Chapter 127: Half-Yearly Remuneration

Upon hearing the supervisor’s description, one of the human traffickers seemed to recall something and interjected, "Supervisor, your description sounds familiar. I feel like I might have brought two of those people to the camp. Did they escape?"

The supervisor was surprised that one of these four men had been the very person to bring those two boys into captivity. "Yes, that’s correct. I’m not sure how they managed it, but they did indeed escape. When I return, I’ll have to thoroughly inspect the camp to ensure there are no more loopholes; I won’t have people slipping away time and again. You still remember what they look like, don't you?"

The man who had brought the Nie brothers to the camp thought for a moment. "If I saw them, I would certainly recognize them."

"Good. For the next few days, you four are to drop all other tasks. Starting tomorrow, search this forest for the three I described. I suspect they are together, though it doesn't matter if they aren't. Capture just one of them and bring them to me, and I will give each of you two months' pay. If you catch the other one—the one I’m particularly interested in—I will give you each six months' pay. How about that? Of course, this isn't a negotiation. Rest here tonight, and tomorrow, you—the one who recognizes them—will lead the others in the search. I keep my word regarding the pay."

The four men exchanged glances. They couldn't fathom why this deviant supervisor was so obsessed with these three, or if perhaps his injuries were the result of an encounter with them.

"What are you waiting for? Why are you just standing there? Get some rest and be ready to start at dawn. And remind me, which way is the camp?"

The four men shook their heads to indicate they had no further questions and pointed out the path back to the camp.

Zhang Xuan, who had overheard the entire exchange, realized that one of these traffickers was the very man who had transported the Nie brothers to the stronghold. No wonder little Nie Zheng had been trembling earlier; it seemed the supervisor held quite a grudge. A six-month bounty for capturing him—three times the reward for the Nie brothers. The supervisor might not have had much cash on him this afternoon, but as a high-ranking official in this camp, he surely had plenty.

After issuing his orders, the supervisor had wanted to grab a torch, but decided against it—he couldn't hold it with his mouth, after all. He set off in the direction indicated, desperate to find someone to set his bones, fearing his arms would be useless if he waited any longer.

Left alone, the four men looked at one another. Once the supervisor was out of earshot, one said, "Since when did this freak become so generous? He’s usually stingy as hell, constantly skimming off our pay. Has he lost his mind?"

The trafficker who recognized the Nie brothers replied, "I suspect he suffered some kind of disaster at the hands of those three. His arms were likely ruined by them. We should be careful when we go looking tomorrow, lest we end up in the same state. Still, I don't recall those two having the skill for that."

"Forget it. Get some sleep. Tomorrow we hunt. It’s not often the supervisor is this generous—two months' pay for just one of them. Based on his description, they’re just three kids. We’d be fools not to take the money."

"Easy money is only good if you’re alive to spend it," a voice suddenly cut through the air.

The traffickers immediately raised their torches, scanning the darkness. "Who’s there? Stop playing games and come out!"

Zhang Xuan stood up and stepped out from the shadows. The traffickers thrust their torches toward him. "Who are you? What are you doing out here in the middle of nowhere?" As they focused on Zhang Xuan, they failed to notice a figure rising behind them, a blade in hand, creeping forward.

"Do you not recognize me?" Zhang Xuan stepped closer so they could see him clearly. The traffickers shook their heads; they had never seen him before.

"So you don't recognize me? Was your supervisor’s description that unclear? Is my appearance really that different from what he told you? I’m worth six months of your pay! It’s pathetic that the money is standing right in front of you and you don't even realize it."

"So you’re the little brat, eh? I thought you’d be some kind of monster. You don’t look worth the bounty to me. Brothers, let’s collect our six months' pay. This is going to be too easy." One of the traffickers walked toward Zhang Xuan, followed by the other three. They fanned out to prevent his escape, completely oblivious to what was happening behind them.

Although Yang Zaixing was only fourteen, he was already nearly as tall as an average adult. Having practiced martial arts his entire life, he was more than a match for a typical man—otherwise, he never could have fought his way out of the ambush alongside Uncle Yang. Yang Zaixing slipped behind one of the men, clamped a hand over his mouth and nose, and delivered a clean, lethal strike with his knife. A spray of blood hit the man next to him, who initially thought it was raining. He turned, only to witness a scene he would never forget for the rest of his life.