Today's Killing Was Certain

Feng Chen nodded, his face unruffled. "I heard. Let's go take a look."

With a casual motion, he stored the long blade in his Spatial Ring. That was the convenience of a Spatial Ring—you could put away weapons anytime, anywhere. Whether entering or leaving a door, no one could tell you were carrying a weapon, so it drew no attention.

He walked to the courtyard gate and placed a hand on it. Then a low, aged voice came from outside.

"Feng Chen, it's me. Open the door, quickly."

Feng Chen recognized the voice. It was Old Man Li from the village entrance!

The white-haired old man who had attended Aunt Li's funeral meal today and helped dig the grave pit.

He pulled open the door.

Under the moonlight, Old Man Li's aged face carried exhaustion and helplessness. He leaned on an old wooden cane polished smooth with use, his chest still rising and falling slightly. He had clearly walked a long way.

Old Man Li looked at Feng Chen, caught his breath, then said urgently in a lowered voice, "Feng Chen, Liu Teng called me over earlier and had me run around notifying every household."

"He said that tomorrow at noon, everyone must attend his father Liu Dagang's funeral, which will be held at his home. And every person must prepare a generous gift—at the very least, silver or grain."

"Anyone who dares not to go, or dares not bring a gift, will have him coming to their door to settle accounts."

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became. He angrily struck the ground twice with his cane. "Feng Chen, what kind of nonsense is this? Everyone in the village is already having a hard time. At this time when the old harvest is gone and the new one has yet to come, plenty of families cannot even fill their stomachs. Yet he is forcing every household to give money and grain for his father's funeral."

After hearing him out, Feng Chen replied calmly, "I understand, Old Man Li. Thank you for making the trip."

Old Man Li said angrily again, "What Liu Teng is doing is far too heartless! I heard that when his father was village chief, he used to squeeze everyone dry like this. Now that Liu Teng has returned, this is the first thing he does."

"Alas, people truly cannot be compared."

Feng Chen merely smiled and said nothing.

Old Man Li sighed. Then, as if remembering something, he stepped closer. The anger on his face was replaced by deeper concern. "Feng Chen, you must go tomorrow. Liu Teng didn't come back alone—he brought two men from the Wang Clan Martial Hall with him. They are staying in his father's old house."

"I saw those two from afar. Their clothes were nothing like ours, and there were embroidered patterns on their sleeves. One look told me they came from a big place. We can't afford to offend them."

Feng Chen nodded, mildly surprised inwardly.

Liu Teng had brought people from the Wang Clan Martial Hall—the two men standing beside him during the day?

He had already sensed them before. Both were Martial Artists at Body Tempering, First Heaven.

To him, it made no difference. A Body Tempering, First Heaven Martial Artist was still one slash apiece before him.

He then said, "I understand, Old Man Li. I'll go."

Old Man Li nodded, thumped his cane against the ground, and sighed. "Then I've finished notifying everyone, so I'll head back first. It's late. You should rest early too. Don't forget tomorrow—you must go. Don't try to act tough and go against Liu Teng. You're still young. Endure for a moment, and the wind will calm and the waves will settle."

"Alright, Old Man Li. Take care."

Feng Chen stood at the doorway and watched Old Man Li hobble away with his cane, sighing with every step until he vanished at the end of the moonlit path.

After closing the gate, Lin Qing'er came out from behind him, her thin, small shadow stretching across the ground.

She looked at Feng Chen, her eyes worried yet seemingly relieved. "Husband, it looks like Liu Teng isn't coming tonight."

"Yes. Not tonight."

Feng Chen secured the gate bar and turned to walk up to her.

"Then let's rest early as well. You've been tired all day."

"Alright, Husband."

Lin Qing'er relaxed, the heart she had kept hanging all night finally settling.

She followed Feng Chen into the house, and the two of them washed up simply.

Feng Chen blew out the oil lamp and lay down beside Lin Qing'er.

She turned onto her side and, as usual, buried her face in the hollow of his shoulder. Before long, her breathing became even and steady as she fell deeply asleep.

At Liu Teng's home.

The main hall was brightly lit. Four large square tables had been pushed together, laden with wine and meat.

Liu Teng had laid out a lavish feast for the Liu Clan members and the two Wang brothers.

