Chapter 219 - 109: Fame Shakes Yuhe

Li Tieyun nodded. "I found thirteen thousand taels over here."

With that, he took the silver notes from the lean man and placed them all in the bundle.

A short while later, the four of them gathered in Li Qianxiong’s wooden cabin.

Li Tieyun placed the bundle on the table, emptied its contents, and tallied them up one by one. Finally, he announced in a low voice, "Converting all the Gold to silver, and adding the silver notes and loose silver, the total comes to about one hundred seventy-one thousand, three hundred taels. There are also seven martial arts secret manuals."

He looked at Yang Jing and said with great solemnity, "We were only able to destroy the Flying Horse Thieves’ lair because Young Master Yang single-handedly turned the tide. Without you, the three of us would never have made it inside. It’s only right and proper that you take the largest share of this wealth. How about this: you take one hundred thousand taels, and the three of us will split the remaining seventy thousand. As for these seven martial arts, I’ll make a copy for our records, and the originals will all be yours."

The martial arts manuals contained some illustrated annotations, which might not be perfectly replicated when copied, making it difficult to reproduce their essence.

However, in the Martial Dao, quality is more important than quantity. For Li Tieyun and the others, specializing in one art and supplementing it with one or two others was more than enough. Any more would be superfluous. The main reason for copying them was for the future development of the River Gang.

Upon hearing this, Yang Jing shook his head. "One hundred thousand taels is too much."

"I must disagree, Young Master Yang."

Li Tieyun waved his hand, interrupting him. He counted out one hundred silver notes, each with a face value of a thousand taels, from the bundle and handed them to Yang Jing. "This is what you deserve. If you hadn’t killed Li Qianxiong and routed the Flying Horse Thieves, we might not have even made it through the fortress gates, let alone shared in this wealth."

’He had calculated it clearly in his mind. Yang Jing is so young yet possesses such strength; his future achievements will be limitless. Spending some money now to build a good relationship is far more worthwhile than taking a slightly larger share for myself.’

Seeing Li Tieyun’s firm attitude, Yang Jing no longer insisted. He took the silver notes, folded them neatly, and tucked them into a hidden pouch on the inside of his collar.

Seeing this, Li Tieyun put away the remaining silver notes and some jewelry found in the bandits’ huts. He then found a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone, took the seven martial arts manuals, and began writing furiously at the desk. Before long, he had finished copying the contents of the manuals.

Most of these martial arts were contained in thin booklets with concise text. Coupled with Li Tieyun’s familiarity with Martial Dao terminology, the transcription process was extremely fast.

Finally, he arranged the seven yellowed original volumes and presented them to Yang Jing with both hands. "Young Master Yang, please take these."

Yang Jing accepted the manuals, his heart stirring as his fingertips brushed against the coarse pages.

’Not only did I rescue Senior Brother Liu on this trip, but I also gained one hundred thousand taels of silver and several martial arts manuals. Most importantly, I had the great fortune of stumbling upon the Indestructible True Skill. I’m truly returning fully laden with rewards.’

After dividing the spoils, the four of them prepared to leave.

Yang Jing first went to call over the twenty-some hostages gathered in the open area, asking those among them who knew how to drive a carriage to step forward and help drive the seven silver wagons.

Most of these hostages were merchants and travelers, and as it happened, a few were familiar with driving carriages. They quickly responded and stepped forward.

Yang Jing had specifically found a horse-drawn carriage with an enclosed compartment in the stronghold. After cleaning it, he lined it with bedding taken from the bandits’ rooms. Though simple, it would allow for some rest.

Once outside the stronghold, Yang Jing carefully took Liu Maolin from Ma Chaoyun’s arms and placed him inside the enclosed carriage.

Everyone took the horses left behind by the Flying Horse Thieves. Some rode, while others walked, guarding the seven silver wagons as the procession slowly made its way toward Yuhe County.

...

「At the Songlin Posthouse, ten li west of the county seat.」

Snow had begun to fall at some point. Fine, powdery flakes spiraled down, blanketing the pine trees along the post road in a thin layer of white. A bone-chilling cold permeated the air.

Hall Master Liu stood at the entrance of the posthouse, leaning on a cane, his face as pale as paper.

His injuries were still far from healed. When the cold wind blew, he couldn’t help but cough, each one sending sharp pains through his wounds.

"Master, you should go back inside and rest. We’ll keep watch out here."

The old butler wrung his hands anxiously at his side, his eyes full of worry as he watched Hall Master Liu’s tottering figure.

Hall Master Liu waved his hand, his voice hoarse. "Just a little longer... let’s wait a little longer..."

He was shivering, but not from the weather. The cold came from the despair deep in his heart.

’The ransom had been sent, but those jackals, the Flying Horse Thieves, had no intention of releasing him.’

’Am I truly fated to be a white-haired man burying his black-haired son?’ Spots danced before his eyes, and he could barely remain standing.

Just then, a family servant suddenly pointed into the distance and shouted, "It’s our silver wagons! All seven of them are coming back!"

Hall Master Liu shuddered and snapped his head up to look.

In the distance, at the end of the post road, a procession of horses and wagons had indeed appeared. The seven familiar silver wagons were slowly approaching, but the figures guarding them were not dressed like the Flying Horse Thieves.

"Maolin..."

Hall Master Liu’s heart began to pound. He staggered forward, but his legs gave way, and he nearly fell, saved only by the old butler catching him.

"Quick! Help me over there!"

The procession drew closer.

Hall Master Liu squinted, making out Li Tieyun in the lead, along with several of the River Gang’s dark-strength experts. But he still couldn’t see any sign of his son.

His heart sank to the pit of his stomach, and a metallic, sweet taste rose in his throat.

’Maolin... is he really gone?’

Another wave of dizziness washed over him. His vision blackened, and if not for the old butler holding him tightly, he would have collapsed to the ground.

Just then, the procession came to a stop.

Li Tieyun and his men dismounted and cupped their fists in a salute to Hall Master Liu.

On the rearmost carriage, the one with the enclosed compartment, the curtain was gently lifted by a hand.

Yang Jing stepped out of the carriage, carrying someone in his arms.

The person’s face was pale, their limbs hanging limply. It was Liu Maolin.

"Young... Young Master?"