Demon-Wraith Plagued World: From Commoner to Supreme - Chapter 3 - Forget About the Marriage?

“What are you doing? Everyone, quiet down!”

Lin Feng’s shout was like a sudden clap of thunder, startling everyone around him. No one expected the usually gentle and soft-spoken young man to exude such an imposing presence. Standing at his doorstep, holding a gleaming Pig-killing Knife, he forced the shantytown crowd to back away.

“Xiao Feng, what are you doing? Don’t be rash!” Mother Lin quickly reacted, grabbing his hand in an attempt to take the knife away. If Lin Feng really hurt someone, their family would be doomed.

“Mother, take little sister inside. Close the door and don’t come out. I’ll handle this,” Lin Feng said softly, giving her a reassuring look. Understanding her son’s nature, Mother Lin knew he wasn’t reckless. She pulled her daughter inside and shut the door.

“Lin-Ge’er¹! Aunt really needs the money. Your uncle’s legs aren’t good, and he needs it for treatment!”

“Yes, our family is running out of food too, Lin Feng. You need to return the money to us!”

“My family as well. Your brother San Shi is getting married. We can’t give no dowry at all! The money was lent to your family, not given for free!”

As one person spoke up, the crowd erupted into a cacophony of demands. Lin Feng listened again, recognizing the true nature of these people. Fine, let them be. Once he became successful, he wouldn’t be asking them for any favors.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Lin Feng raised his hand and brought the knife down onto a nearby chopping board. With a loud “thud,” the Pig-killing Knife embedded itself deeply into the board. Had Lin Feng not controlled his strength, it would have split the board in two. Having grown up in hardship, he couldn’t bear to waste the board.

“Silence!”

Another commanding shout, and the crowd took a few more steps back, eyeing the knife warily.

“Aunt Niu! Uncle Niu’s leg has been bad for years, hasn’t it? And now you think of treatment?”

“And Aunt Zhang, your family is out of food? I saw your son drinking with Fat Wang in the Inner City just yesterday!”

“And the most ridiculous is you, Uncle Wu. Isn’t San Shi supposed to be marrying into the bride’s family? Why does he need a dowry? Is he getting married or moving in?”

Lin Feng pointed at the three who had been the loudest and most pitiful, questioning them sharply. Their faces turned various shades of red and white, as Lin Feng’s words hit the mark, like needles piercing their hearts, leaving them speechless with shame.

The rest of the crowd exchanged glances. After all, Lin Feng’s parents had always been helpful to them. Now, just because their son didn’t become an Officer, they were kicking them when they were down. It wasn’t right. Moreover, the money was given voluntarily. They had initially said it didn’t need to be repaid, but now they were quick to change their tune, claiming it was a loan.

But such thoughts only lingered for a few seconds before the crowd began to speak again.

“Enough! The money will be returned in full in three days, delivered to each of you ‘good neighbors’! If I hear another word, I won’t hesitate to let this Pig-killing Knife taste blood!”

Lin Feng let out a cold snort, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his right hand resting on the wooden handle of the Pig-killing Knife. The people of the Shantytown, upon meeting Lin Feng’s sharp eyes, dared not meet his gaze. Some of the more timid ones quietly slipped away from the crowd. As one person left, the others followed suit.

“Heh, Lin-Ge’er, your word is as good as gold. We trust you, we’ll leave now, we’ll leave now!” Aunt Niu said with a guilty smile, then hurriedly walked away. In no time, everyone had dispersed.

Only then did Lin Feng pull out the Pig-killing Knife and place it back in its spot. He picked up the bundle of food from the ground and walked into the house.

“Xiao Feng, have they left?” Mother Lin asked, emerging from the inner room with her daughter upon hearing the door open.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ve sent them all away,” Lin Feng reassured her, patting his little sister’s head and handing her a steamed bun.

Lin Man’s eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of the white bun. “Big Brother, a white bun!” she exclaimed, taking it eagerly and biting into it. But halfway through, she stopped. Her small hands broke the bun into three pieces, keeping the smallest for herself and giving the larger pieces to her brother and mother.

Even at seven, Lin Man understood the harsh realities of life. “You eat it. Big Brother has plenty more good food here. Let Mother heat it up, and we’ll eat together,” Lin Feng said, pushing the bun back to his sister.

Mother Lin turned away to wipe her tears secretly. These children were good kids, but this was a Demon-Wraith plagued world. She quickly composed herself and asked Lin Feng with concern, “How did you buy so much food? Why didn’t you just give them the money earlier? Isn’t the military family allowance enough to get some silver?”

“Mother, Yu took me to the Restaurant earlier, and we brought some food back for you. As for the recruitment, maybe there were just too many strong candidates this time. The Officer took the silver but still didn’t let me pass. But don’t worry, I’ve already told them I’ll return the money in three days,” Lin Feng replied, his tone light and confident, trying to reassure her.

He lied about the recruitment to prevent unnecessary worry. As for the silver, it was his seed money, essential for quickly boosting his strength.

“What plan do you have?” Mother Lin sighed, shaking her head. She then went into the room, retrieved a silver hairpin from under the floorboards, and placed it in Lin Feng’s hand. “Take this hairpin to settle the debt.”

“Mother, this is the last keepsake from Father! I said I have a plan, and I do. Besides, this hairpin isn’t worth Two Taels of silver. Trust me!” Lin Feng’s heart ached at the sight of the hairpin, but he maintained a smile, persuading Mother Lin.

She scrutinized Lin Feng’s expression, searching for any hint of deceit. But his confident demeanor convinced her to take back the hairpin.

“Xiao Feng! Sister Lin, are you home?” A familiar voice called out. It was Butcher Zhu, Lin Feng’s future father-in-law. The Zhu Family and Lin Family had been neighbors for over twenty years. Lin Feng and Zhu Cui’er had grown up together, childhood sweethearts. Their marriage had been arranged since last year, only waiting for Zhu Cui’er to be brought home as a bride.

“It’s the in-laws!” Mother Lin exclaimed, opening the door to welcome Butcher Zhu, Aunt Zhu, and Zhu Cui’er inside.

Upon entering, Butcher Zhu wore an awkward expression, struggling to speak. Aunt Zhu nudged him from behind, giving him a glare, while Zhu Cui’er hid behind her parents.

After a moment, Butcher Zhu finally spoke, “Heh, Elder Sister-in-law, perhaps we should call off Xiao Feng and Cui’er’s wedding…”

Footnote:

1. Ge’er(哥儿):Affectionate suffix for boys (like ‘-boy’ in ‘young boy’ but as a nickname).