Chapter 5: A Great Hero is Either Black or Dead!

This old Wang family are barbers; there probably won't be any major rewards.

Could the reward be the barbering trade?

Well, it’s free, so it’s better than nothing!

The most critical thing is that if this child isn't saved, she might really be beaten to death.

He has a father but receives no protection, which makes Luo Zhou, who lost both his parents, feel a pang in his heart.

Luo Zhou carried the child and delivered her to a medical hall in the market.

Outside the market, there is a row of shops on the street, among which is a medical hall called Huichun Pavilion.

Luo Zhou entered Huichun Pavilion and headed straight for the resident physician.

"Doctor, please take a look at this child!"

The resident physician, Dr. Liu, took one look and said, "The child from the barber Wang family? Beaten again?"

It seems this child is a regular here.

"Yes, the beating was quite severe. Please take a look, Doctor."

"We don't offer credit here. Last time this child was beaten until she lost consciousness, and the barber Wang family still owes eighty copper coins."

"It's fine, Doctor. I have money. Treat her; I'll pay whatever it costs!"

Dr. Liu nodded and began the treatment.

Although the bald old Wang had beaten her severely, Luo Zhou had intervened in time, so her life was not in danger.

Dr. Liu used his internal energy to massage her, gave the child an oral pill, and applied some external trauma medicine, saying

"Nothing major. This child has a strong constitution; she should recover in three to five days!"

The child was very obedient; she didn't cry no matter how painful the treatment was, and her large eyes were exceptionally bright and clear.

Luo Zhou waited on the side, and when the treatment was finished, he took out the money.

There was no need for spirit fragments here; copper coins and silver were sufficient.

It totaled five hundred copper coins and half a tael of silver—a trivial matter for him!

The gossiping neighbors who had been watching the spectacle also gathered here, whispering among themselves.

Suddenly, someone shouted, "The officials are here! The officials are here!"

"Luo family boy, you're in trouble, run! The old Wang family reported you to the authorities!"

Constables were arriving from that direction.

The bald old Wang had actually reported him!

"My Lord, this is the brat who beat me and snatched my child away!"

"Breaking down doors, robbery, beating people and kidnapping children—this brat is a bandit, capable of every evil. He's a bastard without parents! Arrest him, throw him in jail!"

Two constables followed the bald old Wang to the scene.

Luo Zhou glanced at the leader, and the corner of his eye twitched.

It was Li Haitian, the head constable who had handled the Gu Shanhe case last time.

Li Haitian looked every bit the government's hound: a square face with distinct, sharp features, solid and steady, with a rock-like toughness.

Even when silent, he exuded endless authority.

Why would a head constable personally handle such a minor brawl?

How did the other party call the officials so quickly? Did they have some special relationship, like being relatives?

Luo Zhou walked up to meet them and took out his Dao Academy student token, handing it over solemnly.

"Greetings, Head Constable. I am student Luo Zhou, from the third class of the Heaven and Earth Dao Academy, under the tutelage of Dean Zhao Bochen!"

Neither humble nor arrogant, reasonable and grounded!

The Heaven and Earth Dao Academy held a very high status in this city, especially the old Dean Zhao Bochen, who was one of the top three figures in the city; even the City Lord had to bow to him.

The two aggressive constables suddenly faltered, their ferocity vanishing, and they became very polite.

Luo Zhou continued: "I was on my way home from school today when I encountered a crowd of neighbors watching a commotion. I saw this Uncle Wang beating the child violently. The child was already foaming at the mouth, while his new wife stood by, twisting the truth and cheering him on. If this continued, the child would surely have been beaten to death. I had no choice but to intervene and bring the child here for treatment. They tried to stop me, so I had to push them aside. The entire incident was witnessed by the neighbors. Can you uncles and aunties please testify for me?"

As soon as he said this, the gossiping neighbors around them immediately shouted out.

"I can testify! This barber Wang is no good; he married a new wife and beats the child mercilessly."

"I can testify! If it weren't for the Luo family's second son, little Ya would have been beaten to death."

"Stepmothers are just cruel; they beat the child every day."

For a moment, there was a flurry of discussion and public indignation.

They were all testifying for Luo Zhou.

The power of the masses is truly strong.

The bald old Wang wanted to resist, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he was cursed so thoroughly that he couldn't say a single word, his face turning ashen.

Head Constable Li Haitian looked around and said slowly

"I know, everyone, please stop. Rest assured, the law is like a furnace; it will not wrong a good person, nor will it let a bad person go!"

Though his words were soft, they carried an irresistible force.

Everyone was suppressed by his official authority and fell silent.

He was clearly helping the Wang family!

At this moment, Dr. Liu said slowly

"This child has been brought here for treatment for the fourth time. The previous three times, she was beaten until she lost consciousness. This time, if she had arrived any later, she might not have made it!"

He was not afraid of Li Haitian's authority. As a Qi-refining practitioner, his words basically settled the matter!

The bald old Wang broke into a sweat, speechless.

