The man originally thought that after saying so much, those people would not dare to act against him.

However, he underestimated their ruthless ambition and overestimated the scheming nature of the person behind them.

A single Bai family might not have been taken seriously in their eyes, but as a business clan that had thrived for hundreds of years, the Bai family was not to be underestimated.

“Our boss doesn’t care whether you’re from the Bai family or the Hei family. Be honest and tell us where the silver is hidden, or don’t blame us for being ruthless,” one of the men, holding a large knife, threatened.

He raised his hand, about to chop off the middle-aged man’s hand, scaring him so much that he shuddered.

“Wait.”

A woman named Shen Qingwan sat leisurely on the eaves nearby, one leg dangling and swinging casually.

She was toying with a dagger in her hand, her presence eerily mysterious.

The bandits stared at the woman who had appeared out of nowhere, momentarily stunned, wondering when she had arrived.

Shen Qingwan paid them no mind and instead turned her gaze to the middle-aged man. “Uncle, need some help?”

The middle-aged man quickly nodded.

This woman had appeared so silently that she must have some real skills. If she could save him, she would be his savior.

“I am Bai Yong’an, the second master of the Bai family. I humbly ask for your assistance, lady warrior.”

Bai Yong’an?

Shen Qingwan was slightly surprised.

So, he was the second master of the Bai family.

She curved her lips into a sly smile, raised two fingers, and said, “I wonder if Second Master Bai’s life is worth twenty thousand taels of silver?”

Bai Yong’an immediately understood that she was asking for a reward.

Without hesitation, he agreed. “I’ll give you thirty thousand taels, as long as you save me.”

He valued his life greatly.

For the Bai family, tens of thousands of taels were nothing.

In a situation like this, even if she had asked for a hundred thousand, he would have agreed without hesitation.

After all, as long as he was alive, he could easily earn it back.

As expected of the Bai family’s second master—so generous.

Shen Qingwan flipped off the roof, landing beside Bai Yong’an.

Seeing them negotiate so openly, the bandits became furious. “Damn woman, stealing from us? You must be tired of living!”

The bandit swung his large knife at Shen Qingwan, but she swiftly kicked him in the chest.

“Brothers, attack! Kill them both!” The bandit leader roared in anger.

Shen Qingwan raised her hand, flicking a set of poison needles. The bandits who couldn’t dodge in time fell dead instantly.

“Lady warrior, help me!”

Bai Yong’an’s panicked voice suddenly came from behind her.

Shen Qingwan turned to see a bandit trying to bypass her to kill Bai Yong’an.

She threw her dagger, striking the attacker in the back.

The remaining bandits, thinking she had no more weapons, charged at her.

However, she simply reached into her robe and pulled out another dagger.

After quickly dispatching the rest of the bandits, Shen Qingwan dusted off her clothes.

“Let’s go,” she said to Bai Yong’an.

Bai Yong’an was full of admiration—she had taken care of so many bandits in mere moments. “Lady warrior, could you escort me out of the city? If you can get me to Licheng, I’ll give you another ten thousand taels.”

“Licheng?”

Hearing that he was heading there, Shen Qingwan realized it was on her way. “Fine. But you must not reveal your identity, and you’ll need to change your clothes.”

She eyed his luxurious attire, clicking her tongue.

The gold embroidery alone was worth hundreds of taels, not to mention the valuable accessories he wore.

As expected of the wealthiest merchant family in Daxia—extravagant.

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead,” Bai Yong’an agreed.

He quickly removed all his valuable belongings.

Shen Qingwan then stripped a tattered outer robe from one of the dead bandits and handed it to him.

Although Bai Yong’an found it disgusting, he reluctantly put it on.

The robe reeked of sweat, making him feel nauseous.

Once he was dressed, Shen Qingwan led him toward a small inn in the west of the city.

Along the way, they saw many bandits looting the homes of wealthy families.

Naturally, the Bai family’s stores were also being plundered.

As they passed the Wantong Bank, Bai Yong’an looked at it with a pained expression.

The bank held a vast amount of silver, and now it was going to fall into the hands of the bandits.

Unfortunately, the wealth was too great for them to take with them.

Shen Qingwan also noticed the bank and saw a group of bandits heading toward it.

An idea formed in her mind, and she pulled Bai Yong’an toward the bank.

Inside, the staff were bracing for the worst.

Seeing Bai Yong’an, the doorman hurriedly opened the gate. “Second Master, why are you here? You must leave! The bandits are coming!”

The shopkeeper of the bank also rushed to greet him.

But before he could say anything, Shen Qingwan interrupted, “Second Master, evacuate your people. Let them escape while they can. The wealth here is doomed, but their lives shouldn’t be wasted.”

Bai Yong’an immediately understood.

Yes, the money was lost, but they couldn’t afford to lose lives too. “Shopkeeper Hu, take everyone and leave. Stay safe, and return tomorrow to deal with the aftermath.”

Shopkeeper Hu nodded. “Second Master, what about you?”

“Don’t worry about me. I have my ways of surviving.”

Hearing this, the shopkeeper took the clerks and guards and fled.

“Second Master, where is your vault?” Shen Qingwan asked with a sly smile.

Bai Yong’an immediately understood her intent—she didn’t want the bandits to take everything.

Realizing she intended to take whatever she could, he didn’t stop her.

Although it was his family’s wealth, he’d rather let her have it than let the bandits claim it.

“The vault and granary are in the backyard. Here’s the key. Take whatever you can. I also have a stash of banknotes in my room—I’ll grab those and meet you at the back gate.”

He hurried off to retrieve the silver notes.

Since he frequently traveled for business, he always had a personal room in each of their establishments.

Earlier, he had left in a rush, unable to take anything with him.

Now, he had the chance to retrieve his wealth.

As for the vault, it mostly contained gold and silver, which would be too heavy to carry.

The banknotes, however, were much more convenient.