Chapter 486: Chapter 486: So Unreasonable
"Aren’t you being unreasonable, Liu family’s kid?"
"Exactly, they saved you, and now you’re blaming them, are they supposed to take care of you for life?"
"This is so unreasonable!"
Everyone was anxious to stop them earlier because they instinctively wanted to follow the rescuers, having felt genuine kindness from someone else for the first time in so long, and Hua Village gave them a strong sense of security.
But upon realizing their actions, they felt ashamed; these people came to rescue them, yet they wanted to cling on thoughtlessly.
Besides, the rescuers aren’t obligated; they helped out of kindness, and gratitude is the proper response.
"It’s easy to talk when you’re unaffected; none of your family is injured."
"That’s not the point, Liu family’s kid; it wasn’t wrong of them to rescue you. Step aside; saving people is like putting out a fire."
"No way...I won’t move. If they leave, take us with them." The woman stood firm, blocking the path. "Once they leave, there’s no coming back. What about my husband and son? Who’s going to care for us?"
Though the woman’s reasoning seemed unreasonable, it was out of concern for her family, which was understandable, though her actions were somewhat unacceptable.
Several people from Hua Village shook their heads, looking disapprovingly at the road-blocking individuals.
Rescuing people is one thing, but being taken advantage of is another.
Their desperation to clutch at the last straw of survival is understandable, but there’s a time and place for everything.
Thankfully, most people still have a conscience.
These few people stubbornly withstood the gazes and refused to move until a dozen people from Daliu Village forcibly dragged them aside.
Old Man Hua was somewhat relieved by this, grateful they hadn’t incurred further animosity; otherwise, he’d need to contemplate seriously about the next place to help.
Hearing the sharp cries of dismay from those individuals who were unwilling to yield, Old Man Hua halted his desire to leave, glanced at his grandson beside him, and then, with Zeng Li in the lead, a dozen men swiftly approached and surrounded the group blocking the road.
Zeng Li could no longer hold back; after rescuing people with great effort, the ungrateful action of those intending to mooch off them thoroughly infuriated him. Though they couldn’t resort to violence, intimidating them was fair game, hence their fierce expressions.
Suddenly surrounded by over ten burly men with menacing eyes, their cries ceased instantly, akin to chickens with throats caught.
"Now you’re afraid?" Old Man Hua approached them, his expression dark, looking at them ominously.
"Do you realize, just as we rescued you from the ruins, we can bury you back again?"
Old Man Hua’s words were so earnest that those blocking the road shivered with cold dread, the fear rising from the depths of their hearts.
They understood that the village chief’s words were serious; he really intended to bury them again.
Their commotion was for family concerns but also in the belief that this benevolent-seeming village chief might actually take them away, yet they forgot that this reputed village chief wasn’t one to be trifled with, and thus their faces turned pale, eyes darting fearfully, not daring to make a sound.
This not only silenced these people but also rendered the rest of Daliu Village speechless, with only the sound of rain dropping breaking the encompassing quiet. Everyone dared not even breathe loudly, fearing the enraged village chief might just bury those dug out back under the ruins.
"No matter how unbearable, it’s worse being buried under debris, crying for help in vain both to heaven and earth. Be grateful you’ve been saved. No one owes you anything; avoid saying senseless things lest you offend those without realizing."
"Almost every bit of usable possession and foodstuff has been dug out. Is survival that impossible?"
"But...we...don’t have a doctor?" Concern for her son’s and husband’s well-being still prevailed as the woman trembled, uttering this.
"Have you considered we’re rescuing not for comfort? Do you not fear that the bumpy journey with us might worsen your son’s and husband’s injuries..."
"I..." The woman’s expression tightened, lowering her head in guilt. She was so worried that she never thought it through, only focusing on not parting from Hua Village’s people to avoid more issues if her husband and son needed urgent help.
"Sun boy," Old Man Hua called out to Sun Si not far away.
"Grandpa Hua," Sun Si walked over.
"Inform them of the needed medicinal herbs."
"Grandpa Hua, I already informed them during the treatment. The herbs are easy to find, and with a bit of care, they can obtain them. Crush and apply the herbs on the wounds, changing them every few days."
"Did you hear that?" Old Man Hua looked at the woman and others present.
The sharp gaze caused them all to lower their heads, not daring to meet the elder’s eyes.
"Village Chief Hua, it’s our fault, truly sorry," a man stepped forward.
Old Man Hua’s words left all from Daliu Village deeply embarrassed, having been part of the initial group, albeit briefly.
"We’re sorry," another person stepped forward, looking shamefully at the people of Hua Village.
Gradually, more people stood up, including the injured, supporting each other as they came out of the tent, even the mother and child saved by Hua Jin, looking apologetically at the people of Hua Village.
Seeing this, Old Man Hua couldn’t help but soften, especially upon seeing the wounded.
"Alright, in truth, everything is fine once talked through. If truly worried about wound aggravation, Hua Village is not inaccessible. As the village chief of Hua Village, I promise that anyone seeking medical aid will not be turned away."
Upon hearing these words, everyone from Daliu Village was overjoyed.
"Village Chief Hua, is this true?" someone couldn’t help but ask.
The earthquake had left every household injured except a select few in Daliu Village.
To say they weren’t concerned would be untrue; despite the town having one doctor for so long, they only learned today that Hua Village also had one.
"Of course," Old Man Hua nodded earnestly.
"Thank you, thank you..."
Upon the confirmation, many immediately knelt.
Not only had they been saved in large numbers by Hua Village, but now there was also the promise of medical consultation there, evoking a deep sense of gratitude and shame among Daliu Village’s people, kneeling in thanks profusely.
"Alright, everyone, rise. Now that everything’s been said, let’s understand each other, for we must depart. Take care, everyone." Old Man Hua helped the nearest people up before turning to lead the people of Hua Village away.
This short delay, albeit not long, no more than the time to drink half a cup of tea, could very well mean a life when saving people.
Henceforth, they quickened their pace, though with Big Black leading the way, there was no worry, and with dozens of torches in hand, the procession, like a serpentine dragon, swiftly forged ahead, reaching the second village, Shangwu Village, after roughly some forty-five minutes’ travel.
Even with altered road conditions, Shangwu Village was usually only an incense stick’s duration away from Daliu Village, but the destruction from the earthquake was so severe some segments were completely cut off, forcing detours.