Chapter 80: Forceful Seizure

Chen Wuji was puzzled, wondering who he had a grudge with, and when he looked up he saw Qin Zhanhong's alluring, bewitching face.

At that moment she wore a black, sturdy outfit embroidered with crane‑deer patterns, gripping a horizontal knife, looking dashing and swift.

That seductive face clearly carried a hint of disaster to the nation, yet she still dressed as a man.

As if anyone could be blind enough not to see she was a woman.

"I figured Miss Qin might cause me trouble, but I didn't expect you to come so quickly; I'm a bit impatient," Chen Wuji said calmly, "I've already handed those items to a friend; if I die, they'll instantly appear on Inspector Zhang's case."

"You're talking about Zhang Mingyuan? You're just a little hunter, yet you know such a high‑ranking official? I realize I may have underestimated you," Qin Zhanhong said with a teasing look at Chen Wuji.

"But I don't believe your items can reach Zhang Mingyuan, what should we do?"

"We can try, after all I'm just barefoot," Chen Wuji chuckled lightly.

Facing such a disgusting situation, no matter what he chooses, trouble will follow.

With this approach, he at least retains a bit of initiative.

The Inspector's skill at reporting rumors is such that even the Imperial City Department must weigh it carefully.

Zhang Mingyuan bought out the favor he owed Zhang Xiuer by paying the price of killing Yuan Laoer's brothers, but today Chen Wuji has to tug at his tiger skin.

He has no other choice.

Qin Zhanhong giggled, "What a terrifying little hunter, you're right, I really don't dare gamble. But I'm still unwilling to accept it, what should we do?"

The two subordinates beside Qin Zhanhong stared at her wild frenzy with strange expressions, their hearts feeling like a house collapsing, as if a massive earthquake had struck.

Their cold, ruthless marriage officials, actually…

Went mad!

That rarity was so great it frightened both of them.

"I heard you slaughtered eighteen bandit refugees yesterday; you must know them well, come with me!" Qin Zhanhong suddenly said.

"I don't understand, I only know the bandit refugees have arrived!" Chen Wuji replied.

This crazy woman actually tried to use her authority for personal gain.

"Take him away!" Qin Zhanhong ignored Chen Wuji's opinion, waving a cold hand.

A subordinate nearby whispered, "Sir, it's not appropriate for us to reveal our identities now."

"Am I the lord or are you the lord? Should I follow your orders?" Qin Zhanhong's eyes suddenly hardened, a murderous aura spilling out.

The subordinate hunched his neck and bowed, "At your command!"

"Let him run behind the horse!" Qin Zhanhong glanced at Chen Wuji, raised her whip and charged forward.

"Yes!"

Chen Wuji paid no mind and continued strolling leisurely behind.

"Run!" the Cha Zi shouted, brandishing his whip.

"Why should I obey your orders? If you're conscripting me to help, shouldn't you take me along? And on what grounds do you treat me like a criminal?" Chen Wuji shouted loudly.

"Noisy!" the Cha Zi roared, the whip in his hand about to strike down.

"Duan Yingxiong, if you dare strike him with a whip, I'll kill you! If he doesn't keep up, I'll kill you too!"

The Cha Zi called Duan Yingxiong was stunned.

What kind of order is that?

This little hunter clearly won't cooperate, and he can't strike; what else can he do?

Should he have to carry it?

Duan Yingxiong leapt off the horse, "Brother, the horse's yours, I'll run, okay?"

"No way!" Chen Wuji shook his head.

He truly can't ride a horse.

However, he suddenly noticed something interesting.

Although Qin Zhanhong tried to use her authority to trouble him, she didn't seem to want his life.

It's unclear whether it was the lingering feeling from the mountain or if she was truly stunned by what he just said.

"Then what do you suggest?" Duan Yingxiong asked, feeling withdrawn.

He now seemed like a mouse trapped in a bellows, uncomfortable on both ends.

Chen Wuji stared speechlessly at the Cha Zi, "Why don't you take me along?"

"The lord's order is for you to run and keep up!"

"She just said that I only need to keep up," Chen Wuji corrected.

Duan Yingxiong glanced furtively at the now‑distant Qin Zhanhong, "Is it really okay?"

"Give it a try; it's better than being stuck both ways," Chen Wuji said.

"Mount the horse!"

Running ahead, Qin Zhanhong's temper was so fierce she almost snapped the knife.

What's the point of that clueless bastard's bravado?

Can't you endure a little hardship to calm this lady down?!

Bastard, forcing a bridal chamber on the mountain was bad enough, and now you give me no face at all.

Do you really think this lady won't kill you?!

Just wait for me!

Chen Wuji was taken to a high‑gate mansion in Sanlipu outside Yunan City.

The house was empty, but it was furnished with all the furniture.

Qin Zhanhong entered the house and ordered her subordinates to bind Chen Wuji to a pillar in a servant's room.

Chen Wuji couldn't resist and could only endure.

Now it truly is that they are the knife and cutting board and I am the meat; offense and defense have reversed.

This stage lasted until evening.

Chen Wuji watched the afterglow of the setting sun fade bit by bit on the lattice window, and he couldn't help feeling somewhat anxious.

His wife and Shen Youwei probably would again worry and be unable to sleep tonight.

Bang!

The door was suddenly flung open.

Qin Zhanhong personally carried in a food box.

"Do you want to kill me or chop me up? Give me a clear answer!" Chen Wuji said.

Qin Zhanhong put the food box on the Eight Immortals Table, poured himself a pot of tea, and began eating on his own, completely ignoring Chen Wuji.

"I want to eat too!" Chen Wuji shouted.

Qin Zhanhong glanced at Chen Wuji and smirked teasingly, "Hungry?"

"Nonsense!"

"Then stay hungry, I'm leaving."

Qin Zhanhong gave a sly smile, waved his fingers at Chen Wuji, and left with the food box.

Her mood finally became pleasant.

Tonight she could finally get a good night's sleep.

Chen Wuji's stage lasted until the next day.

In the morning, Qin Zhanhong came once again, repeating his old trick.

He ate his fill, picked up the food box and left, deliberately asking Chen Wuji if he was hungry.

Chen Wuji was indeed hungry, but his stomach had grown accustomed to hunger; missing a meal or two didn't feel very noticeable.

In the evening, Qin Zhanhong came again.

He set the food box on the table and calmly began to eat.

After finishing, he as usual asked Chen Wuji, "Hungry or not?"

Chen Wuji did not answer.

He couldn't be bothered to answer.

This should be a method the Imperial City Department uses to torment high-ranking officials and nobles, without physical punishment, purely mental torment.

But for Chen Wuji, this level of ability is still insufficient.

To make him faint from hunger and give up on himself, perhaps another two or three days would be about right.

"Oh my, you're being tough again and still not speaking." Qin Zhanhong walked over and suddenly reached out to pull off Chen Wuji's clothes.

"What are you doing?" Chen Wuji shouted.

"Didn't you say I was lusting after you and trying to take you by force? Well, I'm here now."

Chen Wuji: ……