Volume One: The Carefree Journey Unraveling Truth and Illusion Chapter Ten: A Man of Great Influence

Beneath the pillow, of course, there was no booklet, but instead a flying dagger.

The dagger shot out like lightning, impossibly swift!

Yet Yang Ning had always harbored suspicion toward Xiao Yishui, remaining on constant alert. The moment Xiao Yishui made his move, Yang Ning sensed something was amiss and instantly dodged to the side. The dagger barely grazed his cheek—had his reaction been a fraction slower, it would have struck him square in the face.

Xiao Yishui had believed that a sudden attack in the gloom all but guaranteed success. Unexpectedly, he missed; panic flashed across his features as he tried to roll away. But Yang Ning reacted even faster, bringing his blade down hard onto Xiao Yishui’s neck.

Xiao Yishui’s lower leg had already been severed, slowing his movements. With a sickening sound, Yang Ning’s knife sliced open the artery in his neck. Blood spurted forth in a torrent. Xiao Yishui felt his strength drain away in an instant, unable even to cry out. He clutched at his wounded neck, his body convulsing, eyes bulging wide. After a few desperate struggles atop the bed, he moved no more.

Yang Ning was no lover of bloodshed. Killing two men in a single night, his body trembled faintly; such carnage was not in his nature.

But these men were beneath beasts, their deeds utterly inhuman. To slay such monsters, Yang Ning felt not the least pang of guilt.

He understood well: if such people were not eradicated, countless innocents would suffer. At times, killing was, in truth, an act of mercy.

Regaining a measure of composure, Yang Ning dragged Xiao Yishui’s corpse from the bed.

In the darkness, he saw Madam Hua still unconscious. Turning, Yang Ning picked up the teapot from the table, took a mouthful of water, then returned to the bed. He placed his blade against Madam Hua’s neck. Her pale, bare body lay before him, her ample chest rising and falling softly with each breath. He pulled the pillow over her bosom, then sprayed the cold water onto her face.

His purpose tonight was not vengeance but to discover Xiaodie’s whereabouts. Circumstances had forced his hand; now, with Xiao Yishui dead, only Madam Hua could provide the needed answers.

The chill of the tea roused Madam Hua. She slowly awoke, bleary-eyed, only to feel a cold edge at her throat. In the gloom, she met a pair of steely eyes. Shuddering all over, she cried out, “Don’t… don’t kill me…!”

“Where have the girls been sent?” Yang Ning demanded coldly. “Tell the truth, and you might live.”

In a trembling voice, Madam Hua pleaded, “It wasn’t me, it was all Xiao… Xiao Yishui’s doing. Good sir, I beg you… spare me, I… I was forced!” Her painted beauty had vanished, all seductive charm gone without a trace.

“Where have they gone?” Yang Ning repeated. “One more word out of place, and I’ll kill you where you lie.”

With Xiao Yishui’s corpse lying nearby, Madam Hua knew he was not bluffing. Desperate to survive, she confessed, “They… they’ve all been sent to the capital.”

“Where in the capital?”

“I… I truly don’t know.” Her face was ashen. “I heard Xiao Yishui mention that Feng Zhengsheng takes them from here, out of the city, where someone meets him. Then they’re taken straight to the capital.”

Yang Ning knew that Feng Zhengsheng was none other than “Mad Dog” Feng, the constable. He asked coldly, “Who meets them outside the city?”

Madam Hua hesitated, eyes darting. Yang Ning snorted. She dared not dally further and hurriedly replied, “It’s… the escort agency!”

“The escort agency?” Yang Ning was taken aback. So even the escort agency was involved; it seemed many forces were entangled in this human trafficking.

Madam Hua went on, “Xiao Yishui has men who specialize in luring… luring these innocent girls, bringing them here for training. Once they’re broken in, Feng Zhengsheng sneaks them out of the city.” Trying to curry favor for her life, she explained, “Xiao Yishui said that if the girls learn a bit of singing and dancing, their price goes up significantly. He’s made quite a fortune this way in the past two years.”

“Which escort agency do you mean?” Yang Ning asked. “Is it the one in this county?”

“It’s a major agency. I asked Xiao Yishui, but he told me not to pry. He said this agency is one of the most prominent in the capital.”

“A top agency in the capital? Why would they stoop to such filth?” Yang Ning sneered. “Are you lying to me?”

“I wouldn’t dare…!” Madam Hua’s face changed. “I’m only repeating what Xiao Yishui said. He… he also said…” Her voice shook, and she dared not continue.

“What else did he say?”

