Chapter 123

"Bantuo questioned a laborer who hadn't died—this laborer had been stabbed three times in the chest by Chen Pi—and pressed him on whether he knew who owned the tax-exemption banner."

"The laborer was lucky to be alive; Bantuo asked him who did it."

"The laborer said straight out: 'It was a beggar. He said he only took a hundred coins!'"

"Boss Huang Kui pointed at the dead bodies and said to Bantuo: 'This is a master. Every one of them was killed with a single blade—the knife went in through the ear canal, and what came out was brains.'"

"Bantuo nodded and said: 'His knife is a bit unusual. I've never seen any master use a pineapple-peeling blade.'"

"Boss Huang Kui seemed very impatient with such small matters and only said to Bantuo: 'This man is a talent. Invite him back and make him a vanguard.'"

"The vanguard, hearing this from behind, shuddered all over, and his bare upper body broke out in even more sweat."

"Once Boss Huang Kui left, Bantuo said to the gang's accountant: 'That beggar usually hangs out in the corner of the broken temple by the city wall. All the beggars know him—his name is Chen Pi. You buy three boxes of gifts, one good winter coat, and a thousand coins. Say it's to thank him for yesterday's handiwork and to make up his pay. Invite him to discuss some big business.'"

"The accountant had no choice but to follow Bantuo's instructions. After Bantuo left, the accountant turned around and found a beggar following behind him."

"The accountant immediately called out to him: 'Hey, beggar! Come here, come here!'"

"Chen Pi looked left and right. He was the only one on the river embankment, so he walked over."

"The accountant asked him directly: 'You live in the broken temple in the city, right?'"

"Chen Pi was rather baffled, not knowing what this man wanted, and nodded instinctively."

"The accountant immediately pulled out a handful of copper coins and tossed them to Chen Pi, hurriedly saying: 'Here, ten coins. Come with me to carry some stuff.'"

"Seeing Chen Pi not move, the accountant clicked his tongue: 'What's that look for? This pays way more than hauling cargo at the docks.'"

"As he spoke, he slapped the money into Chen Pi's hand and added: 'What a temper. No wonder you'll beg for a living your whole life! Let's go, what are you standing there for?'"

"Chen Pi suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. Ever since taking on the job from Chunshen, he no longer considered himself a laborer. Being spoken to like that now actually made his face flush."

"The audience, hearing this, suddenly caught a bit of amusement amid the blood-soaked slaughter that was about to come."

"Only at this moment could you tell that Chen Pi was, in fact, still a young man."

"His worldview was forged in the struggle to survive—bloody, cruel, almost cold-bloodedly perverse."

"But a young man will still feel awkward and embarrassed when his status changes."

"Only at this instant did the audience feel that Chen Pi A-Si was a living, breathing person."

"He wasn't born knowing how to kill, nor was he cold-blooded from birth."

"At least in his youth, he still knew shame and indignation!"

"Though Chen Pi felt a bit embarrassed, sensing his status was different now."

"He still took up the carrying pole and followed behind the accountant."

"There was no other reason—this man simply paid too much!"

"Chen Pi used to work as a laborer at the docks, his face blank and wooden, and almost no employer wanted to hire him."

"He could only earn ten coins for a whole day's work. Now, earning ten coins in one go—why refuse?"

"Along the way, the accountant bought three boxes of clothes, pastries, and bedding, and made Chen Pi carry them all. Chen Pi kept looking around, mentally calculating where to go find Huang Kui."

"Going like yesterday obviously wouldn't work. The locusts had come ashore along the Yangtze banks—there were several embankment openings and docks; he'd have to search them one by one!"

"Before long, the two arrived at the broken temple."

"At that moment, beggars were clustered in piles along the base of the wall outside the temple."

"Chen Pi set the things down and saw the accountant scan the beggars in a circle, then ask Chen Pi: 'Hey, help me find out—which one of them is Chen Pi?'"

"Chen Pi was stunned for a moment, looked at the accountant, and asked him: 'What do you want Chen Pi for?'"

"Who would have thought the accountant flew into a rage on the spot, cursing him without preamble: 'None of your damn business! Which one is he? Tell me quick!'"

"Only then did Chen Pi begin to size up this accountant carefully—short and squat, very unremarkable, someone he'd never seen before. What could this man want with him?"

"Buying so many things—could it be a marriage proposal?"

"The accountant stared at Chen Pi, and Chen Pi stared back at the accountant. The accountant finally realized he showed absolutely no intention of pointing anyone out!"

"The accountant immediately lost patience and said to Chen Pi: 'Fine, you're damn useless. Get lost!'"

"Having said that, he went up to the beggars himself and asked in a low voice: 'Excuse me, folks—do any of you know someone here named Chen Pi?'"

"At that moment, every beggar raised his head, looked at the accountant, and pointed at Chen Pi standing right behind him."

"The accountant turned his head. Chen Pi ignored him and silently walked toward his own corner. He walked in a straight line, and the beggars before him stepped aside one after another, none daring to meet Chen Pi's gaze face to face."

"The accountant, meanwhile, gaped, standing there stunned and motionless."

"At that moment, he had only one thought: 'I just made this lord carry a load the whole way?!'"

"……"