People can be good or bad, and the same is true for members of a gang.
To many, the Qingyi Gang was a force of pure evil, but some saw them differently.
The Orphanage.
It was one of the great good deeds Hong Qingyi performed when he was alive.
Jointly funded by the three great Cloth Workshops and the Qingyi Gang, it took in homeless infants and young children.
They were taught knowledge and Martial Arts.
When they grew up, they would either join a Cloth Workshop as a long-term laborer or become a member of the Qingyi Gang.
Many of the Qingyi Gang's key members came from here.
For example,
Guo Jie!
These people were extremely loyal to the Qingyi Gang, and they regarded Hong Qingyi as the father who had given them a second life.
Now, the three great Cloth Workshops existed in name only.
The Qian Family had been destroyed, the Li Family was barely holding on, and only the Zhu Family, having latched onto a powerful connection, grew stronger by the day.
The Orphanage,
was naturally taken over by the Zhu Family.
「Early morning.」
The sky had yet to brighten.
The children of the Orphanage were roused from their soft beds and herded out to begin their physical exercises.
A white-haired, wrinkled old man called out to a child, pulling him into a corner to speak in a low voice.
"Young Master."
"The Vice Gang Leader still hasn't shown up. I'm afraid she's already fled."
"She wouldn't." Hong Yi, nearly seven years old, still had the unformed features of a child, but his eyes were as steady as an adult's.
He shook his head gently.
"Aunt Lanx would never abandon me."
"It's not just because I trust her character, but also because... I have something she needs."
As long as Ma Gulan still had ambitions in Martial Arts, she would never give up on the complete Fire Separation Mysterious Skill.
This was a top-tier Cultivation Technique that could lead directly to the Third Grade!
"But..."
The old man frowned.
"It's long past the time we agreed on."
"Something might have delayed her." Hong Yi lowered his head, his eyes flickering.
"Aunt Lanx is a very sentimental person. She probably wanted to avenge Ma Yuann Zhi before she left."
"However..."
"Perhaps she failed."
Ma Gulan was not only sentimental but also kept her word. Normally, she would never miss a rendezvous.
Unless she was forced to.
"Then..." The old man's eyes darted around.
"Should we keep waiting?"
"Old Huang." Hong Yi looked up, a hint of helplessness on his face.
"We fled in such a hurry that Aunt Lanx ended up with everything of real value. All we have are our meager savings. Even if we manage to escape Taiyuan Prefecture, I doubt we could ever stage a comeback."
"Let's wait a little longer..."
"What if she was just held up by something?"
The old man opened his mouth, then sighed helplessly.
In truth, they both knew the chances of Ma Gulan showing up were slim, but there was always an outside chance.
Without Ma Gulan.
How would the two of them, one old and one young, survive outside the city?
For now, they could use old connections at the Orphanage to hide and get by. But outside the city, if they ran into bandits or Fierce Beasts, they would likely meet a grim end.
CLATTER...
Just as the two were feeling dejected, a commotion erupted in the courtyard, and the deans rushed in, flustered.
"Quickly!"
"Everyone, line up! Young Master Zhu is coming to inspect the Orphanage today. All of you, be on your best behavior."
"Stand straight!"
"..."
'Young Master Zhu?'
Hong Yi froze for a moment before snapping back to his senses.
'Hmph!'
'The Qingyi Gang has fallen, yet the Zhu Family managed to climb to the top. Now I have to stand here and curry favor with him.'
Though he sneered inwardly, he didn't dare let anything show on his face. He blended into the crowd and stood obediently.
「Before long.」
The dean, bowing deeply, led a group of people into the main courtyard.
The man in the lead was dressed in simple white clothes. His features were refined, his eyes sharp and full of spirit. His long hair cascaded freely down his back, held by a simple, unadorned wooden pin. As he walked, the morning light gilded his silhouette, and even his shadow on the ground seemed to exude a gentle, noble air.
'This kind of bearing...'
'Even my father might not have measured up.'
A look of astonishment crossed Hong Yi's face.
He possessed a discerning eye. In his years following Hong Qingyi, he had met many people, but very few had made such a profound first impression.
'This Zhu Ju... is he really just an ignorant good-for-nothing?'
'No!'
'Even if his Talent for Martial Arts is lacking, he managed to transform the declining Zhu Family into what it is today in less than a year. He must be extraordinary in other ways.'
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Hong Yi lowered his head slightly.
Compared to Zhu Ju, the two noble-looking women following him were nothing special.
"A sage of old once said."
