Chapter 187: Chapter 101: Hidden Worries and Determination

He paused, his tone growing more certain. "I doubt the Flying Horse Thieves are specifically targeting us. They’ve always been picky, going wherever the money is. It’s not worth their while to fixate on our medical hall over a minor conflict."

Hearing this, the weight in Yang Jing’s heart lifted considerably, and he couldn’t help but nod. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

’That makes sense.’ The Flying Horse Thieves had plundered many wealthy families and merchant caravans in Yuhe County recently. They must have had their hands full with "business." It was unlikely they’d waste energy specifically targeting the Liu Family Medical Hall just because Liu Maolin had repelled a small group of them.

’It seems I was worrying for nothing.’

He raised his teacup and took another sip. The warm medicinal tea slid down his throat, its licorice sweetness dispelling some of the chill.

Jiang Haoyang sat to the side without interrupting, just holding his teacup and listening curiously to their conversation. He was clearly very interested in such Jianghu affairs.

With his worries gone, Yang Jing relaxed considerably and became more talkative.

The three of them started chatting about recent events at the Martial Arts Hall. After all, Liu Maolin hadn’t been there for three days and wasn’t up to date on what was happening.

"Speaking of which, Senior Brother Xu Hong is preparing to attempt his breakthrough for the third time."

Yang Jing held his teacup, his voice tinged with emotion. "Master said this is his last chance. If he fails again, I’m afraid he’ll truly have no hope of reaching the Huajin realm."

Hearing this, Liu Maolin’s expression turned grave, and he nodded slowly. "Senior Brother is already twenty-nine this year. A Martial Artist’s vitality usually begins to decline after thirty. The longer he waits, the slimmer his chances become. He has no other choice but to risk it all... It’s just... so difficult."

He sighed, a wistful look in his eyes. "When I reach his age, I’ll most likely be in the same situation."

While Dark Energy masters in Yuhe County weren’t common, there were still a fair number of them in total.

However, Huajin Powerhouses were exceedingly rare, with very few in all of Yuhe County.

Every single Huajin Martial Artist was a prominent figure in Yuhe County, a true big shot. A stomp of their foot could make half the city tremble, which just showed how difficult the breakthrough was.

"To even touch the threshold of the Huajin realm, you not only need profound Inner Strength, but you must also grasp the true meaning of ’strength born from the heart, energy moving with the will.’ You can’t be off by a single hair." As Liu Maolin spoke, he turned to Yang Jing, his eyes full of expectation. "But you’re different, Junior Brother. You have excellent comprehension and progress rapidly. I have high hopes for you. I’m sure you’ll break through to the Huajin realm one day."

Yang Jing smiled and waved his hand. "Senior Brother, you praise me too much. The Huajin realm isn’t that easy to reach. I’m still a long way off. All I can do is train my hardest. As for the result, who can say for sure?"

The three chatted a bit more about other matters at the Martial Arts Hall. Seeing it was getting late, Yang Jing stood up to leave. "Senior Brother, it’s getting late. We’ll head back now. You should get some rest too."

"Alright." Liu Maolin also stood up. "I’ll see you out."

He walked Yang Jing and Jiang Haoyang all the way to the main gate of the medical hall. Only after their figures disappeared into the deep night did he slowly turn around.

A cold wind, carrying the scent of herbs, brushed past his cheek. He gazed at the pitch-black street and couldn’t help but sigh again. The weariness in his brow seemed to deepen.

The moment he closed the gate, the warmth on his face vanished, replaced by an indescribable gravity.

’There are some things I still haven’t told Yang Jing, after all.’

Liu Maolin turned and walked back, his footsteps echoing dully on the stone slabs.

A cold draft slipped through the crack in the door, making the lantern sway gently, casting flickering light and shadows across his face.

The scene of the encounter with the Flying Horse Thieves surfaced uncontrollably in his mind.

That day, the mountain path had been rugged and the woods dense. The Flying Horse Thieves had suddenly burst out from the forest on both sides. Their leader was a master approaching the Peak of Dark Energy. His skills were vicious, and his moves carried the reckless ferocity of a hardened bandit.

With his own strength, facing such a battle-hardened bandit chief was already a struggle. After just a few exchanges, he had been at a disadvantage, and his arm had been grazed by the man’s blade energy, leaving a bloody gash.

He still remembered that the only reason he had been able to turn the tables was because of an accident.

In the heat of the moment, one of his guards had swung his blade at a young man cowering behind a nearby tree. Although it wasn’t a fatal blow, it had lopped off half of the man’s arm.

That single strike had caused the Dark Energy-level chief, who had been attacking relentlessly, to panic. With a roar of "Young Master!", he had disregarded his own defense and charged forward to shield the young man with his body.

