The Sorrowmender

Chapter 74 – Wuyou asked, why not report to the authorities?

The winding path through the forest led to a secluded area.

"Master, are we really going to save that old woman's daughter?" Wuyou asked softly, tilting her head as she sat on the horse.

"Of course," Xu Qingzhou replied.

"But that's a bandit hideout! I read in books that those bandits are unforgivable villains, ruthless killers who can do anything. Isn't it too reckless for us to go there?"

Xu Qingzhou looked at Wuyou with indulgence and asked slowly, "Then tell me, Wuyou, what should we do about this?"

Wuyou tapped her chin with her finger, thought for a moment, and blurted out, "Naturally, we should report the bandits to the authorities."

Her innocent tone, coupled with her naive expression, against the backdrop of falling leaves, made Xu Qingzhou reluctant to spoil the scene.

Three years ago, a group of bandits came to Cloud City, abducting all the unmarried young ladies from the village, and their whereabouts have been unknown since.

The woman traveled far and wide, searching among the vast crowds, praying to gods, worshiping Buddha, and consulting immortals along the way, yet she never reported to the authorities.

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The reason was obvious.

Cloud City was rife with bandits, not just because of its vast rivers and mountains.

The System, as usual, provided a plan and intelligence, indicating that the young lady was still alive and located at Cold Peak Ridge.

Xu Qingzhou instructed the woman to return to the village and wait, then set off with Wuyou and the white-haired girl to Cold Peak Ridge.

He sighed and patiently taught, "Wuyou, there are countless matters in this world, and what's recorded in books is just a fraction. Books have their logic, and the human world has its own way."

"Bandits are not necessarily evil, and officials are not necessarily good."

"If reporting to the authorities were effective, why would people seek gods and worship Buddha? Why would temple incense burn year-round?"

Wuyou fell into contemplation, seemingly understanding something, and looked at Xu Qingzhou seriously, "I understand, Master..."

"Kindness!"

"But I'm still a bit worried and don't want Master to be in danger."

Before Xu Qingzhou could respond, the white-haired girl reached out and pressed Wuyou's head, gently ruffling it.

She said confidently, "Wuyou, don't be afraid. Your sister is here. With one punch, I can send those bandits flying."

"Sister, you're boasting again. Can you be more powerful than Master?" Wuyou rolled her eyes skeptically.

She had never seen the white-haired girl in action; in her eyes, Master was the most powerful, without a doubt.

The white-haired girl's eyebrows furrowed, her smile vanished, and she looked at Xu Qingzhou, shouting, "Xu Qingzhou, tell Wuyou if I'm right or not?"

Her tone shifted smoothly, transitioning seamlessly.

Xu Qingzhou chuckled awkwardly, pretending to be profound.

"Xiaobai is not entirely right, but also not wrong. Master also has a punch."

"When this punch is unleashed, it's like the sun at noon, and all martial artists can only bow."

Wuyou's eyes sparkled, and she clapped her hands in delight.

"Amazing, Master is indeed amazing. This aura is stronger than Sister's, hehe!"

The white-haired girl had no retort. In terms of rhetoric, she was indeed weaker, and in terms of grandeur, she was utterly defeated. But it was impossible to undermine Wuyou's Master in front of her.

Her face turned red with frustration, and she finally muttered angrily, "Don't call me Xiaobai. I have a name, Xu Dajiang."

Xu Qingzhou was unfazed, "But I think Xiaobai sounds nicer, don't you think, Wuyou?"

Wuyou nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Xiaobai does sound nicer."

Seeing Wuyou, the white-haired girl's temper vanished, and she weakly said, "Since Wuyou likes it, you can call me that. But you call me what you like, and I'll call myself Xu Dajiang."

Xu Qingzhou, seeing her like this, felt joy in his heart and laughed heartily.

"I know, Dajiang carries Qingzhou!"

"Haha—Dajiang can also capsize Qingzhou."

"What are you talking about—"

"Nothing, let's focus on the journey, the journey is important."

Two days later:

At a crossroads dozens of miles from Cold Peak Ridge.

A sign was erected, inscribed with: No bandits on this road, travelers may proceed.

Xu Qingzhou dismounted, staring at the clumsy handwriting, muttering softly, "Is this sign serious?"

Beside him, Xiaobai also curiously stared at it and then said, "I read in a book that this situation is called 'No silver here.'"

Wuyou quietly echoed, "Sister, you know so much, how impressive."

"Ahem, not bad."

"Modest." After speaking, Wuyou looked at Xu Qingzhou and said, "Master, these bandits don't seem very smart. We should be able to rescue that old woman's daughter, right?"

Xu Qingzhou pursed his lips, looking ahead.

"Yes, let's go and see what kind of bandits would do such absurd things..."