Volume One: Carefree Journey Amidst Indistinguishable Leaves Chapter Eleven: Breaking Free

Yang Ning knew very well that if the man made a sound, the consequences would be unimaginable. Even if he managed to escape in the ensuing chaos, the fate awaiting the group of young women would be nothing short of tragic. With both Xiao Yishui and Old Xing dead, news of their demise would shake the entire Huize County to its core. Xiao Yishui's web of influence stretched far and wide, entangling powerful factions who would stop at nothing to hunt Yang Ning down.

These people commanded overwhelming power in Huize County; in their eyes, Yang Ning was as insignificant as an ant. The young women, too, would have no chance to flee the Flower Residence. In fact, their doom would be sealed—some would go so far as to erase all traces, dragging them into an abyss from which there would be no return.

Killing Xiao Yishui alone was perhaps not too difficult, but to uproot the entire hierarchy and power structure he commanded was, Yang Ning admitted to himself, utterly impossible.

He moved with the speed of a panther. Though the man across from him sensed something amiss, he had yet to see the truth of the matter. One hand on the hilt at his waist, he approached cautiously, only to suddenly spot a shadow leaping at him. Startled, he tried to draw his blade, but a fleeting blur crossed his vision, cold steel flashed, and a sharp, searing pain split his throat.

With a single stroke, Yang Ning slashed open the man's throat. The victim clutched at the wound, eyes wide with terror, a guttural rasp escaping his lips. Thankfully, he was too weak to call out, his body swayed, and then he crashed to the ground.

The girls following behind Yang Ning blanched at the sight, pressing hands to their mouths, not daring to make a sound.

Yang Ning, having dispatched the man, felt the night wind chill the sweat on his back. He drew a deep breath, tossed the blade aside, and dragged the corpse by one leg toward the flower bed behind them. His own strength was flagging, and the man’s body was heavy and stout. Xiao Yu, seeing his struggle, ran forward, grasped the other leg, and together they hauled the body behind the flower bed.

Yang Ning picked up the blade again, retrieved his bundle, and gestured for the girls to follow him into the back courtyard where an octagonal pavilion stood. Rounding the flower bed, Xiao Yu and several other girls hurried after him, only to discover a hole at the base of the wall.

The girls were at once astonished and overjoyed; none had imagined there would be an exit here.

Yang Ning made a gesture, signaling them to crawl through.

To these girls, the house was a living hell. The prospect of fleeing such a place—no matter that the exit was a filthy hole, or even if they had to brave blades and fire—was worth any risk.

Yang Ning, gripping his blade, stood guard at the courtyard gate. He waited a long while; when he heard no further sounds, he looked back and saw that everyone had gone. He hurried over, saw that the girls had all escaped, and squeezed himself through the hole as well.

The narrow alley outside was crowded, the girls pressed together in a line. When Yang Ning emerged, he found them all staring at him.

He rose to his feet, but Xiao Yu was already kneeling, and the other girls followed suit, dropping to their knees. Startled, Yang Ning quickly pulled her up and whispered, “We can’t linger here. You must leave at once.”

Everything that had happened tonight was far beyond his original plan. Yet the arrow was loosed—it could not be recalled.

He knew well that by helping these girls escape the den of evil, he might change the fate of many among them.

“Brother, if not for you, we…” Xiao Yu’s voice choked. “You’re like a spirit sent from the heavens. We’ll remember you all our lives.”

Yang Ning smiled softly. “The battle is over. Soon, you’ll be able to return home. Live well from now on.” He opened his bundle, took out a small pouch, and handed over the bundle. “There’s some money here—share it among yourselves. It’s not much, but it’ll last a while. For those without parents, give them a little more. Take good care of each other.”

The silver in Xiao Yishui’s possession was ill-gotten; these girls were refugees, driven to such dire straits. To give them this tainted wealth, helping them through hardship, was surely the best way to dispose of it.

“Brother, this…”

Yang Ning shook his head. “No more words. Dawn is near—leave quickly.” He pressed the bundle into Xiao Yu’s arms, slipped the small pouch into his own, and tossed the blade into a foul ditch. With a wave, he signaled the girls to go.

Gratitude was written on every face, but they knew they could not remain. They split into two groups and hurried to either end of the alley. Yang Ning waited until they had all left, then straightened his clothes and slipped out as well. He saw the girls hesitating at the alley’s mouth, frowned, and waved them away. Only then did they melt into the night.

Yang Ning understood that the death of Xiao Yishui would be a cataclysm in Huize County. The man’s connections ran deep—he was tied to both the authorities and the underworld. When the bodies were discovered in the morning, a storm would break.

