Chapter 101: Entering the Inner City, Seeking Refuge with the Bai Family!

"Drip, drip..."

Rainwater was dripping from under the eaves.

The sky was growing darker and darker.

The two stood in a small pavilion, their expressions heavy.

One spoke in a low voice, while the other listened with head bowed.

Soon, Li Zhengshan, amidst anger and fear, told the whole story from beginning to end.

It turned out that not long after Li Zhengshan and Luo Jiaorong had married.

Li Zhengshan had taken up his ancestor's post, becoming a Constable, working at the yamen.

One day, while patrolling the streets, he received a plea for help from a woman and immediately rushed to her home, only to discover that the woman's daughter had been raped by a man.

Li Zhengshan, young and hot-blooded, beat that man and his servant on the spot, then hauled them back to the yamen.

Originally, the evidence was conclusive, with both human witnesses and physical evidence present, and he thought that the perpetrator would certainly be sentenced.

As it turned out, only two days later, that man was released.

At the same time, the bullied family also voluntarily stated they would no longer pursue the matter.

Li Zhengshan was furious and went to question that family, but they only wept and did not dare to tell the truth.

Then, another day later, when he went to find that family again, he discovered that both the mother and daughter had hanged themselves.

Li Zhengshan was filled with shock and rage and immediately went to the yamen to report it.

The result was that the County Magistrate scolded him and advised him not to meddle in other people's business.

Li Zhengshan could not swallow his anger and prepared to go to the Inner City to seek justice.

However, on that very day, the parents of the siblings Luo Zijun and Luo Jiaorong were fished out of the river, having already drowned.

The throat bones of both had been cruelly crushed by someone.

At the same time, Luo Jiaorong, who had already been pregnant, was beaten unconscious while walking in a small alley, and her stomach was kicked, nearly resulting in two deaths in one body.

"I was filled with anger, fear, and regret at that time..."

Speaking to this point, Li Zhengshan's eyes turned red, and his whole body trembled.

"Blame me, it's all my fault..."

"Before I took over this post, my father had advised me that for many things, one must keep one eye open and one eye closed..."

"That man is named Lai Da; he was originally just an ordinary servant of the Jia Family, but now... he is the head steward of the Rongguo Mansion of the Jia Family. His son is named Lai Shangrong; I heard he bought his official position with money and is serving as a County Magistrate in a neighboring county. His mother is said to be an old servant in the Rongguo Mansion who once served two generations of Dukes..."

"Back then, he brought people and came to find me personally..."

Li Zhengshan clenched his fists, his body trembling.

"He said if I meddled again, the next ones would be your sister and you... The time you were suddenly attacked and injured, it was likely also thugs he paid money to hire..."

Speaking to this point, he suddenly gave a bitter smile.

"My initial burning passion for being a Constable had completely turned to ashes after having nowhere to seek justice and seeing my family broken and dead."

"I wanted to take you and your sister away, but the yamen would not approve..."

"Without official documents, we could go nowhere..."

"That man trapped us here to die; at first, he often came over to watch our pain and fear, taking pleasure in it, but slowly, he seems to have forgotten..."

"After all, his status and position are getting higher and higher..."

"And we have become increasingly insignificant, no longer able to threaten him..."

Li Zhengshan finished saying these things, looked at him with red eyes and a face full of guilt: "Zijun, this is all your brother-in-law's fault; if it weren't for your brother-in-law..."

Luo Zijun's expression shifted, and he comforted him: "Brother-in-law, there is no need to blame yourself. Things have reached this point; what we should think about now is what to do next. The other party should know by now that I intend to take the imperial examinations, and he certainly won't let me go."

There was a moment of silence.

He said: "Brother-in-law, I want to go live somewhere else alone."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhengshan immediately refused: "No! Zijun, your brother-in-law will not let you face this alone. No matter what, our family must face this together this time. Even if we die, we will die together."

Luo Zijun said: "If I am alone, I will not necessarily die. That man is wary of me now; as long as I leave, you will be safe. I have decided to go to a place where the other party has misgivings and would not dare to act rashly."

Li Zhengshan was stunned upon hearing this and asked in confusion: "Where?"

A light flickered in Luo Zijun's eyes, and after a moment of silence, he said: "The Inner City, the mansion of some great family or official. If it is one of the other three great families, it would be even safer. After all, the other party is currently just a steward servant of the Jia Family; he is likely hiding such despicable deeds even from the head of the Jia Family, so naturally, he would not dare to act rashly toward other families."

Li Zhengshan's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said: "Right, go to the other three great families; he definitely wouldn't dare to enter!"

