Zhou Xing was annoyed. "So you’re just going to make me wait here? You think I can rest easy?"

"Come on, what’s there to worry about? I’m not an idiot, and I cherish my life. If something really goes wrong, I guarantee I’ll run faster than anyone!"

"No. If Master finds out you went to risk your life while I just stayed home, wouldn’t he skin me alive?"

"What does this have to do with Master? Besides, he’s the one who taught me this! He said we should handle our own business! ...Or how about this, Senior Brother: you can come with me, no problem. But then you have to name one of your own Anjin-level enemies, and since we’re already at it, we can just take care of them both today!"

"...What are you talking about?"

"Why is it different when it’s about you? Why won’t you let me get involved with your enemies? ...Don’t tell me you don’t have any Anjin-level enemies you wish were dead."

"You..."

The two brothers began to argue.

Monkey watched from the side, thoroughly enjoying the drama.

But after all was said and done, Zhou Xing fell silent.

After a long moment, he sighed. "You kid... Fine. I won’t go, alright?"

’He could see it now. The kid really didn’t want him to tag along...’

’...Then again, it made sense. He was just being concerned.’

’But he hadn’t really considered Qin Fang’s own wishes.’

’Even though he was just being difficult... if he had his own Anjin-level enemy, he probably wouldn’t let his junior brother get involved either.’

Seeing Zhou Xing finally relent, Qin Fang breathed a sigh of relief...

Then he quickly added, "Senior Brother, I understand you’re just looking out for me, but this is trouble I stirred up myself, and I want to be the one to deal with it... Of course, if I can’t handle it and I need you, I won’t hesitate... Otherwise, why would I have told Monkey to find you first? It’s only because it was so hard for me to get into the city on my own!"

He began to console his senior brother again.

Before his brother could reply, he quickly added, "Besides, there is something else I need to trouble you with."

"What is it?" Zhou Xing asked, frowning.

"Find out where Wang Hu is right now."

Zhou Xing was taken aback for a moment, then nodded slightly.

’That was indeed a problem.’

’He knew where Wang Hu lived, but... who was to say Wang Hu was actually at home right now?’

But a small matter like this wouldn’t be a problem for him.

...After all, he, Zhou Xing, had some connections in True Martial County.

He had quite a few informants.

All of them were involved with the local gangs.

For him, finding out Wang Hu’s whereabouts was a simple task.

"Alright, leave it to me."

He paused for a moment before sighing softly. "Since you don’t want me to get involved, just be careful."

Qin Fang nodded. "Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I’m not an idiot."

Hearing Qin Fang’s words and recalling his junior brother’s past actions, Zhou Xing had to admit he wasn’t a foolish person.

Feeling slightly more at ease, Zhou Xing took a deep breath. "In that case, I’ll go find out about Wang Hu right now. Wait for me here."

"Okay."

After Qin Fang agreed, Zhou Xing left.

Only Qin Fang and Monkey remained in the courtyard.

Monkey blinked and asked Qin Fang, "Master Qin, what should I do then?"

"I’ll give you some silver. Find a safe place to lay low. Come find me here at my senior brother’s place tomorrow... If you can’t find me... just head back to Fishermen’s first," Qin Fang said after a moment of thought.

"Huh?" Monkey said hastily. "If I leave, what about you, Master Qin? Aren’t you going back?"

"Of course I’m going back. I’ll find a way. Don’t worry about anything else."

"But Wang Hu is an Anjin master, after all... Master Qin, you must be careful," Monkey finally whispered, unable to hold back after a moment of hesitation.

Qin Fang nodded slightly. "Don’t worry... I value my life more than anyone."

He’d clawed his way up from being a vagrant. Life was finally starting to look up for him, so of course he cherished it.

It was just a shame that Wang Hu had to die.

The conflict between them was irreconcilable.

Hearing this, Monkey hesitated for a moment before nodding and murmuring his assent.

...

"Where is he?"

Not far from Zhou Xing’s home was a gambling den, and Zhou Xing was in a back room.

"Ganlu Hall," a young man replied. He then asked curiously, "Master, why are you asking about Wang Hu?"

"Ganlu Hall? What’s he doing there?"

Zhou Xing didn’t answer, asking instead with some confusion.

"Healing his injuries."

The man said, "Wang Hu broke his right hand, after all. He’s been getting treatment at Ganlu Hall ever since he came back the day before yesterday."

Understanding dawned on Zhou Xing, and he nodded.

"Master, has Wang Hu gotten into some kind of trouble again? Is the Government Office going to arrest him?" the man asked, his face full of gossip.

But Zhou Xing just frowned. He didn’t answer, standing up and saying, "Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t... As for today’s business, keep it to yourself."

The man snapped back to his senses and said quickly, "Ah, yes, Master Zhou. I understand the rules."

Zhou Xing nodded and left through the back door.

When he arrived back home, Qin Fang was already waiting.

"Senior Brother, did you find anything out?"

Qin Fang stood up as Zhou Xing pushed open the door and entered.

"I did. The word is... Wang Hu is at Ganlu Hall right now."

"Ganlu Hall?"

Qin Fang was puzzled.

Zhou Xing nodded and repeated what his informant had told him.

Qin Fang quickly understood...

’That’s right. His arm was broken, so of course he’d need treatment.’

’...But wait, Wang Hu had just gone to Pingze and had fought and defeated two Anjin masters.’

’His injury isn’t fully healed yet?’

The thought flashed through Qin Fang’s mind.

But he quickly pushed it aside.

’Well, whatever. As long as I have his location, that’s all that matters.’

"Senior Brother, I’m heading out."

He rose to leave.

After a moment of hesitation, Zhou Xing nodded. "Be careful, above all else... If you get discovered... run to the Government Office Entrance. I’ll invite a few skilled colleagues over for drinks there. If something goes wrong, just get there. No matter what... I can at least guarantee your life."

Qin Fang was stunned for a moment, then a wave of warmth spread through his heart.

’...His senior brother genuinely cared for him.’

"Alright."

After agreeing, Qin Fang left the courtyard. Following the directions Zhou Xing had given him, he made his way toward Ganlu Hall.

Soon, he saw the brightly lit Ganlu Hall in the distance.

Even at this hour, Ganlu Hall was surprisingly bustling. Its main doors were wide open, with a constant stream of customers coming and going...

(Another twenty-two thousand characters for you all. Hope you brothers enjoy it. More tomorrow.)