12. Night of Murder

The young man’s face clouded with hesitation, torn and uncertain. Xie An’s suspicion proved correct—these items were indeed stolen from the master’s household. Seeing the master’s advanced age and knowing he himself had reached the age to marry, the young man had devised this scheme.

All through that night, the young man lived in constant fear of being discovered.

Xie An, reading the young man’s expression, felt certain of his guess. He decided to apply more pressure.

With a sudden thud, Xie An set the heavy bow down on the ground and turned away with an indifferent expression. “If you’re not selling, fine. You’ve saved this old man some money. I’ll just keep it for drinking.”

Feigning a resolute departure, Xie An silently prayed, “Please stop me... quickly...”

Sure enough, after five steps, the young man finally made up his mind. “Sir, wait. Just three taels. I’ll package them all for you.”

“Straightforward fellow,” Xie An smiled and returned, handing over the money as he took the goods.

He hung the night pot at his waist, slung the quiver across his back, and held the heavy bow in his hand.

Walking far from the place, Xie An drew the bowstring back.

A one-stone bow, easily pulled with one hand.

Effortless.

Lifting 450 pounds with one hand and drawing a 200-pound draw weight bow was a simple task for him.

He released the string.

A sharp, vibrating hum pierced the night.

“I’ll practice archery more in the future. Once my skill is honed, with this heavy bow, even against warriors... a surprise attack will leave them dead on the spot,” he mused.

Slinging the heavy bow diagonally across his body, Xie An strode toward the valley’s exit under the cover of night.

Though his hair was half-white, carrying the heavy bow and quiver on his back, his tall and sturdy posture made him look formidable and not someone to be trifled with. Many passersby instinctively gave way.

This feeling of being respected and feared pleased Xie An. Every few steps, he would reach to feel the night pot hanging at his waist, wary of losing it...

That night pot was a lucky find.

He would need that courage for the challenges ahead.

Walking on, Xie An felt full of hope for the future.

Everything was getting better.

...

Outside the valley.

In a mountain hollow, behind a large tree, two figures stood concealed.

They were Zhang Wei and Lu Wei.

Both dressed in black night clothes, each clutching a broad saber, their eyes fixed intently on the valley’s exit.

Lu Wei was a hardened villain, experienced in murder and robbery, familiar with such operations. Zhang Wei, his partner in crime and an old gambler from Sanhua gambling house, was no stranger to theft and killing either.

“This old man’s been inside so long and still hasn’t come out. Could something have happened?” Zhang Wei pouted impatiently.

Lu Wei said, “The Blood Ridge black market has only this one exit. He can’t run. Wait a little longer. Once we get this old man, the pawnshop will be my little treasure trove. Naturally, Brother Zhang will get his cut.”

At the mention of a reward, Zhang Wei’s patience grew.

Suddenly, Zhang Wei raised his eyebrows. “He’s coming out. Carrying a bow...”

Lu Wei snorted coldly. “At his age, what good is a bow? Let’s follow him.”

When Xie An left the valley, it was already the hour of the ox. Thick clouds covered the moon, darkening the sky. The forest on both sides whispered with the rustling of leaves and shadows intertwined, punctuated by the occasional call of birds and beasts.

Xie An walked slowly, eyes alert to his surroundings.

“I remember being watched as I left town. I wonder if they’re still following me now...”

Three or four hundred meters from the valley, passing through a deserted wooded mountain path, Xie An clearly sensed two tails behind him, closely following.

He was not about to expose his back. Turning his head, he stared down the two masked men dressed in black ahead.

“Gentlemen, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company following me so closely?”

With a swift motion, the two men drew their sabers and blocked Xie An’s path front and back, completely sealing off any chance of escape. Their practiced coordination revealed their experience.

“You old man, you refused my friend’s pawn business. You insulted me. How dare you talk back?” Lu Wei raised his broad saber, his voice full of anger.

Though the masked man deliberately altered his voice, Xie An recognized it.

