Chapter 70: Xiao Ta
Ji Qing didn’t speak, his gaze calmly fixed on the little boy.
After a moment of silence, the little boy spoke: “You have a sword, yet you didn’t rob others. Following you is safe.”
“Moreover, you can go several days without eating, yet remain full of vigor. You’re an extraordinary person with real skills. Grandpa said before he died that if you encounter an extraordinary person, you must firmly seize the opportunity, or you might survive!”
Ji Qing understood.
This little boy had some cleverness.
Moreover, his observations were meticulous; he had first observed Ji Qing for a while and saw that Ji Qing didn’t rob others before approaching.
He even observed that Ji Qing went several days without eating yet remained full of vigor, thus inferring that Ji Qing was an extraordinary person and wanting to cling to this “extraordinary person”‘s thigh.
For a little boy of only about ten years old, discovering this information was already quite remarkable.
“What’s your name?”
“Grandpa called me Xiao Ta.”
The little boy still kept a wary eye and didn’t tell Ji Qing his real name.
He only gave his nickname.
Ji Qing didn’t mind.
“Three zhang distance, do not approach!”
After Ji Qing spoke, he turned and walked away.
There were so many refugees, not just Xiao Ta.
There were plenty even more miserable than Xiao Ta.
Ji Qing couldn’t manage all of them.
Whether Xiao Ta could survive this famine depended on his own fortune.
Ji Qing continued to measure the land with his feet.
Constantly sensing the natural heaven and earth.
Unfortunately, the opportunity he sought remained elusive.
Finally, the refugees arrived outside a city.
Unfortunately, the city gates were tightly shut, with soldiers holding weapons standing guard, not allowing any refugees to enter.
This was normal.
In times of famine, refugees were the most troublesome and dangerous group.
If refugees entered the city and weren’t handled properly, it could spark a refugee riot, turning the city into a living hell.
However, though refugees weren’t allowed in, some grain was still thrown out to them.
Instantly, the refugees frantically scrambled for this grain.
Ji Qing glanced at Xiao Ta.
The other boy didn’t move at all, even staying away from the grain’s location, refusing to approach even a step.
“You’re not going to rob grain?”
Ji Qing asked.
“No, Grandpa said a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. I’m not grown up yet and can’t compete with those strong refugees. Rashly fighting for grain would likely get me beaten to death.”
Xiao Ta said firmly.
Ji Qing was somewhat surprised.
It seemed Xiao Ta had read some books.
However, reading was one thing; for a skinny, starving Xiao Ta to resist the temptation of grain and absolutely not contend for it was no easy feat.
Ji Qing said no more.
The refugees didn’t stay long outside the city.
Because there was no food outside the city either.
Thus, the refugees continued onward to the next city.
The second, third, fourth, fifth…
Unfortunately, the officials in the later cities weren’t so kind; not only did they refuse to let refugees in, they wouldn’t give even a bit of grain.
More and more refugees starved to death.
Even the usually clever Xiao Ta was dizzy from hunger, lying under a tree unwilling to move.
This was the first time Ji Qing got up to leave, but Xiao Ta didn’t follow.
It wasn’t that Xiao Ta didn’t want to follow, but he had no strength left.
Ji Qing was unaffected.
He was a martial artist.
Though martial artists couldn’t abstain from food forever and still needed to eat, they had internal energy.
The deeper the internal energy, the better they could endure hunger.
Ji Qing’s internal energy was profound; after one meal, he could go ten days or half a month without eating and be fine.
Ordinary people couldn’t.
Ordinary people would be dizzy and weak all over after two or three days without food.
Just as Ji Qing stood up, he sensed several figures lurking nearby.
Those figures’ gazes fell on Xiao Ta like hungry wolves.
Clearly, they had targeted Xiao Ta.
Waiting for him to leave, then they would act on Xiao Ta.
Ji Qing glanced at Xiao Ta, then silently sat back down.
He wasn’t leaving.
Perhaps he was truly starved badly.
Those figures could no longer hold back and began approaching Xiao Ta.
“Take one more step, and die!”
Ji Qing spoke.
He wouldn’t help Xiao Ta too much, but he wouldn’t allow Xiao Ta to fall into the hands of these inhuman refugees either.
