The Great Hero Is Either Black or Dead!

That Wang family is just barbers; there shouldn't be any big rewards.

Will they reward me with barbering skills?

Something for free is better than nothing!

The most crucial thing is that if this child isn't saved soon, he might really be beaten to death.

He has a father but receives no protection. This made Luo Zhou, who lost his parents, ache in his heart.

Luo Zhou carried the child and took him to a Medical Hall in the market.

Outside the market, there was a row of shops along the street, one of which was a Medical Hall called Spring Revival Pavilion.

Luo Zhou entered Spring Revival Pavilion and went straight to the attending physician.

"Doctor, please take a look at this child!"

Attending Physician Liu glanced at the child and said, "A child from the Wang family barbers? Beaten again?"

It seemed this child was a frequent visitor here.

"Yes, he was beaten quite badly. Doctor, please examine him."

"We don't offer credit here. The last time this child was beaten unconscious, the Wang family barber still owes eighty copper coins."

"It's alright, Doctor, I have money. Treat him, however much it costs, I'll pay!"

Attending Physician Liu nodded and began the treatment.

Although Baldy Wang beat him severely, Luo Zhou's timely rescue meant it wasn't life-threatening.

Attending Physician Liu performed some massage to regulate the child's qi and blood, administered an internal medicine, and applied an external wound salve. He said:

"No major issues. This child has ample qi and blood. In three to five days, he should recover!"

The child was very well-behaved. He didn't cry despite the painful treatment. His large eyes were particularly bright and clear.

Luo Zhou waited nearby. Once the treatment was finished, he took out the money.

No need for spirit stones here; copper coins and silver were sufficient.

Altogether, five hundred copper coins, half a tael of silver, was a trivial matter for him!

The gossiping aunties and matrons who had been watching the commotion also gathered around, chattering amongst themselves.

Suddenly, someone shouted, "The officials are here! The officials are here!"

"Luo family brat, you're in trouble, run! Old Wang from the Wang family reported you!"

Constables were arriving from that direction.

Baldy Old Wang had actually reported him!

"Officer, this brat beat me and snatched my child!"

"Breaking and entering, assault, kidnapping a child – this brat is a bandit, committing all sorts of evil. He's a bastard without parents! Arrest him, arrest him and throw him in jail!"

Following Baldy Old Wang were two constables.

Luo Zhou swept his gaze over the leader and his eyes twitched.

It was the same captain who handled the Gu Shanhe case last time, Captain Li Haitian.

Li Haitian, clearly a dog of the authorities, had a square face with distinct lines, sharp angles, and a solid, steady presence like a rock, exuding an unyielding toughness.

Even without speaking, he radiated immense authority.

Why would the captain personally handle such a minor brawl?

How were they so fast? He had only just called for the officials. Did they have some special connection, like relatives?

Luo Zhou stepped forward, took out his Dao Academy student token, and respectfully handed it over.

"Greetings, Captain. I am student Luo Zhou, from the Immortal Bud Class of the Heaven and Earth Dao Academy, under Master and Academy Dean Zhao Bochen!"

He was neither servile nor overbearing, presenting his case logically and with evidence.

The Heaven and Earth Dao Academy held a very high status in this city. Especially the old Dean, Zhao Bochen, was one of the top three most influential figures in the city; even the City Lord had to bow to him.

The two aggressive constables immediately froze. Their ferocity vanished, and they became polite.

Luo Zhou continued, "Today, on my way home from school, I encountered neighbors. I saw many people gathered, arguing noisily. I watched as this Uncle from the Wang family desperately beat the child. The child was foaming at the mouth from the beating, while his new wife and concubine stood by, twisting the truth and egging him on. If this continued, the child would surely be beaten to death. I had no choice but to intervene and take the child here for treatment. His wife and concubine tried to stop me, so I had to push them away. The entire incident was witnessed by the neighbors. Could all you aunties, uncles, and elders here please be willing to testify for me?"

As soon as he said this, the gossiping aunties and matrons around them immediately shouted out.

"I can testify! That barber Old Wang is a scumbag. After marrying his new wife, he beats his child relentlessly."

"I can testify, without the Luo family's second son, the little girl would have been beaten to death."

"Stepmothers are truly cruel, beating their children every day."

A buzz of discussion erupted, the crowd growing agitated.

They were all testifying for Luo Zhou.

The power of mobilizing the masses was indeed formidable.

Bald Old Wang wanted to retort, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he was berated so fiercely he couldn't utter a single word, his face turning ashen.

Constable Li Haitian looked around and slowly said:

"I know, everyone, please stop talking.

Rest assured, the law is like a furnace; it will not wrong a good person, nor will it let a bad person go!"

Though his words were soft, they carried an irresistible force.

The crowd was suppressed by his imposing authority and fell silent.

He was speaking up for the Wang Family!

At this moment, Doctor Liu, who was presiding at the hall, slowly said:

"This child has been brought here for treatment for the fourth time.

The previous three times she was beaten unconscious. This time, if she had arrived any later, she might not have made it!"

He wasn't afraid of Li Haitian's authority. As a doctor with Qi Refining cultivation, his words essentially sealed the case!