“So it’s the eldest master of the Li family... I wonder how I have offended you to earn such grudges.”

Seeing his identity uncovered and feeling certain of victory, Lu Wei pressed the advantage, “Old man, what’s with your stubbornness? The young master of the Li family is obsessed with martial arts and intends to take the martial exam. The Li family’s legacy has no heirs, and I... will inherit their estate sooner or later. Understand?”

Xie An feigned enlightenment. “I understand, sir. From now on, whatever you say goes. That jade pendant—I’ll pawn it tonight for a hundred taels.”

Hearing this, Lu Wei’s heart leapt with joy. He exchanged a knowing glance with Zhang Wei.

Clearly, both were tempted.

Lu Wei loosened his grip on the saber. Tonight, he planned to kill Xie An and pressure He Chunli to seize the pawnshop’s silver.

But if Xie An was so sensible, it would save them much trouble.

And after today’s warning, this old man would surely obey in the future.

After weighing the options, Lu Wei sheathed his saber and walked over, smiling kindly as he patted Xie An’s shoulder. “Good, old Xie. I was impulsive earlier. Come, let’s go to the pawnshop and pawn that jade pendant now.”

Xie An cupped his hands in thanks. “I will follow your lead from now on, sir. Let us go to the pawnshop...”

“Hahaha, old Xie is truly a wise man...” Lu Wei was in high spirits, smiling broadly. But just as his laughter peaked, a flash of silver gleamed suddenly...

It was Xie An’s hand, long hidden within his sleeve. Unbeknownst to anyone, it now held a gleaming dagger that plunged fiercely into Lu Wei’s left temple.

*Thrust!*

With immense force and a sharp blade, the dagger pierced through the skull, the tip emerging from the right temple. Crimson blood dripped steadily down the blade.

“You...”

Lu Wei’s mind went blank, and he managed only a single syllable before darkness claimed him. As Xie An withdrew the dagger, Lu Wei’s body collapsed stiffly to the ground.

“You old bastard, daring to ambush the eldest master of the Li family! Take your life!”

Five meters away, Zhang Wei shouted and charged without hesitation.

Zhang Wei was an expert, rushing forward swiftly.

But Xie An was even faster.

Drawing his bow, nocking an arrow—

With a “whizz,” the bowstring formed a perfect crescent. At such close range, aiming was unnecessary; he released the string immediately. The arrow zipped toward Zhang Wei with deadly speed.

This was a one-stone heavy bow, capable of easily piercing armor at close range. Even a warrior struck would not endure.

Zhang Wei, trained in martial arts, managed to parry the arrow with his broad saber. A sharp clang resonated, numbing his hand, and he inwardly marveled at the arrow’s strength.

How could a fifty-year-old man draw such a heavy bow?

Before Zhang Wei could recover, a second arrow followed swiftly, smashing through his skull and killing him instantly.

From start to finish, Xie An’s actions were fluid and without excess.

Though it was his first kill, at fifty years old, Xie An’s composure was steady.

Everything went according to plan.

Feigning submission and friendliness, he struck when Lu Wei let down his guard. Then, before Zhang Wei could attack, he shot him down with the heavy bow.

One against two, with no risk.

Though confident, Xie An knew his lack of combat experience posed danger. A few cuts could make even a victorious outcome not worth it.

“At my age, I dislike fighting back and forth. Either don’t strike, or if I do, do it decisively!”

Calming himself, Xie An approached Zhang Wei’s body, withdrew the arrow, and wiped the blood off with Zhang Wei’s clothing before placing the arrow in his quiver.

He then searched Zhang Wei’s body and found five taels of silver, and on Lu Wei, only three taels.

“Eldest master of the Li family, ordering others around, and yet only three taels? Seems you haven’t worked very hard these past years.”

Though meager, Xie An pocketed the silver without hesitation.

“Killing and robbing is quick money... no wonder so many choose this line of work.”

With the silver secured, Xie An turned to leave. But before he could go far, a voice called from behind.

“Brother, please wait.”