Chapter 8: The Kunpeng is destined to ride the winds and soar on the sun

Zhang wished to scold, but the words turned into a flavor on her lips. She stepped forward and embraced the slender figure of Cao Peng, repeatedly saying: "Mother is useless, mother is of no use... yet it has put my dear child in such danger. Peng'er, are you alright? You weren't hurt, were you?"

So will you still dare to secretly take risks behind my back in the future

He ignored Wang Mai and said to Zhang: "Mother, that fat deadbeat is bullying you; I will kill him"

Uncle, thank you for resolving the deep-seated concerns for my father and me

You bastard, you accomplish great things yet do not inform me... you, you, you... Ah Fu, did you really kill someone?

After walking for three or four miles, Wang Meng turned around and gazed at the indistinct outline of Zhongyang Town in the night, suddenly letting out a long sigh

Ah!

At the entrance, Wang Meng wore a bitter smile, yet his eyes revealed a sense of admiration

Cao Peng did not have many items to tidy up, and he quickly organized everything.

Although I was furious at Cao Peng's audacity, deep down, an endless sense of pride surged within me

As per your elder brother's words

The child's calmness after committing murder alone indicates that he is someone of great potential

At this moment, the bloodstains had dried, presenting a dark purple hue ... His face was still smeared with blood, and even the hands of Cao Peng, hidden behind his back, were stained with fresh blood ...

Cao Ji took it, opened the bag, and to his surprise, it contained four or five guan of five-zhu coins

However, Zhang firmly blocked Cao Ji, shouting angrily: "If he is to be killed, then so be it; what is so significant about that? Cheng Ji was destined to die anyway, and my son is avenging me, which is a matter of natural justice. Cao Ji, if you dare to lay a finger on Peng'er, I will fight you to the death!"

Cao Peng's heart trembled in that fleeting moment

Within Cao Peng's slender frame, there seems to be an imposing presence akin to that of a *book*.

This child has truly been silent for three years, only to astonish everyone with a sudden outburst. Previously, I thought Wang Mai was audacious, but now it seems that Cao Peng is even bolder.

Ah, what is there to feel awkward about? A true man wields his sword across the world, making the four seas his home. Today we depart, but sooner or later, we shall return.

Father

The more this was the case, the more her heart ached. Seeing Cao Ji approaching with a dark expression, ready to scold, she immediately pulled Cao Peng behind her and said, "Cao Ji, what do you intend to do?"

However, even he himself did not believe that the timid Cao Peng would have such courage. Thus, he hurried to Chengji Trading Company, only to see Cao Peng crawling out from a dog hole. Although Wang Meng did not go in to take a look, he already knew the answer from the bloodstains on Cao Peng's body

Cao Ji sighed, shook his head, and walked out of the room. In fact, this home was bare and there was not much to tidy up. However, some dining utensils should still be taken along. Just as Cao Ji was packing, Wang Mai sneaked into the inner room, glaring angrily at Cao Peng

Suddenly, he burst into laughter, "Well done, well done... Ah Fu, it's fortunate that you killed that scoundrel, otherwise Uncle would have been in trouble

Cao Peng peeked out from behind Zhang, holding a small money bag in one hand.

I will not do it anymore... In the future, if there are any matters, I will definitely discuss them with you

Cao Ji was so angry that he could not speak, pointing at Zhang but unsure of what to say.

Brother Tiger, please do not be angry

The knife is broken! However, I assure you that it won't be long before I compensate you with a much better hunting knife, one that is a hundred times better than this one

I couldn't help but be taken aback and quickly asked. However, as soon as the words left my mouth, he revealed a bitter smile: Cao Peng had just killed Cheng Ji, and there was blood on the money bag. The source of this money was thus evident. It was certainly taken by this child after committing murder.

This despicable thing, this despicable thing, how could it do such a thing

Dear brother, think of the children; there is nothing to feel awkward about, nothing to be nostalgic for. Let us go; we must not let the two children mock us.

Brother Tiger, I am sorry

It is perhaps for the best to let go; by relinquishing today, one may unexpectedly embrace a broader future

He looked up at Wang Meng, as if inquiring.

My dear child

What a familiar phrase this is, and it seems so simple when spoken

As for Zhang, after Cao Peng changed his clothes, he took the blood-stained garments and went to the kitchen, stuffing them into the stove.

Contrary to Cao Peng's expectations, Wang Mai was not angry

Uncle, I also heard from that lackey of Cheng Ji that someone has already been sent to Wuyin County, preparing to have the government intervene to deal with you... They also said that by the latest, before dark tomorrow, the government officials will come... Cheng Ji also said: They must take your life!

You go tidy up your things, I will take Peng'er to change clothes

The short garment, already tattered and filthy, bore stains of blood.

***

Wang Meng took a deep breath, looking at Cao Peng and Wang Mai, who were walking ahead.

He wrapped the box containing the gold ingots in a piece of black cloth, and then stuffed in some personal clothing. It was not that he did not want to give the gold to the Zhang family, but rather that this matter was best kept discreet. Especially with Cao Ji, that honest man would not know how to react upon seeing so much gold. It was better to keep it close for now, and when the time was right, he would hand it over to Cao Ji and the librarian's wife.

