The news spread like wildfire: Heim Stronghold had been burned to ashes; all the bandits were annihilated!
Joy erupted throughout the villages near the Blackwood Mountains, long oppressed by fear. Celebrations were twofold: the women abducted from their homes had returned safely, and the hated bandit lair was gone forever!
Major merchants in Ganling City and Falling Stone City celebrated exuberantly. Finally, they could transport goods without the constant dread of raids!
In stark contrast to this jubilation, a gloomy atmosphere hung over the Zhang Mansion in Falling Stone City. The source of this tension sat at the head of the main hall: Zhang Zhenshan, his face grim as he read a letter clutched in his hand.
Finishing the letter, he remained silent for a moment, lost in thought, before looking up at the steward waiting nearby.
"Make preparations. I need to leave for Whitepeak City immediately."
"Yes, Master." The steward bowed and hurried out to issue the orders. As he exited, he nearly collided with someone entering. He hastily lowered his head. "Young Master."
"Hmm." The newcomer acknowledged him absently, striding into the room. The arrogant swagger instantly vanished from his expression as he dipped his posture respectfully towards Zhang Zhenshan. "Father… You're leaving?" He asked cautiously, a flicker of anticipation barely concealed in his voice.
His face was pale and handsome, and though his demeanor was currently subdued, an undercurrent of cruelty and malice occasionally flashed in his eyes. This was Zhang Yang.
Distracted, Zhang Zhenshan replied curtly, "Hmm. I must return to the main sect for a time…" His gaze swept over his son's barely disguised delight, and he frowned deeply. "Are you thinking that with me gone, you can spend your days idling about and wreaking havoc again?"
"Uh…" Caught off guard, Zhang Yang's face flushed with panic. He stammered, unable to form a reply immediately.
"Hmph! Do you think I don't know what you get up to? All you do is chase skirts and indulge in worthless pastimes! That Liu family girl is nearly reached the Mid-Stage Soul Warrior realm, while you haven't even attained the Late-Stage Soul Apprentice level!" Zhang Zhenshan's voice grew stern. "You possess decent talent, yet you refuse to cultivate diligently! How do you expect to secure your place within the sect? How can I ever entrust the Zhang family to you?"
Zhang Yang listened to the reprimand without daring to argue, plastering an apologetic smile on his face and nodding earnestly, as if absorbing sage advice. "I heed your words, Father. From now on, I will cultivate diligently and not bring shame to you."
"Hmm. I hope you mean it. This trip to the sect could take as little as ten days, or as long as a month. Mind yourself while I'm gone. Don't think your mother's indulgence gives you license for arrogance and misdeeds. If I return and you still haven't reached the Late-Stage Soul Apprentice level…"
"Father, rest assured! I will focus all my efforts on breaking through to the Late-Stage Soul Apprentice realm swiftly!" Zhang Yang promised fervently, his words ringing with false conviction.
Inside, however, jubilation surged. His mind was already racing with plans for his newfound 'freedom' – should he visit Xiaocui at the Wanchun Brothel first, or perhaps 'spot' a suitable girl on the street?
...
Back in Falling Stone City, amidst the bustling main street, Bai Yunfei sat at a table by the window on an inn's second floor. He picked at his food absently, his attention focused on the crowd below.
He had been back in the city for three days. After the battle at Heim Stronghold and half a month of rigorous cultivation, his strength had reached the Late-Stage Soul Apprentice realm. Yet, neither this advancement nor the burning hatred in his heart had pushed him into recklessly charging after Zhang Yang. Instead, he had rested for a day and then begun a careful reconnaissance of the Zhang compound.
Not far ahead stood the imposing gates of the Zhang Mansion. Towering stone lions flanked the entrance; high walls and ornate gates projected an aura of immense grandeur, at least in the eyes of the city's common folk. People passing the mansion instinctively slowed their steps and lowered their voices, as if afraid of disturbing or offending the powerful Zhang family.
"I've watched for two days straight, but haven't seen Zhang Yang appear once. Is he holed up inside? Or is he simply not home? Or maybe… he enters and leaves through a different route?" Bai Yunfei pondered silently.
Mindful of attracting unwanted attention, Bai Yunfei didn't stare fixedly at the mansion gates. Countless Zhang family spies and lackeys infested the city; caution was paramount.
"Hmm?" As Bai Yunfei shifted his gaze from the gates to casually scan the street below, something unusual caught his eye.
Three men were following a young girl with furtive caution. They were skilled at it, clearly experienced. The girl ahead seemed completely unaware of their presence. Bai Yunfei only spotted them due to his elevated vantage point and keen observation.
He watched for a moment, weighing his options. Seeing the girl turn towards a more secluded part of town, he made his decision. He rose, left money on the table, and swiftly descended the stairs to discreetly follow.
...
A sharp, muffled cry suddenly pierced the quiet air of a narrow, secluded alleyway – cut off abruptly as if a hand had clamped over a mouth.
A few people passed the alley entrance. They clearly heard the disturbance but didn't pause. Instead, their expressions tightened, and they hurried away, eager to avoid any entanglement.
Inside the alley, two burly men with thick eyebrows and a smaller, rat-faced man knelt together, tightening ropes around a large, squirming burlap sack.
"Heh heh… Never expected we'd snag such a prime piece," one thug chuckled, giving the bag a final tug. "Deliver her to the Young Master, and we'll be rewarded handsomely!"
"True," the second thug agreed, leering. "She's not quite as succulent as the one the gang leader brought in yesterday, but she's still a fresh maiden. Exactly the type the Young Master favors. Seems he's been pent up something fierce lately – gave orders to grab whoever looked decent, even out in the open if needed…"
"Yeah, he's impatient alright. Wants another one tonight. If it weren't for that girl snatched yesterday, this one here would be the star attraction. Tsk… wonder where the boss found that one? Just the thought of her face makes your heart itch… too bad she's reserved for the Young Master…"
"Enough chatter!" The rat-faced man snapped impatiently, cutting them off. "Just get the sack hoisted and let's move. Less attention, the better."
His annoyance deepened when the two men fell silent but made no move to lift the sack. He started to turn to complain, only to freeze in horror.
His two companions were silently slumping to the ground, unconscious.
Before he could whirl around, a sharp pain exploded at the base of his skull. Darkness swallowed his vision, and he crumpled beside the others.
The burlap sack was untied. Inside, bound and gagged, lay a young girl. Tears streaked her terrified face as she stared up at the youth now crouching before her.
He offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't be afraid. I'm here to help." His voice was calm. "I'll untie you now. Please, stay quiet. Understand?"
He carefully removed her bonds and helped her to her feet. Pointing towards the alley entrance, he said, "Go quickly. And be more careful when you're out. Avoid deserted places like this…"
He watched the girl scramble out of the alley, then looked down at the three unconscious men. Their earlier words echoed in his mind.
"They mentioned someone else… already captured, meant as an offering for that 'Young Master'…" Bai Yunfei's expression hardened with resolve. "Since I've stumbled upon this… I can't just walk away. I need to find her too. Leaving her to her fate… that's not something I could live with."