Martial Arts Longevity Begins with the Equipment Slot

Chapter 21 Dealing with a Tiger for Its Skin: A New Identity

"What kind of help?"

Chen Yu asked cautiously.

Although the burly man in front of you looks kind and approachable, he is, after all, a murderer with a long list of killings.

He didn't agree immediately, but waited for the other person to continue.

"You were born a servant, weren't you? The woman you just killed was your master?"

Wei Rongfang overheard a lot of conversations from the tree.

For him, deducing a person's identity based on the content of the conversation is a very simple thing.

Chen Yu neither confirmed nor denied it.

Wei Rongfang couldn't see anything amiss, so he could only continue speaking.

"You are a slave who killed your master. The authorities will probably not let this go easily."

"The warrant for your arrest will definitely be much stronger than for other murder suspects!"

"The Great Liang Dynasty places great importance on social status, with a strict hierarchy. Anyone who dares to disobey will be found and executed, even if it means digging three feet into the ground!"

"So, you think you can escape so easily?"

Chen Yu neither agreed nor disagreed, but simply replied indifferently.

"And what about you? How have you managed to survive until now? Have you only done this by bullying the weak and indiscriminately killing the vulnerable?"

"Of course not, I was also a sword slave of the Blood Blade Tower."

"Moreover, I have never killed a single innocent person."

Seeing that he had finally shown interest, Wei Rongfang spoke frankly.

"Of course I have my own way."

"The world is not black and white. If someone wants to kill me, then someone else will protect me."

"If I were fighting alone, I would have died countless times already. How could I have escaped death so many times?"

"When you're out in the world, strength is important, but connections are even more important."

"If you want to stay safe and sound, I do have a way to help you."

"What method?"

Chen Yu asked, still wary.

"The people you killed can be pinned on me; I'll take the blame for them."

"Then erase all traces of your past and create a new identity."

"Can you do it?"

Chen Yu wasn't entirely convinced.

As slaves, they not only had a contract of sale with the Song family, but also had corresponding records with the government.

Erasing these things requires enormous energy; it's not an easy task.

"I can't do it, but some people can," Wei Rongfang continued. "I've said it before, in the world of gangsters, you rely on the face given to you by your friends."

"I happen to have a friend who can help you change your appearance."

Is this friend of yours trustworthy?

Chen Yu was somewhat tempted.

Although there are risks, if this matter is successfully accomplished, the pressure on me will be greatly reduced.

"Of course it's credible. In this line of work, reputation is the most important thing."

"So, what's the price?" Chen Yu asked, staring at Wei Rongfang. "What do you want me to do?"

Seeing that Chen Yu had finally relented, Wei Rongfang revealed his true purpose.

"Please accept this."

Wei Rongfang took out a small, exquisite bronze box from his pocket and handed it to Chen Yu.

"You just need to keep this safe for me."

Chen Yu picked up the box and weighed it in his hand; it was quite heavy.

The box had some characters he didn't recognize engraved on it.

"What is this, and how long will I keep it for you?"

"There are some things inside; we'll keep them for as long as possible."

"..."

Chen Yu was speechless, feeling that the other party had just said a bunch of nonsense.

"Alright, since you've agreed, it's settled then. You'll keep my things safe, and I'll help you forge an identity."

"Three days later, I will place what you requested in the local earth god temple in the east of the city, under the second statue. Remember to retrieve it."

Wei Rongfang said no more and turned to leave.

"Aren't you afraid I'll steal your things?"

"Besides, I can't guarantee I'll keep it safe for you forever. Maybe the box will break or get lost someday."

Chen Yu asked tentatively, wanting to see what place this object held in Wei Rongfang's heart.

Wei Rongfang stopped in his tracks.

"It doesn't matter. You're not famous yet, so it's definitely safer to put you on the line than to put me on the line."

"As for what's inside, I'll take it if I'm alive; if I'm dead, you can have it if you want."

After saying that, he didn't look back and quickened his pace to leave.

Only after Wei Rongfang's figure disappeared into the distance did Chen Yu feel relieved enough to descend the mountain.

