Aftermath

The morning mist lay thick in some places and thin in others across Suming County. Where it was thick, it obscured all sight beyond three meters.

On the little street around the corner from the Zhou Family's home, milky clouds of mist mingled and drifted, and a tall figure dressed in gray hemp cloth walked through them.

It was Zhou Muzhi. His broad shoulders pushed through the mist, collecting droplets that soaked into his hemp clothes a moment later.

He had picked up the hemp clothes in passing when he went through a courtyard last night, leaving some silver behind while he was at it. With his level of cultivation, he could do such a thing without alerting anyone.

Carrying the Listening-to-Rain Sword, he crossed the little street at great speed, his footsteps utterly soundless.

A short while later.

Before the gates of the Zhou Residence, the mist was no longer dense. It was thin enough to reveal a broad stretch of the area outside.

The gates were shut in the early morning. Zhou Muzhi stepped up, knocked, and called out. Hearing the voice of the household's young master, the servant on duty immediately opened them.

With the servant watching, head lowered, he crossed the threshold and entered his home, passing through the front courtyard and the middle courtyard to reach his own quarters.

Once inside, he washed up and immediately changed his clothes.

After fighting through the night and accomplishing a major undertaking, Zhou Muzhi was still at his peak, both mentally and physically. Once changed, he went back outside.

He had only just stepped out when he saw A'Zi hurrying toward him. She stopped, her body swaying slightly from her haste. At the sight of Zhou Muzhi, she immediately steadied herself and spoke.

"Fourth Young Master, you're finally back. The Second Young Master left word that you should go to the pavilion when you return."

Zhou Muzhi murmured his acknowledgment and was about to step forward when he suddenly looked at A'Zi again and asked, "Did anything happen last night?"

The question left A'Zi bewildered. After thinking for a moment, she shook her head, the wisps of hair over her forehead swaying, and answered very earnestly, "I didn't notice anything."

Good.

Zhou Muzhi felt reassured.

He had gone to intercept and kill those people yesterday. After a whole night, the other side would have reacted too. If they had come to do something while he was away from home, there would have been nothing he could do.

Fortunately, when he asked, A'Zi said nothing had happened. That was the best possible outcome.

He did not know what things were like on the other side. In any case, after today, they probably would not have many opportunities left.

Once his preparations were complete, he would settle this matter once and for all.

Leaving his quarters, Zhou Muzhi headed for the little pavilion, which was surrounded by greenery.

Inside the pavilion, food gave off a tempting aroma. Dressed in a purple robe with flowing sleeves, Zhou Buren felt relief when he saw his fourth brother arrive safely.

He did not need to think to know that his fourth brother had probably killed again last night.

He was not afraid of people dying. He was afraid of his younger brother getting hurt.

Watching Zhou Muzhi sit down, spear a bun with his chopsticks, and bring it to his mouth, Zhou Buren said helplessly, "Fourth Brother, could you let your second brother know next time? Every time I'm left waiting, I worry I won't be able to answer to Father and Mother when they come back."

His tone was indeed sincere as he spoke.

Zhou Muzhi ate a large meat bun in a few bites. Remembering what the Zhou Family had done to save his life when he woke up, he nodded earnestly as well.

"You're right, Second Brother. Then I won't keep it from you. After leaving the carriage yesterday, I went looking for those eight, intending to eliminate them all. Unfortunately, one of them slipped away. What a shame."

Zhou Buren: "..."

His hand froze in midair as he was about to pick up a fried dumpling. He looked up at his fourth brother and let out a long sigh.

"Fourth Brother, you were too hasty. We only left last night, and now these people are dead. Add the threats you made yesterday, and the authorities will definitely investigate us."

Zhou Muzhi's expression did not change. "No one saw us. Their attendants, their coachmen, and the men themselves-apart from the last one who escaped, all of them lost the chance to speak."

"Foolish!" Furious, Zhou Buren slammed his chopsticks onto the stone table with a bang and continued, "What does it matter whether anyone saw? It only takes a word from them. Can't they find people to give false testimony? As long as everyone thinks it was you, then it was you."

Seeing his second brother lose his temper, Zhou Muzhi put down his chopsticks too, shook his head, and stated a truth. "They wouldn't dare. I have Master Li behind me. As long as Master Li doesn't fall, they won't dare."

That was simply how things were. Smearing someone like this only worked when framing ordinary people with no backing.

To frame him, they needed ironclad evidence. If they failed to nail him down completely, thunderous retaliation would follow.

Of course, his relationship with the other side had already reached the point where they were as incompatible as fire and water.

Zhou Buren sighed again and counseled him, "Master Li is Master Li. As the saying goes, walk by the river often enough, and how can your shoes stay dry? Be more mindful when you act in the future."

It was good advice, and Zhou Muzhi would naturally listen, so he murmured his agreement.

The two talked for a little longer before Uncle Chen hurried in again, his aged voice changing pitch.

"Young Master! Young Master! Officers have come! They're asking whether the Fourth Young Master is home. They say there's a case that requires him to appear!"

As he spoke, Uncle Chen spotted Zhou Muzhi. His mouth moved as though he wanted to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.

Zhou Buren's expression changed drastically, his brows knitting tightly. What he had feared had suddenly unfolded before his eyes, and his gaze swam.

Steadying himself, he turned to Zhou Muzhi. "Fourth Brother, you can't go. If you do, you'll likely be at their mercy!"

Zhou Muzhi naturally had no intention of going. If he did, he would be moving to their rhythm, so he rose.

"Second Brother, just tell them I've left to study martial arts at Master Li's home."

The timing fit too. As for the other details, he could leave those to Uncle Chen.

"All right." Zhou Buren nodded.

Uncle Chen immediately went to make the arrangements as well.

Zhou Muzhi did not linger. Leaving the pavilion, he headed toward the rear courtyard and vaulted out of his home with little effort.

The authorities were indeed troublesome. After all, the government office represented the Song Kingdom's dignity. Even Zhou Muzhi was not arrogant enough to openly oppose it.

Still, there were plenty of ways to find a middle course.

After leaving home, Zhou Muzhi moved swiftly, pushing his Light Body qi almost to its limit. It took him only half an incense stick's worth of time to reach the Li Residence.

This time, however, he did not enter through the front gate. Instead, he circled around to the rear courtyard and vaulted inside.

But the moment he entered, he found himself facing someone practicing his punches. It was Li Jingfei, and the movements of his fists came to a halt.

Looking at his disciple, who had suddenly appeared, he abruptly frowned. It was not because he wondered why his disciple had appeared so suddenly, but because the aura his disciple had just withdrawn felt inexplicably familiar.

Zhou Muzhi had not expected to encounter his master the moment he vaulted inside. He had only withdrawn his Light Body qi after clearing the wall, and he did not know whether it had been noticed.

Li Jingfei looked Zhou Muzhi up and down. His tone was questioning, but his gaze was certain.

"My dear disciple, have you... gathered One Qi?"

Zhou Muzhi stood still for three breaths before finally laughing and nodding, putting on an embarrassed look.

"I only just succeeded. I wanted to surprise you, Master."

What a surprise indeed!