IDWBE -Chapter 393 Debts Must Be Repaid

The Imperial Academy, a three-courtyard complex, stood at the southernmost end of Ankang City, aligned directly with the imperial palace. As the highest institution of learning in the Great Liang, its pavilions, terraces, corridors, and towers were naturally magnificent.

Fang Pi lay sprawled beneath a large locust tree in the first courtyard, basking in the sun and sipping tea from time to time. Looking at Jiang Chou standing opposite him, he said lazily:

“Jiao Zhong’s been promoted to Commander of the Guards. Sure, you two aren’t on bad terms, but he’s always looked down on you. Staying a palace guard won’t get you far. Why not join the Court Guards instead? You’re Ninth Rank, after all. Come over and I’ll make you a Banner Officer. Honestly, we’re not short of money. Much better prospects than being a guard. Look at me now—doesn’t this life feel like that of an immortal?”

Jiang Chou snorted. “Bullshit. I’d have a future following you?”

He knew perfectly well: Jiao Zhong might look down on him, but Fang Pi didn’t necessarily think highly of him either. Fang Pi was mostly bragging. If Jiang truly tried to join the Court Guards, Fang Pi would likely find excuses to refuse. The little bastard had plenty of tricks.

If he listened to him, he might end up sold and still help count the money.

The thought made Jiang Chou feel bleak. In all these years, aside from Shan Yin, he had not found a single true friend.

Fang Pi chuckled. “How is there no future? We Court Guards inspect and arrest—very prestigious. Doesn’t matter what rank an official is; they act like mice seeing a cat when they spot us. Even the Prime Minister avoids Commander Pan.”

Jiang Chou sneered. “When the prince ascends the throne, I’ll be imperial guards of the Son of Heaven. Won’t be worse than you.”

Fang Pi glanced at the savage scar across Jiang Chou’s face and laughed. “With that face? Getting into the palace might be difficult. Better give up the fantasy now.”

“Shut up,” Jiang Chou snapped, tossing over a sheet of paper. “Find these people. I’ll kill them and claim the bounty. Same as always—half each.”

Since Wang Xiaoshuan left Ankang to tend horses, bounty hunting had fallen to just Jiang Chou and Fang Pi.

Fang Pi had excellent intelligence. Jiang, as a Ninth Rank fighter with swift blade skills, had yet to meet a head he couldn’t cut off. They worked seamlessly together and had earned a tidy sum.

Fang Pi unfolded the paper and whistled. “Well, well—Zhao Sandao is worth 3,000 taels? Ma Jie really treats money like dirt.”

Jiang Chou grinned. “The higher the bounty, the better for us.”

Fang Pi sighed. “Pity. He’s not just a bandit but also a spy planted by the Liangzhou rebel Gong Lianyi. Our Court Guards caught him last night. He’s in the prison now. You want his head? Feel free to storm the imperial jail.”

“Then what’s the point of you talking?” Jiang Chou rolled his eyes. “What about the rest?”

“No problem. Latest by the day after tomorrow.” Fang Pi stretched. “Oh—and you still owe me from last time.”

Jiang tossed over a banknote. Fang Pi held it up to the light to check authenticity.

“Stop staring. It’s from Sanhe Bank. Genuine.”

Fang Pi grinned and tucked it away. “No offense—just being careful never hurts.”

Jiang suddenly asked, “This is the Imperial Academy. Why are you hanging around here instead of doing real work?”

Fang Pi yawned. “Security here’s under my charge. Since Prince He cut off their stipends and declared the Academy state property to be converted into a new-style school, the Chancellor Chen Yan refused to comply. Yesterday he tried to kill himself—smashed his head against a memorial archway. Dr. Hu saved him. He’s bedridden now. I have to keep watch so nothing else happens.”

Jiang scoffed. “Just a pedantic scholar. If he dies, he dies.”

“You know nothing,” Fang Pi sighed. “Chen Yan is Prince He’s former lecturer. If something happens to him, it’ll look bad for the prince—and I’ll suffer for it too.”

