Chapter 67: Pleading with the Immortal for Help
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation.
Wang You Cai’s face turned ashen.
Having been stomped on by Third Master Feng, he felt as though his internal organs were on the verge of shifting out of place. If more people joined in, he would undoubtedly lose his life.
“Third Master! Please, no! Don’t stomp on me! I don’t want to die! Please, spare me!”
Wang You Cai sobbed uncontrollably, his cries echoing with despair.
Most of the people in the small town had roots tracing back generations, inevitably leading to connections of kinship or familiarity.
One of the patrons in the tavern couldn’t bear to watch and shouted, “Third Master Feng, please show some mercy and give Wang You Cai a bit more time!”
Wang You Cai’s father, Wang Yuan Wai, had been a renowned wealthy landowner and philanthropist. Generous by nature, he regularly funded public works like bridge and road repairs, earning him the gratitude of many in the town.
Encouraged by the first plea, others also spoke up.
“Third Master Feng, back when Wang Yuan Wai was alive, he did so much for the town. That road outside your house was paid for by him. For his sake, won’t you give Wang You Cai another chance?”
“Yes, the Wang family might be in decline now, but even a broken ship has some nails. Perhaps, if given a bit more time, Wang You Cai could find something of value to repay his debts.”
“Exactly, Third Master Feng. Wang You Cai has no money right now. Even if you kill him, you won’t get anything. Why not sit down and negotiate a compromise?”
“…”
Hearing the crowd’s support, hope flickered in Wang You Cai’s eyes.
But in the next moment, Third Master Feng’s words shattered that hope.
“All of you, shut up! Easy for you to act like good Samaritans when it’s not your money being owed! If you’re so keen to help, then why don’t you pay Wang You Cai’s debt? It’s just five hundred spirit beads. With so many of you here, you should be able to scrape it together!”
The same people who had spoken up for Wang You Cai instantly fell silent.
While they might have been able to pool together five hundred spirit beads, they didn’t believe Wang You Cai could ever repay them.
After all, gamblers were notorious for being unreliable, and Wang You Cai was a notorious case. He had even gambled away the money meant for his mother’s medicine. Trusting his word was like throwing steamed buns to a dog—gone with no hope of return. None of them were wealthy enough to afford such charity.
“Heh,” Third Master Feng sneered coldly.
These townsfolk always made a show of virtue but shrank away the moment they were called to action. When Wang Yuan Wai had paid for road repairs in the past, at least Feng had the decency to send over his household’s only hen as a gesture of thanks. What had these people ever done?
If Wang Yuan Wai were still alive, even the owner of the gambling den would have shown respect. But with him gone, who cared about Wang You Cai?
If anyone was to blame, it was Wang You Cai himself for being such a disappointment.
“Wang You Cai, this is your final chance. Are you paying back the money or not?”
“I’ll pay! I’ll pay!” Wang You Cai begged, his tears flowing freely.
“Where’s the money?”
Wang You Cai’s voice caught in his throat.
He had no money. The Wang family estate had already been sold off, leaving him utterly destitute, unsure even where his next meal would come from.
“No money? Then you’ll pay with your life. Drag him out!”
With a wave of Third Master Feng’s hand, two burly men stepped forward and seized Wang You Cai by his arms.
Wang You Cai’s legs turned to jelly, and he desperately looked around at the other tavern patrons, pleading silently.
Most avoided his gaze, while others gave him helpless shrugs.
Just as Wang You Cai was sinking into complete despair, his eyes landed on a young woman sitting by the window.
His eyes widened in disbelief, his lips trembling uncontrollably.
Third Master Feng assumed Wang You Cai was trembling out of fear and paid him no mind. Turning around, he prepared to return to the gambling den.
Suddenly, Wang You Cai shouted in an impassioned voice.
“Wait, wait!”
Feng Third Master frowned. “What tricks are you trying to play now?”
“Third Master Feng, I’ve thought of a way to repay the money!”
“And what way is that?”
“Let me go, and I’ll seek help from someone. She’ll pay the debt for me.”
Wang You Cai clenched his fists, his expression fervent.
Seeing that he didn’t appear to be stalling for time, Feng Third Master hesitated for a moment. Then he signaled to the two burly men holding Wang You Cai and warned him again, “If you try to run again, you won’t live to see tomorrow.”
“I won’t run, I swear.”
Gone was the despair and fear from Wang You Cai’s face. Once released, he quickly tidied his disheveled robe and brushed the dust from his body with determined effort.
Everyone watched in confusion, unsure of what he was doing.
After straightening himself up, Wang You Cai strode purposefully toward the restaurant.
The henchmen Feng Third Master brought along wanted to follow, but Feng raised his hand to stop them.
“Let’s see what he’s up to first,” Feng said.
Yu Zhao had just finished her last cup of rice wine when Wang You Cai suddenly dropped to his knees outside the window with a loud thud.
“Immortal, please save me!”
Gasps erupted.
Everyone turned to Yu Zhao in shock.
Although none of them had ever seen an immortal, who hadn’t heard stories of their feats? Immortals were said to be powerful beings capable of calling wind and rain, moving mountains, filling seas, and traveling a thousand miles in a single day.
It was said that their country’s prosperity and harmony were all due to the protection of the National Preceptor, who was an immortal.
Could this unfamiliar woman from another land also be an immortal?
Doubt flickered in many eyes.
In their minds, immortals should exude an otherworldly aura, lofty and detached from mundane matters. How could someone like that sit casually in a restaurant, drinking wine and eating snacks like any ordinary person?
Yu Zhao glanced at Wang You Cai.
There wasn’t the faintest trace of spiritual energy on him, nor did he possess the spiritual roots needed for cultivation. He was an ordinary mortal, through and through.
So, how had he recognized her as a cultivator?
“Immortal, my family has ties to your lineage. Please save me, and I will reveal everything truthfully,” Wang You Cai said, bowing deeply until his forehead touched the ground.
He wasn’t sure if Yu Zhao would help him, but this was his only chance.
Yu Zhao’s gaze sharpened slightly.
His words carried a critical clue.
He hadn’t recognized her identity through his own abilities but through a connection to her ancestors.
Yet, Yu Zhao was an orphan with no knowledge of her lineage. How could Wang You Cai possibly know something she didn’t?
She hadn’t expected that coming to this place on a whim would lead her to a clue about her own origins.
“Raise your head.”
Wang You Cai trembled as he obeyed, lifting his face cautiously.
Yu Zhao tossed a pouch, which landed squarely in his hands.
Wang You Cai picked it up, quickly opened it, and his face lit up with gratitude. “Thank you, Immortal!”
Scrambling to his feet, he dashed over to Feng Third Master and handed him the pouch. Without waiting for Feng’s response, he hurried back to Yu Zhao.
Feng opened the pouch skeptically. The sight of the glittering spirit beads inside nearly blinded him.
Shocked, Feng stared at Yu Zhao, his disbelief written all over his face.
This—this woman really was an immortal?!