Chapter 66: Divergence
Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Divergence
"Sacks!"
The tall, thin man with the Short Sword answered, "It’s grain inside—high-quality white rice! The sacks are stamped with the Government Office’s seal! It’s perfectly clear!"
"Government grain!"
Mu Yuanying’s voice was as cold as ice.
"This is the Water Bandits’ main lair!"
The burly, saber-wielding man’s voice trembled with excitement. "This is a huge achievement, a juicy piece of meat served right to us."
The tall, thin man with the Short Sword licked his chapped lips and chimed in, "That’s right! The main force of the Water Bandits went to the reed marsh. All that’s left in the village are small fry. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If we search the village now, the haul could be staggering."
The middle-aged Swordsman, who had been silent until now, also spoke slowly. "This risk is worth taking."
He was clearly swayed by the immense temptation.
Mu Yuanying looked at Chen Shouheng, who hadn’t said a word. "What’s your opinion?"
Chen Shouheng took a deep breath, remembered his father’s warning, and answered calmly, "We retreat."
"Retreat?"
The burly, saber-wielding man scoffed, cutting Chen Shouheng off. "What the hell are you afraid of? Fortune favors the bold!"
Chen Shouheng ignored him and looked at Mu Yuanying instead. "Just knowing that the Water Bandits’ lair is here is our greatest discovery. As long as we bring this news back, the Court can dispatch a large army to annihilate them.
If we alert them, they’ll just move their lair, and the loss will outweigh the gain. Besides, we have no idea when the Water Bandits will return, how many of them are in this village, or how strong they are. Acting rashly will only put us in grave danger."
The burly, saber-wielding man couldn’t help but jeer, "I think you’re just timid as a mouse. A country bumpkin like you will never amount to anything more than a dirt-scrabbling farmer!"
The tall, thin man with the Short Sword chimed in sarcastically, "Exactly! Fortune favors the bold! These Water Bandits just have numbers, they don’t have much real strength. What’s there to be afraid of? If you’re scared of dying, go crawl back to your mommy for milk! Don’t drag us down!"
"You...!"
Furious, Chen Shouheng glared at them before reminding her, "Miss Mu, if we leave now, we can still make it. Any delay could lead to disaster."
Mu Yuanying took a deep breath. ’She knew Chen Shouheng’s suggestion was the prudent one. The other three likely had their own agenda; after all, the Water Bandits had plundered a great deal over the past two years. A quick search would likely yield enough to cover their expenses for years to come.’
After a moment of contemplation, she decided, "We’re leaving."
"Miss Mu!" the burly, saber-wielding man objected immediately. "This opportunity won’t come again! By the time their main force gets back, it’ll be too late! This kid is a coward who’s afraid of dying, so just let him piss off on his own! The three of us will go!"
"Right! The three of us will go!" The tall, thin man with the Short Sword also stood up, glaring provocatively at Chen Shouheng. "If you’re going to run, then run! Don’t get in our way!"
The middle-aged Swordsman said nothing, but his hand was already on the hilt of his sword, making his stance clear.
"If you want to get yourselves killed, I won’t stop you. Be my guest." Chen Shouheng couldn’t be bothered to argue with them any longer.
He turned without hesitation and strode toward the pitch-black road leading out of the village.
"Chen Shouheng!"
Mu Yuanying called out instinctively.
Chen Shouheng faltered for a moment but didn’t turn back.
The burly, saber-wielding man and his two companions watched him leave, contemptuous smirks on their faces.
"Wait."
Mu Yuanying snapped, ignoring the stunned expressions of the three men. She turned and hurried after Chen Shouheng.
「Not long after the two of them had left.」
"AHH—"
A short, sharp, agonizing scream echoed through the silent village.
"A cat slipped in!"
"Quick! Surround them!"
"Don’t let them get away!"
"Search! Search carefully! They probably have accomplices!"
Immediately after, a few furious roars and the urgent clang of weapons rang out.
"Let’s go, now!"
Chen Shouheng reacted in a flash. He grabbed Mu Yuanying’s arm, afraid she might try to go back and save them, and the two of them quickly fled.
...
After handling Shouye’s wedding, Chen Li was in no hurry to return.
Once Chen Yongxiao had successfully inherited the family estate, Chen Li urged him to fulfill his promise.
