39: Chapter 39 Entrustment

Little Grass screamed in terror, clutching her grandfather's clothes so tightly her fingernails dug in until they bled.

Some of the surrounding neighbors turned away, unable to bear the sight, while others muttered curses under their breath, their voices as faint as the hum of mosquitoes.

Axe Gang.

A lowlife Gang from the outer city, specializing in bullying men and women, and collecting protection fees. This pockmarked man was called Ma Liu, a notorious scoundrel in this area.

Chen Mo stood outside the crowd, narrowing his eyes.

To intervene, or not to intervene?

If he didn't, the old man and his granddaughter would be ruined today.

If he did, he might get into trouble with the Axe Gang.

He touched the silver notes tucked in his robe. They were given by Jiang Hongli yesterday, forty-eight taels in total. Two taels of silver was no big deal to him now.

The key issue was his identity.

He was now considered Jiang Hongli's man. Though merely a Runner, in the eyes of outsiders, he was a Runner from the yamen.

"Ahem."

Chen Mo cleared his throat and parted the crowd to step forward.

"What's all this noise so early in the morning?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a cold edge.

Ma Liu was about to strike when he heard the voice. Turning around, he frowned at first, then his eyes landed on the wooden waist token hanging from Chen Mo's belt—the temporary Runner's badge from the yamen.

Though only temporary, in this outer-city slum, it represented authority.

"Well, if it isn't Brother Chen!" Ma Liu's Face twisted into a forced smile, and the axe in his hand dropped to his side.

He walked over to Old Man Li, not bothering to help him up, just glancing down. The old man's breath was faint, his eyes unfocused—clearly on the verge of death.

"How much does the old man owe you?" Chen Mo asked.

"Principal and interest combined, two taels and three mace," Ma Liu replied with a false smile. "Brother Chen, this is the Gang's account. I'm just following orders."

"Two taels and three mace," Chen Mo nodded, reaching into his robe.

The surroundings fell silent instantly.

Everyone stared at Chen Mo's hand. In these times, two taels of silver could feed a family of three for half a year. Who would waste that kind of money on a neighbor?

Chen Mo pulled out a piece of broken silver, roughly two taels, counted thirty copper coins, and tossed them casually.

Ma Liu instinctively caught them, weighed them in his hand, and his expression shifted.

"Brother Chen, this..."

"Two taels for the principal, and I've included the interest," Chen Mo said flatly. "This old man is nearly in his grave. If you push him to his death, the debt becomes worthless. Take the money and leave. It'll save Face for everyone."

Ma Liu clenched the silver, his eyes darting around.

He was a hoodlum, not a fool.

Though Chen Mo was young, offending a yamen official over two taels of silver wasn't worth it. Besides, he already had the money, and his task was essentially completed.

"Deal!" Ma Liu grinned, stuffing the silver into his robe. "Since Brother Chen has spoken, I must give you this Face. Let's go!"

He waved a hand and swaggered off with his two underlings. Before leaving, he shot Chen Mo a meaningful glance.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

The neighbors' gazes toward Chen Mo had changed. Some held awe, some envy, and others looked at him as if he were a fool.

Chen Mo ignored their stares, bent down, and helped Old Man Li to his feet.

"Can you still walk?"

Old Man Li trembled all over, tears streaming down his Face as he clutched Chen Mo's hand like a lifeline. "Brother... Brother Chen, your great kindness... this old man... *cough, cough, cough*..."

"Enough, let's talk inside."

Chen Mo helped the old man into the house.

Inside was pitch dark, with only a three-legged table and a bed covered with a tattered straw mat. The air was thick with the smell of mold and medicine.

Little Grass huddled in the corner, her wide eyes fixed on Chen Mo in fear.

Chen Mo laid the old man on the bed and turned to leave.

"Brother Chen!" Old Man Li suddenly called out, his voice surprisingly clearer. "Could you... stay for a cup of water before you go?"

Chen Mo stopped and looked back.

The old man's Face had an unnatural flush—the last rally before death.

Chen Mo's heart sank.

He didn't speak, just nodded and sat on the only stool.

Old Man Li struggled to sit up, fumbled under the bed, and pulled out a chipped clay pot. He poured a bowl of murky water and handed it to Chen Mo with trembling hands.

"We're poor, no tea. Please don't mind, Brother Chen."

Chen Mo took the bowl but didn't drink, setting it on the table.

"Uncle Li, speak plainly."

Old Man Li gave a bitter smile, his wrinkled, bark-like Face scrunching up. He beckoned Little Grass over from the corner, pressed her head down, and made her kowtow to Chen Mo.

"Kowtow to your benefactor."

Little Grass obeyed, kowtowing three times with audible thumps.

"Brother Chen," Old Man Li looked at him, his eyes filled with a heart-wrenching resolve. "This old man knows you're a good person. In these times, good people are rare."

"I'm not a good person," Chen Mo interrupted. "I just didn't want the noise outside my door."

"Yes, yes. However you put it, you saved this girl today." Old Man Li took a shaky breath and continued, "This old man knows his own body. I won't make it through this winter. Today's incident... though the Axe Gang is gone, others... others are still watching."

Chen Mo remained silent.

Indeed. Wealth should not be flaunted. By revealing his money today, the old man and his granddaughter would now be seen as easy prey.

"What are you trying to say?" Chen Mo asked.

Old Man Li suddenly pulled a cloth bundle from his robe, unwrapping it layer by layer to reveal a jade pendant.

The jade was of poor quality—almost like a piece of stone—with a faintly carved character "Li."

"This is a family heirloom. Worthless, just a keepsake." Old Man Li pressed the pendant into Little Grass's hand, then looked at Chen Mo. "Brother Chen, this old man has an impertinent request. Could you... take this girl under your care?"

Chen Mo frowned deeply.

Here it was.

This was exactly what he feared most.

"Uncle Li, I'm just an apprentice. I can barely take care of myself," Chen Mo refused bluntly. "Besides, I'm a martial artist. My life involves constant fighting and killing. Having a child around would be inconvenient."

"It won't be for free! It won't be for free!" Old Man Li grew agitated. "This girl can work! She can wash clothes, cook, sew, and mend! I only ask that you give her a bite to eat, keep her from starving, and protect her from being mistreated!"

Chen Mo still shook his head.

"No."

This wasn't heartlessness; it was reality. He sought immortality, he sought to Cultivate. How could he keep a low profile with a burden like this?

The light in Old Man Li's eyes instantly dimmed.

He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

The atmosphere in the room grew so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

After a while, Old Man Li looked up, a relieved smile spreading across his Face.

"Right, right. Brother Chen is a busy man. This old man was too presumptuous."

He patted Little Grass's head and said gently, "Grass, go find that red jacket of yours. The one your mother left. Let's pack up and get ready to move."

Little Grass was stunned. "Move? Grandpa, where are we going?"

"To a good place, a place without bad people." Old Man Li smiled, but tears streamed down his Face. "Go on, hurry."

Though she didn't understand, Little Grass obediently went to rummage through the chest.

Old Man Li turned to Chen Mo, his eyes full of pleading. "Brother Chen, could you wait outside for a moment? I need to pack a few things for the girl. There are some things... I'd like to say to her alone."