"What do you say, what is this all about..."

The autumn wind stirred, and dark clouds filled the sky outside the inn. The silver ingot on the square table was dazzling. Amidst the sigh of Manager Wu, Fan Heng and the others sitting there were filled with immense anger.

Born in Jiangnan, they all came from decent families and had studied extensively. After the Jurchen invasion, although the world was in turmoil, some things only happened in the most extreme places. On the other hand, it was understandable that the Jurchens were barbaric and bloodthirsty, and the people suffered wherever their armies went. This included their trip to the Southwest this time, where they were mentally prepared to witness certain extreme situations. Who knew that such things hadn't happened in the Southwest, nor had they seen them in Dai Mengwei's territory, but suddenly fell on their heads here, in this shabby inn in a small county town.

Their mood had fluctuated several times in the past half-day. At this moment, Manager Wu presented the silver, and the five strong young men who had followed him lined up behind him. Fan Heng and the others were angry, but for a moment, no one stepped forward to speak.

Manager Wu looked at everyone, then pushed back his stool and stood up.

"Is this how you people do things?"

"...Huh?"

Manager Wu was about to turn around when he heard a dissatisfied voice from behind the scholars. It was a young man who had been sitting a little far away. The young man said, word by word:

"Today, it was the Li family who bullied and oppressed others. Sister Xiu Niang and her father... were beaten like that by you, and she was almost violated. They... didn't provoke you, did they..."

Manager Wu's gaze was gloomy as he stared at the young man.

"You two were arguing, and the woman wanted to smash the man's courtyard. We just went over to rescue Sister Xiu Niang, who hadn't provoked anyone. Your son-in-law wants to remember us for this kind of thing? Is he a constable from Tongshan County or a bandit who occupies the mountain?"

"Huh?"

Manager Wu's eyes were fierce, but the other party didn't seem to notice.

"The people who bully and oppress others blame the victims for resisting? We didn't say anything when we went over, and you said you'd remember us? You two were arguing, and Sister Xiu Niang was almost beaten to death, and you嫌(xián) us for being an eyesore? We just said a few words about whether there's any justice left, and that makes us spout nonsense? You didn't even offer an apology? Is this how the Li family of Tongshan County does things?"

The young man stood up and questioned, word by word. Manager Wu was so angry that he laughed. He revealed his sinister teeth and looked at the scholars. One of the scholars, fearing that these people would become violent, stood up to stop the seemingly angered young man, saying, "Xiao Long..."

On this journey, this young man, as a doctor, had always been amiable. But after spending a long time together, they knew that he liked martial arts, was keen on inquiring about Jianghu (江湖) affairs, and even wanted to go to Jiangning to watch the upcoming Heroes' Assembly. Such a disposition was not surprising; which young man didn't have a bit of ambition in his heart? But in this kind of situation, a gentleman should stay away from danger. If the young man was allowed to speak his mind, there would obviously be no good outcome for them.

"Whose child is this?" Manager Wu looked around at everyone. "It seems that I haven't made myself clear enough. Very well."

As he spoke, he turned around and took a long saber from one of the strong young men behind him, placing it, sheath and all, on the table. He pointed at it with his hand. "Choose." He looked at Fan Heng and the others, then at the young man a little further away, revealing his teeth. "Little friend, pick one."

The young man across from him looked at him, frowned slightly, tilted his head, and his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn't get it out for a moment. Chen Junsheng, the most insightful of the scholars, had already gone over to protect him behind his back. "Alright, Xiao Long, don't think too much about it."

"I..."

Ning Ji's tone was complex, but in the end, he didn't continue speaking.

"Xiao Long is young and has a fiery temper, but what he said isn't without reason." Fan Heng stood up from the table and said slowly, "The Li family of Tongshan County is a prominent family, not mountain bandits. In managing a household and handling affairs, they should naturally uphold propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame. What you did today is unreasonable. In the future, when others talk about the Li family, they will say that you are unreasonable. Since ancient times, no one has built their fortune this way."

His words were neither arrogant nor humble, and he had grasped the right measure. It could be said that they were quite appropriate. Manager Wu smiled. "So, you're reminding me not to let you leave?"

Fan Heng's lips moved, but he couldn't answer.

"Propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame," Manager Wu sneered. "Praise you a few words, and you don't know who you are anymore. With propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame, what did you do to the Jin dogs? With propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame, how did our county town get burned down? You scholars... you're always there when it comes to levying exorbitant taxes, but when it comes to war, you're the first to kneel faster than anyone else. That person in the Southwest said he wanted to destroy your Confucianism, do you have the guts to fight him? When the Jin dogs attacked, who was it that evacuated the villagers to the mountains? It was me, following our Master Li!"