Bald Old Wang broke out in a sweat, speechless and flustered.

Constable Li Haitian nodded slightly and said:

"Judging by this, this matter still concerns Luo..."

He hadn't remembered Luo Zhou's name!

"Luo Zhou!"

"Dao Academy scholar Luo Zhou, encountering the Wang Family's domestic dispute, could not bear to see a child being beaten and stepped in righteously to save the child.

The boy's youthful spirit is entirely different from the Wang Family's accusation of breaking in to rob and abduct a child."

At these words, cheers erupted from the surroundings.

But Li Haitian shifted the topic.

"However, Luo Zhou did indeed break in, snatch the child, and push down the Wang couple.

The Wang Family is not entirely falsely accusing him. Their actions are understandable, but this is the fact of the matter.

Since ancient times, the law has stated that filial piety is paramount. Parents disciplining their children is not considered excessive as long as the child does not die.

Because Luo Zhou intervened, the Wang couple was indeed injured.

Luo Zhou, you are fined three taels of silver. Do you accept this?"

This constable definitely had a connection with the Wang Family. He knew he couldn't go against the crowd's sentiment, but he still managed to absolve the Wang Family of false accusation and child abuse with this decision.

He saw that Luo Zhou was willing to pay for the Wang Family's child's treatment, suspecting he wasn't short on money.

Luo Zhou did not want to escalate the matter and nodded, saying: "This scholar accepts the penalty!"

He took out three taels of silver and handed them to Li Haitian.

Li Haitian gave the silver to Bald Old Wang.

With the fine paid and given to the Wang Family, and seeing the money, the Wang Family's eyes lit up, and the matter was settled.

Old Wang immediately became elated, overjoyed.

"Wang Dong, Luo Zhou, all neighbors, does anyone have any objections?"

His hawk-like eyes swept across the crowd. Wherever his gaze landed, people lowered their heads, not daring to voice any dissent.

"Good, since no one has any objections, I shall make this ruling in my capacity as Constable!"

The matter was thus concluded.

Then he turned to Bald Old Wang and said coldly.

"Wang Dong, listen carefully. If you don't want to raise this child, I will help you find a slave dealer to sell her off. If you dare to beat her to death privately, I will ensure you face legal proceedings, lose your fortune, and pay with your life. Do you understand!"

His words were chillingly cold, scaring Wang Dong into hastily replying:

"I understand, I understand! I won't hit her anymore!"

With the matter resolved, Constable Li Haitian smiled and led his subordinates away.

As they walked out of the Medical Hall, they saw someone walking towards them.

This person was dignified and imposing, clearly a strong and upright individual.

He knew Li Haitian, and after exchanging greetings and a brief chat, they passed each other.

"Isn't that Cheng Wanli from the Dragon Fang Troop?" Li Haitian muttered to himself. "What's he doing here?"

One of his subordinates recognized him as well. "The Dragon Fang Troop has caught several Crocodile Dragons these past two months. They're making a killing."

Li Haitian winked. His subordinate understood immediately and didn't leave, quietly observing.

The situation over there concluded, and the child was healed. However, he still had to go home with his parents.

Luo Zhou looked at the bald old man, Wang, and spoke in a low voice that only they could hear.

"Old Wang, listen carefully."

"You go back. If you dare hit the child again, I'll hit you every time you do. The next time, there might not be anyone watching. Or maybe someone will just disappear, dying mysteriously! Do you believe I can destroy you?"

Although Luo Zhou would step in to rescue the child and punish the wicked the next time Old Wang hit him, earning rewards, he would rather not have such rewards. He didn't want the child to continue being beaten.

Bald Old Wang snorted coldly, appearing unfazed, but he was likely scared. He stopped cursing and didn't dare to hit the child anymore. He picked up the child and left.

As the child was carried away, he kept looking at Luo Zhou, his eyes full of gratitude.

Old Wang left, and the onlookers dispersed. Luo Zhou also needed to head home.

His eyes landed on Cheng Wanli, the commander of the Dragon Fang Troop.

He immediately scurried over, shouting, "Greetings, Commander!"

Cheng Wanli glanced at him and said loudly, "Luo Zhou, I came specifically to inform you. Tomorrow at Chen Shi, we're going dragon hunting at the North Gate. Remember to come and lend your labor!"

"Got it, no problem!"

"I'll go inform Zhang Chuan and the others. If you're late, I won't take you. Not a moment's delay! Also, be diligent. The troop is giving you, a reserve member, a chance. Remember to cherish it!"

"Don't worry, Commander, it'll be absolutely fine!"

Cheng Wanli turned and left, going to summon the next group of subordinates for tomorrow's dragon hunt.

Meanwhile, the constables returned to report. Their report included not only the conversation between the two men but also other information they had gathered about Luo Zhou.

Li Haitian nodded continuously.

"A young lad joining the Dragon Fang Troop to hunt dragons? At such a young age, daring to be so reckless. It's rare. 'Great Hero Luo'? He's just a bit foolish. Truly a youth, unaware of the dangers of this world. Heroes are either dark or dead!"