Chapter 316: I… I came to back her up

Are you coming out yourself, or should I have someone drag you out? Jiang Yunchu could feel someone inside the house; the person inside had no martial arts skill, and their breathing sounded heavy.

Who are you? Why did you break into my home?

That old man wore clothes all dark, only the patched spots were somewhat clean; his legs trembled slightly, and seeing the swaying eighty-plus men, his legs grew even weaker.

Is it him?

Jiang Yunchu sat on her horse and looked toward Qiu Hui on the side.

Qiu Hui saw the old man, quickly nodded, and said, "Host, that's the person—I'd recognize him even if he turned to ash!"

Qiu Hui's eyes were bloodshot, she seemed somewhat frenzied; if it weren't for the Host being here, forcing her to stay rational, she would have wanted to lunge forward and bite off a piece of flesh.

It's this person—he swindled her out of money, made the child suffer so much, the child's festering skin, the child's heavy breathing night after night, each time striking her heart.

After all is said and done, she blames herself—she mistakenly trusted others, causing the child to suffer!

"I prefer courtesy before force—how do you plan to settle the child's suffering and the money you cheated?"

Jiang Yunchu smiled, swung down from her horse, her movements clean and swift.

"I didn't deceive her—that child has consumption; even if I didn't treat him, he would die anyway."

"And she was willing herself!"

The old man's legs were a bit weak; he had never seen such a spectacle in his lifetime, let alone that man—his attire marked him as no ordinary person.

"Heh—"

A cold laugh rang out, especially clear in the courtyard.

The onlookers all kept their distance, listening to what was happening here, while some inquired, wondering where these people came from.

"Do you think I came here to reason with you?"

Jiang Yunchu looked at the old man, the corners of her mouth slowly curling up, carrying a hint of an evil smile.

"I… I came to back her up."

"I'll give you three options: first, break both your legs, and we'll call it even."

"Second, break your legs first, then report to the authorities."

"You like silver, don't you? Three taels of silver— the medical expenses, this Young Master can afford."

Looking at her eyes, it was as if a demon dwelled within, now extending its feelers, constantly probing, making one's blood run cold.

"What about the… third option?"

The old man grew fearful; he had deceived many in his life, never expecting that in old age his eyesight would fail him.

"Break your third leg, and then… I won't take the silver either—consider it compensation for you."

Jiang Yunchu narrowed her eyes; Zhu Tou brought her a stool, she sat down, and everyone's gaze fell upon her.

When she finished stating the third option, everyone clenched their legs, each feeling a faint chill…

When Zhuang Yan and the government officials arrived, they heard this sentence.

Among those present, only he knew Yun chu's identity; a bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead.

"My ancestors!"

"You're a young lady, a young lady!"

But Jiang Yunchu didn't hear her uncle's inner voice; she looked at the old man and said, "Have you decided?"

"If you haven't decided…"

"Then let's have all three at once—after all, choosing is so difficult, I don't like choosing either."

Her smile was like that of a life‑seeking King of Hell.

"I'll pay the money, I was wrong, sir, please spare me!"

The old man was terrified out of his wits; Zhu Tou had just struck him with a stick, his back felt like it might break, his face turned pale—he knew these people meant business.

"I'll pay the money—five taels, that's all the silver I have; I'll give it all to you, please, sir, spare me."

The old man fell to the ground, wailing; the pain in his back made his heart ache as well.

Jiang Yunchu played with her plump fingertips, glanced at Qiu Hui, and asked, "What do you want to do?"

This time, Qiu Hui hesitated no longer, nor did she kneel or burst into tears.

"Everything is up to the Host to decide."

Her words were firm, full of faith.

From last night onward, when the child began to sleep and eat normally, she had already decided on the Host; she would never betray the Host for the rest of her life.

"Good."

Jiang Yunchu nodded; at least he could still be reformed.

"Zhu Tou, strike!"

At the command, several men stepped forward, each discarding their wooden clubs and launching into a flurry of punches and kicks.

If they used wooden clubs, this old man couldn't withstand their blows.

"Young Master Zhuang, this won't cause a death, will it?"

"Just beat him, but we can't let him die—otherwise we'll have trouble explaining ourselves." A government official, looking at Zhuang Yan, wore a mournful face.

"This lousy old man is terrible—why provoke the Zhuang clan when he's idle?"

"The Zhuang clan are kind-hearted, yet a distant relative of the Zhuang family shows up, unwilling to suffer any loss; whoever offends him, he sends people to beat them at their door—after this, our office will probably never know peace!"

"No, she knows her limits!"

As he spoke those words, Zhuang Yan also felt uneasy—did she really have restraint? Who knows!

"Enough."

At that moment, Jiang Yunchu finally spoke up to stop it; looking at the man with a bruised nose and swollen face, blood already trickling from the corner of his mouth, she gave a light smile, then rose and slowly squatted down, gazing at the old man lying on the ground.

"My people never provoke others."

But!

Whoever messes with my people, I'll beat them so badly even their parents won't recognize them!

Understood?

When she uttered the last three words, she had already risen to her feet, gazing into the distance, at the crowd of spectators; she intended to spread these events, to spread these words.

Her stay in Zhuang City is brief; the ones who can shield them are themselves, and their own cruelty.

Silver...

You swindled them with your talent; keep it to buy your own coffin!

Jiang Yunchu wiped her hands, then flung the blue handkerchief from that day backward, covering the old man's terrifying face.

She mounted her horse.

Withdraw.

At the command.

Yes!

Over eighty people shouted in perfect unison, their eyes brimming with excitement, especially as they gazed at the rider; each of them burned with fervent intensity.

They left...

Over eighty people left with a rustling sound...

The constables hurried into the Courtyard, while the others dispersed the crowd, saying, 'What are you looking at? The government office is handling a case.'

Zhuang Yan watched for a moment, ensured the old man was still alive, then mounted his horse and gave chase to Jiang Yunchu...

Silver?

From the very beginning, she wasn't after the silver!

Kang Yun!

Especially when saying the character 'Yun', Zhuang Yan would grit his teeth.

Jiang Yunchu saw Zhuang Yan; indeed she had spotted him earlier, but this was her true self—soft and pliable—a disguise she always wore to please her elders.

She has always been ruthless, always cold-blooded; if anyone offends me, I will repay in kind.