Braised pork knuckles, roast chicken, and red-braised fish had all been brought back from town. In this village, it was an extravagance beyond compare.

The Liu Clan members sat around the tables, their faces flushed as they raised cups and traded drinks. The atmosphere was as lively as New Year's.

Liu Teng had originally planned to immediately lead people door to door and ask who knew the cause of his father's death.

He wished he could drag out the murderer tonight, tie him before his father's coffin, and flay him alive with a blade, cut by cut.

But Wang Tianping offered a suggestion!

A suggestion that moved his heart: before investigating the murderer, first make everyone in the village bring money to attend the funeral tomorrow.

That way, Liu Teng's purse would grow considerably fuller, and he would have far more resources when he returned to the martial hall to train.

As for investigating the murderer, the entire village would be gathered at the funeral anyway. It would not be too late to question them one by one then.

The moment Liu Teng heard it, he felt the idea killed two birds with one stone and immediately agreed.

He also knew perfectly well that Wang Tianping's suggestion was partly meant to fill his purse, and partly because once it was full, Wang Tianping expected him to offer a portion to the two brothers.

There was no such thing as a free lunch. Why would disciples of the Wang Family travel all the way to this poor mountain ravine to back him up?

Naturally, there had to be benefits.

But in his eyes, this was a perfectly fair transaction.

What did a little money matter? As long as the Wang Clan Martial Hall stood behind him, he would have someone to rely on throughout Green Mountain Town in the future.

Liu Teng picked up his wine cup and rose to his feet, respectfully raising it toward Wang Tianping and Wang Tianfan. "Senior Brother Wang is resourceful and farsighted. This idea is truly thorough. With Senior Brother's auspicious words, my father will surely be buried in grand style tomorrow."

Wang Tianping took a sip from his cup, a pleased smile appearing on his face. "Junior Brother Liu is the one with astonishing execution. This village has a hundred households. With one gift from each person tomorrow, that will be no small sum."

The two exchanged a round of businesslike flattery at the table, while the Liu Clan members nearby also revealed delighted expressions.

If Liu Teng could use the influence of the two young masters of the Wang Family to gain a firm foothold in the village, or even travel farther down the path of martial arts in the future, then their Liu Clan relatives would benefit as well.

Thus, they all raised their cups and eagerly toasted Wang Tianping and Wang Tianfan. "We ask the two young masters Wang to take good care of our Teng."

"Yes, if Teng prospers in the future, it will all be thanks to you two."

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, the Wang brothers' cheeks had turned slightly red, and they were beginning to feel lightheaded.

Liu Teng then had someone prepare rooms for his two senior brothers, laying out brand-new bedding. Only after personally seeing both men into their rooms did he withdraw.

In the blink of an eye, it was midnight.

Moonlight leaked through gaps in the clouds, shrouding all of Green Mountain Village in a cold silver-gray glow.

Feng Chen opened his eyes and sat up.

Lin Qing'er was sleeping deeply beside him, her breathing even and peaceful. A few soft, indistinct murmurs escaped her lips, as though she were speaking to someone in a dream.

Feng Chen listened closely. "Aunt Li... how could you die like this?"

Hearing Lin Qing'er's sleep-talk, Feng Chen's expression remained calm.

Life and death were not something others could decide. They could only be decided by oneself.

He silently savored those words.

The next second, he shook his head again.

Even one's own life and death could not be decided by oneself.

The only people who could decide their own life and death had always been the strong.

In this life, his parents had been worn to death by poverty and illness. Aunt Li and the little girl had been driven to death by evil people.

No matter who it was, fate was like a rope held in someone else's hand.

Only by becoming strong could one truly grasp one's own destiny.

Feng Chen rose, quietly put on his clothes, and took out the set of gray night-traveling garments from his Spatial Ring, carefully dressing himself in them.

He took out a face covering as well and tied it behind his head, leaving only his eyes exposed.

He weighed the long blade in his hand, then wrapped the scabbard in a layer of old cloth to prevent any reflection.

After checking all his equipment, he lowered his head and looked himself over. The blade and face covering were both in order.

No problem.

He decided to kill Liu Teng tonight.

He could not wait for Liu Teng to come knocking and then deal with him passively. That would be too foolish.

Only a thief guarded against thieves; a hunter pulled the trigger before the prey had even realized what was happening.