The villagers parted, clearing a path.
The mad scholar, a poultice still on his face, walked over, leaning on a crutch Chen Ye had made for him.
The old village chief frowned and cautioned, "Mad scholar, now is not the time for you to be causing more trouble."
But the mad scholar threw his head back and laughed. Shen Ningning had never seen him look so spirited and full of life, his face flushed with color.
He reached out his hand, guided by his senses. "Good disciple! My very own good disciple!"
The little one quickly went forward to support him. "Mad scholar, what are you doing here?"
"I heard someone was trying to twist right and wrong, aiding the wicked. Of course I had to come out and hear for myself how shameless they could be. Fortunately, my teachings on the wisdom of the sages were not wasted on you. I support you. We must clear the Wu family's name."
The mad scholar was so moved that his eyes welled up with tears.