Jiang stiffened. If the prince’s teacher died, someone would have to take responsibility—and Fang Pi would be finished.

“Brother, best of luck to you,” Jiang said hurriedly before leaving.

Once alone, Fang Pi slumped back down. Suddenly his heart raced. Clutching the banknotes at his chest, he muttered, “Why’s my eyelid twitching like this?”

“Amitabha.”

At the Buddhist chant, Fang Pi jolted upright. Looking up, he saw a gleaming bald head. He turned and bolted—

Only to slam into someone as hard as an iron wall, crashing onto the ground, dizzy.

“Monk! I know you practice Iron Shirt and Golden Bell—but don’t bully people like this!”

He cursed himself. The monk’s lightness skill was renowned. Trying to flee was foolish.

The monk smiled gently, palms together. “Amitabha. Peace, peace.”

Fang Pi stood and dusted himself off, glancing at Xie Xiaoqing beside him. “Miss Xie, what a coincidence.”

“Coincidence my foot,” she snapped. “You bastard, repay the money—or else.”

Fang Pi looked at the monk. “Your idea too?”

“Debts must be repaid. It is only right,” the monk replied calmly.

“You’re a monk. What do you need money for? I’ll repay you—later. When I have more.”

“No.” The monk shook his head firmly. “Repay what you borrow. Then borrowing again is easy.”

Though a monk, he received a monthly allowance from the temple. During disaster relief with the Sanhe army, he also received subsidies. Most income came from conducting rites for the dead—several taels per ceremony.

He lived simply, so most of his silver had been lent to Fang Pi and others.

Fang Pi groaned. “We grew up naked together! Not brothers, but close enough. Talking money hurts!”

“Stop talking. Repay me—or I’ll hit you,” the monk said calmly.

Xie Xiaoqing stared, surprised. She had rarely seen him speak like this.

“Will you really hit family?” Fang Pi thrust his head forward. “Go on!”

“I’m buying a house,” the monk said.

“Buying a house?!” Fang Pi blinked. “Not returning to Sanhe?”

“No.”

“Not even Songyang?”

“Repay the money.”

Fang Pi sighed. “I don’t even remember how much I owe.”

“Two hundred fifty-three taels, four mace, five candareens, three li,” the monk recited. “Including promised interest: three hundred fifty-three taels, seven mace, three candareens, five li.”

Both Fang Pi and Xie Xiaoqing were stunned.

“Don’t forget,” the monk said calmly, “I was top of the class in mathematics under Sister Mingyue.”

Fang Pi looked devastated. “And now you use it against me.”

“Give me three hundred taels. I’ll waive some interest.”

“Keep your interest.” Fang Pi pulled out banknotes, counted five hundred taels, and shoved them into the monk’s hands. “The rest is my gift. But leave me a room in the house.”

The monk handed the notes to Xie Xiaoqing without hesitation.

Later, the monk purchased a small courtyard near Prince He’s residence for two hundred taels, finally securing a foothold in Ankang.

Ye Qiu examined him curiously. “Monk, what rank are you now? I can’t even tell.”

The monk shook his head. “I don’t know.”

The Blind Man took his pulse, frowning. “Strong but somewhat chaotic. Go into seclusion.”

When Ye Qiu tried to check, he was instantly jolted back, trembling.

“Your Star-Sucking Technique is terrifying,” Ye Qiu gasped.

The monk still shook his head. “I truly don’t know.”

The Blind Man waved it off. “When the steward returns, perhaps he’ll know. For now, focus on seclusion. We’ll guard you.”

After explaining matters to Xie Xiaoqing, the monk moved into Prince He’s residence and closed himself off.

Often, gatekeeper Sun Cheng would see Xie Xiaoqing lingering outside.

“Miss, you truly cannot enter,” Sun Cheng said nervously, unable to meet her celestial beauty. “Wait until the monk comes out.”

He could not help but envy the monk deeply.

He resolved that one day, he too would find a woman just as beautiful to be his beloved.