Volume Two: Travels in Qi Chapter 103: Witnessing Injustice, Unable to Offer Aid

Because the young lady's foot was injured, Zhang Heng and his companion moved slowly, taking a long time to emerge from the woods.

"From here on, it should be much safer. Miss, let us part ways," Zhang Heng said. In the distance, the silhouette of the imperial city was already visible; there would likely be no more danger.

Suddenly, the young lady squatted on the ground and stubbornly declared, "I'm not going."

Zhang Heng neither knew nor cared what trick she was playing. He turned and continued toward the imperial city. He was here on important business; how could he possibly drag along a burden?

Seeing Zhang Heng depart, the young lady hurried after him. "Do you know why those people were chasing me?"

Zhang Heng ignored her and kept walking.

"They are villains who trade in common folk. They were capturing a young girl when I happened upon them—so they are after me now." The young lady, anxious as Zhang Heng walked away, quickly revealed the truth.

Zhang Heng stopped. "Is that true?"

"It's true. I didn't lie to you. That's why I can't just leave. In this world, righteousness is most important. If you're afraid, you can go, but I have a chivalrous heart and cannot stand by while innocent people suffer. If you won't rescue them, I'll do it myself. At worst, I’ll lose and be captured, sold off with them." The more she spoke, the sadder she became, ending in quiet sobs.

"Enough pretending. Get up and show me," Zhang Heng turned to her coldly.

"Oh, alright." The young lady leapt up, but accidentally aggravated her injured foot and cried out in pain.

Zhang Heng said nothing, heading back toward the woods, unwilling to deal with her. She hurried after him.

A moment later, Zhang Heng and the young lady hid behind a large tree, observing ahead. Sure enough, the group of thieves who had chased her earlier were there.

They gathered around a bonfire, feasting and drinking merrily. Beside them, dozens of common people with their hands and feet bound huddled together in terror.

They were indeed human traffickers.

Zhang Heng was furious. Under the emperor's very nose, these criminals dared to conduct such vile business.

"See, I wasn't lying," the young lady whispered in Zhang Heng's ear.

"What do you want to do?" she asked.

What else? Of course, rescue them.

Just as Zhang Heng was about to rush out, the voice of the "Super Leg System" suddenly sounded in his mind.

Beep. It is recommended that the host not interfere.

The message was brief, but absolute.

"Why?" Zhang Heng asked calmly.

He knew the system would never abandon people to their fate without reason. If it advised him not to interfere, it must have a reason.

The system continued.

Beep. Can the host truly save them?

The question gave Zhang Heng pause.

Can he truly save them? He pondered for a long time, then rose, resigned, and walked away.

"Why aren't you rescuing them?" the young lady shouted anxiously.

Zhang Heng ignored her.

"You’re afraid, aren’t you? You have strength but are timid, unwilling to help. What a shame for a man!"

"Even if your cultivation surpasses mine, I still look down on you."

"You’re a coward. If you won’t save them, I will!"

Her words grew more heated.

Zhang Heng turned slowly and replied coldly, "Do you think that if I rush out and kill all those criminals, I will truly have saved those people?"

His detached tone startled her. She hesitated, then murmured, "Isn't that right?"

Those criminals forcibly took men and women. As cultivators, one should uphold justice—beat the villains and free their victims. Wasn't that how it should be?

To prevent her from acting recklessly, Zhang Heng explained, "Those people were captured from all directions. If we do nothing, they’ll be sold elsewhere. Though they may suffer, at least they’ll survive. But if we rescue them, will their troubles truly end?"

His sudden shift left her unsure how to respond.

Zhang Heng continued, "No. They cannot cultivate. In a world where strength reigns, survival is difficult. If we let them go, their fate will be death or recapture—unless you can escort each one back to their original homes, or protect them forever."

"Can you do that?" Zhang Heng said sadly. "Not interfering is for their own good. If they're lucky, they might find a kind buyer and start anew."

He wished he could save them, but he could not. Saving them was not necessarily for their benefit; it might plunge them deeper into misery.

Zhang Heng left. The young lady, though confused, followed. Without Zhang Heng, she would simply be throwing herself into danger.

Beep. This is reality. The host may save them for a moment, but not for a lifetime—unless the host can change the rules of this world.

Change the rules? Zhang Heng laughed at himself.

What right do I have to speak of such things? I am but an outsider. All I can do is control myself, not be swept along with the current.

The belief in strength above all is deeply ingrained in every inhabitant of the cultivation continent. Zhang Heng was just a minor cultivator; what could he possibly change?

"Why are you following me?" After walking for some time, Zhang Heng noticed the young lady still at his heels and asked coldly.

His mind was troubled; he had no patience for gallantry.

"Which eye of yours sees me following you? This road isn't yours. Why shouldn't I walk here?" She cast him a disdainful look, quickened her pace, and walked ahead.

In her heart, Zhang Heng was simply afraid, making up excuses—though those excuses seemed to have a hint of sense.

Zhang Heng remained silent. He didn't care how others viewed him.

As they walked, he suddenly realized she was also heading to the imperial city.

Qí—interesting.

He vaguely remembered her name as Qi Sisi. She appeared to be a noble of the Qi nation.

Though they shared the road, neither spoke. After many hours, they finally arrived at the imperial city.

The imperial city was indeed impressive—its walls adorned with large banners bearing the character "Qi." The city was vast, stretching beyond sight, bustling with cultivators. The soldiers guarding the gates numbered in the thousands.

The entire city exuded grandeur and ancient majesty.

"What is your name?" The young lady, about to enter the gate, turned to Zhang Heng.

"Zhang Heng."

"Good. I’ll remember you. My name is Qi Sisi. No matter what, you saved my life. If anyone bullies you here, just mention my name." With that, she vanished through the gate.

Zhang Heng smiled, noncommittal, and strolled into the imperial city.