"Impossible," Bai Shan said, "Military households are all registered. Since you mentioned he brought his elderly mother, it can't be that he's a deserter. Otherwise, when he returned to his village, the Chief would definitely know. Sheltering a deserter and failing to report it would result in collective punishment."
"I'm nearly dead, why would I lie to you?" Bapo replied irritably, "When he came back, his bundle contained armor. I used to be a soldier, I could tell just by touching it."
Bai Shan sized him up and asked, "Are you the deserter?"
Bapo: ...
He lowered his head and fiercely bit into a piece of chicken, "Anyway, I'm going to die, there's nothing left to hide. Yes, I am a deserter. Since fleeing, I've dared not return home; I've been surviving by stealing."
