Chapter 14: Generation 1, Chapter 3 – Xinglin

In any case they also have to go into the city to look for their grandmother, and this old man seems to know Xiangcheng well, so rescuing him is just a timely favor.

"Elder, there's no need to do that; you take it easy, we'll enter the city in a while," Ning Shi stepped forward and said.

"Yuhuan, take off the water bag and bring some food."

"Alright, mother!"

Shen Yuhuan, after hearing that, quickly untied the water bag on his back, thought for a moment, and fetched two Sweet Potatoes.

"Elder, you eat something first; once you have strength, we can go into the city."

"Thank you, madam…"

The old man's eyes reddened; he was so grateful he could barely speak.

He shakily took it, cradling it gingerly as if afraid to drop it.

The emaciated, hunchbacked figure was truly pitiful, stirring a pang of sorrow.

Ning Shi looked on, unable to bear it.

At a glance he hadn't eaten for a long time; his face was yellow, his flesh thin, cheeks sunken, bones protruding… along this journey they had seen far too many such people.

Even they themselves were like that in the past, so they could better understand his feelings.

But their family is much luckier; at least they are all safely together at this moment.

"Old man, please have some water."

Shen Qingci handed him the water bag; the old man, looking at the pink, cute girl before him, couldn't help recalling his own granddaughter who had been beaten to death.

In an instant, tears streamed down his old face.

"You—what's wrong? Don't cry…"

"Sorry for making you a laughingstock, miss; I just… thought of my poor granddaughter…"

It turned out that Huang Laotou's family was also a renowned Xinglin House here, three generations of excellent doctors, famous within a hundred‑mile radius.

But since two years ago, wars have broken out across the lands, Japanese Pirates invaded, bandits burned and looted everywhere, and natural disasters and famine caused a surge of refugees. His granddaughter died at the hands of those refugees.

His wife, daughter‑in‑law… in the end only three lonely old men remained.

Half a month ago, a gang of marauders burst into his home, ransacked his family, and even broke his son's leg; his son still lies bedridden, unable to walk.

His grandson, to earn money for the family, exchanged some grain, and thus dared to go into the city. He didn't expect that he would be gone for two days without returning.

He waited at home in anguish, had no choice but to borrow the village chief's ox‑cart to go into the city to look for him. Little did he know, as soon as he reached the city gate, he was robbed and nearly lost his own life.

It was his fault; he should have foreseen the current outside situation, but worrying about his grandson's life, he risked borrowing the cart, attracting envy and thus suffering a deadly fate.

After hearing his story, Shen Qingquan's family couldn't help but sigh.

Their plight was indeed pitiful.

"Old man, rest assured, we will find your grandson."

"Indeed, my elder sister is formidable! With her here, you can be at ease!"

Shen Yuhuan wore a proud expression, as if the one who was impressive were himself.

Ning Shi glared at him, and Huang Laotou, watching the harmonious, warm atmosphere of his family, felt both envy and admiration.

To remain safe and intact as a family in these chaotic times surely requires real skill.

He looked at the girl standing nearby, twirling a dagger.

At twenty‑eight, she was tall and graceful.

Her expression was cold and indifferent; at first glance she seemed like the daughter of a noble lineage.

If one ignored her tattered clothing,

one's appearance can be disguised, but temperament cannot.

The old man, having traveled far and wide for years, still had a keen eye; this family was certainly not ordinary.

Especially the woman before him.

She merely stood lazily there, yet her cold, fierce aura already rattled those around who harbored hidden malicious intent, preventing them from stepping forward.

If they truly can find the grandson, then…

…

Their family entered the city.

It cost six taels of silver, which made several of them feel heart‑broken.

Who could have thought the entry fee was one tael per person!

Shen Qingquan guessed that it must be that the authorities, to prevent a flood of refugees, set this entry rule, but a tael or two of silver is no different from outright robbery.

In these times, how many can afford a tael of entry fee?

Probably it's just looting in the fire.

Huang Laotou hadn't expected that entering the city required an entry fee! Still a tael!

Even if he emptied his household assets, he still couldn't produce that tael of silver!

He didn't expect that their family would actually help him; his gratitude was beyond words.

"This tael of silver, consider it a loan from this old man; no matter what happens later, I will definitely repay it in full!"

He bowed deeply to Shen Qingquan's family; Shen Qingquan glanced at him, and felt a slight satisfaction.

Understanding gratitude and not being greedy—very good.

She naturally wouldn't save people for free; a doctor in chaotic times is also a precious talent. Moreover, now that mother is pregnant, she needs a doctor proficient in medicine by her side.

It so happens that this old man excels in medicine; his family are also renowned Xinglin experts.

Three generations, all medical officials; she currently lacks such talent.

Although her system contains many medicines and devices, she herself is not proficient in medical arts. In these chaotic times, to build her own army and power, medical officers are indispensable.

If warriors charge forward into battle without rear support, it would be utterly untenable.

Even if that isn't the reason, just think of this escape—our family is bound to get bruised and hurt from constant bumps, not to mention Grandmother, Uncle Two and the others; if we find them and they happen to be injured, we could treat them right away, couldn't we?

She is shrewd and has always liked to think three steps ahead.

This is what that person once taught her.

A man's figure suddenly flashed in her mind.

His bearing was tall and straight, like a celestial ribbon.

He lounged lazily against the chair back, backlit, his features seeming to overturn all beings. Habitually he lifted his deep-set brows, and whispered to her:

"Qingqing."

Like a demonic low hum.

……

"Qinger? Qinger?"

She startled, snapped back to herself, meeting her mother's worried gaze, "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Mother… have we arrived?" she inhaled deeply, suppressing the swirling emotions inside.

"We've arrived; this is Ji Ya Tang."

Shen Qingquan looked ahead, but the shop before her was in ruins, swept away by floodwaters, leaving only a pile of broken walls and ruins.

"How could this happen…"

Huang Laotou felt despair in his heart.

Since they entered the city, everywhere they passed has been much the same.

Houses, shops, structures—some toppled, some collapsed, and most were frozen. Had it not been for a sudden frost that froze the flood, they likely wouldn't have been able to enter the city at this moment.

At that moment, a squad of soldiers suddenly charged from afar, "Move aside! Get out of my way! Can't you see?"

They each forcefully pushed the people ahead, looking ferocious and terrifying.

The townsfolk on the street, seeing them, fled in all directions as if they had seen the King of Hell.

Behind the soldiers, three horsemen slowly approached, their horses whinnying, hooves fitted with anti‑slip studs. The leading man's sharp eyebrows and mouse‑like eyes—wasn't he the same person she had seen on the city wall earlier, the one who ordered the shooting of the fleeing civilians? This book's first release comes from 17K Novel Network; see the official content at once!