Chapter 45: Killing Ma Liu

Xiantao Village lies on the banks of the Mian River.

The Mian River is an ancient river, a tributary of the Yangtze. During the Qin and Han dynasties, it was known as the Han River.

The Mian River flows continuously through several nearby prefectures and counties, and Mian County lies within its course.

As the river flows toward Xiantao Town, it is flanked by three peaches: Shangtao, Zhongtao, and Xiantao.

At the confluence of the three peaches—Shangtao, Zhongtao, and Xiantao—there is a river bend that serves as the vital water source for spring plowing, summer sowing, and irrigation for the entire Xiantao Town.

In the past, several villages often engaged in violent brawls over the right to this irrigation water.

Furthermore, because of the river's course, one had to take a long detour to travel from Zhongtao to Shangtao. Later, the villagers pooled their money to build a small stone bridge; though it was not large, it indeed saved them a significant amount of travel time.

The common folk even named this small stone bridge the Kangle Bridge.

Ma Liu originally lived in Xiantao Village, but later, after falling into the vice of gambling, he lost his family home and fled. It was thought he would die in exile, but unexpectedly, within a few months, he became a broker for Yu Jiabao's agency, working under Yu Sanliu, and had caused harm to many people.

Later, Ma Liu struck it rich. Yu Sanliu even gifted him a house in Zhongtao Village as a reward for his efficient work.

Ma Liu had prospered over the last two years, making a great deal of money following Yu Sanliu, though he had also accumulated much sin. He had even seduced Widow Wang from Shangtao Village, and his life was quite comfortable.

Ever since receiving a new assignment from Yu Sanliu, Ma Liu felt that his chance for greatness was right before his eyes. The last time he helped the Young Master with a small matter, he was rewarded with a house; this time, the reward would likely be even greater.

In high spirits, Ma Liu bought some food and drink and headed toward Shangtao Village to find Widow Wang.

After a bout of drinking and carnal pleasure, feeling refreshed and revitalized, Ma Liu left the Wang residence with a swaggering, arrogant gait.

"Burp—I'm off."

As Ma Liu staggered away from Widow Wang's house, she came out to see him off, accompanied by her eight-year-old son, while tidying her clothes. Ma Liu reached out and patted Widow Wang's face, saying, "You're still as smooth as ever, *burp*."

Widow Wang smiled and said, "I am an old woman past my prime; I can't compare to the women outside. If Lord Liu feels my service is adequate, please come more often. Xiaobao and I rely on you, Lord Liu."

"Heh, easy enough, easy enough. Xiaobao, come here, call me 'Father' and let me hear it."

Ma Liu spoke to Widow Wang and reached out to pinch the child's cheek, but the boy turned his head away, unwilling to acknowledge him as his father.

*Slap!*

Unexpectedly, Ma Liu raised his hand and delivered a slap. "You little beast, ungrateful brat!"

"Lord Liu, Lord Liu, please don't be angry! Xiaobao is just a child, he doesn't know better. You are a great man, please show your magnanimity!" Widow Wang hurriedly pleaded.

Ma Liu shot Widow Wang a glance, then pointed at Xiaobao. "You little beast, your mother has to serve me obediently, but what use are you? I'll let you off this time, but next time, I'll skin you alive."

"You little brat, *burp*—I'm leaving."

As Ma Liu wobbled forward, Widow Wang called out from behind, "Lord Liu, take care!"

She turned to look at Xiaobao, whose face was already swelling. "What is wrong with you?"

Xiaobao covered his face, said nothing, and ran into the house crying.

"That child..." Widow Wang chased after him.

Xiaobao was curled up in a corner, clutching his legs and sobbing...

Widow Wang sighed. She looked at the half-eaten roast chicken on the table and brought it to Xiaobao. While eating earlier, she hadn't dared to take a single bite of meat for herself.

"Eat." She placed the roast chicken in front of him.

"I won't eat it." Xiaobao turned his head away, eyes brimming with tears.

Seeing him like this, Widow Wang sighed and said, "In the future, stay away from him when he's drinking. If he doesn't want to call you father, then don't call him."

"Alright, stop crying. Have a bite of roast chicken, it's delicious."

"I won't. I won't eat anything of his."

"Oh, why are you so stubborn? Stop crying. Does it hurt?"

"I'm not crying because it hurts."

"Then why are you crying?"

"He... he bullies Mother!"

Upon hearing this, Widow Wang's expression darkened. Xiaobao continued, "The villagers all say Mother is a slut, that she has no shame, *sob sob sob*..."

Hearing these words, Widow Wang's face fell. She patted Xiaobao, but her own tears could not be held back. She turned her head away so Xiaobao wouldn't see.

Xiaobao looked up at her. "Mother, are you crying?"

"I'm not."

"But Mother, you clearly shed tears. I saw them."

"It's nothing. Eat your meat."

As Widow Wang wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, Xiaobao said, "Mother, can you please stop seeing Ma Liu from now on? He... he is not a good man."

Widow Wang's expression froze.

Looking into Xiaobao's eyes, she said, "Xiaobao, you are a big boy now. There are some things Mother needs to tell you."

"Your father fell into a gambling addiction and lost all our belongings. I don't know if he truly drowned or if they beat him to death, but he left us, a widow and an orphan, in total ruin."

"Even now, our family still owes Ma Liu money, and Mother cannot pay it back."

"If it were just Mother, I could preserve my virtue through death, but I have you, Xiaobao. Mother cannot die."

"For your sake, Mother must endure..."

Widow Wang broke into uncontrollable sobs. Xiaobao reached out to wipe his mother's tears, and the two embraced, weeping bitterly. As Xiaobao wiped the tears from his own eyes, his gaze was filled with hatred, silently vowing that once he grew older, he would surely kill Ma Liu!

...

"One watch, two watches... the moon's shadow shines on the flower terrace, Sister Qiuxi has set her plan, she said she'd come before the night is through..."

As the moonlight descended, a heavily intoxicated Ma Liu staggered toward Zhongtao Village, humming a little tune with a wandering gaze.

He soon arrived at the Kangle Bridge.

Past the Kangle Bridge lay Zhongtao Village. The moonlight tonight was truly bright; Ma Liu's eyes scanned the surroundings.

"Hmm?"

Then, he saw a small piece of silver lying not far away.

*Hey, the lucky stars are shining on me today.*

He walked over and picked it up. One *qian* of silver.

"This?" Ma Liu's eyes lit up, a smile spreading across his face as he quickly tucked it away.

He looked around to see if anyone was watching, but as he raised his head, he saw another lump of silver not far ahead.

*Aha... double the luck!*

Ma Liu immediately went to pick it up. When he looked up again, there was yet another lump of silver nearby.

And so, Ma Liu picked up silver all along the way, unknowingly reaching the riverbank. By now, he had sobered up halfway. This silver was too strange—how could it have been dropped all the way here by the river, and why were they all one *qian* pieces?

Something felt wrong.

Thinking this, he looked into the river. The moonlight shone on the water, making his reflection clearly visible.

He saw himself in the water, eyes bleary from drink, staring at his own reflection. Suddenly, his vision blurred, and he thought he saw a shadow appear behind him.

He rubbed his eyes, thinking it was an illusion, but upon looking again, he discovered with horror that there truly was a head behind him, staring straight at him...

"Chen... Chen Jiusi!"

"How! How can it be you!!"

Ma Liu cried out in disbelief, but in the next instant, he felt a large hand clamp onto the back of his neck, and he was slammed directly into the water...

(End of Chapter)