There are far too many factors that can make a person disappear.

Take the money, and on the fourth morning—

Before dawn, Henry Webb quietly left home with a wooden stick as thick as his forearm.

Tightening all the money he had for apprenticeship fees on his body, he turned back to look at his second sister, Emily Webb.

“Stay well hidden at home, don’t go out, don’t make a sound.”

“Okay.” Emily Webb nodded vigorously. She seemed to have noticed something unusual about her little brother today.

Now the eldest sister was gone, and their parents were gone too. Only she and her little brother depended on each other, so she was determined not to be a burden to him.

In the dim morning light, Henry Webb took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, calming himself down.

“I was planning to save up a bit more for food before going, but now there’s no choice…”

He could feel his heart pounding. He was carrying the money he’d saved for over two months. Whether he succeeded or not would be decided today!

Carefully, he hid the money pouch in the inner layer of his clothes and tied it securely. This was all his savings—he couldn’t afford to lose it.

Then, using his hand and the stick to shield it, Henry Webb gripped the stick tightly and walked quickly toward the mouth of the alley.

Crossing Stone Bridge Street and passing over the stone bridge, there were already quite a few farmers carrying vegetables and fruits to sell.

There were also well-dressed gentry riding in carriages, seemingly heading out for an excursion.

Poor farmers and commoners in shabby clothes walked the same road as young ladies and gentlemen in silk, forming a stark contrast.

He hadn’t gone far before he saw William Brooks and his two companions standing by the roadside, bragging.

The three of them were whispering to each other while constantly eyeing the men and women passing by. Whenever they saw someone attractive, they would stare intently.

As if trying to memorize their faces.

Henry Webb tensed up. He was carrying all his savings—he absolutely couldn’t let anything go wrong.

The more nervous he felt, the more he pretended to act nonchalant.

He kept walking forward and soon reached the part of the road where William Brooks and his friends were standing.

If William Brooks hadn’t already seen him before, it would have been best to take a detour.

But since he’d been spotted, suddenly changing course would seem too deliberate and suspicious.

That might actually cause trouble.

So, the more natural he acted now, the safer he’d be!

Henry Webb kept his pace steady, about to walk past the three.

“Wait a minute.”

Suddenly, William Brooks stretched out his arm, blocking him.

“Hey, Xiao He, what’s up? Going to the inner city again today? You go there every day, never looking for work in our own neighborhood. Did you get in with some big family?” William Brooks said with a mocking smile.

His voice was a bit shrill, lacking any of the imposing presence his burly frame suggested—instead, he sounded more like a rooster.

“What’s it to you? My eldest sister found me the job.” Henry Webb replied coldly, just as he usually would.

“Heh, eldest sister, huh? That’s right, your eldest sister is a skilled hand in the Blackwater Gang. Fine, fine, I won’t stop you.” William Brooks chuckled a few times and withdrew his hand.

Henry Webb continued forward.

“Hold on.” William Brooks wasn’t done yet.

His beady eyes swept over Henry Webb’s somewhat bulging clothes.

“Xiao He, your clothes look a bit stuffed today… hiding something?”

“I work at the construction site every day. I get hungry, so I have to bring some dry biscuits. What, is that a problem?” Henry Webb pulled open his clothes and took out a piece of dry biscuit, waving it.

“No problem, of course not.” William Brooks grinned and withdrew his hand, saying no more. “Go on, go on. Remember to say hi to your second sister for me. I’ve liked her for a long time.”

“……” Henry Webb said nothing, his face cold as he quickened his pace and left swiftly.

He kept walking briskly for over a mile before finally letting out a heavy sigh of relief.

Chapter 3: Stability (Part 1)

“Thank goodness… I wasn’t found out.” That William Brooks was a rascal to begin with. If he’d discovered the money pouch on his stomach, with that much money, he’d definitely have been tempted.

Henry Webb wandered around the city and arrived at a bungalow district near the inner city.

From one of the large courtyard houses, loud shouts from people training could be heard.

A plaque hung at the entrance, inscribed: Hui Shan Fist, Zheng.

Knock, knock, knock.

Henry Webb stepped forward and knocked on the door.

After a while, the wooden door was pulled open from inside, revealing a face full of fleshy folds.

“Who is it? What do you want?”

“I’m here to learn martial arts,” Henry Webb said in a deep voice.

“Did you bring money?” The man looked him up and down.

“I did.”

“Come in, then.”

The wooden door swung wide, and Henry Webb strode inside.

In the courtyard, a dozen shirtless men were practicing their strength by lifting stones.

Under the shade of a tree, a skinny old man with a goatee was leisurely sipping tea.

“Young Webb? What’s this, saved up enough money?” The old man glanced at Henry Webb and spoke.

“Mr. Grant, yes, I have enough.” Henry Webb had come several times before. Because he was focused and sincere, and had even run a few errands on his own initiative, he’d left a good impression on the old man.

Of course, a good impression was one thing, but learning martial arts here required money—there was no way it would be free, so that was that.

But now that he had enough money, the old man was happy to accept him.

“Good, good. For poor folks, the only way out is to learn martial arts.”