Reborn as a Cube Man in the Late Ming Dynasty

Helpless, they had no choice but to find other scholars.

Without exception, when they heard that they were to leave the city, their expressions changed, and they refused to let Liu and his companion out.

They knew perfectly well what the situation was like outside the city; staying inside the city meant they could at least save their lives.

So, after asking around, no one was willing, and most of them already had families, unlike the first person who was all alone.

Liu Qi didn't want Liu Ping to take action.

Just as they were about to find another scholar, a loud shout suddenly came from afar.

"You two, daring to cause trouble in Chengcheng, you're really asking for it!"

They looked in the direction of the sound and their expressions changed instantly.

"Oh no, they're government officials!"

Although Liu Ping is good at fighting, he still needs to have weapons. Besides, fighting for the government in the city is just asking for death.

However, why are government officials here? Aren't they supposed to be completely indifferent to anything except the orders of the county magistrate?

It turned out that Liu Qi and his group's strange behavior of wandering around the city like headless flies and asking for information was seen by some people and became a topic of conversation.

Just then, a group of government officials passed by, heard about the incident, and rushed over to see what was going on.

They caught Liu and his companion red-handed as they were lurking suspiciously in front of the door.

"Hey, you think you can just walk away?" The officers drew their swords and blocked the two men's path. Zhao Wu cursed, "Why don't you go to the market and instead give us trouble? Once we're in jail, we'll skin you alive so you can cool off!"

"Zhao Wu, what they did wasn't serious enough. Just take them back and lock them up for a few days. There's no need to do anything," one of the officers said.

"I think you're right," the other officer nodded in agreement.

"What's wrong with you two?"

Zhao Wu couldn't hold back any longer and asked with a strange expression, "Ever since you came back from collecting taxes yesterday, you've been like completely different people. You said you were going to do good deeds, but I thought you were just joking."

"So you were the ones who were making a fuss about meddling, and now you're saying you'll release them in a few days? What exactly happened yesterday?"

"If you still consider us brothers, then don't ask any more questions." The two officers shook their heads in unison, refusing to reveal a single word: "Right now, the most important thing is to take these two back first."

"Are you the officials who came to our village yesterday?" Liu Qi suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, the two constables turned ashen-faced, exchanged a glance, and then looked at Liu Qi and his companion incredulously: "Are you two from Liu Family Village?"

With so many people in Liujia Village, they naturally wouldn't remember everyone's appearance.

Seeing Liu Qi nod, they felt a chill run down their spines.

Oh dear, how did I manage to offend the gods again?

This was clearly at the behest of that immortal lord; otherwise, why would an ordinary person think of taking a scholar out of the city?

Thinking of the miracle they had witnessed that day, and recalling that they would not be reborn as humans, their legs trembled, and they stammered:

"Gentlemen...please go ahead...we're just here...to take a look..."

"Thank you." Liu Qi cupped his hands in thanks, pulled Liu Ping through the circle of officials, and quickly left.

"Damn it, they must have some dirt on my brother. Just wait here, I'll be right back! After I kill them, I'll go to the magistrate to accept my punishment. I won't implicate you." Zhao Wu said angrily, gritting his teeth.

"Zhao Wu, no!!!"

Although they were touched, the two of them moved quickly and blocked Zhao Wu from the left and right.

Just kidding, if Zhao Wu really did that, they'd be reborn as animals in their next life.

After much persuasion, they finally managed to calm Zhao Wu down.

"Zhao Wu, we'd like to ask you for a favor." After exchanging a few words, the two officers said to Zhao Wu, "In a little while, please send a message to the brothers at the city gate. If one of them, strong and one thin, dressed as farmers, is able to leave the city without any major problems, please make an exception and let them go."

"But..." Zhao Wu looked at his brother with concern, and seeing the pleading look on his face, he nodded helplessly, "Okay."

Without asking any further questions, he hurried toward the city gate.

At this moment, Zhu Zi was leading two sheep, which were covered with many iron farm tools.

"Where are the scholars?" Zhu Zi asked in confusion.

"No one wants to come with us, and we were almost arrested and thrown into jail by the officials just now." Liu Qi shook his head, his face full of relief: "Luckily, we ran into the officials who came to our village yesterday, and we escaped by sheer luck."

"Are you alright?" Zhu Zi asked hurriedly.

Liu Qi continued, "No, that's not the case, but we'll have to think of another way to deal with people."

Zhu Zi thought for a moment and suggested, "Perhaps we can try looking among the deserters outside the city; maybe we can find something there."

"This is the only thing we can try right now."

After agreeing on their plans, they walked to the city gate. Liu Qi had already prepared the silver for the bribe.

After all, although these were just farming tools, the imperial court still maintained strict control over iron products.

To everyone's surprise, the gatekeeper merely glanced at him and Liu Ping before letting them leave the city.

The person lying on the edge of the city had long since disappeared; perhaps he had been dragged away by a kind person.

He entrusted the items to the villagers who remained outside the city for safekeeping, while leaving Liu Ping and Zhu Zi to protect the sheep and ironware. Liu Qi then walked alone towards the place where the deserters had gathered.

He had to hurry. There were soldiers guarding the city gate. These people wouldn't be too reckless, but if a conflict really broke out, he was sure the soldiers would just stand by and watch indifferently.

Suddenly, he smelled the aroma of meat. Looking in that direction, he saw a broken pot sitting on the ground, its contents a deep crimson, bubbling with red liquid.

And on the side of the pot, there was a round thing.

A group of people surrounded him, some with injuries, clearly from fighting over something. Their eyes were lifeless as they quietly ate their meat.

When he saw that Liu Qi was getting close to them, he became fierce and pulled out a rusty piece from his body, staring intently at Liu Qi.

Liu Qi subconsciously took half a step back, slowly retreating.

The oppressive feeling in Liu Qi's heart did not disappear until those people looked away.

Walking briskly to the center of the village where the villagers gathered, Liu Qi shouted, "Are there any scholars here? Our village needs one; we'll provide meals!"

However, most of the deserters completely ignored Liu Qi's idea and just looked at him indifferently.

A small number of people, having no other choice, saw a glimmer of hope and, enduring their hunger, crawled toward Liu Qi.

"I...I'm a scholar, take me with you!"

"I can do the math, and all I need is a bowl of porridge a day!"

But Liu Qi could tell at a glance that these were just ordinary people from the wilderness, since they couldn't imitate something as intangible as temperament.

A pang of reluctance flashed in his eyes, but the village couldn't support so many people right now, so Liu Qi hardened his heart and drove them away.

Seeing that they couldn't be fooled, these people, unwilling to give up, wailed and begged for food: "Sir, sir, please have mercy and give us some food, anything will do!"

He touched the dried salted fish he was carrying in his pocket.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Qi sighed and distributed the food.

Our own celestial lord is a benevolent god, but is temporarily unable to leave due to restrictions imposed by the mortal realm.

I should help if I can. Maybe the immortal lord is watching him right now. Otherwise, why would he have been rescued by the same officials just as he was about to be thrown into prison?

This must be the Celestial Lord's arrangement.

It's a pity that the scholar didn't bring it back for the immortal lord after all.

However, Liu Qi's good deed was witnessed by a pair of eyes in the shadows.

Just as Liu Qi was about to leave in despair, a weak voice said, "Wait."

He turned his head and saw a deserter leaning on a wooden stake, walking shakily toward Liu Qi.

"I'll go with you!"

Although the man was in a sorry state, the scholar's unique demeanor still remained, which greatly pleased Liu Qi.

He nodded quickly: "Okay, come with me."