Chapter 100

In the crowd, someone shouted, "Beat him up!" Over a dozen Black Miao people charged at Hu Xiaotian with a menacing air. Hu Xiaotian was truly wronged; he had always maintained a stance of non-involvement, merely observing from the sidelines. However, he had an impulsive teammate like Murong Feiyun, who rushed in to fight for justice without fully understanding the situation. Even more frustrating was that Murong Feiyun had thrown a burden onto him, clearly trying to drag him into the conflict. Given the current situation, Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to get involved. The Black Miao people didn't care whether he was related to the incident; they were convinced he was Murong Feiyun's accomplice. They drew their weapons and charged at him with a fierce demeanor.

Hu Xiaotian was indeed Murong Feiyun's accomplice, but he had no intention of disrupting a wedding. Knowing that explanations would be futile, he turned and ran. After a few steps, he realized that the number of Black Miao people pursuing him was not decreasing but increasing. The reason was easy to find: the Black Miao woman in red was following him, and he naturally became the target of everyone's pursuit.

In the distance, Murong Feiyun was already engaged in battle with several Black Miao people. She had underestimated their combat skills and was now locked in a fierce struggle with five of them. It was clear that she wouldn't be able to break free and come to Hu Xiaotian's aid anytime soon. Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to run as fast as he could. The Black Miao woman's running speed was no less than his. At a fork in the road, Hu Xiaotian had an idea and panted, "You go left, I'll go right. We'll have a better chance of escaping if we split up."

His true intention was to get rid of the Black Miao woman and go their separate ways. As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and ran down the right street. To his surprise, the Black Miao woman grabbed him and reminded him, "The right path is a dead end." The shouts of the pursuers were getting closer, so Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to follow her command and flee down the left alley. Although the alley was not wide, it was a small market with many vegetable vendors setting up stalls along the street. When they saw Hu Xiaotian holding the hand of a Black Miao woman, the vendors all shouted curses, and some even threw vegetables and eggs at them. Although the area was ethnically mixed, intermarriage was not allowed. Hu Xiaotian and the Black Miao woman holding hands in public had already broken a major taboo.

In fact, it was the Black Miao woman who had been firmly holding Hu Xiaotian's hand. Faced with the vendors' attacks, they had no way to fight back. Their bodies were covered in vegetable leaves and egg yolk, and Hu Xiaotian became the primary target, receiving five eggs on his forehead alone. The more he ran, the more frustrated he became. "Who did I offend?" he thought. "Feiyun, Feiyun, how could you cause so much trouble?"

The Black Miao woman was very familiar with the local terrain. She led Hu Xiaotian through several alleys, evading the vendors' attacks. They finally reached a high wall. She let go of Hu Xiaotian's hand, leaped up, and grabbed the top of the two-zhang-high wall, nimbly climbing over it. She then called out to Hu Xiaotian, "Hey, come up!"

Hu Xiaotian looked up and saw that the wall was over three meters high and smooth with no handholds. He didn't have the skills to jump up. He shook his head with a bitter expression, but the shouts of the pursuers were getting closer. The Black Miao woman said, "Jump up, and I'll pull you up!" Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to try. He took a few steps back, ran, and jumped. The Black Miao woman quickly grabbed his wrist and effortlessly lifted him up. Surprised by her incredible strength, Hu Xiaotian quickly used her strength to climb over the wall.

Just as he reached the top, he saw dozens of Black Miao people rushing past the alley. After they were gone, Hu Xiaotian let out a long sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. "What a terrible day," he thought. "Why did I have to suffer this misfortune?" He wondered if Murong Feiyun would come, but given her high martial skills, even if she couldn't defeat the Black Miao people, she should be able to protect herself.

The Black Miao woman smiled at Hu Xiaotian. He whispered, "Should we go down?" She shook her head and whispered, "They might return if they can't find us." Sure enough, as she predicted, the Black Miao people, having lost their target, returned. Someone said, "That's strange, we just saw them run here, how could they suddenly disappear?" "Let's search the area."

The Black Miao woman gently patted Hu Xiaotian's shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Wait here, I'll lead them away." Without waiting for his response, she stood up and ran along the narrow wall, her silver ornaments jingling as she ran, immediately drawing the attention of the Black Miao people, who followed her.

Watching the Black Miao woman run farther away, Hu Xiaotian sighed. Regardless of her other qualities, her ability to run on the wall as if it were flat ground made her a martial arts expert. She had easily lifted him up with one arm, something even Murong Feiyun might not have been able to do. "What a troublesome woman," he thought.

Suddenly, he heard a low growl behind him. Turning around, he saw a bull-sized mastiff at the foot of the wall. As soon as Hu Xiaotian saw it, the mastiff leaped up, mouth open, aiming for his buttocks. Hu Xiaotian was terrified and let go, falling into a flower bed. Fortunately, the garden was filled with soft soil, and he didn't get hurt from the fall.

