Chapter 90: Chapter 88: The Dinghai City Men Who Love to Watch a Show

[Step 1: Contextual Analysis]

Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese martial arts/wuxia web novel or historical fiction, with elements of chase and escape.

Language style: The language is relatively straightforward narrative with some colloquial dialogue and Chinese cultural elements.

Tone: Tense, dramatic, with elements of danger and emotional scenes. There are also moments of loyalty, determination, and sacrifice.

Plot keywords: escape, pursuit, chase, hiding, martial arts families, friendship, loyalty

Characters:

- Wu Liangchen (武良辰) - Male protagonist, appears to be fleeing after committing some offense

- Yang Lian’Er (杨莲儿) - Female, appears to be one of the people escaping with Wu Liangchen

- Aunt Fan (樊姨) - Female, appears to be one of the people escaping with Wu Liangchen

- Yuan Er (袁二) - Male, appears to be a friend or acquaintance of Wu Liangchen

- Yuan Er’s wife (袁二嫂) - Female, Yuan Er’s wife

- Liu Dongchuan (刘东川) - Male, appears to be a friend of Wu Liangchen

- Bai Erya (白二丫) - Female, seems to have a close relationship with Wu Liangchen

- Bai Erya’s father (白老头) - Male, Bai Erya’s father

- Xiao Rong (萧荣) - Male, appears to be the antagonist leading the pursuit

[Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing]

Now I’ll proceed with the translation, following all the guidelines provided.

Starting my translation:

First, let me identify any glossary terms in the text:

定海卫 => Dinghai City

杨莲儿 => Yang Lian’Er

小武 => Xiaowu

武良辰 => Wu Liangchen

樊姨 => Aunt Fan

武哥 => Brother Wu

南城 => South City

袁二 => Yuan Er

萧荣 => Xiao Rong

良辰 => Liangchen

白二丫 => Bai Erya

白家 => the Bai family

刘哥 => Brother Liu

刘东川 => Liu Dongchuan

银元 => silver coins

东川 => Dongchuan

小武哥 => Brother Xiaowu

二丫 => Erya

莲儿 => Lian’Er

Now I’ll translate the text section by section:

After the horse squad left the city, the dust they kicked up lingered in the air, a sight that left onlookers astounded.

But if there was one thing the men of Dinghai City weren’t afraid of, it was a good spectacle. What was a little discomfort when there was excitement to be had? So as soon as the horses departed, the crowd quickly converged and began discussing the events with great enthusiasm.

"Tsk, tsk, all the major martial arts families of Dinghai City have mobilized. That boy must have stirred up heaven itself!"

"That kid’s got guts. If I ever meet him, I’ll definitely buy him a drink."

"Sigh, he’s probably done for. With so many people hunting him down, even if he’s highly skilled, a hero can’t fight against overwhelming numbers."

Yuan Er, standing among the crowd, had a ashen face. After being stunned for a long while, he suddenly remembered something and turned to leave immediately.

Xiaowu’s offense was far too serious this time. Though it was unlikely that authorities would trace anything back to an ordinary citizen like himself, Yuan Er decided to lay low for a while just to be safe.

Upon returning home, Yuan Er’s wife asked curiously, "What’s wrong? Why are you home so early today?"

With a grave expression, Yuan Er said, "Something’s happened!"

He then recounted everything that had transpired. After hearing the story, his wife was also shocked and dismayed.

"Will Xiaowu be all right?" she asked anxiously.

"Who knows? Heaven willing, may the child escape safely." Yuan Er sighed.

His wife also sighed repeatedly, even shedding a few tears.

Yuan Er comforted her with a few words, then began preparing the medicine pot, intending to brew some medicine for his wife.

Though she had already recovered substantially, Wu Liangchen had given him a few more packets of medicine just two days ago, saying it would help consolidate her health.

Yuan Er opened one packet and was about to pour it into the pot when he suddenly cried out in surprise.

"What’s wrong?" his wife hurried out from the inner room to ask.

"Look... look at this..." Yuan Er pointed at the opened medicine packet.

His wife looked down and saw that hidden among the medicinal herbs were silver coins.

Counting them, there were twenty or thirty pieces in total.

"What... what is this about?" Yuan Er’s wife was bewildered.

With tears in his eyes, Yuan Er said, "This is all from that child Xiaowu, for us."

While Yuan Er and his wife were feeling grateful for Wu Liangchen, Liu Dongchuan had also received the news. However, he didn’t panic. After reassuring his family briefly, he left home and headed straight for East Street in South City.

