Chapter 81: Wu Wenqing

It took quite a while before the man finally managed to struggle back to his feet.

His coarse hemp robe was covered in dirt and dust.

His face and exposed arms were covered in bruises.

A large section of his lip had split open and was still bleeding.

One eye socket had apparently taken a blow earlier and was now swollen nearly shut.

His appearance could only be described as miserable.

Yet even so, not a single person around him stepped forward to help.

Seated inside the tavern, Zhou You seemed inclined to go over.

But the owner immediately stopped him.

“Guest, I know your intentions are good, but don’t go near him. He’s a pile of dog shit. Anyone who touches him ends up stinking.”

“...What do you mean by that?”

The owner explained with a smile.

“In Changhua County, two things stand above all others.”

“The first is naturally Grand Duke Jupiter Star Lord. That’s a living immortal in this world, a bodhisattva who saves all living beings.”

“The second is County Magistrate Zhao, Great Lord Zhao. His status was already high to begin with, and he’s personally appointed by the Star Lord as an attendant. In the future, he’ll ascend to heaven alongside the Star Lord and enjoy eternal blessings.”

“Then on the second level come the various demon lords. Don’t listen to all those strange tales and ghost stories. Every one of these lords is a fine person. They never kill. They’ve helped us greatly under Grand Duke Jupiter Star Lord’s command. It’s just that with the Star Lord’s birthday approaching, all the lords have gone to offer congratulations, so you don’t see many of them in the city.”

“The third level is people like us common folk.”

“There’s not much to say about that. If you’re devout enough in your faith toward the Star Lord, then when the time comes for ascension, you might even become an attendant immortal child at His side.”

“So let’s talk about the fourth level.”

The owner jerked his chin toward the man who still could barely stand.

“Things like him.”

“They disrespect Grand Duke Jupiter Star Lord and even slander His compassion.”

“Every last one of them deserves to die.”

“The better ones get beaten every few days and cursed by the entire county.”

“As for the worse ones...”

The owner let out several cold chuckles.

“They fall into the animal realm and become livestock!”

“I see.”

Zhou You nodded.

It was impossible to tell whether he agreed with the owner’s words or had simply gained a clearer understanding of what the county’s people were like.

Soon afterward, he asked another question.

“Then, Shopkeeper, why exactly did you tell me not to go near him?”

The owner immediately grew anxious.

“Good heavens, after everything I just said, you still don’t understand?”

“The moment you’re associated with him, you become the enemy of the entire county.”

“Never mind an outsider like you. Even those people who once benefited from his kindness...”

At that point, the owner seemed to realize he had misspoke.

He hurriedly shut his mouth.

Then he looked around and, as if trying to escape the subject, went off to wipe tables.

Only Zhou You remained, resting his chin on one hand as he watched the limping figure recede farther and farther into the distance.

Deep in thought.

Night had grown late.

In a year of disaster, even fuel was difficult to obtain, let alone candles and lamp oil.

By this hour, the county city was already cloaked in darkness.

Very few figures could be seen on the streets.

Wu Wenqing dragged one leg as he walked through the deserted road.

He moved slowly.

And with great difficulty.

The constables sent by the county today all held old grudges against him.

They had struck with exceptional brutality.

Even after so much time had passed, Wu Wenqing still felt sharp pain coursing through every part of his body.

But he could only endure it.

Because if he didn’t endure it, he would die.

Wu Wenqing himself was not afraid of death.

What he feared was implicating his family, as well as those yamen runners who still believed in him.

Dragging the leg that had already gone numb, Wu Wenqing advanced step by step.

Suddenly, a door along the street opened.

A hand abruptly extended from within.

Unlike those who had kicked him while he was down earlier, however, this person quickly stuffed a small bundle into his arms.

“Second Young Master Wu, take these. Don’t let anyone see.”

Wu Wenqing raised his head, intending to offer thanks.

But all he saw was a tightly shut door.

He sighed.

With a silent bitter smile, Wu Wenqing nevertheless forced his battered body upright, bowed toward the person behind the door, and offered a respectful salute.

Only then did he open the bundle.

The contents were simple.

Several handfuls of coarse rice.

And a piece of crystal-clear Grand Duke Jupiter flesh.

Wu Wenqing sighed.

He first took out the piece of flesh.

Wrapping it in cloth, he pushed it back through the crack in the door.

Only the rice remained in his possession.

Then he softly spoke toward the house.

“Thank you.”

He understood the person’s meaning.

They were merely asking him to lower his head and admit defeat.

For generations, the Wu family had accumulated prestige throughout the county by aiding the poor and helping those in distress.

If he would simply change his tune and call Grand Duke Jupiter a true immortal, even the County Magistrate would no longer dare treat him so harshly.

Unfortunately.

Ever since childhood, Wu Wenqing’s temperament had been as stubborn as a mule’s.

Carefully tucking the hard-earned rice into his robe, his battered body seemed to recover a little strength.

Limping once more, Wu Wenqing resumed his journey.

Time passed.

Eventually, he arrived at the door of his home.

The paint on the door could no longer be recognized.

It had only been cleaned the previous day.

Yet now it was once again covered with all kinds of insulting drawings.

Fortunately, those who consumed Grand Duke Jupiter flesh no longer had much need for bodily functions.

Otherwise, even more disgusting substances would probably have been smeared across it.

With difficulty, Wu Wenqing raised a hand and gently knocked on the door.

Moments later, hurried footsteps sounded from inside.

“Second Brother, is that you? You’re back!”

The wooden door was thrown open.

Behind it stood his wife’s delicate yet gaunt face.

Then that face immediately filled with panic.

“Second Brother, these injuries... you’ve run into them again? Why were they so ruthless this time?”

Wu Wenqing shook his head.

Forcing himself to remain spirited, he put on a smile.

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. It looks frightening, but they’re only superficial wounds. Let’s go inside and talk.”

Supporting himself on his wife’s shoulder, Wu Wenqing entered the house.

After carefully helping him onto the bed, his wife rummaged through a cabinet and found half a treasured candle.

She lit it.

Then she located some medicinal ointment for bruises and sprains.

Lifting his clothing, she carefully applied it to his wounds.

As she looked at those horrifying injuries, she cried while spreading the medicine.

“Honestly... back then you all worked together in the government offices. You’ve been colleagues for so many years. How could they bring themselves to hit you so viciously?”

Wu Wenqing smiled bitterly.

“If it were other people, they probably wouldn’t have gone this far.”

“In fact, most of my old brothers simply went through the motions.”

“But the County Magistrate specifically chose several men who have long held grudges against me.”

“I stopped them from making illicit profits more than once in the past.”

“So this time they...”

Hiss...

“Be gentler.”

Hearing the hiss he tried so hard to suppress, his wife quickly eased her movements.

Yet the pain in her eyes only deepened.

Finally, unable to endure it any longer, she said:

“Second Brother, how about we admit defeat this time and give in to the County Magistrate?”