Chapter 49: Flaw

All day, Chen Ping’an had been distracted, his mind on Chen Erya at home. However, he managed to keep a good poker face. Monkey Head and Da Shan were too busy joking around on patrol to notice anything was amiss.

Chen Ping’an, dressed in his Black Clothing and carrying his saber, walked through the streets and alleys, listening to their intermittent conversation.

"Did you see the looks on the Constables’ faces today?! Their brows were so furrowed you could almost see cracks forming!"

"Did something happen?"

"Heard of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect!?"

"The Ten Thousand Demons Sect!"

"Demon Fiends from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect have been spotted in the city recently. I heard they’re already responsible for several murders in the other districts. In a situation like this, it’s not just the Constables in our Nanquan Lane who are feeling the heat—even the Lord Chief above us is under immense pressure!"

"Several murders? It’s that serious!"

"Yeah! You know the methods of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect. Every single one of them is ruthlessly vicious."

"Monkey Head, how do you know all this? I haven’t heard anything."

"Hehe, I have my ways! The news has basically spread all over the Garrison Commandant’s Office. All that’s left is for the Constables to make a formal announcement! Just you wait, it won’t be more than a few days. They’ll announce it sooner or later! Everyone should be careful these days."

"..."

Monkey Head didn’t say much more. He just briefly mentioned the Ten Thousand Demons Sect before changing the subject. At a critical time like this, bringing up the Demon Sect was not a good thing.

’The Ten Thousand Demons Sect!’

Chen Ping’an listened in silence.

Old Chen had died because he was severely wounded by a Steward from a Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold during an encirclement operation.

He and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect were sworn enemies!

’But...’

The Ten Thousand Demons Sect was no ordinary sect; it was a behemoth that had swept across the entire Canglong Province. Even a single Branch was enough to make the Weishui County City’s Garrison Commandant’s Office treat the matter with extreme gravity.

The Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold Old Chen had raided was just one of their smallest. But even so, the joint operation by the Garrison Commandant’s Offices from all the major lanes of the South District—despite having every advantage of timing, terrain, and manpower—ended with heavy casualties.

No fewer than ten Constables died in that raid!

And that was just a stronghold. To deal with a hall, the level above a stronghold, the entire Outer City Garrison Command would need to work together. As for a Branch...

Weishui County City alone would likely not have the strength to handle it.

The day’s shift passed quickly as the men wandered around on their patrol.

After getting off duty, Chen Ping’an headed straight home. He had been worried about Chen Erya all day.

When Chen Ping’an reached Pear Blossom Lane, he could feel a tense and grim atmosphere. Normally at this time, many neighbors would be out and about, walking around or visiting each other to chat. But today, Chen Ping’an saw none of that.

As he neared his home, he saw a person hurrying past.

"Uncle Liang, what’s going on? Why is there no one on the streets?"

Chen Ping’an took a few steps forward, blocking the man’s path.

Hearing someone call him, Uncle Liang jumped in fright before relaxing when he saw it was Chen Ping’an.

"Oh, it’s Brother Chen! You don’t know? Something big has happened!"

"Uncle Liang, what happened?"

Although Chen Ping’an already guessed it was about Liu’Er, he still asked.

"Sixth Master of the Tiger Head Gang is dead!"

With that, Uncle Liang scurried off without waiting for a reaction. At a time like this, he didn’t want to be caught loitering outside where members of the Tiger Head Gang might see him and cause him needless trouble.

They were just common folk and couldn’t afford to get mixed up in such turmoil.

’So it really is about that.’

Chen Ping’an watched Uncle Liang leave, his eyes glinting. He didn’t linger and walked straight to his front door.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, he saw a figure bustling in the kitchen, and the weight on Chen Ping’an’s heart lifted.

’Thank goodness, thank goodness...’

The worry that had plagued him all day finally began to ease.

"Nannan, I’m home."

"Brother, you’re back! Time to eat!" Chen Erya beamed.

The little girl was still young, and Chen Ping’an found her smile to be incredibly sweet and charming.

"Your brother is starving," Chen Ping’an laughed. He went into the kitchen and helped Chen Erya carry out the dishes.

The weather today wasn’t good, and it looked like it was about to rain, so the siblings ate inside instead of in the courtyard.

The light inside was a bit dim, not as bright as outdoors, but the smiles on each other’s faces lit up their hearts.

After dinner, Chen Erya didn’t immediately stand up to clear the dishes as usual. Instead, the smile on her face faded slightly as she looked at Chen Ping’an with wide eyes.

"Brother, earlier today, people outside were saying that Sixth Master of the Tiger Head Gang—that Liu’Er—died last night."

After speaking, Chen Erya fell silent. As clever as she was, she connected this to the bloodstains on Chen Ping’an last night and had already guessed the truth.

Looking into Chen Erya’s eyes, Chen Ping’an was silent, carefully considering his words.

Just as he composed his thoughts and was about to say something to Chen Erya, the little girl stood up.

"Alright, Brother, I’m going to do the dishes."

"Wait." Chen Ping’an stopped Chen Erya. "Last night..."

"SHH!"

The little girl made a hushing gesture. Then she pointed outside, signaling for Chen Ping’an not to speak.

"Brother, you don’t have to tell me. I know. And you don’t have to explain, I understand everything!" The little girl turned and hugged Chen Ping’an. "No matter what you do, I’ll always believe in you!"

Chen Ping’an’s heart warmed at her words, and he was about to reach out and pat her head. But unexpectedly, the little girl darted away.

"Hee hee... I’m off to do the dishes~"

’This girl...’ Chen Ping’an was speechless for a moment.

’She’s only nine. If this were his past life, who would believe it? She’s almost too mature!’

However, seeing that the relaxed expression on the little girl’s face wasn’t fake, he gradually set his mind at ease.

He had been worried that the matter of him killing Liu’Er would be a burden on the little girl’s heart. He hadn’t expected her to be so adaptable!

’Then again, those who can’t adapt don’t survive long in this world.’

After dinner, Chen Ping’an was about to let his food digest and start practicing with his Flying Locust Stones. He stood in the courtyard, and when he saw the marks on the wall—now a dense cluster of white specks—his heart suddenly lurched.

’Damn it all, how could I forget! What is wrong with my brain!’

At a glance, the marks on the courtyard wall didn’t look like much. But a closer look would reveal a dense pattern of tiny pockmarks.

They were all made by the Flying Locust Stones.

If the Tiger Head Gang really came to investigate, they might not connect this to Liu’Er’s death, but it would undoubtedly create unnecessary complications—a flaw left out in the open.

Thinking of this, Chen Ping’an immediately grabbed a rock, ran to the courtyard wall, and started to smear and scribble over the marks.

Just as he was halfway through, a heavy knock sounded from the courtyard gate.

"Open up! Tiger Head Gang!"

...