Chapter 28: The Insolent Block the Door

Zhou You spread the news across seven or eight streets, then did not return to the martial arts hall, but went home instead.

Since he had come out, he shouldn't waste the trip, so he would accompany his parents for dinner while he was at it.

Passing by the place where the incident had just occurred, he discovered a group of white-robed people from the Spirit Release Sect cleaning the ground.

Upon asking around, it turned out that after he left, the bloody scene had been seen by passersby.

Too many incidents had occurred in the city recently; the government alone could not manage them all, let alone the fact that Lu Zhigang was an outsider.

It was the people from the Spirit Release Sect who came to collect the remains, wipe them clean, wrap them in white cloth, and send them outside the city... for cremation.

That's right, the Spirit Release Sect advocated that when a person dies, it is like a lamp going out, and cremation is the best way to handle the remains.

However, the local custom was that fallen leaves return to their roots; one must be buried in the native soil so that the soul can enjoy the sacrifices of descendants.

Due to this conflict, the Spirit Release Sect was regarded as an evil cult in certain areas.

The locals of Gongliang City naturally avoided them, and only the refugees from Su Cheng had no conditions to be picky about such things.

After Lu Zhigang's remains were cremated, the matter was settled.

There was a small interlude during this time...

Shan Wa, who had been bribed, was a lucky brat; he had hit his head on a wall and passed out, but was later discovered by the white-robed people to still be breathing.

It was just that he had taken a few heavy blows, soiled his pants, and couldn't even speak; the person was completely scared silly.

The people from the Spirit Release Sect went door to door asking until they found Shan Wa's home and returned the child.

"That child Shan Wa is quite pitiful; I heard his bones are broken and his stomach is ruined, he vomits whatever he eats."

When they were finishing their meal, Mother spoke of the news she had heard.

Zhou You did not explain the ins and outs of the matter and buried his head in his rice; the brat deserved it.

The reason he had left him a breath of life was out of consideration for their neighbors, so he hadn't delivered a final kick to kill him.

To betray him for ten coins—what a piece of trash; even when he grows up, he will be a bad seed.

Just as they were eating, cursing sounds came from outside, growing increasingly noisy, causing the neighbors on both sides to come out of their homes.

Listening to it, something felt wrong; it seemed they were cursing the "Old Zhou Family" and "Zhou You."

The meal could not be finished.

Zhou You and his parents went out to look; it turned out to be Shan Wa's father holding the child, standing at their door, smearing filth and cursing.

"Zhou You, get out here right now."

"I just heard that my son met with disaster because he went to the martial arts hall to find you; his life is ruined, you have to pay."

His wife was no pushover either, wiping away tears while crying and making a scene.

The couple cried and cursed, making such a racket that the neighborhood was in an uproar, and more and more neighbors gathered around to watch.

"You'er, what is going on?"

Zhou You comforted his parents, "It's nothing, leave it to me."

He walked up and glanced at Shan Wa; the brat's eyes were vacant, clearly scared silly.

He looked at his parents again; they had a fierce look, as if they wanted to eat someone.

Did they not know that Zhou You could kill their whole family with a single breath?

"Shan Wa's father, you can't say it like that; whoever hurt your Shan Wa, go find them for compensation."

Lu Zhigang had already been burned to ashes; how could they still find the murderer?

Shan Wa's father dared to come to the door because he knew the Old Zhou Family inside and out and bullied them for being honest and simple.

If Lu Zhigang were really standing in front of them, I guarantee this couple wouldn't even dare to let out a fart.

"I don't care, the son of the Old Zhou Family is bullying people!"

Shan Wa's mother sat on the ground, wailing, "My son is like this because of you, you must pay."

"Otherwise, I will smash my head against your door and die."

To the side, Shan Wa's father's voice grew louder; he pulled the surrounding neighbors one by one to nag at them, "My Shan Wa was playing fine on the street, he just went to the martial arts hall to find Zhou You, and ended up like this; if I don't look for him, who do I look for?"

