jojokria

Shen Tang woke up on the exile road and found this world very unscientific. Heavenly stones fell, triggering strife among nations. Words solidified into reality, thoughts became tangible. Martial prowess gathered, mountains split and seas parted. What she once perceived as a mere pretty face, with a mere utterance of "leaping over spears and horses," transformed into a fully-armored warrior, spear in hand, capable of standing alone against thousands! The consumptive wretches in her eyes, muttering "constellations scattered like chess pieces," reshaped the sky into a domed canopy and the land into a chessboard, effortlessly maneuvering troops into formation! This, by all means, couldn't be deemed unscientific anymore! It seemed like the scientific coffin lid had been nailed shut by theology! And she— "My lord, there's a severe drought in the Northern County. Would you shed a tear?" Shen Tang: "..." "My lord, the Southern Province is flooded. Would you share a smile?" Shen Tang: "..." ———————— Looking at the ten bowls of rice she devoured, the pockets cleaner than her face, and a group of villagers clamoring for attention, seemingly reincarnated food barrels, the real artist of souls, Village Chief Shen Tang, reluctantly abandoned her beloved paintbrush and was forced onto the road of vying for lordship.

Step aside, let me handle this

The middle-aged man did not immediately agree. He excused himself, claiming the need to consult with others. Shen Tang, relying on her exceptional hearing, overheard the middle-aged man whispering to a few colleagues before returning. These colleagues shared similar concerns, but Shen Tang, with her "servants" waiting at a distance, approached alone to "borrow" fire-making tools and provisions, appearing non-threatening.

Eventually, they agreed to help. The middle-aged man nodded and gestured for Shen Tang and Zhai Le to come closer. "Please, young gentlemen, come here," he called out.

Shen Tang wore an innocent smile, thanking the guards warmly. "Thank you, brave sirs, you have been of great assistance. Although it is not yet autumn, the mountain nights are cold, and my brother and I are lightly dressed. We were truly concerned about catching a chill..."

The middle-aged man couldn't help but find them overly delicate. Young men, full of vitality, would hardly catch a cold from spending just one night outdoors in this season, let alone in the peak of winter. Though he thought this, he did not express it, leading Shen Tang and Zhai Le to fetch fire-starting materials and provisions—resources that were scarce due to recent battles with bandits.

Feeling embarrassed and constrained, the middle-aged man reluctantly said, "Well, this is all we have. Please forgive us for the limited quantity."

Zhai Le naturally had no complaints. With so many wounded among them, their willingness to extend a helping hand to strangers was already commendable.

As they conversed, Shen Tang noticed an opportunity to engage the guards with stories, diverting their attention away from potential suspicions. As the guards shared tales of encounters with bandits, Shen Tang listened with apparent fear and anxiety, clinging to Zhai Le and expressing her longing to return home. This performance eased the guards' apprehensions, convincing them of the duo's harmlessness.

However, Shen Tang, still alert, subtly shifted the conversation towards the topic of the bandits. As the guards expressed their hatred and resentment towards the bandits, Shen Tang appeared visibly shaken, further reinforcing the narrative of vulnerability.

When granted permission to rest nearby for the night, Shen Tang and Zhai Le breathed a sigh of relief. As darkness fell, Shen Tang, feigning sleep, remained vigilant, her senses attuned to the faintest of sounds. She detected a subtle tapping, the rustle of fabric against wood, emanating from one of the guarded wooden crates.

There was definitely something—or someone—inside. Trouble was brewing.

092 Social criticism