CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46 REPORTING

In the courtyard of his sister’s house, Chen Ku’s face changed.

First, the Transformation Diagram directly warned him, and then Skinny Dog truly detected Ni Kun’s scent.

Incredibly, it was coming from a window of a two-story building in the alley just outside this yard. Barely a few hundred meters away, someone was watching this courtyard from behind that window.

Chen Ku felt that if he just turned around, he would lock eyes with Ni Kun.

His body tensed.

Does he know I stole his Blood Blade? Could there be some connection between him and the blade?

That idea suddenly popped into his head but was immediately dismissed.

It shouldn’t be. It’s impossible. I’ve never carried the Blood Blade on me; it’s always been buried in the kang cave of the outer city courtyard. If he could really sense the Blood Blade, he should have tracked it to the outer city courtyard, not here...

Thoughts raced through Chen Ku’s mind like lightning.

He forced himself to remain calm. Especially at a time like this, he couldn’t afford to show any reaction.

Ni Kun mustn’t know I’ve discovered him yet. So, although he’s hidden, he’s completely exposed to me.

Chen Ku analyzed why Ni Kun was here and why the Transformation Diagram had issued a sudden warning of Chong Sha concerning him.

He first considered reasons related to himself, which seemed unlikely.

If it’s not because of me... then the only connection between this place and Ni Kun is... This yard!

Chen Ku covertly recalled how, when he had entered, the loud-mouthed woman’s shout—"Constable Li’s family, your brother has come!"—had revealed who lived here and who he was, exposing everything.

Supposing Ni Kun isn’t after me, but after my brother-in-law, Li Yuancheng, whom he nearly killed with those three arrow wounds. Then, it all makes sense!

Chen Ku continued his analysis of Ni Kun’s mindset. First, Ni Kun was hunted by my brother-in-law, Li Yuancheng, and left half-dead. Then, he must have realized his Blood Blade was missing. But he doesn’t know who stole it. So, he blamed my brother-in-law, Li Yuancheng, for it. Now that he has tracked his way here, his goal... could it be to use my brother-in-law Li Yuancheng’s family for revenge? And I just happened to come today. Upon hearing that conversation, he learned I am Li Yuancheng’s brother-in-law, so he developed ill intentions towards me as well.

He pieced it all together. Though unsure of its complete accuracy, his analysis of the available clues led to one conclusion:

He’s planning to kill my brother-in-law’s entire family! It was merely a coincidence that I, the person who stole his blade, was inadvertently connected to this.

"What’s wrong, kiddo? You don’t look so good?" His sister was tying on an apron and said with concern, "Have you been worn out these past few days at Medicine King Hall? Sit down and rest; I’ll cook for you."

Right now, Chen Ku’s mind was filled with thoughts of seizing an opportunity to launch a surprise attack. After all, it has only been a few days since Ni Kun suffered those arrow wounds; he definitely can’t have recovered that quickly. If I use my strength of over four thousand pounds to sneak over to that second floor, perhaps there’s a chance...

But, Chen Ku had witnessed an internal qi expert in combat before and didn’t have much confidence.

As he thought about this and looked at his sister, an idea suddenly emerged in his mind.

He promptly stood up and said loudly, "Why bother cooking, Sister? Since I came today, I intend to take you out to eat."

"Out to eat?" his sister exclaimed in surprise. "Why spend the money? I’ll have food ready in a moment. You can eat and then go to work; it’ll be quick."

As she spoke, she was about to busy herself in the kitchen.

Chen Ku, however, firmly grasped his sister’s arm. "I said we’re going out to eat. Don’t bother with the kitchen today, Sis. I want to show you how well your little brother is doing now."

With his strength, it was all too easy to forcibly pull his sister out of the door.

"Alright, alright, out to eat it is. Let me lock the door first," his sister relented. "Where are we going?"

"Where else but the largest restaurant in the county, Hongyan Tower!"

「In a small, two-story building in the alley not far away.」

Ni Kun frowned as he watched the young man forcibly pull his sister out of the house.

It was much as Chen Ku had suspected.

Ni Kun was indeed here for Li Yuancheng.

Two days ago, Ni Kun had stealthily made his way into the city. Through some discreet investigations, he easily obtained Li Yuancheng’s address. So, last night, he observed the surroundings of the Li Family residence and spotted an empty second-floor room nearby with an excellent vantage point. He climbed in; the homeowners had no idea someone was on their second floor.

According to Ni Kun’s plan: It’s not good to make a move during the day. After all, this is the Inner City. A single shout could alert the whole city, and then those lackeys from the county government office would come swarming. That would be no different from seeking death. The best time to act is at night. When it’s deep and quiet, I’ll sneak into Li Yuancheng’s home, kill everyone to silence them, and get my revenge.

But over these two days of observing from afar, Li Yuancheng seemed to have guessed something. He had become exceedingly cautious: returning home before dark, going to his post later than usual, and even sleeping with a damp cloth covering his mouth and nose.

Ni Kun couldn’t find a suitable opportunity to make his move.

After all, my injuries are more severe than Li Yuancheng’s, and I can’t even use half my normal strength. If I act recklessly, I’ll likely be the one to die.

Ni Kun knew he couldn’t kill Li Yuancheng now, but he also knew that killing Li Yuancheng’s family would make Li Yuancheng’s life worse than death.

Originally, I thought this damned constable only had a wife and no one else. I didn’t expect him to have a brother-in-law too. This makes the thrill of taking action even stronger. The more people die because of Li Yuancheng, the more satisfying my revenge will be! An apprentice from Medicine King Hall, he must have undergone Strength Training. But what use is that? Crushing him would be like squashing an ant. However, Medicine King Hall’s security is almost as tight as the Yamen’s; I can’t even sneak in there. It would be best to wait for this kid to go out at night...

Ni Kun watched Chen Ku and his sister go to eat, stroking his chin, with no intention of following them.

It’s broad daylight. If I follow them, that would be foolish. With wanted posters all over the city, any slip could lead to my doom. Tonight, I’ll find an opportunity. I’ll see whether to kill the brother-in-law first or the woman... Whichever chance comes first, that’s who I’ll kill!

A murderous intent surged wildly in Ni Kun’s eyes.

I’ve lost my Blood Blade! Ten years of my hard work, gone! I must have revenge! I must vent!

"Hongyan Tower? This... I’ve heard that a single meal here costs several taels of silver!" His sister, dragged all the way to Hongyan Tower, was full of resistance.

"If it weren’t so expensive, I wouldn’t have brought you," Chen Ku replied, pulling his sister to the entrance. He glanced at the doormen and the guards inside the restaurant—all of them were tough individuals who had clearly trained.

How could the county’s number one restaurant operate without experts to keep the peace? Bringing my sister here is naturally safe.

After entering, Chen Ku casually ordered a few dishes. Using Skinny Dog’s enhanced senses, he confirmed Ni Kun was still back at the alley and hadn’t followed them.

After eating a bit with his sister, he found an excuse to go to the latrine.

Then he settled the bill and walked out of Hongyan Tower. Soon, he arrived at the entrance of the county government office.

In front of all the constables at the county government office, he tore down a wanted poster and declared, "I have a report! I know where this man is right now!"