Murder is a capital offense, and robbery is also a capital offense

Cao Peng raised his head, revealing a brilliant smile on his thin, slightly pale face

Tiger Head, please help tidy up the things here. I will go back to fetch the gifts and then leave this place... Dear brother, do not blame Ah Fu. If he had not discovered it in time, perhaps both you and I would have met a tragic end, resulting in our bodies being separated.

Where did you get the money from

Zhang held onto Cao Peng with one hand, a bundle hanging from one shoulder... The two families quietly left Zhongyang Town under the cover of the dark night

Wang Mai suddenly growled in a low voice, "Have you ever considered me a brother? In such a dangerous situation, you didn't even mention it. Do you think of me as an outsider? What does a knife even count for? Do you think I would be angry about that? You, you, you underestimate me too much!"

This child ... . ... was once timid and meek, as timid as a mouse

As he spoke, he looked up and gazed at Cao Ji, "Brother, it is time for us to make a decision!"

Afu, you are such a bastard

However, for Cao Peng, these two characters contain too much significance

He glanced at Cao Peng and shook his head helplessly, "Peng'er, go change your clothes. Your outfit is covered in bloodstains, which may arouse suspicion."

Cao Peng took a jade pendant from Zhang's embrace and placed it into Zhang's hand, "Mother, is this not the item that was taken by Cheng Ji?"

Cao Ji is an honest man; in his eyes, murder is a grave sin that warrants execution by beheading

The dark face, under the light, displays an unpredictable expression

Upon learning of Cao Peng's disappearance, he immediately realized where Cao Peng might have gone

Set off immediately... Let's leave at once

Zhang spoke while pulling Cao Peng's hand and walked into the inner room with him.

At this point, the honest man Cao Ji has no other choice

Cao Ji furrowed his brows, appearing somewhat hesitant, "But none of these items have been sold yet. Even if we leave, we cannot set off empty-handed like this."

I understand, I have understood!

Wang Meng then laughed heartily, and his gaze towards Cao Peng became increasingly gentle

Without further ado, let us set off immediately

Wang Meng nodded and said: "Dear brother, what A Fu said is indeed correct"

Cao Ji nodded vigorously, watching the frail and slender figure of Cao Peng: "Peng'er, your father believes that one day you will spread your wings and soar high, becoming my pride!"

What decision to make

Brother

Indeed, I feel quite uncomfortable about this in my heart as well

Brother, are you really unwilling to part with it?

There are still some pancakes in the pot; heat them up to take along, as they can also serve as provisions. After lighting the stove, Zhang went to help Cao Ji pack up.

We shall set out with our money and silk.

Did you really kill Cheng Ji?

He suddenly turned around, hooked his arm around Cao Peng's neck, and pressed his fist hard against Cao Peng's head, saying, "If you dare to go on such adventures alone again, we will no longer be brothers in the future"

Wang Meng nodded and said, "Xian Di, if Ah Fu is covered in bloodstains, how could it possibly be from anything other than murder?"

Unbeknownst to gods and ghosts

By the way, you just said you would return a knife to me, right

Cao Peng observed that everyone had calmed down, and thus he recounted the events in detail.

Cao Peng took out the half of the hunting knife and handed it to Wang Mai

Wang Meng's expression suddenly changed

Hehe, if this knife is not good, be careful that I might hit you later

If Cheng Ji's body is discovered when dawn breaks, even if you and I wish to leave, we will likely be too late

Wang Mai suddenly shouted loudly, startling the Cao couple.

The gunshot from the Xiong'er River Reservoir, while unlocking the shackles in his heart, also closed a door.

Wang Meng and Cao Ji each carried a heavy pouch, while Wang Mai carried a bundle

Cao Peng quickly said, "Brother Tiger Head, I truly did not mean to..."

Wang Meng nodded and said, "Having lived here for over ten years, there is always a sense of nostalgia."

Zhang merely glanced and nodded repeatedly

In the Cao family's cottage, the oil lamp flickers intermittently, gently swaying.

Cao Peng knows why Wang Mai is angry, and he is aware that there are even more things that will make Wang Mai angrier

Cao Ji still could not believe that his own son had truly committed murder

Have you regarded me as a brother

The scrap metal and old items in our home are hardly worth anything even if sold. As long as one has money, one can survive anywhere

He took the broken knife, inserted it into his waist without even looking, his face dark and silent.

Hmm

Wang Mai is a straightforward person, with a temper that flares up quickly but also subsides just as fast

Dear brother, Zhongyang Town is too small

It was still Wang Meng who spoke, saying: "Afu, come tell Uncle how you killed Cheng Ji"

Afu will become a person of great significance in the future; the small town of Zhongyang cannot accommodate him at all. By leaving today, we are indeed creating a new world for the children. If they were to remain in Zhongyang forever, even if they possessed extraordinary talents, they would not be known to the world.

What has happened today? How bold you have become, and your thoughts have also become very meticulous

Cao Ji, the Zhang family, and Wang Mai sat there in a daze, their eyes fixed on Cao Peng without blinking, and they did not utter a single word for a long time

As Wang Mai turned to leave, Cao Peng quickly took two steps forward and grabbed Wang Mai's arm, saying, "Brother Tiger Head, I was wrong!"