NOVEL WEB Chapter 423: Heart-to-Heart
But it's just a bit challenging; for Hua Jin, who has a huge cheat tool, it's not really a problem.
Wang's Village is a large village with nearly a hundred households. But the actual time to deliver water wasn't longer than Hua Jin imagined because Wang's Village made very adequate preparations, as she had previously thought.
Time had already reached the peak heat of over three months, nearly four months. Hua Jin saw that each household in Wang's Village still had ample stored water. Even though a lot was used, the remaining water was negligible compared to other families along the way that had run out completely and were on the brink of dying from thirst. It's no wonder so many people came to steal water from Wang's Village.
Despite this, Hua Jin still quickly filled up all the empty buckets and tanks in each household.
Once everything was done, Wang's Village and the group trying to steal water had already settled their differences. Hua Jin and her father hid in a shaded spot, watching as the battle came to an end.
Just like they had thought, Wang's Village crushed these people with absolute superiority; many were knocked to the ground, but there were no fatal injuries — they'll just have to stay put for a while.
Just when the battle seemed decided and these people were supposed to flee, surprisingly, rather than leaving, they became pitiful instead of arrogant. Those who had fallen changed from lying to kneeling, disregarding their pain, and began pleading, continuously kowtowing.
More than a hundred people, with only a dozen managing to stand, the others all tearfully begged.
The sudden change in tone caught the people of Wang's Village by surprise. They were unsure whether to engage or not, whether to continue throwing these people out, as all eyes turned to the village chief at the forefront of the crowd.
If it were to be a real fight, the people of Wang's Village wouldn't be afraid. But facing so many people kowtowing and pleading, they couldn't swing their sticks.
"...Village chief, Wang Village Chief, we know you're always formidable. During the disaster, you protected Wang's Village, surely this time too, Wang Village Chief, please, give us some water, the elders and children at home are struggling. That's the only reason we took the risk, truly having no choice, the elders and children at home can't wait any longer, please, considering we're all from the same town, don't let us die. Please, Wang Village Chief..."
With the leader's words, over a hundred people kowtowed together, and anyone with little resolve could hardly withstand it.
Sadly, after nearly two years of disasters, especially the harsh time on the mountain that still remains vivid, although the distress is real and the pleading is genuine, for village chief Wang and the people of Wang's Village, while they might be moved and feel pity, it won't shake their determination to protect their families and lands. They absolutely won't set this precedent; otherwise, it would be irresponsible to themselves.
Village chief Wang said nothing, just looking at those kneeling and begging in front.
In truth, his heart wasn't calm; hearts are made of flesh, not stone — how could one remain indifferent, especially when they spoke of elders and children at home. But there's none, truly none; otherwise, if he didn't want Wang's Village to be devoured, he could only firmly say no.
One side kept pleading desperately, while Wang's Village stayed silent, rejecting them with silence.
A moment later, when the pleading voices weakened and faded, village chief Wang spoke.
To cry this long in such heat was already an exceptional performance; after all, tears also use water, which is now precious with none to spare. Truly, few can shed tears, but shouting until they're hoarse is exhausting and thirst-inducing. Village chief Wang was convinced they couldn't maintain this long, hence he remained silent.
"...Alright, we all know why you're here. It's best to disperse quickly; the day is late, hurry back now, or you'll collapse halfway without anything left."
Breathing words from the heart, village chief Wang spoke these.
It's already late at night, close to dawn; once the sun rises, leaving would be impossible, truly a dead end.
"No...Village chief Wang, have mercy on us; we truly can't endure, we beg you...just a little water, just to survive these few days...please, we're all from the same town, don't let us die, Village chief Wang."
This person is obviously the leader, speaking with genuine emotion.
Unable to fight, now they're selling their misery.
"I've already said there isn't any, hurry and leave." Village chief Wang refused flatly.
Once that door opens, Wang's Village would be finished.
"Village chief Wang...you..." The speaking man stopped kowtowing and raised his head, his expression changed, eyes turning sinister "…You truly intend to let us die without saving us, having water while we suffer. Village chief Wang, you're forcing us to death..."
"Liu Cheng," village chief Wang shouted fiercely, "Don't think we don't know you've instigated these people; among them, someone might truly lack water, but Liu Cheng, have you and those behind you truly run dry? All just to satisfy your selfish desires, inciting so many to achieve your plundering purpose.
Zhao Gouzi, Hui Tian Village, Xiao Li Village... do I need to name them all? Liu Cheng, remember this: too much evil leads to its own destruction. Do so much harm, aren't you afraid of vengeful ghosts seeking you at midnight?"
"Haha...so what if that's true? Why should you have water while we don't? If I'm suffering, then no one else should be comfortable..." Liu Cheng stopped pretending, stood up, and looked at village chief Wang viciously.
"How do you know if we have water? Are you the worm inside our Wang's Village folks that knows everything? Do you even know if our farts smell good or bad?" Wang Datian couldn't help but sneer, unfazed by Liu Cheng's menacing look.
To survive till now, anyone from Wang's Village has blood on their hands; they aren't afraid.
As Wang Datian's words fell, the men of Wang's Village also laughed mockingly.
Liu Cheng, you underestimate Wang's Village; do they look scared?
"Not letting us be comfortable, Liu Cheng, you overestimate yourself. Didn't you just get beaten with your tail between your legs?"
"That's right...do you think you're something special?"
Another burst of laughter ensued, even if quiet due to water scarcity, its impact was significant.
Even in the shadows, Hua Jin and her father could sense Liu Cheng's killing intent had become palpable, his gaze seemed to fragment those mocking him.