Chapter 10

The old people shakily sat back in their chairs, Li Qingshan buried his head and ate and drank heartily. For these days, he had only eaten deer meat, which had also made him feel annoyed. He was just about to change his diet, and the table full of wine and dishes was swept clean by him alone. He patted his bulging belly.

"These people in the courtyard, to say the least, are all my elders, some of whom have even watched me grow up. But there are those who, disregarding this affection, want to bully me just for a few acres of land. If you don't give me an explanation today, I will give you one, even if it means losing my life, I will not hesitate."

As Li Qingshan spoke, he drew his knife: "Liu Manager, Li Village Chief, what do you think?"

Liu Manager, determined not to suffer this immediate loss, softened and said: "Erlang, those few acres of land, if you want to plant, take them back!"

Li Qingshan said: "I don't want those few acres of land. You bought them with money, I won't take advantage of you. I just want justice. You act as you please in the village, but don't forget that there are gods watching from above, and justice lies in the hearts of the people." By the end, his voice was stern and fierce.

Liu Manager was at a loss for words, and Li Village Chief reacted: "We were wrong in this matter, we listened to your brother..."

"That's not my brother." Li Qingshan coldly interrupted.

"Li Da and the others were talking nonsense, their hearts were clouded by greed, which led them to do such foolish things. These days, they haven't been able to sleep, fearing that one day they would have no face to meet your parents in the afterlife." By the end, Li Village Chief was in tears, his old eyes streaming, but he was thinking of the suffering he had endured these days.

Li Qingshan then turned to the old people: "What do you say, should that piece of land be given to me?"

"It should, it should!" At this moment, who would dare to say no?

Li Qingshan, having achieved his goal, laughed loudly: "So there is still justice in this world!" His laughter suddenly stopped, and his head lowered, his expression changing, sometimes solemn, sometimes relieved, with a hint of indescribable sorrow. He looked at the short knife in his hand: "Justice is here."

He frowned and muttered: "There are no gods above, justice is only in the knife. There are no gods above, justice is only in the knife..." His voice grew louder, shaking the house.

He was originally full of righteous indignation, determined to vent his anger, even to the point of killing. But now he felt a sense of emptiness, sheathed his knife, and turned to leave the courtyard, disappearing in a blink.

The laborers, having enjoyed a free feast and a good show, left with satisfaction, their faces full of admiration for Li Qingshan.

Liu Manager wiped the cold sweat from his head, knowing that it would be extremely difficult to organize people to deal with Li Qingshan again. Although he controlled the land, the laborers were not his slaves and would not be at his beck and call. Even slaves could revolt, and if all the laborers opposed him, it would be disastrous.

But fortunately, Li Erlang was clear about his grudges. Since he had said what he needed to say today, he would not plot to take revenge. He could sleep soundly. Although the banquet was not successful, it had勉强reached its purpose. Li Village Chief, supported by his two sons, stood up, his face still showing shame, but his expression seemed to relax, just as he had expected.

The two men looked at each other, both feeling awkward.

Li Hu,不服道: "Father, why don't we bring back my brother? With his martial skills, I don't believe he can't deal with this Li Erlang."

Li Bao also said: "Uncle Liu, isn't Brother Liu also in Qingyang City?"

Li Village Chief, with a belly full of anger, said fiercely: "Shut up, how did I give birth to such useless things!"

Liu Manager did not respond. They had experienced many hardships and knew how to protect themselves, and would never take risks for a matter of pride.

"The gods are already angry, he won't live long." The shaman, who had been silent, suddenly spoke in a mysterious and malicious tone.

In the bright sun, many people shivered. In this era, people revered ghosts and gods, and the shaman was the one who communicated with the gods. Thinking about how Li Qingshan had said "There are no gods above," perhaps he had truly angered the gods.

Some people remembered that once, a child in the village had fallen ill, and the shaman had been called to treat him. The shaman said the child was possessed by a ghost, and used fire and water to drive it out, even suffocating the child with a blanket to force the ghost out, but the child died.

The shaman said it was the King of Hell who had called the child, and no one could save him. But the child's parents did not agree, and the mother cursed the shaman every day outside her door. This greatly damaged the shaman's reputation in the village, but a few days later, the mother suddenly died mysteriously.

The shaman said it was because the child missed his mother. Since then, no one dared to disrespect her. Li Qingshan had kicked her and scolded her in public, which had deeply offended her.

"Liu Manager, this boy is a disaster in your life. Now the gods are helping you to eliminate this disaster..."

Liu Manager quickly ordered some incense, candles, and wine to be given to the shaman. The shaman then looked at Li Village Chief, who gritted his teeth and took out a small piece of silver, giving it to the shaman as she left.

A laborer carried these items and followed the shaman, not daring to speak. They arrived at a brick and tile house, the only one in the village besides Liu Manager's and Li Village Chief's.

In the hall, an altar and incense burner were placed, with smoke always swirling. It was both a residence and a temple.

"Xiao An, Xiao An, Grandma is back." The shaman suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice, her face full of wrinkles and a sinister smile, far from being kind.

The laborer knew the shaman had no grandchildren, and was terrified. He quickly put down the items and suddenly felt someone tugging at his pants. He turned around but saw no one. He shouted, "Oh my!" and fled, with a sharp laugh following him.

"Xiao An, Grandma is telling you, someone is bullying Grandma."

The empty hall received no response.

"What, you dare not listen to Grandma..." The shaman's face suddenly became grotesque, and she began to insult and scold, shaking a copper bell in her hand.

The room was immediately filled with a cold wind.

After a long time, the shaman returned to her gentle tone: "That's right, that's better. Grandma doesn't want to hit you, my dear grandson."

Throughout, she was only talking to herself.

Li Qingshan returned to the thatched hut. The green ox was nowhere to be seen, probably off hunting for him again.

Taking advantage of his drunkenness, he practiced the "Ox Demon Great Strength Fist" again. He was already extremely familiar with the three basic moves, and his body moved automatically. His mind was still replaying everything that had happened today. Things that seemed so terrifying were actually so weak. If he had fled in fear at Liu Manager's door, he would never have seen through the mystery.

In this matter, his true enemy was not Liu Manager or Li Village Chief, but the fear in his heart. What is a true strong person? The "Tao Te Ching" had already given the answer: "Those who conquer others are powerful; those who conquer themselves are strong."

"Brave people are fearless." Li Qingshan roared these four words, as if breaking through an invisible barrier. His fist suddenly gained a momentum of relentless advance, ready to face any difficulties and obstacles, never bowing down, never retreating.

There are no gods above, I am the god. Justice is not in the hearts of people, but in my hands.

Every muscle in his limbs and torso seemed to connect under this determination. One punch could channel the strength of his entire body. He felt that even without weapons, he had a good chance of defeating Li Hu and Li Bao in a direct confrontation.

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I have something to do tonight, so this chapter is posted at noon. I'm asking for more recommendations. The book can be nurtured, but the votes must be cast. Two updates a day, I haven't felt this way in a long time.