Chapter Thirty-Three: Cao Yin’s Deposit

Under the somewhat dim moonlight, not far from the docks lay a cluster of makeshift shanties, home to laborers from distant provinces. For these men, who had journeyed far to eke out a living as dockworkers, even the cheapest lodging in the city was an unattainable luxury. Moreover, the proximity to the docks made this place convenient for their work, and they were generally free from the patrols of the city’s night watch—a rare haven that belonged to them alone.

Though rudimentary, the shanty district was remarkably clean. Groups from various regions had divided the area into their own small domains. Having settled here for the long term, these seemingly coarse men paid close attention to hygiene—so much so that their quarters were, in truth, far tidier than the disorderly and filthy slums within the city.

Yet in recent days, the shantytown had lost its tranquility, for the so-called “Three Heroes of Duanzhou” had suddenly begun gathering followers. No one knew the true reason, but all were aware that earlier that day at the docks, the Three Heroes and their meager band had clashed twice with the powerful Nanhai Gang. Though they triumphed the first time, the arrival of Ding Li, the Nanhai leader, swiftly turned the tide. In the ensuing fight, two of the Three Heroes were wounded, and the last, Wang Ling, escaped by sheer luck. Outwardly, it seemed Duanzhou’s group had lost, but in truth, this defeat had cast them into utter peril.

Everyone living in the shantytown now kept a careful distance from the Duanzhou gang, fearing that the Nanhai Gang would soon return for revenge and drag them into the conflict. It was a sentiment Wang Ling and his companions could not fail to notice, but there was nothing to be done.

“Brother Hong! The doctor has left!” Wang Ling, who had only minor injuries, had just escorted away the physician they’d summoned from the city. Xu Hong and Jia Jie’s wounds were serious—bones broken in several places. Despite the doctor’s efforts to reduce his fee, the expense still left Wang Ling with a deeply troubled expression.

Even Xu Hong and Jia Jie, lying on their wooden beds, wore grim faces. When Wang Ling returned, they merely nodded silently, too weary for conversation. Jia Jie’s lips twitched as if to speak, but in the end he only licked his parched, cracked lips without uttering a word.

“Brother Hong, Old Jia! It’s just some injuries—no need to keep such long faces!” Wang Ling, knowing his friends’ spirits were low, tried to lift them with a crooked, rueful smile. He poured each a cup of hot water and set them by their beds, then sat on a small stool nearby. After a moment’s thought, he looked at Xu Hong and said, “Brother Hong, don’t worry too much. The deposit from a few days ago is enough to cover the doctor and medicine. You can send your wages home to your mother and wife—your mother’s health is what matters. If it’s not enough, I still have some left. We’ll manage, so don’t overthink it. Just focus on healing.”

“Don’t overthink it? Easy for you to say!” Xu Hong only nodded slightly, but Jia Jie could not hold his tongue. He shot Wang Ling a dissatisfied glance and sneered, “Wang Ling, never mind these injuries for now. But do you really think today’s trouble with the Nanhai Gang is over? Will we be able to stay here in the future? For someone usually so shrewd, why did you agree to that man’s terms and even take his deposit?”

Wang Ling’s face darkened at once. He coughed dryly into his hand and shot Jia Jie a warning glare. Realizing his misstep, Jia Jie shook his head in silent protest but said no more, turning away in a huff.

“Old Jia, this is all my fault. Don’t blame Wang Ling,” Xu Hong finally spoke. The reason Wang Ling had so eagerly agreed to the mysterious man’s offer and accepted the deposit was because Xu Hong’s mother, far away in Duanzhou, lay gravely ill. The meager earnings from Xu Hong’s hard labor were not nearly enough to pay for her treatment, let alone support his wife and child.

“Brother Hong, I didn’t mean it like that!” At this, Jia Jie turned back, scratching his head awkwardly, his face flushed with embarrassment. After a long silence, he slapped his hand on the bedboard and growled, “So what? It’s only thirty taels of silver! We’ll just pay it back. We’re grown men—what’s thirty taels to us? It’s not enough to break us!”

