Chapter 78: Resistance

Hua Changxi followed Mao Yong to the riverside, and before they even drew near, she saw from afar a large crowd gathered by the water, some whispering among themselves, others pointing and gesturing, while a few laughed without restraint.

Looking past these people, Hua Changxi's gaze fell upon a man and a woman bound hand and foot on the riverbank.

A-Niu had been beaten black and blue; in the depths of winter, he wore only a thin, patched summer shirt and trousers, his emaciated body half-submerged in the water, his lips turned blue from the freezing cold of the twelfth lunar month.

The woman was equally disheveled, her hair loose, the buttons of her upper garment torn open to reveal a stretch of fair neck, her lower body also submerged in the water.

Disheveled as she was, the woman was truly beautiful, with a graceful figure; what caught the eye even more was that, unlike the delicate fragility of ordinary women, she possessed a distinct wild beauty.

Just now, compared to A-Niu's numbness and resignation, the woman's face had been filled with deep humiliation and defiance; pushed down, she struggled to rise, only to be pushed down again, struggling repeatedly until she finally lacked the strength to continue, lying exhausted in the river mud.

"This woman... why doesn't she know how to yield?"

Mao Yong muttered indignantly, feeling a mix of frustration at her stubbornness and pity for her plight; glancing at the silent Hua Changxi beside him, he whispered:

"This woman is named Pu Cao, a pitiful soul. Her mother gave birth to her alone amidst the reeds; with no one to help, her mother fell into the water immediately after delivery, which left her with a chronic illness, and she passed away within three years."

"After her mother died, her father quickly remarried; with a stepmother in the house, Pu Cao's life became very difficult, and before she turned ten, she was sold to Dongchi Village to become Li Liulang's child bride."

"Pu Cao was capable; upon entering Li Liulang's household, she helped her mother-in-law make and sell tofu, so in Dongchi Village, their family lived quite comfortably."

"Although Old Lady Li was somewhat harsh, Li Liulang treated Pu Cao very well."

"Before Li Liulang died, Pu Cao's eyes were always bright and sparkling; when she smiled, it was especially beautiful, making others want to smile along with her."

"Sadly, three years ago, Li Liulang went out to work with fellow villagers, encountered bandits, and was killed by them."

"Pu Cao was good-looking and had a fine figure; seeing that she had lost her husband, some men in the village began harboring thoughts of marrying her, and soon matchmakers approached Old Lady Li."

"Old Lady Li naturally did not want her daughter-in-law to remarry, and fortunately, Pu Cao herself was unwilling, stating she wished to fulfill her filial duty to Li Liulang by caring for Old Lady Li until her death, thus rejecting all families that came to propose marriage."

"At first, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law lived in relative peace, but within a few months, rumors suddenly spread through the village accusing Pu Cao of unchastity; later, others claimed she had a fate so hard it cursed her relatives, and after that, Old Lady Li treated Pu Cao worse and worse, beating and scolding her at the slightest provocation."

Hua Changxi suddenly asked, "Why is the adulterer A-Niu?"

Mao Yong, who had been immersed in recounting Pu Cao's tragic background, let out an "Ah," paused, and realized that Hua Changxi's question meant she had understood the unspoken implications in his words.

"A-Niu has an even harder fate; the moment he was born, his parents were trampled to death by a wild boar from the mountains, and by the time he was five, his grandparents had also died, leaving him as the sole survivor of his family."

"The reason he has survived until now is that the fellow is exceptionally skilled at herding cattle; by tending livestock for several wealthy families in the village, he barely scrapes together enough to eat."

"A few years ago, when I was transferred to manage the Medicine Manor, there were many cattle in the compound; seeing that he knew how to care for animals and felt sorry for his plight, I gave him a job in the livestock quarters."

"In short, A-Niu has no one to rely on, and if he dies, no one will speak up for him."

Hua Changxi listened silently without any reaction, her gaze merely shifting toward several individuals standing at the front of the crowd by the river, whose attire was noticeably superior to that of the others.

Following her line of sight, Mao Yong introduced them: "Those are Clan Leader Li of Dongchi Village and several clan elders."

At that moment, several young men from Dongchi Village began tying stones to A-Niu and Pu Cao.

