Chapter 12

As they passed by the people who were selling their children and even themselves, Qin Shaoyou took out some dry rations and distributed them to those with children.

He did not give them money.

It was not out of stinginess, but fear that these people might not survive the night if they took the money.

Outside the city, there were not only terrifying beasts and demons, but also even more terrifying human hearts.

"Amitabha, may the kind adult be blessed." Ma the monk clasped his hands together, sighed softly, and also took out some dry rations to distribute to these pitiful people.

Zhu Xiuzai and the other strongmen naturally did the same.

While distributing the rations, they remained vigilant, looking around cautiously.

However, since these people saw that they were armed with knives, they did not dare to act rashly and could only stretch out their hands in supplication.

Once they received the rations, they immediately stuffed them into their and their children's mouths.

They chewed hurriedly and swallowed the food whole, as if afraid that someone would snatch it from their hands or mouths.

"Take it slow, don't choke."

But no one listened to Qin Shaoyou's advice.

This made him sigh deeply again.

Qin Shaoyou wanted to give all the dry rations he had brought to these pitiful people.

But Zhu Xiuzai stopped him, whispering, "Sir, we can't give any more. These people have been hungry for too long. If they suddenly eat too much, it could cause problems."

Qin Shaoyou knew Zhu Xiuzai was right, so he could only harden his heart and not look at their hopeful eyes. He fiercely whipped the horse's buttocks and called out, "Let's go!"

The group rode away, leaving these pitiful people kneeling by the roadside, hoping to sell themselves and their children.

Time quickly passed until evening.

In the Luo Cheng Town Demon Suppression Office, Xue Qingshan was holding the inventory report submitted by the Armory and the Spirit Room.

Seeing the long list of weapons, equipment, and mystical items, he was stunned.

After a moment of silence, Xue Qingshan slammed the table and roared,

"How did Qin Shaoyou take so many weapons, equipment, and mystical items? Was he investigating a case or going to war? Why didn't he just empty the Armory and the Spirit Room?"

The Armory manager and the Spirit Room night watchman exchanged glances and thought in unison, "You're right, he really did consider it."

After cursing for a few moments, Xue Qingshan raised his head and glared at them, demanding, "Why didn't you stop him?"

"Well..."

The Armory manager and the Spirit Room night watchman were at a loss, unsure how to answer.

They couldn't say that Qin Shaoyou had your order and was your brother-in-law, so they didn't dare to stop him.

Though it was the truth, they couldn't and didn't dare to say it.

A chief officer who had come to report saw this and thought it was a chance to show his worth. He volunteered,

"Sir, should I lead a team to retrieve the weapons, equipment, and mystical items that Qin Xiaqi and his group took?"

"Hmm?"

Xue Qingshan frowned slightly and glanced at him coldly.

He put down the inventory, rubbed his temples, and ignored the fawning chief officer. Instead, he said to the Armory manager and the Spirit Room night watchman,

"Let it go this time. In the future, if Qin Shaoyou comes to collect items, don't give them to him immediately. Bring the list to me for approval before letting him take them."

"Yes!"

The Armory manager and the Spirit Room night watchman hurriedly nodded in agreement.

The chief officer couldn't help but shiver.

He realized he might have flattered the wrong person and felt uneasy, wanting to make amends but not knowing how.

Meanwhile,

Qin Shaoyou and his group also encountered a crisis.

"Is this the post station you mentioned?"

Qin Shaoyou raised his whip and pointed at the wasteland before them.

The place was covered with grass taller than a person and had only a low, broken earthen wall.

There were no buildings or courtyards that a post station should have.

Zhu Xiuzai, who was leading the way, was also puzzled.

"It's definitely here. I stayed here two years ago, but where is the post station? Could it have been abolished?"

Abolished? How could they not fear the post station guards rising up in rebellion if they lost their jobs?

Qin Shaoyou thought sarcastically and then looked up at the sky.

The sun had set, and the sky was beginning to darken. It wouldn't be long before night fell.

In this world, night meant danger.

Especially outside the city.

Strange demons, hungry beasts, ruthless bandits, and desperate refugees would all become active under the cover of darkness, seeking prey.

So, when staying outside the city, it was essential to find a place with a wall.

This way, they could defend themselves if danger came.

Sleeping in the open often ended in a tragic death.

But in front of them, there was a wall, but only one, and it was only as tall as a person.

What good was it?

"Is there a temple or village nearby?"

Qin Shaoyou turned his gaze from the sky and asked his subordinates.

"Sir, why don't we go to Wu Family Fort? It's not far from here, and we should be able to reach it before it gets completely dark," a strongman suggested.

"Wu Family Fort? What kind of place is it?" Qin Shaoyou asked.

The strongman quickly explained, "It's a fort built by the Wu family in this area for self-protection..."

It turned out that in this era of rampant demons and bandits, many forts had been built in various places.

Some were constructed by powerful families living outside the city, while others were built by villagers and clans spontaneously.

The purpose was the same: to protect against demons and bandits and ensure their own safety.

Wu Family Fort was one such fort.

However, most forts, whether built by powerful families or villagers, were unwilling to accommodate outsiders, fearing that they might bring danger.

But Wu Family Fort was different. They were very willing to welcome passing caravans and travelers, providing them with protection and a relatively safe place to stay for the night.

In recent years, Wu Family Fort had also taken in many refugees, earning a good reputation and becoming a well-known benevolent place in the surrounding area. The government even awarded them a plaque inscribed with "Righteous to the Homeland" to commend and encourage them.

After listening to the strongman's introduction, Qin Shaoyou turned to Zhu Xiuzai.

The latter nodded and said, "I've also heard about Wu Family Fort. It is indeed a benevolent place, as Old Wei said. Staying there for the night should be the best choice now."

"Then let's go."

Qin Shaoyou no longer hesitated and pointed at the strongman with his whip.

"You lead the way."

"Yes!"

The strongman bowed and led the way on horseback, with Qin Shaoyou and the others following closely behind.

By the time they reached Wu Family Fort, it was completely dark.

Although the journey had been smooth, Qin Shaoyou, Zhu Xiuzai, and Ma the monk still sensed danger.

In the darkness around them, countless eyes were watching them, making them feel uneasy and highly alert.

Qin Shaoyou even felt as if they were chickens and ducks in a market, being picked over.

If the eyes in the darkness detected any moment of carelessness, these unknown dangers would surge from all sides like sharks smelling blood, tearing them apart and devouring them.

Fortunately, they finally arrived at Wu Family Fort.