This boy must not be allowed to live.

Xie An had given careful thought to the matter of buying his freedom. Previously, he had neither savings nor strength, and given his advanced age, life outside the Li Manor would have been quite difficult.

However, after more than half a year of practicing his "Liver-Exploding Health Technique"—greatly bolstered by Tang Qingfeng’s secret medicinal recipes—Xie An’s constitution and bones had undergone a dramatic transformation. He was confident that he now possessed the strength to easily defeat any martial artist who had just reached the Bronze Skin Realm.

For several months, every time Xie An visited the black market in disguise, Zhang Lin had treated him with great enthusiasm, repeatedly extending olive branches and showing an increasingly strong desire to recruit him. Xie An had declined previously, partly because he felt his strength was still insufficient and he needed more time to develop, and partly because he wanted to observe Zhang Lin’s character through more interactions to ensure he wouldn't be led into a trap. After all, this was his first "career change," and it concerned his future; being cautious was never a mistake. Fortunately, although Zhang Lin was shrewd and sophisticated, he was a man of his word and handled matters with propriety. He seemed like someone worth dealing with.

Now that his strength had improved, Xie An figured there would be no issue with becoming a deacon at the White Feather Hall. With an annual income of two hundred and forty taels, plus the generous benefits afforded to martial practitioners, it would perfectly support his plan to focus on his training. Thus, buying back his indenture contract had become a necessity.

Xie An didn't have much money on hand—only fifty taels remained. Even if the stingy Li Ru tried to price-gouge him, this amount should suffice. He owed this to that young man he’d met in the black market who sold chamber pots; he had managed to swindle a bronze pot from him, earning a tidy profit of two hundred taels. That chamber-pot vendor was certainly no simple character...

As Xie An was lost in thought, a commotion arose in the living room.

"Deacon Zhang, you are a rare guest indeed. Welcome, welcome!" Li Ru, dressed in a festive, bright red robe, hurriedly stood up to warmly welcome a sturdy man in his forties into the hall. Even the young master of the Li Manor, Li Shaoyun, rose to greet him: "Deacon Zhang, welcome."

The man, addressed as Deacon Zhang, walked in carrying several packages of gifts. As he handed them to a maid, he said with a smile, "I, Zhang Biao, also came from the county’s Martial Arts Hall, and Shaoyun is like a younger brother to me. Now that he has passed the scholar examination, it is only right that I, as an older brother, come to offer my congratulations."

"Your presence alone brings great honor to the Li Manor, Deacon Zhang. Why bring gifts? You are too kind. Please, take a seat."

"After you, Master Li."

...

Sitting in his place, Xie An lost his appetite and kept his eyes fixed on Zhang Biao at the head table. This was the Deacon Zhang that Zhang Lin had mentioned—the one whose position would only open up once he left.

After pondering for a while, Xie An whispered to the maid beside him, "Miss Chunlan, is Deacon Zhang very close with the Master?"

Chunlan did not hide anything. "They weren't very close originally. But after the deaths of Zhang Wei and the eldest son-in-law, Deacon Zhang has been visiting quite frequently."

"Why is that?"

Chunlan glanced around, and seeing that no one was paying attention, she leaned toward Xie An’s ear and whispered, "It is said that Zhang Wei was Zhang Biao’s nephew. Zhang Biao has come to the Li Manor repeatedly to exchange information; he has been secretly investigating the killer."

Xie An felt a jolt in his heart. He glanced at Zhang Biao in the distance, keeping his expression neutral. So, Zhang Wei was his nephew, and he was investigating the killer in secret?

Xie An lowered his head to think. Originally, he had no strong obsession with dealing with Zhang Biao—after all, it was just a difference between a head deacon and a deputy—and he didn't want to get too entangled in the conflicts of the pugilistic world. But if that was the case, then...

***

At the banquet, Master Li naturally couldn't help but brag about his son’s youthful accomplishments before distributing some money. An hour or so later, the banquet concluded. Xie An and the other servants were the first to leave.

Xie An found Chunlan privately. "Miss Chunlan, I would like to trouble you with a matter."

Chunlan was quite easygoing. "Master Xie, please, just speak your mind."

Xie An said, "I am getting old, and my energy is failing. I fear I may delay the work at the pawnshop. Since my two apprentices are now ready to strike out on their own, I would like to ask you to sound out Master Li to see if he would permit me to buy my freedom to retire."

Madam Li was thoughtful, but Master Li was stingy and petty. He knew this from when the Master had cut off his medicine. To avoid awkwardness, Xie An felt it was more appropriate to gauge the mood through Chunlan. Even if the Master refused, he would at least have some information and wouldn't be left without room to maneuver.

