novelraw Chapter 45: Causing Trouble
Chapter 45: Causing Trouble
Chapter 45: Causing Trouble
Bai Lu County Town's Lu Hua Alley was home to many impoverished commoners who used to make a living by selling their labor and skills.
As the world descended into chaos, many surviving commoners were reduced to forced labor, but Lu Hua Alley had produced several capable individuals.
Yan Hu, formerly a local militia soldier, and his brothers had gathered many young and strong men, forming a force that could not be ignored. In the shifting power dynamics of Bai Lu County Town, they had established a firm foothold. When others mentioned Lu Hua Alley, they would also mention Yan Laoda.
However, not long ago, Yan Laoda took his men out to search for supplies and an accident occurred. Lu Hua Alley fell silent, and various factions began to covet it.
Early this morning, Yan Laoda's widow and Lin Er Dajiada, along with a few brothers, went out of the city to offer sacrifices and only returned in the evening.
Some people saw them but didn't pay much attention, thinking that the people of Lu Hua Alley were beginning to scatter and wondering if they could gain some advantage.
The horse-drawn carriage drove into the alley and stopped at a courtyard.
Madam Liang returned to her room and began to polish a long Ma Shuo (a type of polearm) there.
It had an iron shaft and was a weapon used in military formations, something that ordinary commoners could not possess in the past.This was her father's weapon. He had achieved great military merits with it. Later, her father became involved in a major Imperial court case, and the entire family met with disaster.
She had brought this Ma Shuo left by her father and lived in anonymity. Only Yan Laoda and Lin Er Dajiada knew her identity.
Afterward, as the world became chaotic, her identity as the daughter of a convicted official no longer mattered. This Ma Shuo finally saw the light of day again and was given to Yan Laoda for use.
The iron shaft was heavy; even if someone could lift it, they wouldn't be able to wield it effectively or would quickly exhaust themselves.
However, Yan Laoda and Lin Er Dajiada had gained considerable prestige among the local militia precisely because of their bravery and strength back then.
Facing the current epidemic of evil and chaotic times, and those monsters filled with evil energy, wielding such a long weapon was more appropriate.
Not long ago, Yan Laoda met with misfortune, and this Ma Shuo was brought back by Lin Er.
She provided a considerable amount of supplies and hired someone to clean the Ma Shuo, dispel the evil energy, and keep it at home.
The candlelight flickered, casting shadows.
An old woman entered the room carrying a food box. She looked around the room and asked with some confusion, "Why don't I see Xiao Xuan?"
She was asking about Yan Xuan, the son of Yan Laoda and Madam Liang.
Madam Liang shifted her gaze from the Ma Shuo, her voice calm, yet seeming to hide endless emotions:
"I asked second sister-in-law to look after him for a while. I have… some matters to attend to."
The old woman opened the food box and began to arrange the bowls, asking, "You went out of the city to offer sacrifices today. Why did you return so late?"
Madam Liang's voice was deep: "I was thinking about some things there."
The old woman said with concern, "You must also take care of yourself. If Da Hu were still here, he certainly wouldn't want to see you sad and worried."
Yan Laoda, Yan Hu, was also called Da Hu by those close to him.
Madam Liang didn't look at the food on the table, the candlelight reflecting in her eyes seemed to flicker:
"These past few days, I've been thinking. Why did Da Hu and his men encounter so many evil creatures despite bringing incense and herbs? Outsiders say they were just unlucky, heh."
Madam Liang's smile carried a chilling edge as she looked over.
"Da Hu, though seemingly rough, was meticulous. He might overlook small matters, but when it came to important things concerning his own life and those of his brothers, he was extremely cautious. After much thought, the only time and people capable of tampering with things would be those few close to us."
The old woman, who was arranging the food box, paused and put it down with displeasure. "Are you suspecting me?!"
Madam Liang ignored her and continued, "Da Hu always said that Auntie was an unfortunate woman who fled here after a flood in her hometown, with no one to rely on. When arranging work, he always took care of her. Over the years, he has treated you as family and even said he would support you in your old age."
The old woman by the table lowered her eyes. "Da Hu was indeed kind to me..."
"But some people do not remember kindness!"
Madam Liang's gaze was sharp as lightning. "Recently, a new face has appeared around Lao San. When observed from the side, he bears a striking resemblance to you!"
