Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 101: Reunion with an Old Friend, A World Turns Upside Down
Shi Qifeng grabbed the beggar, and beneath his disheveled hair appeared a thin but familiar face. He couldn't help but exclaim, "It's you?"

He recognized the other person; it was Wang Fu.

The once proud and ambitious young master Wang has now become a beggar, dressed in rags, smelling terrible, and it's been a long time since he's washed himself.

"Wang Fu, what are you doing here?"

Shi Qifeng was greatly puzzled.

Back then, he was responsible for escorting the Wang family members from Maoxian to Yixian.

Despite suffering such a terrible calamity, almost losing his family and possessions, the patriarch Wang Yuanshan had made some preparations beforehand, having multiple escape routes and owning property and assets in Yi County. After much agonizing reflection, he prepared to make a comeback.

Later, Shi Qifeng returned to Maoxian County and became a coachman. He went with Chen Jin to the prefecture to take the imperial examination, and from then on, he lost all contact with the Wang family.

To my utter surprise, the next time I saw Wang Fu, he was in such a state.

Upon reuniting with his old friend, Wang Fu felt utterly ashamed and could only stammer, unable to utter a word.

Shi Qifeng surveyed the surroundings and said in a deep voice, "This is not the place to talk. I'll take you back first."

Just as they stepped out of the alley, something suddenly occurred to them. Instead of returning to the sword shop, they led Wang Fu in the other direction, found an inn, and booked a superior room. They then bought clothes and other necessities, which Wang Fu washed and changed into.

Then he disguised himself as a prospective buyer and went back.

"Brother Wang?"

In the backyard of the sword shop, Chen Jin was also very surprised to see Wang Fu: "You're back?"

Upon seeing him, Wang Fu could no longer hold back, hugged him tightly, and burst into tears.

This cry was truly heart-wrenching, and it saddened all who heard it.

After he finished crying, Chen Jin came to inquire again and quickly learned about his situation.

After fleeing to Yi County, Wang Yuanshan was worried that Magistrate Zhao would send people to pursue him, so he dared not stay long and quickly sold off his family business branches to make cash, preparing to continue his escape with the money.

Unexpectedly, during the process of handling the matter, his money was exposed, which attracted the attention of local thugs who organized a gang to take turns visiting him, extorting and blackmailing him, and setting up a trap to deceive him.

Using a combination of tactics, both soft and hard, they managed to plunder all the money.

Wang Yuanshan died of anger, spitting blood. His mother, unable to bear the shock, soon fell ill and died as well. Even the loyal servant, A-Ping, was brutally beaten while fighting the bully and disappeared without a trace, his fate uncertain…

After being hit hard, Wang Fu, who was already injured, became even more despondent and lay there waiting to die.

Fortunately, his wife, Wang Liushi, was a virtuous and strong woman. With nowhere else to turn, she had no choice but to take a risk and flee back to her parents' home in Maoxian County with her husband, their son and daughter.

Although he lived under someone else's roof and suffered a lot of scorn and criticism, he managed to survive.

After Wang Fu recovered from his injuries, he was depressed for a period of time. Overwhelmed by grief and anger, he could no longer contain himself. He disguised himself as a villager, sneaked into the county town, and hid a sharp knife on his person, preparing to assassinate Magistrate Zhao and avenge himself.

However, Magistrate Zhao rarely went out, and even when he did, he was always surrounded by a large entourage, so Wang Fu could not find an opportunity to leave.

He was unwilling to leave and soon became a beggar.

Sometimes, when Wang Fu passed by his former home, he was filled with emotion and his anger grew stronger.
Sometimes, he would stop and look outside the Qingshan Sword Shop, only to see the apprentice A Tie who stayed behind, but he could not find Chen Jin and Shi Qifeng.

Wang Fu knew that the two had already left Maoxian and headed to the prefectural city.

Judging by the timeline, they should have all finished the provincial examinations by now.

I wonder how Chen Jin did on the exam, and whether he passed...

Wang Fu was unaware of the later entanglement between Chen Jin and Magistrate Zhao. He subconsciously thought that if Magistrate Zhao hadn't made trouble, and if his family hadn't gotten into trouble, he would have already seen the prosperous and beautiful city of Dazhou with Chen Jin.

The culprit was none other than Magistrate Zhao!
Wang Fu was so angry that he wished he could skin him alive, eat his flesh, and tear him to pieces, but even that wouldn't be enough to vent his anger.

Unfortunately, given his condition, revenge was becoming increasingly distant, and he had no chance of even taking someone down with him; it was simply a futile attempt to fight against overwhelming odds.

However, he soon saw the list of successful candidates and the name of Chen Jin, who had achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination. He was overjoyed and his hope was rekindled.

Wang Fu knew that Chen Jin would definitely come back.

That's often how people feel.

Or perhaps, this is the last vestige of faith remaining amidst despair.

Without this belief to sustain him, he would probably be dead long ago.

Wang Fu did not collapse. He waited until Chen Jin entered the city, but his emotions were complicated, and he did not know how to go up to recognize him and face him.

It is true that the two were once friends, and when they were wealthy, Wang Fu gave Chen Jin a lot of help.

Conversely, Chen Jin saved the Wang family, so no matter how much favor they owed each other in the past, they no longer owe each other anything.

At this point, would Wang Fu be able to run to Chen Jin's door and ask him to stand up for him and kill Magistrate Zhao?

Doing so is not only unreasonable, it's downright illogical.

This isn't about lending money; it's about killing someone, and the person they're going to kill is the head of a county.

Only someone who's gone mad would agree.

Moreover, times have changed. Chen Jin has passed the imperial examination and obtained an official position, making his status more prestigious.

Wang Fu, however, was as lost and begged for a living.

Their identities have undergone a complete reversal, and it's uncertain whether Chen Jin will even acknowledge him anymore.

As has been said before: people's hearts are fickle.

Therefore, Wang Fu dared not show himself easily until today when he was discovered by Shi Qifeng and brought back.

After listening to his story, Chen Jin sighed.

The reason why Shi Qifeng was sent to escort the Wang family to Yi County in the past was because they were in a situation where they lacked the ability to protect themselves.

Shi Qifeng has done his best.

Unexpectedly, something still happened later.

Human destiny is always full of unexpected changes, like a boat sailing on a river or sea. Once it encounters a storm, it may capsize.

Moreover, you can't always rely on others to come to your rescue.

It is better to rely on oneself than to rely on others.

Chen Jin patted Wang Fu on the shoulder: "Brother Wang, please accept my condolences. You should think more about your wife and children, instead of trying to fight a losing battle and seeking death. Many times, death doesn't solve anything, it only makes you a laughingstock."

Wang Fu sighed, "I have truly wronged them, especially my wife. Thinking back, I actually disliked her for being old and unattractive, and for lacking in charm. I am ashamed!"

Chen Jin then said, "If you feel guilty, you should make amends even more."

Wang Fu gave a bitter smile: "But I'm now neither human nor ghost, I have no face to face anyone, what can I do to make up for it?"

Chen Jin said calmly, "As long as a person is alive, and lives a long time, they may be able to see the things they want to see. Anything is possible."

Upon hearing this, Wang Fu suddenly looked up, his heart pounding wildly.

Chen Jin's expression was calm, as if he were only saying ordinary words, but there was a bright light in his eyes.

In that beam of light, Wang Fu saw hope...

(End of this chapter)