Why do people live?
The poor live for daily sustenance, to provide for their children and elderly parents.
The wealthy live for reputation, face, and to live longer and better.
And Hu Wenhui's approach caters to both.
Mr. Tang wanted Xu Dafai and the others to testify, which would naturally cost him a large sum. Considering Xu Dafai's character, he would prioritize compensating the three deceased brothers.
Even if Mr. Tang survives, his reputation would take a huge hit, which is a kind of punishment in itself.
Of course, this is still an unfair punishment, but it's the best possible outcome.
In this world, such helplessness is all too common. The idea of equality for all beings is always just a joke.
But if we act out of anger, thinking we've found justice, it does feel fair in the moment. However, once we leave, the pain and burdens are left to the families of the deceased.
The kind of people I'm talking about are everywhere, and they're even quite common.
They speak freely, they type easily, they enjoy comfort but pass on the suffering to others.
Soon enough, villagers arrived. Mr. Tang didn't resist and returned to the village with us, escorted to the village headquarters to await the police.
During this time, Mr. Tang's bodyguards made contact with Xu Dafai, offering a generous price.
Xu Dafai came to ask me what to do, and I hinted at a decision.
He went back and agreed to it.
Mr. Tang sat dejectedly on the ground, his suit covered in mud. I crouched down and asked, "Mr. Tang, are you also a member of the feng shui community?"
"No, it's all Liu Quan's manipulation!" Mr. Tang quickly replied, but I wanted the truth.
Since he was lying, the answer I sought was clear.
The entire situation played out as I had suspected, though the outcome was different from what I expected.
But through this incident, I learned another way of handling things.
At noon, the police arrived to take statements. Since our involvement wasn't deep, they only asked a few basic questions.
The body of Liu Quan and Xu Dafai were taken to the town for further questioning.
I didn't rush to leave, and went with Xu Chuang to the Qianlong Cave to collect the bodies. With the consent of the deceased's families, we buried them there.
As for Zhao Lao, the village chief had him hastily buried in the mountains.
With Xu Dafai gone and no money on me, I had no plans to take the urn back, so I asked Xu Chuang to tell Xu Dafai that once his uncle sorted things out, he should come find me in the city.
Before leaving, I was a little concerned about the Little Foot Girl, so I secretly avoided Hu Wenhui and went to the village headquarters.
I had planned to set up a sun-blocking formation to let her come out and say goodbye, but as soon as I closed the door, she appeared, looking timidly at the door and asking, "Your friend didn't come, right?"
"No, he didn't!" I smiled, guessing she was frightened by Hu Wenhui's little sun.
The Little Foot Girl nervously patted her chest and asked, "Are you leaving?"
I nodded, "I'm here to say goodbye."
When she heard this, her expression darkened. It was clear that she, too, was reluctant to part with us. After all, we were probably the first people in hundreds of years who could see and talk to her.
Seeing her like this, I felt an unexpected sadness.
But then the Little Foot Girl surprised me by asking for my address, saying she would come find me later.
I couldn't let a ghost stalk me, so I quickly waved my hand and said, "I'm just a country boy, renting a house in the city. I'll probably move in a few days."
She saw through my lie and seemed sad, but didn't ask any more questions. She lowered her head and remained silent, making me feel awkward. I scratched my head and said, "Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be on my way!"
"Mm." The Little Foot Girl quietly responded, almost like a mosquito buzzing.
I laughed awkwardly to cover the tension.
I had come to say goodbye, but somehow the atmosphere had turned strange.
Remembering that she seemed very interested in the Earth Dog Star, I quickly took out the Blood Stab and released the Earth Dog Star.
The Little Foot Girl immediately became fixated, her big eyes staring at the Earth Dog Star.
Huang Jiu sneered, turning his head to the side in disdain.
I said, "If you like him, I'll bring him to see you again after some time. Once my cultivation is higher, he'll be able to talk to you."
The Little Foot Girl blushed and hurriedly explained, "You misunderstood, I'm just curious about him. I feel like he might be my descendant."
"Ah!"
Both Huang Jiu and I exclaimed in unison, though my reaction was one of surprise, while Huang Jiu was more pleased.
"Hey! Why didn't you say so earlier? You've made your Nine Uncle suffer for days without good food!" Huang Jiu immediately perked up, turning back into his young master form.
I looked at the Earth Dog Star, feeling strangely uncomfortable.
It had once protected the country, but now, with his family right before him, he couldn't even recognize them.
It seemed that when I returned, I'd have to work hard to help them regain self-awareness as soon as possible.
The Earth Dog Star was one of these people, and Xu Dafai's brother was likely also in the Blood Stab.
After all, in those days, people of the same age in the village would often go to the frontlines together.
With a sigh, I saw Huang Jiu stretch out his hand for something inappropriate. I waved the Blood Stab and recalled the Earth Dog Star, preparing to leave after saying goodbye to the Little Foot Girl.
But as soon as I opened the door, Hu Wenhui was standing in the yard.
I quickly slammed the door shut and gestured for the Little Foot Girl to hide.
Once she disappeared, I opened the door again and greeted, "Uncle Hu, what brings you here?"
Hu Wenhui ignored my casual greeting and said, "She's very special."
"Who?" I feigned ignorance, quickly locking the door to the village headquarters.
Hu Wenhui smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't hurt her. I just have a few questions to ask."
When I couldn't fool him anymore, I said, "She's my friend, and you're also my friend…"
Hu Wenhui replied, "I know, I just need to ask a few questions. This is important to me, it concerns my wife!"
His expression was serious as he spoke, so I dared not stop him. He approached, unlocked the door, and just as he entered, the Little Foot Girl descended from the roof and performed a full bow, "Little girl Miaolian, greeting Mr. Hu."
I was going to stay nearby, but Hu Wenhui gave me a glance, so I discreetly left.
After about ten minutes, Hu Wenhui came out, and seeing the Little Foot Girl send him off with a bow, I sighed in relief.
Hu Wenhui seemed in a good mood, and as he came out, he said, "As expected of fate, the matter I've been searching for for years has finally been solved here."
I didn't know what his question was, but I guessed it must have something to do with the Little Foot Girl's warm tears.
Since it concerned his wife, I didn't ask any further.
Hu Wenhui came in his uncle's old, broken car, so the village chief didn't need to send us off.
On the way, I asked about the issue of the effeminate man, and he said, "It's not so easy to solve. You'll have to come with me."
I'd always been curious about the effeminate man's situation, so I asked, "What's up with that eunuch?"
Hu Wenhui replied calmly, "Demon Sacrifice."
I had never heard of "Demon Sacrifice," but Huang Jiu shuddered when he heard the words.