Evan Yang suppressed his sorrow and left the village together with everyone else. This was his first time leaving since arriving here, and the other boys and girls were just as inexperienced. Everything they saw along the road seemed strange and new. Because they traveled on a main road full of people, they encountered no bandits or robbers, and after half a month on foot, they finally arrived at the Rising Sun Sect. By then, they were all exhausted—after all, they had walked a long way with only their own feet. But when they saw a mountain shrouded in mist appear before them, all their fatigue vanished, replaced by excitement mixed with anxiety. They worried about being rejected. Mr. Li, watching them, could only recall the past: back then, another group of villagers came full of hope, but all were rejected, leaving painful scars. Looking at today’s group, he knew more hearts would be broken, and new wounds would be left behind.
Just then, three people—two burly men and a youth—approached from behind. As they passed by, the youth in the middle glanced at them and sneered, "I don't know where these wild hillbillies came from, but they actually dare to show up here. They'll definitely have to tuck their tails and run home."
The villagers who heard this glared fiercely at the trio. Some of the young men were about to retaliate, but Mr. Li quickly stopped them: "You promised me before leaving the village—no causing trouble!" Hearing Mr. Li speak, the villagers reluctantly held back and continued to glare at the three.
"How boring!" The youth, seeing Mr. Li hold everyone back, snorted and swaggered up the mountain.
"What's so great about him!" One villager couldn't hold back and cursed, even spitting on the ground. The trio, not far ahead, noticed. The youth's face darkened as he turned and demanded, "Who said that?" His two followers stepped forward and shouted, "Who just said that?" The villagers, blocked by the two burly men, grew nervous. They were all just boys and girls—no match for these men even if they wanted to fight. When no one spoke up, the youth sneered, "If you're not going to admit it, I'll teach this old geezer a lesson." He gestured to his followers.
Just as a hand was about to strike Mr. Li, Evan Yang shouted, "Stop!" The sudden cry startled the trio. Seeing them pause, Evan stepped forward and said, "I was the one who cursed. So what?" Then he spat in contempt. The youth, furious at being insulted in public, roared, "You two, beat him! Beat him to death!"
And so, before everyone's eyes, a vicious beating unfolded. Mr. Li rushed forward to stop it, but he was too late. One man blocked the villagers, while Evan was dragged aside and mercilessly beaten. The man cursed as he hit, "Let's see if you're still so arrogant, kid!" The youth grew more excited, shouting, "Hit him harder! I'll reward you well when we're done!" Spurred on, the man attacked Evan with even greater cruelty. The village boys and girls could only glare angrily; some timid children even began to cry, begging, "Stop!" Mr. Li fell to his knees, desperately pleading, "Please, stop!"