Dragging my leaden legs into the small town, the pursuit behind me gave me not a moment to pause. On the run, sleeping in the open and braving the elements, I was long since hollow with hunger and utterly exhausted. Fragrant aromas of food drifted from shops on both sides of the street, but I dared only watch from afar.
"I must find a place to settle down first and gather some information," I muttered to myself.
An inn named "Welcome Inn" appeared before me. Its dim, warm light felt like a weary traveler's final harbor. I hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside.
A few patrons sat sparsely scattered about the inn's main hall, chatting in low voices. I walked straight up to the counter, where a woman dressed in a turquoise dress was idly clicking the beads of an abacus. She was in her early twenties, with picturesque brows and eyes and fair skin, though none of this could conceal the craftiness and cunning in her gaze.
"Proprietress, a room," I said in a lowered voice, while secretly keeping watch on my surroundings.
The woman raised her head, looked me up and down, and a meaningful smile crept onto the corner of her mouth. "My customer, you are..."
She did not finish, but I knew she had already seen through my identity—a fugitive running for his life. The bloodstains and exhaustion on my body were the best proof.
I took a deep breath and lowered my voice. "I want to gather some information—clues about the massacre of the Lu Family ten years ago."
The woman's smile vanished, and her sharp gaze locked onto me. "The Lu Family? That is a major case. What do you want to know?"
"Any clues, any shred of evidence will do. As long as you can provide them, the price is negotiable," I said urgently, as if grasping at a straw.
"Heh," the woman gave a light laugh. "My customer, that is not something easily explained in a word or two. Information doesn't come cheap here."
I clenched my teeth, pulled a money pouch from my bosom—the last of my meager savings from the flight—and slammed it heavily onto the counter. "Is this enough?"
The woman opened the money pouch, glanced casually inside, and a contemptuous smile appeared on her face. Pushing the money pouch back toward me, she said in the tone of a cat toying with a mouse, "You think this little bit of money buys the truth about the Lu Family massacre? Young man, you are far too naive..."
I froze. The pouch held all my savings, the final keepsake my father had left me—and she called it "this little bit of money"? Gritting my teeth, I forced the words out from between them: "Just how much do you want?"
Su Yao covered her mouth with a delicate smile, her shifting gaze shimmering with greed. "This humble person has just arrived and isn't quite familiar with the prices in this small town. How about this: take out everything you have on you, and I'll see if it's worth my while to speak."
I clenched my fists, a blazing fury rising in my heart. This was outright extortion, taking advantage of someone's distress! Damn it, was I, Lu Chen, really reduced to letting others carve me up at will today?
With trembling hands, I unclasped the sole jade pendant left on my person—my mother's heirloom, which I had always kept close to my heart. The pendant had a warm texture and exquisite carving; one could tell at a glance it was no ordinary item.
"This is my last treasure..." My voice choked slightly.
Su Yao took the pendant, turning it over in her palm to examine it closely, a subtle, imperceptible sneer curling her lips. "The quality of this jade is quite good. Barely enough to buy a single sentence from me."
I held my breath and asked eagerly, "What is it?"
"I heard..." Su Yao deliberately drew out her words, her gaze sweeping over me. "The culprit behind the Lu Family massacre is currently hiding..."
She paused intentionally. I felt as though my heart was leaping into my throat. Was the clue I had pursued so bitterly finally going to surface today?
"Hiding..." Su Yao leaned close to my ear and whispered in a voice only I could hear, "At the foot of the Imperial City. The person you are looking for is living in idle luxury right beneath the Emperor's nose!"
The foot of the Imperial City? How could that be! I felt as though I had been struck by lightning, my mind turning completely blank. Watching my bereft and hollow state, Su Yao wore the smile of someone who had achieved her goal, pocketing the jade pendant.
"Brat, you've got quite a few things on you!"
An arrogant voice suddenly rang out beside my ear. I snapped out of my daze to see a young man in opulent robes standing before me, looking down at me with utter contempt. Several fierce-looking attendants trailed behind him, clearly the local bullies of this small town.
"Young Master Li, why are you here?" Seeing him, Su Yao instantly put on a flattering smile.
The man called Young Master Li ignored her, simply looking me up and down with a mocking curl to his lips. "Well, if it isn't the stray dog of the Lu Family? What, reduced to selling your jade pendant just to get by?"
He reached out to snatch the money pouch from my hand. I instinctively dodged, burning with rage. "What do you think you're doing?"
Seeing that I refused to submit obediently, Young Master Li flew into a rage, shoved me violently to the ground, and pointed right at my nose, cursing, "A mere stray dog, and you dare talk back to me? Believe me, I'll..."
Murderous intent flashed in his eyes, his right hand clenched into a fist as if he were about to strike me the next second... I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my flesh. Humiliation and anger burned like fire inside my chest. Could it be that I, Lu Chen, really had to swallow my pride and let these villains trample all over me?
Damn it! A sudden flash reminded me that I was still being hunted and carried a sea of blood vengeance; I could not afford to act on impulse. I took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the rage threatening to erupt, and warned myself inwardly: A gentleman takes his revenge in ten years!
"Oh, Young Master Li, don't dirty your own hands." Su Yao's voice was as cold as a venomous snake flicking its tongue, laced with nauseating flattery. "This brat has plenty of treasures on him. If you beat him up, you won't get any of it."
Her words were like a poisoned thorn piercing deeply into my heart. For the sake of profit, this vicious, snake-hearted woman was actually kicking me while I was down! Burning with rage, I longed to rush forward and tear apart her hypocritical face.
"Consider yourself smart!" Young Master Li cast a contemptuous glance at me, lowered his fist, and instead held out his hand to Su Yao. "Bring me his things! This young master will reward you handsomely!"
"Right away, Young Master Li, just you watch!" Su Yao's face piled up with flattering smiles as she fawned over Young Master Li like a pug, not forgetting to shoot a vicious glare back at me.
Resisting my burning fury, I slowly climbed to my feet and brushed the dust from my clothes. By now, I understood that this small town was a place that chewed you up and spat out your bones, and Su Yao and Young Master Li were the wolves and tigers among them!
I could no longer stay here! I scanned my surroundings, searching for an escape route. Suddenly, my gaze fell upon the back door of the inn. It stood half-open, looking like the sole glimmer of hope guiding me away from this den of devils.
"Trying to run?" Young Master Li noticed my intent and roared, "Get him!"
Hardening my heart and without the slightest hesitation, I spun around and bolted toward the back door.
"Don't let him get away!" The curses from behind grew closer and closer. I could feel Young Master Li's lackeys closing in step by step.
I ran with every ounce of strength I had, tearing through the narrow back alley, my heartbeat pounding like thunder in my ears. Behind me, Su Yao's shrill, grating curses sounded like a death warrant, driving me forward without a single moment to pause.
In the darkness, I seemed to catch a glimpse of light... The exit of the small town! A shred of hope ignited in my heart, and driving my feet harder, I sprinted desperately toward the light...