Chapter Ten: To Flee or Not to Flee

After delivering his harsh words, Qian Yuchuan turned and returned to his room. Before leaving, he cast a meaningful glance at Qi Xiu’s quarters.

Inside the room, Qi Xiu’s expression was somber. In just a few minutes, his situation seemed to have grown ever more precarious. He had never met Qian Yuhai, yet that man had dared to break into Qian Yuchuan’s courtyard at night, intent on forcibly taking him away. What could be the reason? Could it be simply because he had once spared that strange man’s life?

Seated in a chair, Qi Xiu felt as though the entire Qian estate had become a vast whirlpool. Qian Yuhai, Qian Yuchuan, Qian Yuze—the three brothers were plotting and scheming, each harboring secret intentions, conspiring behind closed doors. In two days, at the birthday banquet, it would likely become the moment when the brothers collided head-on.

“You deceive each other, fight to the death, but why drag me into it? I am just an ordinary, penniless scholar.” Helplessly rubbing his temples, Qi Xiu sighed. He had barely survived Qian Yuchuan’s ordeal, only to be targeted by Qian Yuhai. Escape seemed impossible now. All he could do was take one step at a time.

Two days later.

In Baohe County, the wealthy Qian family was celebrating the sixty-year birthday of its patriarch. In this moderately sized town, the event attracted nearly half the city’s population. Even the county magistrate and his deputy would attend in person to offer their congratulations.

Within the Qian estate, a grand banquet area had been erected. Red lanterns emblazoned with the character for longevity hung high above the entrance, welcoming guests. The banquet space was meticulously laid out with crimson carpets, flanked by elegant, traditional tables and chairs. The tables were covered with red brocade cloths, adorned with exquisite metalware, beautiful porcelain, and finely carved wooden trays. Ornate folding screens painted with auspicious scenes surrounded the area, creating an atmosphere of prosperity and celebration. Red silk drapes and lanterns filled the space, making it lively and festive.

As the servants announced each guest with a loud, clear “Honored guest arrives!” guests were guided to their seats amid laughter and conversation.

Meanwhile, in Qian Yuchuan’s small courtyard—

Qi Xiu stood at the door, his hands tucked into his sleeves. Gong Yan lounged lazily beneath the eaves, nibbling on osmanthus and date cakes from a plate. Qian Yuchuan had gone to attend the banquet, leaving Gong Yan behind to keep Qi Xiu company—or rather, to guard him.

Today was his last chance. Once Qian Yuchuan returned, escape would be impossible.

“Boy, what are you staring at?” Gong Yan, licking the crumbs from her fingers, noticed Qi Xiu’s furtive glance.

“Ah, nothing really. Today is the old master’s birthday. Miss Gong, aren’t you attending the banquet?” Qi Xiu replied with a gentle smile.

“I have to keep an eye on someone, so of course I can’t go.” Gong Yan gave him a sidelong look, tossed aside her empty plate, and walked over. “If you ask me, you’d better hurry up and finish transcribing those scriptures. Let me tell you a secret: my eldest senior brother will be back soon. He’s not nearly as easygoing as me or Senior Brother Yuchuan. If you haven’t finished the translation by the time he returns… Well, you’ll suffer for it.”

“I understand, but I’d like to ask you for a favor, Miss Gong.” Qi Xiu looked a little embarrassed, awkwardly saying, “The table in this room is far too low—my back can hardly take it anymore. Could you help me lift it so I can raise it a bit? I promise to finish all the translations today.”

Gong Yan eyed him up and down, thinking for a moment before nodding. “People always say scholars are useless. A grown man unable to lift a corner of a table—what a weakling you are.” She didn’t forget to mock him as she walked over to the desk, then effortlessly lifted the entire table.

“Thank you, thank you, Miss Gong,” Qi Xiu said, hurrying to the desk.

Suddenly—thick black ink hidden in his sleeve splashed forth. Gong Yan, hands occupied and unsuspecting of an attack from a supposed weak scholar, was caught off guard and her eyes were instantly soaked in ink.

“You—!” Gong Yan’s face twisted in shock and anger. Was this boy really trying to court death?

Her lips pressed tightly together. As the ink sealed her eyes, Qi Xiu stepped forward, his hands turning dark and sinewy, veins bulging, muscles tensing. He unleashed his Black Sand Palm with full force!

Smack!

A ruthless and decisive double strike landed hard. Blood burst from Gong Yan’s ears.

“Ah!” Dizzy and deprived of sight and hearing, Gong Yan screamed, desperately protecting herself.

Qi Xiu bent his knees and lowered his posture, keeping close to avoid a counterattack. Eyes locked, body tense, he clenched his palm into a fist and swung powerfully.

Heart-Piercing Fist!

With a tearing sound, his punch ripped through her clothes and muscle, causing Gong Yan’s chest to cave in.

“Ugh…” Blood spurted from her mouth. Her heart struck, Gong Yan instantly fainted.

Seeing Gong Yan collapse, Qi Xiu finally relaxed, breathing heavily. If she hadn’t underestimated him, thinking him a powerless scholar, this ambush would have been far less likely to succeed.

The few seconds of fighting were so intense that Qi Xiu felt as if his heart would burst from his throat. He needed to leave quickly—if Qian Yuchuan returned halfway, all would be lost.

He glanced at Gong Yan’s unconscious body, then turned to leave the room. But after a few steps, Qi Xiu suddenly stopped. He looked back at Gong Yan lying on the floor.

Better to be pursued by one than two…

His brows slowly relaxed. He bit down hard on his tongue and, resolute, turned back into the room.

A dozen seconds later, Qi Xiu dashed out, his face grim, not looking back as he left the courtyard and plunged into the thicket.

The Qian estate was enormous. Even after many visits, Qi Xiu had to concentrate to recall a sufficiently hidden path. He could no longer stay in Baohe County. Between him and Qian Yuchuan, there was no possibility of reconciliation—it was a fight to the death. He had to leave as soon as possible.

Passing through a corridor of white walls and dark tiles, another several hundred meters would lead to the side gate and freedom. As Qi Xiu considered where to go next, at the far end of the corridor stood a figure leaning on a short staff, slightly hunched, smiling as if he had been waiting for a long time.

“Mr. Qi, you truly have some skills, escaping from my good-for-nothing brother’s hands. Impressive,” Qian Yuhai said, blocking Qi Xiu’s path.

Qi Xiu’s heart sank to its lowest depths. Out of the wolf’s den, into the tiger’s lair.

“Cough, cough, Mr. Qi, there’s no need to be nervous. I’m not like my brutish brother. I’ve come to you sincerely, hoping we can work together.” Noticing the wariness in Qi Xiu’s eyes, Qian Yuhai cleared his throat. “But this isn’t the place to talk, and I’m sure you don’t want to be dragged back. My place is safe enough—would you be willing to accompany me?”

Analyzing the situation silently, Qi Xiu shrugged helplessly. “In that case, I must trouble you, Young Master.”

“Ha ha, Mr. Qi, you’re too polite.”