Chapter 136 - 60: Yellow Finch 3

Chapter 136: Chapter 60: Yellow Finch 3

"Hm? This guy?!"

Fang Rui realized he knew this person. They had met once before. It was none other than Military Leader He.

He was the Eighth Grade Martial Artist, a former Military Leader from the Great Yu Government Office, who had shown up after the Taiping Bandits besieged the city, wanting to take Third Lady for himself.

"Well, what do you know... It really is a small world."

Fang Rui had no particular connection to this Military Leader He. He just sighed and quickly started looting the body.

He gave the items a cursory check without looking too closely, bundled them up, and left. He then returned to his hiding spot under the eaves to continue his strategy of Waiting for a Rabbit by the Tree Stump.

Just like that, keeping his eyes and ears wide open, he successfully robbed three or four more groups.

In a short time, his haul was so great that he couldn’t carry it all. He had to pick out the lighter secret manuals to keep on his person, while the silver, fine jade, jewelry, and other valuables were bundled up and hidden away in a safe place.

A short while later.

"Finally caught a big one!"

Fang Rui looked toward a residence.

It was about a mile away from the Lin Mansion. In the backyard of an ordinary house, a group of people suddenly emerged from a hidden tunnel and were about to scale the wall to leave.

Fang Rui launched himself forward, sprinting silently. When he was just a few dozen meters away from them, he abruptly stopped, holding his breath and focusing his senses.

’Looks like I’m not the only one who’s spotted this big fish! Huh, and there are quite a few familiar faces among them?’ he thought, intrigued.

...

"Lin Feng, Third Young Master Lin, you certainly made me wait!" a mocking voice called out.

That was right. The "big fish" emerging from hiding was an acquaintance of Fang Rui’s—Lin Feng. Behind him were the twin personal maids he had met once before, and among his bodyguards was Yuan Da.

And the ones surrounding Lin Feng and his people were none other than the eldest young master of the Xia Family, along with Martial Artists from the Xia Family and the Rebel Army.

"Xia Yunzhao, what are you doing here?!"

Lin Feng’s expression changed drastically. He wasn’t stupid, however, and instantly realized there was a traitor in his household. He whipped his head around to look behind him.

Two steps behind him, the twin personal maids, Qing’Er and Yu’Er, both turned pale. "Young Master, we deserve to die!" they said in unison.

At the same time.

SHLICK!

As if long prepared, they plunged daggers into their own chests, committing suicide.

"Qing’Er! Yu’Er! How could it be you?!"

Lin Feng’s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets with fury. He never would have imagined the betrayal came from the two women who shared his bed.

But there was no time or inclination to dwell on it. "All guards, cover our retreat! Uncle Quan, get me out of here!"

"Yes!"

...

Leaving all the guards behind to block Xia Yunzhao’s group, the man called ’Uncle Quan’ grabbed Lin Feng, leaped onto the wall, and fled without a second thought.

"Worthless whores! Useless trash!"

Xia Yunzhao glanced at the corpses of the twin maids in disgust. "As for their families... there’s no need to let them live. The rest of you stay here. Elder Fu, Elder Shou, let’s go see Third Young Master Lin off on his journey!"

...

’Impressive! That Xia Yunzhao of the Xia Family actually turned Lin Feng’s personal maids against him. Truly impressive! Who knows what kind of grudges, passions, and cuckold drama are involved...’

Fang Rui shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He looked over at the three people who had come this way: Yuan Da, who was fleeing, and the two pursuing him.

Earlier.

Yuan Da had been left to cover the retreat, but he wasn’t foolish enough to stay put. He tried to break through the encirclement but was pinned down by three Seventh Grade Martial Artists. After killing one with his Saber Technique, he was wounded himself and pursued by the other two.

Now, fighting as he fled, he was in constant peril.

’Not good!’

Yuan Da blocked a sword strike, but the other man’s saber was already slashing toward him.

Just then—

SWISH! SWISH!

Two chopping knives flew out from nowhere.

One of them collided with the incoming saber, knocking it off course and giving Yuan Da the chance to stab the saber-wielding Martial Artist. The other knife flew straight through the chest of the swordsman.

And with that, the two remaining Seventh Grade Martial Artists were eliminated.

PHEW!

Yuan Da let out a huge gasp of air. He cupped his fist in his palm and looked around the dark alley. "I am in your debt, master. Might you show yourself?"

After he spoke, three or five breaths passed in total silence, broken only by the howling scream of the night wind.

He knew the master did not wish to be seen.

Yuan Da sighed inwardly. He straightened his robes, dropped to his knees with a THUD, and kowtowed three times with a THUMP, THUMP, THUMP. Only then did he rise and say, "Thank you for saving my life, master! If I have the chance, I will surely repay this kindness in the future!"

With that, he raised his Horizontal Saber and strode away.

As for the Lin Family?

By covering the retreat, he had already ’died once’ for them. It was enough to repay the Lin Family for their years of kindness.

...

’Good. My debt to Yuan Da is now repaid.’

Back at the Black Market, when Lin Feng had Gao Yao summon Fang Rui, it was Yuan Da who had pulled him aside and given him the inside scoop.

Whether Yuan Da had a bit of goodwill toward him or simply didn’t like Gao Yao and said it on a whim, Fang Rui had remembered the favor.

And his actions just now were the repayment.

As for what came next?

Fang Rui wouldn’t concern himself with it. Whether Yuan Da managed to escape or was hunted down again had nothing to do with him. His life or death was his own responsibility.

’I’ve repaid my debt to Yuan Da. As for Lin Feng... it’s time to collect on his debt to me!’

Fang Rui sped along the top of the wall, his gaze fixed on the two figures not far ahead of him.

...

"Young Master, quickly! Our rendezvous is just ahead! We’re about to escape to safety!" Uncle Quan’s voice was filled with joy.

"Excellent! Uncle Quan, rest assured, once we’re past this ordeal, I will not treat you poorly..."

As expected of someone who received an elite education from a young age, even at a time like this, Lin Feng was still instinctively making empty promises.

However.

He was panting heavily, his forehead drenched in sweat, and his hair was a mess. He no longer had the refined air of a ’young master as elegant as jade,’ which greatly diminished the persuasiveness of his words.

Just as the two were feeling relieved—

SWISH!

Ahead of them on the wall, a masked figure dropped down. His robes fluttered as he drew his saber, and a pair of ice-cold eyes stared at them.

At that moment, the wind howled and dark clouds obscured the moon. It was a dark and stormy night—the perfect kind of night for settling old scores with blood.

...