Chapter 56: The Beautiful, Powerful, and Tragic Villain—My Father Is the King, Part 9

Qin Ye fell silent.

Now he understood why Qin Bing could be trained into an emotionless weapon—there was clearly a reason behind it.

Oh, his family—truly, their laughter could shake the heavens. Yet, one had to admit, there was some truth to Qin Bing’s way of handling things.

This boy was exactly to Qin Ye’s taste.

No wonder, in this world, he had willingly taken up the mantle of a “male mother”—this was indeed his outstanding son. A true heir of his own spirit!

“Don’t be afraid, child. I’ll always be your father.”

Qin Bing nodded solemnly. “Alright.”

Their sentimental moment over, the two turned away and let out exaggerated retching noises.

Afterward, they turned back to glare at each other in mutual reproach.

Qin Bing: Father, does a moment of deep father-son affection really disgust you so much?

Qin Ye: Is it that, upon learning the truth, you’re so quick to cast aside your old father, that even a show of intimacy is nauseating to you?

Each claimed the moral high ground, pointing accusing fingers at the other. Thus, their attacks canceled each other out.

With a long sigh, Qin Ye pulled Xiao Jiang into his arms. “At least Xiao Jiang is well-behaved.”

Xiao Jiang, innocent collateral damage, replied, “Father, don’t think I don’t see you dragging me into this with your antics.”

Qin Ye released him with a huff. “Unfilial sons, begone! All of you, out! I don’t want to see you right now!”

With a shout, he strode away, hands clasped behind his back, disappearing in an instant.

Bai Yujing stood by, expression complicated. An orphan who had lost his parents young and grown up eating at the tables of neighbors, he looked on with a mix of envy, disdain, and skepticism—but above all, envy.

Qin Bing, back to his usual self, slung an arm around the slightly shorter Bai Yujing’s shoulders. “Come on, let’s be off. We’ll go to your home first and see if we can find any clues.”

“But… uncle seemed really angry just now. Are you two just going to leave like this?”

“Ah, my father’s always like that—the older he gets, the more childish his temper. The louder he shouts, the less he actually means it. It’s scary only when he doesn’t yell, so just ignore him. Let’s go. Now that I know my true parentage, once we’ve avenged you, we’ll help Xiao Jiang seek out his own origins. Along the way, we can also find witnesses from back then to learn about the entanglements of my birth parents’ youth.”

“Second Brother Qin, are you sure you’re alright?”

“What could possibly be wrong with me?”

But you’ve only just learned the truth about your birth. And your mother seems to have no affection for you at all—aren’t you sad?

Xiao Jiang patted Bai Yujing’s arm, his expression calm. “Don’t worry. As long as father hasn’t cast us aside, nothing else matters.”

Really?

Alright then. Clearly, these two have a bond with Master Qin that no one can replace.

Bai Yujing felt a pang of longing—how wonderful it would be to have a father like Master Qin.

Alas, he had no such fortune. Even the villagers who had fed him and helped him grow up had fallen to sudden misfortune.

There shouldn’t be such lawless people in this world, those who, for their own selfish ends, trample on innocent lives in the name of the martial world.

A thought began to crystallize in Bai Yujing’s mind.

The three of them changed into practical traveling clothes for the road, packed up banknotes, gold leaves, gold beans, pearls, and other valuables, and set out, two horses apiece—one to ride, one to carry luggage.

With such a display, it was as if they were announcing to every scoundrel under the sun: I’m rich—filthy rich—come and get me!

At first, things were peaceful, but once the various unsavory types realized these three were greenhorns new to the martial world, all the usual schemes and tricks began to follow in quick succession.

The senior members of the Sword Pavilion, who knew Qin Ye’s true identity, came to seek his orders. “Master, should we send men ahead to clear the way for the young masters?”

Qin Ye, now dressed in black robes, his elegant mustache freshly shaved, a mask revealing a smooth chin, shook his head. “No need.”

“Then, should we send men to follow secretly, to protect the young masters from those self-righteous hypocrites who might trouble them?”

Qin Ye glanced at him. “What hypocrites? Are we not the righteous path ourselves?”

The subordinate fell silent. Yes, yes, of course—the righteous path, controlling subordinates with poison. Very righteous indeed.

“In the future, watch your words. If others heard you, they’d think we’re bloodthirsty villains.”

“Yes, Master, I was wrong.”

“Enough. Let’s go. From today, it’s time this martial world knew the name of our Sword Pavilion.”

The subordinate could only nod. So, when he’d suggested not to follow, the Master meant he’d personally clear the way for the young masters.

