Chapter 21
Part 2
Wen Heng casually pulled a roasted taro root from his pocket and handed it to Lian Wushang. Then he took the shovel from Gouzi’s hands and began planting taro: “Yeah, Old Zhang from North Alley made us a really nice cart. Gouzi and I could walk to Qingcheng Town, but having a cart at least gives us some shelter from the wind and rain.”
The taro in Lian Wushang’s palm still retained Wen Heng’s warmth. Clutching the soft tuber, he asked, “Wen Heng, would you mind taking me in for a while?”
At these words, Gouzi, Baozi, and Wen Heng all turned to look at Lian Wushang.
Lian Wushang maintained his usual calm demeanor, as if the words asking the beggar for shelter hadn’t come from his mouth at all.
“Aren’t you looking for that youngster who messed up?” Wen Heng recalled Lian Wushang mentioning he’d come out specifically to find that troublesome young relative.
Lian Wushang maintained his calm expression: “Strictly speaking, he isn’t even my direct relative—just a very, very distant one. He has his own guardians, but they can’t keep him in line. I looked for him but couldn’t find him, so I gave up. He’ll probably come back on his own when he gets bored.”
Leopard’s two golden eyes widened wider than copper bells, his mouth gaping so wide it nearly fell off. He must have encountered a fake Lian Wushang! If anyone had told Leopard two months ago, “Oh, Lian Wushang will stop hunting you down,” Leopard would have beaten them so badly their own mother wouldn’t recognize them.
“Aren’t you going home? Your family must be worried.” Wen Heng heard his own heart pounding like thunder. He had to stop what he was doing, propping himself up with the wooden shovel.
“I live alone. Would it be inconvenient to take me in?” Lian Wushang lowered his eyelids, looking slightly aggrieved.
“No, no, no!” Gouzi and Wen Heng shook their heads in unison. “Welcome! Welcome! A warm welcome!”
“It’s just that we’re heading to Qingcheng Town. It’s a long way, and we’re worried your body might not hold up. But we have a cart. You can lie on it, and I’ll pull you along if I have to.”
Wen Heng’s face flushed as he declared firmly, “Me and Gouzi can rough it out, but I’m worried about you. I’ll protect both you and Gouzi.”
Gouzi patted his not-so-muscular chest. “And me! Old Wen says I’ll still grow taller. Someday I’ll be stronger than Ah Heng! Don’t worry, Mr. Lian. With me around, no one will dare bully you.”
Leopard stared at the two beggars, pumped up like they’d been injected with adrenaline, utterly disillusioned. Fools, you’ll both be crying later!
Wen Heng was genuinely happy. Truly, he hadn’t felt this joyful since waking up. It was all because Lian Wushang had said he’d stay for a while longer. Wen Heng felt like he could fly. His mood was excellent, and soon he’d planted several rows of taro.
After tamping down the soil, Wen Heng placed two roasted taro roots in a cracked bowl at Old Wen’s grave. It was a farewell gift for the old man. If they ever returned to Xiaoyan Town, they would come back to pay their respects.
“Doggie, didn’t forget anything, did you?” Wen Heng asked Er Gou. Er Gou grinned, showing his white teeth: “Got it all.” “They’d even taken the straw mats from the dilapidated temple—anything portable had been packed.
Er Gou scrambled onto the cart in two strides and settled in. “Let’s go!”
Wen Heng looped the hemp rope over his shoulder, gripped his beggar’s staff, and began pulling the cart steadily, though slowly. “Creak—creak—” The cart’s wheels emitted a faint creaking sound.
The wind rustled the reed flowers with a rustling sound. Under the bright autumn sun, Wen Heng pulled the cart along the road. On the cart lay the straw mats, where Er Gou, Lian Wushang, and the listless Leopard sat. Their belongings, wrapped in rags, were placed in the corners of the cart. Old Zhang had specially built a barrier there; unless the cart overturned, nothing inside would fall out.
To reach Qingcheng Town, they had to cross a main road outside Xiaoyan Town, flanked by lush forests. The roads in the Spirit Realm were built by mortals themselves, with a post station every fifty li for traveling merchants to rest.
