C10 The Streets of the Limestone in the Morning Were Filled with the Martial Arts World
Forget about the biggest fish in the pond—the Prospering Gang—whose two leaders were akin to kings in their own right. The gang leader, Giant Mountain, also known as Countrified Round Fatty, was a man of exceptional talent. Rumors had it that he and the three chiefs of Gale Mountain Stronghold were thick as thieves, making it a breeze for them to negotiate ransoms or pass messages up the mountain.
"Interesting," said Sanmao, "eat up quickly, and then we can head back. Tomorrow, I'll report to the County Yamen. When we get a chance, we should visit the Lee family. I'm curious to see why all the renowned tough guys in our county have suddenly lost their nerve."
Jia Jiucheng ripped off a chicken leg and bit into it with gusto. Fu Sanmao, still young and eager for excitement, nodded vigorously at Jia Jiucheng's words, barely able to contain his enthusiasm at the prospect of visiting the Lee family to uncover the mystery.
Of course, if Fu Sanmao were to barge into the Lee family's estate without considering his own standing, he'd likely be shown the door without so much as a glimpse of Lee Duan. Their social statuses were simply not on par.
Jia Jiucheng, however, was a different story. Even setting aside the renown of Jia Yong, he was a Captor at the County Yamen, and Lee Duan would have to extend him some courtesy.
That night, Jia Jiucheng prepared his attire and belongings for the following day. He would report to the yamen, take up his post as a Captor, and start as a ninth-rank official. From there, he'd climb to the fifth, fourth, and third ranks, until he reached the pinnacle as a first-rank official, marry a wealthy and beautiful woman—though why settle for less than a princess? Life, he mused, was full of wonderful possibilities!
He also took a moment to check his attributes in the System Hall.
Host: Jia Jiucheng, endowed with the Super Captor System
Martial Arts and Skills:
- Basic Sword Spell: Mastery
- Combat Skill: Power Accumulating Critical Hit, capable of delivering three to six sword strikes in one blow (depending on the charge time).
Sword Skill: Blind Sword, Rank One
Movement Technique: Plum Blossom Stance Movement Technique, Rank One
Attributes:
Strength: 21 (1 point of Strength adds 2 points of attack power)
Agility: 22 (1 point of Agility adds 20 Agility, 1% evasion, speed +1 point of attack damage, and increases action speed)
Vitality: 22 (consumption for running, jumping, etc., physical defense, and Poison Resistance)
Spiritual Force: 6 (adds 2 points of Magic Damage, conditions for Magic/Weapon, and increases the Magic Point cap)
Mental: 7 (conditions for Magic/Weapon, Magic Recovery Speed, Magic Resistance, and increases Magic Critical Hit Rate)
Endurance: 21 (carrying capacity, Fire Resistance, and Ice Resistance)
Health: 650 (maximum health value)
Passive: Life Link — Boosts health by 100% (effective only within 100 meters of the maggot)
Strength: External Technique, Stage 8
Weapons: Beginner's Steel Sword, Beginner's Spirit Sword, and a Beginner's Crossbow
Equipment: Beginner Captor's uniform, identity badge, and Wooden Fish Bag (unused common clothes not listed)
Items: 10 Money Dartlike Weapons, 10 Crossbow Bolts
Pet: Black-level Super God Beast maggot
Money: 300 taels of fine silver (amounts less than one tael, like 100 coins, are disregarded by Jia Jiucheng!)
With his Stage 8 External Technique strength, Jia Jiucheng is more than qualified to be a Captor in Dingyuan, without holding anyone back. He's set to start his job with enthusiasm and joy tomorrow!
In the early morning of Dingyuan, Jia Jiucheng enjoyed sitting at the breakfast stall on the cobblestone street, savoring steamed buns and sipping clear porridge while observing the ceaseless flow of people. There were faces filled with joy, anger, sorrow, and laughter, each carrying their own hopes. The footsteps of the passersby were varied—light, heavy, leisurely, or brisk—as they wove through the bustling crowd, with the occasional carriage threading its way through.
"Jia, you've done well for yourself, becoming a Captor at such a young age. It's a stable job with good benefits. Would you take an interest in my little lady?" Mr. Liu chatted with Jia Jiucheng while keeping busy at his bun stall.
Jia Jiucheng flashed a grateful smile at the bustling uncle at the bun stall. "Much appreciated, Uncle!"
"What are you babbling about, old man?" Mrs. Wu interjected upon hearing him.
Mr. Liu responded, "No need to rush, child's mother. I see this lad as a fine match for a son-in-law! Wouldn't he be a good husband for my daughter?"
Xiaocui, the uncle's daughter, overheard and bashfully retorted, "Dad, if you can't say anything useful, better to keep quiet. I aim to marry someone wealthy and influential, to repay both of you in the future. As for him, he's just starting out with a modest home and has only recently become a Captor. Maybe in a few years, if he's made some money, I might give it some thought."
"Hahaha!" Both the uncle and Jia Jiucheng shared a laugh.
"Indeed, what woman doesn't dream of marrying well?" Jia Jiucheng mused while savoring his porridge.
"Help!"
A desperate plea echoed from an alley, drawing the attention of everyone on the street. They turned to see a woman with disheveled hair and glimpses of her fair skin sprinting from around the corner.
"To bully a defenseless woman in broad daylight – have we no laws left?"
Following closely was a boy, around 12 to 14 years old, dressed in fine attire, likely from an affluent family.
Knife in hand, he taunted, "Run, little lady, run! Haha, let's see who's going to save you now!"
Spotting the crowd, the woman's spirits lifted, and she made a beeline for them, crying out for help. But in her haste, she stumbled and twisted her ankle, collapsing to the ground.
