Parting

Li Chengwen still wanted to grumble a few more words,

Shen Chu and several coachmen also offered a few words of persuasion from the side, saying that as long as no one was hurt and the goods had not been lost, that was what mattered most. Only then did Li Chengwen barely suppress his anger. He snorted and climbed back into the carriage.

The convoy regrouped and continued down the official road. Yet after enduring that ambush, every face bore an added measure of gravity and vigilance.

Shen Chu remained seated in the carriage, his eyes slightly narrowed as he gazed toward the distant horizon, seemingly lost in thought.

At this point, Li Chengwen sidled up to Shen Chu again and lowered his voice. "Shen Chu, do you think those highway robbers just now were sent by Old Second?"

Shen Chu glanced at him but did not answer directly. He merely said, "First Young Master, it is enough that you know the answer in your heart."

"It had to be him!"

Li Chengwen ground his teeth.

"Who else besides him would dare lay a hand on my goods? That bastard—when we get back, I'll skin him alive!"

Shen Chu shook his head and advised, "First Young Master, we have no evidence right now. Even if you report it to Master when we return, Second Young Master can simply deny it outright. Better to endure for now. Once we have irrefutable evidence, it will not be too late to confront him."

Li Chengwen frowned. "Evidence? How are we supposed to get that? It is not like we can make Old Second confess himself, is it?"

"For that, we will likely have to rely on Constable Xu and those bandits hanging behind the carriage."

Li Chengwen nodded, seeming to understand but not quite. "What if those bastards refuse to confess even at death's door?"

Shen Chu smiled faintly at Li Chengwen again, a trace of deeper meaning in that smile.

"There have been too many mishaps with this shipment. The more mishaps there are, the more suspicions point toward Second Young Master. And when there are enough suspicions, sometimes evidence is unnecessary. So long as Master believes it is true, then it is true."

Li Chengwen froze for a moment, then caught on. He could not help bursting into laughter, clapping Shen Chu on the shoulder. "Good lad! You really know what you're doing!"

After laughing, he gave Shen Chu another once-over, curiosity in his eyes.

"Come to think of it, Shen Chu, those blade techniques of yours do not look like something you got from hammering iron. When did you learn martial arts?"

Without changing expression, Shen Chu laughed it off. "First Young Master, you jest. How would I know any martial arts? I was simply born with great strength. After smithing for so long, my hands are steadier and my eyes sharper, that is all. If you swung a hammer several thousand times every day, you could do the same."

Li Chengwen eyed him with half-belief and half-doubt, but Shen Chu promptly changed the subject and began asking about the customs and local color of Qingyang Prefecture. Li Chengwen's train of thought was led astray, and he eagerly began chatting away.

The rest of the journey was calm and uneventful.

Perhaps the other side needed time to redeploy after the first ambush had failed, or perhaps the convoy had already passed through the most dangerous stretch. In any case, they encountered no further trouble.

Everyone gradually relaxed. The coachmen began humming little tunes, and several yamen runners started joking with one another. Laughter and cheer returned to the convoy.

By the following morning, the convoy finally reached the borders of Wangchuan County.

A weathered stone stele stood beside the official road, engraved with four large characters: "Wangchuan County Boundary."

Shen Chu jumped down from the carriage and stretched his limbs. Turning to First Young Master and Xu Zhibao, he clasped his hands. "First Young Master, Constable Xu, this is far enough. Wangchuan County lies ahead. I can walk back on my own."

Li Chengwen hurriedly climbed down from the carriage, obvious reluctance on his face. "Shen Chu, you are really leaving? Why not come to Qingyang Prefecture with me first? Once we deliver the goods, I'll take you around properly! Then when we head back, I'll accompany you to Wangchuan County. What do you say?"

Shen Chu smiled and shook his head. "I appreciate First Young Master's kindness. But I have been away from home for a long time, and I should go back to take a look. Once I have dealt with my affairs, I will return to work."

Seeing that he had already made up his mind, Li Chengwen could not press him to stay. Then he seemed to recall something. He turned and walked to the carriage, rummaging through the pile of goods until he found a long saber wrapped tightly in silk.

It was the one Shen Chu had forged from Silver-Veined Meteorite Iron.

He returned and presented the long saber to Shen Chu with both hands, speaking earnestly.

"You forged this saber yourself, and it is made from fine materials. Keeping it in my hands would be like casting pearls before swine. Take it. Consider it my farewell gift. It will also give you something to defend yourself with on the road."

Shen Chu was slightly taken aback and reached out to accept the long saber.

The familiar weight and feel of it warmed his heart slightly the moment it entered his hand.

He lowered his head to inspect it. The saber was fitted with a plain wooden scabbard, unadorned and simple, standing in stark contrast to the exquisite blade within.

Shen Chu then looked up at the sincere smile on Li Chengwen's plump face, and something in his heart stirred.

Though this fat man could be reckless at times and naive at others, he truly treated people with wholehearted sincerity.

He solemnly strapped the long saber across his back, then clasped his hands toward Li Chengwen. "Many thanks, First Young Master. Until we meet again."

Li Chengwen patted him on the shoulder again and urged, "Come back early once you are done. The courtyard cannot do without you."

Shen Chu smiled, neither agreeing nor refusing. Then he stepped back twice, waved to everyone, and turned to walk down the road leading toward Wangchuan County.

After he had gone several dozen paces, he heard Li Chengwen shout from behind, "Shen Chu! Take care!"

He did not turn around. He merely raised a hand in farewell and continued onward.

After walking a little over a li and confirming that the convoy had vanished from sight behind him, Shen Chu finally stopped and let out a long sigh.

He stood by the roadside, staring at the unfamiliar road ahead, and suddenly felt somewhat lost.

His claim that he was returning home had merely been an excuse to get away.

The original Shen Chu truly had been from Wangchuan County, but all his family had long since died.

As for this "Shen Chu," he had not the slightest clue about this place and did not know whom he could seek out.

Under the vast sky and across the boundless earth, he suddenly did not know where to go.

After considering it, he felt that Qingyang Prefecture would be the best destination.

It was a prefectural city, crowded and chaotic, making it easier to hide. There would be more opportunities as well.

But now that he was already within Wangchuan County, he might as well enter the county seat first, find somewhere to settle down, and make further plans afterward.

Having made up his mind, he followed the direction he remembered and headed toward Wangchuan County Town.

Yet he had barely taken a few steps when a faint series of shouts suddenly reached his ears, mixed with the clashing of weapons. It seemed that someone was fighting.

The sounds came from a forest not far ahead, only a little over a hundred paces from where he stood.

Shen Chu's brows drew together slightly. He immediately darted into the roadside grass, and with a thought, activated the [Breath Concealment] skill.

A faint, indistinct aura withdrew from his body, and his entire person seemed to merge with the surrounding grass and trees. Unless someone looked directly at him with their own eyes, they would not notice his presence at all.