The old woman's eyes widened in shock. "This..."
Madam Liang said sternly, "Perhaps I should send him to accompany you?"
The old woman hurried over anxiously. "Madam, listen to me..."
As she spoke, a sharp silver glint appeared in her sleeve, but she couldn't draw it out.
A short knife plunged into her chest faster.
The old woman's eyes were filled with shock.
She usually only saw this madam as melancholic but not overly concerned with trivial matters. When Yan Laoda gained power, she didn't make things difficult for anyone.
No one knew that this woman possessed such skill!
At this moment, several more figures entered the room.
The old woman looked at Lin Er Dajiada and several guards entering the room. In an instant, she understood that something had happened! She was terrified and wanted to beg for mercy, but it was already too late.
Lin Er Dajiada looked at the old woman collapsing and the dagger that she hadn't managed to draw from her sleeve.
This was a self-defense weapon that Yan Laoda had distributed to those familiar with him. Now, this old woman had used it against Eldest Sister-in-law!
She deserved to die!
Madam Liang, however, didn't spare another glance at the person on the ground. Instead, she turned to Lin Er, who had entered:
"Lao San has harbored ill intentions for a long time. Your elder brother once gave Lao San a chance, and in return, he lost himself, along with seven brothers."
Madam Liang picked up the Ma Shuo with both hands and handed it to Lin Er. Tears and hatred welled up in her eyes.
"Execute the traitor! To comfort your elder brother and the souls of your unjustly deceased brothers! And for everyone, to fight for a future!"
...
As night fell, the drawbridge of Bai Lu County Town was raised, and the city gates were closed.
Those who had gone out to cut firewood or work returned to their homes to rest. They had a night to recover their strength, and then at the first light of dawn, they would begin a new day of labor.
In the past, after nightfall, all areas were silent. But on this day, residents near Lu Hua Alley heard a lot of noise.
It seemed like a fight had broken out in Lu Hua Alley, with bursts of commotion.
The nearby residents all tightly shut their doors and windows.
Surely someone in Lu Hua Alley had been possessed by evil spirits!
However, as they waited, from night to dawn, and from morning to noon, the most intense period had passed. They never heard the roars of monsters, but instead, from time to time, they heard human shouts and screams.
Still, no one dared to investigate.
Even with immense curiosity, those who had survived until now possessed a certain degree of self-control.
After a day and a night of turmoil, Lu Hua Alley fell silent.
In the room, Madam Liang took out a wooden seal.
This was a seal carved by Yan Laoda himself for his son. It was the head of a tiger, not intricately crafted, nor was the pattern lively, but it now carried extraordinary significance.
Madam Liang held this seal and pressed tiger patterns onto pieces of plain cloth.
When Yan Laoda had first met with misfortune, she had already suspected Lao San, and had suspicions about others involved in the city. Originally, to survive, she could only endure. Now, she had another choice.
A choice that might change everyone's lives.
Therefore, she no longer needed to endure!
The palm-sized seal, dipped in ink, was pressed heavily onto another piece of plain cloth.
The next day, as dawn broke.
Bai Lu County Town seemed to be as usual.
The surviving county residents numbly repeated the tasks of the previous day.
Everything appeared unchanged.
However, in the inconspicuous Lu Hua Alley, people began to emerge from the houses in small groups.
The leader of each household took a stick of incense, lit it, bowed to the idol, and then placed it in a large incense burner.
They performed the pre-arranged ceremony in silence.
The incense burner, which originally only contained incense ash, was soon filled with sticks of incense.
Then, Lin Er Dajiada took out three large incense sticks, the kind that could burn for three to four hours each. They had found these in a temple before.
Madam Liang took one, lit it, bowed to the idol, and then placed it in the incense burner. She also had her young son do the same, holding his small hand to place a stick of incense.
Lin Er Dajiada lit the last one and placed it.
Two strong men lifted the large incense burner and walked in front.
The incense ash in the burner, mixed with herbs, and the smoke from the burning incense would protect them, reducing the chance of evil creatures finding them.
It didn't matter if a few evil creatures approached; with the current low temperatures, they could easily deal with them.
Lin Er Dajiada and Madam Liang followed behind the incense burner.
