This group of people had somehow managed to get their hands on over a hundred firearms, making them a formidable military force in these parts.
Yet, judging by the reactions of the locals, their reputation was far from good.
To name just one example, the general approaching sixty years of age was set to marry his sixteenth concubine in a few days.
On top of that, they constantly extorted the populace and bullied ordinary folk by force, leaving the people drowning in grievances with nowhere to seek justice.
It was said that when the town was first occupied, the wealthiest households either paid exorbitant sums to save their lives or were outright plundered to supply the military.
Even now, several hanged, mummified corpses were rumored to still be swinging outside the city walls—unfortunate souls who had disobeyed and were made an example of.
At that moment, the patrons in the teahouse noticed the arrival of a Daoist priest, and someone immediately greeted him with a mocking tone.
Lu Chen couldn't understand the dialect, but the others burst into hearty laughter, evidently making some rather impolite remarks.
The gentleman reading the newspaper raised his head to look him over, frowned, and spoke once more in that strange Mandarin.
"Old Daoist priest, we don't have any food to give you here. Be off with you, quickly."
Food was scarce in these turbulent times, and most locals were tightening their belts just to get by.
Had you not noticed beggars everywhere on the st…
Chapter 63