Chapter 224: Encountered Extortion, Couldn't Stand It, Killed the Bully

The boy glanced at her, a flash of resentment in his eyes, then turned his head and bolted.

The rain poured down like a bucket, and the fat woman, after chasing out the door, slipped in the mud within two steps and went sprawling.

Ning Jinli saw the woman struggling to get up and kindly helped her.

But the woman, seeing the boy had vanished, vented her anger at Ning Jinli, pointing a knife at her and shouting, "You little bitch! You're in league with that little bastard, aren't you? Pay up!"

Xiao Qidi stepped forward, shielding Ning Jinli, and stared coldly at the fat woman, "We were just passing by, taking shelter from the rain, we know nothing of the situation, so why say we're with that kid?"

The fat woman sized up the young man and woman before her, noting that although they were drenched and looked destitute, dressed like ordinary folk, their clothes were of finer material than most locals, and she declared with righteous confidence:

"That little bastard stole a roasted chicken from me! I saw it clearly just now; you two were chatting with him enthusiastically, it was obvious you knew each other, and when I fell, you, you little scoundrel, pretended to help me while actually covering for that bastard and helping him escape!"

"And then, you pretended not to know him in front of me, thinking you had no flaw! Hmph! Do your three lousy tricks still fool me?"

"I warn you, don't try to argue! Pay up quickly!"

The fat woman was clearly extorting, which was one thing, but the worst was her repeatedly calling Ning Jinli a little bitch, which sparked murderous intent in Xiao Qidi.

"Enough, let's settle this," Ning Jinli whispered, then asked the fat woman how much a roasted chicken cost.

The fat woman held up five fingers.

"Fifty coins? Fine, I'll pay." Ning Jinli had a pouch against her chest containing change.

Just as she was about to take it out, the fat woman blurted, "Who told you it's fifty coins? It's five taels!"

Xiao Qidi's eyes darkened, "Five taels of silver could start a poultry farm; don't be excessive."

"I said five taels, so it's five taels!" the fat woman brandished a kitchen knife at them, "If you don't have five taels, neither of you will leave!"

Killer intent surged in Xiao Qidi's eyes.

The fat woman felt an inexplicable flutter in her liver, but being used to being overbearing and this being her own turf, she didn't take them seriously, waving the kitchen knife and urging them to pay.

Ning Jinli, still enduring, kept calm, "I only have two taels of silver on me; let's each compromise at two taels, what do you say?"

She then took out her pouch and opened it for the fat woman to see.

The fat woman glanced at Xiao Qidi, "You kid, don't you have any?"

Xiao Qidi's tone was icy, "Then you can search; whatever you find will be yours."

The fat woman's eyes flicked, "Fine, fine, I'll take a loss; two taels is two taels! Hand it over!"

Ning Jinli tossed the pouch over; the fat woman caught it hastily.

Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli turned to leave, but the fat woman suddenly blocked them again, smiling with her cheeks squeezed together, "The remaining three taels, how do you plan to pay?"

"Weren't we agreed on two taels? What do you mean?" Ning Jinli frowned.

The fat woman sneered, "I said earlier you give two taels first, but I never said only two; the other three taels are still required!"

Now she concluded that these two youngsters must come from relatively well‑off families; otherwise, which common folk could carry two taels of silver, a hefty sum, on them?

But certainly not a wealthy and powerful big family.

After all, children of big families wouldn't run to such a destitute place to suffer.

Moreover, they were being extorted yet made no mention of reporting the authorities, indicating they feared trouble or dared not face officials; thus, they were likely a runaway, eloping pair of lovebirds.

Of course, even if they did report, she wouldn't be scared.

So, in her eyes, these two were perfect fat lambs who could be squeezed for money without causing big trouble; how could she not slaughter them mercilessly?

"Are you done yet?" Xiao Qidi asked, angry and speechless.

Honestly, if they weren't in Ze State and had to avoid making a big scene, he would have killed that fat woman eight hundred times already.

"Your clothes are actually decent, much better than most poor folk's," the fat woman ordered, "Take them off for me, shoes included, and they'll count as silver. If you dare disobey, I'll report the authorities immediately!"

