Republic of China Era: Entering the Dao through Divine Strike.

"Why are you leaving so secretly? Aren't you going to say goodbye?" Li Cheng asked, somewhat reluctant to see them go.

Li Xin shook his head: "Didn't you see the wanted posters on the city gate? The paper is still new, and the three of us stuck them on."

"Brother, from now on, you follow behind me, about seven steps away."

Li Cheng couldn't read, so even if he saw it, it was useless for him.

However, Li Xin not only knew how to read, but also had excellent eyesight.

He could see the wanted poster on the city wall from a great distance.

The inscription described what happened near the mountain god temple on Jiamu Ridge, and claimed that the group were Taiping rebels who had killed a foreigner.

The text not only emphasizes that an adult was with two children, a boy and a girl, but also that one of the children was armed with a pistol and was a ruthless killer, posing a significant danger.

"How did the news spread so fast?"

Li Cheng was horrified.

"It must have been by telegram or some other means. After all, they are foreigners, far more advanced than us. Those two have probably been captured alive, and we've been exposed."

"Where are the constables?"

"We must not be complacent."

Li Xin knew that at this time, the government dared not offend the foreigners at all.

Saying they were practically inseparable is a bit of an exaggeration; they truly spared no effort in assisting foreigners in solving cases and catching thieves.

Fortunately, the drawing skills are a bit lacking.

However, since the other party was casting a wide net, and the three of them were clearly distinguishable when walking together on the street, it was indeed dangerous.

"Find your uncle first and settle him down. If he stays off the streets, there's nothing to worry about."

Having evaded the gazes of several constables, Li Xin led the way to ask for directions.

Li Cheng followed at a distance, all the way to Zhengyang Street.

……

Chapter Seven: The fickleness of human nature

Along the way, Li Xin didn't go around asking questions to everyone he met, as that would be too conspicuous.

He walked straight to the front of the imperial city, where the main street forked in two directions. He hesitated, unsure which way to go.

Just then, an elderly man walked past me. His clothes, though not luxurious, were neat and clean.

Some civilians pushing wheelbarrows intentionally or unintentionally avoided him, not daring to push or shove.

People like this are idlers, they have some status but not much, and they should be quite well-informed.

They have a kind and gentle face, and even as they get older, they like to chatter... If you ask for directions, you won't be scolded.

"Sir, do you know someone named Li Wanshan? I heard he runs a clinic on Qianmen Street?"

"You must be talking about Doctor Li. You've come to the right person."

Baoshentang isn't very well-known, and business isn't great, but this man is truly skilled. What's your relationship with him?

"It's my uncle..."

Li Cheng, standing five steps away, was overjoyed to hear that the old man knew about his uncle. He hurried over, but his words immediately gave him away.

Li Xin quickly raised his voice, interrupting him instantly: "It was my uncle who introduced me to this doctor."

My elderly mother is seriously ill, so I went to ask if this Dr. Li could make house calls.

My uncle said he was a very skilled doctor, and that his treatments were inexpensive.

"Oh, I see. What a filial and good child."

Following the path along the Imperial City Wall westward, past about eleven or twelve shops, you'll find Baoshentang.

The old man didn't doubt it, gave Li Xin an appreciative look, and chuckled as he said a few words.

"Thank you, sir."

Li Xin bowed respectfully, bid farewell to the kind-looking old man, and quickly found the signboard of Baoshentang.

Peeking in, I saw the door was wide open, and the aroma of medicine wafted into my nostrils.

The front hall was deserted; a young man was wiping the counter, but there was no one else inside.

Instead, a dispute arose from the backyard.

"I told you not to treat that person, but you insisted. Now look what you're going to do about it."

If all else fails, I'll take Xiaowan back to my parents' home, and you can live alone.

The woman's voice was shrill, and even through the two doors, it sounded slightly grating.

"Look, I wasn't looking back then, who knew..."

"Madam, walls have ears. You'd better not say any more. This is a good opportunity; if we seize it, we can definitely turn things around."

A weary middle-aged man's voice rang out, his words filled with frustration and helplessness.

Are you here to see a doctor?

Just as Li Xin was about to listen to a few more words, the young man wiping the table next to him walked over.

The man looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old. He had a refined appearance, thin lips, and long, slender fingers. His eyes held a scrutinizing gaze as he looked at Li Xin and Li Cheng, and his words were not very enthusiastic.

"No, Li Wanshan is my uncle. I've come to visit him."

"Li, Li... Master, someone from your hometown has come." The young man's expression changed, and he quickly turned around and called out, his face full of smiles.

"Uncle..."

Upon seeing Li Wanshan, Li Cheng burst into tears.

They quickly put Xiaoyue down, and then met their aunt again. Li Xin didn't forget to take out two wolf legs from his basket.

"You are Cheng'er, and Xiao Xin too. Oh my, Xiao Yue'er has grown so much." Li Wanshan's eyes were also slightly moist. He didn't even care that he was still at the door and asked, "How are my elder brother and sister-in-law? Are they alright?"

