Without a horse, walking was something Huangfu Jingchen was not accustomed to; from luxurious living to struggling for basic needs, it was like falling from the clouds into the mud. However, no matter how far he fell, he would never stoop to stealing or robbing, making him all the more miserable and downtrodden. This life was simply unbearable.
After chasing for two consecutive days, he was close to catching up several times, but Xia Wenjin was as slippery as an eel and managed to escape every time.
This journey, which could have been swift with fine clothes and a galloping horse, or enjoyable in a comfortable carriage, was reduced to relying on his own two legs; Huangfu Jingchen tried to persuade himself, but he was utterly frustrated.
They had clapped hands in agreement, setting a three-day deadline, and now two days had passed, yet Xia Wenjin had run so far that not even his shadow could be seen. He was determined to catch that brat and make him fulfill his promise of servitude. He was resolved to torment him and release the pent-up rage in his heart!
Yuqing County.
In the East City, there was a tofu shop owned by a widow around twenty-eight or nine years old, living with her twelve or thirteen-year-old son.
Widow Liu was unfortunate but she was beautiful. Though she wore plain clothes and didn't apply any makeup, she looked better than some of the women who did.
She used the modest earnings from the tofu shop to send her son to a private school. Today was a holiday from school, and her son came back to help her. Widow Liu was very pleased, urging him into the inner room to practice writing, while she returned to the front, planning to sell all the tofu and buy a pound of meat to make a meat soup for her son.
But today, business was poor, and there was still a whole slab of tofu unsold.
Widow Liu counted the money in her hand, still short by three coins.
Just then, the doorway darkened as someone arrived.
Widow Liu felt a surge of joy; selling this slab of tofu would leave her with an extra coin after making meat soup for her son. She immediately greeted them with a smile.
However, her smile soon froze on her face.
Four men appeared; they were all in their thirties, strong and well-built, but their faces bore leering smiles, and their eyes gazed at Widow Liu unscrupulously.
Especially the leader, with a knife scar on his face, which added a fierce look even when he smiled.
Widow Liu's heart sank; at the sight of that scar, she thought of the man who was avoided by the entire East City of Yuqing County, the tyrant Huang Liuhu, known as Huang Dabao.
This man had neither family nor proper job, idle and indulging in vices, doing anything but good deeds. He was notorious for robbery and murder, though the government lacked substantial evidence. Despite being jailed for theft and assault, he frequently went in and out of the city prison.
They entered the shop, likely not to buy tofu.
However, hospitality required, Widow Liu still forced a smile and said, "Gentlemen, would you like to buy tofu?"
Huang Liuhu's gaze roved over Widow Liu's body without hiding, which gave her chills. He chuckled sinisterly and teased, "Young lady, we're not buying tofu; how about buying you?" As he spoke, he reached out intending to lift Widow Liu's chin, his action rude and presumptuous.
Widow Liu was frightened and quickly backed away; trouble was common at a widow's doorstep. She and her son lived alone and had encountered unfriendly men before, but none dared to be so brazen.
Moreover, the three men with Huang Liuhu started teasing and laughing, forming a half-circle to vaguely trap her.
Seeing the situation was bad, Widow Liu thought to escape out the door; in the street, this gang wouldn't dare act so openly.
However, as she moved, the men anticipated her thought. Huang Liuhu stepped forward, his sturdy body blocking her firmly.
Then, the tofu shop's door was closed by his followers.
Not buying things yet shutting the door, their malicious intent was obvious. Widow Liu screamed, "What are you trying to do?"
Huang Liuhu laughed heartily, "Don't be afraid, little beauty, we'll take good care of you!"
Widow Liu couldn't believe their audacity had reached such a level. Terrified, she immediately shouted, "Help! Someone help, save me…"
Although neighbors saw Huang Liuhu's crew approach Widow Liu's tofu stall, no one dared provoke him. Upon hearing her cries, some wanted to grab a stick to confront the injustice but were dragged back by family into their homes.
These people were ordinary citizens, not daring to offend him.
Widow Liu's son, who was practicing writing in the inner room, heard the noise and hurried out, directly knocking Huang Liuhu away from his mother: "Villain, let go of my mother!"
Unprepared, Huang Liuhu was shoved by the child and felt humiliated, striking with a slap that left a red mark on the boy's face as he tumbled to the side. Widow Liu quickly protected her son.
In the chaos, there were sounds of struggling, shouting, cursing, and cries for help… all mixed, transmitting outside.
But with the tofu shop's door closed, no one dared to enter. Many neighbors looked at the door, hearing the cries within, their faces showing pity yet pretending not to notice out of fear.
At this moment, a young man in coarse clothes came over, dusty from travel, his eyes bright as stars. As he passed by, he paused his steps.
Some people pretending to be busy in nearby shops became even busier; the young man raised an eyebrow, walked toward the tofu shop, and pushed the door. It didn't move. This commotion drew the neighbors to discreetly watch.
An outsider unaware of dangers, a young calf unafraid of the tiger!
Just as a kind-hearted person was about to warn the young man to avoid trouble, the young man stepped back and kicked fiercely.
Though the tofu shop's door was wooden, under the forceful kick, it swung open with a crash.
The shop was chaotic, the ground littered with white and red.
The white was tofu, the red was blood.
Widow Liu's son was bleeding from his nose and mouth, his eyes burning with intense hatred. Widow Liu's head was injured, bleeding significantly. At this moment, she was shielding her son, as the young boy in turn protected his mother.
Huang Liuhu raised his foot, ready to stomp heavily.
Earlier, when Huang Liuhu was dragging Widow Liu, her son had bitten him in his desperation. Huang Liuhu, used to bullying others, had never suffered such a loss before. Anger surged, intending to cripple the boy.
Widow Liu blocked stubbornly, but Huang Liuhu punched and kicked ruthlessly; how could a widow and her son withstand the blows of a strong man? As Huang Liuhu stomped down, if the boy survived, he'd be left disabled.
At that moment, a loud noise was heard, followed by the pouring in of light; silhouetted in the light stood the young man in coarse clothes, his frame not large yet seemingly indomitable.
Seeing Huang Liuhu's foot about to crush down, the young man leapt forward with a kick; just as Huang Liuhu's foot almost touched Widow Liu's son, his large body was sent flying, hitting the western wall, dust rising as he crashed.
Huang Liuhu roared furiously, "Who dares to attack me?"