"Run? I'll make sure you have the time of your life today..." He turned, saw the crowd, and fear flashed across his face. Brandishing his knife, he blustered, "Who dares to interfere with me? My knife doesn't discriminate. I'm only 14 – a minor. I can stab you, and it's not a crime! Plus, my family has money; I'm not scared of any trouble!"
Upon hearing these words, the crowd's fury quickly subsided, and they began to inch closer with hesitation. "Indeed, he's armed with a weapon. If he hurts someone, it's their own bad luck."
"Attack him, and you'll face his family's wrath, not to mention legal charges for assaulting a minor. Even if he kills someone, it's not illegal. Who's willing to step up?"
"He's the spoiled son of the wealthy Lee family from North City, that Lee Er."
Dozens of people encircled the scene, debating heatedly. The teenager was ripping at her clothes, her cries of "No!" and "Help!" piercing the air.
"Are we going to act? Are we going to help?" Some in the crowd exchanged glances, unsure.
"Go on, if you're so brave. Mess with the Lee family's kid, and you're asking for trouble!"
"Yeah, you do it!" The bystanders nudged each other, shirking responsibility.
"Oh no, her skirt is torn. Who's going to step in?"
"Right, it's torn. Such white legs," some men murmured, their faces betraying a hint of eager anticipation.
Most people just watched numbly, saying nothing.
Lee Er clutched the fabric and with a swift motion of his knife, shredded a large section of the skirt.
"Help me!" The woman shielded her body with one hand while desperately reaching out to the crowd with the other, her eyes scanning each face, her voice a hysterical plea for help.
"Please, someone save me!" She hoped against hope for a hero among the onlookers.
The twenty-year-old woman tried to cover herself, but to little avail. Her eyes, filled with urgent pleading, sought help from the dozens of bystanders. Yet, she didn't think to resist against the teenager whose desires clouded his judgment. Her hands were no match for the sharp blade, and soon, her clothes were nearly gone.
A 14-year-old boy, knife in hand, wore a sinister grin as he chased and tore at the young woman's clothes.
The adults in the group, numbering in the dozens, stood frozen, too afraid to intervene. A few murmured attempts to reason with the boy, but after a brief struggle within, they all reverted to a silent, numb state, merely spectators to the unfolding horror.
A group of adults stood by, watching indifferently as a teenager harassed a young woman. A tragedy was unfolding before their eyes, yet no one seemed compelled to intervene; they merely observed the distressing scene.
Why does justice crumble so easily in the face of evil? Why does it cower in the shadow of darkness? Is this truly the essence of human nature?
It seems that regardless of the era or societal structure, those with wealth and power dominate, while the common folk have their spirit worn down by harsh realities and oppressive systems, rendered mute and docile, like cabbages, merely enduring what comes their way.
They silently witness these tragedies, hearts hardened by the world. Whether in ancient times or the modern day, the plight of the common people remains unchanged.
"Ah, in my past life, I must have been one of them," Jia Jiucheng sighed. "But in this life, I seem incapable of action."
The youth was clearly young enough to be stopped. All it would take was an adult stepping in to prevent the impending tragedy. A loud shout could dispel the malice in the youth's heart, or simply brandishing an object could chase him away.
Yet, why does no one step forward to act?
When they recall this girl's ordeal, can these onlookers truly be at peace with themselves?
Jia Jiucheng couldn't hold back anymore and bellowed, "You little brute, release that girl! I'll handle this..."
"Uh..." The crowd, taken aback, turned their gaze to Jia Jiucheng.
Feeling the weight of their stares, Jia Jiucheng's face flushed with embarrassment, and he quickly corrected himself, "Oops, my mistake. Brute! Release that girl!"
[Ding... The system has issued a mission: Dingyuan Street Side Line Mission 1: Confronting Injustice. You've witnessed a bully tormenting a respectable woman on the street, an act that cannot be tolerated. You must step in and teach him a lesson on how to behave properly. Be aware that your involvement may lead to further consequences, which you must address on your own.
Mission reward: 300 Righteousness Coins and one Vitality Potion (capable of restoring both stamina and endurance. If stamina and endurance values are below 50, they can be fully replenished).
Accept? Yes/No?]
Of course, I accept. It seems that to trigger the mission, the system is testing Jia Jiucheng's inner choices.
As he walked by, he nonchalantly snapped off a willow branch from a tree at the side of the street.
The young man, his hand shaking, warned in a voice that was fierce on the surface but fearful underneath, "Don't come any closer, I have a knife!" He brandished the small knife at Jia Jiucheng.
"You have a knife? I'm terrified!" Jia Jiucheng retorted sarcastically, lifting the willow branch and lashing the young man's hand with it.
The sting of the whip was so intense that the young man felt it piercing right through to his core. The pampered young master had never experienced such agony; at home, everything always went his way.
The onlookers were stunned. "He hit him! He actually dared to hit him!"
"Lee Er has been the Street Rascal for years, and no one has ever dared to lay a finger on him!"
The harassed woman was in shock. "It would have been enough to just restrain him and take Lee Er away, but to hit him? This is serious!"
The couple running the breakfast stall were equally shocked. "Little Jia actually whipped him with a willow branch." Xiaocui's gaze grew dreamy as she watched Jia Jiucheng. Suddenly, he was no longer the unremarkable boy she thought she knew. He was extraordinary, a towering figure in her mind. Stars sparkled in her eyes. Perhaps spending a lifetime with someone like him wouldn't be so bad. At the very least, it would bring a sense of security. If I were ever bullied, he'd surely stand up for me!
"The last person who dared to stand up like that now has grass growing over his grave," someone in the crowd lamented.