“You… don’t meddle in others’ business! We’re too hungry…”
Several refugees decided to ignore Ji Qing.
So what if he had a sword?
One of them had a sword too!
If Ji Qing dared to interfere, they wouldn’t mind killing him as well!
“Help… help…”
Xiao Ta’s voice was hoarse as he crawled toward Ji Qing.
Unfortunately, he was caught by the refugees after just a few steps.
“Kid, you can’t escape today…”
The refugees swallowed their saliva one by one.
But just as they reached for Xiao Ta.
“Clang.”
A crisp sound.
That was the sound of drawing sword!
Xiao Ta struggled to lift his head, mouth agape, staring dumbfounded at the void.
He saw a dazzling blade light, brighter than the sun.
The blade light flashed and vanished.
Then, the refugees near Xiao Ta clutched their throats one by one, eyes wide.
“Spurt.”
Blood spurted.
Deep bloodstains appeared on the refugees’ throats.
Blood sprayed as the refugees fell to the ground, becoming corpses after a few breaths.
Xiao Ta shuddered all over.
He seemed shocked by this scene.
“Extraordinary person! A real extraordinary person…”
Xiao Ta murmured lowly.
His gaze toward Ji Qing burned even hotter.
Unfortunately, he now struggled even to move.
“Whoa.”
Suddenly, a clamor arose among the refugees ahead.
Immediately after, countless refugees knelt on the ground, shouting loudly: “Thank you, Lord, for saving our lives!”
Countless refugees wept bitterly.
Then, Ji Qing saw the gates of Boyang City ahead slowly open.
Was Boyang City willing to let refugees in?
Ji Qing was also surprised.
He had been among the refugees for so long, passing many cities.
Only Boyang City was willing to let refugees enter.
This Boyang City’s county magistrate probably truly had a benevolent heart.
Of course, daring to let refugees in required great resolve.
But regardless of the reason, with refugees entering the city, it meant they could survive!
“Enter the city, must enter the city…”
Xiao Ta, who had just been lying on the ground gasping his last, somehow found the strength to stand up shakily.
And followed Ji Qing, step by step, into Boyang City.
The influx of refugees turned Boyang City’s streets chaotic.
Fortunately, government officials maintained order.
Some wealthy families were also giving out porridge.
Xiao Ta truly couldn’t walk anymore and simply sat down in a corner.
Ji Qing also stopped.
Xiao Ta didn’t know if he could get up again after sitting.
He probably didn’t even have the strength to line up for porridge.
“Grandpa, he looks like he’s about to starve to death… Let’s give him the pancake to eat…”
Suddenly, a soft, refined girl’s voice rang out.
To Xiao Ta, it sounded like heavenly music.
He struggled to lift his head and saw an old man and a little girl of seven or eight.
The old man nodded and placed the pancake in his hand before Xiao Ta.
Xiao Ta grabbed the pancake and devoured it ravenously.
“Child, eat slower.”
The old man fetched some water.
Ji Qing watched the scene from nearby.
It seemed Xiao Ta still had some luck; with this pancake, he wouldn’t starve for now.
“Uncle, here.”
At this time, the little girl brought a pancake to Ji Qing.
It was clear the little girl was a bit scared.
“Thank you.”
Ji Qing reached out and took the pancake.
The little girl happily ran back to her grandpa.
“Benefactor, may I know your honorable name? I will repay you a hundredfold one day!”
Xiao Ta finally finished the pancake and kowtowed directly to the old man.
This was a life-saving grace; a kowtow was nothing.
“This old man is just a bamboo weaver, not worthy of such grand courtesy. Here are a few coins, not much, but enough for you to buy a few steamed buns to fill your stomach.”
After the old man spoke, he tossed down a few coins and left with the little girl.
Xiao Ta clutched the few coins tightly.
He glanced at Ji Qing again.
“Benefactor, please accept my bow too!”
Xiao Ta also kowtowed to Ji Qing.
If not for Ji Qing’s intervention outside the city, Xiao Ta wouldn’t have made it inside.
Ji Qing said nothing and graciously accepted the bow.
Xiao Ta no longer followed Ji Qing.
Having entered Boyang City, he was temporarily safe.
He needed to find a livelihood.
Once he had a livelihood later, he could repay the favor!