Immediately, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said: "Zijun, your brother-in-law has a good brother who was also a Constable at the yamen and is now a guard at a great family in the Inner City. A few days ago, after he heard that I was going to resign from this post, he enthusiastically invited me to work at that great family, and I can even bring my family. If we go there, that Lai Da would absolutely not dare to bully us again."

Luo Zijun said: "Which family?"

Li Zhengshan said: "The Bai Family! The mansion of the Second Master of the Bai Family! That is a Duke's household even more powerful than the Jia Family. Although it is the Eldest Master of the Bai Family who inherited the title, the two families live right across from each other, and the Second Master of the Bai Family is also a Fourth-Rank Official of the imperial court. As long as we move in there, that Lai Da would absolutely not dare to act rashly."

Luo Zijun pondered for a moment, nodded, and said: "There is no time to lose, brother-in-law. Since you have this channel, let us move as soon as possible. As for this house, let us sell it quickly as well."

Li Zhengshan immediately said: "I will tell your sister tonight."

Luo Zijun hurriedly said in a low voice: "Brother-in-law, please do not tell my sister about me being attacked or my injuries, so as not to worry her."

Li Zhengshan nodded and said: "I understand."

He then added: "By the way, Zijun, do not go to the Academy tomorrow. I will go and ask for leave on your behalf, saying you are not feeling well, and from now on you will study at home; you only need to report in once a month."

Luo Zijun nodded in agreement.

The two discussed for a while longer, and Xiaohuan came over to call them inside to eat.

While eating, neither of them said much.

After finishing the meal.

Luo Zijun returned to his room and got into bed.

After letting his mind wander for a while in bed, he fell asleep from exhaustion.

When Xiaohuan came in and saw that he was already asleep, she did not dare to disturb him, closed the door, extinguished the lamp, and quietly got into bed, sleeping at the other end.

And in the room opposite.

Li Zhengshan was talking to Luo Jiaorong about wanting to move to the Inner City.

After hearing this, Luo Jiaorong immediately agreed with delight: "If we can move into the Bai Family, that would naturally be best. Zhengshan, I never expected that Heiniu was actually working as a guard at the Bai Family. You really are a fool; why didn't you go sooner? Being a guard at the Bai Family is better than being a county magistrate, and it's respectable to tell people about it. You were actually still hesitating—is your brain broken? You go find Heiniu for me tomorrow and get this matter done immediately. As for the yamen, don't go there anymore."

Li Zhengshan said: "I will go to the Inner City tomorrow. I heard that if one wants to become a guard at the Bai Mansion, one still needs to undergo a background check and assessment. I will strive to get this matter finished tomorrow, and we will move as soon as possible. As for this house, you should also go to the agency tomorrow to ask about the price."

Luo Jiaorong suddenly sensed something was wrong: "Zhengshan, why are you suddenly in such a rush?"

Li Zhengshan naturally dared not tell the truth, so he said: "I decided on this matter long ago, but the errand at the yamen kept dragging on, and I wanted to wait a bit longer. But looking at it now, I reckon I can't wait any longer; who knows how long it would drag on."

Luo Jiaorong said angrily: "Exactly, how could it keep dragging on? I told you long ago to just stop going. That little bit of money isn't even as much as what our Zijun makes writing a book; it doesn't matter if we don't have it."

Li Zhengshan sighed secretly in his heart and said nothing more.

Outside the window, the night rain grew heavier.

That night, Luo Zijun had a good sleep.

Before dawn, he had already woken up.

The pain in his chest had eased a lot, and the blood stasis had also dissipated somewhat.

With his special constitution and good medicinal herbs, his body was naturally recovering quickly.

Thinking that he was about to move to another unfamiliar place, he couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy, yet also a bit expectant.

Once there, he should be safe for the time being.

However, that was a noble residence, and the people living inside were all noble personages, while they would be going there as servants; it would be inevitable to suffer some indignities then.

But compared to being able to save his life, it was all worth it.

As for the anticipation...

He naturally wanted to see with his own eyes the lives of the nobles in this world.

Once there, he should be able to learn many useful things.

If he could obtain some good cultivation techniques, that would be even better.

Right, that place was the Inner City.

When there was an opportunity, he could also go find that Liu and continue publishing books to earn money.

However, this matter needed to be handled secretly first.

If their family really went to the Bai Family, that person called Lai Da would definitely know.

Therefore, he needed to perform well at the Bai Family.

If he could gain the attention of the Bai Family's upper echelons and be valued in the Duke's mansion, then he, his sister, and his brother-in-law would be even safer, and the other party would be even less likely to act rashly.

