151: Afterwards

Including what Han Yi gained from the patrolling Disciples earlier, he easily acquired nearly two thousand taels of silver on this trip, which was a huge harvest.

Han Yi carried the bundle, tucked Hong Xiu under his arm like a chick, activated his Flying Swallow Kick, and with a flash of his figure, left the Gushen Sect's street.

Hong Xiu was also an innocent party, so Han Yi planned to put her in a safe place.

“Oh?”

Han Yi, who had flown over the eaves, turned back. In the depths of the alley where the Gushen Sect's sub-altar was located, there seemed to be a room he hadn't explored yet.

“Could that be Danyang Zi's residence, as Jiang Cheng mentioned?”

Han Yi narrowed his eyes into a slit, carefully examining the house.

The house occupied a small area, with only one main room, and including the courtyard and main room, it was only a few dozen square meters. The surrounding walls were made of yellow earth and mud, and even the corners of the walls had half collapsed due to wind and rain, looking extremely dilapidated. Furthermore, there was no light coming from the main room, as if no one lived inside at all.

But Han Yi knew that it was far from as peaceful as it appeared on the outside; even standing on the opposite eaves, he could smell a strange odor emanating from within.

It was an indescribable smell, a fishy odor from freshly killed fish that had been gutted, mixed with the earthy smell of insects burrowing underground—a complex and difficult-to-describe combination.

Moreover, the darkness inside the room was profoundly deep, as if a monstrous hungry beast awaited him, ready for him to walk into its trap.

So, even though Han Yi stood far away on the opposite side, he could feel waves of pressure emanating from inside the house, and a faint sense of danger arose in his heart.

“As the saying goes, a gentleman does not stand under a precarious wall, and a wise man does not fall into a collapsed nest. It is not advisable to stir up more trouble at this time…”

After a brief thought, Han Yi made his decision. He had gone through several fierce battles. Although he wasn't injured, his Qi and blood had been considerably depleted. Furthermore, with the spoils he had scavenged in hand, it truly wasn't a good idea to seek out more trouble.

Besides, according to Han Yi's understanding, the main affairs of this sub-altar of the Gushen Sect were handled by Jiang Cheng. With Jiang Cheng eliminated and most of the Disciples killed, this sub-altar should be consideredWasted.

——————-

Changle Ward, Liu's Rice Shop

Madam Liu was carefully watering the flowers and plants in the garden with a watering can. As she was getting on in years, she enjoyed tending to flowers and plants in her daily life.

A few days ago, the argument with Feng Yingying had disheartened her. She never expected her usual kindness and goodwill to attract Feng Yingying's schemes. Coupled with the pushing and shoving during the argument, her body was also injured by Feng Yingying's shoves. So, for the past few days, she had stayed at home, tending to the flowers and plants.

Furthermore, one of her favorite daily activities was fertilizing the unopened flower buds of roses, magnolias, and osmanthus, and then determining what they lacked based on their blooming period and growth stage, applying the corresponding fertilizer.

If the flowers bloomed in a riot of colors, it would make her incredibly happy and put her in a pleasant mood. If the flowers did not bloom as she wished, and differed from her expectations, she would repeatedly speculate on the reasons.

Thump, thump, thump

A rapid series of footsteps broke the tranquility of the flower garden. Madam Liu frowned. For the past few days, everyone in the family knew she was in a bad mood, and no one dared to disturb her easily.

“Old wife, why are you still watering flowers here?” Shopkeeper Liu burst in from the front hall in a flurry.

Shopkeeper Liu wore a black tight-fitting mandarin jacket and a short black cap on his head. His two-pronged mustache made him appear extremely shrewd, a stark contrast to his wife's quiet and leisurely demeanor.

One was like a cactus, silently serious, managing household affairs. The other was like a copper coin grass, smooth and flexible, managing external matters.

“?”

Madam Liu looked up at her Master, wondering what he wanted, interrupting her leisure.

The couple had been married for many years, and their marital life was harmonious, having long formed a unique understanding between them. Even if his wife didn't speak, Shopkeeper Liu knew what she meant.

“You’ve been holed up at home these past few days, not going out. Do you know what’s happening outside?”

Shopkeeper Liu lowered his head and whispered mysteriously.

