He Who Carries Fire for the Masses Should Not Freeze to Death in the Wind and Snow

The place was noisy and quite chaotic.

Two tables had been set up in the courtyard.

A large number of people had arrived and were not being polite, rummaging through everything.

"Old Uncle, everyone outside says A Ji has prospered these past few years, so why does the household only have enough for two tables?"

"Everyone is here to help A Ji with his funeral arrangements. How can they not eat their fill?"

"Why don't you take out the money? I'll have someone go buy a few pounds of liquor."

"A Ji is gone, but we are all of the same clan. Don't worry, old man, we will definitely hold a grand funeral for him."

"The money he saved for his wedding is useless now. Take it out, old man. I plan to have someone build him a top-quality coffin."

Several men, quite displeased, pointed at the old man weeping bitterly in the courtyard, attempting to "persuade" him.

The old man's hair was completely white, his skin withered. He was already crying weakly.

Beside him, a little girl, no older than ten, was scared by the scene and crying loudly.

"Don't cry, don't cry. Your father is gone. From now on, we will be your father."

At this moment, a man dressed relatively decently stepped forward, reaching out to stroke the little girl's head, but his eyes were fixed on the elder.

"Old Uncle, A Ji is gone. You must have someone to care for you in your old age and see you off. I have a younger brother whom I plan to have adopted by you. He will care for you and see you off from now on."

"From now on, Xiao Li will be my own daughter. When she grows up, perhaps I'll take her to the inner city to be a maid in the Liu Family. Who knows, she might catch the eye of one of the Liu Family's young masters and become a concubine. You, old man, will also have a glorious future."

He spoke with a gentle expression and a calm tone.

The neighbors, who had initially felt that these Zhou clan members were going too far, fell silent upon hearing the name of the Liu Family from the inner city. All the words they were about to speak were swallowed back.

The other Zhou clan members, however, chimed in with agreement.

"Yes, Old Uncle, A Ping can care for you in your old age and see you off."

"Once he takes over A Ji's position and works in the Outer Southern Yamen, your days will be as glorious as they once were."

"A Ping is an honest boy, and with Brother An's support, he will surely be more successful than A Ji in the future."

"Brother An is from the Liu Family. If his brother is adopted by you, it's as if you've hitched yourself to the name of the Liu Family in the inner city. You've burned incense for eight lifetimes already."

The voices were a cacophony, and the old man grew more dejected, his eyes filled with despair.

The little girl cried even harder, and the man named Zhou An's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

The hand stroking the little girl's head gradually tightened, gripping her painfully.

It was noon, and the sun beat down fiercely.

Under the sunlight, the shadows of the Zhou clan members covered the old man and the young girl.

It was broad daylight, yet for the grandfather and granddaughter, it felt bone-chilling and terrifyingly dark, as if they were in an abyss with no way to climb out.

Just then, a voice was heard from outside.

"This is too much!"

Lin Lei walked in, his expression slightly grim. "A Ji died last night defending the city. He died for us!"

His voice was sonorous and solemn. "We live in Gao Liu City, and we are able to stand here alive today because those who defended the city last night risked their lives to fight the Demonic Evils and drive away the darkness!"

"They died defending the city, and you people who have been protected are trying to bleed his family dry?"

"And not only bleeding his family dry, but you're also eyeing Zhou Ji's position in the yamen?"

As Lin Lei's angry voice rang out, everyone's expression turned grim.

Zhou An gave a look, and the Zhou clan members around him surrounded Lin Lei, their faces contorted with ferocity.

It seemed as if they would resort to violence if words failed.

"Mind your own business."

A burly man squeezed forward and said sternly, "This has nothing to do with you!"

"How can it not have anything to do with me? A Ji died defending the city. I am a resident of this city, how can it not concern me?"

Lin Lei, having studied for a few years, had some spirit. He gritted his teeth. "If you bleed his family dry today, how will Uncle Zhou and Xiao Li live tomorrow?"