Seeing that Hua Changxi still had not moved, Mao Yong grew anxious: "Once the stones are tied, they will be sunk into the river."

Hua Changxi looked at him: "You seem very tense about that woman named Pu Cao?"

Mao Yong choked up, then said awkwardly, "It's nothing of the sort."

Hua Changxi asked puzzledly, "The Medicine Manor falls under the jurisdiction of the Medical Bureau and is essentially imperial property; if you truly wished to save them, the people of Dongchi Village shouldn't dare to obstruct you, should they?"

Mao Yong's face turned bitter: "Clan Leader Li's son is a seventh-rank martial artist serving in the Jingzhao Prefecture as a seventh-rank Military Affairs Assistant Regional Commander."

He was merely a minor steward of a Medicine Manor, while the other party held an official government position; how would he dare to confront them directly?

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi's eyes flickered, and her gaze returned to A-Niu and Pu Cao.

She had interacted with A-Niu before; he was timid, shy, and bashful—she did not believe the accusation that he was an adulterer.

As for Pu Cao, she had never met her; Mao Yong clearly harbored some special feelings for her, so whether his introduction of her was true or false was hard to determine.

Sinking people into the river was something Hua Changxi could not abide; saving them would not be difficult, but the subsequent wrangling would be the real challenge.

Just as she was hesitating over how to act, she suddenly sensed a fluctuation of spiritual energy rising from the river.

Watching the ripples spreading across the water's surface, Hua Changxi narrowed her eyes.

A beast demon?

Glancing at Clan Leader Li and the others standing by the river, Hua Changxi formed a plan in her mind and decided to hold her position for now.

"Clan Leader, I was wrong."

"I don't want to die; please give me another chance; I will never dare to act recklessly again."

Just then, Pu Cao suddenly shouted toward Clan Leader Li.

Following the sound, Hua Changxi looked over to see the people of Dongchi Village tying stones to Pu Cao; she seemed terrified, continuously begging the clan leader for mercy and admitting her faults.

She clearly saw that as Pu Cao begged for mercy, a sharp light flashed in Clan Leader Li's eyes—the look of a predator whose prey was finally within reach.

Seeing Pu Cao beg for mercy, Mao Yong fell silent, his face bearing an expression of disappointment.

Clan Leader Li first conferred briefly with several clan elders, then stepped forward: "Pu Cao, let me ask you: did A-Niu force you?"

Pu Cao glanced at A-Niu, who had already been bound with stones and lifted onto a bamboo raft, then lowered her head: "Yes, it was A-Niu who forced me."

Hearing these words, some emotion finally appeared on A-Niu's previously numb face; looking somewhat incredulous, he stared at Pu Cao for a moment before sadly closing his eyes.

Pu Cao did not dare to look at him, instead staring fixedly at Clan Leader Li: "Clan Leader, it was A-Niu who forced me; I have not been unchaste; please spare me."

Clan Leader Li whispered again with several clan elders for a moment, then addressed the villagers by the river: "Considering that Pu Cao was forced and is a victim, we shall not sink her; we will sink only the instigator, A-Niu."

The villagers whispered among themselves, but no one dared to stand up and oppose Clan Leader Li.

"Thank you, Clan Leader, thank you, Clan Leader."

Pu Cao kowtowed several times in the direction of Clan Leader Li with immense gratitude, then asked the villagers beside her to untie her.

Enduring the villagers taking advantage of the situation to grope her, once her hands and feet were free, Pu Cao jogged toward Clan Leader Li, looking exactly like someone terrified out of their wits seeking protection.

Clan Leader Li watched Pu Cao approach with a smile, thinking to himself that women simply needed to be disciplined; if she had obediently submitted to him earlier, nothing would have happened, yet she only obeyed after he invoked clan law.

Once Pu Cao stood behind him, Clan Leader Li waved his hand to his clansmen by the river: "Push A-Niu into the river..."

Before he could finish speaking, Clan Leader Li felt a sharp pain in his neck, followed by someone locking their arm around his throat.

"Do not touch A-Niu!"

With one hand locking Clan Leader Li's throat and the other wielding a sharp wooden hairpin, Pu Cao stabbed it fiercely into his neck; within moments, the flowing blood had dyed Clan Leader Li's collar red.