Among the crowd, Li Guafu said a fair word, "It might not be Zhou You; there are so many outsiders in the city, maybe they were the ones who harmed Shan Wa."

Zhou You couldn't help but look at her; this auntie was quite sharp, a casual remark and she was close to the truth.

"I think Zhou You is more suspicious."

Mou Laoyao seized the opportunity to fan the flames and naturally wouldn't miss it, "Ever since Zhou You started practicing martial arts, he has become more vicious."

The implication was that Shan Wa was injured by Zhou You.

The neighbors chattered, the more they talked the more chaotic it became, and the scene was nearing a loss of control.

Zhou Laodie was sweating profusely, his face flushed red as he explained, "It wasn't our You'er; he has a good heart, he couldn't possibly lay a vicious hand on Shan Wa."

"If it wasn't him, then who?"

Shan Wa's parents cried to the heavens and the earth, pointing at the Old Zhou Family to accuse them, "Pay up, you must pay up."

"Ahem!"

Zhou You suddenly spoke, his attitude sincere, "Brother, Sister-in-law, I do indeed have responsibility for this matter."

As soon as he softened his stance, everyone around was shocked; wasn't this admitting it voluntarily?

With the temper of Shan Wa's parents, once they bit down, they wouldn't let go; they were eager to squeeze the Old Zhou Family dry of their money.

They had just been saying over and over that the Old Zhou Family had to support Shan Wa for the rest of his life!

"Everyone listen, he admitted it, he admitted it!"

Shan Wa's father was triumphant, holding Shan Wa and pushing him toward the hands of Zhou Laodie and Mother.

"Shan Wa came to the martial arts hall to pass on a message that Tu Laosan hired outsiders to ambush me."

Hearing the name Tu Laosan, a large group of neighbors and dozens of mouths instantly went quiet.

How did they provoke Tu Laosan again?

The arrogant bluster of Shan Wa's parents came to an abrupt halt, their bodies unable to stop trembling twice.

"Sigh, it was thanks to Shan Wa tipping me off that I escaped the ambush; it must have been Tu Laosan who ambushed him afterward, harming Shan Wa."

Zhou You turned to Shan Wa's mother, "I originally did not want to speak of this matter, but since the two of you were so eager to know the truth, I had no choice but to say it."

Shan Wa's father was nearly crying; who wanted to know this truth!

Their son had helped Zhou You pass along information, this was going to offend Tu Laosan!

Having offended Tu Laosan, their whole family would have no good fruit to eat.

"Zhou You, our Shan Wa helped you, are you going to repay him?"

Shan Wa's mother's eyes lit up, "We will move in tonight and live in your house from now on."

This shrew's mind turned quickly; she knew that having offended Tu Laosan, the only way to avoid disaster was to rely on the wooden plaque hanging at the entrance of the old Zhou Family home.

Shan Wa's father gave a start; his wife was right, this was a good idea.

Good grief, they were completely latching onto their family.

The surrounding neighbors let out hisses; they were thinking quite beautifully, not only wanting to eat and live for free but also wanting to bask in the reflected glory.

Zhou You's parents frowned, subconsciously wanting to refuse.

"It is not impossible."

Zhou You said unhurriedly, "But seeing as three months are almost up, I still cannot cultivate Force, and there is no hope of becoming a full member."

"When the time comes, the martial arts hall will expel me, take back the wooden plaque, and Tu Laosan will definitely come to settle the score."

"Shan Wa's parents, at that time, our two families will share the joys and sorrows and face it together."

Face what? Extermination!

Shan Wa's parents were so scared their faces turned white; this old Zhou Family's ship was sinking fast and had no oil or water left, so it was better to stay as far away as possible.

They were unwilling to give up and made a scene for a long while, but seeing that they really couldn't squeeze any benefits out, they left dejectedly.

Later, Zhou You heard that Tu Laoer had learned of what happened that day and, furious that Shan Wa had ruined his plans, sent men to retaliate; Shan Wa's family had their house set on fire in the middle of the night, and all three were burned to charred remains, with none surviving.

That fire was quite strange; it only burned their family and did not spread to the neighbors.