Chapter 16: Unexpected Gains

Hand it all over?

How could the Bandit Chief possibly agree to such an outrageous demand? The silver hoarded by the Black Wind Stronghold amounted to at least two or three hundred thousand taels, if not a million. To hand it all over—were they supposed to let his entire band of men starve?

Above the rafters, the cold, clear moonlight fell in soft streaks, bathing the entire mountaintop in a silver halo; it was truly a sight to behold.

A black shadow and a red shadow flitted through the lush forest as if walking through an empty land. Despite the Black Wind Stronghold being riddled with traps, not a single person noticed the arrival of the two.

They landed silently on the roof tiles. With a slight twitch of his ears, the man caught every sound from the great hall below.

"No need to act yet. I’d like to see what this child is up to," Yun Jingchen said nonchalantly. He spread his fingers, and a suction force erupted from within his body. The roof tiles were lifted silently by profound energy, revealing a narrow ventilation gap large enough for the master and servant to observe the goings-on in the hall below.

When Ling Xiaobai’s face—which bore a striking resemblance to a certain evildoer—came into view, the enchanting smile on Yun Jingchen’s face suddenly stiffened. "Yun Xu, don't you think this child looks familiar?"

His casual remark caused Yun Xu’s expression to change on the spot. The child’s features were seventy percent similar to the Young Master’s, especially those long, narrow black eyes; they were identical. If someone said they weren't related, no one would believe it.

Yun Xu suddenly linked this to a certain event, and his entire being felt increasingly unwell.

It couldn't be that much of a coincidence, could it? After all, it was only one night—how could there be a child?

"Hm?" Yun Jingchen waited for a long time without receiving an answer from Yun Xu, so he turned his gaze toward him with a meaningful look. "Do you also think he looks a lot like me?"

"This..." Yun Xu dared not speak plainly, his anxiety growing.

"Heh, it seems this trip to the Black Wind Stronghold has yielded an unexpected harvest." Yun Jingchen let out a meaningful laugh, his aura of demonic charm seemingly ready to pierce the sky. Even though he was just standing casually on the tiles, no one would dare underestimate him, let alone act rashly.

Ling Xiaobai was busy ordering the bandits to fetch the property deeds, silver, and treasures to pay tribute to him. He sat sprawled on a recliner, his posture as arrogant as could be. Yet, he possessed such a cute, naive face that it made people both angry and tempted to scoop him up and dote on him.

"G-Great Master, all the assets of the Black Wind Stronghold over the years are right here." The Bandit Chief pointed at the wooden chests filling the hall, his tongue feeling somewhat clumsy. At the thought of the savings he had worked his entire life to accumulate being snatched away by a brat who hadn't even grown his hair out yet, he felt not only heartache but physical pain.

No! He absolutely could not let him take the items away so easily. Beneath his seemingly humble expression, a flash of cold, sinister light made one’s heart tremble.

Ling Xiaobai hopped off the chair and scurried over to the wooden chests. Refusing help from others, he opened the lids himself. The dazzling golden light pierced his eyes, almost blinding him.

"Oh my, silver..."

Yun Jingchen looked down with a half-smile at the child, whose entire face was pressed against the gold bars, drool leaking from the corner of his mouth, looking completely satisfied and happy. His heart skipped a beat for a moment, as if his soul had been struck; the resulting throb left him slightly stunned.

"Could it be that because I haven't left the mountains in years, even a little brat can make my heart race and pique my interest?" He narrowed his eyes, beginning to weigh whether it would be better to nip this dangerous feeling in the bud for the sake of his reputation, or to satisfy his own selfish desires by taking this brat back to the Yun Clan to fatten him up before enjoying him.

"..." Yun Xu kept his head lowered, his facial muscles twitching unnaturally. Should he tell the Young Master that this child might be the lingering product of that night? Should he tell the Young Master to give up on the idea of laying a hand on this child who was suspected to be his son?

Although the atmosphere in the continent had become much more open in recent years, and many noble families and officials openly kept male concubines, the idea of father and son... that was still something people couldn't calmly accept.

"Hm?" Ling Xiaobai’s eyes suddenly narrowed. He looked strangely at the shadow reflected on the gold bars, then looked up, peering at the hollowed-out tile above his head.

"Who are you?" He blinked his eyes adorably, stood up straight, and closed the wooden chest. "Are you here to rob this young master’s property? Which path do you walk? State your name."