Chapter 21: Asking the Young Mistress for Help

Returning to the docks...

Seeing that there was still some time before the meal, Liu Shen thought to return to his quarters for a quick bath. He had barely begun to undress when he saw Hu Dahai supporting an injured porter through the doorway.

The porter’s body was covered in fresh welts, his steps unsteady. Judging by the marks, it was clear he’d recently been lashed with a whip.

Hu Dahai, having noticed Liu Shen as well, called out, “Brother Shen, come give me a hand!”

Liu Shen hurried over to help support the wounded man. Looking at the bloody marks crisscrossing his back, Liu Shen raised an eyebrow and asked, “Huzi, did you break one of the rules?”

Huzi sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth and muttered furiously, “Break the rules? Hell no. My only crime was stepping out the door on an unlucky day.”

“So you didn’t do anything?” Liu Shen marveled quietly, then remarked, “That Chief Xu is ruthless with his hand, isn’t he?”

“It wasn’t Chief Xu...” Hu Dahai sighed and explained, “It was the Young Master.”

“The Young Master?” Liu Shen was taken aback.

He knew that the only one referred to as the Young Master among their circle was Zhang Shichen, the sole heir of Zhang Wannian, head of the Red Water Gang.

Though Liu Shen had never met him, he was well aware of Zhang Shichen’s notorious reputation in Heyang County—a true wastrel of the worst kind. The man was infamous for his lack of discipline and malicious ways, and was especially known for preying on respectable women. Countless families had been ruined by his abductions and violence, their daughters forced into brothels, and any who dared seek justice were beaten or even killed. The authorities had taken him in more than once, but with Zhang Wannian’s reach and influence, his son always escaped unscathed, continuing to live as he pleased.

Liu Shen frowned, asking, “The Red Water Gang owns plenty of businesses. Why would someone like him bother coming to this godforsaken dock?”

“You didn’t hear?” Hu Dahai paused, then remembered that Liu Shen, like himself, had been given a few days off after finishing a private job for Chief Xu, and hadn’t been around the docks in daylight lately.

He glanced around to make sure no one else was listening, then lowered his voice: “I heard Zhang Shichen got himself in trouble again a few days ago. His father bailed him out, gave him a severe beating, and ordered him to reflect for a year at the dock’s hall.”

“I see...” Liu Shen shot a meaningful glance at the injured Huzi and asked, “So Huzi just had the misfortune of crossing his path?”

“That’s about right...” Hu Dahai sighed. “Zhang Shichen came to the docks already seething, and since our indenture contracts are all held by the Red Water Gang, he doesn’t see us as people at all. In just two days here, several have already felt his whip for one reason or another. We should count ourselves lucky we were off these past few days.”

Liu Shen fell silent.

Four years ago, a devastating flood left many homeless, and the number of people seeking work with the canal gangs soared.

The Red Water Gang, far from charitable, took advantage of this desperation—demanding that anyone wishing for a job sign an indenture contract.

Such contracts were detestable, but in those desperate days, many like Liu Shen, with nowhere else to turn, signed their names.

To buy back their freedom from the Red Water Gang required a clear price—thirty taels of silver.

Given a porter’s monthly wage, it would take four or five years of living frugally and staying healthy to save that much.

One flood, one indenture.

If you wanted to live, you had to shackle yourself and labor like a beast;

If you wanted to be free again, you had to toil for the Red Water Gang for five back-breaking years.

Most laborers at the docks had their indentures held by the Red Water Gang. To put it kindly, they were hired muscle; to speak plainly, they were little more than servants.

With the Young Master now at the docks, it wasn’t just a matter of him lashing out in a bad mood—even if he killed someone, the authorities would barely bat an eye...

Liu Shen had worked here for four years, taking private jobs and serving as a porter. Yet, because he often spent his money on books, he’d only managed to save eighteen taels so far—a long way from the thirty needed to buy his freedom...

The topic of indenture contracts struck a raw nerve, and the three, sharing the same bitter fate, could only sigh and curse the Red Water Gang’s black hearts.

Liu Shen helped Huzi back to his room, chatted with Hu Dahai for a while, and only left when it was time for a meal.

He filled his belly in the mess hall, locked himself in his room, and pulled out the wooden sword and “Mad Demon Blade Manual” hidden under his bed to study.

The matter of his indenture was a splinter lodged deep in his heart—every time he thought of it, his determination blazed anew.

In the days that followed...

Liu Shen spent his days visiting Yuan Xiaofei and the siblings Yu Hong at the Tongda Hall, and then accompanied his “good friend” Pei Xueyan to audit the accounts of the Song family’s businesses.

At night, he returned to his quarters to practice with his blade, his days filled with purpose.

Yet after days of tireless training, a new problem emerged—he had mastered the forms of the blade, but possessed no internal strength to empower them.

When Liu Shen swung his wooden sword according to the Mad Demon Blade’s techniques, it looked fierce and impressive at a glance.

But only he knew the truth—without the support of inner force, these moves were nothing more than a farmer’s clumsy tricks.

Impressive to the eye, useless in practice...

If even the basic moves of the Mad Demon Blade were thus, the grand finishing move “Heaven and Earth’s Longevity,” which required the unity of essence, energy, and spirit, was utterly beyond his reach.

He had the skill, but no energy to wield it.

This problem plagued him—he lost his appetite, and even as he lay in bed, his mind raced, searching for a way to obtain a manual of internal cultivation...

The next morning.

Liu Shen made his usual visit to the Tongda Hall to see Yuan Xiaofei and the Yu siblings, waiting until midday before Pei Xueyan finally arrived, fashionably late.

“Madam, are you celebrating good news today?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“I wouldn’t say obvious, but the smile at the corner of your eyes is about to spill over.”

“There is something, in fact...” Pei Xueyan noticed Liu Shen’s teasing gaze, quickly found a mirror to check her reflection, then arched her elegant brows and smiled, “Go on, guess what the good news is?”

“Hm, that’s a tough one...” Liu Shen narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, murmuring, “In the past few days, we uncovered three problematic managers, and Madam, you’re always punctual, yet today you’re late.”

He paused, then, as if inspired, grinned, “If I’m not mistaken, those three managers must have been delivered to the authorities by you this morning. As for the good news—most likely you consulted Old Master Song for advice, and he approved of your measures! Am I right?”

“Show-off...” Pei Xueyan shot him a playful glare, tacitly admitting it. Then, putting on a mock stern face, she said, “Sometimes I really want to crack open your head and see what else you’re hiding in there that I don’t know about.”

“Madam, you might be disappointed.”

“Oh? Disappointed?”

“That’s right.” Liu Shen quipped, “Everything I have, I’ve already shown you. If you open my head and find nothing but empty air, wouldn’t that be disappointing?”

“I don’t believe a word you say...” Pei Xueyan huffed, though her heart was clearly warmed by the exchange.

The two spent several days together...

Though Pei Xueyan was the Song family’s eldest daughter-in-law, she never put on airs when they were together.

And though Liu Shen was merely a dock porter, he carried himself without servility or arrogance.

Both felt a certain fondness for the other, and each was willing to draw closer. Their “friendship” flourished quickly and naturally.

“I’m hungry,” Liu Shen declared bluntly, plopping down at the table. “Hurry and have someone bring food—I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Oh?” Pei Xueyan’s eyes lit up when she heard he needed something from her. She ordered the meal prepared, then looked at him with anticipation. “Tell me, what is it?”

...