Chapter 39

A few days had passed since Pang Dashan had trespassed into a civilian's home. Jiang Sheng was still upset about her eldest brother getting injured, so she was no longer being nice and affectionate towards Pang Dashan. She had even stopped calling him "Big Brother Pang".

Pang Dashan was at a loss and acted like a child who had done something wrong, repeatedly asking Jiang Sheng, "Jiang Sheng, are you mad at me? Why are you unhappy?"

Jiang Sheng fidgeted with her sleeves.

She didn't know Pang Dashan could be so shameless. He had clearly colluded with the county magistrate's clerks to do that horrible thing, yet now he was asking her over and over why she was upset.

Did he really not know why?

But Fifth Brother had said not to turn against Pang Dashan for now, so Jiang Sheng could only suppress her disgust and reluctantly said, "I'm not angry, Big Brother Pang. I was just bullied by someone, so I'm a little down."

Was she bullied by the county magistrate's clerks?

Pang Dashan wanted to ask, but couldn't get the words out. He hesitated several times but stopped himself from speaking.

Jiang Sheng recalled Elder Brother Chang's instructions and forced a smile, "But it's alright. Second Brother will be going to Yunshui County to buy vegetables soon, and then we'll be able to earn money again to buy new things."

"Is that so?" Pang Dashan was startled. "When is he going?"

Jiang Sheng acted innocent and naive. "He's leaving tomorrow."

She counted on her fingers, "It's a long journey to Yunshui County. Even taking a donkey cart, it'll take three or four days to get there. Second Brother said he has to set off early so he can come back sooner. Maybe he can even make it back in time for the Lantern Festival."

Pang Dashan seemed lost in thought. "Are you all going too?"

"No," Jiang Sheng shook her head. "Second Brother said he can handle it alone now that he knows how to drive a donkey cart. More people will just take up space."

Pang Dashan looked relieved for a moment.

But soon he struggled with something, as if debating something.

Luckily Jiang Sheng had her head lowered and didn't notice. She prattled on, "I wonder what nice things Second Brother will bring back for me this time. I hope there's tasty food and fun stuff. But most importantly, I just want him to come back safe and sound."

Pang Dashan was startled and slowly lowered his head.

Time flew by.

The next day...

Jiang Sheng stood at the dilapidated temple gates, waving goodbye to Zheng Ruqian heading off into the distance.

"Second Brother, come back soon!" Cupping her hands around her mouth, she called out, "You must bring back tasty food for me!"

She kept watching until the donkey cart and Zheng Ruqian's figure disappeared from sight. Jiang Sheng then turned to Elder Brother Chang. "Fifth Brother, will the county magistrate's clerks really send people after us?"

Chang was very certain. "They will."

After just being humiliated at the dilapidated temple, the county magistrate's clerks definitely wouldn't be able to restrain themselves.

"What if Pang Dashan didn't tell them about this?" Jiang Sheng still held a thread of hope.

This time, Chang didn't answer. He only looked towards Fang Heng returning from renting the donkey cart.

Everyone - from the limping Xu Mo to Wen Zhiyun carrying the medicine chest - climbed onto the donkey cart.

Following the direction Zheng Ruqian had departed in.

Meanwhile, in the distance...

Yunshui County was directly south of Xieyang County. One could take the official road through the county town, or take a shortcut on the small paths.

Zheng Ruqian had chosen the small paths.

He had just left the Xieyang County territory when he felt something amiss.

A carriage was following behind him, not too close yet not too far, not too fast yet not too slow. Its ghostly presence was unnerving.

Zheng Ruqian didn't dare look back. He cracked the whip harder, hoping to quickly get back to the main road.

The official roads had travelers coming and going, with mounted patrols. They were the safest routes in the Great Yu Kingdom.

But the carriage seemed to detect his intent and sped up as well.

In no time, it had overtaken him.

Zheng Ruqian turned his head and saw three people on the carriage shaft - the county magistrate's clerk, someone he didn't recognize, and Pang Dashan.

