"Time to eat."
Li Ping'an rekindled the fire.
The girl froze for a moment, her eyes flickering, then nodded slightly.
"...Mm."
The smell of blood hung all around them, and the girl forced herself to stay calm.
Early the next morning, Li Ping'an and Old Ox continued on their way with the girl.
At noon, the two people and one ox walked along a country dirt road.
A pavilion where travelers could rest appeared beside the road.
Only an old man sat inside.
The old man's triangular eyes gleamed, and he held a Snake-Head Staff.
Li Ping'an walked over calmly and sat down.
"May I ask your name, sir?"
Li Ping'an was not foolish enough to give his own name. "Just an ordinary assassin."
The old man smiled. An assassin would make things much easier.
"The men last night caused you a great deal of trouble. Allow this old man to apologize first.
Since you're an assassin, you must have received some benefit or promise from someone.
Then there's no need for us to come to blows. How much did that female constable surnamed Zhou offer you?"
Li Ping'an placed the money pouch he had taken from the female constable on the table. "This much."
The old man smiled disdainfully and clapped.
Someone immediately came over carrying a chest.
The old man opened it, showing Li Ping'an his considerable wealth.
"Well? Does it catch your discerning eye?"
"Sorry, I can't see."
The old man was momentarily speechless.
Uh...
Li Ping'an reached out and felt around. "Quite nice indeed. But I've already taken someone else's money. Wouldn't this be rather dishonorable?"
The old man smiled faintly. "Who cares about such things these days? Besides, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know."
As he spoke, his venomous gaze fell on