Chapter Forty-Nine: Departure

Early morning.

Chu Wenyan stepped out of his room.

Even with the sun shining brightly, the anxiety on his face could not be concealed.

Yesterday, Chu Bing had promised him that she would send him back to their hometown today. He worried that after he left, Chu Bing would be left here to suffer alone.

The door next to his creaked open, and Chu Bing emerged, dressed in a peach-colored ruqun, her movements graceful.

She had applied a light touch of makeup that day, her features delicate and fresh, making her look especially lovely.

"You're up so early?"

Chu Wenyan nodded, looking at her curiously. "Sister, you seem... different today."

A mysterious smile curled on Chu Bing's lips. "Your sister is in good spirits today."

She reached out, hooked her arm around Chu Wenyan's neck, and laughed. "Today we're selling this tavern. You'll take some silver home and start a small business with Father."

This, she thought, was a way to offer some care to her family, on behalf of the one who originally owned this life.

Chu Wenyan wanted to refuse, but people were already arriving in the main hall.

Chu Bing had posted a notice at the tavern's entrance yesterday, offering it for sale at a low price. As soon as dawn broke, merchants rushed over.

Rumors had spread about deaths in the tavern, but anyone with sense could find out the truth. The location was prime, and Chu Bing had built up a good reputation and clientele while running the business, making the place highly sought after.

Moreover, Chu Bing had added a note to the notice: ten exclusive recipes would be gifted with the tavern!

Who wouldn't covet the recipes from Chu's Tavern? Those recipes were worth their weight in silver.

"They're here!" Chu Bing and Chu Wenyan walked to the main hall. Outside, a crowd had gathered—wealthy families from the city. Chu Bing, eager to sell, didn't bother with negotiations: whoever offered the most, the tavern and recipes would be theirs.

In the end, Chu Bing sold the tavern for five hundred taels. Watching the familiar place pass into other hands, a wave of melancholy swept over her, and the smile in her eyes faded.

Chu Wenyan comforted her, "Don't be sad, Sister. With silver, opening another tavern is easy."

His sister still had plenty of recipes. With just one, she could build another Chu's Tavern. Chu Wenyan had tasted her cooking and trusted her completely.

At the mention of silver, Chu Bing suddenly remembered another windfall: the five hundred taels she had tricked out of the county magistrate.

She patted Chu Wenyan's head, smiling brightly. "Be good. Sister's taking you to dig up some money."

Chu Wenyan was thoroughly confused.

Until Chu Bing led him up the mountain and began digging, he still didn't understand what was happening.

Then, he saw Chu Bing pull out a bundle of silver from the pit.

Chu Wenyan swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the muddy hole, eyes shining.

Such a treasure trove!

Chu Bing placed the silver in Chu Wenyan's hands. "Take it. This should be enough for you and Father to live comfortably."

She could not replace the original owner in filial duties before their father, so this silver would serve as compensation.

She hoped the original soul could find peace.

Chu Wenyan wanted to refuse, but Chu Bing didn’t give him the chance.

"No more arguments. The boat at the dock is about to leave. Hurry up now."

Chu Bing took the lead, heading down the mountain. After a moment’s hesitation, Chu Wenyan followed.

The dock was crowded, ships coming and going, laborers unloading cargo everywhere. Chu Bing led Chu Wenyan straight to a cargo boat.

The boatman was a middle-aged man with a kindly face.

Chu Bing slipped him some silver. "Boatman, this is my younger brother. He's still young, please look after him on the journey."

The road was long and winding, and she couldn’t guarantee Chu Wenyan’s safety herself, so she paid extra for peace of mind.

The boatman weighed the silver in his hand, satisfied. "Rest assured, Miss Chu. I’ll deliver him safely."

With those words, Chu Bing felt at ease and turned to Chu Wenyan.

This child had arrived only yesterday, and now, in the blink of an eye, he was leaving.

A pang of sadness struck Chu Bing. Ultimately, she felt she had failed as a sister.

"Once you’re home, honor Father. If you run into trouble, write to me," she said gently, straightening his collar.

Chu Wenyan’s eyes stung, and he replied quietly, "Sister, if you can’t manage out here, come home. I’ll take care of you."

The words warmed her heart.

Chu Bing grinned, giving his chest a hearty slap. "Alright, I’ll remember!"

Behind them, the boatman was urging them on.

Chu Bing stepped forward and hugged Chu Wenyan. "Go now."

Chu Wenyan boarded the boat, looking back three times with every step, but finally he left.

Chu Bing watched as the boat drifted further away, her heart heavy. She shook her head, then felt her purse bulging.

She took it out and found it stuffed with banknotes—five hundred taels!

Chu Wenyan had given her all the money from selling the tavern!

"This fool!" Chu Bing was both touched and distressed, wiping her eyes as she prepared to leave. Suddenly, she caught a familiar figure passing before her.

"Li Mochan?" Seeing the man with the purple-gold crown and handsome face, Chu Bing was stunned, instinctively chasing after him.

But his figure darted swiftly through the crowd, moving so fast that, even with her teleportation ability, Chu Bing could only follow from afar.

She bit her lip, preparing to ramp up her teleportation, when a commotion broke out ahead—a swarm of vendors surged past, and when Chu Bing regained her senses, Li Mochan had vanished.

Chu Bing stood amidst the crowd, her brows knit tightly. Why was Li Mochan at the dock?

Moreover... the county magistrate had said Li Haoran’s father had locked him away...

Chu Bing clenched her teeth. Her main task now was to train Li Haoran into a martial arts master, but that depended on being able to see him!

She glanced towards the Li estate and immediately used her lightness skill to fly there.

Two guards stood watch at the gate, vigilant.

Chu Bing eyed the towering walls, found a hidden spot, and teleported straight into the Li estate’s courtyard.

The grounds were quiet, servants passing by with heads bowed, not daring to say a word.

Something was off about the atmosphere—too mysterious, too strange. What had happened?

Chu Bing waited until the servants dispersed, then cautiously made her way towards Li Haoran’s quarters.

Patrols roamed everywhere, but Chu Bing, using her teleportation, avoided detection.

When she reached Li Haoran’s courtyard, she found it deserted.

She pushed open his door; dust had settled on the table, showing the master had not been here for a long time.