He demonstrated the move himself, his right leg lashing out like a whip. It cut through the air with a whistle before striking the old locust tree in the corner of the courtyard, causing a few withered leaves to rustle to the ground.

Yang An’s eyes brightened as he watched. He followed the example and gave it a try. Though his movements were still a bit clumsy, it was a vast improvement over his previous attempt.

Just then, a series of knocks came from the courtyard gate. DONG DONG DONG. The rhythm was urgent, yet tinged with a certain cautiousness.

Yang Jing’s eyes flickered. He said to Yang An, "I’ll get the door."

He walked to the gate and slid the bolt open. Standing outside was a young servant in a short, gray cloth tunic. The boy was small and thin, with a timid look on his face.

This servant was from the Liu Family Medical Hall. He usually did odd jobs in the rear courtyard and didn’t stand out. Yang Jing only recognized him at all because he had spent so much time at the hall.

"Yang... Yang Keqing," the servant stammered upon seeing Yang Jing, quickly lowering his head. He kept his voice to a whisper. "The convoy for the ransom has already departed from the medical hall. The steward sent me to inform you."

"I understand." Yang Jing nodded, his tone calm. "You may go."

The servant acknowledged with a "Yes, sir," then turned and hurried away, his hasty steps suggesting he was afraid of being seen.

Yang Jing closed the door and turned back to Yang An.

"Brother, I have to go out of town for a bit."

Yang An stopped practicing his kicks and looked at him, his face etched with worry.

He hadn’t overheard what the servant said, but he had seen the undisguisable gravity etched between the boy’s brows.

"What’s wrong? Should I go with you? An extra pair of hands could be useful."

Yang Jing shook his head and patted his cousin’s shoulder. "No, it’s nothing major. I’ll be back before you know it."

He didn’t elaborate, not wanting to drag his good-natured cousin into such a perilous affair.

Yang An wanted to protest, but seeing the determination in Yang Jing’s eyes, he could only sigh and say, "Well then... be careful on the road. Your safety comes first."

"I will." Yang Jing grunted in affirmation, then turned and went back inside to grab a cloth bundle. It contained a waterskin, a few pieces of dried rations, and a short dagger he kept concealed on his person.

He strode quickly out of the alley, heading for a street he knew the Liu Family Medical Hall’s convoy would have to pass through.

Soon enough, he saw a commotion stirring in the crowd up ahead. He quickly melted into the stream of people, using the pedestrians around him as cover to peer at the procession.

The Liu Family Medical Hall convoy was proceeding slowly. It consisted of seven carriages, each loaded with heavy wooden chests. The chests were fastened with copper locks and bound with thick hemp ropes. Inside was the ransom: one hundred thousand taels.

More than a dozen guards flanked the front and rear of the convoy. They had sabers at their waists and scanned their surroundings nervously. The atmosphere was so tense that onlookers kept their distance.

Yang Jing watched the convoy for a moment before quietly slipping back under the eaves of a streetside teahouse. He watched as the procession gradually receded into the distance.

He didn’t follow them immediately. Instead, he waited for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Once he estimated the convoy was a safe distance away, he straightened his clothes and started after them, heading out of the city.

The sun grew harsher, yet the light cast upon him offered little warmth. Yang Jing’s gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s, locked firmly on the tracks left by the convoy up ahead.

...

「Inside Chengping Square. Sun’s Martial Arts Hall, front courtyard training grounds.」

Jiang Haoyang was slamming his fists into a wooden training post, one punch after another. Sweat streamed down his cheeks, soaking the front of his shirt.

He was still practicing the foundational stances of the Mountain-Shattering Fist. He put his full strength into every punch, each blow carrying a vicious force.

The other disciples were gathered in small groups, resting and joking around. One of them casually asked, "Hey, has anyone seen Senior Brother Yang? Is he not here today?"

"Probably has some family matters to attend to," another disciple guessed. "Maybe he went back to his village."

Hearing this, Jiang Haoyang’s fists clenched even tighter.

He knew Senior Brother Yang hadn’t gone back to his village. He had gone to face the Flying Horse Thieves, a band of ruthless murderers.

Anxiety coiled around his heart like a vine, leaving him breathless.

’If only I were stronger,’ he thought, ’if I could just break through to the realm of Bright Strength... even if I’d only just entered it, couldn’t I have gone with him to help?’

’But as I am now, I’m not even confident I can break through. If I went with him, I’d probably have trouble just protecting myself. I’d only hold him back.’

BANG!

He slammed another punch into the wooden post, the force behind it even greater than before.

Jiang Haoyang gritted his teeth. Only one thought consumed him.

’Train! Train like my life depends on it! Only by getting stronger can I be of use when Senior Brother needs me, instead of just standing here worrying.’

He took a deep breath and settled back into his stance. His fists flew, a blur of motion, his focus sharper than it had ever been.

...

「Meanwhile.」

Yang Jing was tailing the Liu Family convoy from a safe distance.

At first, the road was still busy with pedestrians. He blended into the crowd, his pace neither fast nor slow, appearing for all the world like an ordinary traveler. No one noticed that his gaze remained fixed on the convoy up ahead.

As the convoy traveled farther from the county seat, the number of pedestrians dwindled, and sparse woods began to line the sides of the dirt road.

Yang Jing paused. Then, his body shot out like a leopard cat, and in a few quick bounds, he darted into the forest at the side of the road.

His toes tapped on the withered yellow grass, his body as light as a leaf. He used the cover of the trees to shadow the convoy in complete silence.

Ever since his Raging Wave Legs technique had broken through to the realm of Dark Strength, his Body Technique was on a completely different level.

Dark Strength circulated through his feet, allowing him to cover several yards with each step. His movements were swift and fluid; he was gone before the dead leaves and branches on the forest floor even had time to stir.

This speed and agility made him feel completely in his element while tracking through the forest.

...