The mention of reporting instantly crushed Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli's thoughts of fleeing.

Both their expressions grew a bit solemn.

No need to think; once the authorities are roused, trouble will be huge.

Xiao Qidi thought briefly, then leaned toward Ning Jinli's ear and whispered, "The only plan now is to kill her quickly while no one's around; otherwise we can't get out, and it'll also be a convenient public service."

Ning Jinli gave a slight nod in agreement.

"Kid! What are you muttering!" the fat woman glared at Xiao Qidi.

Xiao Qidi's gaze turned grim as he quickly scanned the surroundings.

Good, there was no one in sight, and the torrential rain could also provide cover.

Just as he was about to act, hurried footsteps sounded as seven or eight burly men rushed over.

Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli could only watch.

"Hey!" the fat woman shouted at the one‑eyed dragon man leading them, "You dead ghost! Why are you just coming back?"

The one‑eyed dragon tossed the chickens he was holding toward the shop door, saying ferociously, "Stinky old woman! Didn't you see the sudden downpour? I'm lucky to even make it back!"

The fat woman looked at the few skinny chickens tied on the ground, and seeing the rest of the one‑eyed dragon's men empty‑handed, she showed a disdainful expression, "Why only these few? Are you still doing business?"

"Shut up!" the one‑eyed dragon snapped, "For the past two months I've been causing floods everywhere; I've already raided every household with chickens and ducks in the city, these few are the ones I just stole from a nearby village!"

Listening to the exchange, Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli understood roughly.

These two were a married couple.

And both were villains.

"Hmm? These two… who are they, they look so unfamiliar," the one‑eyed dragon glared ominously at Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli.

The fat woman immediately embellished the earlier events.

"Five taels of silver?" the one‑eyed dragon widened his only eye, "You wretched old woman, you should at least make them pay ten taels!"

The fat woman rolled her eyes, "That's because you weren't back. If you were home, I'd have asked for more. But these two are penniless, and I'm planning to take their clothes and shoes."

"Go! Inside!" the one‑eyed dragon shouted at Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli.

His seven subordinates simultaneously stepped forward, blocking the two's retreat.

Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli exchanged a glance and walked into the shop selling roasted chickens.

After that, the Duyanlong couple and others entered the shop, and the Duyanlong also ordered his men to shut the shop's main door.

Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli's mouths twitched slightly; they had just been worried that if they cleared out this group, the commotion might be too big and attract nearby people. Now, with the door closed, everyone is inside the shop—convenient.

Inside the roast chicken shop were two tables slick with thick grease, a counter beside them, and a wine jar; it looked very simple.

The Duyanlong grabbed the teapot on the counter, poured several big gulps of tea, wiped his mouth and said, "Since these two have no money, they can stay and work off the debt."

He pointed at Xiao Qidi, "You lad is tall and sturdy, looks strong—good for heavy labor. From now on all the shop's and household chores are yours."

Then a lecherous grin spread on his face as he leered at Ning Jinli, "As for this little girl, plump, smooth‑skinned—she's truly pitiful to me… From now on you'll be my concubine, bear me a few chubby boys, and I won't treat you poorly, hahahaha!"

"You dead spirit!" the fat woman shouted, "Do you think I'm dead?"

The Duyanlong, undaunted, glared, "What's your anger? You've been married to me for ten years and haven't birthed a child! Must I find a girl to continue the line? Then this girl can serve you, be content!"

The fat woman thought a moment, "That's true, fine, it's up to you."

Xiao Qidi sneered inwardly, his peripheral vision catching the Duyanlong's men already closing the door and latching the bolt, then exchanged a glance with Ning Jinli.

Just as the two were about to act together and finish off the nine people…

Bang bang bang!

The shop's main door was slammed, shaking the heavens.

"Open the door, open the door!" cries came from outside.

Having no choice, the two paused their moves again.

Hearing the shouts, the Duyanlong hurried his men to open the door, and he himself went to the doorway with a smiling face, "Gentlemen! In this heavy rain, why come to my place?"

Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli turned their heads aside, and their hearts sank instantly.

Six officials marched in, wearing County Officer uniforms, swords at their waists.

