A chilly sensation once again spread over his entire body. The pain from his wounds was almost negligible now... as long as he didn't make any sudden movements that might tear them open again.
But his body was still weak... After all, he had starved for many days, and his physical reserves were severely depleted.
Standing over six feet tall, he likely weighed less than a hundred pounds. One could only imagine how weak his body truly was.
He was the kind of person whose arms would flutter like a butterfly's wings just from attempting a single push-up.
After Old Wu finished applying the medicine, he packed up his things, ready to leave.
"Elder Wu."
Just then, Qin Fang suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm?" Old Wu paused and looked at Qin Fang.
Qin Fang took a deep breath. "I wish to stay in True Martial, but I don't know how."
Old Wu raised an eyebrow.
"You want to stay in True Martial County?"
Qin Fang nodded and bowed slightly. "I ask for your guidance, Elder Wu."
Elder Wu fell silent, watching Qin Fang. After a long moment, he finally spoke, his words coming slowly. "Regarding that... I'm afraid I can't help you."
Qin Fang paused for a moment before nodding. "Is that so... I understand. Thank you for your diligent care all this time, Elder Wu. This is a debt I cannot repay with words. If I am fortunate enough to survive, I will surely repay your kindness in the future."
Elder Wu heard the implication in his words and raised an eyebrow. "You're leaving?"
"Yes," Qin Fang replied frankly.
The rebellious migrants had already left True Martial, which meant Wang Long and his cronies were sure to come looking for him next.
In his current state, he was as weak as a kitten. If they found him, he'd be completely unable to resist.
But where could he possibly find any "gold leaves" to give them?
Once they discovered the deception, he could only imagine the fury of Wang Long and his men.
He was just a migrant, and during such a sensitive time... if he fell into the hands of the enraged Wang Long, his fate would be sealed.
From his recent conversations with Zhang Hao, through which he had subtly fished for information, he knew that Elder Wu was likely the only person who could help him now.
Elder Wu was a senior physician at Huichun Hall. He was not only backed by a major power like Huichun Hall—a well-known force in True Martial County—but his masterful, life-saving medical skills had also earned him a vast network of connections throughout the entire county. His status was therefore quite extraordinary; even Wang Hu would not dare to offend him lightly.
If Elder Wu were willing to help him, Wang Long and his men wouldn't dare to press the issue too aggressively.
And as long as he had a little time to recuperate and then use his Golden Finger to master some martial arts... he would eventually find a way to deal with the Iron Tiger Gang's trouble.
That was why he had finally asked for help.
But regrettably, Elder Wu was clearly unwilling to help.
But Qin Fang held no grudge. 'When I was on the run, didn't I also refuse others who asked for my help?'
Helping was a kindness, not an obligation.
At the very least, Elder Wu had done his utmost when treating his injuries, and that alone was why he was still alive.
He had to remember that kindness.
But since Elder Wu was unwilling to help, Qin Fang knew he couldn't stay at Huichun Hall any longer.
Wang Long and his men could show up at any moment.
His only choice was to leave.
"Now that the rebellious migrants have just gone, the entire city is under lockdown. With your appearance, anyone can tell you're a migrant at a single glance. Where could you possibly go? I'm afraid you'll be arrested the moment you step out this door," Elder Wu said slowly after a moment of silence.
With the migrant rebellion, everyone in True Martial County was on high alert. At a time like this, if Qin Fang were to venture out rashly, his arrest was a near-certainty.
Qin Fang calmly replied, "Getting arrested probably won't kill me."
In fact, it was his only path to survival.
Once arrested, even being thrown in jail would be better than falling into the hands of Wang Long and his men.
The good news was that Wang Long and his men hadn't taken his Identity papers; he still had them in his possession.
The papers bore the entry-permit stamp from True Martial County, issued on his first day in the city. These Identity papers were enough to prove he was a law-abiding citizen.
Furthermore, when the migrants rioted later on, he had been at Huichun Hall. Elder Wu and Zhang Hao could testify that he hadn't participated in the uprising.
...As long as the officials from the Government Office conducted even a minor investigation, they would find he had committed no crime. Then, in all likelihood, they would just repatriate him to his place of origin.