"Ah~"

The sudden scene shocked everyone present.

"Pu Cao, release the Clan Leader immediately."

Seeing Clan Leader Li struggling, Pu Cao increased the pressure in her hand: "I advise you not to move, or this hairpin in my hand will surely pierce through your neck."

Clan Leader Li dared not move, but he was furious: "Pu Cao, I kindly spared you....."

"You spared me?"

"Pah!"

"Something less than human like you deserves to be Clan Leader? Liu Lang was your nephew within five degrees of mourning; after his death, you actually wanted to seize his wife. Are you even human?"

Pu Cao's expression grew agitated as she looked at the villagers of Dongchi Village: "The day before yesterday, the Clan Leader summoned me to his home. Before many words were exchanged, he started groping me. Ah Niu, who had gone to return an ox, heard my cries for help, came over to rescue me, and was then resented by this old wretch. Yesterday, he orchestrated a scene of catching us in adultery to force my submission and kill Ah Niu."

"Don't you all know what kind of person Ah Niu is?"

"Although I am a widow whose husband has died, I do not lack young men coming to propose marriage. I rejected so many strong, young men, yet supposedly favored this toothless old thing. Are you blind, or am I blind?"

"You people just watch the show. Best pray you never marry a beautiful wife, or if this old wretch takes a fancy to her, what happened to Ah Niu and me today will be your fate."

Hearing Pu Cao's outcry, the villagers of Dongchi Village fell into an unusual silence.

"Everyone, do not listen to Pu Cao's nonsense; she is merely an unchaste woman with a fate that hardens against kin, a wanton slut."

An elder of the clan stepped forward, pointing at Pu Cao with righteous indignation.

Seeing everyone remain silent, Pu Cao gave a sorrowful smile, tears glistening in her eyes. She tilted her head back to prevent them from falling, then continued: "I know I cannot survive, but Ah Niu is innocent. He is also a person of Dongchi Village, one you watched grow up. Let him go."

Lying on the bamboo raft, Ah Niu looked at Pu Cao fighting for his chance to live; his expression was no longer wooden, showing signs of being moved.

Seeing no one move, Pu Cao increased the force in her hand and looked at Clan Leader Li: "Old wretch, if you want to live, order Ah Niu's release. Otherwise, even in death, I will drag something less than human like you down to hell with me."

At this moment, Clan Leader Li was truly both furious and enraged; he shouted at someone in the crowd: "What are you waiting for? Kill this bitch for me immediately."

As soon as the words left his mouth, everyone saw a dagger fly out, shooting straight toward Pu Cao.

The dagger was too fast. Just as everyone thought Pu Cao was surely doomed, a "snap" sounded as the dagger struck something, deflecting its path. By sheer coincidence, it embedded itself in Clan Leader Li's shoulder.

"Ah~"

Clan Leader Li being struck by the blade was beyond everyone's expectation; even Pu Cao paused for a moment before bursting into laughter: "Old wretch, even Heaven finds you disagreeable."

Mao Yong scanned the surroundings, then looked at Hua Changxi, somewhat puzzled. The girl hadn't moved, so who deflected the dagger?

Just then, a sharp-eyed villager pointed at the river and shouted: "Look quickly, the bamboo raft is drifting away."

Originally, villagers were supposed to pole the raft to the middle of the river and throw Ah Niu, tied to stones, into the water, but now the raft was drifting away on its own.

Next, a strange scene unfolded: layer upon layer of waves rose on the river surface, and a whirlpool appeared in the center.

The waves possessed great force; crashing against the raft, they capsized it directly, causing Ah Niu atop it to fall into the water.

"Ah Niu!"

Seeing Ah Niu fall into the water, Pu Cao forgot all about Clan Leader Li. She ran swiftly to the riverside, jumped in with a "splash," and swam quickly toward the raft.

"Heavens, what is that thing?"

In the middle of the river, a fish fin appeared, wider than a door.

The fish fin was rushing rapidly toward the spot where Ah Niu had fallen.

"It's a ferocious beast!"

Because they lived near the mountains, the villagers of Dongchi Village were not unfamiliar with ferocious beasts, but they never expected one to be in the river, and they were thoroughly frightened.

After all, many village women usually came to the riverside daily to wash clothes.