Standing at their sides and behind them were many martial men, in the capacity of guards and followers.
Further behind them were familiar people from Lu Hua Alley, all their own people.
A group of people walked out of Lu Hua Alley and headed towards the city gate.
Nearby, people who had gone out to cut firewood early in the morning were startled and retracted their feet just as they stepped out of their homes. After a while, they began to peek out cautiously.
Were there so many people in Lu Hua Alley?
What were they going to do?
At the city gate.
The guards stamped their feet, which had gone numb.
Looking at their cloth shoes, they pondered when they could save up for a pair of thicker cloth boots.
Today, they would have to wring more out of those cutting firewood and foraging for food outside.
The superiors said they would collect half, but how much they actually collected was up to the gatekeepers.
They dared not make a move against those with backgrounds and power in the city, but the scattered county residents were their targets for extorting money.
What, you're not satisfied?
If you're not satisfied, go and report me!
See if the lords above will pay attention to you!
The early autumn morning was cold, so they moved their hands and feet, played with their weapons, and chatted idly.
Although it was cold, the thought that the monsters outside posed no threat in this temperature, and the chance of being possessed by evil spirits was greatly reduced, made them feel more relaxed. If they could extort more money today, it would be even better.
"The superiors said that the people from Lu Hua Alley were going out to offer sacrifices today," one guard said.
"Going out again? Didn't they just go out?" another person complained.
"Alas, who knows. They're always stirring up trouble! Anyway, the superiors have notified us to give them convenience."
This meant not to withhold them and demand things.
If there was no easy money to be made, they were naturally displeased.
The thought of the horses and horse-drawn carriages that had left the city that day stirred up envy and jealousy in their hearts.
In terms of background, the people of Lu Hua Alley were even worse off than them, yet they could ride horses and carriages!
A bunch of lowly people, did they deserve it?!
Just you wait and see. Yan Laoda is gone, and there was a fight in Lu Hua Alley yesterday. Who knows what chaos there will be. They might soon be carved up by other factions in the city.
"In our Bai Lu County Town, it's not their turn to be arrogant!"
In Bai Lu County Town, in terms of power, besides the County Lieutenant, there were several other families. It would never be the turn of the lowly people from Lu Hua Alley.
"It's fine to give them convenience, but it's still okay to pick a few people and hold them up to demand things, right?"
"Then we'll act according to the situation. If there are only three or five people, we can let them go. If there are too many, we can't just let them pass. You agree... right?"
The guard who was speaking widened his eyes, so shocked he almost bit his tongue.
The other guards followed his gaze, and their breathing hitched.
Behind the smoke from the incense burner, how many people were there?
One hundred?
Two hundred?
Or more?
No one was riding horses, and no one was in carriages. They walked together.
Lin Er Dajiada was not riding a horse today, and his perspective was not from above. He only held a long weapon and walked in front of the team at a leisurely pace.
However, the pressure he exerted on the guards amplified several times, or even dozens of times!
As long as they slightly raised their gaze, they could see the group of people following behind Lin Er Dajiada.
There were young and strong men, as well as the old, the weak, women, and children. They all had plain cloth tied to their arms, with some kind of pattern printed on it.
Their eyes were not hollow; it was as if small fires were burning within them. Gathered together, they created a weight that made it difficult to breathe.
A heavy, solemn, silent power.
An intense oppressive feeling that rushed towards them, growing ever closer!
The guards, who had been about to speak, found themselves unable to open their mouths at this moment.
It was as if a large hand was pressing on their shoulders, and they dared not make a sound.
One of them even took a step back, clearing the way.
If the first one retreated, so would the second and third.
Those in the team who had been feeling a bit apprehensive saw this scene, and the light in their eyes seemed to brighten several degrees.
When paths cross, momentum always increases for one side and decreases for the other. When one side shows weakness, the other becomes even more determined and stronger.
By the time the people of Lu Hua Alley reached the city gate, the guards who had been standing at the gate had already moved to the sides.
The scattered county residents who were observing from nearby also had various thoughts in their minds upon seeing this.
Those from other factions in the city who came to investigate also had their mentality shattered at this moment.
"What are they doing?!"
"Quick... quickly report to the master! Something has happened! The people from Lu Hua Alley are causing trouble!"
(End of this chapter)