Ground Rabbit hadn’t been in Gaojia Village for long. Though he’d often heard villagers talk about the Deity, he’d never seen the Deity manifest personally and remained skeptical, half-believing, half-doubting.

This time, however, was his first firsthand encounter with the Deity manifesting.

That enormous arrow on the ground—what immense power could have pushed aside the scattered stones to etch such a massive symbol!

Suddenly, Ground Rabbit remembered how he’d been shoved from behind when spying on Gao Chuwu practicing his punches. Could it have been…?

“Ahhhhh!”

Thoroughly terrified, Ground Rabbit slammed to the ground, prostrating himself like a child who’d been beaten with a bamboo stick by his mother and now knelt in apology. “Deity, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have spied on others’ martial techniques. Please spare this lowly one!”

Li Daoxuan had already taught him a lesson. Since the principle is no double punishment for one crime, he smiled and withdrew his hand.

Ground Rabbit stayed face-down for several seconds. Noting no calamity came from the Deity, he sighed in relief and sprang up instantly. “Brothers! Follow Old Rabbit! With the Deity guiding us, we’re taking back Old Shi Si’s things!”

The short-term workers’ morale surged. “The Deity protects us!”

Ground Rabbit charged ahead toward the arrow’s direction, leading the pack. The arrow adjusted constantly, guiding them behind the hillside.

Ground Rabbit spotted a group of men ahead starting a fire, likely preparing to roast meat. “Hey! Fools! How dare you rob us short-term workers? Take my blade!”

He drew his rusty sword and rushed at them.

The men by the fire startled, scrambling to their feet and grabbing wooden clubs.

Ground Rabbit closed the distance in three strides and bellowed, “HEAVEN! RABBIT! BREAK! DOMINANCE! SWORD!”

He swung his rusty sword in a grand arc to deliver a mighty strike—

The blade never landed.

His foot caught on a rock, and he slammed face-first onto the ground.

Short-term workers stampeded over him—several boots landed squarely on his back…

By the time Ground Rabbit struggled up, groaning “Ouch!”, his comrades had already subdued all five bandits. Old Shi Si was recovering his flour bag from the grass, clutching it protectively to his chest.

Ground Rabbit:”…”

Fearful of being humiliated and mocked, he was instead met with earnest gazes. “Mr. Rabbit, the fools are caught and the goods are back! What now?”

Huh? Still calling me “Mr. Rabbit”?

Rushing with pride, Ground Rabbit picked up his rusty sword and approached the bound bandits.

He glared for a long moment. “Nothing to eat? That why you robbed us?”

The five cowered, heads lowered. In such harsh times, stealing food invited death—any word could bring a fatal club strike. They stayed silent.

Ground Rabbit: “Outlaws ‘robbing the rich to aid the poor’ is one thing, but robbing the poor? Wrong!”

He pulled Old Shi Si forward. “See him? Worn-out clothes, barely any flour saved for a kungfu teacher’s gift! How could you steal that? Want to be real heroes? Storm the capital! Rob the emperor! Then I’d call you five brave men!”

One bandit finally snapped back, “You talk so big! Why don’t you rob the emperor first?”

Ground Rabbit:”…”

That stunned him. Once, he planned to follow Big Brother Wang Er on a heroic quest across the land… including robbing the emperor! So why, after arriving at Gaojia Village… was he stuck laboring?

Huh? Huh? Huh?

What happened?

I, Ground Rabbit—a famed hero—why am I here… laboring?

His rusty sword clattered to the ground.

Ground Rabbit crouched, clutching his head— +999 mental contamination. Thinking became impossible.

Seeing their “leader” incapacitated, the short-term workers took matters into their own hands. “Hey Old Shi Si, they beat you! What to do with them?”

Old Shi Si: “Me? I… I’m hardly qualified.”

“Just say: beat them or free them?”

Old Shi Si: “The Deity… must be watching from above! We should ask His guidance!”

Everyone looked hopefully skyward.

Li Daoxuan had no intention of micromanaging. If he handled every small crime, expanding his territory would be unbearable. His people needed to think!

With no divine command coming, they had to brainstorm. Gears turned… and a lightbulb went off above Old Shi Si’s head! “Got it! Labor Offenders Village! Aren’t those people criminals serving penance? Make these five join them!”

The others cheered. “That’s how it should be!”

They hauled up the bandits. Passing Ground Rabbit—still bewildered on the ground—Old Shi Si gave him a pull. “Mr. Rabbit, we’re going back.”

Ground Rabbit mumbled, numbly picked up his ancestral rusty sword, and trailed behind.

Li Daoxuan approved. Excellent! By demonstrating principles, then letting them innovate, they’d forge a new legal spirit beyond “The Great Ming Code”.

A legal mindset was vital!

That phrase always rang true: “People on modern streets don’t randomly slash you. Not because they’re saints—but bound by law!”

The short-term workers delivered the five bandits to the fort entrance and reported to Thirty-Two. Thirty-Two agreed instantly: “Good! Throw them into Labor Offenders Village!”

Kicked through the entrance, the bandits were left standing inside, utterly confused. Why no jail? Why no punishment?

Wasn’t this a death sentence?

They stood paralyzed—unsure if escape was even possible.

A labor offender waved at them. “You five for reform? Saw you getting kicked in. Come here! I’m generous—I’ll teach you the rules.”