Once he was sure no one was following them, Li Ping'an brought Ma Sanniang home.
Her injuries were not serious; she had simply lost too much blood.
"What do you want to do after this?"
After what had happened, Ma Sanniang could no longer make a living in these parts.
She gazed at the ceiling. "I haven't decided yet. Travel around, find somewhere suitable, and perhaps settle down."
After a moment's silence, Li Ping'an said, "You gave away all the treasures in the Spring Beauty Courtyard, and you don't want any of the money either. Can you really bear to part with it?"
Ma Sanniang smiled. "Things you don't bring into this world at birth or take away at death-what's there to cling to?"
"Hearing those words from your mouth really makes me think the sun rising in the west wouldn't be anything unusual."
Li Ping'an stood up. "Rest easy here. I'll go cook."
He pushed open the door and stepped outside.
Ma Sanniang's voice came from inside. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Half a month later, Ma Sanniang left the Anbei Four Garrisons alone.
There was no farewell, nor did she leave a letter.
She simply left one morning.
Just as she had first arrived here alone.
That night, two major events shook Jianghu in the Anbei Four Garrisons.
First, the renowned Spring Beauty Courtyard was demolished. Then several Jianghu bosses died gruesome deaths in their homes, one after another.
Jia Wan of the Eastern Market, Zhang Jin of the West Market, Zhao Jun of the Wine Market, Jia Guang...
The entire underworld of the Anbei Four Garrisons was turned upside down, its ranks reshuffled.
It was as though someone were using these men's lives as offerings to the departed Spring Beauty Courtyard.
The common people who had suffered their