Head Constable Li Haitian nodded slightly and said

"In that case, this matter is still Luo..."

He hadn't remembered Luo Zhou's name!

"Luo Zhou!"

"Student Luo Zhou of the Dao Academy, encountering a family matter of the Wangs, could not bear to see the child beaten and acted righteously to save her. This was youthful spirit, not the 'breaking and entering' or 'kidnapping' that the Wang family claims."

As soon as these words were spoken, cheers erupted all around.

But Li Haitian changed the subject.

"However, Luo Zhou did indeed break down the door, snatch the child, and push the Wang couple. The Wang family is not exactly making a false accusation; there are extenuating circumstances, but the facts remain. Since ancient times, the law has held that filial piety comes first; as long as parents don't beat their children to death, it is not a crime. Because you intervened, Luo Zhou, the Wang couple was indeed injured. Luo Zhou, I fine you three taels of silver. Do you accept this?"

This head constable definitely had a connection with the Wang family. He knew public opinion couldn't be ignored, but he still cleared the Wang family of false accusations and child abuse with this decision.

He saw that Luo Zhou was willing to pay for the child's treatment, so he likely wasn't short on money.

Luo Zhou didn't want to escalate the matter, so he nodded and said, "This student accepts the fine!"

He took out three taels of silver and handed them to Li Haitian.

Li Haitian handed the silver to the bald old Wang.

With the fine paid and given to the Wang family, the Wangs were blinded by greed, and the matter was settled.

The old Wang was suddenly beaming with joy.

"Wang Dong, Luo Zhou, neighbors, does anyone have any different opinions?"

His hawk-like eyes scanned the crowd, and wherever he looked, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to voice a different opinion.

"Good. Since no one has any objections, then in my capacity as Head Constable, I make this ruling!"

The matter was thus concluded.

Then he looked at the bald old Wang and said coldly

"Wang Dong, listen well. If you don't want to raise this child, I will help you find a human trafficker to sell her off. If you beat her to death privately, I will make sure you face the law, lose your family fortune, and pay with your life. Do you understand?"

His words were incredibly cold, scaring Wang Dong into hurriedly replying

"I understand, I understand! I won't beat her again!"

With the matter resolved, Head Constable Li Haitian smiled and left with his subordinates.

Just as they walked out of the medical hall, they saw a man walking slowly toward them.

This man had a dignified appearance and an extraordinary bearing; one could tell at a glance that he was a strong and upright person.

He knew Li Haitian, and the two exchanged greetings and pleasantries before passing each other.

Li Haitian muttered to himself, "Isn't that Cheng Wanli of the Dragon Tooth Group? What is he doing here?"

His subordinate, who also recognized him, said, "The Dragon Tooth Group has caught several crocodile dragons in the past two months; they've made a fortune."

Li Haitian gave a wink, and his subordinate immediately understood. They didn't leave but quietly kept watch.

Over there, the matter was finished, and the child was healed, but she still had to go home with her parents.

Luo Zhou looked at the bald old Wang and said in a low voice that only the two of them could hear

"Old Wang, listen well."

"Go back. If you dare to beat the child again, for every time you hit her, I will hit you. Next time, perhaps there won't be anyone watching, and perhaps someone will disappear from this world, dying in a way no one can explain! Do you believe I can wipe you out?"

Although if the old Wang beat the child again and Luo Zhou intervened to save her and punish the evil, he would get a reward, Luo Zhou would rather not have such a reward than see the child continue to be beaten.

The bald old Wang snorted, acting as if he didn't care, but he was likely terrified inside and didn't dare to curse or beat the child anymore.

He left holding the child.

As the child was carried away, she kept looking at Luo Zhou, her eyes filled with gratitude.

After the old Wang left, the onlookers also dispersed, and Luo Zhou prepared to go home.

He caught sight of Captain Cheng Wanli of the Dragon Tooth Group.

He immediately ran over like a sycophant and shouted, "Greetings, Captain!"

Cheng Wanli glanced at him and said loudly, "Luo Zhou, I came specifically to notify you. Tomorrow at the hour of the Dragon, we are going to hunt dragons at the North City Gate. Remember to come and provide labor!"

"Understood, no problem!"

"I'm going to notify Zhang Chuan and the others. If you're late, I won't take you; don't be even a breath behind! Also, be diligent. The group is giving you, a reserve member, a chance—remember to cherish it!"

"Don't worry, Captain, absolutely no problem!"

Cheng Wanli turned and left to summon the next subordinate to go dragon hunting tomorrow.

Back at the office, the constables reported back, not just about the conversation, but also other information they had gathered about Luo Zhou.

Li Haitian nodded repeatedly and said

"A half-grown boy joining the Dragon Tooth Group to hunt dragons? To be so desperate at such a young age—rare indeed. 'Hero Luo'? A bit of a fool, though."

"Truly a youth. He doesn't know the dangers of this world. Heroes are either black-hearted or dead!"

(End of chapter)