The mastiff, missing its target, immediately turned and charged at Hu Xiaotian on the ground. However, Hu Xiaotian was extremely agile and quickly got up and ran. In his panic, he was scratched by branches in several places, and the mastiff was getting closer. Hu Xiaotian felt he had no way out. Just as he was about to cry, he saw a pond ahead. Without thinking, he jumped into the pond with a standard diving action.

After Hu Xiaotian entered the water, he heard another splash, and the mastiff had also jumped in. Hu Xiaotian realized the situation was bad. The mastiff swam quickly, using a standard dog paddle to approach him. As it got close, it opened its mouth to bite. Hu Xiaotian quickly grabbed the mastiff's head, moved behind it, and tightly choked its neck, submerging it in the water.

On land, he might not have been able to handle the fierce mastiff, but in the water, neither of them had a solid footing. Hu Xiaotian was a good swimmer, and although the mastiff was fierce, its combat ability was greatly reduced in the water. It tried to bite, but every time it opened its mouth, water entered its throat. It struggled desperately but couldn't break free from Hu Xiaotian's grip. As time passed, its strength weakened, and it was eventually suffocated to death by Hu Xiaotian.

After drowning the mastiff, Hu Xiaotian was exhausted. He wanted to climb out of the pond, but he heard voices on the shore and quickly hid in the lotus flowers. It was mid-summer, and the lotus flowers were in full bloom, providing a perfect hiding place.

Peering through the gaps in the lotus leaves, he saw two women appear on a waterside pavilion. From their attire, they appeared to be a mistress and her servant. The leading woman was dressed in white, in deep mourning. She sat in the pavilion, her beautiful eyes gazing into the pond. She had delicate eyebrows, a delicate nose, and bright eyes, with skin as fair as spring snow. Her gaze was captivating, truly a beauty that could topple a nation.

Hu Xiaotian sighed, "I never expected to find such a stunning beauty in Qingyun City. She's truly a level of beauty that could bring disaster to a country." He quietly admired her, completely ignoring the green-clad servant by her side.

The woman extended her delicate, lily-like fingers, gently plucking a white flower from her hair, crushing the petals and letting them fall into the pond. As she watched the petals float away, a wave of unprecedented melancholy washed over her, and she sighed softly, her beautiful brows furrowed, her face a dreamlike vision of beauty.

Hu Xiaotian was entranced. This woman's beauty rivaled Huo Xiaoru's, but her attire suggested she was in deep mourning. Her sighs indicated she was filled with sorrow. The green-clad servant said, "Miss, it's been so long, you should try to let it go." The woman nodded lightly, her voice filled with sorrow, "My life is so bitter!"

Her voice was soft and melodious, like a gentle feather brushing against your heart, making you feel incredibly comfortable. The green-clad servant bit her lip, wanting to console her but not knowing how. At that moment, a man walked along the winding bridge. He was about thirty, muscular, wearing a black warrior's outfit, a purple headband, and a long sword at his waist. He had a square face and large ears, looking dignified and handsome.

Seeing him approach, the white-clad woman turned her face away, and the green-clad servant looked anxious, hurriedly bowing, "Servant Cai Ping greets the eldest master." The eldest master ignored her, his eyes fixed on the white-clad woman, smiling, "Sister-in-law, are you here to cool off?"

The white-clad woman turned, stood up, and gave a shallow bow, "I didn't know you were coming, please forgive my rudeness. Cai Ping, let's go!" She clearly wanted to avoid the eldest master and leave, but he blocked her path, smiling, "Sister-in-law, don't be in a hurry. Cai Ping, go back, I have something to say to Yue Yao alone."

Cai Ping looked hesitant, not wanting to leave but afraid to offend the eldest master. Finally, the white-clad woman said, "Cai Ping, wait for me outside the garden." Cai Ping reluctantly left.

The eldest master looked at Yue Yao's beautiful face, his expression filled with desire. After Cai Ping left, he coughed and took a step forward, "Yue Yao!" Yue Yao took a step back, biting her lip, "Uncle, what do you want?"

The term "uncle" was a subtle reminder. The eldest master said, "Yue Yao, my brother died young, and we all mourned deeply. But you have been wronged." He was the eldest master of the Wan family.

Yue Yao said softly, "I don't have that good fortune, there's no need to feel sorry for me." This was clearly a refusal of his offer. The eldest master, clearly impatient, took a step forward and grabbed Yue Yao's wrist. She struggled free, her face turning red with anger, "Uncle, please be proper."

The eldest master said, "Yue Yao..." Suddenly, another cough came from behind. A middle-aged man entered the garden. He was about fifty, muscular, wearing a brown robe with golden embroidery, walking with a strong presence, his face ruddy, and a neatly trimmed beard, looking dignified and authoritative. The eldest master, seeing him, quickly stepped back, bowing his head, "Father!"

The middle-aged man coldly said, "Tingchang, what are you doing here?" Tingchang said, "Father, I heard my sister-in-law was unwell, so I came to visit." The middle-aged man glared at him, "Wandering around all day, idle and lazy, how can I trust you with the family business?" He was the head of the Wan family, the most prominent household in Qingyun.

