Chapter 847: Escape From Death
writer:
Jie Po update:2022-08-16 15:56
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Even if Famous had extraordinary leg power, changing directions in mid-air caused a drastic reduction in its speed. As such, its second leap was not as fast and ferocious as the first one.
A few quick-reacting people had already lifted their muzzles, aimed them at Famous, and pulled their triggers!
Famous was in the air, and really wanted to move like those martial art films that Old Time Tea watched, using its left foot to step on its right foot and using the force to maneuver in the air––even in the imagined world, however, it was unable to be free from the constraints of the laws of physics.
Gritting its teeth, Famous was prepared to be turned into a sieve.
But, even if it were to become a sieve, it would use its weight to squash the sh*t out of that crap of a physician!
“Brother Famous, watch out!” Old Time Tea exclaimed. It had just sent one of the shotguns flying and wanted to rescue Famous, but it was too far away. Even if it had made it in time, it would have the same fate as Famous.
Ta! Ta! Ta! Their triggering caused the sound of the hammer to resound.
Everyone, including Famous itself, thought that it was dead that time around. However, no one had expected a jam in several of the muskets and shotguns!
The muskets and shotguns were homemade, so their rate of failure was already high, and it was not unusual to have a jam. Many old hunters in the mountains were killed by wild boars and wolves because of a jam in their shotguns at crucial moments.
But the chances of all the musket and shotguns experiencing a jam all at once…
Ridiculously escaping from death, Famous itself was in a blur. Its body was already at the highest point of its leap. Famous’s field of vision was extremely open as it parabolically headed towards Physician Li.
For a moment, in the corner of its eye, Famous saw a small tree nearby with Galaxy seated on the branches. Galaxy was watching Famous with its silver-gray eyes.
Then, several people reacted and lifted the muzzle up and pulled the trigger. That time there was no jam, and the hammer struck the percussion cap accurately.
However, there was no sound from the percussion cap. The few bullets were blind shells; the gunpowder must have gotten wet from the rain and wasn’t dry yet.
Famous did not have much time to think. In its eyes was Physician Li’s terrified face, which was getting closer and closer. His face was pale like death, and the earlier smugness had already been blown away.
The remaining few people had maintained their muskets and shotguns well. They were all well-polished, and there was no jam or water in their guns. Their guns were aimed at Famous, but they didn’t dare to shoot because Famous was very close to Physician Li, and their bullet would cover a wide range. Once the gun was fired, Famous and Physician Li would be killed together, but they did not want to bear the crime of murder.
Famous fell on Physician Li with tremendous pressure. Physician Li was already old––he could not withstand such force, so he was immediately flipped over. Famous had a front paw on his chest that prevented him from getting up.
The others were terrified and didn’t dare to shoot.
Physician Li was flustered. His eyeballs were about to pop out with fear. A small part of Famous’s weight was on his chest––that in itself was enough to overwhelm his old respiratory system, and he started panting heavily.
Famous lowered its body and stared at him coldly. Famous had to open its mouth to catch its breath after the intense movements from earlier, and doing that exposed its threatening canine teeth.
Physician Li was enveloped in fear. The dog’s muscles were so strong, its teeth so sharp, that if it were to bite down, his neck bone might snap.
“Dog Benefactor, don’t!” Wu Ning covered her mouth and exclaimed.
“Brother Famous, hold on!” Old Time Tea said from a distance away.
All those watching believed that there was no way Physician Li was going to survive.
The dog was really miraculous. It knew how to bait the others, and who to exact revenge on. Everyone could not help but look at one another. A chill could be felt in their hearts.
Physician Li looked at Famous from a very close distance. He found that Famous’s eyes were different from the other dogs he had seen before. The feeling could not be described in words… Instead of saying that it resembled a dog, it resembled more like a human.
“No… don’t kill me…” Physician Li prayed weakly and desperately. He thought that since the dog’s eyes were like those of a human’s, and it was so miraculous, it might be able to understand him.
Famous caught its breath and didn’t need to pant anymore, so it closed its mouth.
To Physician Li, it was a sign that Famous was able to understand his words and a glimmer of hope sprouted in his heart.
“Dog… Dog Grandpa, I beg you to spare this little one. Don’t kill me! I have old and young people in my family to take care of, and I just married my seventh wife. A number of people are depending on me for their meals!” Physician Li shed tears as he screamed indiscriminately.
Although no one wanted to die, Physician Li’s method of seeking mercy was too low. He was even willing to call a dog grandfather for the sake of his life. The other people in the group couldn’t help but despise him. They even laughed that he was still sexually active at such an old age, having just married his seventh wife––maybe it was with the help of some self-prescribed viagra…
After all the mess, Famous’s anger gradually disappeared. Famous was originally peaceful and did not want to hurt people. If it wasn’t so furious, it would not have done anything to Physician Li.
It had claimed to bite off one of his ears, but it was only just saying that. Once it really bit off an ear, Famous would be affirming the claims of it being a mad dog.
Physician Li was still struggling for mercy, but Famous didn’t intend to let him off so easily, or else it would continue to suffer from injustice. Once it lost its hostage, the others might shoot at it again. It couldn’t always count on good luck.
