The Ruffian Blocks the Door

Zhou You spread the news across seven or eight streets, then went home instead of returning to the Martial Arts School.

He couldn't let this trip be for nothing, and he might as well have dinner with his parents.

Passing by the scene of the incident, he saw a group of white-robed members of the God of Release Cult cleaning up the ground.

Upon inquiring, he learned that after he left, the bloody scene had been seen by passersby.

Too many incidents had occurred in the city recently, and the authorities couldn't handle it all, especially since Lu Zhigang was an outsider.

It was the God of Release Cult who came to collect the remains, clean them up, wrap them in white cloth, and send them outside the city for cremation.

That's right, the God of Release Cult believed that death was like a lamp going out, and cremation was the best way to handle remains.

However, local custom dictated that fallen leaves return to their roots, and one must be buried in their homeland so that their soul could receive ancestral sacrifices.

Due to this conflict, the God of Release Cult was considered a heretical cult in some areas.

Locals in Gongliang City naturally avoided them, and only the refugees from Sucheng City lacked the means to be picky about such matters.

After Lu Zhigang's remains were cremated, the matter was considered settled.

There was even a small interlude during this time...

Shan Wa, who had been bribed, was a tough kid and lucky to be alive. He had knocked himself unconscious against a wall, and afterward, the white-robed figures discovered he was still breathing.

He had only taken a few hard blows, soiled himself, and couldn't even speak. He was completely terrified.

The God of Release Cult members went from house to house asking questions, and they eventually found Shan Wa's home and returned the child.

"That Shan Wa kid, he's quite pitiful. I heard his bones were broken, and his stomach was ruined. He vomits whatever he eats."

After dinner, his mother shared the news she had heard.

Zhou You didn't explain the whole story and just ate his meal; the brat deserved it.

The only reason he hadn't completely retaliated was that he considered the neighbors and hadn't delivered a final kick to finish him off.

To sell him out for ten coins, what a scoundrel. He'd grow up to be a bad seed.

While they were eating, shouting erupted from outside, growing louder and more chaotic, drawing out the neighbors.

As he listened, he realized something was wrong; they seemed to be cursing the 'Old Zhou Family' and 'Zhou You.'

Dinner was ruined.

Zhou You, his parents, and he went out to see. It turned out to be Shan Wa's father, holding the child, standing at their doorstep, spewing curses.

"Zhou You, get out here."

"I just heard that my son went to the Martial Arts School to find you and that's how he got hurt. His future is ruined, and you need to compensate us."

His wife was no better, wiping tears and crying and making a scene.

The couple cried and cursed, creating a ruckus that attracted more and more neighbors.

"You'er, what's going on?"

Zhou You reassured his parents, "It's nothing, leave it to me."

He stepped forward and glanced at Shan Wa. The brat's eyes were vacant, clearly terrified.

Then he looked at his parents, who looked as fierce as if they were about to devour someone.

Did they not know that Zhou You could kill their entire family with a single breath?

"Shan Wa's father, you can't say that. Whoever injured your Shan Wa should compensate you."

Lu Zhigang had already turned to ash; how could they find the culprit?

Shan Wa's father dared to come to their door because he knew the Old Zhou Family well and thought he could bully their honest and simple nature.

If Lu Zhigang were standing right there, these two would surely not dare to utter a single word.

"I don't care, the Old Zhou Family's son bullied someone!"

Shan Wa's mother sat down on the ground, baring her teeth and wailing, "My son is like this because of you, you have to compensate us."

"Otherwise, I'll smash my head to death at your doorstep."

Shan Wa's father's voice grew louder, and he pulled the surrounding neighbors, chattering to each one, "My Shan Wa was playing fine on the street, he just went to the Martial Arts School to find Zhou You, and this is what happened. If not him, then who?"

Widow Li spoke a fair word from the crowd, "It might not necessarily be Zhou You. There are so many outsiders in the city; maybe they harmed Shan Wa."