Thinking of the Bai Family, he naturally couldn't help but think again of that eldest young lady of the Bai Family he had met at the Academy, as well as that unruly girl called Luo Diudiu.

He hoped he wouldn't run into them.

After all, he had previously struck that girl with heavy blows.

However, the Bai Family was a large clan, and the other party might not necessarily be at the mansion of the Second Master of the Bai Family.

If he really did meet them, he would just have to play it by ear.

While his mind wandered like this, it had gradually grown light outside the window.

His brother-in-law had left the house very early.

Xiaohuan had also gotten up very early to help his sister with chores.

After the two finished breakfast, they also went out together, presumably to the agency to ask about selling the house.

Luo Zijun lay on the bed for a while longer before getting up.

He suddenly remembered the matter of the Copper Mirror again, took it out to look, and saw that a reply had been added to it.

Fairy of Yaochi: 【Can't sleep】.

It looked like it had been sent last night.

Luo Zijun immediately replied with his finger: 【I can't sleep either, just woke up. Fairy, which place are you in? Are you in Great Yan?】

He suddenly discovered that his name had already changed to "Dongfang Junnan".

It could even change names automatically?

But this name looked a bit... embarrassing.

After waiting for a while, the other party did not reply.

Luo Zijun put away the Copper Mirror, thought for a moment, went to his sister's room, dragged out the box from under the bed, and after opening it, that piece of Silver Snake Skin appeared prominently.

He reached out and stroked it.

The Snake Skin was smooth, icy cold, and under the illumination of the light, it gave off an eerie luster.

He closed the box and put it directly into his own Storage Bag.

This was his swaddling cloth from when he was a child.

Since he was leaving this place, he definitely had to bring this along.

He thought for a moment.

He went to the room again to grind ink and write a letter, preparing to leave a note for his master and senior sister.

So that they wouldn't know where he had gone when they returned.

After finishing the letter, he went out.

Arriving at Bao'an Hall, he placed the letter inside the counter, took one last lingering look around the entire shop, and then closed the door and left.

Seeing that the time was still early, he went straight to the North Street.

Arriving at the entrance of Xu Xian's house, just as he was hesitating, the main gate suddenly opened.

A young girl wearing red tight-fitting clothes walked out from inside; upon seeing him, she first froze for a moment, then her pretty face sank, and she looked at him with cold eyes.

This young girl was none other than Xu Xian's younger sister, Xu Ziyin. "What are you here for?"

Before Luo Zijun could answer, she gave a cold snort and said, "I heard from Xu Xian that you like me?"

Luo Zijun: "???"

Xu Ziyin looked at him with contempt: "I heard you are always pestering him just because of me? Then let me tell you today, it's impossible! I, Xu Ziyin, only like people stronger than me, only like powerful martial artists. It could never be a scholar like you, so weak and soft that you trip while walking. You had better give up on this idea."

After saying this, she pushed him away and walked off quickly.

At this moment, Xu Xian walked out from the door and said timidly, "Brother Luo, I'm sorry, I..."

"It's nothing."

Luo Zijun did not mind and said, "I came over today to tell you something. I might not go to the Academy much in the future. Also, I am moving to the Inner City. When you go to the Academy today, please tell Su Bie and Wang Dafu for me. If there is a chance, you can come to the Inner City to find me then."

Xu Xian was stunned upon hearing this and hurriedly said, "Brother Luo, why are you moving away suddenly?"

Luo Zijun smiled and said, "Something happened at home, and my brother-in-law's job has also been transferred to the Inner City, so I have no choice but to leave."

!

Xu Xian felt a sudden sense of desolation upon hearing this.

Luo Zijun patted his shoulder and said in a low voice, "If you want to go to Tianxian Pavilion in the future, just tell Liu Mama my name, and there will be a discount."

Xu Xian lowered his head and said reluctantly, "Brother Luo, if you aren't going, I don't feel like going either."

"Why is that?"

Luo Zijun was somewhat puzzled.

Xu Xian raised his head, blushing slightly, and said, "I... I don't know either. I just feel that being with Brother Luo is quite happy..."

Luo Zijun was speechless for a moment: "But I often beat you, threaten you, not only lied to you about not taking you to the Brothel, but also snatched away your two cute little lolis."

Xu Xian was stunned: "What is a little loli?"

Luo Zijun said, "It's those two little girls, one in white and one in green."

Xu Xian thought of those two charming and cute little girls and felt a pang of heartache, but he still forced a smile and said, "That is because Brother Luo has the ability. If I were as capable as Brother Luo, naturally they wouldn't have been snatched away. Brother Luo, brothers are like limbs, women are like clothing; I will not blame Brother Luo because of women."

