Chapter 212 - 211: A Piece of the Pie

Xu Pingyang, standing across the way, was delighted to see the woman in green get sent flying by a punch yet still dare to be so insolent. He wore a look of pure schadenfreude, ready to enjoy the show.

With a dozen cold, military-grade heavy crossbows locked on her people, Yu Linglong’s elegant brows furrowed. "Captain Su," she said coolly, "it was clearly the young master of the Xu family who was harassing my disciple in the street. We are the victims! Yet you point your crossbows at us without distinguishing right from wrong. Is the Public Security Bureau in cahoots with these local thugs, deliberately trying to suppress outsiders like us who have come seeking refuge?"

"It doesn’t matter who you are. As long as you’re in Black Stone City, you will obey its rules! The Public Security Bureau carries out its duties without favoring any side!"

Su Yu’s expression was grim. Any favorable impression he might have had of this Linglong Hall was now gone.

’These women must be out of their minds.’

They’d fallen to the point of abandoning their home and fleeing for their lives, yet they still acted like they were untouchable fairies from Yun Jin City? Whether it was the woman in green repeatedly calling him a ’corrupt official,’ or Yu Linglong’s immediate, baseless accusations and arrogant demeanor, Su Yu found it all incredibly irritating!

"Song Mirror, chain up everyone who fought just now and haul them back to the cells!" Su Yu commanded coldly, wasting no words.

"Yes, Lord Su!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Song Mirror waved his hand. He, Zhao Tie, and several Security Guards charged forward with iron shackles and manacles.

"You corrupt officials! How dare you!"

The two Linglong Hall disciples supporting the woman in green were indignant. With a sharp cry, they drew the Three-foot Cyan Blades from their waists in unison, intending to resist.

However, their response was the perfectly synchronized advance of the Security Guards and over a dozen armor-piercing heavy crossbows, glinting coldly, ready to fire at a moment’s notice!

Yu Linglong’s heart sank.

She herself wasn’t afraid of the crossbows, but most of the Linglong Hall disciples behind her were only Martial Artists below the Third Acupoint. If the crossbows fired a volley, she could protect one or two at most. The rest would be instantly riddled with holes.

This was precisely why Su Yu was confident she wouldn’t dare to escalate the situation.

Besides, this was Black Stone City! If she truly dared to attack the Public Security Bureau in the street, it would be tantamount to rebellion.

In less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, men from the Public Security Bureau and the iron cavalry of the Black Stone Army would have them surrounded. When that happened, even she would likely meet her end here.

Gritting her teeth, Yu Linglong questioned him coldly, "Captain Su, and the Xu family? They fought as well. Why do I only see you arresting my people, and not them?"

"Lord Su! I have violated the laws of the Public Security Bureau and willingly surrender!"

Before Su Yu could even speak, the old man from the Xu family—the one Su Yu had sent flying with a punch—brazenly stepped forward on his own. He placed his hands behind his back, allowing the Security Guards to clamp heavy, refined iron shackles on him.

Standing in the back, Xu Pingyang was also extremely cooperative. He cupped his fist and declared loudly, "Captain Su, please quell your anger! The Xu family has always been law-abiding. A moment ago, Uncle Liu was merely anxious to protect his master and was half a beat too slow to stop. He deserves to be punished!"

Su Yu didn’t know what the Xu family was planning, but it didn’t matter. Today, he needed to make a show of force, to suppress any and all powers looking to stir up trouble.

Otherwise, more Overseas Dragons and local thugs would just keep popping up in his jurisdiction!

Su Yu’s gaze, sharp as a blade, swept over Yu Linglong again. If Linglong Hall still failed to see the situation for what it was, he wouldn’t mind making an example of them.

’So what if she’s in the Muscle Forging Realm? Here in the Outer City of Black Stone City, the Public Security Bureau is the ultimate authority!’

"Song Mirror! Zhao Tie! What are you standing around for? Make the arrests!"

"How dare you!"

On the Linglong Hall side, more disciples drew their swords, ready to charge forward and rescue their sisters.

Su Yu’s eyes flashed with cold light. He snatched a heavy crossbow from a guard beside him and pulled the trigger.

THWANG!

With a piercing sonic boom, a steel crossbow bolt slammed into the stone pavement just an inch from the disciples’ toes! PANG!

The tail of the bolt quivered violently. The terrifying power behind it made the women’s faces drain of color, their forward-moving feet freezing in mid-step.

"If anyone from Linglong Hall takes so much as half a step forward, they’ll be charged with conspiracy and resisting arrest. I’ll have you all executed on the spot—no one left alive!"

Su Yu’s icy voice, filled with killing intent, instantly silenced the entire street.

He stared coldly at Yu Linglong as he strode purposefully toward the three disciples.

Even as he approached, Yu Linglong didn’t move. Her chest merely heaved, a clear sign of her barely contained rage.

Su Yu could guess that with her strength and status, she must have been a major figure back in Yun Jin City. But here and now, facing him, even an Overseas Dragon had to lie low.

In the next instant, Su Yu made his move on the woman in green.

The woman was startled. Just as she was about to resist, her vision went dark. A hand like an iron pincer clamped around her slender, fair neck, lifting her into the air single-handedly as if she were a chick!

"COUGH, COUGH... You corrupt official... let... let me go!"