"The pillar of their household died during the night of the city defense. This one old man and one child, are you going to let them starve to death in the city?"

"You keep saying you're of the same clan, are you even human?"

As Lin Lei's voice spread, Zhou An's face darkened.

Someone beside him leaned in and whispered, "Brother An, his elder brother-in-law is the village head of the sixth street on the west side. It's not wise to use force."

Hearing this, Zhou An's expression softened slightly, and he walked forward.

"My friend, there must be some misunderstanding," he said.

He bowed and spoke with a gentle expression. "We are here to arrange A Ji's funeral. Since the person is gone, we must hold a grand funeral and treat the clan members to a meal. This is only proper."

"The elderly and children are lonely and helpless. I am willing to let my own younger brother be adopted to care for them in their old age and see them off in death. This is a kind intention."

"Since he's been adopted and will inherit A Ji's duties, it's only natural."

"Both sentimentally and logically, these matters are as they should be."

"On the other hand, you, an outsider, causing trouble in our home is completely unreasonable."

Zhou An said this, his expression serious and sincere. "Although you've misunderstood us and everyone is upset, considering you're looking out for my Old Uncle, we'll let this matter go. I..."

His expression suddenly froze, and he stared intently at the courtyard gate behind Lin Lei.

His face gradually turned pale, his eyes filled with uncertainty and shock.

Everyone looked over and saw a young man slowly walking into the small courtyard.

Although his appearance was refined, his clothes were simple, making him look like a poor boy.

"A Yan, what are you doing here? Go home first..."

Suddenly, smack!

It was extremely crisp and loud!

The man named Zhou An slapped himself hard across the face.

The scene fell silent, everyone stunned and exchanging glances.

"You..."

With a red handprint appearing on his face, Zhou An leaned forward, a fawning smile on his face. "Do you still remember me?"

"..."

The atmosphere in the room grew even more silent, no one spoke, all were dumbfounded.

Even Lin Lei felt the other party had suddenly lost his mind, perhaps his senses had been muddled by a Malevolent Spirit yesterday.

"You..."

Lin Yan glanced at him and paused.

He vaguely remembered that when he had visited Duke Lu before, many people had gathered outside, all from various forces within the inner city.

And this person was a steward from the Liu Family in the inner city... or rather, one of their servants.

"We met in front of Duke Lu's residence. You..."

Zhou An looked at Lin Yan, then at Lin Lei, suddenly gritted his teeth, and slapped himself again.

"I must have encountered a Malevolent Spirit yesterday, and today I was out of my mind, actually offending the two lords. It's truly..."

"You didn't just offend us brothers," Lin Yan said indifferently.

"Ah, yes, that's right..."

Zhou An spoke without thinking, quickly fumbling for his money pouch and shouting at his clansmen nearby, "What are you looking at? Why aren't you kneeling and kowtowing to the elder? Pay for all the food you ate today..."

He quickly stepped forward and kowtowed, his heart filled with extreme panic.

Today, he had accompanied the old steward to visit Duke Lu and had personally witnessed how various forces from the inner city had been turned away.

Even the Prefectural Governor's Mansion was no exception.

Yet, this young man was received by Duke Lu.

In Duke Lu's eyes, this young man seemed to carry more weight than all the forces in the inner city.

Of course, it was also possible there was some misunderstanding, and the young man's importance in Duke Lu's heart wasn't that significant.

But he wasn't someone an insignificant servant like himself could compare to.

Moreover, he knew that all the families in the inner city were currently investigating this young man's background, proceeding with great caution and seriousness.

If this young man were to rise rapidly in the future, he would be nothing but an ant, easily crushed by a casual flick of the wrist.

He sincerely kowtowed to Uncle Zhou.

Then, he turned his head to look at Lin Yan, his heart filled with apprehension.

"Scram!"

Lin Yan's tone was flat.