“What’s wrong, did the grain prices rise again?”

“No, guess again!”

“Did Qier successfully Refine his Skin and become a Martial Artist?”

“Hmph, that kid, always unmotivated, indulging in wine and women. Even if you spend another thousand taels of silver, he won't amount to anything!”

“Then what is it? Why are you always so evasive when you speak!” Madam Liu grew impatient.

“Heh heh, remember that big fire the other day? They say the identities of the bodies have been confirmed…”

Shopkeeper Liu stroked his mustache and said awkwardly.

Madam Liu's work immediately stopped, and she asked doubtfully, “Was it the big fire at Feng Yingying’s house?”

Although she had been staying at home these past few days, not going out, the fire had been so bright it illuminated half the street, so she had a general idea.

“It's confirmed. They say six people burned to death inside—two women and four men. Feng Yingying was among them. She died in the courtyard and was closer to the well, so she wasn't completely charred, which allowed for a complete corpse to be identified…”

“Oh my!”

Madam Liu exclaimed. Although Feng Yingying had once bullied her, she was just a woman, and upon hearing that an acquaintance she had known for a long time had died like this, her heart was still somewhat shaken.

“But didn't Feng Yingying's Master die? It's understandable for there to be one woman in the house, but why would there be four men?”

Immediately after, Madam Liu discovered another suspicious point and asked keenly.

“Shh, shh, shh…” Shopkeeper Liu immediately covered his wife's mouth and looked around, preventing anyone from overhearing.

He leaned in and whispered to Madam Liu, “I heard that Feng Yingying disliked her Master for being useless and had long been involved with a Cult Leader from the Gushen Sect. Her Master was killed by her! And because of that, her house became a stronghold for the Gushen Sect. Do you know why there was a fire that day?”

Without waiting for Madam Liu to ask, Shopkeeper Liu continued, “The neighbors say that day, several screams came from their house. It’s estimated that the Gushen Sect’s Cult Leader led his subordinates in debauchery during the day, engaging in group promiscuity. In their excitement, they weren’t careful, which led to the fire… That’s why a large group of people died together.”

“Bah, that hussy!” Madam Liu was, after all, a lady from a good family. How could she have heard such vulgar talk? Her face immediately flushed with shame.

But then, she cursed again, “I must have been blind. How could I not have seen how despicable and lewd Feng Yingying was before? If I had known earlier, why would I have wasted my time helping her then?”

A while ago, after Feng Yingying's Master mysteriously died, she, as a prominent household in the neighborhood, had gone out of her way to help, but unexpectedly, her kindness was taken for granted.

“Shh, Madam, watch your words. Although the Gushen Sect’s main base is in Changning Ward, now that this stronghold in Changle Ward is suddenly gone, they might bite like rabid dogs and cause us trouble. You saw that day, Feng Yingying even brought people to our door to demand a protection fee…”

Shopkeeper Liu quickly stepped forward to persuade her.

“You, Master, what are you afraid of? We have an Inner Sect Disciple of the Crimson Flame Sect covering us!” Madam Liu’s voice suddenly rose. As she spoke, she became more agitated, “We gave him over a hundred taels of silver! If anything happens, just let him come!”

“Back then, he only helped us resolve the troubles with Feng Yingying and Taoist Master Jiang Xiu, two ordinary people, and we gave him so much silver. I think you, having been a Manager for so long, have gone silly in the head. Do you really think our money just blows in with the wind?!”

The more Madam Liu thought about it, the angrier she became. At that time, Han Yi had merely helped them out of the trouble with Feng Yingying and then left, but her Master had swollen his face to play the fat man, generously giving Han Yi one hundred and thirty-five taels of silver.

As a result, Han Yi, who was nominally associated with them, still advised them to leave Changle Ward and develop elsewhere, to avoid potential trouble from the Gushen Sect.

Truly, one doesn't know the cost of daily necessities until one manages a household. If their large family, with a precious son who needed a lot of money to Cultivate, were to move elsewhere, it would not only lower their quality of life and reduce their income, but possibly even cause them to lose their Foundation and no longer be prosperous.

Thinking of this, Madam Liu couldn't help but suspect that Han Yi was deliberately putting on a show with the Gushen Sect, with the aim of taking money from their pockets!