“He… he said there’s a powerful figure behind that agency. All the girls sent to the capital end up in that person’s hands.” Madam Hua’s voice quavered. “That person can use the girls for all sorts of things. Xiao Yishui said even if the scheme were exposed, it wouldn’t matter. With such a backer, no one could cause any trouble.”

“A powerful figure?” Yang Ning knew this “big shot” must be the patron Xiao Yishui had mentioned. He sneered, “Did he ever tell you who it was?”

“He kept many things from me. He said… he said the more you know, the sooner you’ll die… That’s all I know, truly.”

“Was there a girl here named Xiaodie?” Yang Ning asked. “Has she also been sent to the capital?”

Madam Hua thought for a moment. “You mean… Xiaodie? Yes, she… she was sent away too.”

“When?”

“Three days ago,” Madam Hua replied. “It’s more than ten days’ journey from here to Jian’an, the capital. They… they should still be on the road.”

Yang Ning pondered briefly, then slowly sheathed his knife. Madam Hua let out a breath of relief, but Yang Ning said coolly, “Turn your head.”

Madam Hua tensed, her voice shaking, “Sir, you…”

“Turn your head, now,” Yang Ning said coldly. “No more nonsense.”

Frightened but powerless under the cold blade, Madam Hua slowly turned away. Yang Ning reversed his grip and struck her hard at the base of her skull. With a muffled groan, she collapsed unconscious.

Though Yang Ning despised what Madam Hua had done, he understood that survival was hard for a widow, especially under the heel of someone like Xiao Yishui. She could not possibly defy him. Her crimes were grave, but not worthy of death; he would not kill wantonly.

He knew Madam Hua would not wake for at least three or four hours. Moving quietly, he searched the room. Xiao Yishui had indeed brought a money pouch, which Yang Ning found to contain quite a bit of silver—at least a dozen taels—and several gold leaves as well.

There was also a thumb ring, and some of Madam Hua’s gold and silver jewelry. Yang Ning bundled all the valuables into a pack; in total, he now had over a hundred taels of silver.

Taking the bundle in one hand and his knife in the other, he slipped out, carefully closing the doors behind him, and crept out of the courtyard, moving like a ghost back toward the stable yard.

The yard was deathly quiet. Yang Ning moved lightly to the row of rooms. The door was ajar; he pushed it open gently. A stir ran through the room as he entered. With a glance, he saw that there were many more figures here now. In a low voice, he said, “It’s me.”

The girls relaxed at the sound of his voice. Xiu’er hurried forward. “Big brother, I’ve opened several doors and told the others. They all want to leave. I told them to wait for you.” She whispered, “Big brother, can we… can we really escape?”

Yang Ning knew that to these girls, the Hua residence was a fortress of nightmares; it seemed impossible for a young man to rescue them all. No wonder they were anxious.

He did not explain further, only said softly, “In two hours, the sky will lighten. I’m taking you out now. Everyone must be careful—make no noise. If anyone in the courtyard is alerted, it will be trouble.” He asked, “Do you know where your families are?”

Xiu’er replied, “There are thirty-two of us. Twenty-three have parents in the city; a few lost their families before reaching town.”

Yang Ning frowned, “Then some of you have nowhere to go?”

Xiu’er whispered, “We’ve agreed—those without families will come with us, and we’ll look after each other.”

Yang Ning felt a measure of relief. He said quietly, “After we get out, don’t all stay together. Split into groups; too many will draw attention. As soon as you find your families in town, spread word about what’s happened here, and warn others against falling into such traps.”

Though Xiao Yishui was dead, Constable Feng still lived, and there was no guarantee he would stop his crimes.

“Big brother, how will we get out?” Xiu’er asked softly. “The main gate is guarded. We can’t get through.”

Yang Ning replied, “Go and get everyone ready. We’re leaving now.” Without another word, he led the way out. At the stable yard’s gate, he scouted carefully, confirming no one was about. Soon, a dark mass of figures crept toward him. Yang Ning asked softly, “Is everyone here?”

“All present!”

Leading with his knife, Yang Ning took the front, the girls following like a long, silent serpent.

He knew the layout of the rear residence well, moving with practiced ease. The girls, anxious but determined, held their breath, desperate to escape this hell.

Yang Ning led the way while keeping a sharp eye ahead. Suddenly, a shadow darted from behind the flowerbeds up ahead. Yang Ning tensed, raising his hand to signal the others to halt.

The stop was so sudden that some girls, heads down, didn’t notice and bumped into those in front, eliciting a few startled cries.

Yang Ning’s face darkened as a shout came from ahead: “Who’s there?”

The girls went deathly pale, terror-stricken. But Yang Ning didn’t hesitate for a second—like a leopard, he lunged forward.