Raising Orphans, Not Assassins

Chen Ye witnessed someone being killed right in front of him, with blood splattering everywhere. It was a shocking and unsettling experience. As a modern person, he had never seen anything like this before.

Earlier, when Zhao Wu killed that member of the Wan Jin Hall, it happened too quickly for Chen Ye to fully grasp. But now, seeing Zhao Wu, who had just been pleading for his help, killed in the next moment, filled Chen Ye with a sense of sorrow.

The martial world wasn't as grand as he had imagined; its true face was one of blood and killing.

Xu Xiaolin, after striking Zhao Wu to death, still maintained his smiling expression, as if he had just killed a chicken or crushed an ant. Seeing Xu Xiaolin's smiling face sent a chill down Chen Ye's spine.

Xu Xiaolin looked at Chen Ye and, still smiling, said, "Sir, about what was just said... how much will it take for you to forget it?"

Chen Ye snapped out of his thoughts and responded coldly, "Oh? Are you that wealthy?"

Hearing this, the people present all had peculiar expressions on their faces, as if Chen Ye had made a common mistake that everyone else knew better about.

The little blind boy beside him pondered for a moment and then said, "Wan Jin Hall... Why is it called 'Wan Jin'?"

"It's said that Wan Jin Hall's wealth surpasses that of any nation. Their riches are unmatched."

"Most of the merchants in the Great Wu Dynasty have connections with Wan Jin Hall."

After saying this, the little blind boy added with a smile, "However, Wan Jin Hall rarely buys things with money."

"But if they are willing to pay for something, it must be priceless."

Xu Xiaolin's eyes slightly changed, but his smile remained as he looked at Chen Ye and asked, "What does sir think?"

Chen Ye smiled and looked at the little blind man beside him, asking, "So, Wan Jin Hall is quite powerful?"

"Very powerful," the little blind boy answered seriously.

"And they have a lot of money?"

"Very rich."

"So, how much do you think I should ask for?"

Instead of responding to Xu Xiaolin, Chen Ye continued his conversation with the little blind boy.

"At least 1,000 taels of gold. If Wan Jin Hall is willing to pay for something, it must be extremely valuable," the little blind boy suggested with a grin.

"Four words, 1,000 taels of gold?" Chen Ye asked in surprise.

1,000 taels of gold were equivalent to 10,000 taels of silver, which had a purchasing power of about 5 million. Four words for 5 million---this price was truly astounding.

"Even that might be too little," the little blind boy replied seriously.

Xu Xiaolin couldn't help but twitch at the corners of his mouth as he listened to the back-and-forth between Chen Ye and the little blind man. 1,000 taels of gold---such audacity!

"Sir, 100 taels of gold in exchange for you forgetting those four words. Consider it a favor, and in the future, if you encounter anyone from Wan Jin Hall, just mention my name, Xu Xiaolin," Xu Xiaolin said, retracting his smile and clasping his hands together in a gesture of respect.

"What do you think of this price?" Chen Ye asked the little blind boy with a smile.

The little blind boy leaned closer and whispered, "It's about right. 100 taels of gold isn't a small amount, even for the head of Wan Jin Hall."

"Killing a late-stage third-rank expert in Fengyu Tower only earns 200 taels of gold."

"Four words worth 100 taels of gold---that's quite enough."

Chen Ye quickly did some calculations in his head.

100 taels of gold were equivalent to 1,000 taels of silver. So, the life of a late-stage third-rank expert was worth 2,000 taels of silver, which was about 1 million in purchasing power?

Tsk, tsk...

Chen Ye now had a deeper understanding of the power levels in this world.

As Chen Ye pondered, the little blind boy tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Are you afraid of Wan Jin Hall?"

"Of course not," Chen Ye smiled.

With [Ground Shrinking Step] and [Indestructible Body], he feared no one.

"Then make a tough bargain. Ask for 200 taels of gold; Xu Xiaolin will most likely give it to you," the little blind boy suggested. "If he's willing to offer 100 taels of gold, it means those four words are definitely worth more."