It was that momentary opening that Liu Maolin seized. He had struck the man’s back with a Mountain-Shattering Fist, injuring him and forcing the Flying Horse Thieves to retreat.

The situation had been urgent at the time, and he had been focused only on getting the caravan away safely, with no time for detailed thought.

But later, whenever he recalled that scene, his heart would grow heavy.

’The Flying Horse Thieves are bandits who terrorize the region, known for their ruthlessness. How could they have someone addressed as "Young Master" in their ranks?’

’And the Dark Energy chief’s attitude toward that young man was simply too unusual. He was willing to be injured himself just to protect him.’

’What exactly is that young man’s status among the Flying Horse Thieves?’

It had been Liu Maolin’s idea for the medical hall to send out only small-scale escort caravans these past few days, carrying nothing but common medicinal herbs.

He was afraid the Flying Horse Thieves were truly targeting the Liu Family. This way, even if they were robbed, the losses would be minimized.

Fortunately, nothing had happened on the last few trips, as if that day’s encounter had been a mere coincidence.

Liu Maolin walked into the inner courtyard and pushed open the door to the pharmacy. A much richer aroma of herbs washed over him.

He sat at the table and stared at the open ledger, but he couldn’t take in a single word.

’Maybe... I really am overthinking this.’

He tried to console himself with this thought, but his fingertips unconsciously tapped on the tabletop, creating a light TAP, TAP, TAP that mingled with the sound of the wind outside, feeling exceptionally chaotic.

But the anxiety was like a fine needle, constantly pricking at his heart and giving him no peace.

Liu Maolin took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress those chaotic thoughts.

In a few days, the Liu Family Medical Hall had a transaction with the largest medicinal herb merchant in the Prefecture City. The herbs were extremely valuable; there could be no mistakes.

To ensure everything went smoothly, he and his father, both Dark Energy masters, would escort the shipment together. The guard team would also be composed of their elites.

He had hesitated, wondering if he should ask Yang Jing to come along. Yang Jing’s strength was considerable, and his presence would undoubtedly add another layer of security.

But after thinking it over and over, he abandoned the idea.

’If the Flying Horse Thieves aren’t really targeting the Liu Family, then that’s for the best. No need to trouble Yang Jing.’

’But if they are secretly targeting us, then with the power the Flying Horse Thieves wield in Yuhe County, it’s probably not something a few ordinary Dark Energy masters like us can handle. Asking Yang Jing to come along would just be dragging him down with us, harming him in the process.’

"It should be... fine."

Liu Maolin muttered to himself, his fingertips ceasing their tapping.

’The last few caravans have made their trips safely. Even if the Flying Horse Thieves hold a grudge, they probably won’t waste their energy on us.’

He picked up the ledger, trying to refocus his attention on the numbers, but the shadow in his heart just wouldn’t dissipate.

...

Meanwhile, Yang Jing and Jiang Haoyang were walking back side by side.

Now that he was sure the Liu Family Medical Hall was safe, Yang Jing’s mood had lightened considerably. He was in the right mind to make small talk with Jiang Haoyang, chatting about everything from daily training at the Martial Arts Hall to which pastry shop in the city had new flavors.

Jiang Haoyang grew excited as he spoke, gesturing animatedly, completely unaware of how late it had gotten.

Yang Jing, however, gradually fell silent, his gaze sweeping over both sides of the street.

The farther west they walked, the farther they got from the bustling Inner City, and the more desolate the scenery became.

Many refugees huddled at the base of the walls, dressed in rags, their faces sallow and gaunt. Some shivered, wrapped in tattered straw mats, while others were already silent. They had frozen to death, their stiff bodies curled up, ignored by all.

The cold wind swept by, carrying the faint, foul stench of decay.

Seeing this, Yang Jing couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

’In this world, human life is as worthless as grass.’

’If this is the fate of common folk, how much better can a Martial Artist be without sufficient strength?’

’The plight of Senior Brother Xu Hong, the lament of Senior Brother Liu Maolin... it all served as a reminder that there was no room for complacency on the path of the Martial Dao.’

"Senior Brother, what’s wrong?" Jiang Haoyang noticed his silence and asked curiously.

"It’s nothing." Yang Jing snapped back to his senses and patted Jiang Haoyang’s shoulder. "Let’s walk faster, it’s late."

He quickened his pace, but his mind was already made up.

’I must train with all my might during this time and strive to break through to the Huajin realm as soon as possible.’

’Only by becoming a Huajin Powerhouse can I truly gain a firm foothold in these chaotic times. Only then can I protect the people I want to protect and possess true security.’

...