Luo Zijun sighed and said, "Alright, I won't delay you any longer, hurry to the Academy."

Xu Xian was silent for a moment, looked at him and said, "Brother Luo, don't be discouraged. Although my sister said that just now, Brother Luo still has a chance. With Brother Luo's talent, you will definitely be able to pass the exam for the Provincial Graduate. Once Brother Luo passes the exam, come to propose marriage, and my father and mother will definitely agree."

Luo Zijun gave a bitter smile and said no more.

The two left the small alley and parted ways at the entrance.

Xu Xian actually burst into tears, wiped his eyes and said, "Brother Luo, if there is a chance in the future, I will definitely go to the Inner City to find you. At that time, I hope Brother Luo will keep his promise and take me to... to the best brothel in the Inner City... to listen to music..."

Luo Zijun said, "Fine, next time, I will definitely take you."

Xu Xian sobbed, "Brother Luo must not lie again."

Luo Zijun said, "A gentleman's word is as good as a team of four horses! We scholars never lie!"

Only then did Xu Xian wipe his tears and leave.

After he had walked far away.

Luo Zijun finally sighed secretly, turned around, and left.

Go to the brothel?

No, he would not go to the brothel again.

He had no interest in that kind of place at all.

Rather than wasting time and energy there, it was better to practice martial arts at home and strengthen himself.

What use are women compared to a wooden dummy?

He went straight home.

There was no one at home; he went to the backyard, practiced his fist techniques a few times, and then stopped.

The wound on his chest had not yet healed, so he could not practice too much.

However, the Liehuo Finger could be practiced at any time.

He returned to his room, closed the door, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to practice the Liehuo Finger.

With yesterday's breakthrough, driving his Internal Energy into his thumb today was much smoother.

"Hiss—"

A stream of air appeared on his thumb, along with a few sparks.

At the same time, his thumb suddenly turned as red as fire.

He extended his thumb and pressed it lightly against the raw wood on the edge of the bed; a wisp of smoke immediately rose from the wood, followed by the smell of something burning.

This Liehuo Finger is indeed overbearing!

He withdrew his thumb and let the Internal Energy accumulated in his thumb slowly recede.

Then, he started over again.

"Hiss—"

After repeating this many times, the air stream sprayed from his thumb became increasingly thick.

At the same time, the sparks gradually increased.

He continued to practice.

The sun outside the window gradually rose to the zenith.

Then, it fell to the western sky.

"Hiss—"

Finally, in the evening, a small, crimson flame suddenly ignited on Luo Zijun's thumb!

The flame was like a blade, only an inch long, flickering and unstable.

But its scorching temperature and blade-like sharpness were not to be underestimated.

Luo Zijun extended his thumb, brought it close to the raw wood on the edge of the bed, and easily cut a deep blade mark into it.

Furthermore, there were scorched marks within those blade traces.

This thing is much sharper than a real blade!

Luo Zijun immediately got off the bed and went near the wall to test it; a mark immediately appeared on the wall as well.

Following that, he tested it on the table.

Just at this moment, the fire blade on his thumb suddenly flickered a few times and extinguished with a "puff."

In his Dantian Sea, his Internal Energy was empty.

It seems this fire blade consumes an extreme amount of Internal Energy.

Luo Zijun looked at the marks on the wall and the edge of the bed, very satisfied with the effect of this cultivation technique.

Given time.

Once he advances to the second stage, the power should be even greater.

At this time, the voices of his sister and Xiaohuan came from outside.

Not long after, his brother-in-law also returned.

"I went to the Su Guo Fu of the Bai Family's second master today. That place is truly huge; there are mountains, water, and even a lake inside. I entered through the back gate and walked for nearly a quarter of an hour before I saw their head steward and chief guard."

"They first investigated my background and then tested my skills; I was hired on the spot. The chief guard said I could bring you all over to live tomorrow. They will assign us a small courtyard separately, and there will even be servants to wait on us."

"You wouldn't believe it, the entire mansion is filled with maids and servants inside and out; some maids and servants even have other maids and servants waiting on them. I estimate there are several hundred maids and servants in that mansion."

"Zijun, I also heard that in the mansion of the Bai Family's eldest master, they have specifically set up a school. I heard from that head steward that an old gentleman who used to teach there asked for leave to go home and observe mourning, so the school is currently recruiting teachers. The head steward heard you are a scholar and said you can go to the mansion tomorrow to try out. The monthly pay is not small, and there is a separate small courtyard to live in, with dedicated maids to wait on you."

