Saving People

When Zhang Xiaohua's helpless tears fell into the dust, a tempestuous sea rose within the thirteen-year-old boy's heart. He had no time to consider the treachery of human hearts or the ugliness of the world in all its forms, nor did he have the mind to blame others for their weakness and indifference. All he wanted was strength—strength to protect his family, so they would no longer be bullied by those dog-like villains. The fists and kicks landing upon his loved ones were like farming hoes, planting a seed in his heart. They made his still-immature mind and once-timid heart ever fuller and firmer.

The two village girls cried out and rushed forward, trying to pull away the servants beating Zhang Cai and the others, only to be blocked by the two young masters, who began pawing at them. There were more spectators than theatergoers, yet everyone looked angry but dared not speak. The world fell silent just like that, leaving only the sounds of fists and kicks, the village girls' weeping, and the libertines' teasing laughter. Even the sun had begun to sink westward.

At that moment, a gentle, pleasing female voice drifted down from the high wall behind Zhang Xiaohua. "A bunch of dogs relying on their masters' power. Senior Brother, if you still don't act, these people are going to be bitten half to death by this pack of dogs."

Then a man's voice rang out. "As expected, Junior Sister has the heart of a bodhisattva. I'll go down and beat the dogs right away."

Before his words had faded, a figure leaped down from the high wall and landed lightly behind the vicious servants. Without any visible preparation, he grabbed two men, one in each hand, and casually flung them backward onto the ground. Then he sprang up and kicked with both feet. With several soft smacks, he sent the remaining men tumbling to the ground as well. The servants lay in the dust without moving; no one knew whether they were dead or alive. Zhang Cai and his two sons were revealed, curled up on the ground, their faces smeared with blood and dirt as they groaned in pain.

Only then did everyone see clearly that the newcomer was a young man of about twenty, dressed like a scholar in white robes and carrying a precious sword. As the scholar's gaze swept over Zhang Xiaohua, the two servants restraining him hurriedly let go and stood shrinking back at the side. Crying, Zhang Xiaohua threw himself toward his father and brother, helping them sit up one by one and lowering his head to inspect their injuries. The two young masters who had been molesting the women also stopped. When the village girls ran over to check Zhang Xiaolong and the others' wounds, the two young masters did not dare stop them.

The black-clad guard stepped forward and stared at the scholar for a long while. Cupping his fists, he said, "May I ask which sect this young brother studies under? Zhao Quansheng of the Fierce Tiger Gang seeks to know this young brother's honorable name."

Unfortunately, the scholar ignored him. Instead, he turned sideways and looked toward the high wall without speaking. Only then did everyone notice a beautiful woman standing atop it, dressed in a long purple gown. She was tall and slender, and the wind pressed her clothing against her body, revealing every rise and curve. Alas, a veil covered her face, concealing her true appearance. Yet her lofty, heroic bearing immediately made people feel she was impossible to approach. The woman in purple leaped down from the wall and walked with soft steps to the white-robed scholar's side. She stood shoulder to shoulder with him without offering any greeting, and her pleasant voice sounded again:

"Fierce Tiger Gang? Such an imposing name, yet you use it to bully men and dominate women? I wonder what Situ Yue is doing."

At first, Zhao Quansheng's face turned rather ugly, and even his grip around his saber tightened. But when he heard the last sentence, his expression changed dramatically and his hand immediately loosened around the weapon. As soon as the woman finished speaking, he once again cupped his fists in salute and respectfully said, "I am a disciple of the Black Tiger Hall within the gang, ordered by the hall master to protect the town garrison commander's son. Since you know our gang leader, miss, please forgive us for any offense."

"You know our gang leader? Hehe, you certainly know how to turn with the wind. We have watched from here for quite some time, and we saw every one of your deeds. Though you did not act because you bore the duty of protection, you are still suspected of helping a tyrant commit evil. As for those two dog-heads you protect, they oppress the common people and molest women. I found them unpleasant to look at long ago. If they are not taught a lesson, who can say they will not treat human lives like grass in the future?" the scholar in white said with a smile.

After hearing this, Zhao Quansheng could not help frowning deeply. Raising his voice, he said, "Though the two of you may be old acquaintances of our gang leader, you refuse to reveal your identities and instead interfere in our gang's affairs. Forgive me, but I cannot comply."

The woman heard this and burst into silvery laughter. "You dog thing, you still dare quibble? Unless I show you something fierce, you will not submit willingly." With that, she started forward.

The scholar in white hurriedly stopped her and said in a low voice, "Junior Sister, it is New Year's. We came only to watch the excitement. If we act rashly and blood is spilled, that would be most inauspicious. Besides, our mission..."

"But look at how hateful those two dog-heads are! And those villagers who stepped forward out of righteousness—they were beaten so badly. If I do not seek justice for them, my heart will never be at peace," the woman in purple said with finality.

After pondering for a moment, the scholar in white said, "Junior Sister, you do not know much about the dangers of this world. Today, even if we punish these bullies and help them vent their anger, we cannot stay here for long. Once we leave, if these bullies take their anger out on the villagers and maliciously seek revenge, would our good intentions not only fail to bring good results, but instead bring a towering calamity upon these innocent villagers?"