"How I wish I could have a mansion with a thousand, ten thousand rooms, to give shelter and joy to all the poor scholars of the world."
Zhu Ju stood in the center of the courtyard, his white robes fluttering in the wind. With his hands clasped behind his back, he began to speak slowly.
"His Majesty of the Divine Dynasty has decreed: I have ordered all prefectures in the land to establish orphanages... so that no child shall cry of hunger on the streets."
"Taiyuan Prefecture has complied with the Divine Dynasty's decree by establishing this Orphanage. That all of you have been spared the fate of perishing in the wilds is thanks to the vast imperial grace, the goodness in people's hearts, and also the funding and continued support from the Qingyi Gang."
'Hm?'
Hong Yi looked up in surprise.
The Qingyi Gang had been destroyed, and everyone was clamoring for the heads of its remnants. Yet this man had just spoken a word of fairness.
No matter how evil the Qingyi Gang was, they were still the benefactors of the orphans here.
"The Qingyi Gang is gone, and the Zhu Family has taken over the Orphanage. The previous level of funding will not be reduced."
"Dean Yangg."
"You may rest assured."
Dean Yangg looked embarrassed and hurriedly cupped his fists in a salute.
"Young Master Zhu has a benevolent heart and will surely be rewarded. On behalf of everyone at the Orphanage, this old one thanks you for your great kindness."
He had indeed been worried that Zhu Ju would cut off the Orphanage's supply of silver coins. Now, his heart was at ease.
"Not so fast."
Zhu Ju waved his hand.
"The funds and provisions won't be reduced, but how they are used will need to be audited. The old ways need to change."
"People from the Zhu Mansion will come to audit the books and ensure that no funds or provisions are wasted. I hope you will not disappoint me, Dean."
"I won't." Dean Yangg waved his hands repeatedly.
"I certainly will not."
"Good." Zhu Ju nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before he pointed a finger at someone.
"You!"
"Lift your head!"
'Hm?'
Hong Yi's heart went cold, his hands clenching unconsciously.
'Have I been discovered?'
'I altered my appearance with muscle and bone manipulation. I only bear a slight resemblance to my former self. Can he still recognize me?'
'It's over!'
He felt a chill creep into his heart. Slowly, he raised his head, already prepared to fight for his life.
But Zhu Ju simply gave a faint smile and asked,
"How old are you?"
"..." Hong Yi opened his mouth.
"Nine."
He was slightly larger than other children his age, and saying he was seven might easily reveal his true identity.
"Mm."
Zhu Ju nodded.
"Although your presence is a bit lacking, you're much stronger than the others. From now on, you will assist the dean in looking after the children here. The young must also learn to bear responsibility."
"What's your name?"
"...Yangg Yi," Hong Yi said in a low voice.
"Yangg Yi!" Zhu Ju said with a knowing look.
"You have a good foundation, suitable for practicing Martial Arts. From now on, you'll get an extra two liang of meat with every meal. If you manage to reach a Grade, you can go to the Zhu Mansion to work as a Manor Guard, or you can escort goods for the Cloth Workshop. You'll be able to support yourself in the future."
"Yes."
Hong Yi... no, Yangg Yi, agreed.
「Behind them.」
Nie Leyao's beautiful eyes flickered as she sized up Zhu Ju from head to toe, her expression shifting.
"Ru Xuan, even though this Zhu Ju has no Talent in Martial Arts, his looks are first-rate. He has a natural noble air about him."
"Reading a lot really does cultivate one's disposition. No wonder Father always tells me to read more. Too bad I can't bring myself to do it."
"Mm," Zhou Ruxuan murmured, pursing her lips.
The more she interacted with him, the more she began to notice Zhu Ju's extraordinary qualities.
No matter what happened, he seemed to remain perfectly calm and composed. That bearing was truly remarkable.
The key was...
he was truly handsome!
He was like a painting, a sculpture. Not only could you never tire of looking at him, but the more you looked, the more you wanted to look.
"Miss."
Someone spoke in a low, muffled voice.
"Don't let your guard down."
"We've received word that Ma Gulan has already snuck into the city. It's highly likely she means you harm."
"Also, some of the Qingyi Gang's die-hard loyalists have been lashing out crazily lately. We need to be wary of them, too."
"Mm." Zhou Ruxuan snapped back to reality and nodded heavily.
「Meanwhile.」
A smile played on Zhu Ju's face.
'Found him!'
'The Fire Separation Mysterious Skill is on Hong Yi. His concealment method is good, but it can't hide from the illumination of my Formless Divine Light.'