"You've read a few broken books and talk about some unfounded principles. What use are you? Today, I'll make it clear right here. I, Wu, have always looked down on you bookworms who just know how to nag and are useless when it comes to doing things. You want to talk about reason, right? I see that you've all been running around outside. Today's matter, our son-in-law has already remembered you, and he's obviously going to mess with you. My young mistress is letting you get lost, is that bullying you? You ungrateful..."

"My young mistress is kind-hearted, but I, Wu, am not so kind-hearted. If you annoy me with your nonsense, see if you can get out of Tongshan! I know you're not convinced, but don't be unconvinced. Let me tell you blockheads, times have changed. Our Master Li said that only in times of peace do you read the books of sages and wise men, in times of chaos, you only look at knives and guns. Now that even the emperor is gone, the world is divided. You want to argue about reason—this is reason!"

His voice was loud and clear, and he seized the "reason," becoming even more forceful. With that, he lifted the hem of his long robe, flicked his toes, and kicked up the long bench in front of him. Then, his body whirled swiftly, and with a loud bang, the hard bench was broken into two pieces by his turning leg sweep. The broken bench flew out, smashing some bottles and jars in the shop.

Fan Heng, who was at the very front, was so frightened that he fell back onto his stool.

Manager Wu was wearing a long robe earlier, and everyone thought he was a scholar too. But when this kick came out, the effect was truly impressive. Only then did they realize that he was also a martial arts master with extraordinary skills. Seeing the scholars in the hall turn pale, he was quite pleased with himself. He swept his sleeves and slowly lowered his long leg.

"If you want to talk about reason, there is also reason here..." he said slowly. "Several inns in Tongshan County are related to my Li family. If the Li family says you can't stay, then you won't be able to stay tonight... I've said everything I can, whether you listen or not is up to you. After tonight, there will be no road for you to take tomorrow."

With that, he flicked his sleeves and left the inn with his men. After going out, they could faintly hear the flattery of the young men: "Master Wu's kick was really powerful."

"Amazing..."

"Hehe, you're too kind..."

...

Inside the inn, the scholars, seeing the amazing effect of that kick, remained silent for a long time, their faces flushed. Only Ning Ji looked at the situation where the other party had kicked the bench to pieces and left with satisfaction, drooping his shoulders and sighing a long sigh.

The shopkeeper, who had been hiding inside, came out at this time to look at the situation. Seeing that the things in the hall had been smashed, he was also a bit embarrassed. He looked around at everyone and said, "We can't afford to offend them. Let's go. Even if you gentlemen want to stay, this small shop wouldn't dare to accommodate you." He sighed, shook his head, and went back inside.

"What do we do?" someone asked.

Lu Wenke said in a hoarse voice, "Is there really no law and order anymore!"

"You've all seen it."

"Perhaps... the county magistrate isn't like this?" Lu Wenke said. "Even if... the Li family's power is great, would an official let a mere martial artist call the shots here? After all, we haven't tried..."

He seemed to have figured some things out. He was saying unwilling words. Chen Junsheng came over and patted him on the shoulder, sighing.

"I... I still think..." Lu Wenke's red eyes looked at everyone, looking at Fan Heng, the oldest, seemingly wanting to gain some support or recognition. Before he could finish speaking, there was movement from the doorway leading to the backyard. A woman's weak voice rang out.

"Everyone..." Everyone turned back to look, only to see Wang Xiu Niang, who had been injured earlier, appearing at the door. Her face was patched up, and tears were streaming from her eyes as she leaned on the doorframe. "Everyone... gentlemen, let's... let's go..."

"Xiu Niang, what is this..."

Before Fan Heng could finish speaking, Wang Xiu Niang entered the door and knelt down there. "My father and I... have been cared for by you gentlemen along the way. That's why I really don't dare to burden you any further..." She made a gesture to kowtow, but Ning Ji had already gone over to help her up. He only heard her cry, "Xiu Niang has... traveled the Jianghu (江湖) with her father since she was young, and she originally knew that a strong dragon can't suppress a local snake... The Li family of Tongshan is powerful and influential. Even if you gentlemen are willing to help Xiu Niang, you really shouldn't confront them head-on at this time..."

"Xiu Niang wants to leave here... gentlemen, let's go... I'm afraid..."