Qin Bing and his companions left Tianwu City, and their first stop was a notorious inn.

Qin Bing handled all interactions with outsiders along the way. Bai Yujing was inexperienced, knowing nothing of martial arts and possessing only the constitution of an ordinary person. Xiao Jiang preferred to stay behind the scenes, and Qin Bing’s outward naivety made it easy for others to mistake them for easy prey.

The innkeeper ran a legitimate business when dealing with dangerous martial artists, but for young, naive travelers like these—who wore their wealth and inexperience on their faces—the inn transformed into a den of thieves.

Bai Yujing’s home was not far from Tianwu City, just atop a nearby mountain. The city itself was well-governed by the outer forces of Crane-view Pavilion—prosperous and flourishing.

Outside, however, things were different.

Bai Yujing had found his entire village slaughtered, and, driven by vengeance, had descended the mountain to investigate, only to be attacked himself. Had it not been for Death’s Edge stepping in, he would have been captured.

Knowing he was no match for martial artists, he had made for the great city of Tianwu, hoping to find a kind master willing to take him in and teach him martial arts.

At midnight, while all was silent and most slept soundly, the innkeeper and his son, transforming from honest hosts into criminals, quietly blew knockout powder into the guest rooms.

After waiting a while, they crept in.

“These fat sheep—each brought two fine horses and paid with a wad of banknotes. Where could we find better prey? If I don’t act now, I’ll die with regrets.”

The son grinned. “Father, after this job, we can live carefree in Tianwu City as wealthy men. These three are loaded.”

“Fool! Look at their direction and their clothing—they just came from Tianwu City. If you settle there, you’ll be walking into the lion’s den.”

“Where should we go, then?”

“We’ll head to White Horse City. It’s named after the White Horse Temple, and the monks there are all about mercy and compassion. As long as we give up our ways, no matter our past crimes, the monks will let bygones be bygones. Even if our old enemies come looking, the monks will protect us.”

The son hesitated. “Father, if not Tianwu City, can we go to Huayue City?”

Behind Huayue City stood Water Moon Convent, famed for its beautiful lay disciples. The son still hoped to find a wife. If they went to the monks’ domain, what would become of his marital prospects?

The father kicked him. “You think any disciple from Water Moon Convent would look at you? Look at yourself! Dream on.”

As they fantasized about a brighter future, they slipped into the guest rooms and began to rummage through the travelers’ belongings.

But there was nothing. Not a single valuable item.

Unconvinced, they tried the other two rooms—again, nothing.

“Impossible! I saw with my own eyes the roll of banknotes that young master had—each one worth at least a hundred taels!”

The son refused to believe he could be mistaken.

Suddenly, the father’s face changed. “We’re in trouble. Run!”

Xiao Jiang, tall and poised, stood in the corridor. “Boss, what are you doing wandering our rooms in the middle of the night?”

The innkeeper didn’t pause to answer, dragging his son back to their room and leaping out the window.

Xiao Jiang slapped his forehead. Why didn’t the boss even try to talk his way out of it? Maybe, if he explained, they’d be foolish enough to believe him.

Ah, can’t there be a bit more trust between people?

Outside the window, Qin Bing was up late, feeding the horses.

“Well, boss, why take the window instead of the door?”

The innkeeper knew he’d been caught—he’d thought they were easy prey, but now realized the joke was on him.

Of the three, only Bai Yujing had fallen for the trick—succumbing first to sleeping powder, then to knockout smoke, sleeping soundly until daylight.

When he learned it was a den of thieves, Bai Yujing was silent.

The last time he’d come this way, the boss had kindly let him stay in the woodshed for free, sparing him a night on the streets. And now—this was a den of thieves?

He didn’t even need to plead with Qin Bing and Xiao Jiang—they had already let the innkeeper and his son go.

“You just let them off?”

“They seek money, not lives, and never preyed on the desperate.”

Had they been murderers, they wouldn’t have gotten off so easily. But as it was, they were told to quit their trade and were released.

When the two had searched the rooms and found nothing, they hadn’t lashed out in anger or harmed anyone. Since they weren’t utterly depraved, Xiao Jiang and Qin Bing saw no reason to destroy them.

As the three resumed their journey, the innkeeper and his son, defeated, packed up to leave as well.

From afar, Qin Ye watched in silence before turning away. “Let’s go to White Horse Temple.”

He had not forgotten the grudge from years ago, when the monks’ anger had caused much harm.

His loyal subordinate followed at his heels. “Yes, Master.”

Ah, my tender-hearted master, who can never truly let go of his children, no matter how he pretends otherwise.