The woman’s feet kicked wildly in the air, her pretty face instantly flushing crimson. A flicker of fear finally appeared in her eyes.

’How is this corrupt official so strong? We’re both in the Skin Tempering Realm, but I’m completely powerless against him?’

What she didn’t know was that while Su Yu had concealed his Qi and Blood, his raw physical strength was more than enough to overwhelm anyone in the Skin Tempering Realm.

The two sword-wielding disciples beside her cried out in alarm. But just as they were about to move, Song Mirror and Zhao Tie had already rushed forward with their men.

Gleaming, standard-issue steel blades were pressed against their fair necks. The slightest struggle drew a startling line of blood.

In an instant, the three women were bound hand and foot and clamped into heavy yokes.

Seeing the three women captured without Yu Linglong making a move, Su Yu breathed an inward sigh of relief.

She was a Muscle Forging Realm expert, after all. A small part of Su Yu had feared she might do something desperate, though he knew the chances were slim.

"Yu Linglong, if you want these three back, come find me with the Golden Scale Guard at the Public Security Bureau. We’ll do things by the book!"

Su Yu deliberately left her with that thought as he quickly departed, taking the three women and the old man from the Xu family with him.

He wanted to give Yu Linglong a glimmer of hope—that by following the rules, she could get her subordinates back.

’But as for what those rules are... well, won’t that be up to me to decide when the time comes?’

After the Security Guards left, the remaining seven or eight women of Linglong Hall immediately surrounded Yu Linglong, all starting to chatter at once.

"Hall Master, that corrupt official went too far! He just brazenly arrested Sister Yin Tao and the other two!"

"Yes, yes! That corrupt official is such a tyrant! He has no appreciation for women at all, he even hurt Sister Yin Tao!"

"Hall Master, why didn’t you intervene? You just watched them take Sister Yin Tao! If you had fought, that corrupt official would have been no match for you!"

"We’ve just arrived in Black Stone City, we don’t even have a place to stay yet, and that corrupt official has already arrested our people. What are we supposed to do now!"

Listening to the grating chatter, Yu Linglong felt her chest, which had just calmed, begin to heave violently again.

"All of you, SHUT UP!!!"

Yu Linglong roared, unable to bear it any longer.

The women flinched, instantly falling as silent as winter cicadas. But their teary eyes were still filled with a deep sense of injustice and resentment toward their Hall Master.

Looking into her disciples’ eyes, Yu Linglong suddenly felt a surge of regret. ’Why did I bring them with me when I fled?’

’I’m already dealing with enough. Now I have to handle everything myself, without a single competent subordinate to help.’

’And these disciples just keep causing me more trouble.’

’Do they still think this is Yun Jin City? That they’re still the lofty disciples of Linglong Hall?’

"’A bunch of ignorant wenches. Just wait until they’re picked clean.’"

From a distance, Xu Pingyang observed the Linglong Hall women’s reactions. A flicker of a triumphant smirk, as if a scheme had succeeded, appeared deep in his eyes.

With a wave of his hand, he left with his servants.

...

「Public Security Bureau, a dark and damp cell in Dungeon Block C.」

Yin Tao and the two other disciples were roughly shoved onto the straw-covered floor. Their once-resplendent clothes were now covered in muck, leaving them in a wretched state.

Su Yu had a Grandmaster’s Chair brought over and sat imposingly outside the cell’s iron bars. He picked up a cup of hot tea from the table and leisurely blew the froth from its surface.

"Have they been fed the Blood Scattering Pills?" Su Yu asked coolly.

"Replying to Lord Su, they’ve all been force-fed," the old jailer beside him said with a fawning smile. "For the next twelve hours, the Qi and Blood in these three wenches will be completely sealed. They’re now just a bunch of weak girls, with no more strength than a kitten."

"Excellent. Begin the interrogation."

"Yes, Lord Su!"

"SPIT! You corrupt official! You’d better let us go right now, or when our Hall Master Yu comes knocking, she’ll have you cut into a thousand pieces!"

Yin Tao spat fiercely in Su Yu’s direction, her beautiful eyes filled with venomous fury.

’I am a genius disciple of the esteemed Linglong Hall! Everywhere I go, I’m revered and put on a pedestal!’

’When have I ever suffered such a monumental humiliation! To be locked in this filthy, stinking cell, breathing in this nauseating, moldy air, feeling this utter, draining weakness... This is worse than death.’

Unconcerned, Su Yu set down his teacup, stood up, and walked into the cell at a leisurely pace, stopping in front of the three women.

’That Xu Pingyang of the Xu family... he doesn’t act like a typical silk-pants heir. His deliberately provoking the Linglong Hall women was most likely a ploy to get at whatever wealth they’re carrying.’

"You corrupt official! Didn’t you hear? Let us go! Linglong Hall won’t let you get away with this!" another terrified disciple shrieked, putting on a brave front.

"You corrupt official... I... I’m hungry! This disgusting place doesn’t even have a clean cushion to sit on. Get someone to bring us some hot soup and water at once!" the woman on the far right actually demanded imperiously.

Su Yu looked down on the three women.

Seeing their foolish, clueless expressions, the corners of Su Yu’s mouth lifted into a slight smile.

’Since this has landed in my lap... perhaps I can get a slice of Linglong Hall’s wealth for myself.’