Otherwise, why would he advise them to move away immediately after getting the money!

Snip, snip, snip

Her emotions unstable, she frantically trimmed the flowers and plants with scissors, making Shopkeeper Liu's eyelids twitch.

“Madam… lower your voice, be careful someone hears you. And, look on the bright side, at least no one has come to bother us these past few days…”

Shopkeeper Liu said weakly.

Bang!

“Manager! Madam!”

Just then, the butler from outside hurried into the garden and bowed to the two of them.

“What’s the rush, what did I teach you! Remain unperturbed when Mount Tai collapses before you, and don’t blink when a deer springs up on your left. Look at you, where is the composure and calmness I spoke of!”

Shopkeeper Liu saw his butler's appearance, stroked his mustache in dissatisfaction, and vented his wife's anger towards himself onto the butler.

Unexpectedly, the butler, who usually appeared humbly receptive to instruction, did not calm down: “Manager, there’s big news!”

“Oh… tell me, what big news could there be? Even if the sky falls, it’s nothing!” Shopkeeper Liu still maintained his nonchalant, old-sage demeanor, speaking carelessly.

“Manager, I heard that in Changning Ward, the Gushen Sect’s sub-altar responsible for external offensives has been wiped out!”

“Hmm, after all, it’s Changning Ward, very chaotic. The elimination of small Gangs is not uncommon… Hmm? What, the Gushen Sect?”

“Ah!”

Shopkeeper Liu, who had initially been nonchalant and stroking his mustache, suddenly tugged it, crying out in pain, his two-pronged mustache instantly becoming a straight one.

Ever since Feng Yingying and Taoist Master Jiang Xiu came to their door demanding money under the banner of the Gushen Sect that day, he had specifically instructed his butler to gather intelligence on this force and to report any major developments in a timely manner.

Although his butler was just an ordinary person, he had excellent social connections and loved to brag and chat with others, making him very well-informed about gossip.

Thus, Shopkeeper Liu also learned some overt intelligence about the Gushen Sect, such as that in Changning Ward, Jiang Cheng was a formidable figure in the Late Blood Refinement Stage, and his sub-altar was primarily responsible for external expansion. This meant that Feng Yingying and Taoist Master Jiang Xiu, as well as the Cult Leader Feng Yingying was involved with, were all Jiang Cheng's subordinates.

Furthermore, Shopkeeper Liu also knew that Jiang Cheng's sub-altar had six Cult Leaders, each a Lianxue Stage Martial Artist. Including Jiang Cheng himself, there were a total of seven Lianxue Stage Martial Artists. Such strength was more than enough to establish a small Gang in Changle Ward, let alone guard a sub-altar.

Because of this, Shopkeeper Liu had heard many rumors that the Gushen Sect was backed by a Tongmai Stage Martial Master!

Tongmai Stage Martial Master!

Shopkeeper Liu didn't even dare to imagine such figures. Every Tongmai Martial Master was a powerful individual who could stir up trouble in An Yan City. Stomping their foot to shake An Yan City by three parts might be an exaggeration, but a single word from them could easily make Liu's Rice Shop disappear!

This was why, earlier, when Feng Yingying brought people to cause trouble, he stepped forward to persuade Han Yi to let Taoist Master Jiang Xiu and Feng Yingying go, and offered silver. Firstly, he was a businessman, adhering to the principle of harmony bringing wealth and that enemies should be resolved rather than fostered. Secondly, he was wary of the powerful Gushen Sect behind Taoist Master Jiang Xiu and Feng Yingying.

After all, although no one had ever seen the Tongmai Martial Master behind the Gushen Sect make a move, since the rumors were so detailed, there must have been some basis.

“The Gushen Sect’s sub-altar has been wiped out? Their Altar Master is dead?” Shopkeeper Liu paused slightly, then quickly asked.

“Yes, I heard that within a single day yesterday, Jiang Cheng, who was at the Late Blood Refinement Stage, along with dozens of patrolling Disciples from the entire sub-altar, were all completely killed. Now, another Altar Master of the Gushen Sect, Xu Gang, is bringing people to move the bodies.”

“Within a single day?” Shopkeeper Liu was stunned. He suddenly recalled the scene when Han Yi came to ask him about the situation the day before yesterday.