Saving People

As Zhang Xiaohua's helpless tears dripped onto the dirt, a tempest raged within the thirteen-year-old boy's heart. He had no time to consider the wickedness of human hearts, the ugliness of the world's myriad forms, nor the weakness and inaction of bystanders. All he had was a yearning for strength, a desire to protect his family with his own power, so they wouldn't be bullied by these dog-like villains. The blows that fell upon his loved ones were like the hoe's work in the field, planting a seed in his heart, making his immature mind, his once-cowardly heart, ever more full and resolute.

Two village girls cried out and rushed forward, trying to pull away the household servants who were beating Zhang Cai and the others, but they were blocked by two young masters who started manhandling them. More people were watching than at a play, but they all looked angry yet dared not speak. The world fell silent, with only the sounds of fists and feet, the crying of the village girls, and the lewd laughter of the young masters. The sun was already beginning to set.

At this moment, a gentle and pleasant female voice drifted from the high wall behind Zhang Xiaohua: "A bunch of dogs relying on their master's power. Senior brother, if you don't act soon, these people will be seriously injured by a pack of dogs."

Then, a male voice responded, "My junior sister has a bodhisattva's heart. I'll go down and beat the dogs now."

As soon as the words fell, a figure leaped from the high wall, landing as lightly as a feather behind the group of wicked servants. Without any apparent effort, the person grabbed two of them with each hand and tossed them backward onto the ground. Then, with a few light "pa pa pa pa" sounds, he kicked the others down as well. Several wicked servants fell into the dust, motionless, their fate unknown. Zhang Cai and his family of three were revealed, huddled together, their faces covered in blood and dirt, groaning in pain.

Only then did everyone clearly see that the person who had landed on the scene was a young man around twenty years old, dressed as a scholar, wearing white clothes, and carrying a precious sword. As the scholar's gaze swept over Zhang Xiaohua, the two servants holding him quickly released their grip and stood aside, shrinking back. Zhang Xiaohua, still crying, rushed to his father and brother, helping them to sit up one by one and checking their injuries. The two young masters who had been harassing the women also stopped. When the two village girls ran over to check on Zhang Xiaolong and the others, they didn't dare to stop them.

The bodyguard in black close-fitting attire stepped forward, staring at the scholar for a long moment. He cupped his fist and said, "May I ask which sect's esteemed disciple you are? Zhao Quansheng of the Fierce Tiger Gang requests your esteemed name."

Unfortunately, the scholar paid him no mind. Instead, he turned his gaze towards the high wall and remained silent. It was then that everyone noticed a woman standing gracefully on the high wall, dressed in a long purple skirt. She was tall, her clothes billowing in the wind, revealing her curves. Unfortunately, her face was covered by a veil, obscuring her true features. However, her aloof and heroic demeanor immediately gave people a sense of distance. The woman in the purple dress leaped from the high wall and, with light steps, walked to the side of the white-clothed scholar, standing shoulder to shoulder. She offered no greeting, and her pleasant voice sounded again:

"Fierce Tiger Gang, such a great reputation. Is it only used for bullying the weak and oppressing women? I wonder what Situ Yue is doing."

Zhao Quansheng of the Fierce Tiger Gang's expression turned quite ugly when he first heard this, and his hand gripping the saber tightened. But as he heard the end, his face changed dramatically. His saber had long since loosened, and as soon as the woman finished speaking, he immediately cupped his fist again and respectfully said, "I am a disciple of the Black Tiger Hall within the gang, acting under the orders of the hall master to protect the young master of the town governor. Since you know our gang leader, please forgive any offense."

"Know your gang leader? Heh heh, you're good at shifting with the wind. We've been watching here for a long time, and we've seen all your actions. Although you had a duty to protect and didn't act, you can't escape the suspicion of aiding and abetting evil. As for those two dog heads you're protecting, who prey on the common people and harass women, I've long found them displeasing. If they aren't taught a lesson, who knows if they won't disregard human lives in the future," the white-clothed scholar said with a smile.

Zhao Quansheng frowned upon hearing this and said loudly, "Although the two of you are old acquaintances of our gang leader, you have not revealed your identities and are instead interfering in our gang's affairs. I cannot obey."

The woman chuckled upon hearing these words and said, "You dog, you still dare to quibble. If I don't teach you a lesson, you won't be satisfied." With that, she prepared to step forward.

The white-clothed scholar quickly stopped her and said in a low voice, "Junior sister, it's the New Year. We're here to watch the excitement. If we act rashly and there's bloodshed, it will be very inauspicious. Moreover, our mission..."

"But look how detestable these two dog heads are, and how badly they beat the villagers who acted righteously just now. If I don't get them justice, I can't rest easy," the purple-clothed woman said resolutely.

The white-clothed scholar pondered for a moment and said, "Junior sister, you don't know much about the wickedness of this world. Although we have punished these bullies today and given them some release, we won't be staying here long. When we leave, if these bullies seek revenge on the villagers and retaliate maliciously, won't our good intentions be unrewarded, and instead bring immense disaster to these innocent villagers?"