His expression darkened.

Although he had suspected all along that Pang Dashan was in cahoots with the county magistrate's clerks, seeing it with his own eyes was another matter entirely.

He could only resent being outnumbered. Not knowing where his younger siblings had gone, he didn't dare resist outright. He could only crack the whip furiously, trying to shake off Pang Dashan and the other two.

But unexpectedly, these audacious people jumped from the carriage onto the donkey cart as the two vehicles drew abreast. They even snatched away his whip.

With a bray, the old donkey's iron hooves threw up sparks as it ground to a painful halt.

The carriage followed closely behind, perfectly blocking the donkey cart's way forward.

Zheng Ruqian was pinned down on the flatbed cart, his face smushed against the wooden planks, unable to move.

"How should we deal with him?" asked the one holding him down.

The county magistrate's clerk sneered coldly, grinding his teeth. "These little rabbits have very quick legs."

Quick, so they should break his legs.

The county clerk turned and dragged out a wooden rod as thick as an arm from the carriage. Raising it high over Zheng Ruqian's thigh, he prepared to strike down. In that instant, Pang Dashan's mind was suddenly filled with the image of Jiang Sheng wailing loudly. His heart stirred and he rushed forward to shield Zheng Ruqian.

"Ah..."

With an agonized shriek, Pang Dashan's arm went limp.

"Pang Dashan, have you lost your mind?" said the one pinning down Zheng Ruqian, baffled. "What are you doing? Looking to die at a time like this?"

The county clerk was even more furious. "Get lost!"

They kicked Pang Dashan aside and again raised the wooden rod, aiming at Zheng Ruqian's thigh.

Without warning, Pang Dashan charged forward once more. Clutching Zheng Ruqian tightly, he desperately pleaded for mercy, "Sir, please spare him! Please spare him! He's just a child. If you break his legs he'll be finished. Please spare him!"

The two were even more incensed now. Lifting the rod, they rained blows on Pang Dashan, showing no restraint even as he writhed and screamed pitifully on the ground.

"Damn you, you're just a dog to me. I say a couple words and you think you're human now?"

"Dare to obstruct us? We'll beat you to death first!"

The rod fell swiftly and ruthlessly like a storm.

Hidden in the shadows, Fang Heng could stand it no longer. Drawing out his staff, he charged forward, blocking and chopping.

He employed all he had learned, landing blow after damaging blow, each strike vicious to the extreme. Soon the two men were howling and had no power to retaliate.

"Who, who is it?" The county clerk wanted to see who it was.

But Fang Heng didn't give them that chance. With a staff to each head, the two vicious thugs crumpled limply to the ground. The noisy small path became quiet again.

Jiang Sheng rushed over with her brothers in tow.

Zheng Ruqian got up from the ground, looking at the passed out Pang Dashan with complex emotions.

He was clearly in league with the county magistrate's clerks. He had harmed the six siblings repeatedly. He had already become the villain. So why did he still leap forth at the critical moment?

With the dumbest method, at the most inappropriate time, he had turned traitor. Now his arm was broken and his body covered in injuries.

It left one with no choice but helpless sighs.

"What should we do with Pang Dashan?" Jiang Sheng was also conflicted. "He took so many blows for Second Brother after all."

Although Fang Heng had already been prepared to jump out at that time.

But Pang Dashan had shielded him. That couldn't be denied.

After pondering for a while, Xu Mo said, "Let's carry him onto the carriage. Little Fourth, help set his arm first."

Wen Zhiyun acknowledged and took the small medicine chest off the rented donkey cart. Climbing into the carriage, he began treating Pang Dashan's injuries.

Xu Mo and Chang, meanwhile, coldly watched the two passed out county clerks.

In Xieyang County, the county magistrate's clerks could act with impunity under his protection.

But not in Xieyang County. In another county town, especially one known for fairness and integrity, things would be different.

"Let's go, to Yunshui County."