Though he had acted under cover of darkness, and might not be found immediately, in time Xiao Yishui’s henchmen would trace it to him. Now, Huize City was fraught with peril for him.

Under cover of night, he hurried back to the Earth God Temple.

Before he entered, he saw Old Treebark and Monkey waiting at the temple gate. At Yang Ning’s approach, Old Treebark rushed to greet him, whispering urgently, “Did you see Little Die? How is she?”

Yang Ning smiled. “I saw her. She’s been ill these days, but she’s better now—nothing serious remains.” He thought to himself that if he told these two what had happened tonight, their faces would be a sight to see.

Old Treebark let out a sigh of relief. “Good, good. I worried all night, but now you’re back, I can rest easy.”

Yang Ning knew Old Treebark’s concern was sincere. He smiled, gratitude warming his heart.

Monkey, on the other hand, looked sheepish. “Uh… I saw you hadn’t come out, so… I came back to wait…”

Yang Ning only smiled, saying nothing more. He understood that Monkey, afraid of being implicated, had run off early to avoid trouble.

He had no wish to quarrel with Monkey. Entering the temple, he found the other beggars sleeping deeply. In the side room, Old Treebark followed him in. Yang Ning glanced outside the door and saw Monkey already sprawled out, looking exhausted. Only then did he turn to the straw pile, pulled Old Treebark close, and whispered, “Old Treebark, you must leave here.”

Old Treebark froze. Yang Ning took out the small pouch, retrieved the thumb ring and a gold leaf, then pressed the pouch into Old Treebark’s hands.

Seeing both a thumb ring and gold leaf, Old Treebark was dumbstruck. When he recovered, the pouch was already in his hands. By the dim firelight, he saw silver scraps and several gold leaves inside. He gasped, “This is—” But Yang Ning immediately clapped a hand over his mouth.

“Don’t speak—just listen to me,” Yang Ning whispered in his ear.

Old Treebark nodded, and Yang Ning released him, saying softly, “Xiao Yishui and his constables have been trafficking people. Little Die has already been sent to the capital…”

Old Treebark trembled, horror in his eyes. He clenched a fist.

“I can’t explain everything now,” Yang Ning whispered, “but Xiao Yishui is dead by my hand. His men will soon come looking for me. Since you’ve been with me, they’ll implicate you too.”

Old Treebark’s body shook; he knew what this meant. “You… you killed Xiao Yishui?”

Yang Ning nodded grimly. “Dawn is near. The city gates will open soon. I can’t leave Little Die to her fate—I must go after her. Old Treebark, you can’t stay here either. Take this money. The war is over—find a place, buy a bit of land, find a wife, and live in peace…”

“Little Die…” Old Treebark’s eyes reddened. “That cur Xiao Yishui, heartless fiend. Many dreamed of killing him. You… you’ve done a service for the people. I and—” He wanted to say he’d go with Yang Ning to find Little Die, but knew his age and frailty could only be a burden. He faltered and fell silent.

Yang Ning seemed to understand. With a gentle smile, he took Old Treebark’s hand. “The road to the capital is long, and even I don’t know if I’ll find Little Die. Old Treebark, you have been kind and sincere; if not for your care, I might not have survived. I will never forget your kindness.”

Old Treebark was about to speak, but Yang Ning shook his head. “There’s no time. Once Xiao Yishui’s body is discovered, the city will likely be sealed off. Do you know when the gates open?”

Old Treebark answered at once, “The hour depends on the season—at this time, it’s three-quarters through the fourth watch.”

Yang Ning, familiar with the old timekeeping, thought for a moment. “Prepare now. Head for the north gate. As soon as it opens, leave the city—go as far as you can and never return.”

“And you?”

“I’ll leave by the south gate,” Yang Ning said softly. “Monkey and the others know nothing of this. When the matter breaks, they’ll be in danger if they stay. At dawn, I’ll lead them out.”

Old Treebark said, “We can’t tell them now. If they get scared, they might betray you…”

“I understand,” Yang Ning replied with a quiet smile. “Once we’re out, I’ll tell them to run for their lives.”

Old Treebark saw that Yang Ning had thought of everything and nodded. He knew Yang Ning wanted him to go alone, for if he went with Monkey and the others, they might be tempted by the riches.

He placed the bundle on the ground, then suddenly embraced Yang Ning. Taken aback by the old beggar’s sudden hug, Yang Ning awkwardly patted him on the back, knowing this parting might be forever. “Take care of yourself. If fate allows, we’ll meet again. But there’s no time to lose—go, Old Treebark!”

Old Treebark let go, packed his bundle, grasped his stick, and started for the door. At the threshold, he turned for one last look. Yang Ning smiled and waved. Old Treebark fought back tears and hurried away.