The drizzle drenched the streets, and at night, the dim light stone lamps gave off a dense glow, and the small town of Lorma slept in a quiet and tranquil dream. Occasionally, the sound of sparkling cars and horses pressing down on the hard stone pavement is a slight snoring in the small town.

The vicious heresy has been eradicated, the officials who have eaten the corpse have been dismissed, and the air after the rain has become exceptionally fresh, maybe, tomorrow will be better, right?

But some people don't think so.

I'm sorry, Lord Judge, but though you are a servant of God, and you have cleared those damned moths, you are not a god after all, and you cannot save us poor people.

Sorry, I can't wait any longer.

If I am not destined to go to heaven, then I would rather become a devil and take those bastards to hell together.

Rurik's family must die!

Markov clenched the fruit knife in his pocket. He had no way to live.

Beginning with their great-grandfather, the family has been an apple grower for four generations, and is now one of six apple growers in Lorma City. In the autumn of the previous year, Governor Rurik asked for a stake, and it was a "technical stake".

Markov didn't believe that a corrupt official would have the heart to study apple planting technology, and it was even more difficult to hide his anger after obtaining the so-called technical text, which was just an ordinary method of grafting cuttings. Moreover, high-yielding apples will not grow immediately after grafting, they will grow into branches in one year, flowers in two years, and a good yield in the third year, which means that at least in two years, the whole family will fall into the dilemma of no income!

You don't have to do anything, you sit back and enjoy it, we have to take all the risks!

Reluctant to abandon the family business and run away, my father was seriously considering the feasibility of this whimsical "technology". After thorough research, he believes that after years of improvement, the apples of Lorma City have developed in the direction of large, juicy, sweet and light taste, and the grafted apples are likely to be small, firm, sweet and sour, if successful, then the unique taste may occupy a more advantageous position.

What if it fails? Markov asked, if we can't get in and out for two years in a row, we will empty our money, no, not only that, but we may also generate a lot of loans, and then we will lose everything, and the damned Rurik will not get a single copper!

If you can't see what it will look like in five years, don't be a grower. This is an opportunity, do you know what is the biggest problem that is holding us back? It seems that Rurik will stay for quite some time. Well done this time, the rewards are handsome.

What if it doesn't do well?

It's just a debt, and if you don't even have the courage to pay off your debts, then what kind of business do you have. Moreover, the Governor has promised to persuade the Chamber of Commerce and the Money Bank to make it easier for us. After all, if we cooperate, we earn more, and he earns more.

Can you replant half and leave half guaranteed?

Of course I would like to do so, but isn't this a clear plan to distrust the Governor? What would he think?

Markov remembers very well that the sky was full of stars that night, and the resolute light in his father's eyes was like an eternal star.

However, after the grafting began, what awaited them was the run of their peers and the difficulties of the chamber of commerce and the bank, and Markov understood that he had fallen into the trap of Rurik.

He didn't want to work with us in the first place, he wanted to take the orchard into his own hands!

Shameless!

My father, with his good reputation as a guarantee, broke his leg and wore out his mouth, borrowed money from many parties, and began to tear down the east wall to make up the west wall, borrow new debts to pay off old debts, and finally, after two years of hard work, he collapsed.

Markov stood on the front line of the crisis. At that moment, the world changed, and everyone's attitudes, words, and behaviors were all covered with a terrible fog, and they couldn't see clearly, couldn't distinguish friend from foe, couldn't distinguish between fiction and reality, and couldn't find direction.

My father still didn't give up hope, like an old captain who was no longer able to pull the steering wheel but still sober, constantly instructing him on how to avoid the dangerous shoals and reefs.

Hold on, kid, hold on, we've survived for two years, this year is good, apple varieties have advantages, the market will be earlier, soon, soon!

But, Father, our capital chain has been broken and cannot be functioned!

Mortgage the house, mortgage the land! I'm sure it will work, Markov, don't waver, don't waver!

Markov trembled and signed his name on the mortgage for the estate, a last-ditch effort.

Finally, the money was used to pay the salaries of the pickers, to rent the storehouse, and, as is customary, to make offerings to the lords of the town hall.

Then, the town hall was shut down.

Without a certificate of tax payment, no warehouse dared to collect it, but the deposit paid would not be refunded, tons of fruit could only be stacked in the open air, and caravans buying fruit were kept out of the city without a certificate of entry and a trade permit, and direct trade was impossible.