“Exactly! Brother Hong, don’t dwell on it,” Wang Ling chimed in, glancing at the now-emboldened Jia Jie with a smile. “Old Jia’s right. If worst comes to worst, we’ll scrape together the money and pay him back. We won’t owe him a cent! No big deal—once we’re better, we can earn it again.”

“Ah, you two think it’s that simple?” Xu Hong knew his friends meant well, trying to comfort him and lighten his burden. But the truth was, what was done could not be undone. Since his return, a sense of foreboding had weighed on his heart. Lying back, he stared up at the canvas roof and sighed. “If that man could find us once, he’ll soon hear of today’s events. With his abilities, I doubt we’ll get off so easily.”

“You’re not as foolish as you look, after all.”

A mocking voice, carried by the whistling night wind, cut through their conversation from beyond the thin curtain. All three turned swiftly—especially Xu Hong, whose eyes filled with dread.

The first man to enter was a stranger, but the black-clad figure at his side was all too familiar—they’d taken the thirty-tael deposit from him just days before.

“You took the money, but you couldn’t handle the job? Pathetic.” The young man toyed with a gleaming dagger, his gaze full of contempt. He didn’t even bother to look directly at the three. After this disdainful remark, his face turned cold as he snapped at his companion, “Cao Yin, you useless fool! You actually paid these wretches? Go—break their arms and legs. If they want to live, cut out their tongues. We can’t risk them talking.”

“Yes, young master!” Cao Yin bowed deeply, his face ashen. When he straightened, a short sword had appeared in his hand—less fine than his master’s dagger, but deadly nonetheless. He advanced on the three without a word.

“Wait!” The only one still able to move, Wang Ling, threw himself in front of Cao Yin, his face grave as he pleaded, “We don’t even know who you are. As for the deposit, we’ll find a way to repay it! It was our fault—we admit it. But please, have mercy! Not one word of this will leave our lips.”

Blocked, Cao Yin hesitated and glanced back at his master for instructions. He’d already made one mistake and dared not act on his own again.

“Deposit? You think I care about thirty taels?” The young man sneered, his voice icy as he looked Wang Ling up and down. “People call you clever, but you’re a fool. Only the dead can keep secrets. I was going to spare your life, but you clearly don’t value it. Now your brothers will have to join you in hell.”

With those words, his intentions were clear. Murder flashed in Cao Yin’s eyes, but before he could act, Wang Ling moved just as swiftly.

Bang! A fist crashed into Cao Yin’s jaw, sending him reeling. Without pause, Wang Ling kicked him hard in the ribs, toppling him and sending his sword clattering to the floor.

“Wang Ling! Run! If you survive, avenge us!” Xu Hong, sensing death was near, shouted his last wish. “Go! Don’t mind us—take care of my mother and family!”

“Wang Ling, duck!” Jia Jie, refusing to be a burden, snatched a wooden stick from beside his bed and hurled it while enduring the pain of broken bones. “Don’t worry about us! Go! Look after Brother Hong’s family!”

There was barely room to maneuver in the cramped hut. As Wang Ling bent to dodge, he snatched up Cao Yin’s fallen sword. Used to brawling, Wang Ling moved with skill, forcing Cao Yin back. Behind him, the young master retreated, protected by his attendants, but his fury only grew. “Think you can get away? Surround them! Don’t let a single one escape—chop them up and feed them to the fish!”

“Brother Hong! Old Jia! Get up! I’ll hold them off—go!” Wang Ling slashed at Cao Yin, forcing him back, and shouted without turning, “The three of us live and die together! If we leave, we leave as one. If we die, we die as one. Get up—now!!”

“You’re not going anywhere!” Cao Yin rubbed his swollen cheek, spat blood onto the floor, and snatched up an iron rod. Grinning ferociously, he brandished the weapon at Wang Ling. “Drop your weapon and I’ll make it quick!”

“We won’t know unless we try,” Wang Ling replied, listening to the rustling behind him. He stood his ground, facing Cao Yin to buy his friends time.

“Cao Yin, hurry up! I’m in a rush! You useless dog—how can you take so long with three pieces of trash?” the young master cursed from outside. Impatient, Cao Yin’s expression grew fierce as he prepared to end things.