Chapter 41 Shut Your Mouth!

Amid the roaring laughter, Zhou San’er trembled all over. Hunched low and bent at the waist, he took advantage of the startled horse that had drawn everyone’s attention and slipped out through the small grove beside the road, fleeing desperately up the mountain.

He knew very well that if he dared remain in Muer Village any longer, Li Chen would surely come looking for him.

And who was Li Chen? A man who could kill an Armored Wild Boar and even a Man-Bear. He had also slain those seven Wu family thugs. If Li Chen truly decided to trouble him, even ten of him would not be enough to survive.

What was more, with all the villagers now firmly standing on Li Chen’s side, even if Li Chen killed him outright, everyone would pretend they had seen nothing.

How could he possibly dare stay?

For the first time, he truly regretted informing on him.

Originally, Liu Chenxu had been watching him closely and was just about to give chase, but Li Chen quietly made a gesture to stop him.

Even so, his gaze remained fixed on the direction Zhou San’er had fled, cold as ice.

Xu Jiang strode over, let out a long breath, and cursed, “That bastard Zhou San’er. He’s always been sneaking around stealing chickens and dogs, never doing anything decent. Twice he even snuck into Widow Wang’s house intending to violate her. Fortunately, Widow Wang ran outside and cried for help, so he didn’t succeed. The villagers beat him half to death. I never thought he still wouldn’t learn his lesson and would commit such a despicable act of informing and framing someone. It’s an outrage to both man and heaven. I… Huh? Where’s Zhou San’er? Where did he go? I really wish we could throw that brat into a pig cage and sink him!”

Xu Jiang turned his head to look, but Zhou San’er was nowhere to be seen. He stomped his foot in fury.

“Forget it, Uncle Xu. He’s just a petty villain, not worth getting so angry over,” Li Chen said calmly. Then he cupped his fists toward the crowd. “But today, I must say thank you to all the uncles, aunts, elders, brothers, and sisters…”

At this point, Li Chen bowed deeply with his hands clasped. “Thank you!”

Yu Qingwan also performed respectful bows in all directions. Her eyes were red as she said, “Thank you, thank you all for protecting my husband like this!”

“All right, all right. We’re all from the same village, like one family. There’s no need for thanks. It’s only right,” Xu Jiang laughed heartily.

“That’s right. Chen’er killed the Armored Wild Boar and saved so many lives. He even led us to make money so we could buy grain. Indirectly, he saved everyone in Muer Village. Otherwise, people would already be starving to death!”

“Exactly. Who hasn’t seen it with their own eyes and kept it in their hearts? If anyone should be thanking someone, it’s us thanking Chen’er.”

“Even if Chen’er really had killed someone, those scoundrels deserved it.”

“Chen’er, rest assured. You’re the treasure of our entire village now. We’ll protect you with everything we have.”

The villagers spoke one after another. Yu Qingwan’s tears streamed down uncontrollably. Covering her mouth, she could not say a word, only bowing again and again in gratitude.

Li Chen felt deeply moved. He who wins the people’s hearts wins the world.

Everyone carries a scale in their heart. If you treat the people well, they will open their hearts to you.

The instructor was right. The bond between rulers and the people is not merely like fish and water. It should be a bond of flesh and blood.

If one wants to accomplish great things, one must always abide by this principle.

“Haha, well said! Truly well said!” Xu Jiang laughed loudly. “Chen’er, don’t worry. Even if Baisha Village sends more than two people, even if they all come, even if they bring officials from Pingyang County with them, we won’t be afraid. Chen’er didn’t see anything. Everyone, am I right?”

“Right!” the villagers shouted in unison, their voices thunderous.

When the people’s hearts are united, they can be relied upon.

“See? This is what it means to gather righteousness by being generous with wealth. You two should learn properly from Brother Chen,” Liu Chenxu said in a low voice to Zhao Dashan and Hou Xiaobai, his eyes filled with admiration.

“Understood,” both men nodded, deep in thought.

“Everyone, I will remember this kindness. If Muer Village ever faces trouble, I will repay it with my life!” Li Chen struck his right fist against his chest and bowed again solemnly. It was a gesture akin to a vow.

“You’re too serious, Chen’er. As long as you’re doing well and leading everyone forward, that’s enough,” Xu Jiang quickly helped him up.

“Uncle Xu, gather everyone in the village. This afternoon at late afternoon, I’ll treat everyone to a meal,” Li Chen said.

“That… is that necessary?” Xu Jiang was startled. Another feast? In a year of famine, that was like extending everyone’s lifespan.

“You all have treated me with boundless kindness. What is a mere meal? We’ll gather often in the future,” Li Chen said with a wave and a smile.

Turning to Yu Qingwan, he added, “Wan’er, finish up here and then we’ll start preparing food. You arrange the menu. There must be meat, wine, and steamed buns.”

“Understood, husband.” Yu Qingwan wiped her tears and nodded firmly.

“Oh my, Chen’er, forget the meat and buns. Sister-in-law has some here. If you want to eat, just come over,” Ma Lian said teasingly, leaning over the wall with a smile.

“Then I’ll pass. I’m afraid your husband would come back and beat me to death,” Li Chen replied, covering his eyes dramatically.

Laughter erupted from all around.

In their bleak and silent lives, such playful teasing was rare joy.

“You all start preparing. I’ll go hunt some game and be back shortly,” Li Chen said.

He returned to the house, gathered his weapons, gave a few instructions to Yu Qingwan, and headed toward the mountains.

“Aren’t there already game animals at home? Why go hunt more?” Zhao Dashan asked foolishly.

“Idiot, shut up!” Hou Xiaobai glared at him angrily.

“Why are you scolding me? I didn’t say anything wrong,” Zhao Dashan muttered, scratching his head, feeling wronged.

Li Chen followed the path down the mountain. When he reached a bend where no villagers could see him, he slipped through a patch of shrubs, climbed up the slope, and headed in the direction Zhou San’er had fled.

For a legendary mercenary king like him, tracking someone was child’s play.

Moreover, Zhou San’er was just an ordinary man who knew nothing about concealing his trail. For Li Chen, pursuing him was effortless.

After days of recovery training and improved nutrition, Li Chen’s stamina far surpassed that of an average person.

Zhou San’er, who had long suffered from hunger, could not have run far.

As he tracked him, Li Chen casually hunted along the way, shooting down a few large birds.

From a distance, he spotted Zhou San’er in a pine forest ahead, leaning against a large tree, gasping for breath and fanning himself with his hand.

“Damn you, Li Chen. Just wait. I’ll go to Baisha Village and swear that you killed someone. The Wu family there dominates the village. They have relatives working as officials in Pingyang County. No one dares offend them. If I insist you committed murder, they’ll definitely call on their relatives in the county office. Then you’ll be thrown into prison and executed after autumn!”

Zhou San’er sat there grinding his teeth in hatred.

Suddenly, a calm voice sounded from behind him. “Zhou San’er.”

“Who?” Zhou San’er jumped in fright and spun around.

The moment he lifted his head, the bowstring twanged violently. An arrow tore through the air and shot straight into his forehead, the sharp tip bursting out from the back of his skull and spraying a stream of blood.