The lead official grumbled, "It's because several dikes collapsed, trouble‑making villagers took the chance, and the County Office sent all the Constables out all day! Damn! I haven't eaten yet! I happened to pass by here, so hurry up!"

"Yes, yes! Captor Head Sun, your order! Gentlemen, you too, please!"

The Duyanlong welcomed them warmly, then shouted at the fat woman, "Quick! Bring the gentlemen wine and dishes; as usual, one roast chicken per person!"

"Got it!" the fat woman replied, and went to the back kitchen.

Sun rubbed his belly, "No, this time two chickens!"

"Alright, alright, two chickens it is!" the Duyanlong said without hesitation, and his men began seating the Constables.

Sun pulled some broken silver from his pocket and tossed it onto the table.

The Duyanlong bowed low, smiling, "Sun Captor Head, you're being too generous? What's our relationship? You've always protected me, letting me live this good life. No need to pay!"

"Take it," Sun said unreservedly, "I'm a bit tired today, but after punishing the trouble‑makers I also skimmed some loot from their homes, so I'll give you these few taels of silver."

The Duyanlong grinned ear to ear, "Then I won't be modest. I just caught a few live chickens, a bit skinny but enough for you, and I'll stew a pot for you as well."

Sun nodded satisfied, and at that moment his attention fell on Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli, "Hmm? Who are these two? I've never seen them before, they're not from around here, are they?"

The Duyanlong leaned toward Sun, his eyebrows dancing, muttering a string of words.

"Good fellow, then I must congratulate you—your luck with women is deep!" Sun said, unabashedly eyeing Ning Jinli, "Tsk… the more I look, the more alluring. I've been with many women, none compare to this girl."

The Duyanlong immediately said, "Sun, once this little lady bears me a son, I'll send her to you so you can enjoy her for a while."

Sun's eyes flashed, and he laughed heartily, "It's settled then! Don't be stingy when the time comes!"

"Won't, of course not! As long as Sun is happy, how could I be reluctant? Even if you fancy my wife, I'll still send her!"

"To hell with you! Keep that one for yourself!"

"Hahaha!"

The two burst into laughter, and the other Constables joined in.

Ning Jinli and Xiao Qidi's faces turned icy; from the earlier dialogue it was clear this local tyrant and the bully Captor Head were colluding, so one could imagine what life the townsfolk endured.

No wonder the place is dilapidated everywhere, with so many children reduced to beggars.

"The roast chickens are ready!" the fat woman carried a large wooden tray piled with over ten roast chickens, set it on the table, and sliced them with a knife, "Gentlemen, eat slowly."

The Duyanlong turned to Ning Jinli, "Little girl, it's getting dark, come sleep with me."

He reached out with his filthy hand toward Ning Jinli's face.

Bang!

A muffled thud.

The Duyanlong was suddenly flung backward.

It turned out Xiao Qidi could no longer bear it and struck.

A lightning‑fast heavy punch smashed a huge dent into the Duyanlong's chest.

Before the others could react, the Duyanlong lay on the ground, spewing fresh blood, gasping twice, then stared with one eye and died.

"You… you killed my man! I'll kill you!"

The fat woman, shocked and angry, without thinking grabbed the knife in her hand and rushed at Xiao Qidi.

But as she stepped forward, she slipped on the Duyanlong's blood on the floor, her plump body sliding uncontrollably, the knife never fully leaving her grip.

A 'splat' sound was heard.

The blade of her forearm‑length knife drove straight into her own chest.

Under the stunned gazes of the Duyanlong's men and the Constables, the fat woman twitched a few times and died.

It was rather unexpected; Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli were also a bit stunned.

Everything happened so fast; in the blink of an eye the bully couple perished together.

Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli were the first to react, turning without a word and sprinting out the roast chicken shop's door.

Until their silhouettes almost vanished in the evening downpour, the others only then regained their senses.

The Duyanlong's men began wailing.

Zhao slammed the table and drew his sword, roaring:

How outrageous! How dare you commit murder right in front of the yamen runners?! Send one person to the county gate to report the situation and summon all constables! The rest, follow me to pursue the criminal!