Chapter 63: Refugees

After a round of "friendly" haggling, Chen Wuji bought an Elm Horn Bow and two Feihong Arrows for three taels of silver.

But it almost wore him out half to death; the argument made his throat feel like it was about to smoke.

This fierce, terrifying blacksmith wasn't good at haggling, but his skill at cursing was top‑notch, and Chen Wuji almost couldn't stand it.

One bow with two arrows was indeed a bit shabby, and it would be absolutely insufficient when shooting a fierce beast.

After thinking, Chen Wuji spent another five hundred wen, gritting his teeth, to buy five arrows.

At Zhang Lao's place he earned sixteen taels today, and in the blink of an eye he spent three thousand five hundred wen.

He earned a bit more money, and it seemed there were more things he wanted to buy.

Leaving Yang Tiejiang's smithy, Chen Wuji, with his bow and arrows on his back, swept through East Market once more.

He bought Huo Sanniang and Shen Youwei a piece of Fire Hemp Cloth, a pouch of Candy, and a hundred jin of Millet.

Probably due to the sudden influx of Refugees, the grain price actually rose.

Now even the cheapest Millet costs five wen.

While Chen Wuji was wandering around East Market, not far from there, on the Cuiwei Building, Chen Bushi was sitting opposite a young man drinking wine; the table had only a simple plate of pig ears, but the wine was in a jar.

"We've had enough wine; let's get down to business. Why did you call me back in such a hurry?" Chen Bushi set down his wine bowl and asked.

The young man lifted his hand and pushed two taels of silver in front of Chen Bushi, saying, "Take it back."

Chen Bushi's expression changed slightly, "What happened?"

"Nothing much; someone wants those two people's lives, so you don't need to spend money. If you have time tonight… never mind, I won't drag you into this; I'll handle it myself." The young man pinched the rim of the bowl with his thumb and middle finger, then took a deep sip of wine.

Chen Bushi frowned, "The Yuan Clan shouldn't have enough skill to provoke outsiders, right? And you have to act personally?"

"Who knows," the young man chuckled lightly, "The opponent's background is probably significant; it scared our county magistrate into sending even his treasured famous painting, plus an extra five hundred taels of silver."

"I was the one who delivered the goods; you don't know the county magistrate's expression at the time—he was almost crying."

Chen Bushi let out a light snort, "A dog official just met an even bigger dog official."

"Hey, hey, hey, that's enough; don't scold me too."

"You're just a lackey!"

"You bastard, can this wine still be drunk?"

Chen Bushi laughed heartily, lifted his wine bowl, and shouted, "Drink!"

The two downed a bowl of wine; after refilling it, Chen Bushi solemnly asked, "I think this matter is a bit suspicious; you should be more careful."

"What is there to watch for with two leaping‑beam clowns?"

"Precisely because they're leaping‑beam clowns that we need to be cautious. Forcing the county magistrate to spend hundreds of taels of silver on two leaping‑beam clowns, and even requiring the county office to intervene—was that really necessary?" Chen Bushi retorted.

The young man shook his head, "I think the county magistrate is overthinking it. That big figure's intention is actually simple: kill the person and hang them at the village entrance as a warning. I guess the Yuan Clan unintentionally provoked the big figure, leading themselves to a dead end."

"But the county magistrate has done too many evil deeds, becoming paranoid that this incident involves him, even rejecting a bold move to seize the person, making us look like thieves."

Chen Bushi pondered briefly and said, "It's better to keep an extra eye open."

"Got it, I know the situation," the young man nodded, then lowered his voice, "How's the loot?"

Chen Bushi smiled mysteriously, "Plentiful!"

"I knew it; those people never looked like good birds," the young man patted the table.

Chen Bushi, holding his wine bowl, said calmly, "Your share remains the same; find time to collect it. The world is getting chaotic; after I finish this bowl of wine, I'll make a hasty getaway."

"What are you, old man, planning to do?" the young man exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Bushi curled his lip, "I need to get home quickly; what else is there? I'm afraid the Refugees will block me halfway. Laborers just earned money, and haven't enjoyed it yet."

"You bastard!"

Chen Wuji was blocked by Refugees.

Between Xishan Village and Yunan City lies a settlement called Zhao Village, and the Official Road runs through the village.

It's not far from Xishan Village anymore; only about a third of the journey remains.

Today he earned silver, upgraded his preparations, bought rice cloth, and Chen Wuji was cheerfully pleased; carrying a hundred jin of food on his shoulder didn't tire him, and his steps were swift as wind.

Unintentionally, he collided with a group of Refugees brandishing knives and shovels.

These people seemed to have just finished killing, holding weapons in their hands, and carrying large and small bundles and women on their shoulders.

Chen Wuji looked at the group, and his legs instantly felt a bit weak.

Actually, when he entered the town and saw the Refugees, he was already somewhat wary, but hadn't yet thought of them as Bandit Refugees.

He never imagined that in just half a day, the people would become Bandit Refugees.

"That kid's shoulder is loaded with food; cut him down!"

Among the Refugees, someone shouted, and then a crowd carrying large and small bundles rushed forward.

Those who had women on their shoulders were reluctant to let go; one hand cradled a woman's thigh, the other brandished a weapon as they lunged forward.

Damn!

Chen Wuji cursed, flung the food into the crowd, and sprinted toward the village.

He certainly wasn't confident in a hard fight against three or forty Refugees who wielded weapons, had killed before, and were blood‑soaked.

Food can be bought again, but losing a life is truly lost.

The moment he entered the village, Chen Wuji was stunned dumb by the scene before him.

The alleys were filled haphazardly with corpses—an old man curled up, a woman stripped on a stone mill with a pool of blood beneath her, and a child whose head had been severed.

Chen Wuji felt a tumultuous churn in his stomach; even though he clenched his teeth, sour bile was about to surge up his nasal passage.

The dense footsteps behind him came closer; he didn't have time to look further, quickly slipped into a civilian house, then vaulted over the wall and fled.

The entire village was littered with corpses, like a living hell.

"These beasts!"

Chen Wuji vomited without surprise, nearly spewing out the food he ate a week ago.

After wiping the corner of his mouth, his eyes were completely taken over by anger.

He can understand the starving peasants who scramble for food; he once thought the same.

But he cannot understand why these people slaughter ordinary civilians who are also suffering.

The moment they brandish knives, these Refugees can no longer be called human!

Chen Wuji decided to do something, otherwise his thoughts would not be clear.

He flipped onto a commoner's courtyard wall, climbed onto the roof and looked out over the path he had just entered.

Those people hadn't given up yet; they scattered around the village searching for him.

"You damn dogs, the Laborers' food has already been given to you!" Angry Chen Wuji unsheathed the Three-Stone Hard Bow from his back, drew the bow, took a deep breath, aimed at a Refugee and shot an arrow.

The arrow pierced the heart, and the massive force nailed that Refugee straight into the earthen wall behind him.

"You're not a wild chicken, I think you should fly away for me!" Chen Wuji shouted, quickly shifting his position.

Killing people here is much easier than hunting wild chickens in the mountains.

The target is big and can't fly.