Chapter Twenty-Five: The Reluctant Departure

  "It's not entirely Guo Yi's fault. His mistake was that he knew he was wrong, but didn't know how to repent." Ding Heng sighed. He also understood that if the imperial court had issued salaries on time, so that everyone had something to rely on for food and clothing, and their families had something to depend on, Guo Yi wouldn't have gone down this path, and wouldn't have made mistakes that couldn't be corrected in the end.

  "This..." All the soldiers stopped talking. They also understood that none of them had not received favors from Gao Yi before. And now it seems, most of these goods were obtained through transactions between Gao Yi and the bandits on Panlong Mountain. In that case, isn't everyone present colluding with the bandits? If this gets out, no one can escape being implicated, no one can escape punishment.

  All the soldiers' eyes involuntarily turned towards Ding Heng. It seems that things have become more and more complicated.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, I have an idea, would you like to hear it?" Seeing this scene, Ding Heng smiled slightly.

  "Tell me more!" Concerning their own safety, all the soldiers immediately held their breath and perked up their ears.

  "Gentlemen, Gao Yi's current situation is largely his own doing. However, he did have dealings with the bandits at Panlong Mountain, and to some extent, it was for the sake of saving his brothers' lives, which can be considered somewhat justifiable. I'm sure everyone understands that if this matter were reported truthfully, no one would be able to escape involvement. After all, colluding with bandits is a crime punishable by beheading."

  "So?" Ding Heng paused for a moment, looking at the stunned soldiers, and said again, "In my personal opinion, General Gao and the bandits of Panlong Mountain colluded, this is purely an unfounded rumor. General Gao was trying to save the people of the whole city, fighting fiercely with the bandits of Panlong Mountain, unfortunately sacrificing himself in the process. He is indeed our good general. What do you all think?"

  After finishing speaking, Ding Heng calmly looked at the soldiers. "Right, that's it!" After a brief silence, a quick-witted soldier immediately shouted out, "General Gao was fighting to save the people of the whole city and unfortunately died in battle with the bandits."

  "Yes, yes! Deputy Commander Ding and General Gao fought the bandits to the death and unfortunately sacrificed themselves. This is what I saw with my own eyes!" Another clever soldier spoke up.

  "That's right, that's right!"

  ……

  In an instant, everyone was unanimous. Ding Heng nodded in satisfaction, "The martyrdom of General Gao is a great loss for our Yan State army, but fortunately, the heavens have opened their eyes and allowed us to annihilate the rebels, ensuring the safety and well-being of the people. General Gao, you can rest in peace now."

  "Yes, yes, General Gao, rest in peace!" At this time, all the soldiers understood. However, among so many people, there was still one who didn't know what to do.

  "This...this......aren't you guys just bullshitting?!" Hearing the crowd's words, Xiao Chen's jaw almost dropped, and after a long time, he finally spat out such a sentence. In an instant, all the soldiers glared at Xiao Chen with anger in their eyes.

  "Xiao Chen, do you understand? This way, whether it's for you, me, Gao Yi or all the brothers, is the best way to solve the problem. Do you understand?" Ding Heng stared tightly at Xiao Chen's eyes.

  "This... I understand!" Xiao Chen furrowed his brow and thought for a moment before slowly nodding. In fact, Xiao Chen was also an extremely intelligent person; facing such matters, the only thing he lacked was life experience.

  "Xiao Chen, you'd better leave! Get out of Jiayuan County City, the farther the better!" Ding Heng suddenly fell his face, "Although Gao Yi colluded with the thieves, he deserved to die. But he was a general after all, even if we wanted to deal with him, at least we should have handed him over to the authorities. And you're just an ordinary citizen. An ordinary citizen killing a court general is a capital offense. Xiao Chen, I'll let it go because of your contribution to saving Jiayuan County. To avoid implicating more people, you'd better leave quickly!"

  "I understand, Deputy Commander Ding!" Xiao Chen lowered his head. Not a single word that Ding Heng said was wrong, no matter how much Gao Yi deserved to die. It wasn't something he could do himself. After all, only law enforcement agencies had the right to punish evil and promote good.

  "Xiao Chen, you have done a great job in capturing the thief. The reward that is due to you will not be reduced. Here, take this!" Ding Heng threw over a heavy bundle, "There are some dry rations and money inside. This is all I can help you with for now!"

