Chapter 120: The Great Qian in the Midst of Internal Turmoil

【The arrival of the tax collector deeply surprises you】

【You never expected that in the increasingly demon-infested borderlands, amidst the growing turmoil of the Great Qian Dynasty, a tax collector would still come to demand taxes from people who have nothing】

【You stop your martial practice】

【You stop your training】

【As winter approaches, the biting wind sweeps through the branches, only to be deflected and scattered by your invisible Gang Qi upon contact】

【The young girl, filled with rage, acts more impulsively than you, vowing to stab a hundred holes in the tax collector with her long spear】

【You tell the girl to stay put and head to the town gate alone】

【You see the tax collector, riding an Azure Scale Horse, flaunting his power and harshly scolding the residents of Qingniu Town】

【You notice the familiar faces trembling in fear】

【You knock the tax collector off his horse, but you know that alone is not enough】

【In the eyes of Qingniu Town’s residents, in the eyes of these impoverished people, the “tax collector” still looms large, a weight on everyone’s hearts】

【The simple folk don’t understand grand theories, nor do they know of high or low status】

【You don’t plan to spout lofty, distant ideals either】

【You simply state the harsh reality in a calm tone, telling them that the tax collector has come to take away what little food they have, and that they will starve】

It’s normal for people to be afraid.

Fear, cowering, trembling.

Faced with something “stronger” than themselves, people instinctively shrink back. But when hunger gnaws at their bellies, when their empty stomachs cramp in pain again and again.

In the face of approaching death.

The fear in their hearts begins to fade.

Death is the void of everything, and those who are already dying won’t fear anything else.

They just want to survive.

But now, the tax collector wants to take away their last scraps of food, the final rations each family has saved for their children, for their loved ones.

Even if their throats tighten, no one dares to eat it.

Yet this last bit of dignity.

This last bit of defiance.

The tax collector wants to snatch it away.

Suddenly, realizing this, A Niu’s throat feels dry and burning, as if an invisible flame is scorching him, making him tremble uncontrollably.

His honest, simple face shows a look of grievance Xu Xi has never seen before.

And an indescribable anger.

Not just him, several others step forward, walking toward the fallen tax collector.

“I won’t allow it, I won’t let you do this! That porridge is for my mother, not for you!”

“It’s you, I remember you, you ruined my sister!”

“You’re the one who stole our grain!”

Those who step forward were once farmers tilling the soil, or blacksmiths hammering iron all day.

Among them is even a once-wealthy merchant who, after offending a county official, had his property confiscated and was exiled to the borderlands.

And now.

They share a common identity.

Starving refugees, on the brink of death, struggling to survive—【people】.

“You, you all, what do you think you’re doing!” The tax collector seems frightened, scrambling to his feet only to fall again in his haste.

Ridiculous yet pitiful, laughable yet ironic.

The tax collector is no ordinary man.

He’s a martial artist, albeit only at the second level of body tempering, but a martial artist nonetheless.

In theory, a martial artist should easily overpower ordinary folk, but when the tax collector meets their gazes, faces their pitchforks, hoes, and sickles.

Suddenly, he’s afraid.

Only now does the once-arrogant tax collector remember a simple truth.

He’s human too. He bleeds when cut, dies when his heart is pierced. He’s not an Eternal Monster, but just like these “lowly” people.

“W-wait!”

The tax collector tries to say something.

But it’s too late.

The despair born of hunger, the rage from having their hope of survival stripped away, surges toward the tax collector.

Someone pins his arms, someone ties his legs, someone punches his head, someone kicks his “third leg.”

…

“Sir, is this really okay?”

A familiar voice comes from behind Xu Xi.

The girl couldn’t resist her curiosity and sneaked out of Xu Xi’s home.

But at this point.

Given the situation in Qingniu Town, there’s no need to hide anymore.

Wu Yingxue frowns slightly, looking at the tax collector surrounded by the crowd, beaten down no matter how many times he struggles:

“If the court finds out, Qingniu Town might…”

The girl hesitates, having earlier vowed to stab the tax collector, now worried about the consequences of his death.

The autumn wind is cold and biting, stinging the wounds even more. The tax collector’s wails grow more agonizing, and gradually, he begins to beg for mercy.

Bowing his never-noble head to the people he once deemed lowly.

“Yingxue, that doesn’t matter.”

Xu Xi understands Wu Yingxue’s concern.

He looks away from the scene and turns to the girl: “The people of Qingniu Town are already on the brink of survival, and the border army of Great Qian has never stepped beyond the checkpoint.”

Those who are already dying.

Don’t consider what retribution the future might bring.

Wu Yingxue’s eyes dim slightly: “The Nourishing Origin Technique hasn’t made progress. If this continues, the people of Qingniu Town might not survive the winter.”

Xu Xi replies: “I think I know what to do.”

…

【You reveal the harsh truth of perpetual hunger to the people of Qingniu Town】

【They swing their fists, weak but determined, each punch landing with force】

【Punch after punch, again and again】

【The tax collector is beaten to a pulp, bearing the wrath that has built up over countless years, only to erupt now on the brink of starvation】

【You step in to stop the beating】

【Not out of sympathy for the tax collector, whose crimes are so numerous even children fear him】

【You simply want to extract information from him about the current state of Great Qian and the latest news on the rebel army】

【The tax collector pleads for mercy while divulging the information you seek】

【Great Qian is in chaos】

【You’re surprised to learn that the increasingly dangerous Demon Tide isn’t just affecting Qingniu Town, but the entire border of Great Qian is under varying degrees of assault】

【This has led to many desperate people, those hunted by demons, violently clashing with the garrisoned troops at various checkpoints】

【Meanwhile, within the thirteen provinces of Great Qian, some counties unable to bear the heavy taxes have begun to rebel one after another】

【Despite the Great Qian army’s efforts to suppress them】

【Despite the Human Immortals of Great Qian who can move mountains with their strength】

【The impending sense of collapse makes you realize that it’s not just the people of Qingniu Town who want to survive】

【You look at A Niu and the people behind him, their emaciated bodies and the dirty hoes and sickles in their hands】

【You begin to understand how to refine the Nourishing Origin Technique】