Tingchang hung his head, meekly saying, "Father, I will work hard and manage the family business well." The middle-aged man, dissatisfied, waved his hand, and Tingchang, not daring to stay, hurriedly bowed to his father and sister-in-law and left.

After Tingchang left, the middle-aged man's stern face relaxed, and he smiled at his daughter-in-law, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor. He said softly, "Yue Yao, did that scoundrel say or do anything improper to you?" Yue Yao shook her head, "No, he just arrived and greeted me a few times." The middle-aged man said, "I know my son well. If he ever has any improper thoughts, tell me, and I'll break his legs."

Yue Yao bowed her head, "Thank you, father-in-law." The middle-aged man stared at her beautiful face, his gaze lingering, making Yue Yao feel extremely uncomfortable, wishing she could find a hole to hide in. She avoided his gaze, "Father-in-law, I'll go back now." Unexpectedly, the middle-aged man grabbed her arm, "Yue Yao, don't go yet, I have more to say."

Yue Yao bit her lip, struggling, "Father-in-law, let go. If someone sees, it will cause gossip." The middle-aged man smiled lecherously, "What's there to fear? This is our own backyard, and I have the servants guarding the entrance. No one will come in. Yue Yao... although Tingguang is gone, I'm here. No one in the Wan family will dare to bully you. Do you trust me?"

He tried to pull her into his arms, and Yue Yao cried out, "Father-in-law, you can't do this, I'm your daughter-in-law..." The middle-aged man held her tightly, "Tingguang is gone, I'm his father, and it's my duty to take care of you."

"Don't... father-in-law, don't..." Hu Xiaotian, watching this, cursed in his heart, "Old scoundrel! Worse than a beast! You look so righteous and dignified, but you're actually trying to molest your daughter-in-law. You're not human!" Hu Xiaotian wanted to rush out and save her, but he wasn't a fool. He knew where he was and that if he was caught, he would likely be beaten to death. He could only endure, his anger burning inside.

The middle-aged man, captivated by Yue Yao's beauty, had completely forgotten his dignity. All notions of propriety were long gone. He leered, "Yue Yao, if you submit to me, you will be the mistress of the Wan family..." He puckered his lips, trying to kiss her flawless face. Yue Yao, with unexpected strength, pushed him away, "Father-in-law, please be proper!"

She spoke with righteous indignation, but the middle-aged man continued to advance, smiling lecherously, "Yue Yao, don't you understand my intentions?" Yue Yao backed up, reaching the edge of the pond, "Father-in-law, if you force me, I'll jump in."

The middle-aged man laughed, "If you jump, I'll jump with you, and we'll be a pair of drowning lovers..." Before he finished, Yue Yao jumped into the pond. The middle-aged man was shocked, his tongue hanging out for a long time. He didn't expect her to really jump. The pond wasn't very deep, only reaching her chest.

Seeing her in the pond, like a white lotus emerging from the mud, he found her even more beautiful. However, her determined jump showed her strong character, and he couldn't push her too hard. He said earnestly, "Yue Yao, come out, we can talk." Yue Yao shook her head, "Father-in-law, if you force me, I'll drown myself in this pond."

The middle-aged man, who had just said he would jump with her, now lacked the courage to do so. Moreover, the scandal of a father-in-law molesting his daughter-in-law, though exciting, should not be known to others. There was plenty of time, and he didn't need to rush. As long as she was in the Wan family, she couldn't escape his grasp. He smiled sinisterly, "Alright, I'll go, I'll go. Think about it."

"Go!" Yue Yao shouted. The middle-aged man shook his head, turned, and left, but after a few steps, he turned back, seeing Yue Yao still standing in the water. He sighed, "This daughter-in-law is really stubborn. Does she really want to be a widow for life, a chaste and loyal woman? Just for a meaningless chastity arch?"

After the middle-aged man left, Yue Yao stood in the water, lost in thought. Hu Xiaotian, hiding in the lotus flowers, looked at her solitary figure and felt deep sympathy. Beauty often comes with a thin fate, and Yue Yao's life was truly tragic. Her husband had died young, and she was now a young widow, constantly facing harassment from her father-in-law and uncle. He couldn't believe such misfortune existed in the world.

Yue Yao stood in the water for a while, then turned. Her beautiful eyes showed no tears, and Hu Xiaotian expected her to be in deep sorrow, but her face was determined. Her white dress was soaked, revealing her perfect figure. She walked toward the center of the pond.

Hu Xiaotian watched as she approached, worried. Was she really going to commit suicide? Her gaze was drawn to a white lotus above his head, and she was attracted by its beauty, reflecting on her own fate. Suddenly, she felt something soft and looked down to see a black object floating to the surface—the dead mastiff Hu Xiaotian had killed.

Yue Yao was terrified, her face pale, and she opened her mouth to scream. Hu Xiaotian, realizing his cover was blown, couldn't hide any longer. He leaped out from the lotus leaves and covered her mouth before she could scream.

***

This chapter is equivalent to two regular chapters, ending the public release period. "Medical