Yesterday evening, a heavy rain poured the hearts of the whole family.

Marco didn't even have the courage to look at the soaked fruit.

It's too late, it's too late. The city hall is rebuilding the team, and the bureaucrats can't come out of it for ten days and half a month, and at that time, everything is over.

Even if someone came out to preside over the work now, who would want fruit that had been piled up in the open for days and might be starting to mold?

It's a failure, it's a failure!

The local chamber of commerce could not count on it, and there were two foreign chambers of commerce in the city, one was the Luoer Chamber of Commerce, which was mainly engaged in the business of magic energy ores, and the other was called the "Black Holy Land", which was engaged in the business of alchemical materials. The reason is the same as that of other chambers of commerce: the situation is unstable, business is suspended, waiting for notice, and looking forward to Haihan.

The father had a good meal with everyone, and then, locking himself in his room, prayed reverently.

The Last Supper?

Rurik, you damned Judas. You've single-handedly created a hell for my family, and I'm going to give your family a taste of it.

Markov made an excuse, picked up a sharp fruit knife, and was about to leave the house when his father stopped him.

Wait a minute, Markov.

What's the matter, father.

Always remember that even in desperate situations, you can't give up hope.

If you are in a desperate situation, how can there be hope?

At the very least, they can retain their noble conduct and self-esteem, and they can leave a reputation for honesty and integrity. You've grown up and you should understand a lot of things, and even if you can't do anything about it, you can't make it worse, right, my son?

Markov answered and went out.

In front is a deep and secluded alley that leads to the back of the town hall and is the closest road to Rurik's house.

Strictly speaking, it is not an alley, but a gap between the facades of two buildings. Occasionally, homeless people take a short break here, and some people pile up some broken chairs and tables and other miscellaneous items here.

It was damp and smelled slightly rancid, and rats were jumping past the trash cans.

There's someone ahead!

Markov hid the fruit knife, hung his hands, and walked forward as if nothing had happened, he didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble.

There are two people, one is a big man with a height of nearly two meters, and the other is a slender and small body, a girl.

Markov took two more steps forward, his face unclear, but his movements were clear.

With only one hand, the big man suppressed the girl so much that he couldn't move, and the other hand unceremoniously reached into the girl's clothes.

The poor girl struggled and cried out in a low voice: "Don't, don't! Don't ...... here."

"Hey, hey, hey. The big man smiled wickedly and whispered something in her ear, and the girl struggled even harder.

Scum!

Markov said secretly.

There are more important things to do.

There was only a narrow passage here, and there was no way to detour it, and after walking for so long, he didn't want to go back.

If it was normal, I would definitely make a move.

At this time, the two men found him in unison, and the girl cried out in fear: "Ahh

She was gagged by the big man.

Dahan found that someone had broken his good deeds, and walked with a pair of fists in a menacing manner.

The girl seemed to be overly frightened and stupidly motionless.

All I had to do was pretend to be stupid, be beaten a few times by this hooligan, and then throw down a few coppers and "hug my head" on the other side of the alley.

But can I turn a blind eye?

Isn't my originally happy family also a victim of bullying?

The words of my father rang in my ears: at least, retain noble conduct and self-esteem, and leave a reputation of openness and integrity!

The alley was secluded and uninhabited, and I was the girl's only hope of being rescued.

In the last moments of my life, I am faced with a choice, whether to send a group of villains to hell or to save an innocent person to heaven?

I...... Choose the latter.

Markov half-turned in fear and pressed his back against the wall.

The big man walked over and grabbed him by the collar: "Do you want to die?"

This guy has so much strength that Markov was pulled his feet off the ground: "No, no, no, you listen to me, I didn't mean to, just get out, this is going to get out-"

Silly girl, run away now!

Markov jerked out the glittering fruit knife and stabbed it into the big man's chest: "Die, villain!"

At this moment, time stands still. Even the fluttering rain stopped in the air.

Dahan looked at the fruit knife in his chest in disbelief, shook it, and got down on one knee.

Markov's heart tightened when his feet landed, and he didn't stab the point!

He turned his head and yelled at the stunned girl, "Run, run!"

