Steam-powered martial arts: My virginity cultivation technique has been broken.

How cunning Anning is!

The Four Heroes of Hedong agreed with Xu Zhengwei's analysis.

Ouyang Xi also specifically analyzed the order in which the people from the escort agency exchanged boxes on the train, and finally concluded that Ku Ning's box was ultimately still in his own hands, further corroborating the correctness of the information provided by Xu Zhengwei.

Ke Moxiong formulated a plan: "We'll make our move on the way to Fengcheng in Wuzhou after we disembark. Before that, we must be extremely cautious. I'm finding Anning's strength increasingly unfathomable." He then looked at Jiang Xiaoya, who remained silent with her head bowed: "Fourth Sister, are you alright?"

Jiang Xiaoya raised her head and said weakly, "No problem, big brother can make the decision."

Ke Moxiong comforted her, "We'll just try it secretly. If we fail, so be it. Anyway, there's still the Zhao family's job escorting goods. They can't renege on the commission."

Seeing Jiang Xiaoya's conflicted expression and insincere words, Ouyang Xi couldn't bear it any longer: "Brother, to be honest, after spending these past few days with An Ning, I've developed a sense of mutual respect. He's a good match for Fourth Sister, so why don't we let her participate in this mission? We can't do without her in this petty thievery."

Ke Moxiong fell silent. Ouyang's words were harsh, but they came from the heart. He claimed to be chivalrous, yet he stole and framed others—there was nothing honorable about it. If they hadn't been living such a hard life, they wouldn't have agreed.

Logically speaking, as fifth-rank martial artists, they should never lack money, but unfortunately, that's how the world is, coupled with the heavy burden they carry.

They were not missing persons like Ku Ning, nor were they fugitive criminals like Zhen Kong; they were legitimate members of the sect who had come down the mountain.

Whether it's a sect in the secular world or a reclusive sect, they all have strict requirements and demanding conditions for their disciples who come down from the mountain.

Not only must one's cultivation reach a certain standard and not disgrace the sect, but after leaving the mountain, one must also regularly contribute to the sect, which means giving back money.

Sects also need to survive. Today you are proud of your sect, tomorrow your sect will be proud of you.

The sects taught them to travel the world under their banner, so naturally they were expected to give back. This was a clear rule in every sect, including the White Pavilion Temple.

Those prestigious sects are relatively more humane than reclusive sects. For example, if a disciple of the White Pavilion Temple leaves the monastic life and enters the imperial court, the sect will provide him with connections. If he wants to go into business, the sect will provide financial support, but the profits earned must be shared with the sect.

Because they have a relatively large number of disciples, their share of the profits isn't very high. For sects like Hakuge Temple, which receive royal funding, the share is basically just a token amount. However, disciples are expected to help when the sect needs assistance.

This comparison explains why everyone aspires to join prestigious schools and sects.

The Four Heroes of Hedong were in a terrible predicament. Their sect had gone into seclusion, needed to survive, had few disciples leaving the mountain, offered little assistance, and taught outdated martial arts and philosophies. For these reclusive sects, leaving the mountain was a nightmare. These sects often also indulged in moral blackmail, preaching loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness to their disciples on the mountain, only to exploit them ruthlessly once they left.

If they earn 10,000 dragon dollars a month, they have to hand over 8,000 to the sect. Sometimes they don't earn that much, and the sect will scold them, asking if they have forgotten their kindness.

In short, there's one thing: the debt of gratitude owed to the sect can never be repaid.

Eight years have passed since the Four Heroes of Hedong descended the mountain. Ke Moxiong and Ouyang Xi are both nearly forty years old and cannot even find a wife. Even if they have a lover, they dare not marry her. They are even more miserable than ordinary people. It is no wonder that they have abandoned some of their integrity and accepted the shopkeeper's bribe.

Ke Moxiong concluded, "Fourth Sister, you shouldn't get involved. After this mission is over, go and explain to Anning. If he can accept you, then leave us and live your own life."

Jiang Xiaoya trembled upon hearing this, and said in a tearful voice, "Don't you want me anymore?"

Ke Moxiong looked at his junior sister with eyes full of affection: "You've grown up, and as a woman, you shouldn't live like us, homeless and exposed to the elements. Your talent is the best among us, yet your cultivation progresses slowly. It's a complete waste. If you had entered a prestigious sect, you would at least be a second or third-grade high-level martial artist by now."

His tone was regretful, yet helpless. Most of them came from fishing villages along the coast, from impoverished families. Sea monsters roamed freely, and without Penglai Pavilion taking them in, survival was difficult enough; they probably would never have the chance to learn martial arts in their lifetime. Therefore, they were grateful and had learned to be content, willingly serving the sect.

Jiang Xiaoya was somewhat tempted. After all, who wouldn't want a stable and happy life? Besides, she had already tasted the fresh and juicy tender grass.

Seeing her wavering, Ouyang Xi pressed harder, feigning a sigh, "It's a pity that Anning is a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), not a very good job. With Fourth Sister's looks, she could have married a wealthy landowner and lived a stable life as a wife. Since you don't want to leave, I'll find you someone when we get back to Hedong."

Jiang Xiaoya immediately retorted, "I don't want to be the wife of a nouveau riche!"

Ouyang Xi continued, "The rich young master's concubine?"

Jiang Xiaoya said, embarrassed and annoyed, "No, I don't want to either!"

Ouyang Xi lightly tapped her forehead with his folding fan: "Then you'll have no choice but to go with the bodyguard."

Jiang Xiaoya knew they were teasing her: "I'm ignoring you guys." After saying that, she fled the cabin as if she were escaping.

The three sworn brothers looked at each other and smiled. They no longer cared whether the mission succeeded or failed. If they succeeded, they would get paid; if they failed, they would save their fourth sister from trouble. No matter how they looked at it, they were winning!

After three days of sailing, only one day remains for the water journey.

Wang Sanpao was like a male dog in heat, flirting with everyone.

In the morning dining area, Ku Ning munched on a steamed bun with pickled vegetables and millet porridge, watching Wang Sanpao across from him flirting with a newly acquainted middle-aged woman. He was so angry his teeth itched. This guy looked weak and frail, old and sleazy; what did women want from him?

When the food he ordered arrived, Wang Sanpao stopped his performance, suddenly creating waves, and said to the woman, "Go back to your cabin and wait for me."

Ku Ning kindly reminded him, "Brother Wang, please take care of your health!"

Wang Sanpao rubbed his lower back: "Boss, I'm here to do your job, aren't I? You're not willing to sacrifice your looks, so I'll have to do it myself."

It turned out that the day after they boarded the ship, the head of the escort agency from the capital came to their door seeking cooperation.

They discovered a wanted criminal on the ship, a sixth-rank upper-level sorcerer. He had committed a massacre of an entire family in the capital and had been fleeing south. The Six Doors had offered a reward of 30,000 dragon dollars for his capture. This time, he seemed to be heading to Fuzhou by sea.

Ku Ning asked, "What useful information did you get?"

Wang Sanpao glanced around; there weren't many people having breakfast. He replied in a low voice, "That woman was the fugitive's lover. He's afraid of dying and has been hiding in the cabin, afraid to come out. The woman is responsible for his food and drink. Based on my subtle inquiries, that fugitive is definitely not just a murderer who killed his entire family."

"What do you mean?"

"Because his bounty wasn't 30,000, but 300,000."

"Wow! So many!"

"That's the price for a dead body; if you capture it alive, the reward is as high as 500,000."