Chapter 459: Ungrateful and Treacherous
All eyes in the alley turned toward Li Ping'an, waiting to see how he would respond.
Li Ping'an spoke calmly, his tone neither humble nor arrogant. "Uncle Liu, please don't misunderstand. I simply don't wish to owe anyone. I ask for your understanding."
The Liu family arriving in such a public fashion with a chest of a thousand taels of silver was no blessing.
As the saying goes: wealth stirs greed. If he accepted that money, he would not survive three days.
Hearing this explanation, Uncle Liu's expression eased slightly. He said indifferently, "Since that's your wish, I won't force you. But let me make it clear—once you've taken this silver, there will be no more ties between our two families."
"That's how it should be," Li Ping'an replied evenly.
"Then take what you wish yourself."
Uncle Liu didn't object.
"Very well."
Li Ping'an took out two hundred taels of silver from the chest, wrapped them carefully in a cloth bundle.
"Uncle Liu, from this day forth, all ties between our two families are severed."
"Agreed," Uncle Liu said coldly. With a wave of his hand, he turned and left with his servants, boarding his carriage.
Once seated inside, a finely dressed woman beside him spoke. "That boy has some sense after all."
"Don't worry, Madam," Uncle Liu replied with a smile, stroking his beard. "Today we came merely to show the world the generosity of the Liu family. Whether he took the silver or not, neither he nor his sister will see tomorrow's sun."
The woman frowned slightly. "Husband, must we go so far?"
"Hmph!"
Uncle Liu snorted. "This isn't our decision. The one who favors Jiahui demanded that all her mortal ties be severed completely. Li Ping'an must die. Even if we didn't act, there are plenty in Ningzhou willing to do it for us."
At those words, the woman's expression hardened. "You're right. That Li Ping'an can serve as a stepping stone on Jiahui's path to immortality."
After sending the Liu family away, Li Ping'an immediately shut his door.
Li Yingying, who had been watching from inside, hurried over to comfort him. "Brother, those Liu people are truly a pack of ungrateful dogs!
If you hadn't given them one hundred taels to save their family back then, if you hadn't paid for Jiahui's journey to the royal city, how could she have reached where she is now?
And now that she's gained a chance at immortality, they want to sever ties with us completely?"
To her surprise, Li Ping'an remained composed. "Little sister, don't be angry. Take the money and leave the city through the secret passage. I'll join you once I'm done."
Li Yingying's face turned pale. "Brother, do you mean the Liu family won't let us go?"
"We can never be too careful," Li Ping'an replied calmly. "Even if they don't act, other powers eager to curry favor with them surely will. Our only option is to leave and start anew elsewhere."
Despite the betrayal, Li Ping'an was not broken. After years of blood and hardship, his heart had become as firm as steel. No matter what happened, he always faced it with composure.
"Brother, you're not coming with me?" she asked in confusion.
"If we leave together, we'll draw too much attention. Besides, I have something dangerous to get rid of first."
He said this as he patted the bundle at his waist.
Though the Li family could use those two hundred taels of silver, it was better spent buying survival than courting death.
Li Yingying nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you. I'll go pack now."
"Good."
Once she left, Li Ping'an slung the bundle over his shoulder and quickly made his way to the Black Tiger Gang's headquarters. Half an hour later, he entered the Fierce Tiger Hall.
Inside the main hall sat a burly middle-aged man on the leader's seat. Seeing Li Ping'an, he stroked his beard and smiled. "Ping'an, I heard you've run into some trouble."
Li Ping'an cupped his hands respectfully. "Hall Master, it's true I've encountered a small problem. I came to ask for your guidance."
"This matter won't be easy," the man said gravely. "An immortal is not someone ordinary folk like us can afford to offend."
Li Ping'an bowed again. "I have no intention of defying immortals. I only wish to leave Ningzhou City. As for what happens after… I'll leave that to fate."
The Fierce Tiger Hall Master shook his head. "It seems you still underestimate the power of immortals. Since you are my registered disciple, I will offer you a way out. At midnight the Canal Gang will be transporting a batch of servants out of Ningzhou; you and your sister can blend in with them and leave the prefecture."
"Thank you, Hall Master."
Li Ping'an handed the bundle at his waist to the Hall Master with both hands.
The Hall Master weighed the bundle casually, then tossed out a token. "Take this token to the docks tonight and someone will meet you there."
"Disciple takes his leave."
Li Ping'an accepted the token and turned to leave.
As he stepped out, a scholarly-looking middle-aged man emerged from the hall. "Hall Master, you truly intend to help this kid?"
The Hall Master sneered. "A registered disciple or a future immortal—do I not know which holds greater weight? Besides, the immortal sect the Liu girl joined is called Heartless Vale; disciples there must sever attachments. From the Liu family's actions, it appears the girl's severing will be aimed at this boy. If I wanted him dead, I could have killed him long ago—why would I help him?"
Hearing that, the scholar's face showed doubt for a moment before he laughed loudly. "Ha… Hall Master, your move is brilliant. Not only do you grant a favor to the immortal girl, you also set the Canal Gang up for a major loss. Perhaps in a few days the Canal Gang won't even exist."
The Hall Master warned, "Now's not the time to celebrate. That kid isn't stupid. Assign a few to watch him—if he tries to flee, seize him. Oh, and take this gourd."
He produced a gourd from his waist and handed it over.
The scholar inspected the gourd, then raised his thumb approvingly. "Hall Master, you truly are our Black Tiger Gang's strategist. I wager you smeared spirit-bee honey on that token; even if he discards it after leaving, the spirit-bees will still track him."
"One who knows me, knows my talismans. Will you handle this?" the Hall Master asked.
"I will serve the Hall Master," the scholar replied, then left with the gourd.
Back home, Li Ping'an first opened the secret compartment beneath his bedside and placed the token the Hall Master had given him inside.
He did not trust the Hall Master's words and had guessed the Hall Master's plan: sending him on a Canal Gang boat would implicate the gang.
His guess proved correct—the old man was a calculating schemer, always seeking to maximize benefit.
That bought Li Ping'an several hours of leeway.
After preparing, he went to the main room. They had purchased this courtyard primarily because it contained a tunnel that passed through several alleys, allowing for a swift escape from the city.
He closed the door and moved to the tunnel entrance. After opening it, he changed clothes and disguised himself before hurrying away.
Several pairs of eyes in the shadows watched the Li family residence intently. Time ticked by until one watcher muttered, "Something's off—Li Ping'an isn't right."
The Black Tiger Gang members around him asked instinctively, "Boss, what's wrong?"
"The Li house is too quiet. If they planned to flee tonight, they should be packing now—there shouldn't be no sound at all. Search the place!" their leader ordered.
"Yes."
The gang members leapt into the Li courtyard.
In moments they reported back, "Not in this room."
"Not in mine either."
"…"
The leader narrowed his eyes. "So he's slipped away. Notify Steward Yu at once!"
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