For the next few days, Zhang Chen enjoyed himself freely in Luoyang City.
Since transmigrating to this world, he had never been so relaxed. In his previous life, he was just a corporate drone, and even taking time off was sometimes a luxury. This time, he would just treat it as a vacation for himself.
Although there weren't many entertainment options in ancient times, Loyang, as the capital of the Great Han, gathered the utmost prosperity of the world, so there were still plenty of things to enjoy.
On this day, Zhang Chen came to a seemingly very grand restaurant, chose a window seat on the second floor, ordered a pot of wine and a few small dishes, and drank by himself.
As expected of the capital, Loyang, even the food was much more exquisite, and the wine was much richer than that of Ye City. Although it was still far behind the brewing techniques of later generations, Zhang Chen still drank comfortably.
After a few rounds of drinks, Zhang Chen was slightly tipsy, when a sudden noise reached his ears.
"Don't run!"
"Stop!"
Zhang Chen frowned and looked down, only to see a dark alley outside the window. A sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl in ragged clothes was running over in a panic, looking around. Seeing a thick patch of thatch standing in a corner nearby, she quickly hid inside, covering herself with the thatch.
In a short while, seven or eight fierce-looking Great Han ran over from the other end of the street corner.
The few people looked around, saw no one, and the bald man leading them cursed, "Damn it! Where's that little bitch? You two, chase that way, the rest of you follow me, she couldn't have run far!"
Saying this, the few people split up and chased after her.
Zhang Chen couldn't help but feel suspicious. He stood up and went to the window, looked towards the alley entrance, confirmed that those people had left, then leaped over the window and jumped directly into the alley.
Zhang Chen's martial arts were still impressive, so this height was naturally no problem.
Zhang Chen came to the thatch pile, gently pushed aside the thatch, and saw the girl curled up inside, trembling.
The girl hugged her knees with both hands, her head lowered, so her face couldn't be seen. Her hair was a bit messy, her clothes were somewhat tattered, and they were covered in dust.
There were also whip marks on her arms, indicating she had suffered a lot of torture before.
The girl slightly raised her head, looked at Zhang Chen, then let out a gasp, gripping a few strands of thatch tightly. Her body trembled even more violently.
In that instant she raised her head, Zhang Chen saw a face of exquisite beauty.
Fish sinking, geese falling, moon hiding, flowers shaming? It seemed as if all words describing beauty in the world were insufficient to describe this face.
The girl's face carried fear, adding a touch of vulnerability that made Zhang Chen momentarily lost in thought.
After a while, Zhang Chen came back to his senses, took a step back, and said, "Don't be afraid, Miss. I'm not here to catch you. The people who were chasing you have already left."
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, the girl timidly raised her head and looked around.
Seeing that there was indeed no one around, the girl finally relaxed. She stood up, bowed to Zhang Chen, and said, "My name is Hong Ling. Greetings, Gongzi. I apologize for my rudeness just now, and hope Gongzi will not blame me."
Hong Ling? Zhang Chen thought to himself.
From the late Han to the Three Kingdoms period, there were many beautiful women, but he had never heard of this one. It was strange that a woman with such exquisite beauty would not have left a name.
But then he thought, in a chaotic world, how many talented heroes and outstanding figures were still unknown to the world, let alone a weak woman?
"Miss, it's not suitable to stay here for long. Those people might come back if they can't find you. I'll take you away first."
The girl nodded, and then the two of them walked towards the other end of the alley.
Unexpectedly, before they even reached the alley entrance, a few burly Great Han jumped out. They were precisely those same people from before.
They came back so quickly!
The girl was startled and quickly hid behind Zhang Chen, gripping his clothes tightly.
"Heh heh, little bitch, you can't run now, can you?" The bald man grinned hideously and said, "Go back with us obediently, and you'll suffer less physical pain. Otherwise, if this face gets damaged, your brothers will feel heartbroken! Hahaha!"
As the bald man spoke, he stepped forward to grab her.
Zhang Chen snorted coldly, took a step forward, and blocked the girl's path.
The bald man was startled, then roared angrily, "Who are you? Kid, I'm warning you, don't meddle in other people's business!"
Zhang Chen sneered, "In broad daylight, under a clear sky, you dare to forcibly abduct a civilian woman? Do you have any regard for the law?"
"The law? Hahahaha!" The few people immediately burst into laughter.
"Today, your grandpa will let you know what the law is!" The bald man barked, then waved to his subordinates, "Get him!"
At his command, a person immediately darted out from behind the bald man and threw a punch towards Zhang Chen.
"Bang!"
"Ah!"
The next second, that person was sent flying backward, soaring over ten meters away, and crashed heavily onto the ground.
One side of his eye socket was slightly sunken.
Zhang Chen's punch only used thirty percent of his strength, but with the enhancement of Heavenly Strength, that person's eye socket was almost shattered.
Seeing this, everyone present was greatly shocked.
"Go! Go! Get him!"
The bald man was also panicking at this moment, his voice trembling slightly.
Zhang Chen raised his eyes and glared, revealing a chilling killing intent. Seeing this, those people felt a biting cold surge into their hearts and could no longer move their feet.
Zhang Chen stepped forward and grabbed the bald man, lifting him up.
"Come, you tell me, what is the law?"
"Sir, Sir, spare my life! I was blind, I won't dare again. Just let me go like a fart..."
Zhang Chen couldn't be bothered to deal with him. With a forceful swing, he threw the bald man out, who immediately fell head over heels.
Seeing this, where would the other few people dare to stay? They turned around and ran. The two people on the ground stumbled to their feet and also quickly fled.
"Don't be afraid, Miss. It's alright now. You can let go, my clothes are almost torn by your grip."
"Ah! I... I'm sorry, Gongzi..." the girl said, releasing her grip.
"Miss, where are you from, and why were those people trying to catch you?"
Hong Ling spoke softly, "My ancestral home is Rencheng. I was abandoned by my parents when I was young. Sixteen years ago, my adoptive father went into the mountains to gather firewood, found me, and brought me home, raising me as his own daughter. Last year, the Yellow Turban rebellion broke out. I followed my adoptive father to the capital to flee the disaster, but unexpectedly encountered rebel soldiers on the way. My adoptive father was unfortunately killed by the rebels while protecting me. I then followed a group of refugees to Loyang..."
"So she's also a pitiful person..." Zhang Chen couldn't help but sigh, yet he also felt a bit suspicious, "But looking at your clothes and appearance, you don't seem like a refugee."
Hong Ling continued, "After entering the city, I begged everywhere, and was later bought as a maid by a wealthy family, where I finally settled down. But the good times didn't last. The mistress of that family was jealous of my beauty and made things difficult for me in every way, even selling me to a place of ill repute..."
As Hong Ling spoke, she couldn't help but cover her face and weep.
"Although I am poor and humble, I was unwilling to become a courtesan, so I resisted to the death. When that madam saw that I refused to yield, she locked me in a room and tortured me in every way. Last night, I quietly ran out while they were unprepared, but I was discovered, which is why I was chased all the way here."
"So that's how it is..." Zhang Chen couldn't help but ponder.
Rencheng, Hong Ling, courtesan...
!!!
Zhang Chen suddenly raised his head and quietly activated his Insight Eye.