Ultimate Path to Heaven

Chapter 10 Selfless Devotion

Since Liu Ji's family publicly confessed, the village head of Liu Ji had been collecting grain in advance, sometimes by 20% more than the grain tax, and sometimes by 10%, but on average it was always around 15%.

Increased grain production meant a larger harvest, while poor harvests were attributed to Liu Ji, the village head, who had worked hard to secure the results. In short, Liu Ji always made sure the villagers wouldn't starve, thus prompting him to provide aid and assistance at crucial moments, using both coercion and enticement.

Yet this very village head was universally recognized as a great man by the villagers, truly a fool.

The grain tax collected by the imperial court was levied according to different circumstances to ensure that the people would not starve to death. Otherwise, who would be willing to farm? Even if it meant death, they would still rebel.

One and a half percent?

When faced with the facts, the villagers' mentality completely collapsed... Although this 1.5 percent was not much for each household, it was enough to keep them from going hungry, and sometimes even allow them to have a full meal.

The old man, trembling, approached Xiao Jin and gripped his hand tightly. His previously despairing eyes brightened with hope: "There's hope for next year! There's hope for next year!"

System notification: [Strength +1...]

"this......"

As the old man gripped Xiao Jin's hand tightly, tears of gratitude streaming down his face, the villagers, whose composure had completely crumbled, looked at Xiao Jin with a complex mix of emotions—guilt, gratitude...and resentment!

System notification: [Strength +1... +1...]

Being gripped tightly by the old man's rough hands was already awkward, and then the system suddenly added 1 after 1, leaving Xiao Jin somewhat bewildered.

Fortunately, Xiao Muyu came to the front of everyone at this moment: "I believe everyone is already clear about the ins and outs of the matter. These grains and valuables will be distributed equally to each household. As for what to do with Liu Ji's family..."

As Xiao Muyu spoke calmly and without a trace of emotion, many villagers lowered their heads in shame.

Since Xiao Muyu and her son arrived in Qingxi Village, most of the villagers have been particularly hostile towards Xiao Jin, as if Xiao Jin had eaten more of their food.

Sometimes, mere jealousy is enough to breed prejudice, and Muramasa Ryuji did indeed show more care for Xiao Muyu and her son. But sometimes, what one sees with their own eyes is not necessarily the "truth."

Whether it was true or not, Xiao Muyu didn't care at all about the ignorant villagers' thoughts. What she cared about was how her son, Xiao Jin, would deal with these villagers, and how these villagers would react to her son.

More importantly, what path should their son, Xiao Jin, take from now on...?

"I hope Father's choice back then was right!" Xiao Muyu looked up at the sky, her eyes filled with tears.

System notification: [Strength +1......+1......+1......] Eliminate the scourge for the people?

"Did I indirectly do a good deed?" Distracted, Xiao Jin instinctively scratched his head. "This feeling... seems pretty good!"

In his past life, Xiao Jin never did anything good. He only wanted what he wanted in his heart and never cared about how others felt or what the consequences might be.

He often questions the heavens, wondering why his fate as an orphan is so unfair, which makes him unable to bear seeing anyone around him who is better than him, and thus he defies the heavens!

In this strange world, Du Chun knelt on the ground in gratitude, the old man was overwhelmed with emotion, and the villagers were filled with shame... Xiao Jin had never experienced such feelings before.

In this strange world, my life seems to have suddenly undergone a dramatic transformation!

"Since fate has given me a second chance at life... what if I live it differently?"

"Young Master, the entire Liu family, thirteen members in total, are bound here." Changing the subject, the Scarface Blood Guard clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiao Jin again, saying, "All the provisions have been inventoried; please make your decision, Young Master!"

At this moment, the Scarface Blood Guard's attitude towards Xiao Jin appeared respectful, but in reality, he still harbored some thoughts and doubts.

Pulled back to reality by the Scarred Blood Guard, Xiao Jin then noticed Liu Ren, the burly man who was whipping "himself".

Liu Ren rarely showed himself in the village head's house kitchen. He was fat, big-eared, and very strong. The original owner, Xiao Jin, had seen him many times and had even expressed his gratitude for the food he provided.

Xiao Jin doesn't care about any of that right now; what he cares about is that Liu Ren must die!

Glancing at the knife in his hand, Xiao Jin hesitated... 'What would happen if I tried using this to test my fist?'

Currently, his strength points have stopped at 20, which is more than double what they were before. However, Xiao Jin is not sure how much power (attack power) this value can bring him. If it is comparable to a samurai, then what rank would it be?

Therefore, I wanted to test it out on Liu Ren with my fist.

But unexpectedly...

"Wait!" Du Chun suddenly blocked his way. "Liu Ji, the village magistrate, is embezzling grain taxes. The Iron Slaughter Guard will surely punish him and execute him once they find out. But we, who committed murder without authorization, will not escape punishment either!"

"..."

Caught off guard, Xiao Jin was momentarily speechless and unconsciously looked at his mother, Xiao Muyu.

Xiao Muyu didn't say anything, but simply nodded gently to Xiao Jin.

At this moment, Du Chun's voice rang out again: "Not a single member of the Liu family can be spared." Turning to the villagers, Du Chun remained calm and composed, his eyes resolute: "Regardless of who killed this person, I, Du Chun, will bear the blame!"

Despite their intense hatred for the Liu family, none of the villagers dared to take a step forward under Du Chun's piercing gaze.

"Damn it, how are people supposed to live in this world?!"

"Can we really escape the Iron Slaughter Guard's judgment?"

"..."

Previously, their eyes had been filled with murderous intent, as if they wanted to devour the Liu family alive. Now, after Du Chun reminded them that their lives and fortunes were at stake, the villagers became timid and fearful again.

For these villagers, the issue is no longer how to distribute food and property, or whether the Liu family should be killed, but whether the Iron Guard can let them live.

Poor, pathetic people. No wonder they live at the very bottom of society. Sometimes, a change in mindset can determine the course of one's destiny.

Unfortunately, these tragic and pitiful villagers still prefer to live a life of mere survival.

It is true that every pitiful person has something hateful about them, and these are the people who are most likely to complain and blame their own weakness and incompetence on the injustice of fate.

Xiao Jin was oblivious to these things; he simply didn't know how to respond to Du Chun, which made him appear somewhat troubled.

"My mother is gone, my wife died unjustly, and my revenge has been fulfilled. I, Du Chun, am all alone and have no more attachments!" Stepping forward, Du Chun patted Xiao Jin's shoulder with an indescribable look in his eyes. "Young Xiao, don't worry. I, Du Chun, am all alone and have no regrets about dying. Those foolish people will not reveal the truth in order to save their own lives."

"Damn, that's not what I care about..."

Feeling somewhat embarrassed by Du Chun's selfless act, Xiao Jin admired Du Chun quite a bit, but didn't dwell on it too much.

"Fine, anyway, whoever killed the Liu family member should be considered to have completed the system task. But, will this affect the bonuses and deductions to my left and right strength stats...?"

Just as Xiao Jin was thinking this, the ground trembled slightly... the sound of horses' hooves?

When the sound of horses' hooves came at that moment, the villagers instinctively thought of the Iron Slaughter Guard. They were all panicked and stood frozen in place, not knowing what to do.