I Hope You Can Lend Me a Hand

After arriving at the worksite, he continued hauling bricks.

With no distractions, Yang Ming easily finished after three hours, collected his wages, and headed toward the hotel.

More than a dozen people behind him watched Yang Ming's departing figure, the cold glint in their eyes growing stronger.

But Yang Ming did not care. These people were not worth his concern.

After returning to the hotel and washing up, he was just about to head out for dinner when a figure suddenly appeared at the window.

A ninja?

Yang Ming's heart stirred. Looking at the Grass Ninja who had suddenly appeared, he remained perfectly calm.

Judging by his aura, this man was merely a genin.

"Yuexia, Brother Chong wants you to come with me!"

Seeing that Yang Ming was not startled in the slightest, the ninja could not help but feel curious. Still, he did not forget his business and quickly spoke.

"Brother Chong? Chong Chunyi?"

Yang Ming raised his brows curiously.

"That's right."

The genin nodded.

"Fine."

After thinking it over, Yang Ming agreed.

He was curious about why Chong Chunyi wanted to see him.

Could it be that he wanted another beating?

With that thought in mind, Yang Ming followed him. The two leaped between the rooftops, and before long, they arrived in a room.

There, Chong Chunyi lay on the bed wrapped in bandages, looking utterly miserable. He could not have looked more pitiful!

"Huh? Who beat you into this state?"

Yang Ming grew even more curious.

Chong Chunyi was at least someone of standing. With the Grass Shadow backing him, he had always thrown his weight around in the village. Who would dare provoke him?

"Yuexia, forgive me for being unable to get out of bed in my current condition. But I asked you to come because I need to tell you something!"

Chong Chunyi waved his hand, and the room was soon left with only Yang Ming, himself, and the genin who had led Yang Ming here.

"Go on."

Yang Ming said blandly.

"Here's what happened. Yesterday, following Yuexia's orders, I was patrolling near the orphanage when I was suddenly attacked by an old enemy and seriously injured. Normally, I should report this to Lord Grass Shadow, but Lord Grass Shadow has left the village for Daimyo's Palace to discuss some matters. Since he isn't here, I had no choice but to come to you. After all, I truly lack both the will and strength to fulfill Yuexia's request in my current state."

Chong Chunyi explained.

"Your old enemy?"

Yang Ming was intrigued.

"Yes. To be honest, his name is Mizunoki. He graduated in the same class as me. After I defeated him, he left the village and joined Daimyo's Palace. There, he found a very powerful master and learned a few ninjutsu. His strength has now greatly increased, and he severely wounded me with a single move. He said that I should gather whoever I could find, and three days later, we would settle all the grievances between us once and for all. If I had not been driven into a corner, I would never have troubled Yuexia. But today is already the third day, and there are very few people around me whom I can ask for help."

Chong Chunyi said with a bitter smile.

"Someone from Daimyo's Palace?"

Yang Ming's heart stirred.

The Kingdom of Grass was unlike the Five Great Nations. The guards and protective forces of Daimyo's Palace were made up of powerful people from the village, tasked with protecting the daimyo's safety.

At the same time, they monitored the daimyo, even controlled him, and influenced his will.

The forces within the guard corps of the Kingdom of Grass's Daimyo's Palace were tangled and complex. Its experts came from all directions, including even iron-blooded mercenaries. The waters ran deep, and its strength was formidable. Even the Grass Shadow might not necessarily be a match for them.

A small nation like the Kingdom of Grass did not possess such power.

Within the country, the daimyo's word was absolute. Even the Grass Shadow had to be constrained by him.

"That's right, someone from Daimyo's Palace. I suspect that Lord Grass Shadow being suddenly summoned to Daimyo's Palace for discussions may also be related to this matter. But that is only baseless speculation. Right now, I hope Yuexia can lend me a hand!"

Chong Chunyi said.