Chapter 79 I Am a Weak Person
Bai Yuan, not being a native of Gao Family Village, had no desire to involve himself deeply in Wang Er's affairs. Ultimately, he needed to distance himself from the rebels. Seizing the opportunity afforded by Gao Chuwu's nonsensical chatter, he grabbed Gao Chuwu's arm, pulled him out of the courtyard, and made his own discreet exit, no longer concerned with the matter.
Wang Er said, "Thank you, Gao Family Village, for your ceaseless aid. I, Wang Er, am indebted to you beyond measure. All the more reason, then, that I cannot drag you down. Brothers... carry me away..."
His final words were directed at the people of Wangjia Village.
San Shier approached Gao Yiye, lowering his voice. "If Dao Xuan Tian Zun chooses to protect Wang Er, then his staying in our village poses no issue. However formidable the imperial court, can it truly stand against an immortal? I merely wonder what Dao Xuan Tian Zun's will is. Should we try to persuade Wang Er to remain?"
Gao Yiye shook her head, turning to San Shier. "Dao Xuan Tian Zun has not yet issued a divine decree."
Li Daoxuan was contemplating a profound question: whether he should take charge of this matter, or leave the decision to the villagers.
In the hearts of Gao Family Village, he was the unquestionable authority. The moment he spoke, the villagers would dutifully obey, everything proceeding according to his directives.
He had never hesitated before, offering guidance to the villagers on all manner of affairs, hoping to steer them clear of unnecessary hardships.
However, the situation with Wang Er was unique.
For this valiant hero, his own life seemed secondary; he held convictions far more crucial than mere existence.
He didn't seek to be safeguarded by others; rather, he yearned to step forward and be the one protecting them.
He required a grander stage to accomplish more righteous deeds, a destiny that could never be fulfilled by merely sheltering within Gao Family Village under someone else's protection.
Li Daoxuan acknowledged his own advantage, possessing centuries more knowledge and foresight than the people within the box, yet he harbored no illusion that he had the right to dictate another's life.
Inside the box, San Shier still wavered. "Miss Yiye," he began, "could we... perhaps ask Dao Xuan Tian Zun?"
But the words had barely left his lips when he sharply slapped his own cheek. "Foolishness!" he chastised himself. "How could we bother His Venerable Self with such earthly trifles? His willingness to wield celestial magic to protect this land is already an extraordinary act of grace."
He faltered, spinning in circles, intending to seek Bai Yuan's counsel. Only then did he realize that Bai Yuan, having escorted Gao Chuwu out, had not returned, having long since made himself scarce.
It was at this precise moment that Li Daoxuan spoke. "Yiye," he instructed, "tell Wang Er this: if he wishes to stay, I will ensure his safety. But if he does not, I will respect his decision regarding his own life."
Gao Yiye's spirits surged. She quickly composed herself, her posture becoming solemn. "Hero Wang," she declared, "Dao Xuan Tian Zun has spoken..."
Wang Er listened quietly to Gao Yiye's relay, his expression peculiar. He gazed skyward, seeing only a low-lying cloud at a great height, but nothing else. "Dao Xuan Tian Zun?" he murmured. "Is it..."
San Shier affirmed, "Dao Xuan Tian Zun is the immortal protecting this land. Everything you've received from us previously was a gift from Dao Xuan Tian Zun."
Wang Er paused, momentarily stunned. He wished to bow in deference, but his body was too stiff. He could only raise his hands in a weak, ceremonial salute towards the heavens. "Thank you for your benevolence, Dao Xuan Tian Zun," he uttered, his voice heavy. "But... please... allow me to depart."
Indeed, Li Daoxuan mused.
San Shier appeared quite distressed. "You are not a wicked man," he argued. "Your rebellion against officials was spurred by the government seizing planting grain; there was justifiable cause... A man like you deserves to live a good life... Why do you refuse Dao Xuan Tian Zun's benevolence?"
Wang Er offered a bitter smile. "But my followers committed murder and arson, sparing neither women nor children. They even attacked Gao Family Village, and would have killed me along with everyone else. With what face can I claim to be a good man before you? Do I deserve to enjoy Dao Xuan Tian Zun's protection within Gao Family Village?"
At his words, a profound silence descended upon everyone.
San Shier sighed. "Something is deeply wrong with this world... The imperial court has its flaws, and the rebels have theirs. But where does the real problem lie? I don't understand... My knowledge is truly superficial."
Wang Er replied, "Master San's wish to assist me has already brought me to tears of gratitude." He then turned his head, roaring at the people of Wangjia Village, "What are you waiting for? Carry me up, let's go! The longer we linger in Gao Family Village, the more trouble we'll bring upon them."
The people of Wangjia Village hesitantly glanced at the sky, then lifted the stretcher. The group bowed deeply to San Shier and Gao Yiye before departing.
Li Daoxuan offered no resistance.
San Shier, naturally, ceased his attempts to deter them.
As they made their way out, the villagers of Gao Family Village remained utterly silent, watching in quiet contemplation. Gao Chuwu took a hesitant half-step forward, only for the Village Chief to swiftly pull him back.
Li Daoxuan understood the villagers' reactions immediately: most did not wish for Wang Er to remain. They were, after all, law-abiding folk. When Wang Er had first risen in rebellion, he had invited the villagers of Wangjia Village, Zhongjia Village, and Zhengjia Village to join him, but they had refused. It was only later that San Shier had 'persuaded' them to come to Gao Family Village.
From that day onward, their bodies and souls had irrevocably diverged from Wang Er's path.
The line from the movie Nameless perhaps also applied to these villagers: "I am a weak person, unable to adapt to this era of great change."
In truth, weakness is no sin. As long as one does not conspire with enemies or betray their homeland, what harm is there in being vulnerable?
Li Daoxuan permitted his miniature people to be weak! For in his own reality, he hardly considered himself a hero.
Wang Er eventually emerged from Li Family Fortress, traversing the northern slope. The "labor reform prisoners" felling trees on the hillside ceased their work, watching Wang Er with eyes full of shame.
Yet Wang Er uttered no word of reproach. He simply led the people of Wangjia Village away, disappearing into the depths of the mountain forest.
"Will they have anything to eat once they've gone?" Gao Yiye couldn't help but ask, her voice tinged with concern.
"There is!" Bai Yuan suddenly reappeared. "When we went to rescue him, we observed several grain carts still in that mountain cave. Wang Er's followers have dwindled by more than half, so that grain should sustain their group in the mountains for at least six months, perhaps even a year."
Only then did Gao Yiye finally feel a sense of relief.
Seeing this, Li Daoxuan felt there was little more to observe. He stretched, rising from the edge of the box. Staring at it for such extended periods was quite draining; he occasionally needed to stretch his limbs. Perhaps he should even do a set of the Seventh Set of Radio Calisthenics himself?
Just as this thought crossed his mind, his phone rang. "Hello, sir," a voice announced, "this is SF Express. Your package for home delivery has arrived."
"Oh?" Li Daoxuan suddenly recalled that at the first hint of dawn, a sales manager from Ningyang Toy Company had called him, mentioning they wanted to send toy samples for him to film videos.
It was merely that the box had been so captivatingly lively that day; he had been so engrossed in the unfolding drama that he had utterly forgotten about it.
"Alright," he agreed. "Just bring it to my door; I'm home now."
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