Chapter 52 - 51: Drought and People’s Resentment

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Drought and People’s Resentment

Translator: 549690339

After taking the list, Zhao Huai quickly left.

Although he had spent three days and nights in the basement, the time had passed quickly.

There was no sense of time in seclusion, and the bright sun now made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

At this moment, it was in the afternoon, and the streets were crowded with vendors and merchant teams. Passers-by leading horses could often be seen on the street.

There were almost no cultivators on the street, mostly scholars with fans, and occasionally two swordsmen walking together.

“Believe in Crow Immortal, and you shall enjoy favorable weather and be free from illness!”

“You may enter paradise and attain wealth!”

At this time, there were several groups of people wearing black robes, shouting loudly and banging drums and gongs in a grand manner.

Embroidered on their clothes were crows, which seemed to represent some kind of sect.

Zhao Huai glanced at them and raised an eyebrow, “Believe in Crow Immortal?

What kind of organization is this?”

Then, he shook his head and ignored it.

As he walked along, he looked at the list and slowly read, “Three taels of distiller’s yeast... Is Madam planning to brew wine?”

“Besides, there’s also a porcelain incense burner with azure crane-decorated,

Silver Thread Embroidered Lotus Purse, jade bean cake....”

“Since that’s the case, let’s go buy the distiller’s yeast first.’

Zhao Huai turned into a small alley paved with bluestones, where occasionally drunkards could be seen staggering past with flushed faces.

When he reached the end of the alley, a shop appeared before him.

The yellow wine flag hung with the character ‘Sun’. The shop was small with only five square tables and more than a dozen wine jars inside.

One could say that the wine in this shop was famous far and wide, selling as well as opium, and a favorite drink for some drinkers before dinner.

Due to its popularity, all five tables were occupied with guests dressed in Shu embroidered jade belts, all being gentry from Jinzhou City, when Zhao Huai arrived.

Zhao Huai didn’t care about them and directly called out, “Old Sun, bring me a pot of Xiaoyao Wine.”

“Alright! Da Zhuang, serve Boss Zhao some wine!”

The owner of the wine shop was a man in his fifties. His brewing skills were truly excellent, and the wine in the shop was often sold out.

He and Zhao Huai were also acquaintances. Zhao Huai would always come to this shop whenever he wanted to buy wine, occasionally chatting with the owner. Over time, they had become familiar with each other and would call each other “Old Sun”.

Seeing Zhao Huai, Old Sun recognized him at once and smilingly greeted him: “Good afternoon, Boss Zhao! You haven’t been here for a few days.”

“Well, I’ve been busy lately.”

Zhao Huai replied softly, his gaze then falling on the wine jars, and he asked: “Old Sun, do you have distiller’s yeast here? My wife wants to brew some wine and needs three taels of distiller’s yeast. We can talk about the price.”

“Of course.”

Old Sun, with a grin in his eyes, went into the shop and soon brought out a small bag of distiller’s yeast, handing it to Zhao Huai.

“How much does it cost?”

Old Sun pretended to disdain: “Oh, come on, we’re so familiar already, just some yeast, it’s a gift for Boss Zhao.”

In front of him was a disheveled male beggar, wearing tattered shorts, barefoot, and pointing at a mother and daughter as he cursed.

This mother and daughter were none other than the female beggar and the little girl whom Zhao Huai had seen earlier.

“Hurry up and beg some more! Or you won’t get any dinner tonight!”

The male beggar clutched a handful of copper coins, his face fierce.

The female beggar could only protect the little girl’s head, bowing her head in silence.

“Still hesitating?!”

Seeing that the two still didn’t move, the male beggar reached out to slap her.

But just as he raised his hand, he found that he couldn’t move it.

It felt like something was holding it back.

When he looked back, he saw a very handsome young man.

“Get lost.”

Zhao Huai looked cold and indifferent as he spoke lightly.

With a gentle tug, he flung the male beggar to the ground.

The male beggar’s face flashed with terror. He didn’t dare to fight back, scrambled to his feet, and dashed away without looking back.

Zhao Huai picked up the copper coins from the ground and took out a fragment of silver from his waist, handing it to the female beggar.

“Take it and leave quickly.”

“Thank you, Young Master...”

The female beggar choked up as tears streamed down her face. Without lingering, she walked away with the little girl.

When Zhao Huai looked back, he saw some beggars lying in disarray in the shadows of far-off alleys, shrinking into corners, motionless, not knowing whether they were dead or alive.

Other beggars were eyeing the direction of the mother and daughter, their eyes shining brightly.

However, upon seeing Zhao Huai’s gaze, they all lowered their heads, not daring to look again.

In his martial robes, tall and with bright eyes, Zhao Huai exuded an aura of power which no one would dare to mess with since he had broken through the Initiation Stage.

The corners of the alley were desolate and filled with an icy silence, making people feel uncomfortable.

Sounds of barking from the courtyards of wealthy households could be heard in the distance.

“What a prosperous age.”

Zhao Huai shook his head and turned away.

Not long after he left...

The sounds of gongs and drums came from the streets and then entered the alleys.

“Believe in Crow Immortal, and you’ll have favorable weather and immunity from disease!”

“Join our Raven Sect and receive a ration of rice. The Crow Immortal will bless you, grant you heavenly bliss in the afterlife, and wealth and nobility in the next life!”

Devoted believers walked through the alleys, shouting loudly.

“Do they really have rice?”

A gaunt beggar crawled out and asked hopefully.

“Of course, it’s true. Join the Raven Sect, and you’ll have enough rice.” The leading believer smiled faintly, confident in his words.