Xu Shuxin negotiated with the Shopkeeper, and they agreed he would come back for the silver that evening. Only then did he depart.

That evening, Fang Shuwen procured a horse-drawn carriage, placed the box of silver on it, and drove off.

Sure enough, two people were tailing him on the road.

Fang Shuwen sighed in resignation. He drove the carriage around the city a few times, then, when his pursuers weren’t looking, he grabbed the box and slipped away.

By the time the two tails found the stopped carriage and went to investigate, they realized the silver was already gone.

A later investigation revealed that the person who bought the carriage had also been wearing a mask, making them impossible to identify. In the end, the matter had to be dropped.

Meanwhile, Fang Shuwen took the silver to the new house he had bought, pried up the floor tiles in the bedroom, and hid the entire chest underneath.

With that, these assorted tasks were more or less complete.

The next morning, Fang Shuwen and Chen Yan, with Xu Shuxin in tow, helped the old lady move.

They had already hired a few young maids and instructed them to serve her diligently. After leading the old lady into the house, they told her about the secret beneath the floor tiles, reminding her to be discreet and not let anyone see.

The old lady understood the wisdom of not flaunting one’s wealth and thanked Fang Shuwen profusely once more.

Once everything was settled, they told the old lady they had to leave.

They urged her to take care of her health and to simply wait at home in peace.

The old lady went on to live without a single worry for food or drink until the age of eighty-three. Her only regret before she died was that she never saw her little granddaughter again.

...

...

"Being a hero... it’s actually a lot of trouble."

Fang Shuwen let out a sudden sigh after they left Qiuhai Town.

In truth, before leaving, Fang Shuwen, Chen Yan, and Xu Shuxin had returned to the old lady’s original home. They searched the area and eventually found the body of Xiao Ding Xiang in a dry well. She had been dead for a long time.

After retrieving her body and giving it a proper burial, the group finally departed.

The old lady was in a pitiful state. Her son and daughter-in-law were most likely gone, and now the granddaughter she had relied on had died under mysterious circumstances.

If they had told her the truth, the shock would have surely killed her.

So, Fang Shuwen had no choice but to weave a lie to protect her.

He wanted her to live out her days comfortably, but that also meant he couldn’t give her too much silver. Just enough to live without worrying about food and drink was sufficient.

Any more than that would likely attract disaster.

Fang Shuwen had killed the Han Family’s father and son but hadn’t touched their silver. This was also part of his consideration.

The townspeople had been bullied by the Han Family for too long. If the family’s downfall meant a windfall for everyone, they wouldn’t be inclined to ask too many questions about the source of someone else’s newfound wealth.

Besides, the old lady had a perfectly plausible excuse: the silver was from her son.

Unaware of the truth and having benefited from the Han Family’s demise themselves, the other townspeople would naturally not risk stirring up trouble.

This way, everyone could live in peace.

This was precisely why Fang Shuwen felt that being a hero was so much trouble.

’If you’re going to do something, you have to do it right and see it through. You can’t help someone only to end up hurting them.’

’Good intentions that lead to bad outcomes are still bad outcomes.’

Chen Yan nodded languidly.

"That’s why all those great heroes are great fools."

Looking back at the whole affair, Fang Shuwen had spent his own effort and money, only to gain nothing in the end. From a certain point of view, it was indeed quite foolish.

Xu Shuxin did not agree with their assessment.

Fang Shuwen just smiled and said,

"But it would be a good thing if there were a few more fools like that in the world..."

"A shame most of them are paragons of virtue on the surface and utterly shameless scoundrels in private."

As Chen Yan spoke, he glanced at Xu Shuxin.

"And that’s precisely why I feel that Xu Zeyuan didn’t deserve the end he met."

At this, Xu Shuxin fell silent once more.

Fang Shuwen clapped him on the shoulder.

"Do you want to be a great hero someday?"

"I do!"

Xu Shuxin answered without a moment’s hesitation.

"Back home in Guangning City, I used to listen to the stories about my grandfather, but they always felt... distant.

"It wasn’t until I saw and heard everything for myself here in Qiuhai Town that I finally understood what it truly means to be a hero.

"In the future, I will be just like my grandfather and Brother Fang! I’ll become a great hero who stands up for the common people!"

"Don’t include me in that."

Fang Shuwen waved his hand dismissively.

"I’m no great hero. I don’t mind lending a hand when it’s within my power.

"But if I’m outmatched... I guarantee I’ll run faster than anyone."

Chen Yan shot a disdainful glance at his horse.

"Run?"

Fang Shuwen’s face darkened.

"Sooner or later, I’ll find a mount so fast it disappears in a flash, just you watch!"

"..."

Chen Yan suddenly felt he shouldn’t pursue this topic. If he accidentally piqued Fang Shuwen’s interest and reminded him of Miao Feichan... things could get ugly.

Thus, for the next three days, Chen Yan never once brought up the subject of mounts, terrified of setting Fang Shuwen off.

Sure enough, three days later, they arrived at Qingyang Mountain.

Cyan Blue Valley was to the southwest of Qingyang Mountain, but the mountain was massive, making it a difficult journey.

Yuqing Pavilion, however, was located on the main peak.

Arriving at the foot of the mountain, they saw a large green boulder. Carved upon it with powerful, elegant strokes were the two words: Yuqing Pavilion.

Disciples of Yuqing Pavilion were standing guard there. Seeing the group approach, one immediately stepped forward.

"Ahead lies Yuqing Pavilion. Who are you?"

Chen Yan shot Fang Shuwen a meaningful look. Fang Shuwen was baffled but still cupped his fist in salute and said,

"I am Fang Shuwen. I’ve brought a young friend here to Yuqing Pavilion to find his family."

After he spoke, both Yuqing Pavilion disciples paused, slightly taken aback. One of them then said,