  "Thank you!" Xiao Chen tightly grasped the bundle in his hand. He first looked at Ding Heng, then gazed up at the sky. On the horizon to the east, a faint fish-belly white had begun to appear, and it seemed that dawn was breaking. But although the sky was gradually brightening, Xiao Chen's heart was growing increasingly gloomy.

  "Then I'll take my leave!" Xiao Chen didn't hesitate, after all, when one is away from home, these things are necessary. Xiao Chen took the thick package and slung it over his shoulder, heading straight out of the city. Xiao Chen had no idea why he was here or what he was supposed to do here, all he knew was his own name: My name is Xiao Chen.

  "Wait, Xiao Chen'en, take me with you!" Just as Xiao Chen stepped out of the city gate of Jiayuan County, a gentle and sweet voice like a spring water sounded behind him. Xiao Chen turned his head to see a delicate and elegant girl standing in front of him. Xiao Chen immediately realized that this panting girl was none other than the one he had saved last night, named Liu Lan.

  "Xiao Chen, you saved my life, I, a humble girl, will never forget this kindness. I have nothing to repay you with, but I am willing to be your servant or maid for the rest of my life and serve Master Xiao!" Liu Lan bowed deeply towards her savior. She was a beautiful girl, and also a kind-hearted one, repaying kindness was her inherent virtue. After finishing her grandfather's funeral, she rushed out as soon as she heard that Xiao Chen had left Jiayuan County.

  "Liu Lan, no, Liu girl, don't be like this. I fought with the bandits last night because I had no choice, not specifically to save you. Remember, you owe me nothing, you don't have to do anything to repay me, just go and do what you should do!" Xiao Chen was flustered, he didn't even know where he came from or where he was going. He also didn't know what he wanted to do, nor did he know if he could survive on his own? And now, suddenly a beautiful girl appeared wanting to be his maid, what's the connection?"

  After finishing speaking, Xiao Chen ran away immediately. However, Liu Lan was not willing to let go of her lifesaver so easily. As soon as she saw her lifesaver running away, she quickly chased after him.

  "Benefactor, Grandfather Liu Lan is dead. In this world, I am now without a home or support. And now, Jiayuan County has become a place of sorrow for me, and I do not wish to stay here any longer. If you, benefactor, are unwilling to take me in, how can I go on living?" Liu Lan called out to Xiao Chen as she chased after him, panting with exhaustion.

  "No way, Liu girl, I don't even know where I'm going myself, how can I drag you down with me?" Xiao Chen quickened his pace to get rid of her as soon as possible.

  Liu Lan hastened her pace, but she was after all a weak and frail woman. No matter how hard she tried, the distance between her and Xiao Chen only grew further apart. Liu Lan became anxious. She fell to the ground with a thud, covered her face with her hands, and began to sob.

  "Xiao Nang, don't be like this, get up quickly!" Xiao Chen panicked, his legs seemed to have been filled with lead, and he couldn't move them again. After a brief hesitation, Xiao Chen had no choice but to turn back. A kind-hearted man can never bear to see a weak woman cry in front of him, especially such a kind and beautiful one.

  "Benefactor, a weak girl like me would surely die if no one takes care of her. Since you won't take me in, I might as well die." Liu Lan suddenly stood up and looked around, her eyes falling on a withered old tree in front of her. She closed her eyes and rushed towards the tree, ready to knock herself out. Her only relative, her grandfather, had passed away, and this refined-looking young man didn't want to take her in either. With no hope left and no one to rely on, what was the point of living? Might as well die by crashing into the tree, and that would be the end of it.

  In front of the withered old tree, was it still crooked? There was also a woman who wanted to seek death here? As these scenes added up, why did he have an eerie feeling? Xiao Chen's body shook, and he suddenly took a step forward.

  She thought she would hit her head and bleed, but Liu Lan only felt a softness at the point of contact on her forehead. She looked up in confusion and found that her head was buried in a man's fiery chest. "Benefactor, don't stop me, let me go die!" Liu Lan struggled.

  "Willow girl, you mustn't do anything foolish!" Xiao Chen panicked. In order to prevent the other party from seeking death, he could only tightly hold Liu Lan in his arms.

  "Benefactor. Let me go die, my grandfather is dead, and you won't take me in, what's the point of me living?" Xiao Chen's arms were still struggling with Liu Lan.

  "Liu girl, you're so young and beautiful. The road ahead is long, why take your own life?" Xiao Chen could only tightly hug her in despair.

  "A helpless and weak woman, what future is there to talk about? Let go, let me die!"