The girl didn't seem to react, covering her mouth with one hand, and pointing at him with a trembling hand: "You, you ......"

Markov really wanted to beat this stupid girl up, such a good opportunity, and he didn't run quickly: "Run, run!"

Behind him, a huge black shadow enveloped him.

The big man sneered: "It's really surprising to me, the scum of the city hall actually found such a stupid opportunity to assassinate me?"

Before he could finish speaking, the big man flew up and kicked Markov into the air.

With a bang, Markov smashed into a pile of debris, and his eyes were full of stars.

So strong, is this guy Hercules?

He was dazed and saw that the big man pulled the fruit knife out of his chest nonchalantly.

"Good knife, it will be a good testimony in court, Rurik doesn't think he has enough crimes-" The big man crouched down beside him and patted him in the face with a fruit knife, "Boy, you were sent by Rurik?"

"You, you're—"

The big man opened the placket, revealing the green pudding-like viscous armor on his chest: "Slime soft armor, using the principle of non-George fluid, can block the fire gun projectile, blue quality, one piece of hardware, understand?"

Markov mustered his last strength, grabbed the big man's thick neck, and yelled at the girl: "Run, run—wow!"

The big man punched him in the ribs, causing his whole body to curl up and his hand to loosen.

I'm sorry, girl, but I can only help you get here.

Then, he watched in amazement, and the girl cried and ran over to check on Dahan's injuries, make sure he was okay, and come to check on his condition again.

The girl's head hung low: "I'm sorry," she said, pointing to the big man, "He's my husband." ”

The falling drizzle stopped for the second time.

After a while, in the tavern.

Markov had drunk two glasses of wine, his complexion was better, and his spirit was still a little sluggish, and he knew that he had put on a big oolong.

But can I be blamed for this?

What a couple with bad tastes! If you want to play with sex, you close the door and play, and run out in the middle of the night to fool around in the alley!

The two men also knew that their shame was too much, and they had no face to see anyone, so they put their collars up and tied them with the ties of their hooded cloaks, covering most of their faces.

Dahan said with a smile: "I've been too busy at work lately, I don't have time to make love, I went out with my wife to investigate tonight, and after completing the task, I suddenly felt that there was no one in that place, so I didn't scare you, right?"

Big brother, where's your festival?

Touching my stomach and ribs, it still hurts!

Markov sulked and said, "That's really sorry!"

"I didn't hurt you twice, did I?"

"Of course it doesn't hurt!"

"So, in the middle of the night, you are walking alone in the alley with a murder weapon, what are you going to do?"

"You don't bother!"

"But your father will have to worry about it, will he, Master Markov?"

Markov was stunned: "You know me?"

"I just met," the big man shook a business card in front of his eyes, "You just fought, you dropped it." You're too skilled, you have a fruit knife, and you want to stab Rurik's family?"

"Nonsense. ”

"Ling Zun is a reputable and virtuous merchant in the city of Lorma, and I have heard about his recent condition, which is a good thing done by Rurik and his gang. So, you're going for revenge?"

"Hmph, so what!"

The big man looked at him with interest: "So, you gave up your revenge plan for a girl you didn't know?"

"Hmph, just laugh!"

The husband and wife laughed in unison. Dahan pushed the fruit knife back to him.

Markov frowned: "You are ......"

"I am touched by your integrity and kindness, perhaps, our meeting was arranged by the god of fate - it reminds me of myself years ago, so, now, the god of fate lends my hand to give you an extra option. ”

The big man patted the fruit knife lightly: "You can continue your revenge - we will pretend not to see it and remain silent about it forever, or ......" He beckoned to the waiter for a pen and paper, wrote an inexplicable line of numbers, and then pushed the note next to the fruit knife, "Tomorrow morning, take this note and try your luck at the newly opened Rohr Chamber of Commerce." Choose one of the two. ”

Markov took a deep breath.

Will the extra options be the key to solving the crisis?

Without hesitation, he slapped his hand on the note.

"Well, I'll keep this knife as a souvenir. I wish you success. With that, the big man dropped a few silver coins and left the tavern with his wife.

Markov picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

If it weren't for the note in front of him, he would almost have thought he had experienced a big dream.

I had the idea of killing someone!

He carefully put the note in his pocket and quickly left the tavern.

He was going home to solemnly confess and apologize to his father.