Just outside Xiaoyan Town, a small post station stood beside the road. As Wen Heng pulled his cart past, he saw several tall, sturdy horses standing before it. The chestnut-colored steeds snorted, their four strong hooves pounding the muddy ground with a rhythmic thud.
Gouzi was utterly envious. “Ah Heng, look! Horses! When we have money someday, let’s buy a few horses too, okay? Then they can pull the cart!”
Wen Heng, still pulling the cart: “Sure. When we have money later, you can manage all of it. Buy as many as you want.”
Gouzi immediately sank into sweet agony: “Ah, I get to manage it all? Then I won’t buy horses after all. They’re such a hassle—feeding them, cleaning their mess, and they’re so expensive…”
The dog had already let his imagination run wild, flying off to who knows where.
Wen Heng couldn’t help but chuckle. He didn’t have a single copper coin on him, yet he wanted to buy a horse? He might as well be a beast of burden. Lian Wushang was far more restrained. He suppressed a smile, letting only a faint, subtle grin escape. It was as if the entire world had been infected by his smile. When Wen Heng turned around, he caught sight of that smile. Damn it, his heart wouldn’t stop racing.
“Alright, you two can go back now.” Five burly men emerged from the station, uniformly clad in black robes, their waists cinched with gold-trimmed belts and daggers sheathed at their sides. The leader towered over Wen Heng—tall, broad-shouldered, and radiating a fierce, battle-hardened aura. He was clearly a martial artist from the mortal world.
Three more men followed behind them. Leading the trio was a bruised and battered figure with his arm in a sling. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Constable Zhu. Zhu tried to maintain a stern expression, but having taken a tumble that knocked out two front teeth, his speech was now full of air.
“Take care, Magistrate Jin,” Zhu managed, forcing a stern expression that only made his face look comical. The burly leader, likely Zhu’s superior’s superior, waved impatiently. “Let’s go.” With that, he kicked his horse into motion, mounting in one fluid motion.
Wen Heng dragged his cart creaking along the official road in front of them, blocking most of the way. Magistrate Jin bellowed, “Official business! All non-essential personnel clear the road!”
He yanked his reins sharply. His sturdy chestnut horse whinnied skyward, its presence commanding.
“Oh.” Receiving the command, Wen Heng slowly pulled his cart to the side of the road. Gouzi’s eyes sparkled as he watched Magistrate Jin, his excitement palpable. “Ah Heng, Ah Heng, look! They’re so imposing! Wow, just like the storyteller said!”
As Magistrate Jin rode past, he shot a disdainful glance at Wen Heng and his group. His gaze lingered… lingered… lingered… …
Sorry, couldn’t quite follow that. His gaze had already locked onto Lian Wushang’s face.
“Hee-haw!” The poor chestnut horse was abruptly halted once more as Lord Jin turned his mount toward Wen Heng and his companions. His eyes burned as he fixed them on Lian Wushang. “Sir, what might your name be?” Lian Wushang remained impassive, not even acknowledging Lord Jin.
“Boss, we really need to get going,” a man behind Jin Da Ren called out. But Jin Da Ren leapt from his horse, his eyes burning with intensity as he looked at Lian Wushang. “I feel as though I’ve known you for ages, sir. Might I have the honor of sharing a candlelit night’s conversation with you?”
Before Lian Wushang could speak, Wen Heng laughed first. “No time.”
Officer Jin, accustomed to arrogance and brimming with violent energy, flared with rage at being rebuffed by a beggar. He drew his dagger and pressed it against Wen Heng’s chest. “I was speaking with the beauty. What business is it of yours to interrupt?”
Author’s Note:
The first step toward founding a school has finally been taken, stepping out of Xiaoyan Town. With Old Wen gone and Lian Wushang and Wen Bao joining, more and more people will appear around Wen Heng. Today, I also want to give a shoutout to the esteemed Master!
![Flying Dust [Fei Chen]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9k.png "Flying Dust [Fei Chen]")
