588 Xiaoba
Grandpa's expression instantly turned frightened, filled with fear and unease. He clung tightly to his son, as if he feared that if he let go, he would never see his eldest grandson again.
His face was etched with wrinkles, his muscles were taut, and his eyes revealed deep worry and unease.
With rough, calloused hands, she gripped her eldest grandson's arm even tighter, her voice trembling as she said, "Don't go. What's happening over there is none of your business."
These heartless bastards have killed countless people. Look at those troublemakers from before; they were all brutally murdered, their bones even fed to the dogs.
Seeing that her eldest grandson's expression remained unchanged, and that he hoped she would agree, she earnestly persuaded him.
The Huo family wields immense power, and the relationships behind them are incredibly complex.
Moreover, they are all divine beings, capable of shattering boulders with a single palm strike.
They'll suppress them soon; going there will just be suicide.
The eldest grandson felt his blood boiling and surged within him, struggling to break free from his grandfather's grasp.
She said softly and sincerely, "Grandpa, please let me go and take a look, just one look. If possible, I'll find some food to bring back."
Just this once, Grandpa.
Grandpa looked pained and wouldn't let go.
Suddenly, a loud, familiar yet repulsive voice came from outside—it was Xiao Bazi, the lackey of the Huo family.
Through the gap, I could see someone holding a torch, wearing a newly made thick black cotton-padded coat, and with greasy, shiny lips.
The sound was like an ice blade, annoying and frustrating to hear, like a cold wind sweeping through the entire dirty and chaotic outskirts of the area.
The booming voice, carrying an undeniable air of authority and malice, instantly plunged the entire area into an even deeper silence.
The awakened crowd stared nervously in the direction from which the sound came.
Listen attentively to what Xiao Bazi is about to say.
The lackey, Hachi, shouted in that familiar yet loathsome voice, "Listen up, everyone stays home and isn't allowed to come out!"
The sound was like a tirade, and the eldest grandson felt a surge of unease and fear, as if he were being tightly bound by an invisible force.
"You all need to keep an eye on each other. If you find anyone disobeying or sneaking out, you must actively report them."
The lackey Xiao Ba's voice was laced with both threat and enticement.
This statement is like a double-edged sword, hanging over everyone's head.
Hiding at home, they occasionally exchange glances through the crack in the door, a hint of helplessness and worry flashing in their eyes.
The system of collective punishment and the system of mutual responsibility, along with the oppression and persecution by the Huo family, left everyone with no way to escape.
Without travel permits or money, they went straight through the gate, not to mention the lackeys who secretly intercepted them along the way. They made their fortune by plundering resources and living off them; they were much more proactive than the Huo family.
Another temptation is coming your way.
All that could be heard was, "If anyone is seen sneaking out, they will be rewarded with five bowls of top-quality grain if they dare to expose them."
A single sentence acts as bait, attempting to lure one's neighbors and relatives into betraying them.
People died one after another, all of them people who were trying to live. Friendship here is more precious than a bowl of food.
Starving and freezing, with life hanging in the balance, compared to morality and conscience, there is no other choice, no other choice!
Then came a threatening and bloody statement: 'If anyone dares to harbor them, their whole family will be sent to the mine.'
The eldest grandson's eyes showed a hint of fear, and he couldn't help but think, 'I'm only seventeen years old, and I've already been targeted.'
During this period, this little bastard often came to see me, using threats and inducements, trying to get me to work in the mine.
This is going to cost me my life!
His eyes were filled with fear. He was barely eighteen, yet it felt like his life was about to wither away.
Those who had been hesitant just moments before now had a hint of helplessness in their eyes.
Others looked overjoyed, as if they had finally found a good reason.
The words were like a curse. The young man, who had just been tempted and wanted to take a chance, was now filled with fear and despair.
Knowing all too well how arduous and dangerous the work in the mines was, being sent there meant teetering on the edge of life and death.
Just like those young people who are not at home, unless they have money, they can avoid spending money, but they just don't have money.
If you had money, who would stay in this impoverished place?
Xiao Bazi's threats and inducements could only be met with silence.
Grandpa's hand gripped even tighter now, refusing to let go.
The eldest grandson's hand slowly relaxed, a sense of powerlessness washing over him.
So many hopes and dreams were once held, but reality has proven to be so cruel and merciless.
In this land of scorching sands filled with oppression and exploitation, they could only silently endure suffering and misfortune, hoping that one day they could escape this fate.
In Yansha Prefecture, it was as if they were being raised in captivity.
They would bear children and send them to wealthy or powerful families to serve as slaves or servants.
Or perhaps it was fate's cruel hand that sent them to the mines, where they were arrested and forced to go, never to return.
This cycle repeated itself for generations without end, until total extinction.
I have prayed to God countless times, but God has remained silent.
The eldest grandson's eyes instantly reddened, filled with deep expectation and pleading. "I truly hope that this time we can wipe out the entire Huo family, leaving not a single one alive."
"Slaughter them all, leave no one alive!" These eight words were something I often heard from Xiao Ba, his lackey, and had also witnessed firsthand.
Tears welled up in her eyes, as if questioning why life had treated her this way.
Why can't I have a full meal?
The eldest grandson clenched his fists tightly, revealing his deepest and most sincere desire.
May God hear his cries, see his tears, and understand his suffering.
However, the heavens always seemed so distant, and his prayers seemed to sink without a trace, receiving no response.
Her occasional fantasies were about growing up quickly so she could turn her life around and give her family a better life, but instead she was met with Xiao Bazi's prying eyes and threats.
Excited, my heart pounded uncontrollably, my hands clenched tightly, I really wanted to chop this lackey off with a knife.
But he had no choice but to let go. His young brother, his elderly grandfather, and his parents, whose whereabouts and fates were unknown.
Suddenly, a deafening shout descended from the sky, 'Fire Spirit Sect, Yan Feilai is here! What kind of petty thief dares to cause trouble in Yansha Prefecture!'
Powerful and imposing, even the thatched huts seemed to tremble slightly, and dust began to fall.
The eldest grandson's soul seemed to tremble slightly, and his restless heart was as if it had been buried in a bottomless ice cave, and instantly extinguished.
He stumbled, his legs went weak, and he almost fell.
He murmured in a deathly silence, choked with sobs, "Cultivators are invincible, truly invincible!"
Grandpa's expression immediately changed.
The atmosphere instantly became even more oppressive and desperate.
On the street, Little Eight, holding a torch, looked around with a smug expression, his eyes revealing contempt and pleasure.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
