was already a massive fortune, enough for him to move elsewhere, start over, and live a stable life.

He wrapped the silver back up, stuffed it under the bed frame, and sat on the bed, lost in thought.

He could not stay in this place any longer.

He had an increasingly strong premonition.

Since this so-called Flag Master of the Red Lotus Sect could plant a pawn like Zhao Dezhu in the Li Residence, it meant their infiltration of the Li Family was far deeper than what appeared on the surface.

Although Zhao Dezhu was dead, the Flag Master would sooner or later discover that this pawn had lost contact. Once they followed the trail, it was hard to say whether they would track it back to him.

On top of that, there was the previous proselytizing to Han Tieshan and the group of refugees.

If this Red Lotus Sect didn't intend to stir up trouble, Shen Chu wouldn't believe it for a second.

Furthermore, the reaction of that Constable Zhang was also highly suspicious.

He had clearly seen the anomaly of the corpses yet chose to cover it up. Either he was in collusion with the Red Lotus Sect, or there was some other hidden agenda!

But regardless of the possibility, it was not good news for Shen Chu.

Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best!

But he couldn't just leave whenever he wanted.

Zhao Dezhu had just gone missing, the house had just burned down, and the case had just been closed. If he, a newcomer to the Sword-Forging Courtyard, abandoned his job and suddenly ran off, it would be far too conspicuous.

If Li Jiwu and the authorities grew suspicious and sent people to investigate, it would only make it easier for him to be exposed.

But most importantly, his innate talent was still too low, and [Thousand Hammer Refinement] remained stuck there, unable to budge. He still wanted to grind his talent higher.

Shen Chu thought it over and over, deciding to wait a little longer.

Once this wind blew over and people's attention shifted away from the fire, he would find a suitable opportunity to leave quietly. It would be best if he could manufacture a reasonable excuse...

Several days later, a carriage escorted by over a dozen guards slowly drove through the main gates of the Li Residence.

Master Li lifted the carriage curtain, his face showing the weariness of a long journey, yet a joy that could not be concealed shone between his brows.

Following closely behind him as he stepped down was the eldest son, Li Chengwen.

Unlike the slightly rash and restless chubby boy who had departed, Li Chengwen now seemed like a different person.

His movements were clean and decisive, and his face radiated an unprecedented confidence and brilliance, as if this trip had completely remade him.

As soon as Master Li stepped off the carriage, the steward led the entire household forward to welcome him.

Second Young Master Li Jiwu and Madam Liu had also been waiting at the entrance for some time; one with a smile, the other with exquisite makeup, both stepping forward to pay their respects.

Master Li was in an excellent mood. He patted his eldest son's shoulder and said to everyone with a smile, "On this trip, Chengwen has made a great contribution! The long-term supply contract for weapons with the Qingyang Prefecture government was negotiated with his assistance. This child usually looks rash, but when it comes to real business, he is far more steady than I expected!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present showed expressions of surprise, then quickly put on smiling faces, offering their congratulations in a clamor.

Being praised by his father in public, the smugness on Li Chengwen's face was almost overflowing. He puffed out his chest and blurted out, "Father, I told you already, this little matter didn't need Big Sister's help—I could have negotiated it myself!"

The smile on Master Li's face stiffened instantly, and he gave his eldest son a speechless glare.

He had praised him in front of the whole family to give him face, but this kid couldn't hold his tongue at all and had spilled the trump card directly.

However, the eldest son's performance on this trip had truly made him look at him in a new light. Although he felt a bit helpless, his mood was good, and he couldn't be bothered to haggle over this small interlude.

He glared at Li Chengwen irritably, then waved his hand and instructed the steward, "Go to the accounts and draw a reward to be sent to the Sword-Forging Courtyard. This is a benefit Chengwen secured for everyone. Once the government order arrives, tell the masters in the courtyard to work hard! If they do well, I have further rewards!"

The steward bowed and accepted the order.

Second Young Master Li Jiwu stood to the side with a perfectly measured smile, clapping and congratulating along with the others.

Although he was saying pleasantries like "Congratulations, Father," "Congratulations, Big Brother," and "Father has worked hard, Big Brother has suffered," his hand was clenched tightly inside his hanging sleeve.

When the bustle of the welcome subsided slightly, Li Jiwu composed his expression and stepped forward.

He lowered his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of gravity: "Father, during the days you were away from the residence, a major incident occurred. I dare not conceal it and must report it to you."

Master Li's good mood was interrupted by this sentence, and his brows furrowed slightly: "What is it?"

Li Jiwu then recounted the matter of Zhao Dezhu, word for word.

He spoke with earnest words and a pained tone, finally bowing deeply: "Father, this matter occurred while I was managing the household affairs on your behalf. It is my failure in supervision and my lapse in judgment regarding personnel. Please punish me, Father."

After hearing this, Master Li's face sank immediately.

In the time he was away from the residence, such a major incident had occurred!

Not only were several hundred taels of silver swindled away, but someone had died as well!

Just as Master Li was about to erupt, Madam Liu stepped forward first, embracing Master Li and beginning to weep.