Chapter 18 - The older, the Wiser (1/2)

Chapter 18: The older, the Wiser

Translator: Liu Yanyan

Ma Tian’en saw there came a dozen people with sticks and lanterns in their hands. In the light, Hu Chunqiu walked toward her, smirked and stopped two meters away from Ma Tian’en, looking at her as if she were a fish on the cutting board.

“These trifles shouldn’t bother you, Master Hu. On such a dark night, aren’t you afraid of something bad? No one knows if you slide into river.” Ma Tian’en looked at her surroundings and tried to figure out where to escape. As there was a gang of people, it was impossible to fight with them directly. Now that Hu Chunqiu went out, he must take master hands. ‘A wise man knows when to retreat.’ It was better for her to run.

“Ma Tian’en. You have no way to escape. Don’t you like to drug me? After I catch you, I will let you have enough drugs.” Hu Chunqiu gestured to a group of people behind him, and suddenly they all surrounded Ma Tian’en.

“I should answer for what I have done. If you Childe Hu want to play, I would like to company you. But how about letting my followers go. It’s none of their business.”

“Do you think I am a fool? Let them notify others? Today, no one can escape. When I get bored, I will throw you to feed the fish.” Hu Chunqiu said fiercely.

Watching them get closer, the uncle walked forward and blocked Ma Tian’en, “Tian’en, you go first; I will block them.”

“Now that you all come, then no one can leave. Hit them bitterly.” Hu Chunqiu seldom suffered losses during his life. Last time, he suffered such a big loss at the birthday banquet, so he was definitely unwilling to give up revenge. He spent much energy and effort in cheating her into coming here. He hired dozens of master hands and swore to punish her anyway.

Ma Tian’en knew she couldn’t run away. Fight. Thinking of this, a few men rushed up. Ma Tian’en was beaten by many master hands and bore more beats. Although she practiced some Kongfu, compared with these hired roughnecks, she was too weak. After several rounds, she was kicked out by a roughneck and fell down heavily onto the ground.

The hired roughneck swooped down on Ma Tian’en. At this time someone blocked him before Ma Tian’en. The hired roughneck hit on that man who called out in pain but still protected Ma Tian’en dearly.

“Stop.” Then there came a clear voice。

The man who protected Ma Tian’en was Ashun. He struggled to stand up when hearing the voice. Ma Tian’en also stood up.

At a sudden, thousands of torches lit up, illuminating the woods as bright as the daytime. Then there burst out shouts as birds flew away. Hundreds of unknown people surrounded Ma Tian’en and Hu Chunqiu.

In the fire light, one man who wore kerchief and scholar’s robe with a white bridle in waist, walked ahead. He showed a warm smile and a kind of gentle air. It made people think he seemed to compose poetry in the moonlight and enjoy wine with the flowers around.

“Teacher!” Ma Tian’en almost cried. He ran and jumped into Wu Zhong’s arms, holding him tightly.

“Teacher, I know, you will save me. They bully me……”

Wu Zhong was reminded of the cat in his hometown when Ma Tian’en held him. It usually jumped onto him at a sudden and messed his drawings sometimes, but he was reluctant when intending to beat it.

“Wu Zhong, what are you going to do? Are you in collusion with Ma Family and try to kill me?” Hu Chunqiu became nervous when seeing Wu Zhong lead so many people. But he soon calmed down. Either Wu Zhong or Ma family had no rights to punish him secretly. If he refused to acknowledge what he had done, they could do nothing with him even in the feudal government.