She was supported by Ning Ji, her words choked with sobs, and tears welled up in her eyes, pleading with everyone in the hall. Her gaze seemed to be looking at everyone, but it fell more on Lu Wenke. Lu Wenke sat far away, his eyes red, but at this time, he couldn't say a word.

Someone slammed their fist on the pillar to show their heartache. Some sighed, some remained silent. Lu Wenke said several times, "Perhaps reporting to the authorities would be useful..." But in the end, he didn't finish his words.

The sky darkened.

Everyone packed their luggage, hired a carriage, and took Wang Jiang and Wang Xiu Niang, father and daughter, leaving the inn and the city gate before evening.

Along the way, no one said too much. They all knew in their hearts that they had fled from here in a dispirited manner. The situation was stronger than people, and there was nothing wrong with escaping, but there was still some humiliation. And before escaping, it was even Wang Xiu Niang who gave everyone an excuse to go with the flow with her "I'm afraid."

Ning Ji didn't say much along the way. Among everyone, his expression was the calmest, and he packed his luggage most naturally. Everyone thought that this child of his age was suppressing his anger in his heart, but in this situation, they didn't know how to comfort him. In the end, only Fan Heng said half a sentence to him on the road: "Scholars have the use of scholars, learning martial arts has the use of learning martial arts... but this world... alas..."

Ning Ji nodded. "Yes, I know."

Fan Heng didn't know if he was telling the truth, but he couldn't say any more道理(dàolǐ) to comfort this child.

As night fell, they only settled down in a small market town about ten miles outside Tongshan County. After eating a simple dinner, it was already late. Ning Ji examined Wang Jiang's body, but he didn't have any more methods to help the middle-aged man recover for the time being. When he looked at Wang Xiu Niang's injuries again, Wang Xiu Niang was just crying in the room.

Her relationship with Lu Wenke was not yet certain. Along the way, Lu Wenke looked resentful, but he didn't take the initiative to care for her. In fact, she understood in her heart that this marriage, which she had originally climbed to, was likely to be over. Lu Wenke was in the prime of his youth, full of talk of "great potential," but in a small place like Tongshan, he had ultimately suffered great humiliation. Even if he was still willing to marry her, every time he saw her in the future, he would inevitably be reminded of his powerlessness today—this was the kind of humiliation that men could not tolerate the most.

"...If Uncle Wang can wake up tomorrow morning, that would be a good thing, but he suffered such serious injuries. He won't be able to travel for the next few days. I've prepared a few prescriptions here... Two of these prescriptions are for Uncle Wang to recuperate his body in the long term. There's a problem with the hard Qigong he practices. His body will hurt everywhere when he gets old. These two prescriptions can help him..."

"Xiao Long, thank you."

"Mm."

Ning Ji nodded, accepting her thanks.

After leaving the room, Lu Wenke, with red eyes, came over to ask him about Wang Xiu Niang's physical condition. Ning Ji answered him briefly. He felt that the lovebirds still cared about each other. His mind was no longer here.

Time passed midnight, which was Ning Ji's fifteenth birthday. In fact, everyone present didn't know about this. The various things that had happened earlier weighed heavily on everyone's minds, and everyone stayed up in a large room for a long time before gradually falling asleep. When Fan Heng got up to go to the toilet in the early hours of the morning, he realized that one person was missing from the room. He lit the oil lamp and searched with everyone, "Where did Xiao Long go?"

At this time, the little doctor Long Aotian was gone.

Then, they also understood, "This young teenager probably... doesn't want to travel with us anymore..."

**************

Ning Ji left the inn, carrying his luggage and walking towards Tongshan County. It was night, but for him, it was no different from daytime. Walking was similar to sightseeing.

Traveling with these scholars would eventually lead to separation. This was also good, especially happening on his birthday, which made him feel very interesting.

Unlike what Fan Heng and the others imagined, he didn't think that leaving Tongshan County was a humiliating decision. When people encounter problems, what's important is having the ability to solve them. When scholars encounter hooligans, of course, they have to leave first, and then call people later to get back at them. People who practice martial arts can have another solution. This is called specific analysis of specific examples. The Hua Xia Army's training emphasizes blood courage, but it also most forbids blind and reckless actions.

Sending these people away, and then going back to have a good talk with that Manager Wu, this was a very reasonable approach.

That idiot stupidly kicked a bench to pieces...

He was almost shocked by the other party's skills...

If a group of comrades from the Hua Xia Army were here, they might have watched him clap their hands in amazement, and then praised him for being amazing...

He should go back and praise him...

Thinking this in his heart, not far from leaving the small market town, he encountered several night travelers...