That’s where Bai Erya and her father lived.

Despite it being daytime, the front gate remained tightly shut.

Liu Dongchuan knocked on the door, and after quite some time, he heard the old man’s voice from inside.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me, Liu Dongchuan!" Liu Dongchuan replied softly.

A moment later, the gate opened a crack. "Oh, it’s Dongchuan. Come in quickly!"

After being ushered into the main hall, Bai Erya, hearing the commotion, hurried over as well.

Both father and daughter looked at Liu Dongchuan expectantly. He didn’t hide anything—after all, this was something that couldn’t be concealed anyway—so he recounted everything that had happened.

Initially, upon hearing that Wu Liangchen had successfully escaped and left the city, despite tears welling in her eyes, Bai Erya smiled with relief.

But when she learned that all the major families in the city had mobilized and gone out to hunt for Wu Liangchen, she immediately became anxious.

"What... what should we do? Will Brother Xiaowu be all right?" Bai Erya’s hands and feet turned cold with worry, and she felt utterly helpless.

Liu Dongchuan quickly consoled her, "Miss Erya, don’t worry. Xiaowu has always been resourceful, so he must have anticipated this situation. He’ll be fine."

This was precisely why Liu Dongchuan had come.

After all, rumors were flying everywhere outside, and people were saying all sorts of things. If the Bai family heard some unfavorable rumors and something happened as a result, he would be failing the task Wu Liangchen had entrusted to him before leaving.

It was better to tell them the truth directly.

"That’s right, my girl. Xiaowu is very capable. He’ll definitely be fine," the old man also comforted her.

Bai Erya’s reaction surprised both of them. Despite her tear-filled eyes, she quickly calmed down.

"Thank you, Brother Liu, for bringing this news. I understand, and don’t worry. Brother Xiaowu told me before he left to wait for him at home. So I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stay home obediently and wait for him."

Liu Dongchuan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded approvingly, "Good girl, that’s the right thing to do. If anything comes up in the future, have your father come find me. I’ll help however I can."

Liu Dongchuan had feared that Bai Erya might act rashly out of concern and cause trouble, but he hadn’t expected this young woman to be much stronger and smarter than he had imagined.

Liu Dongchuan left.

The old man returned to the room, carefully watching his daughter, unsure of what to say.

"Father!" Bai Erya suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

"I’m hungry. What are we having for lunch?"

"Ah... anything, anything you want!" he replied.

"Oh, then I’ll go make food." Bai Erya turned and went to the kitchen.

Watching her back as she walked away, the old man sighed slightly, suddenly feeling heartache for her.

’Buddha bless us, I’m willing to exchange my life for Xiaowu’s safety,’ the old man prayed silently in his heart.

-----------------

Fifteen Li Ridge.

This was a hilly area, with low mounds covered in pine trees that remained green and upright even in the depths of winter.

The main road took a turn here before heading southeast.

But Wu Liangchen didn’t take the main road, because he knew even without thinking that Xiao Rong would dispatch a large squad of men to pursue him once he got the news.

The mule cart was fine for hauling coal normally, but to compete with warhorses in speed would be suicide.

So after reaching this bend, Wu Liangchen reined in the mule that had been galloping wildly, and pulled up the false bottom of the cart.

With the bottom removed, the three people immediately sat up. Yang Lian’Er gasped repeatedly, "I was suffocating in there!"

Aunt Fan jumped out and gazed into the distance for a moment before saying gravely, "Xiaowu, there’s dust in the distance. It must be the mounted squad!"

"Yes, it’s probably Xiao Rong with his men. Come on, let’s head into the mountains now."

Wu Liangchen gathered all their belongings, then struck the large mule with the back of his blade.

Feeling the pain, the mule bolted away.

After the coal cart was gone, Wu Liangchen led the others into the pine forest.

The snow was deep among the trees, but after such a long time, the surface had hardened considerably, making it possible to walk on. Not only that, but Wu Liangchen also cleared their footprints as they went. At crucial spots, he even took the time to create false trails, trying his best to confuse their pursuers.

Moving like this, they soon disappeared into the vast pine forest.

One incense stick’s burning time later, Xiao Rong and his men caught up to the runaway coal cart.

By then, the cart was empty.

Looking at the false bottom in the carriage, Xiao Rong’s expression grew colder than the current weather. He stared at the pine forest stretching for countless miles before him and said icily:

"You think I can’t catch you just because you’ve fled into this pine forest?"

"Everyone dismount and enter the mountain!" he ordered.