Above the Great Dao
Chapter 528 - 248 Peasants

Chapter 528: Chapter 248 Peasants

Qingzhou City in the early morning, government officials were posting notices at the city gates.

It was no longer early, with manure carts leaving the city in the third and fourth watches of the night, merchants pulling in carts of vegetables, fruits, meat, and eggs to prepare for business. By now, the area near the city gate was bustling with traffic.

On the notice board, the ranking of the wanted criminals had changed, with another horseback bandit riding a flaming horse added. It was Chen Shi, who had killed the County Magistrate on horseback, now second on Qingzhou’s wanted list.

Li Tianqing still topped the list, with the highest bounty on his head.

A young government official had just finished posting Chen Shi’s portrait when an older official poked him in the side and gestured with his mouth towards one side.

The young official looked in the indicated direction and saw the first and second ranked criminals on the wanted list approaching.

He quickly glanced at the notice board and then at the incoming individuals; indeed, they were the top two. Both were young, around twelve or thirteen years of age.

The top-ranked criminal wore a white Scholar’s Daoist robe with a black collar and a red silk belt around his waist, topped with a white-gold crown.

The second-ranked wore a light green Scholar’s Daoist robe with a purple collar, a black silk belt around his waist, and a golden yellow crown.

Both had a clear and handsome appearance and did not look like the vicious Red Horse Bandits from their exteriors.

As they walked into the city, one of them, being curious, wanted to check the notice board, while the other, more cautious, grabbed him and moved to the side.

The young official immediately drew his Xiu Chun Saber, intending to capture them, but was slapped to the ground by the elder official who shouted, "Do you have a death wish? If you don’t care for your life, I do!"

The young official tossed aside his Xiu Chun Saber, covered his face, and confusedly said, "These two criminals have a high bounty!"

"The salt envoy Lu, a great master of the Divine Descent Realm, was killed by a single strike from them. Are you seeking death?"

The young official suggested, "Let’s call more men!"

The elder official said irritably, "No amount of men would be enough for them to kill! Besides, they’ve been distributing the stolen silver in the villages; many villagers have received quite a bit. Nowadays, the reputation of the Red Horse Bandits is quite good, the rural folks hold gratitude towards them. If you really kill the Red Horse Bandits, don’t expect to survive; you’ll surely be beaten to death!"

Chen Shi and Li Tianqing walked through the streets and alleys, stopping outside a household.

This family home was small, with three main rooms and a kitchen — typically enough for a family of four or five people, though it would be crowded.

However, from the breathing within the yard, Chen Shi and Li Tianqing could tell there were seven people inside.

After waiting outside the house for a moment, someone opened the door — it was the man in black who had been performing rituals outside the God of Wealth Temple for the past few days.

Now, he was dressed in coarse hemp clothes and wore straw sandals. Though the clothes were old, they were clean.

The man, in his thirties, stepped outside and saw Chen Shi and Li Tianqing standing across the street. His face changed drastically, and he turned to flee.

Just then, a woman’s voice came from behind him, asking, "Will you be back by noon?"

The man stiffened, not daring to run, and mustered his courage to say, "I won’t be back at noon. Wife, when school is out in the afternoon, please pick up the child. I... might not be free."

Upon seeing Chen Shi and Li Tianqing, he knew his identity was compromised. Given their strength, he stood no chance against them, and fleeing might endanger his family, so he dared not escape.

A woman came out and handed him a wrapped package with a low voice, "I’ve prepared some food for you; there’s an egg and a piece of meat. You’ve been working too hard these days; don’t neglect yourself."

The man agreed, pushed her back into the house, and said, "I know, go back soon and take care of my parents."

A coughing sound came from inside.

The woman went back inside, presumably to tend to the elderly.

The man’s eyes twitched fiercely, and he, steeling himself, walked towards Chen Shi and Li Tianqing.

He was much taller than the two, but now he was terribly frightened, trembling uncontrollably.

Chen Shi said placidly, "Tell us truthfully, what is your name?"

The man trembled and replied, "Luan Disheng. Spare my family, and I’ll tell you everything!"

Chen Shi looked at Li Tianqing, and Li Tianqing said, "I am not a bloodthirsty man."

Chen Shi chuckled, "I am also known in Xinxiang as a great kind-hearted man. Brother Luan, let’s talk as we walk."

Luan Disheng asked nervously, "Where to?"

Though both claimed not to be bloodthirsty, he knew their portraits were still hanging in the top ranks on the wanted list, responsible for the deaths of several Qingzhou officials.

Li Tianqing smiled, "Wherever you go, we’ll follow."

Luan Disheng said, "I work for Master Wan, at the medicine fields. I am a Medicine Farmer for the Wan estate."

Chen Shi and Li Tianqing were amazed. Luan Disheng was definitely a master; both had seen his Five Ghosts Transporting Technique, Flying Technique, and skills in Controlling Demons!

He ranked among the top masters in the Nascent Soul Realm. If he fought back, neither Chen Shi nor Li Tianqing could confidently claim victory in a one-on-one fight.

Who would have thought such a master served as a Medicine Farmer for a wealthy family!

Chen Shi said, "Then let’s go to the medicine fields."

Luan Disheng led the two out of town, tears rolling down uncontrollably.

Chen Shi, puzzled, asked, "When you attacked us with Evil Spirits, weren’t you quite strong? Why are you crying now?"

Luan Disheng choked up, "Taking you there, I might not survive. Thinking of the sad part, my wife, child, and parents will have no one to care for them, that’s why I cried."

Li Tianqing said, "From your speech, you seem to be a learned man. Have you ever sat for the examinations?"

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