"No, I heard that Tong San was killed by the Immortal Lord hiding in his courtyard." Another soldier took a bite of his ration, leaned over and said, "I heard Tong San liked Immortal Lords, brought one back from Jiangnan secretly, and kept it in his courtyard for his own amusement. After an incident happened at the Tong family last night, that Immortal Lord was innocently implicated and in fury, killed Tong San."
"Ah, nonsense! Both of you are wrong." Section Leader Shi, carrying a food box just sent from his sisterâs home, told the two soldiers: "My brother-in-law said, Young Master Tong San knew about the incident at the Tong family, wanted to escape with valuables, but he didnât want to take the Immortal Lord. However, after being entangled by the Immortal Lord, refused to leave and accidentally killed the Immortal Lord, which was just witnessed by Squad Leader Song and the others. Tong Sanâs matter was exposed, knowing his life was ruined, he hit the wall and died. Otherwise, would he have committed suicide with his temperament?"
Tong San was a tough person, most like Elder Tong, wouldnât give up until facing a dead end. If he hadnât been caught killing someone, he absolutely wouldnât have chosen death.
Section Leader Shiâs brother-in-law was Constable Liu, working with Squad Leader Song, having some status in the government office, and personally participated in the siege of the Tong family last night, so everyone believed Section Leader Shiâs words.
"Section Leader Shi, so Tong San is really dead?" The soldiers guarding the city were quite gossipy too, surrounded Section Leader Shi and asked: "Section Leader Shi, what exactly happened with the Tong family, did Tong San really like Immortal Lords? If you know, please tell us quickly."
Having listened to gossip all day, their hearts itched with curiosity, they desperately wanted to know the details of the incident involving the Tong family.
Section Leader Shi glanced at them, chuckled and said: "You bunch are acting like village gossipers, such gossips. Alright, since you want to know, Iâll tell you."
Section Leader Shi, while eating the meal sent from his sisterâs house, told the soldiers about the Tong familyâs matters, making a bunch of young soldiers who had never seen an Immortal Lord widen their eyes in shock, everyone looking dumbfounded.
Indeed remarkable, who knew such things could happen in the world.
...
Liu Wenqing was secretly taken from Tongâs Residence by Grand Old Master Liuâs permission before dawn under Magistrate Shiâs approval. He didnât return home but instead stayed at Grand Old Master Liuâs house.
It was because Old Master Liu Erâs household rules were lax, the women there had many thoughts, Grand Old Master Liu feared Liu Wenqingâs appearance upon returning would be seen by the women at home, revealing something. After some consideration, he brought Liu Wenqing back to his home, planning to let him stay for a while, until he recovered, before sending him back home.
The two families were close relatives, Liu Wenqing staying at his granduncleâs house for a few days wouldnât be questioned.
Liu Wenqing was dazed all day, had a high fever in the morning, which only subsided when it became dark.
Upon waking and seeing his father along with Liu Wenqing, he was dazed for a moment, then suddenly grabbed the empty medicine bowl by the bed, and smashed it hard toward Liu Wenqingâs head.
With a clanging sound, Liu Wenqingâs head was hit, blood gushing out, flowing down his cheeks.
Liu Er was stunned, hurriedly grabbed Liu Wenqingâs hand and said, "Brother Qing, what are you doing, this is your cousin Qing; he brought your granduncle to rescue you, how can you hit him."
Liu Wenqing was also shocked by his own actions, but the moment he saw Liu Wenqing, immense hatred surged in his heart, feeling that his current plight was all due to him, unable to hold back, instinctively smashed him.
Liu Wenqing covered his head, stared at Liu Wenqing, scaring him with a jolt, fearing Liu Wenqing would beat him up like when they were kids.
But Liu Wenqing didnât; he looked at Liu Wenqing, suddenly knelt down with a thud: "Iâm sorry, I was wrong when I was a child, shouldnât have bullied you. If you want revenge, just keep hitting me."
Spoke sincerely, even with a hint of sobbing, stunned Liu Wenqing, who blurted: "Liu Wenqing, have you gone mad?"
Liu Wenqing actually apologized to him, even knelt down, didnât retaliate after being hit; itâs not madness, is it being possessed by ghosts?
Liu Er quickly said upon hearing: "Brother Qing, apologize to your cousin Qing; he saved you, you cannot be ungrateful."
Liu Wenqing said: "Uncle, you donât need to scold Wenqing, itâs my fault. If it werenât for me scolding him, looking down on him, hitting him when we were children, he wouldnât have thought about relying on Tong San."
Liu Wenqing thought the same as him, did the same thing as him, but the only mistake was Liu Wenqing didnât expect Tong Sanâs liking for Immortal Lords, nearly getting trapped because of it.
"Shut up, Liu Wenqing shut up!" Liu Wenqing hearing the name Tong San, immediately lost control, pointed at Liu Wenqing, shouting: "Itâs you who harmed me, youâre the cause of all my troubles. If it wasnât for you, how would I have... how would I have..."
Liu Wenqing couldnât continue, started sobbing loudly.
Grand Old Master Liu, fearing Liu Wenqing might have some mishap, always stayed outside, heard it for a while and finally couldnât hold back, came in, stared at the crying Liu Wenqing and said: "Shut up, why are you crying? Are you a man or not?!"
These words worked, Liu Wenqing immediately stopped crying to prove he was a man.
But he felt very wronged, nose twitching continuously, occasionally letting out sobs, looking pitiful.
Grand Old Master Liu said: "Wenqing bullied you when he was young, it was his mistake. If you feel itâs not enough, just throw another porcelain bowl at him, even killing him. Yet, you must not continue being confused, or your life will truly be ruined."
He continued: "Your matter, Magistrate Shi has suppressed it, not a word will spread, Tong San is dead, the matter has wholly passed, so you can rest assured."
"Tong San is dead?!" Li Wenqing hearing the news of Tong Sanâs death, was stunned, immediately got up, staggered rushing towards Grand Old Master Liu, clinging to his arm and asked: "Granduncle, what did you say, Tong San is really dead? How did he die? Did God take him owing to his wickedness?"
Grand Old Master Liu seeing his pale face, unable to stand steadily, fearing he might fall, instead supported his arm and said: "Yes, Tong San is indeed dead; he had a conflict with the Immortal Lord hiding in his room, accidentally killed the Immortal Lord, which was caught by Squad Leader Song searching for Tong family men. Tong San knew he was finished, unwilling to be caught, hit the wall and died."
"Hahaha, dead, finally dead, Heaven has eyes!" Liu Wenqing laughed loudly, laughed till almost choked, then sobbed again, cried till nearly suffocating.
This time Grand Old Master Liu didnât scold him, letting him cry to his heartâs content.
After his sobbing subsided, he said: "Wenqing, everything is over, no one knows about your matter with Tong San, and Tong San didnât succeed. You are innocent, donât dwell too much, let it pass from your heart, or this life will be wretched."