He paused, his eyes filled with helplessness. "Maolin is the Hall Master’s only son. The Flying Horse Thieves knew that perfectly. They knew that for his son’s sake, the Hall Master would sell everything he owns to gather the ransom..."

Yang Jing’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’The Flying Horse Thieves have been running rampant in Yuhe County for so long. There’s no way there isn’t an inside man in the city.’

’Someone must have been watching the Liu Family Medical Hall the moment Hall Master Liu returned, checking to see if he reported it to the authorities or notified the Sun’s Martial Arts Hall.’

As they spoke, the three of them reached the door of the main house in the inner courtyard. From inside, they could faintly hear a suppressed cough. It had to be Hall Master Liu, recuperating from his injuries.

A cold wind swept fallen leaves across the veranda, carrying a bone-chilling draft. Standing at the door, Yang Jing felt his heart grow heavy.

One hundred thousand taels of silver was an astronomical sum. Even for the Liu Family Medical Hall, it was an unbearable amount. To raise the money, the Liu Family would have to sell off everything and still be forced to call in favors and take on massive debt.

Besides, there was no guarantee the Flying Horse Thieves would even keep their promise.

Yang Jing took a deep breath and followed the steward through the door of the main house.

Jiang Haoyang followed behind him. The boy’s usual liveliness was gone, replaced by only tension and anxiety.

The room was dimly lit. The paper on the windows was drawn tight, leaving only a single slit to let in a sliver of light.

A heavy scent of medicine filled the air, mingled with the faint smell of blood.

Hall Master Liu lay on the canopy bed further inside, covered with a thick brocade quilt. His face was paper-white, but his lips had an unnatural, purplish-blue tint, a clear sign of a serious injury.

His chest rose and fell shallowly, and his breathing was audibly strained. Each inhalation was a visible effort.

At the sound of the door creaking open, Hall Master Liu struggled to turn his head. His hazy eyes looked toward the entrance, and when he saw it was Yang Jing, a faint flicker of recognition crossed his gaze.

The steward hurried to the bedside and said in a low voice, "Hall Master, Young Hero Yang has arrived."

Hall Master Liu nodded slowly. His chapped lips moved as he rasped, "Young... Young Hero Yang, you’re here."

He tried to sit up, but the slightest movement tugged at his wounds, causing him to let out a muffled grunt. A cold sweat immediately broke out on his forehead.

"Hall Master, don’t move."

Yang Jing hurried forward, motioning for him to remain lying down.

He took one look at Hall Master Liu’s complexion, and his heart sank further.

’These kinds of injuries... They clearly didn’t hold back.’

He dispensed with the pleasantries and got straight to the point. "Hall Master, the steward has told me the general situation. What... are you planning to do now?"

Hall Master Liu closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they held nothing but a heavy, near-hopeless despair.

He took a ragged breath, his voice filled with an inexpressible exhaustion and resolve. "Young Hero Yang, Maolin is my only son..."

"The Liu Family’s legacy, whether it’s large or small, whether it survives or fails... none of it matters in the end." He paused, his gaunt fingers clutching the sheet beneath him so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Without my son, what’s the point of keeping this medical hall?"

"I’ve already sent people to take stock of our assets," Hall Master Liu said, his voice trembling but exceptionally firm. "The herbs in the storeroom, the street-front shops, the farmland in the countryside... I’ll sell it all. If that’s not enough, I’ll go to my acquaintances and beg for loans. I will sell everything to my name, but I *will* get that one hundred thousand taels and bring Maolin back."

"I just hope... I just hope those damned Flying Horse Thieves take the money and keep their promise... that they’ll let Maolin come back..."

A silence fell over the room, broken only by the sound of Hall Master Liu’s ragged gasps.

Jiang Haoyang stood by the door, his eyes growing red as he listened, unsure of what to say.

Watching Hall Master Liu’s utterly drained expression, Yang Jing’s brow furrowed even tighter.

’The Flying Horse Thieves are a band of murderous outlaws who see human life as worthless. The chances of them taking the money and simply letting their hostage go are slim to none.’

’They might kill the hostage the second the ransom is paid. They might even kill the person delivering it to tie up loose ends.’

He remained silent for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tracing the cuff of his sleeve. He looked up at Hall Master Liu and asked in a deep voice, "Hall Master, when did the Flying Horse Thieves say to make the exchange?"

At his words, a bitter light flashed in Hall Master Liu’s hazy eyes. He rasped, "Three days from now... They only gave us three days. They said if we’re late, or if we try anything funny, they’ll... they’ll kill him immediately."

Yang Jing nodded, his mind racing.

’Three days. Not long, but not short either. It’s enough time to prepare.’

He took a deep breath, his gaze hardening with resolve. "Hall Master," he said, "in three days, let me make the exchange."

The moment he said it, the room fell dead silent.

Jiang Haoyang, who was standing by the door, was the first to react, nearly jumping out of his skin in fright.

’The Flying Horse Thieves are savage! Going to deliver the ransom is like walking into the tiger’s den. How can Senior Brother take such a risk?’

Hall Master Liu and the steward were also stunned. They both turned to Yang Jing, their eyes wide with astonishment.

Hall Master Liu looked at Yang Jing, a flicker of indecision in his eyes.

’He knew Yang Jing’s capabilities. Having him there would certainly be an extra layer of protection.’

But he quashed the thought as soon as it arose. He shook his head. "No, that’s too dangerous."

"When we were preparing to escort that shipment of herbs, I considered asking you to join us. Maolin was the one who stopped me. He said he was afraid of dragging you into danger." Hall Master Liu took a pained breath, his chest wound making him grimace slightly. "The situation is far more dangerous now. How could I let you take such a risk? If Maolin were here, he wouldn’t agree to it either."

A warmth spread through Yang Jing’s chest as he listened.