Chapter 27: The Darkness of Human Nature

“You beast! An ungrateful wretch, a thankless wolf! Why would you commit such a heartless act?” Ye Laoda furiously berated the younger brother he had never mistreated.

Ye Laoer staggered back a few steps and slowly got up.

“Hmph, why? You ask me why? Back then, what did you say? You told me to help out at the inn and make some money. And what happened? The moment you had a son, everything changed. You told me to go home and help my sister-in-law look after the child!”

Ye Laoda was momentarily stunned before snapping, “You have the nerve to bring that up? When you were helping at the inn, customers constantly complained about you stealing their food! I spared you the humiliation and didn’t call you out, just found an excuse to send you home to help with Xiaobao. You really think I didn’t know?”

“And whose fault was that? You gave those guests all the best meat and fish, while we had to survive on plain vegetables and steamed buns every day. Tell me, are they your real brothers, or am I?”

Ye Laoda was fuming. He and his wife had been willing to eat less themselves to make sure his younger brother didn’t suffer, yet the man was still complaining about not having lavish meals every day.

“They paid for their food! Did you?”

“Heh, so that’s it. I knew it—you never truly saw me as family. Even as your real brother, I have to pay?”

Everyone was speechless.

This kind of logic was completely mind-blowing.

“I used to think you were just young and immature, but now I see you’re simply rotten to the core.”

Ye Laoda turned to the village constable and declared, “From this moment on, this man is no longer part of the Ye family.”

“Hmm. And your son…?”

Everyone turned to look at the dark-skinned man nearby.

That man, desperate to save his own skin, quickly said, “If I can find the child and bring him back, sir, could that lessen my punishment?”

“If you can make amends, of course.”

“Alright, alright! I know where the child was sold. It was to a Zhang family in Luofeng Town. That family had no son, so they bought Xiaobao to raise as their own.”

Madam Ye had never expected that after two or three years, she might actually be able to find her lost child. She was instantly overwhelmed with tears.

“Husband!”

Ye Laoda, trembling with emotion, said, “Constable, please, help us!”

“Men! Bring the witness and accompany Ye Xian to Luofeng Town to find the child.”

The couple had no time to worry about anything else. They hastily bowed to Xia Mo and her companion in apology before following the soldiers to search for their son.

As for the others left behind, it was clear that according to the law, they would not be let off easily.

Now that the matter was settled, Xia Mo bid farewell to the village constable.

But the constable hesitated.

“Please, wait a moment, both of you.”

Xia Mo and Xiao Jingyuan stopped. “Does the constable still have matters to discuss?”

“Please, rest in the house for a while. I have an impolite request to make.”

Xia Mo and Xiao Jingyuan exchanged glances. Trouble was brewing—after all, the constable had even started using the humble term “I” to address himself.

But since he was the one in charge of this town, they couldn’t outright refuse and make things awkward. So they followed two soldiers into the adjacent room.

“What do you think he wants from us?” Xia Mo asked in a low voice.

Xiao Jingyuan answered flatly, “Didn’t he already say? He has an ‘impolite request’ to make.”

Xia Mo: “…”

“I meant, what exactly is this ‘impolite request’?”

“How should I know? Maybe he saw my skills and wants me to stay on as a village soldier?”

Xia Mo suddenly chuckled. “That wouldn’t be bad. Staying here as a soldier would be much better than escaping famine with me.”

Xiao Jingyuan’s face darkened, and he let out a heavy snort. “Hmph.”

“What? Did I say something wrong? Isn’t it better than sleeping out in the open and starving?”

“Xia Mo, are you just looking for a way to ditch me?”

Xia Mo blinked. Even if I am, what’s wrong with that?

“You’re not really my Xia Wu, you know. We’re just two strangers traveling together to escape famine.”

Xiao Jingyuan ground his teeth and glared at her with seething resentment, making Xia Mo feel baffled.

They say it’s hard to understand a ruler’s heart, but this kid’s thoughts are just as unpredictable.

After a moment, she suddenly blurted out, “You… you’re not planning to cling to me, are you?”

Xiao Jingyuan: “…”

As they spoke, the village constable finished dealing with the human trafficker’s case and came to meet them in the back courtyard.

“Apologies for the wait.”

They both quickly stood and saluted. “Constable, sir.”

The constable waved a hand dismissively. “No need for formalities, heroes. It is I who have a favor to ask of you.”

“Please, do tell.”

“You see, I’ve heard that you two came from the northern border and are heading to Baiyue to find your family, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Ah… The truth is, Tongzhou has already fallen to the Rongnu invaders. Once they fully control it, their next target will be Bianzhou. Right now, what Bianzhou needs most are young heroes like this little brother here.”

Xiao Jingyuan furrowed his brows. “I’m still too young to be drafted.”

“Indeed, you are, but with your strength—taking on three or five men at once—your age hardly matters.”

Xia Mo raised a brow. Oh? So he wants to recruit Xiao Jingyuan into the army?

But facing the Rongnu forces head-on was dangerous. The casualty rate for low-ranking soldiers was extremely high. No matter how strong you were, what could you do if they sent fifty men after you? A twelve-year-old boy wouldn’t stand a chance.

Xiao Jingyuan wasn’t foolish—he knew how to survive.

“I listen to my Fourth Brother. Wherever he goes, I go.”

With that, he conveniently dumped the responsibility onto Xia Mo.

The meaning was clear: I’m just a helpless kid. My guardian decides where I go. If you want me to stay, you’ll have to keep him here too.

Xia Mo, who had been enjoying the show, suddenly froze.

The constable’s smiling expression turned toward her.

“This… esteemed brother is highly skilled in medicine. Saving lives is a healer’s duty, is it not? Surely you wouldn’t refuse?”

Xia Mo twitched. She knew this war was doomed. Not only would Bianzhou fall, but so would Liangzhou. That was an unchangeable reality.

If she truly wanted to help the people of Zhongzhou, protecting this person in front of her was far more meaningful.

One day, he would reclaim all the lost territories and make the world submit.

Staying here as a military doctor wouldn’t change the war’s outcome—it would only cost both their lives.

“Apologies, but we brothers were separated from our parents and are meant to reunite in Baiyue. We must decline.”

The constable’s face darkened instantly. “Are you saying you’d rather flee like cowards?”

Xia Mo: “…” Wow. That changed faster than flipping a page. Just now we were heroes, and now we’re cowards?

“Sir, I am merely a defenseless scholar with limited ability. Please don’t make things difficult for me.”

“I’m not asking you to fight the Rongnu. Your little brother is a born warrior—his future is limitless.”

“If you truly think my Xia Wu has limitless potential, then all the more reason we can’t stay. He’s only twelve. Defending the country is the duty of men. How could it fall to a child? When he grows up, he will surely serve Da Zhou.”