Chapter 383: Zhang Xiaohua Discusses Human Nature

Indeed, Li Jinfeng was at a loss for words. The authorities he had placed his hopes in had given him the most disappointing answer. What could he possibly say?

“But…” Li Yinfeng’s lips still trembled slightly as she spoke: “But to burn that man alive, that’s truly…”

“Cruel!” Liu Kai interjected.

Seeing the younger generation in the hall all discussing the matter, the four elders seated at the head of the room remained silent. Zhang Cai was a little better off; though he was older, he had only ever lived in Guo Village, where any grudges among the villagers were usually out in the open, more often expressed through gossip and idle talk. Rarely did things escalate to such real, hands-on violence, and he had never witnessed so many people venting their fury on a single person, burning him alive. For a moment, he found it hard to adjust.

But Shopkeeper Li and Shopkeeper Yu were different. They had lived in Lu Town, where they had seen their fair share of trouble, and in business, underhanded tactics were not uncommon. Especially after Shopkeeper Li’s family had nearly been wiped out by mountain bandits last time, their outlook had subtly changed. Toward evildoers, they now feared only that evil would not be eradicated thoroughly enough. Shopkeeper Yu felt the same. Of course, even though both men wanted the man in black to receive his just punishment, they had never imagined things would end like this.

However, they had overlooked one thing: what exactly is this “just punishment”?

The two of them glanced at Zhang Cai, about to speak, when suddenly Zhang Xiaohua coughed, clearing his throat as if preparing to say something. The two elders exchanged glances and turned their attention to Zhang Xiaohua.

In truth, this young man before them was the true protagonist of the night. They all knew very well that if Zhang Xiaohua hadn’t excused himself to “relieve himself” and then captured the man in black from afar, there would have been no family reunion, nor any of the events that followed. But since Zhang Xiaohua had never openly admitted to capturing the man, even if they questioned him now, he might not confess.

Everyone in the hall had similar thoughts. So, when they heard Zhang Xiaohua cough, the room instantly fell silent. All eyes, filled with anticipation, turned to him, eager to hear what this extraordinary young man would say.

Zhang Xiaohua cleared his throat and said: “Father, can I sleep with you tonight? Just put me on the kang, and you won’t have to worry about me.”

With a series of clatters and bangs, some people fell to the ground, others dropped their teacups—no one had expected Zhang Xiaohua to say something like that.

Zhang Xiaohua looked innocently at the crowd he had just stunned, and smiled: “Actually, I know everyone finds tonight’s outcome for that man in black unbelievable. But if you think about it carefully, it’s not impossible to find a reasonable explanation.”

“Xiaohua, don’t talk nonsense. Everyone here is older than you—who here doesn’t have more experience than you? Is it really your place to speak?”

If it were about martial arts, Zhang Cai would have no objection. But seeing Zhang Xiaohua about to speak at length, he felt his son was being a bit presumptuous. After all, wasn’t everyone present a learned person? Only he and his son were from the countryside. If Xiaohua said something wrong, wouldn’t that make them a laughingstock?

At this moment, Mr. Liu, who hadn’t spoken for a long time, waved his hand and said: “Brother Zhang, age is always just a surface thing. When it comes to experience, perhaps none of us has seen as much as Xiaohua. He entered the Jianghu at such a young age—hasn’t it already been six years? I’m sure he’s gained a lot of insight. Let him share his thoughts—there’s no harm in that.”

Li Jinfeng also smiled: “Xiaohua, go ahead and speak. Your father is just looking out for you, afraid you might say something wrong.”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at Zhang Cai, who showed no expression, and then said: “I’m just speaking from my own feelings. If I say something wrong, please feel free to add or correct me.”

“In the end, it all comes down to human nature. Didn’t you all see, when the man in black first woke up, everyone was so scared they kept their distance? Even though he’d taken Zai Zai hostage, no one dared step forward. It wasn’t until Zai Zai’s father rushed ahead, risking his life, and the man in black turned out not to be as fearsome as everyone imagined, killing him with a single strike, that people finally found their courage. Later, when the man in black dropped Zai Zai and tried to break out with his blade, didn’t everyone still shy away, afraid of getting caught up in it? If anyone was really impressive, it was that leader—if he hadn’t stepped up, the man in black probably would have escaped.”

“Would you have let him escape?” Yu Bihe asked softly.

“Who knows? It didn’t happen, so it’s hard to say,” Zhang Xiaohua replied, glancing at Yu Bihe with a hint of mystery in his tone.　

Yu Bihe’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Zhang Xiaohua smiled, then continued: “I think it was exactly when that person threw the lantern at the man in black, and the man in black didn’t even have the strength to fight back, that everyone saw what it was like to beat a drowning dog. Realizing there was no danger to themselves, they all swarmed in, eager to experience the thrill of bullying the strong. One after another, they threw their lanterns.”

“But the man in black was a martial arts expert—how could he suddenly become powerless to resist?”

Yu Bihe, ever the curious one, pressed on with her question.

Zhang Xiaohua replied decisively: “Hehe, that’s Heaven’s punishment!”