As soon as Li Zhengshan returned, he spoke with a face full of excitement.

It seemed he was indeed shocked by the wealth and luxury of that Duke's mansion.

Luo Zijun asked, "Does brother-in-law like this job?"

Li Zhengshan laughed heartily and said, "Like it, of course I like it. The silver paid by that mansion in one month is more than a whole year at the yamen, and it includes room and board, plus servants to wait on us. With conditions like these, how could I not like it?"

Luo Jiaorong rolled her eyes and said, "You like it now, but how many times did I tell you to quit the job at the yamen back then? You just couldn't bear to."

Li Zhengshan laughed, "It's just that I happened to run into such a good job. If there had been such a job earlier, I definitely would have quit that yamen job long ago. Compared to this, even a dog would despise the job at the yamen."

Luo Jiaorong said, "Tomorrow when you go, you must properly treat Heiniu to a meal and drinks."

Li Zhengshan laughed, "Do you even need to say that? That's a given."

Luo Jiaorong felt happy and hurriedly went to pack things.

Li Zhengshan pulled Luo Zijun to the side and whispered, "I also went to the Academy today to ask for leave for you. That Teacher Yuan agreed, letting you report to the Academy once a month. Zijun, I also ran into your Uncle Sun's daughter at the Academy, along with a little girl wearing a yellow dress who had big eyes and slightly dark skin. I told them you were going to the Inner City and could only go to the Academy once a month. Uncle Sun's daughter looked a bit sad and asked me for the address. I didn't want to tell her, but it was hard to refuse..."

Luo Zijun said, "It's fine, since you told her, then so be it."

Li Zhengshan whispered again, "That girl in the yellow dress said you kissed Uncle Sun's daughter and also touched her, is that true?"

Luo Zijun was speechless and said, "I didn't just kiss her and touch her; I even kissed and touched that girl in the yellow dress too."

Li Zhengshan: "..."

Luo Zijun said, "When we went out for an excursion, they fell into the water; I was just saving them."

After hearing this, Li Zhengshan frowned slightly, sighed, and said, "Even so, she is a girl after all. You kissed her and touched her, you..."

Luo Zijun added, "Brother-in-law, I also kissed and touched Senior Sister Ling'er."

"Ah..."

Li Zhengshan was instantly dumbfounded.

Luo Zijun spread his hands and said, "But so what? Does kissing and touching mean one has to marry them? If that were the case, whenever those thugs and hoodlums on the street saw a girl they liked and went up to kiss and touch her, couldn't they all marry them home?"

Li Zhengshan frowned, "How can you compare the two? You..."

"Brother-in-law."

Luo Zijun didn't let him continue, his gaze looking toward the direction of the Inner City, and said, "I cannot marry right now, nor can I be good to anyone. Master and Senior Sister have already left, and I actually feel a sense of relief. I don't want others to be harmed because of me."

Li Zhengshan was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "You are right. For now, we can only live our own lives first; it is indeed not appropriate to involve others."

He then patted his shoulder and comforted him, "It's fine, you study hard. When you pass the exam to become a Provincial Graduate and have a title, you won't have to be afraid anymore."

Luo Zijun nodded silently, while secretly thinking: It's not just about passing the Provincial Graduate exam, and it's not just to stop being afraid of that enemy.

If the vengeance for one's parents cannot be avenged, what right does one have to stand between heaven and earth?

The imperial examinations, martial arts training—not one can be missed.

When the time comes, he will make that head steward of the Jia Mansion personally experience what fear is, and what the despair of having one's family destroyed feels like!

After eating.

He returned to his room and, after the Young Maid fell asleep, continued to practice.

At the third watch, the Copper Mirror placed to the side lit up.

There was a reply.

Fairy of the Jade Pool: 【Liang】

Luo Zijun hurriedly replied: 【What a coincidence, I am also in the Liang Kingdom. Where in the Liang Kingdom are you? What do you do?】

After a while.

Fairy of the Jade Pool: 【What about you】

Dongfang Junnan: 【I am in Lin'an City, and I am a gentle and refined scholar】

A long time later.

Just when Luo Zijun thought the other party would not reply again tonight, a message came.

Fairy of the Jade Pool: 【I am also there, and I am a naturally beautiful and graceful fairy】

Luo Zijun: "..."

Dongfang Junnan: 【Fairy, am I only able to chat with you? What is this thing? Where did you get it from?】

This time, the other party did not reply again.

Luo Zijun lay down, his mind beginning to fantasize about life after entering the Inner City tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)