Chapter 22 The Lantern Goes Out

Under the same moonlight, different lands.

While Yi Chen clasped the moonlight in this place, over in Fengyun County's Wang residence, small changes were also happening.

Wang Dazhu was a house servant who guarded the estate in Fengyun County's Wang residence. He originally came from a destitute household in Li Family Village of Gunshi Town. His mother died when he was three years old, and his father was bitten to death by a wild boar while hunting in the mountains at thirteen.

This added layer upon layer of hardship to an already impoverished family.

The home was so poor that not even mice would visit, and thieves upon breaking in would leave wiping away bitter tears, sometimes even leaving behind a couple of copper coins, truly embodying poverty that wrenches the heart.

Having attended a private school for three years and having some understanding of characters, Wang Dazhu looked at his dilapidated home, and finally, on a starry night, when he saw a gray mouse unhesitatingly slip away from his doorway, the grievances he had been holding back finally erupted.

He made a decision that went against his ancestors.

He sold himself! He sold himself to the Wang family, a wealthy household in the county town, and changed his surname to Wang.

Even though his father, with tear-filled eyes, clutched his hand when dying and expressed his hope for him to continue the family line, the family was in such poverty, even the mice had evacuated, and he just couldn't bear it anymore.

They say poverty doesn't last for three generations. By the time it reached his generation, it was precisely the third generation. What family line was there to speak of?

Poverty breeds change, change brings about understanding.

The clan elders cursed him for seeking pleasure, ignoring the family's legacy, and acting like a dog for others.

"Heh, a bunch of old coffin covers, what's wrong with being a dog for a wealthy family?"

If he hadn't had some literary knowledge, among those who sold themselves, those with a similar educational level did not have as strong a physique as him, and those with a better physique did not have as high an educational level as him. He wouldn't even have been able to be this 'dog'.

Wang Dazhu touched the dark-colored brocade clothes on his body and revealed a knowing smile.

After ten years of hard work, the former mud-legged youth from Li Family Village in Gunshi Town was now a little captain of the guards in Fengyun County's Wang residence. If he hadn't been a dog for others, he would never have been able to wear this dark-colored brocade in his life.

He then touched the saber tied at his waist, feeling a wave of regret. Relying on his naturally strong body, he had worked hard for ten years and finally reached the advanced level in the Iron Cloth Shirt, a martial arts technique practiced by the Wang family's house servants, just three months ago.

More than two months ago, the Family Head returned from Treasure Street with a sullen face and a wild chicken in his hand. Only later did he find out that the Family Head had been tricked by a young Daoist, who sold him a 'King of Chickens' for a hundred silver taels.

Wang Dazhu sneered, his hand pressing down on the hilt of his saber, inwardly lamenting the missed opportunity.

If only he had been there at that time, if only he could have stopped that Daoist and recovered face for the Family Head, would he not have been appreciated and rewarded?

He was so desperate to advance.

He was so eager to rise above others.

He was so hungry for silver.

He so longed for Yuan Yuan from Lanxiu Pavilion.

Speaking of Yuan Yuan, the now twenty-four-year-old Wang Dazhu couldn't help but be moved.

Her skin was so fair, just like tofu pudding, and she was skilled in singing and playing instruments. She could make even someone proficient in Iron Cloth Shirt feel overwhelmed. Unfortunately, as everyone knows, Iron Cloth Shirt has its limits.

Some areas cannot be toughened, there are weak points, he can't be blamed for that.

"Truly an unforgettable two and a half minutes," Wang Dazhu thought, staring at the round moon, his mind already wandering off into the clouds.

What a pity that Yuan Yuan was so costly that he could only afford to visit once with two months of his salary.

However, that was not Yuan Yuan's issue, it was his.

Thinking this, Wang Dazhu couldn't help but glance at his two subordinates behind him, Wang Qi and Wang Ba.

It was these two fools who had accompanied the master that day and were so intimidated by the Daoist's presence that they didn't dare to intervene, a clear pair of idiots.

An opportunity lay right before them, and they failed to grasp it.