Mr. Liu pondered aloud: “So, Xiaohua, you mean the crowd wasn’t acting out of righteous courage, but rather, with the mentality of the strong bullying the weak?”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded. “Exactly, Mr. Liu. It was precisely because they could experience a thrill they never had before—bullying a once-powerful man who was now helpless. Or perhaps, having suffered under the strong in the past, they projected their resentment onto the man in black, treating him as a stand-in for those who had oppressed them, which led to such a shocking outcome.”

“Of course, it was also Zai Zai’s ordeal that stirred up everyone’s indignation from another angle, and that’s why…”

As he spoke, Zhang Xiaohua’s voice grew softer, until he simply sat there, saying no more.

Seeing everyone in the hall grow serious, frowning as they waited for Zhang Xiaohua to continue, Zhang Cai coughed awkwardly and said: “Well… Xiaohua’s a bit tired, he’s already fallen asleep. Let’s call it a night, everyone. Ahem.”

At this, Mr. Liu came to his senses and laughed: “Heh, I saw Xiaohua fall asleep like this five years ago, and now I get to see it again. Liu Kai, Jinfeng, help Xiaohua to the guest room.”

The others, not quite understanding, could only sigh inwardly: “A true eccentric—no wonder he reserved his sleeping spot before speaking. As expected…”

But Mr. Liu’s arrangement was unnecessary. Zhang Xiaohua, though already eighteen and taller than Liu Kai, was so light that Liu Kai could easily hoist him onto his shoulder without effort.

Liu Kai wasn’t surprised, having heard Liu Qian mention it before. But Li Jinfeng was taken aback—he hadn’t expected his brother-in-law to be so sturdy. It seemed his sister was in for a good life.

Midnight had passed. Though no one felt sleepy, rest was still necessary. As for who could actually sleep, only they themselves knew.

The next day, the sixteenth of the first lunar month, with the lantern festival over, there was nothing left to linger for in Lu Town. Zhang Xiaohua, together with his father, Mr. Liu, and the others, did some shopping in town and brought gifts back to Guo Village.

During their shopping trip, Zhang Cai couldn’t help but feel reluctant and repeatedly muttered to Zhang Xiaohua: “It’s just the New Year, and now that it’s over, there’s no need to spend extra money. Our family doesn’t have much income, and silver spent is silver gone. Now that Jian’er has been born, raising a child these days is no easy task. He’ll need to go to school in the future, so it’s better to use our money wisely. Some things are better bought in Guo Village anyway.”

Zhang Xiaohua naturally understood his father’s feelings and didn’t argue, simply following Zhang Cai’s wishes and buying only a few things. Mr. Liu was considerate—seeing his in-law not buying much, he didn’t want to outshine him, so in the end, everyone just bought a few gifts for Jian’er. It was far from the grand shopping spree Zhang Xiaohua had originally imagined.

When they returned to Guo Village, everything at home was as usual.

But Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t simply settle back into routine. Far away in Pingyang City, two young girls still needed him to escort them back to Mochou City, and, more importantly, his second brother Zhang Xiaohu’s fate was still unknown. If he couldn’t find any trace of his brother, all his cultivation would feel pointless.

After lunch, Zhang Xiaohua spent some time at his grandmother’s grave, then wandered through the bamboo grove behind their yard before returning to the main hall.

By then, Mr. Liu had gone to his own room to rest, leaving only Zhang Cai dozing in the hall. Zhang Xiaohua smiled and didn’t disturb him, but went out to call his eldest brother Zhang Xiaolong, then woke Zhang Cai.

Zhang Cai, still groggy, asked: “Is something the matter, Xiaolong?”

Zhang Xiaolong spread his hands. “Dad, Xiaohua asked me to come.”

Zhang Xiaohua spoke mysteriously: “Dad, do you think our family’s silver is enough for now?”

Zhang Cai frowned. “It’s enough. Why? Xiaohua, was there something you wanted to buy in town this morning but didn’t dare ask for?”

“No, Dad, what could I possibly want to buy? I just noticed you seemed a bit pained when you were shopping this morning.”

Zhang Xiaolong, standing to the side, spoke with some embarrassment: “Xiaohua, it’s all because your eldest brother isn’t good at making a living. I can only scrape by in the fields. These past few years, it’s all thanks to the silver notes you brought back that we were able to renovate the house and even build an extra courtyard next door. I suppose Father is worried those silver notes won’t last, so he’s reluctant to spend. Besides, that silver is meant to be saved for…”

He couldn’t finish the sentence.

Zhang Xiaohua smiled when he heard this. “Listen to you, big brother. I brought that silver home for the family to use. When I find second brother, of course he’ll get his share too.”

Then, beckoning with his finger, he said: “Father, big brother, come here—I’ve got something good to show you.”

With that, he walked out of the main hall.

Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaolong were baffled. They had thought about the silver notes Xiaohua brought back, but those should be kept in the house—why go outside to show them off?

What’s more, Zhang Xiaohua picked up a hoe by the wall, and even had Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaolong each take one as well.

What on earth was he planning now?