nyslfriends Chapter 1 Year of Disaster
Chapter 1 Year of Disaster
Dayuan.
Gyeongju, Datong Prefecture, Baoshan County, outside the city, Liushufang.
Scorching sun.
"Listen carefully, this month is our gang leader's 60th birthday."
"For your safety, our leader has done everything in his power. You naturally need to show your appreciation for the old master's birthday celebration; it's a way of repaying the Wild Wolf Gang and our leader. So..."
"Your allowance will be increased by 30% this month!"
"I suppose none of you have any objections?"
The man who spoke was burly with a scar on his left cheek, a thick beard, and was in his thirties with a ruddy complexion. Behind him stood two young men with long knives at their waists.
"Brother Niu, you only increased it by 30% last month, why are you increasing it again this month?"
"Yes, Uncle Niu, my family is only eating one meal now, we can't have any more!"
"Old man Niu, please have mercy!"
...
Upon hearing that the commission would be increased by another 30%, these people pleaded in desperation.
At the very back of the crowd stood a young man, his head bowed, but he did not speak. His name was Li Yuan, and he was a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. The Li family clinic used to be quite famous in this area.
"It's no use!"
"The Wild Wolf Gang is ruthless, even more so than local thugs!"
He glanced around out of the corner of his eye and saw that the Wild Wolf Gang only had three people, while there were forty or fifty people in Willow Tree Village. However, few of them dared to resist, let alone plead for help.
To put it simply, it's fear.
At a deeper level, it's about how people in this world are treated like dirt.
"A time of chaos and disaster!"
He sighed inwardly. Life in Liushufang was getting worse and worse. On good days, they could eat two meals a day, but on bad days, they could only eat one. The only one who was probably doing well was He Qiushi.
Her family owns a tofu shop, and they live a pretty good life.
However, the people of Liushufang didn't like her because after she married into the He family, her husband suddenly died in bed that very night.
Not long after, her father-in-law also suddenly died.
In the end, the mother-in-law was heartbroken and passed away after only a few months.
She was the only one left in the whole house.
So some people said she was a jinx to her husbands, and eventually the rumor spread that she was a jinx to people, and those who had a lot of contact with her might eventually be killed by her.
From then on, everyone in Willow Lane started to dislike her.
If you encounter them while walking, immediately keep your distance.
"Snapped!"
Niu Ye slapped the middle-aged man at the front.
The man spun like a top, fell to the ground, and screamed in agony.
The side of his face that had been slapped was visibly swollen, larger than a fist, with a clear bloody handprint visible.
This shows how ruthless he was.
Li Yuan quickly lowered his head, his heart trembling. "Is this what a martial artist is?"
The slap had an immediate effect; those who had spoken earlier immediately shut up, staring at Master Niu in terror, their bodies involuntarily retreating, afraid of being the next one.
"Keep making noise! Keep it up!"
Old Master Niu glared with fierce eyes, and his imposing physique caused everyone who looked at him to lower their heads in fear, not daring to meet his gaze.
"A bunch of scoundrels!"
"Listen up, go back and prepare the money, I'm going to collect it from every single house."
"If you don't have them, don't blame me for using my fists on you!"
"Clang clang—"
The two henchmen behind him drew their long swords, the piercing sound startling everyone.
Under the blazing sun, the long sword emitted a dazzling silver light, sweeping across the crowd and sending chills down their spines. They all lowered their heads in fear.
Seeing this, Master Niu nodded in satisfaction.
A bunch of lowly people, they only obey when threatened.
He then walked straight towards the crowd, who automatically moved aside in fear. When he reached Li Yuan, he gave a forced smile and said, "Ah Yuan, let's start with your house!"
Li Yuan was startled, but the next moment his face broke into a respectful smile. "Alright, alright, please, Master Niu!"
After the group entered Li's medical clinic.
"This is driving us to our deaths, God...!"
A woman was sobbing softly.
"Aunt Liu, keep your voice down, don't let Uncle Niu hear you."
Someone whispered words of advice.
Ugh!
...
Sighs filled the air, and the crowd began to disperse.
"Ah, Yuan...home..."
A middle-aged man stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the direction of the Li family's medical clinic, his eyes filled with worry.
"Let's go, Old Chen. There's no use worrying. Ah Yuan is a clever kid, even though he's young. He should be fine. Old Li probably left some money before he left."
Old Chen shook his head helplessly, "Let's go."
"If I pay this time, I really won't have enough next time. What will I do then?"
"What a tragedy!"
...
Li Family Medical Clinic.
Tie Niu sat high on the chair above, with the other two standing behind him, exuding an imposing aura.
"Uncle Niu, this is this month's allowance."
Li Yuan walked out of the inner room with a respectful smile, holding a small cloth bag in both hands.
Tie Niu took the bag, and with a quick weighing, he knew the amount: plus 30%, it was thirteen large coins. "Not bad, looks like your father left you quite a bit?"
Where?
"Uncle Niu, as you know, our clinic usually only has business in this area, and it's been a year of famine, so we're barely making ends meet. If I had money, I wouldn't be in this state, would I?"
Li Yuan pointed to his pale face and bloodless lips, and explained with a bitter expression.
"What are you afraid of? I'm not a robber, I can't possibly steal from you."
Tie Niu chuckled, but his gaze drifted towards the inner room. "Hey, where's your mother?"
The reason for choosing the Li family is firstly because the Li family currently only has Li Yuan, a young and weak boy who is easy to bully!
Secondly, after Li Shouyi was conscripted into the army as a military doctor, a woman was left at home. He had seen her a few times, and she was quite pretty.
"Why!"
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Niu."
"But ever since my father was conscripted, he has been worried all the time, and his health has deteriorated day by day. A few days ago, his face was covered with red spots, which are contagious. You can see that I have caught them on my face."
As he spoke, Li Yuan deliberately moved closer, lifted the hair on his forehead, and revealed a dense array of red dots.
"Get out of here!"
Unconsciously, Uncle Niu leaned back, lifting the chair leg. It wasn't that he was afraid of being infected, because he was a martial artist and wasn't afraid of common diseases. It was just that the dense red dots made him feel nauseous and disgusted!
However, his two henchmen covered their mouths and noses in fear, afraid of being infected.
"well....."
Li Yuan quickly retreated, but he felt slightly relieved.
Knowing that the disease was contagious, Master Niu lost interest and immediately led the two away from the clinic. Li Yuan also respectfully saw them off with a smile.
Although they were treated like easy targets, they dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction on their faces.
What do you mean by "thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river"? A hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.
No!
Who is Tie Niu? He's a master at reading people. If he's discovered, a beating would be the least of his worries; he could even lose his life. It's not unheard of for this to happen.
The smile on Li Yuan's face only disappeared after the three people had vanished.
He squinted slightly.
When you're weak, you can only endure and play the subservient role, but he'll remember this debt.
"You think I'm an easy target?"
"You dare to covet my mother!"
"court death!"
This isn't impotent rage, nor is it boasting; he simply has the capability.
Because he's not from this world, and he has... cheat codes!