Being unable to fight is one thing, but not daring to make a move is another; it's a matter of attitude, not even understanding how to be a dog.

Being a house servant and not using your brain means a lifetime at the bottom of the house servant tier.

Wang Dazhu was different though, his mind was nimble, and his principles were flexible. Some of the lands in Li Family Village of Gunshi Town belonged to the Wang family's properties. One year, when times were tough and the heavens were unkind, the harvest was poor.

It was Wang Dazhu who took the lead, breaking the old chieftain's limbs to collect the grain.

This also showed the wealthy Wang family Head his capability, his courage in taking tasks, and his ruthlessness, the qualities needed by the Wang's household, so he was promoted to be a minor chieftain with a monthly salary also increased to two taels.

As Wang Dazhu patrolled around the Wang family mansion with his head full of random thoughts, a shadow under the willow tree suddenly caught his attention.

"What is that, who's hiding there? Come out!"

Wang Dazhu, with his hand on his waist knife, shouted loudly. He was tall and imposing, and his angry, wide eyes had a certain intimidating presence.

The wealth of the Wang family was known to everyone in Fengyun County, which naturally attracted those "gentlemen on the beam" to come and steal.

This was also an important reason why the wealthy Wang family Head kept these house servants to guard the residence and even hired people to train them in martial arts.

Accompanying Wang Dazhu's roar, the shadow under the willow tree suddenly stopped moving.

It was the end of autumn, and the willow leaf had turned from green to yellow, resembling an old man who had reached the age of decline, looking desolate and weathered.

Moonlight spilled down, casting large, dappled shadows under the willow tree, but because of the backlight, there was more darkness, making it difficult to see clearly.

"Playing tricks like a ghost, if you don't come out, I'll chop you to death." Wang Dazhu braced his courage and walked toward the willow tree with a lantern in hand.

If it weren't for the Wang family's young Miss's fondness for willow trees and the Family Head being indulgent towards his daughter, this willow tree would have been chopped down long ago, and such a defensive flaw wouldn't exist.

Planting trees outside the courtyard wall, truly a stroke of genius.

But the young Miss is really beautiful, really busty.

Wang Dazhu drew his waist knife and slowly walked towards the willow tree, followed closely by his subordinates Wang Qi and Wang Ba.

At that moment, an unexpected change occurred.

A shadow about the size of two palms suddenly attacked in the direction of Wang Dazhu and his two men.

Wang Dazhu twisted his waist and swung his big arm, Chop!

A sword light, like a ribbon, appeared in the moonlight.

In an instant, the black shadow stopped, cut in two.

Wang Qi and Wang Ba, holding lanterns, moved closer to look and found it was a large rat, now decapitated with one stroke.

Seeing this, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed to be a false alarm. Wang Dazhu had thought that some formidable person was hidden behind the willow tree.

"Boss is mighty, that stroke had the three essences of speed, ruthlessness, and accuracy, truly brilliant. The position of the head instructor of the mansion will certainly be yours. If ever there's a vote for head instructor, I'll surely cast mine for you," Wang Qi immediately flattered upon seeing this.

Being a house servant, picking sides was also very important; one must always remember to show their loyalty, as choice sometimes mattered more than ability.

Wang Ba quickly followed suit, "Me too."

Hearing this, Wang Qi's fists relaxed and tensed.

"Good, work hard with me, and you will undoubtedly reap your rewards," Wang Dazhu was mainly satisfied with his subordinates' performance; mimicking the Family Head, he immediately started making promises to his two men.

Wang Dazhu sheathed his knife, intending to say a few more words.

But just then, a strange wind blew, snuffing out their lanterns all at once.

The moonlight shone on their faces, pale as death.

Unbeknownst to them, a mist had risen along the mansion's perimeter where they were patrolling.

At the end of the road, a human-shaped shadow appeared.

The three men looked at each other, a chill inevitably rising in their hearts.

Wang Dazhu took out a flint, hurriedly relit his lantern, and the light from the lantern brought them a little peace of mind.