Famous turned to look at Wu Ning. Wu Ning had finally calmed down, so she broke away from her maidservant and ran over.
“Young lady, don’t go over! Young lady, it’s dangerous!” Everyone told her not to approach Famous, but she still came up to Famous and squatted beside it.
“Dog Benefactor, please forgive my incompetence. I’ve let you be wronged…” Wu Ning said with guilt.
Famous did not blame her. Under such circumstances, what could a young lady like her do?
Woof!
Famous used more force on its front paw and patted Physician Li’s chest. Physician Li’s face immediately distorted with pain.
Wu Ning guessed the meaning behind its action and asked on behalf of Famous, “Physician Li, let me ask you––you claim that this dog is a mad dog, but do you have evidence for that?”
In order to survive, Physician Li shook his head desperately. “No! No! I said it without evidence! I’m a b*stard! Dog Grandpa, please forgive me. Please spare me…”
When everyone heard his words, they awkwardly lowered their guns and secretly scolded Physician Li for being so despicable. They cursed his future son under their breath.
Wu Mancheng was filled with guilt. He lowered his head and said nothing.
Wu Ning sighed and pleaded, “Dog Benefactor, he already knows his mistake. On my account, please let him off this one time.”
Famous was already cleared from the previous accusations. He raised his paw and Physician Li rolled over and crawled some distance away.
The others also dispersed, returning to what they were supposed to be doing. Soon, it was only Wu Ning and her maidservant left. Wu Ning waved her hand, gesturing for the maidservant to step back.
“Cat Benefactor, Dog Benefactor, our family has let the two of you down this time. Please don’t be offended.” She sincerely apologized.
Actually, Famous and Old Time Tea were very fond of the Wu’s father and daughter. The incident was entirely because of Physician Li’s ridiculous claims.
Wu Ning didn’t expect them to answer her. She pulled out an old magazine that was in her arms, rubbed the cover, and sighed. “I used to like the art of Qi Huang and learned a thing or two by myself. I have also often fantasized about the days after arriving at Binhai Town. Aside from my responsibilities as a wife and mother, maybe I could start a small medical center… The author I liked wrote in the magazine that learning medicine would not enable you to save the Chinese. I didn’t like that phrase when I saw it; I thought that it was too biased. But now It seems like… he may be right. Learning medicine can cure the body’s illness, but it can’t cure the brain’s illness.”
Old Time Tea was deep in its own thoughts, while Famous didn’t understand a thing.
“Foolish, really very foolish…” She felt lost. “Just because it’s written in the ancient medical books, just because of mere words with no basis, they wanted to extract Benefactor’s brain…”
She wasn’t just disappointed with Physician Li––she was also sad and disappointed that the servants and her family aides so easily believed the words of Physician Li.
There was also her father… He was usually a very open-minded person, but today, he remained silent and actually allowed everything to happen.
But she hated herself more. Even though she would often sigh about the fact that she wasn’t born a male, and always wore men’s clothing, once she encountered an incident, she would immediately reveal her fragile side. She would get weak legs at critical moments. What was the difference between a woman who was unable to stand up when required and the traditional woman that she looked down on?
She couldn’t hold it in any longer and started to sob softly. All the fear and remorse came out with her tears.
As she continued to cry, she felt something warm on the back of her hand. She opened her eyes to look and it turned out to be Famous licking her hand. Its eyes were gentle and firm.
“Dog Benefactor, have you forgiven us?”
Famous let out a bark as a reply.
Wu Ning revealed a sad smile, wiped off the tears from the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief, and gently stroked the hair on Famous’s neck. “Thank you, Dog Benefactor.”
She stood up and thought of her sick uncle who was still in the carriage. After all the trouble, everyone seemed to have forgotten about the uncle.
Wu Ning approached the carriage. She planned to go in and visit.
“Don’t go!” Famous jumped up and stood in front of her. Both Famous and Old Time Tea were originally there to stop her from getting close to the rabies patient.
Wu Ning didn’t understand what was going on. She quickly explained, “The one inside the carriage is my uncle. He usually dotes on me. Right now, his condition is critical, and since we can’t find a cure for the mad dog’s bite, this may be the last time I can see him…”
No matter what she said, Famous remained in front of her and prevented her from passing. Suffering from language barriers, Famous didn’t know how to make her understand that she couldn’t get close to a rabies patient. A sudden idea appeared in its head. Famous said to Old Time Tea, “Old Time Tea, come and act out a scene with me!”
Old Time Tea walked over, very confused. Famous then told Old Time Tea his idea.
Wu Ning was still confused when, suddenly, Famous opened its mouth wide and bit Old Time Tea. Its teeth stopped right when it touched Old Time Tea’s hair.
Old Time Tea pretended to be in pain, and fell down abruptly; its limbs convulsed just like a rabies patient.
Next, Old Time Tea suddenly jumped up and started to snarl, scratch, and bite towards the empty space.
Wu Ning seemed to understand something. “Two Benefactors, are you saying that the illness is infectious?”
Old Time Tea and Famous both nodded at the same time.
“Okay, I understand now. I won’t go in anymore.” Wu Ning easily accepted their warning. She said a few words to her uncle from outside the carriage, but there was no response.
Famous laid on the ground with no more strength. It was all very tiring!