https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-15-Towards-Tongguan-Town-Seeking-Collection-/12984490/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-17-The-Ruffian-s-Wealth-Shi-Dian-Appears-Seeking-Collection-/12984494/
Chapter 16: A World of Survival (Seeking Collection)
Chapter 16: A World of Survival (Seeking Collection)
Outside Tongguan Town, the sky was already bright.
Thin wisps of smoke rose from the town, a sign of life amidst the dry and hunched-over citizens.
Amongst them stood a youth, tall and straight, his coarse hemp robe and the bulky object wrapped in cloth on his back making him stand out.
It was obviously a broad saber, causing people on the muddy road to give him a wide berth.
Bandits, relying on their martial prowess, kill indiscriminately and act as they please.
Ordinary people, if not careful, could easily become victims of their blades, so they try to avoid getting close to such individuals.
This youth was undoubtedly seen as one of those bandits by the locals.
Qin Zheng's gaze swept across the simple town, his eyes slightly heavy with concern.
After transmigrating, he had been rushing for survival and had yet to fully understand the situation in this world.
In Black Goose City, things were still manageable. The architecture, facilities, and the spirits of the citizens were not as bad as Qin Zheng had feared.
But upon arriving in Tongguan Town, seeing the muddy roads, the hunched and skinny citizens, and the dilapidated houses, he began to doubt if he had come to the right place.
"Could this place even be called a town?" he wondered.
Moreover, this place was just ten miles away from Black Goose City.
In just ten miles, there was such a drastic change!
It seemed the situation in this world was even worse than he had imagined. Qin Zheng's heart sank a little.
He didn't possess the ability to save the world, and in this difficult situation, preserving his own life was the best he could do.
Feeling the surging power beneath his slender body, Qin Zheng found some reassurance.
Not long after, he finished his walk through Tongguan Town without encountering any unusual situations.
At a stall, after buying two meat buns, Qin Zheng asked the vendor, "Have there been any strangers passing through Tongguan Town recently?"
The vendor, an elderly man with graying temples, furrowed his brows in thought after hearing Qin Zheng's question. "Tongguan Town is a poor town. We rarely see strangers here," he replied.
"But you, sir, are the first stranger I've seen in over a month who has entered Tongguan Town."
Qin Zheng nodded, understanding that Shi Dian, being pursued, would naturally not reveal himself openly to the locals.
He must have either disguised himself and silently blended into the town or hidden in the deep forests near Tongguan Town instead.
Qin Zheng nodded again, then scanned his surroundings before asking, "Elder, has Tongguan Town always been like this?"
This place hardly resembled a town, and the spirits of the citizens were at an extreme low, vastly different from the citizens of Black Goose City.
The elderly vendor glanced around discreetly before sighing deeply. "It wasn't always like this," he said.
"Hearing your accent, sir, you must be from around here. Since you're unaware of the situation, you must be a noble living in Black Goose City."
"Not only Tongguan Town, but all four towns and thirteen villages near Black Goose City are in a similar state of poverty and dilapidation."
Qin Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly at this revelation.
The vendor continued, "Ten years ago, Tongguan Town wasn't wealthy, but it wasn't as poor as it is now."
"All this is because of a group of bandits from the mountains. The nearby towns have to pay tribute to them annually, amounting to over a thousand taels!"
"Year after year, if the tribute isn't paid, the bandits descend from the mountains, burning, killing, and looting until they're satisfied and leave."
"You said, even after paying, there's still no peace. Not only will the money be lost, but our lives will be at risk."
"After ten years, Tongguan Town has become like this. I assume the other towns and villages are the same."
The vendor heaved a heavy sigh, his posture becoming even more hunched.
"The bandits are running rampant, and the government officials don't do anything about it?"
Qin Zheng furrowed his brows and asked.
With such neglect, public resentment will eventually reach a breaking point.
When that happens, it won't be as simple as just eliminating the bandits to resolve the issue.
The old vendor shook his head and continued, "They've come, but to no avail. The mountains are too vast, and the government's law enforcement can't find them."
"Moreover, every time the officials come, they demand a fee for their services. After they leave empty-handed, the bandits know we reported them, and they come down from the mountains to cause more trouble."
"After a few such instances, we decided not to bother anymore. We just endure it silently."
Qin Zheng could sense the helplessness and despair in the old vendor's words.
He couldn't do anything but remain silent.
The reason the commoners within Black Goose City could live better lives was twofold. Firstly, the city had a large population, including many martial arts experts.
Secondly, there was a garrison of imperial troops stationed near Black Goose City, deterring even the boldest bandits from causing trouble there.
However, the towns and villages surrounding Black Goose City had no such protection and could only suffer in silence.
In this world, the unarmed commoners were at the bottom of the exploitation pyramid, enduring the most suffering.
Qin Zheng took out two coins from his pocket and handed them to the old vendor, thanking him before turning to leave.
"Oh, wait, customer!"
At this moment, the old vendor seemed to remember something and hurriedly called out to Qin Zheng.
Qin Zheng turned around and heard the old man say, "Starting a few days ago, there's been a ruffian buying meat buns from me."
"He buys a lot each time, and he doesn't seem to be short of money. It's a bit strange."
"If you're looking for someone, go find him. You might get some answers."
"He's right there, coming this way!"
As the old man spoke, Qin Zheng saw a carefree ruffian walking past him and approaching the vendor.
"Hey, old man, pack fifty buns for me, quick! I've got other things to do."
The ruffian picked up a bun from the stall and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing heartily.
At the same time, he took out a small silver coin from his pocket and tossed it onto the cutting board in front of the old man.
Qin Zheng watched the ruffian and took a few steps forward, gently patting him on the shoulder.
"What's the matter?"
The ruffian turned and saw Qin Zheng, his eyes filled with caution.
He then glanced at the large object wrapped in coarse cloth behind Qin Zheng, and his eyes widened as he turned and ran.
Qin Zheng's eyes narrowed, and with a few quick strides, he caught up and delivered a light palm strike, sending the ruffian tumbling to the ground.
"Tell me, where do you deliver the meat buns you buy every day?"
Qin Zheng asked.
The ruffian trembled and hurriedly replied, "To the ruined temple three miles east of the town, sir, please don't kill me. I haven't done anything wrong."
The ruined temple three miles east of the town.
Qin Zheng's gaze shifted from the pleading ruffian.
(End of Chapter)
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