Upon hearing that the three siblings had suffered a disaster in their hometown and lost their parents, and had traveled a long way to the capital, Li Wanshan covered his face and burst into tears.

The aunt comforted her, and a little girl of about twelve or thirteen years old next to her also wiped away tears.

If I heard correctly.

This little girl must be my cousin, named Li Xiaowan.

“Madam, tidy up the west wing and let Cheng’er and the others stay there. Xiao Zhou and I will squeeze in. You can sleep with Xiao Wan tonight.”

After calming down a bit, Li Wanshan made the arrangements.

The young man waiting nearby quickly said, "No need, no need, Master, let them stay in my room. I'll stay in the front hall, just put up a plank and lay out some bedding."

"That won't do. It's cold and dewy in the front hall at night. What if you get sick? Just listen to your uncle's arrangements."

Auntie suddenly interjected.

"aunt!"

The young man looked slightly embarrassed and fell silent.

Upon hearing this, Li Xin was slightly taken aback, as if he understood something.

Before his elder brother Li Cheng could say anything, Li Xin said, "We've just come to visit our uncle and aunt. We'll be leaving soon. My brother has already found work and a place to stay."

"That won't do. You're all unfamiliar with the city and its people. I wouldn't feel comfortable letting you stay outside."

Li Wanshan's expression changed, and he grabbed his beard, angrily saying, "Doing this means you don't treat me like your uncle. How am I supposed to explain this to my elder brother and sister-in-law?"

"Second Uncle, you're too kind. It's not that far. When we have time, my siblings and I will come to visit and get to know Xiaowan better."

Li Xin said with a smile, his voice not loud, but very firm.

"You said you were leaving as soon as you arrived, so you should at least have lunch."

The aunt's expression softened slightly, and her voice became gentler.

……

After having a meal at their uncle's house that they couldn't quite describe, the group said their goodbyes and left.

Li Wanshan saw him off for a long distance and even slipped a silver ingot into Li Cheng's arms.

After some polite refusals, Li Cheng accepted it.

Li Xin didn't say much, behaving like a child.

On the contrary, Xiaoyue and Li Xiaowan got along very well during the meal, chatting away and reluctant to part.

We walked a long way.

Li Cheng turned his head to look back, suddenly sighed, and lowered his head.

"We have money, where can't we settle down and make a living?" Li Xin looked at Li Cheng with amusement, thinking to himself that although his elder brother was reckless, he wasn't stupid.

"Second brother, don't show off your knowledge. You know I can't understand it anyway."

"No, when it's time to understand, you understand better than anyone else."

Li Xin said meaningfully.

The eldest brother had actually noticed it long ago; his uncle and aunt were acting like they were "sending away a plague god."

The group of us came here seeking refuge. It wasn't that Baoshentang couldn't accommodate us, but rather that they didn't want to.

Finally, they gave me five taels of silver. I accepted it; perhaps it would put everyone at ease.

Farmers have their own way of life, they are both proud and self-conscious, and they are actually very clear about many things.

"Yes, Big Brother is the smartest," Xiaoyue said quietly, lying in the basket on her back.

"Haha." Li Cheng grinned and laughed, looking like a complete fool.

"You weren't full just now, Xiaoyue, let's go get another meal."

"Okay, okay, I want to eat that red soup. It smells so good, it looks so delicious."

The white steamed buns and bright red mutton offal soup were very popular, and the stall was crowded with people.

Li Xin, with his sharp eyes, also noticed the crooked handwriting on it:

Steamed bun: one coin.

Lamb soup: 6 coins.

It's not expensive.

"Then have a bowl of soup. It looks like there's quite a bit of meat in it."

The three siblings were severely depleted, and eating meat was never enough to satisfy their hunger. They hadn't touched their food much at their uncle's house, and now they were craving it terribly.

"The taste is just so-so."

The group sat down and each ordered a bowl of mutton offal soup that was cooked until very soft.

Seeing his elder brother and Xiaoyue eating with relish, Li Xin blew on the hot drink and took a sip, feeling somewhat disappointed.

All I can say is that, apart from the saltiness and the gamey smell, the broth wasn't particularly delicious; it felt like something was missing.

How can business be good with this kind of taste?

Li Xin's gaze swept over the diners in their tattered clothes, and a slight thought stirred within him.

"Second brother, it's so delicious! Can I have another bowl? No, just half a bowl?" Xiaoyue pleaded pitifully.

"Okay, I'll bring you another bowl." Li Xin stood up.

Li Cheng felt a pang of sadness and quickly said, "Then I'll go get some steamed buns for Xiaoyue so you can have a full meal."

"Big brother is the best." Xiaoyue's words were as sweet as honey.

The two brothers exchanged a glance, then turned around to fetch soup and food.

Li Xin handed over a bowl and took a bowl of soup.

The smile was still on his face when he suddenly realized that Xiaoyue was gone from his desk.

He suddenly looked up and saw a tall, muscular man running with someone in his arms in the distance in the middle of the street.