Chen Ye understood and looked at Xu Xiaolin, speaking calmly, "200 taels of gold."

Xu Xiaolin's eyelids twitched, and his face immediately darkened, but he quickly resumed his usual smiling expression. Without hesitation, he pulled out 20 gold notes from his pocket.

"I hope you will keep your word."

With that, Xu Xiaolin waved the gold notes, and one of the knife-wielding gang members stepped forward to take the notes and handed them to Chen Ye.

Chen Ye accepted the gold notes, squinting slightly.

200 taels of gold?

He exchanged four words for 200 taels of gold?

This money came too easily, didn't it?

"Sir, until we meet again," Xu Xiaolin said with a smile.

He gave a slight bow, then turned and left with the other two gang members, heading in the direction of Jiangning County. It was evident he wasn't there to participate in the selection of Qing Xuzi's successor.

Chen Ye counted the gold notes in his hand, feeling a bit unreal.

"They left?" the little blind man asked nervously.

"They're gone," Chen Ye replied, his tone still calm.

The little blind boy sighed in relief, muttering, "Good, good, they're gone."

He "looked" toward Chen Ye with a mischievous grin and asked, "Did they really give you 200 taels?"

Chen Ye glanced at the little blind boy, smiled, and pulled out a 10-tael gold note, handing it to him. "Consider it a broker's fee."

"No, you saved my life; consider this a payment for that," the little blind boy shook his head vigorously, as if he had principles he wouldn't compromise.

Chen Ye put away the gold note without insisting further.

"Do you know a lot about the martial world?" Chen Ye began to show interest in the little blind boy.

"I know a little," the little blind boy said modestly, baring his teeth in a grin.

Chen Ye glanced at the disordered road and asked, "Are you heading to the Iron Sparrow Villa as well?"

"Yes, but I'm going to find someone, not to participate in that selection." The little blind boy shook his head and, as if remembering something, added, "That selection was decided long ago. Going there is just a waste of time."

Chen Ye looked at the little blind boy in surprise. He knew quite a lot.

"Then let's go together," Chen Ye suggested.

He was eager to learn more about the martial world of the Great Wu Dynasty and needed someone like the little blind boy to explain things to him.

The little blind boy was delighted, feeling lucky. Following someone who could scare off Xu Xiaolin meant his safety was practically guaranteed.

Master, master, my luck is just too good, the little blind boy thought happily.

...

Outside Jiangning County.

Chen Ye and the little blind boy arrived at the city gates. The soldiers responsible for inspecting people stood lazily nearby, looking at the armed martial artists with impatience and annoyance.

A large sign hung beside the soldiers, stating that entry to the city cost 40 copper coins per person.

"Little blind boy, what's your name?" Chen Ye asked as they moved with the crowd toward the city gate, paying the entry fee for both of them.

The little blind boy, holding a long stick, tapped the ground as he walked, his head swaying as he said, "My name is Tian Jizi!"

Tian Jizi?

The name was quite unique, sounding like a Taoist title.

As they entered Jiangning County, the streets were filled with armed martial artists, both men and women, young and old. It was clear from their demeanor that they had come to participate in the selection for Qing Xuzi's successor.

"Mr. Donghua, are you here to participate in the selection as well?" Tian Jizi asked, tilting his head.

Chen Ye smiled and replied, "Just to take a look, mostly to broaden my knowledge. The martial world of the Great Wu Dynasty is a bit different from what I imagined."

"That's great, Mr. Hua! If you come across any unfamiliar sects, just ask me!" Tian Jizi proudly thumped his chest, promising, "I basically know all the sects and notable figures in the martial world."

"Good, I'll rely on you then, Brother Tian!" Chen Ye responded, playing along.

Hearing this, Tian Jizi chuckled, a bit embarrassed.

"By the way, Mr. Hua, we should hurry to book a room at an inn. If we wait any longer, we might end up sleeping on the streets tonight," Tian Jizi said, suddenly remembering something.

Chen Ye nodded.

Jiangning County was full of martial artists coming for Qing Xuzi's selection tomorrow, so he wasn't sure if there were any rooms left.