Throughout the conversation, he kept observing carefully.

Although Wei Rongfang was injured and clearly exhausted, he was not as he had previously claimed, that he was on his last legs.

On the contrary, Wei Rongfang was in good spirits, and although his blood and qi were depleted, they were now functioning steadily.

If I were to act rashly against such an opponent, I might not gain much advantage.

Even though the opponent was injured, the suppression in terms of cultivation level was still real.

Chen Yu felt there was no need to risk his life against such an opponent.

If you lose, you're doomed.

Even if we win, it doesn't seem like there's much benefit to it.

Let's make a deal.

We're all outlaws, and killing each other will only benefit others.

Chen Yu felt no psychological burden in cooperating with outlaws.

In this world, there are only the strong and the weak.

There is no distinction between good and bad people.

Moreover, Wei Rongfang is a villain, so why should I be some kind of virtuous person?

As long as he doesn't harm me, what's wrong with cooperating with him?

Without thinking further, Chen Yu quickly ran to the foot of the mountain and disappeared into the vast night.

……

A day later, the news that Song Xiangxiang and the others had died at Duanhun Cliff spread throughout the entire Changhe County.

Cheers erupted in the servants' quarters of the Song family mansion.

"Ha, as expected, a short-lived person."

"I told you back then, Miss, you're too young and impetuous. You need to learn to tone down your sharp edges. You didn't listen to the advice of your elders, and now you're getting your comeuppance."

Inside the filthy room, Zhang Sijian was emptying the trash while muttering to himself.

Actually, he only thought these words in his heart and never dared to say them in front of Song Xiangxiang.

Now that the person is dead, they can say whatever they want.

Can the dead control the living?

Inside the woodshed, Wang Xiaoliu, who was chopping wood, was also filled with excitement.

The young lady who used to whip people and kill servants like dogs is finally dead.

Although we don't know who did it, it's still a way of venting everyone's anger.

In the night patrol room, Gao Youde, Shi Le, and Wang Ping'an sat together, engaging in lively conversation.

"Have you heard? Our young lady..."

As Shi Le spoke, he made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Nonsense, the whole county is in an uproar, who doesn't know that the eldest daughter of the Song family was killed by 'Blood Blade Yama'?"

Wang Ping'an counted on his fingers.

"Not only our young lady, but also He Taifeng, the young master of the Eagle Claw Sect, and Ma Chengfeng, the young master of the Iron Bull Martial Arts School, plus their guards, mean that 'Blood Blade Yama' has taken dozens more lives!"

"Rumor has it that someone said the young lady wasn't killed by 'Blood Blade Yama,' and the method of the crime doesn't seem quite right," Shi Le said quietly.

He had barely finished speaking when Gao Youde refuted him.

"Your news is outdated. The government has already refuted it, and besides, 'Blood Blade Yama' himself has admitted it..."

In the backyard, Lord Song Jianglong continued to refine pills behind closed doors all day long, only occasionally coming out to issue orders.

He showed no concern for Song Xiangxiang's death, as if she were a stranger who had died.

Two days later, at Hongyun Restaurant.

Yuan Xingyun was enjoying drinks with a group of new friends.

His previous statement that he would lead the arrest of Wei Rongfang was just a pretext.

His real purpose was to incite those hot-headed spoiled brats to run off and die in vain.

In this way, the successors cultivated by various families over many years were all eliminated in one fell swoop.

Although with the power of the Yuan family, they could achieve the same effect even by force.

However, when doing things openly, one should still try to be more respectable.

It's nothing more than killing a few fair-weather friends.

Yuan Xingyun glanced at the people at the table.

I could have as many friends as I could want.

On the third night, Chen Yu arrived at the local temple and obtained his identity document as promised.

After careful verification, the style and seal were indeed completely consistent with those of the official government, and it should have been passed down through Wei Rongfang's connections within the government office.

After verifying that everything was correct, I felt reassured.

Under the moonlight, Chen Yu left Changhe County overnight.