The purple-clothed woman's eyes immediately widened, and she said sternly, "I don't believe it. What power could the bullies in this remote small town possibly have? If not, I'll tell my uncle to send troops to flatten this place!"

The volume of this statement increased, and the bodyguard in black close-fitting attire trembled. He knew that this statement was likely not meant to deceive him. He thought that if this situation was not handled well, he might be in trouble. Thus, he immediately stepped forward again and asked gently, "Two young heroes, Zhao admits fault today and apologizes again. I will go and advise the two young masters. Please reveal your sect so we can turn our enmity into friendship. After all, we are all making a living in the martial world."

The purple-clothed woman pondered her companion's words and felt they had merit. Hearing Zhao Quansheng's conciliatory words, she turned away and ignored him, going to Zhang Cai's side to check on their injuries. The white-clothed scholar, meanwhile, took a small token from his bosom and handed it to Zhao Quansheng. Zhao Quansheng took the token and, upon examining it closely, felt as if struck by lightning. With an even more respectful attitude, he returned the token to the white-clothed scholar with both hands. He then scurried over to the two bewildered, short, and stout men and whispered something in their ears. Their faces became even more unsightly, some even turning pale. They tremblingly walked up to the white-clothed scholar, bowed their heads, and apologized. The white-clothed scholar smiled and shook his head, gesturing with his mouth towards the purple-clothed woman. The two men then had to return to the purple-clothed woman's side, bowing repeatedly and begging for mercy. The purple-clothed woman also appeared indifferent, showing no signs of relenting.

Those two short, stout men were quite clever. Seeing that their pleas were ineffective, they immediately turned to Zhang Cai's family and the two village girls to beg for forgiveness. Farmers naturally did not have deep schemes. After the fat man said a few words, the village girls and Zhang Cai's group began to soften. Only Zhang Xiaohua remained with a stern face, saying nothing, his expression one of coldness. The village girl looked at Zhang Cai, and Zhang Cai nodded. Then, she said to the purple-clothed woman, "Sister, what do you think..." The purple-clothed woman said, "You don't need to look at my face. I'll listen to you. However, these two fat men deserve punishment, but their lives can be spared. Let them give you two hundred taels of silver for your injuries. As for you two dog heads, if you dare to bother them again, and I find out, watch your dog lives." The two fat men were overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately agreed, repeatedly saying they would never dare again. They took out several banknotes from their bosoms, without counting them, and quickly stuffed them into Zhang Cai's hands. Then, they dared not leave, looking expectantly at the purple-clothed woman, waiting for her to say "Scram." Only then did they sheepishly run to the bodyguard in black.

The white-clothed scholar said nothing as they returned. He walked over to the household servants who had been kicked down earlier and kicked each of them again. Only then did these people get up and gather around the two fat men. Zhao Quansheng, seeing that the matter had reached a conclusion, dared not say anything further. He cupped his fists towards the two and bowed, then quickly left with his group.

After they left, the onlookers also gathered around, but they still looked at the man and woman with awe, not daring to approach. The white-clothed scholar walked over to Zhang Cai and the others and asked, "Can you still walk?"

Zhang Cai replied, "Benefactors, we can walk."

The white-clothed scholar said, "Then let's leave this place first. Keep the banknotes you have, and we'll talk outside the town."

After speaking, he and the purple-clothed woman left first. Zhang Xiaohua and the two village girls each supported one of them, following them out of Lu Town.

The strange combination of Zhang Cai's group attracted everyone's curiosity. The man and woman in front were dressed luxuriously, and the woman wore a veil. The people behind them were clearly country folk, and three of them were bruised and battered with torn clothes, their faces still bearing uncleaned bloodstains. Even the young man, though not as severely injured as the others, had a swollen cheek and a split lip, and his clothes were also dirty. Although everyone's eyes were fixed on their retreating backs, seeing the swords in the hands of the young man and woman, no one dared to stop them to inquire, nor did anyone dare to follow to find out.

About half a mile east of Lu Town, there was a small stream. Zhang Cai and his group stopped here. The man and woman in fine clothes walked to a tree by the stream, while Zhang Cai and his group went to the stream to wash the blood and dirt from their faces and bodies. Fortunately, the household servants had not brought out any weapons during the conflict. Although they had struck hard, Zhang Cai and the others did not suffer any severe external injuries. Only Zhang Xiaolong's arm had been repeatedly stomped on, likely resulting in a fracture. As for whether there were any internal injuries, they truly did not know.

After Zhang Cai's family had cleaned themselves up and brought the two village girls to the tree, Zhang Cai bowed and said, "Benefactors, I haven't yet asked for your esteemed names. You saved our family's lives, please accept our bow." With that, he was about to kowtow in thanks, but the white-clothed scholar quickly stopped Zhang Cai's arm and said, "I am ashamed. Please don't call me benefactor anymore. My name is Wen Wenhai. You acted bravely and selflessly to save others, which should be a model for my generation. Let me examine your injuries first."

After speaking, Wen Wenhai took Zhang Cai and the others' hands, frowning and pondering in silence.