When it came to the two hundred mu of prime fields, Chen Yongxiao was quite reluctant, but he didn’t dare to cross Chen Li. He could only hand over the land deeds begrudgingly, along with a written transfer document.
Chen Li had come to the county seat not only for his second son’s wedding but also to transfer the ownership of these fields as quickly as possible.
The next day, he went straight to the Household Department at the County Magistrate’s Office.
He was a regular at the Household Department by now and was quite familiar with everyone there.
When Chief Steward Qian Yiqian heard that Chen Li was transferring another two hundred mu of prime fields, he couldn’t help but feel envious. "Nephew, it’s been such a short time, and now you’ve acquired another two hundred mu of paddy fields. Your management skills are excellent, and your family’s fortune is booming. I am truly impressed!"
Chen Li gave a wry smile and sighed. "Uncle, you praise me too much. These two hundred mu of prime fields were originally my ancestral property. It was my father who sold them. I’ve only just bought them back."
Qian Yiqian was taken aback for a moment. He quickly checked the transaction details in the household registry, then slapped his forehead and chuckled. "My apologies, I misspoke."
Qian Yiqian began to compare the document with the registry, finding the corresponding record for the plot of land.
After making the changes, he took out a new, blank land deed and filled in the details one by one: the land’s location, boundaries, acreage, previous owner, and new owner.
Once the paperwork was complete, Chen Li took the deed, examined it carefully to confirm there were no errors, and cupped his hands in thanks again. "Thank you for your trouble, Uncle. When I have a free day, I hope you’ll do me the honor of joining me for a drink!"
"Of course, of course! I would never turn down a drink from you, Nephew," Qian Yiqian replied with a smile.
Just as he was about to leave, a voice called out, "Well now, Nephew, you’re here? What a coincidence!"
Chen Li turned to see Liu Wende standing at the door with a cheerful smile, a rolled-up document in his hand.
"Uncle," Chen Li said, quickly cupping his hands in greeting. "What brings you here?"
"Just some official business."
Liu Wende’s gaze swept over the land deed in Chen Li’s hand, and a look of understanding flashed in his eyes. He smiled. "It seems good things keep happening for you, Nephew. Congratulations, congratulations."
"Thanks to you, Uncle," Chen Li said politely.
Liu Wende’s expression suddenly turned serious. He led Chen Li to the Punishment Room. "Nephew, it’s a good thing I ran into you. There’s something I need to tell you."
"Please, go ahead, Uncle."
Seeing his grave expression, Chen Li’s smile vanished.
Liu Wende glanced around to make sure no one else was listening, then lowered his voice. "The County Magistrate has been greatly troubled by the Lishui Water Bandits recently. The raid on the docks a while back caused heavy losses and has left everyone on edge. After much consideration, the County Magistrate has decided to implement a new policy: the village defense system. Five villages will form one unit, overseen by a Village Chief."
"Village Chief?" Chen Li’s brow furrowed slightly.
Liu Wende nodded. "The Village Chief will be responsible for organizing joint defense within the unit, arranging for able-bodied men to patrol at night, relaying warnings about the Water Bandits, and, when necessary, mobilizing a militia to fend off small groups of Roving Bandits. Their sole duty is to defend against bandits and keep the peace."
Chen Li looked puzzled, not understanding why the man had suddenly brought this up.
A moment later, Liu Wende asked, "Nephew, would you be interested in taking on this Village Chief position?"
Chen Li shook his head without hesitation. "Uncle, my clan affairs are already complicated enough; I simply don’t have the time to split my focus. Besides, the position of Village Chief carries immense responsibility, requiring coordination between villages and the organization of a militia. I am a man of humble talents and thin virtue; I fear I am not up to the task."
’Ever since becoming the clan leader, his martial arts training had already suffered. If he also became the Village Chief, he’d probably have no time left for Cultivation at all.’
’It was a case of misplaced priorities, chasing the trivial while neglecting the essential—completely unacceptable.’
’After all, in this world, strength was the only thing that truly mattered.’
Liu Wende was taken aback, apparently not expecting Chen Li to refuse. But he soon sighed and said, "Nephew, I’m afraid this matter is no longer up to you."
Seeing Chen Li’s confusion, he immediately explained, "A few days ago, the County Magistrate ordered the Personnel Department to screen for suitable candidates. The requirements were that they be in the prime of their life and have martial artists in their family. In the entire Lingxi area, your family is the only one that fits the bill."