The villagers quickly retreated from the riverside, while Pu Cao struggled desperately toward the spot where Ah Niu had fallen.

She was an excellent swimmer; she soon reached the location, dove headfirst into the river, and shortly after dragged Ah Niu back to the surface.

By now, the fish fin was only a few meters away from the two of them.

Pu Cao felt somewhat despairing; gritting her teeth, she swam with all her might. Despite her immense fear, she did not abandon Ah Niu, who had already choked and fainted.

Feeling the powerful push of the water waves behind her, Pu Cao knew the ferocious beast was about to arrive. Clinging tightly to Ah Niu and preparing to meet her end, suddenly her arm tightened, and next, she found herself flying through the air.

By the time she regained her senses, she and Ah Niu were already safely on shore.

Pu Cao looked up and saw a somewhat petite figure.

It was actually a young lady who had saved them!

Hua Changxi walked over to Ah Niu, pressed a few times on his chest, and he spat out several mouthfuls of water before slowly regaining consciousness. Seeing Hua Changxi, he paused for a moment: "Young Lady Hua..."

At this moment, the ferocious beast in the river revealed itself; it was a giant fish several meters long, its mouth gaping wide like a black hole, capable of swallowing a person whole.

Having failed to eat anyone, the Fish Demon became irritable, constantly slapping the water with its tail, causing the river surface to roar "boom, boom, boom."

Hua Changxi looked at the Fish Demon circling in the river, then turned to Clan Leader Li, who was so frightened he needed support to stand: "I can resolve this ferocious beast for you, but these two people must come with me."

Before Clan Leader Li could react, several clan elders spoke up first: "Ah Niu and Pu Cao are sold to you, Young Lady; please kill this ferocious beast quickly."

Worried about future troubles, Hua Changxi added: "I want their deeds of servitude."

The several clan elders replied: "Once the ferocious beast is killed, we will immediately write them for you."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi, unafraid they would renege, kicked up a stone from the riverbank. The stone, imbued with spiritual energy, shot through the air, struck the fish's head, and exploded it instantly.

"Boom~"

The Fish Demon sank into the river; within moments, that section of the river water turned red.

The ferocious beast was killed too simply; the people of Dongchi Village had not yet reacted.

Hua Changxi looked at the several clan elders: "You can now write the deeds of servitude for me."

The several clan elders immediately ordered someone to fetch brush and ink.

"Wait a moment~"

Clan Leader Li suddenly spoke, stopping the villagers.

Hua Changxi narrowed her eyes slightly: "Are you intending to renege?"

Just as Clan Leader Li was about to speak, the martial artist who had earlier thrown a dagger from the crowd tugged at his sleeve and shook his head at him.

Mao Yong also hurried over and whispered, "Clan Leader Li, this young lady belongs to Old Man You."

Upon hearing this, Clan Leader Li's expression grew gloomy; the searing pain in his neck and shoulders reminded him that he had nearly been harmed by that wretch Pu Cao.

"Pu Cao is the Li family's daughter-in-law..."

"She is no longer."

An old woman with a face etched by hardship stepped out from the crowd.

The old woman looked at Pu Cao and stated expressionlessly, "Today, before the entire village, I divorce Pu Cao on behalf of my deceased son."

Saying this, she pulled a pre-written letter of divorce from her bosom, walked up to Pu Cao, and flung it at her.

"Mother~"

Pu Cao gazed at the old woman, her face filled with sorrow.

The newcomer was none other than Pu Cao's mother-in-law, Old Lady Li.

Old Lady Li looked at Pu Cao coldly: "You are no longer the Li family's daughter-in-law; get out of Dongchi Village immediately and never show your face here again."

With that, the old woman turned to leave.

"Mother~"

Pu Cao called out once more, her voice laden with reluctance and anguish.

Hearing this, the old woman's body trembled slightly, but she did not look back, departing in silence.

Pu Cao's eyes reddened as she kowtowed three times toward the old woman's retreating figure.

Hua Changxi glanced at the several clan elders; having already grown dissatisfied with Clan Leader Li due to Pu Cao's exposure of him, they ignored him, ordered paper and brush brought forth, and swiftly drafted the indenture contracts for the two.

"From this day forth, the Li clan shall have no members named Li Aniu or Li Miaoshi."