Of course, Qin Fang didn't want to be sent back to his hometown.
But it was a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils.
In the hands of Wang Long and his men, he would most likely die.
In the hands of the Government Office, he at least had a sliver of a chance to live.
The choice was obvious.
Through Zhang Hao, he had learned that while the Iron Tiger Gang was vicious, it was considered only a minor gang in True Martial County. They mostly ran rampant in the countryside, and there were many similar gangs in the county. Their influence likely didn't extend into the Government Office's prison.
But if he did this, Qin Fang's life would be completely out of his own hands and left to the whims of the masters at the Government Office.
If he encountered a conscientious official who investigated the matter thoroughly, he might get out unscathed and simply be sent back to his hometown.
But if he ran into someone corrupt, or simply negligent... then there was no telling what might happen.
It wasn't impossible they might even brand him a rebel...
To be honest, Qin Fang felt a sense of powerlessness.
He felt like a butterfly caught in an invisible web, able to do nothing but struggle helplessly.
Frail and helpless.
But of course, he wouldn't give up.
As long as there was a sliver of hope, he would fight for it!
Qin Fang's words silenced the room for a moment. After a brief pause, Elder Wu nodded slightly. "In that case, I wish you all the best."
With that, Elder Wu tucked his small bag under his arm and left.
Qin Fang let out a soft breath, sat up, and began to pack his things.
In truth, there wasn't much to pack... He was just a migrant, with nothing to his name.
He took his Identity papers from under the pillow, secured them close to his body, and put on the cloth shoes Elder Wu had brought him that day. Taking a shallow breath, Qin Fang walked out of the room.
By now, the sky had grown dark. His eyes glinted as he mulled over his options.
'My current appearance is too conspicuous... Even though I've bathed, I'm so thin I look like a bamboo pole. Anyone can tell something's off with a single glance.'
'And the moment I open my mouth... my identity as a migrant will probably be exposed.'
'...Even though we're all speaking the official Great Yu dialect, the Pingjing County accent is still slightly different from the one here in True Martial County.'
Having chatted a great deal with Zhang Hao recently, Qin Fang had already formulated a few plans. The best-case scenario was getting Elder Wu's help; the worst-case scenario was landing in the Government Office's jail.
The middle-ground strategy... was to successfully slip past everyone's notice, settle down temporarily in some quiet corner of True Martial County to recuperate, and then figure things out from there.
Zhang Hao was born and raised in True Martial County and was very familiar with it, including its various major factions.
Through his deliberate inquiries, Qin Fang had gradually pieced together a general understanding of True Martial County.
Therefore, the best place for him to go right now was...
The docks.
The docks were the territory of the Commerce Association. The Iron Tiger Gang had repeatedly tried to establish a foothold there, but they had been driven back every time.
There were numerous commerce associations, their influences varied and complex. They all employed their own enforcers and laborers, forming a formidable power in True Martial County that could not be ignored.
And these people came from all over the country.
If Qin Fang could blend in with them, his accent wouldn't be so conspicuous.
The only problem was... in his current physical condition, how could he possibly establish himself at the chaotic docks?
The road ahead was uncertain and Qin Fang's heart was heavy, but after taking a deep breath, his gaze gradually hardened with resolve.
He had survived a perilous, thousand-mile journey from Jingping to get here.
'I absolutely have to survive!'
'Months of natural disasters couldn't kill me, which means I'm not fated to die yet!'
'I refuse to believe that in all of True Martial County, there isn't a single place for me to take shelter!'
With that thought, he hesitated no longer. For the first time in over ten days, he stepped out of the small courtyard where he had been recuperating.
He then headed north.
The main gate of Huichun Hall was in sight. The sky was now completely dark, and he didn't see anyone around. He took a deep breath and was just about to step forward.
Suddenly, he spotted a figure standing beneath the lantern at the gate.
Qin Fang stared at the figure's back for a stunned moment. Just then, the person turned to look at him.
"Elder Wu?"
Qin Fang was surprised.
Elder Wu nodded at him and said calmly, "Follow me."
With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked out the gate.
Qin Fang was stunned for a second, but then his eyes lit up, and he hurried to follow.