Zhou You couldn't help but look at her. This aunt was quite insightful; her casual remark was close to the truth.

"I think Zhou You is the most suspicious,"

Mao Laoyao seized the opportunity to stir up trouble and naturally wouldn't miss it. "Ever since Zhou You started practicing martial arts, he's become more ferocious."

The implication was that Shan Wa was injured by Zhou You.

The neighbors chimed in, and the situation became more chaotic, nearing the point of losing control.

Old Man Zhou was sweating profusely, his face flushed as he explained, "It wasn't my You'er. He has a kind heart; he wouldn't cruelly harm Shan Wa."

"If not him, then who?"

Shan Wa's parents cried and wailed, pointing at the Old Zhou Family and accusing them, "Compensate us, you must compensate us."

"Cough, cough!"

Zhou You suddenly spoke, his attitude sincere, "Brother, Sister-in-law, I truly do bear some responsibility for this matter."

His words of appeasement shocked everyone around. Wasn't he admitting fault?

Given the personalities of Shan Wa's parents, once they got their teeth into something, they wouldn't let go, wanting to squeeze every last cent out of the Zhou family.

Just now, they had been insisting that Old Man Zhou should support Shan Wa for the rest of his life!

"Listen to him, he admitted it, he admitted it!"

Shan Wa's father said triumphantly, holding Shan Wa as he pushed him towards Old Man Zhou and his wife.

"Shan Wa came to the Martial Arts School to pass on information. Tu Laosan hired outsiders to ambush me."

Upon hearing Tu Laosan's name, a large group of neighbors, dozens of mouths, fell silent instantly.

How had they gotten involved with Tu Laosan again?

Shan Wa's parents' arrogant demeanor abruptly ceased, and their bodies couldn't help but tremble twice.

"Alas, it's thanks to Shan Wa's warning that I escaped the ambush. It must have been Tu Laosan who ambushed me afterward and harmed Shan Wa."

Zhou You turned to Shan Wa's mother, "I didn't want to mention this, but since you two were so eager to know the truth, I had no choice but to speak."

Shan Wa's father was almost in tears. Who wanted to know this truth!

His son helping Zhou You pass on information meant offending Tu Laosan!

If they offended Tu Laosan, their entire family would suffer.

"Zhou You, my Shan Wa helped you, so shouldn't you repay him?"

Shan Wa's mother's eyes lit up. "We'll move in tonight and live at your place from now on."

This shrew's mind worked quickly. Knowing they had offended Tu Laosan, the only way to avoid disaster was to rely on the wooden plaque hanging at the entrance of the Zhou family's home.

Shan Wa's father shivered. His wife was right; this was a good idea.

Well, they had completely latched onto their family now.

The surrounding neighbors let out jeers. They had grand ideas, not only wanting to eat and live for free but also to benefit from the connection.

Zhou You's parents frowned, instinctively about to refuse.

"It's not impossible."

Zhou You said unhurriedly, "But with three months almost up, I still can't cultivate Internal Force, and my chance to become a regular is slim.

"When the Martial Arts School kicks me out and reclaims the wooden plaque, Tu Laosan will definitely come looking for trouble.

"Shan Wa's parents, at that time, our two families will share the hardships and face it together."

Face what? Annihilation!

Shan Wa's mother turned pale with fright. This Zhou family's boat was about to sink; there was no more oil or water to be had. It was better to stay as far away as possible.

They were unwilling, crying and making a fuss for a while longer. Seeing that they couldn't squeeze any more benefits, they left in dejection.

Later, Zhou You heard that Tu Lao Er, upon hearing about what happened that day, was enraged that Shan Wa had ruined his plans and sent people to retaliate. Shan Wa's family's house was set ablaze in the middle of the night, and the three of them were burned to charcoal, with no survivors.

That fire was rather peculiar; it only burned their house and did not affect the neighbors.