Chapter 1782: Chapter 1782

"He lives in the east of the city. Just ask someone, and you’ll find him."

You nodded, tossed two copper coins to the waiter, and said with a smile, "This is the best news I’ve heard this morning."

Zhen Ding County isn’t big, and you easily found Wang Er Mazi’s house. Standing in front of his door, you lightly tapped on it, trying to control your strength, lest the wooden door shatter under your hand.

"Who’s there!" a man’s voice came from inside.

The door opened, and a young man peeked out. Before he could speak, you lifted him effortlessly. Staring directly at Wang Er Mazi, you asked, "Are you Wang Er Mazi?"

Anyone caught off guard like that would naturally feel fear. Wang Er Mazi nodded vigorously, shrank back, and asked, "This... Brother, why are you looking for me?"

Fortunately, Wang Er Mazi rarely did anything shady and never disturbed others, so despite his fear, he didn’t show it too much.

Honestly, this move works like a charm.

It’s something you picked up from watching films like Water Margin. In a world , fists are the true law.

You got straight to the point: "Do you know someone named Wang Xi?"

"Wang Xi?" Wang Er Mazi thought for a moment, "There are three people named Wang Xi. One lives in the southern city, he’s a cripple; another is dead, he was a doctor who fell to his death while climbing a mountain for herbs; and the last one is my uncle, who lives in the countryside."

"Is your uncle about your height, around forty, with a not very obvious birthmark on his face?" You tried to recall Wang Xi’s features. Besides that birthmark, your impression of Wang Xi was vague.

"Yes." Wang Er Mazi nodded, "Brother, why are you looking for my uncle? He was forcibly conscripted to fight, and I didn’t see him when I visited his house a few days ago."

At this, you couldn’t help but let out a long sigh: "Your uncle died in battle."

Hearing this news, Wang Er Mazi’s head slowly drooped. Actually, when Wang Xi was forcibly conscripted, everyone knew he probably wouldn’t return. Back then, Wang Xi’s wife wept for days.

You put Wang Er Mazi down, patted his shoulder, and said, "My condolences, brother."

"Hmm." Wang Er Mazi nodded, then looked up at you, "Since my uncle is dead, why did you come looking for his place?"

"He saved my life. I promised him on his deathbed that I would visit his family and deliver this tragic news to them." At this, you also let out a long sigh.

Wang Er Mazi didn’t expect to meet someone so honorable like you. If it were any ordinary person, they wouldn’t travel such a long way to a poor mountain village to find family. Seeing you covered in dust, Wang Er Mazi was somewhat moved. With reddened eyes, he said to you, "If that’s the case, let’s go now. My aunt’s health has been poor in recent years, and the medical expenses have been scraped together by the family. Ever since my uncle left, I’ve often visited her, bringing money. Alas, with battles everywhere these days, who knows when it will end."

You remained silent and left the county with Wang Er Mazi.

"By the way, my name is Wang Ling, what’s yours?" Wang Er Mazi’s real name was Wang Ling.

"Brother Mu Yun, since my uncle saved you, it’s akin to being reborn, like a parent. We’re practically brothers. I, Wang Ling, may not have any great abilities, but I have many friends. If you need anything in the future, come find me."

Standing beside you, Wang Ling’s height only reached your shoulders, but when he said this, sincerity sparkled in his eyes.

Nodding, you smiled and said, "Brother, I will."

Wang Ling continued, "What’s your plan next?"

"I’ll see as it goes. I’m alone, so it doesn’t really matter where I go." You shrugged, for now, lacking a clear goal. According to those scholar gentry’s statements, your origin is of a poor family, and although you have the nine-level waist tag as a representation of identity, trying to become upper-class is like trying to reach the heavens, a fairy tale or a fool’s dream for ordinary people.

Until you find a real way out, you won’t act rashly.

Wang Xi’s family lived in Wang Family Village near the county, not far from it. In about half an hour, the two of you arrived at Wang Family Village together.

However, before reaching Wang Family Village, as you passed through a wheat field, Wang Ling, looking at the golden wheat in the field, remarked in a puzzled tone, "Strange, it’s the busy farming season now, so why aren’t the villagers working in the fields?"

After Wang Ling’s remark, you too frowned slightly, and the two of you quickened your pace. Fresh chapters posted on novelFɪre.net

As you stood at the village entrance, a scene of devastation met your eyes! Within your sight lay villagers’ bodies, and the ground was covered in bright red blood.

Among them were some women with disheveled clothes, either slumped with open legs in the corner or floating in the river outside the village, in utmost misery!

"No!!!" Wang Ling shouted, rushing into the village.

You took two deep breaths, calming your turbulent emotions, and followed Wang Ling, jogging towards a house in the village.

"Aunt! Er Mao!" Upon rushing inside, Wang Ling’s nearly hysterical screams echoed, "Who is it! Who is behind this!?"

How tragic! Just too tragic!

You had seen dead people before. In the army that month, at least fifty, if not a hundred, died by your hand. But that was war. It was either you or me. Both sides wielded weapons, and one’s life depended on one’s ability. But these pitiful dead were mostly the elderly, women, and children, including some underage kids!

With a solemn face, you followed Wang Ling into Wang Xi’s house.

Inside Wang Xi’s house, the scene was equally chaotic. On the ground lay a young boy, around ten, blood at his mouth, and on the bed lay a pale woman with a knife in her chest. Both had no signs of life. Wang Ling knelt in front of the woman, head down, tears falling relentlessly onto the ground.

You mirrored Wang Ling, kneeling in front of the woman, planted your big blade into the soil, and unlike Wang Ling, you didn’t cry. Maintaining a solemn expression, you bowed your head and quietly recited a few words before standing up abruptly, pulling out your blade, and striding out.

"Where are you going?" Wang Ling called out hastily.

"For revenge!" How could Wang Xi’s family not be considered your relatives in this world? Although you hadn’t met them before, you could tell from her appearance that Wang Xi’s wife was a kind-hearted woman.

Wang Xi stood up as well, shouting after you, "Do you know who did this?"

"If not mountain bandits, then robbers. I will take the lives of all mountain bandits within a hundred miles to mourn them!" You shouted and walked out determinately.

"The bandits are out, surround them!"