Chapter 55: The Arrogant Murder Declaration (the latter half rewritten)

Luo De's home was robbed.

And they also injured the people in his home.

This matter quickly spread throughout A Ru Cun.

Upon hearing the news, Kantisi rushed over immediately and saw Luo De with fire in his eyes.

The one who came with her.

It was the leader of the Atiya Mercenary Group, Atiya, who once guarded the north suspension bridge together with Luo De.

The reason he came along is...

Because the ones who stole from Luo De's home were precisely his own group members.

Yes, that's right.

Those who came to rob Luo De's home were not outsiders, but former comrades who once fought side by side with him.

"Luo De."

"I, I"

Atiya originally wanted to plead for his team members, but upon seeing Luo De's man-eating appearance, he suddenly stammered, having prepared many words yet unable to utter a single one.

"Oh, everyone's here."

Luo De's voice was no longer as usual; it was filled with a chilling coldness that made people shudder.

As a seasoned warrior who has experienced a hundred battles.

Upon hearing that voice, Kantisi and Atiya involuntarily felt as if they were facing a ferocious beast.

Their feeling was not mistaken.

Luo De was indeed already on the verge of exploding.

After inspecting the experimental field this morning and confirming that the windbreak formed by that line of date palm trees was indeed effective against sandstorms, he happily returned.

On his way back, he deliberately made a detour to A Ru Cun, bought some fresh meat in the village, intending to prepare something tasty for Ke Lai at noon to celebrate the initial success of the new experimental field together.

"And the result?"

Before he could even enter his home, he noticed something was off inside.

"Soon."

He then knew where the problem was.

His own home had been robbed.

And Ke Lai, in order to protect the things at home from being stolen, got into a fight with those three thieves.

Given Ke Lai's small stature.

It was naturally no match for three tall, sturdy mercenaries.

Even if Ke Lai's own strength exceeded that of an adult, it was still impossible to defeat three mercenaries rich in combat experience.

"In desperation."

Ke Lai disregarded Luo De's three-article agreement and once again invoked the Black Flame Snake.

If it weren't for A De Ba Yi from next door arriving in time to stop her just as she was about to strike a killing blow, the situation would have completely blown up.

"But even so."

Upon seeing A De Ba Yi injured by the Black Flame Snake's collateral damage.

Luo De, besides being surprised, felt his anger nearly surge to the heavens.

He never expected that A De Ba Yi, who was completely at odds with him, would rush to his home.

And in order to protect Ke Lai, so she wouldn't be expelled for violating the village's rules, A De Ba Yi almost sacrificed his life.

You should know that Ke Lai's Black Flame Snake has a specialized attack capability against humans.

Although its destructive power against non-living matter is ordinary, the Black Flame Snake is extraordinarily fixated on living things; at full power it can devour a living person whole in less than a minute.

In order to stop the enraged, irrational Ke Lai, A De Ba Yi ignored his own hands being burned to the bone, tightly embracing her, which finally calmed her down.

"And that is precisely why."

Ke Lai's current state can be described as autistic without exaggeration.

How could Luo De not be angry about this?

Moreover, it is no longer merely a matter of anger.

His long-hidden killing intent once again stirred.

"It seems that my lack of the Vision has attracted much attention."

Luo De's face was like frost, his voice growing ever colder.

"Sa Le Mu"

"Ta Rui Ke"

"A Ba Du La"

Each time Luo De uttered a name, Atiya's heart would involuntarily twitch.

These three people were the thieves who came to rob Luo De's home.

And they are now hanging from the crooked-neck tree outside Luo De's gate.

Luo De's strike was extremely ruthless.

He showed no mercy to his former comrades, breaking both hands of each and also smashing their legs.

Under the scorching sun and their severe injuries, the three were already on the brink of death, while the carrion vultures perched on the trunks, waiting for them to die so they could feast.

This is also why Atiya couldn't speak upon seeing Luo De.

He suddenly realized.

He seemed to have never truly understood Luo De.

The guy who was previously a bit lazy, warm-hearted, and often had a smile on his face has now become even more ferocious than the most vicious Holy Bone Beast in a sandstorm.

"Miss Kantisi."

Luo De called out Kantisi's name again.

Hearing this extremely formal address, Kantisi's expression grew slightly solemn, and she immediately replied, "Mr. Luo De, I will deal with them according to the village's rules; no matter how much merit they have for guarding the village, I will absolutely not show any favoritism."

This is already the most she can do within her abilities.

She is the Guardian of A Ru Cun, so naturally she must act according to the rules.

Theft, injury.

In A Ru Cun's rules, one must endure flogging and caning; depending on the severity, the ultimate punishment thereafter is expulsion from the village, never to set foot in it again.

But Luo De is not satisfied with this.

"They broke into my home, stole property, and seriously injured my family members."

"If it were just handled this simply."

"Wouldn't that mean any big or petty thief would dare to casually come and bother my home?"

Luo De stared at Kantisi and said calmly, "They must die. I want everyone in the village to know that whoever dares to come to my home to cause trouble, I will kill one if one comes, and kill a pair if two come."

Upon saying that,

A Ti Ya, who had still harbored a sliver of hope, fell into utter despair, closed his eyes, and let out a deep sigh.

From the moment he first saw Luo De today, he knew this could not be resolved peacefully.

He himself certainly could not save those three fools whose eyes were blinded by money.

Now it all depends on Kantisi.

According to A Ru Cun's judicial process, if a villager violates the rules, Luo De should hand the offender over to the Guardian Kantisi, who then decides guilt and punishment.

This is also why Kantisi repeatedly stresses that she will not show favoritism.

But looking at it now.

Luo De intends to bypass the Guardian, personally administer extrajudicial punishment, and execute on the spot those whose crimes do not deserve death, using this as a demonstration of authority.

This does not conform to A Ru Cun's rules.

If Kantisi agrees to Luo De's demand, it would mean that she, as the village's Guardian, is herself breaking the village's rules.

Given Kantisi's nature,

she would not directly agree.

It's a pity.

Yet the turn of events still exceeded A Ti Ya's expectations.

After listening seriously to Luo De's request, Kantisi merely hesitated a moment and then said, "These three people have indeed broken the village's rules; therefore, according to the rules, they will no longer receive the village's protection, and so whether they live or die is no longer the village's concern."

Then she shifted her tone, speaking in an unquestionable manner: "But everything must wait until the village's judgment of them is finished, Mr. Luo De—do you understand?"

"Very good."

Luo De did not persist in insisting on using personal violence in his home; he agreed with Kantisi's words.

As long as it serves to establish authority, there's no need to directly oppose the village's rules.

(The latter part was rewritten; the earlier version kept looking less suitable, and I also copied a comment from a big shot in the comment section (ω).)

(End of chapter)