Chunlan was very surprised. In this day and age, servants were lowly. Especially in old age, being able to rely on the master’s household for support was undoubtedly the best outcome for a servant. It was rare for an old man to still be thinking of buying his freedom.

"Master Xie, you are at such an age. With the world in chaos, have you thought this through?"

"I have thought it through."

Chunlan no longer tried to dissuade him. "Very well. Wait for me outside. I will go talk to the Madam now. It’s New Year’s Eve, a joyous day. Perhaps she will be in a good mood and agree."

"Many thanks, Miss Chunlan."

After seeing Chunlan off, Xie An went to the gate of the Li Manor to wait. It was the depths of winter, with snow falling continuously. Passersby were bundled in thick cotton coats, rubbing their hands and breathing into them for warmth. Xie An, however, stood straight in the snow, letting the flakes fall upon his shoulders, feeling no cold at all. A warm current in his lower abdomen continued to generate heat, flowing through his limbs and bones. This was an ability only a Bronze Skin Realm martial artist possessed.

"You must be Xie An, the appraiser from the Li Family Pawnshop?"

A cool, indifferent voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up to see Zhang Biao and Li Shaoyun walking out side by side. It was Zhang Biao who had spoken, his expression one of arrogant superiority.

Xie An bowed slightly. "That is indeed me."

Zhang Biao spoke with an overbearing attitude: "I heard that Zhang Wei had a dispute with you at the pawnshop some time ago. Is that true?"

Xie An calmly recounted the incident, then glanced at Li Shaoyun, who had remained silent. "I have served as an appraiser at the shop for many years, always diligently maintaining the business and trying my best to increase the pawnshop’s profits. I have never dared to make a single mistake."

Li Shaoyun seemed satisfied with Xie An’s explanation and patted Zhang Biao on the shoulder. "Brother Zhang, Old Xie has been a servant of the Li family for thirty years and has always been a man of discretion. The pricing of antiques is prone to fluctuations; a little disagreement is perfectly normal. Let us go; we have important business to attend to."

"I hope I'm just overthinking things," Zhang Biao snorted before leaving with Li Shaoyun.

Only after the two had moved far away did Xie An slowly lift his head. He was certain that he had left no traces that could reveal his identity when he killed Zhang Wei and Lu Wei. No matter how much Zhang Biao investigated, he could never find evidence. But being targeted constantly was a liability. It was just like the murder cases in his past life; besides gathering evidence at the scene, the police would always focus on investigating those who had conflicts with the deceased.

The thought of doing away with Zhang Biao began to take root in Xie An’s mind.

Before long, Chunlan returned. "Madam Li said that this matter must be discussed with the Master. She asks that you come to the Li Manor in three days." She added, "In my opinion, Madam Li is sympathetic and willing to let you buy your freedom, but it seems Master Li is unwilling to let you go."

"Many thanks, Miss Chunlan."

Xie An understood the situation. After thanking her, he left in a hurry. It was New Year’s Eve, so Xie An did not return directly to the pawnshop. Instead, he bought some gifts and went to the Chen Family Martial Arts Hall to visit Chen He. Having lived in Wuqiao Town for thirty years, Xie An had very few close friends. Chen He was one of them. He would not neglect the proper courtesies.

After sharing a few drinks with Chen He, Xie An declined the invitation to stay for the New Year’s vigil and took his leave.

When he returned to the pawnshop, it was already deep into the night. As soon as he reached the door, he heard sobbing from within. Had something happened?

Xie An hurriedly pushed the door open. He saw He Chunli lying on a bench, his pants removed, revealing his buttocks, which were swollen and bloodied from a beating. Han Li was applying a hot towel to the wounds.

"What is going on?"

Han Li said with indignation, "Just a moment ago, Constable Liu took young He away for questioning. He wouldn't let me follow. And now, this is what happened to him."

In this chaotic world, constables using torture to extract confessions was common. Xie An vaguely sensed what was happening and asked He Chunli sternly, "What did Liu He ask you?"

He Chunli, wincing in pain while holding back tears, gritted his teeth and said nothing. "Nothing. Just some routine questions."

Xie An snorted coldly. "Do you consider your master an outsider?"

He Chunli became flustered and finally said through tears, "I... I didn't want to hide it from you, Master, I just didn't want you to worry."

"If you don't want me to worry, then tell me everything, clearly."

He Chunli then confessed: "When Zhang Wei came to the pawnshop months ago and had that dispute with me, Constable Liu asked if I had held a grudge and taken revenge afterward... I said no, but Constable Liu tortured me, trying to force a confession. Only when he saw how stubborn I was did he let me go."

Xie An’s gaze darkened. They were using private torture on his own apprentice. It must be Zhang Biao’s doing...

This man must not be allowed to live!