When Chen Jie had finished executing the Twelve Styles, he started to repeat the moves. He knew there were no new moves left.
Suddenly, Chen Jie struck with a powerful Water Manipulation Palm.
The manager countered with a palm strike of his own, but the next moment he was sent flying, blood spurting from his mouth.
With a loud crash, he slammed hard onto the ground.
The manager coughed violently. Chen Jie approached and grabbed him by the throat, saying, "Any last words?"
Coughing, the manager said, "Cough, cough... Chen Jiusi, cough, cough... you will get what’s coming to you. My master and I will be waiting for you in Yama Hall."
Chen Jie said, "Hmm, quite the concise last words."
With a snap, he broke the manager’s neck.
Chen Jie didn’t know how to describe the manager, a loyal servant who perhaps saw himself as the real sinner.
Having killed both their young master and the old master, he had wiped out two generations.
And there was the manager, the courageous old servant, ready to spend his entire fortune for revenge on behalf of his master.
So, who was right and who was wrong in this world? It was all a matter of perspective, but Chen Jie would not spare him just because he admired his courage.
To do so would be the cruelest thing to himself.
The manager’s body lay on the ground. Chen Jie noticed a package on him, quickly grabbed it, and opened it.
Instantly, he was taken aback.
For inside was a stack of silver notes.
Chen Jie swore, he had never seen so much money since he had come to this world.
One note, two notes, three notes...
Fifteen in total, each worth one hundred taels.
Chen Jie couldn’t understand why someone would carry so much money when going out!
Of course, he might not know this was the final payment for his assassination.
But it didn’t matter now. This money now belonged to Chen.
Chen Jie stuffed the money into his chest and then frisked the manager’s body, finding about three taels of loose silver and some other small, useless things which he discarded.
However, hidden in the the manager’s clothes, he found a thin booklet of about ten pages.
Chen Jie took it and saw three big characters: "Little Thought".
This was the manager’s secret martial arts manual.
Chen Jie wondered, did people usually carry their secret manuals around?
Most did not, but the manager had brought all his belongings this time. He didn’t trust leaving the manual back home since a new manager had taken over, and he, an old fellow, was no longer trusted. Hence, his first reason for coming was to hire someone to kill Chen Jie.
His second reason was that he was prepared not to return, so he had brought everything with him.
But now it had all fallen into Chen Jie’s hands.
1,500 taels of silver notes, he truly became a wealthy man overnight.
No wonder they say: "Murder and arson bring a golden belt; bridge-building and road-mending leave no corpses behind."
To be rich, one must kill!
Chen Jie was in high spirits as he got up, taking the assassin’s belt knife from the ground as he left.
The knife was quite good. Chen Jie was poor right now and wanted everything.
He then entered an alley and checked the assassin’s body.
The assassin didn’t have a cent on him, and for ease of movement, he was dressed only in night clothes with just one belt knife.
He carried nothing that could identify him.
Chen Jie picked up some oranges from the ground. Bought items shouldn’t be wasted, and then he noticed that two had been crushed.
Taking the oranges, Chen Jie left the alley. Initially, he had thought to go home, but then, he turned towards White Tiger Hall.
Although he had foiled the assassination attempt and killed the so-called Black Market assassin,
What if the Black Market sent someone to retaliate?
Such matters had to be handled properly. Before, when Chen Jie had no backing, he might investigate himself or wait for the assassin organization to come knocking again.
But don’t forget, he was now Peng Shizhong’s adoptive son.
Do you think an adoptive father wouldn’t act when his son was attacked?
So, the pressure was now on Mr. Peng Shizhong.
Chen Jie hastened his pace and reached White Tiger Hall an hour later.
Two massive lanterns illuminated the entrance of White Tiger Hall where two guards stood.
As Chen Jie approached, they immediately drew their swords: "Who goes there?"
"It’s me, Chen Jiusi."
"Oh, Fifth Master, what brings you here so late?"
After the guards saw Chen Jie and heard his words, he quickly said, "Is my adoptive father in? I have an urgent matter to discuss."
Upon hearing this, the guard replied, "The Hall Master is discussing matters with the Old Master and Second Master in the study. Please wait, Fifth Master, while we inform them."
Chen Jie said, "Oh, I appreciate it, brother."
"You’re welcome, Fifth Master."
Saying that, the man went to inform them. During the day, Chen Jie could enter White Tiger Hall freely, but at night, the hall was under strict guard, requiring notification for entry.
Soon, the man came back and said, "Fifth Master, the Hall Master invites you in."
Chen Jie nodded and followed the guard into the study.
Upon entering the study, he saw Peng Shizhong discussing matters with Feng Xuan and Zheng Chuan. Seeing Chen Jie in such disarray, he asked, "Jiusi, what happened to you?"
Chen Jie immediately bowed and said, "Adoptive father, forgive my disturbance at this late hour. Today, Fourth Brother invited me and Sixth Brother to Yihong House..."
Chen Jie recounted the events.
Then Peng Shizhong slammed his hand on the table angrily and said, "What audacity, the Black Market dares to target my son!"
Feng Xuan then immediately stood up and said, "Fifth Brother, please sit. Are you hurt?"
"No, the assassin’s skills were mediocre, and I killed him in self-defense. But I thought it best to inform my adoptive father."