The woman in purple immediately widened her almond-shaped eyes and snapped, "I refuse to believe that a bully in this remote little town has any great power. If not, I'll tell my uncle to send troops and level this place!"

Her voice was loud enough for the black-clad guard to hear, and his heart shuddered. He knew those words were likely not meant merely to deceive him. If this is not handled properly, disaster may well fall upon me, he thought. He immediately stepped forward again and asked gently, "Two young heroes, Zhao was at fault today, and I apologize once more. I will persuade the two young masters. Please tell me the name of your sect, so we may turn weapons of war into jade and silk. After all, we all make our living in the martial world."

The woman in purple considered her companion's words and found them reasonable. Then, hearing Zhao Quansheng soften his stance, she turned away and ignored him, going instead to Zhang Cai and the others to inspect their injuries. The scholar in white took a small token from his robes and handed it to Zhao Quansheng. Zhao Quansheng accepted it and examined it carefully. He immediately seemed to have been struck by lightning, and with even greater respect, returned the token to the scholar in white with both hands. Then he trotted over to the two short, fat men standing there at a loss and whispered into their ears. Their faces turned even uglier, even somewhat pale. Trembling, they walked to the scholar in white, lowered their heads, and saluted in apology. The scholar merely smiled and shook his head, tilting his mouth toward the woman in purple. The two had no choice but to go to her and repeatedly bow and beg for mercy. The woman in purple barely acknowledged them, showing no sign of relenting.

The two short, fat men were quick-witted. Seeing that it had no effect, they immediately turned to beg forgiveness from Zhang Cai's family and the two village girls. Agriculturalists naturally did not have deep schemes in their hearts. After the fat men spoke only a few words, the village girls and Zhang Cai began to soften. Only Zhang Xiaohua kept a stiff face and said nothing, his expression cold. The village girls looked at Zhang Cai, and Zhang Cai nodded. Only then did they say to the woman in purple, "Elder Sister, please..." The woman in purple said, "You need not watch my expression. I will listen to you. But although these two fat men may be spared death, they cannot escape punishment. Have them give you two hundred taels of silver for your injuries. And as for you two dog-heads, if you dare trouble them again, and I learn of it, watch out for your dog lives." The two fat men were overjoyed and immediately agreed, repeatedly promising that they would never dare again. They pulled several banknotes from their robes without even counting them and hastily stuffed them into Zhang Cai's hands. Then, not daring to leave, they looked eagerly at the woman in purple. Only after she said, "Get lost," did they scurry back to the black-clad guard in disgrace.

When the scholar in white saw them return, he said nothing. He walked over to the servants he had kicked down earlier and gave each of them another kick. Only then did those men roll over and climb to their feet, gathering around the two fat men. Seeing that the matter had been resolved, Zhao Quansheng did not dare say another word. He cupped his fists to the pair in salute, then hurriedly led his group away.

After they left, the nearby onlookers also gathered closer, though they still looked at the young man and woman with awe and did not dare approach. The scholar in white walked over to Zhang Cai and the others and asked, "Can you still walk?"

Zhang Cai replied, "Benefactor, we can."

The scholar in white said, "Then let us leave here first. Put away the banknotes carefully, and we'll talk once we are outside town."

With that, he and the woman in purple led the way. Zhang Xiaohua and the two village girls each supported one person as they followed them out of Lu Town.

Zhang Cai's group was such a strange combination that it drew everyone's curiosity. In front walked a richly dressed young man and woman, with the woman's face veiled. Behind them were several obvious Agriculturalists. Three among them were bruised and swollen, their clothes torn to rags, with blood still uncleansed from their faces. There was also a youth whose injuries were not as severe as the others', but whose cheek was swollen, whose mouth was split at the corner, and whose clothing was filthy. Though everyone stared at their retreating backs, seeing the swords in the young man and woman's hands, no one was willing to stop them and ask questions, much less dared to follow and investigate.

Half a li east of Lu Town ran a small stream. Zhang Cai and the others stopped there. The richly dressed young man and woman went beneath a tree beside the stream, while Zhang Cai's group went to the water's edge to wash the bloodstains and dirt from their faces and bodies. Fortunately, the servants had not used weapons during the conflict. Though they had struck hard, Zhang Cai and the others had not suffered overly serious external wounds. Only Zhang Xiaolong's arm had been repeatedly stomped on and was likely fractured. As for whether they had internal injuries, they truly did not know.

After Zhang Cai's family had cleaned themselves up, they came beneath the tree with the two village girls. Zhang Cai saluted and said, "Benefactor, we have not yet asked your honored name. You saved our family's lives. Please accept our bow." With that, he was about to kneel and kowtow in thanks, but the scholar in white hurriedly caught Zhang Cai by the arm and said, "I am ashamed. Do not call me benefactor anymore. My name is Wen Wenhai. You acted out of righteousness, risking your own lives to save others. You are examples for people like us. Let me first examine your injuries."

With that, Wen Wenhai took hold of Zhang Cai and the others' hands, frowned, and pondered in silence.