  "I won't let go, you can't give up on living, I'll never let go!"

  "You can't take me in? Then let me go die!"

  ……

  An interesting scene unfolded. A lovely girl was struggling desperately in the arms of a handsome young man, who was holding her tightly and muttering something to himself. At first glance, it really sparked one's imagination.

  "Alright, alright, from now on you can follow me! I'm afraid of you!" Xiao Chen finally gave in, his head throbbing with anger.

  "Really?" Liu Lan slowly stopped struggling and her crying also slowly disappeared.

  "I'm not going to cheat you out of a girl!" At this time, Xiao Chen could only smile bitterly.

  "Oh!" Liu Lan lowered her head, her voice also becoming barely audible, and her struggles slowly came to a stop. "Benefactor, can you let me go?" It wasn't until Liu Lan had calmed down that she realized the ambiguous position she was in with Xiao Chen. Since childhood, she had never been in such close contact with any man. Liu Lan's face turned red, and when the strong masculine scent from Xiao Chen's body reached her nose, a flush spread across the beautiful girl's cheeks, making her even more flustered.

  "Sorry." Xiao Chen hastily apologized. Xiao Chen also felt something was off, and he quickly let go of his hand. Xiao Chen's handsome face also turned red, as if there was a small deer jumping up and down in his heart.

  The two of them stopped talking, standing there foolishly, neither daring to look at the other. The long silence was quiet enough that they could almost hear each other's heartbeat. "Well, Miss Liu, we should get going." Xiao Chen was the first to speak up.

  "Yes, benefactor!" The beautiful girl said softly with a red face.

  "Liu girl, you'd better still call me Xiao Chen, benefactor, benefactor, it makes me feel uneasy all over." Xiao Chen said with a bitter smile.

  "Then you're not allowed to call me Liu Niang, just call me Liu Lan directly!" Liu Lan blinked her beautiful and bright big eyes.

  "Alright, Liu Lan!" Xiao Chen smiled. Actually, he also felt that calling her by name directly was more natural.

  "Ah, Xiao Chen. Where are you from and where are you going?" The cheerful girl's voice was extremely charming.

  "This, this, I don't know either." Xiao Chen shook his head after thinking for a while. After all, when he came out of the underworld, Cui Panguan had sealed part of Xiao Chen's memory with a jar of Meng Po's cooling tea.

  "What? Xiao Chen, have you lost your memory?" Liu Lan covered her own mouth. Damn it! Why did she ask such a question? This would evoke the other person's painful memories.

  "Maybe!" Xiao Chen smiled casually. In fact, his own heart was also eager to know who he was, why he was here, and what he would do next.

  "Sorry!" Yan Lan's voice became even lower and more inaudible.

  "It doesn't matter, I think one day I'll remember, and before that, let's just go with the flow!" Xiao Chen shrugged indifferently, "Liu Lan, let's get going!"

  "Ah, Xiao Chen, this is for you!" Liu Lan handed over a small scroll to Xiao Chen.

  "What is this?" Xiao Chen took it with a puzzled expression and opened it for a look.

  "Xiao Chen, I suppose you're still resentful about being forced to leave Jiayuan County City? I understand your feelings at this moment, but I also hope that Brother Xiao Chen can understand my difficulties. Although Gao Yi's crimes are heinous and his death is well-deserved, you should know that the wealth obtained by Gao Yi's collusion with the Panshan bandits didn't all go into his own pocket. His subordinates almost all got some benefits, whether they were aware of it or not. Let's not discuss this further. One thing I do understand is that since ancient times, officials and bandits cannot coexist. If this matter is pursued, those people will likely meet a bad end, and may even implicate their families."

  "For the sake of one person, many soldiers and their families are implicated. You, being a good person, probably don't want to see this happen either? Xiao Chen brothers, you should also understand that the best solution is for you to quietly leave. This way, big things can be made small, and small things can be eliminated. Good brother, I just want to let you know that this matter is my debt to you. After a few days, when this matter has subsided a bit, you can sneak back into Jiayuan County City to find me. Don't worry, at that time, I will definitely compensate you heavily."

  "Ah, I see!" Xiao Chen laughed with a clear and open heart, the gloom that had been weighing on his mind finally dispersed at this moment. As for returning to Jiayuan County again after a few days to accept Ding Heng's compensation? Forget it, he didn't want to go back to that place anymore. Xiao Chen crumpled up the paper in his hand and tossed it aside, letting it drift away with the wind.