Chapter 189

Mu Nan Zhao had not struck again, but he kept paying attention to Gu Xixi's movements.

Regardless of whether those people in the brawl lived or died, he didn't care at all; he only needed to protect Gu Xixi and the few people she cared about.

But now Gu Xixi had run out of the safe zone herself.

Although Mu Nan Zhao was displeased, he could only sigh and push through the noisy crowd to look for Gu Xixi.

Right now, Lao Qian had gone frantic, trying to mediate both sides, but no one had the attention to listen to what he was saying.

Lao Qian had shouted himself hoarse, he had completely lost his patience, and flew into a rage, cursing wildly, "Gu Youfu, you son of a turtle bastard! Don't think I don't know you're the one who stirred up this mess!"

"Every one of you Gu clan members, except Gu Xixi, is good-for-nothing, despicable trash, and your sly, scheming father is hiding in the back, waiting to see the show! Your younger son was sent into exile and hasn't returned—you want the whole family to go to prison! It would be best to wipe out your line, you worthless lot lacking any human decency!"

He Jinglan and Shitou were jumping up and down in the rear, trying to see what was happening up front.

Shitou said, "Big Brother An, move aside, you're blocking my view of Sister Xi!"

He Jinglan agreed, "Exactly, Little An, get out of the way!"

An Qinghe also worried about Gu Xixi, frequently glancing back at the melee, but he insisted, "No, if I step aside, you two will definitely run over and start fighting!"

"Xi said, neither of you is allowed to get hurt!"

This is the task Gu Xixi entrusted to him; he must see it through, lest he disappoint and worry her.

At the edge of the wheat field, Gu Xixi caught up with those people and held the iron shovel across her front.

"If you dare to step forward again, don't blame me for being rude!"

Several Gu clan relatives, male and female, upon seeing Gu Xixi alone, all showed contempt.

"If you want to keep the wheat field, hand over the secret formula quickly."

"Otherwise, just because you're a little girl..."

Before the words had finished, a cold voice said, "Who said she's the only one?"

Like a cold wind blowing down from a snow‑capped peak, the voice and tone alone made one feel a lofty contempt just by hearing it.

Several Gu clan relatives turned their heads, their expressions instantly turning as if they had seen a ghost.

Just now this person had ripped the shoulder off the youngest son of the third aunt's family in one move, and they had all watched it happen.

Mu Nan Zhao couldn't be bothered to give these ants a glance; if he wanted, these few would already be dead.

He turned toward Gu Xixi, frowning as he was about to say something.

Then came a series of loud shouts, growing nearer from afar.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao looked up at the sound together, only to see Aunt Zhang brandishing an axe, shouting as she ran toward them, parting the crowd before her as if walking through empty space.

After all, those who came here at first were only out to profit; nobody intended to fight to the death, let alone cause bloodshed.

Although the scene before them had already slipped somewhat out of control, everyone's emotions were also gradually becoming uncontrollable.

Although farm tools can kill people, they are still somewhat easier to control.

Unlike Aunt Zhang's axe, this is definitely the most vicious weapon on the scene today.

Even a madman driven by greed would fear someone who truly doesn't care about his own life.

Seeing Aunt Zhang already screaming and charging over, several Gu clan relatives immediately abandoned Gu Xixi, so frightened they didn't even bother with their companions, wailing and howling as they scattered in all directions.

Mu Nan Zhao remained silent.

Gu Xixi stared, speechless.

Aunt Zhang chased those people for a dozen steps, then returned, panting and gripping her axe.

"These little turtle bastards, when I was fighting back in the day, they weren't even born yet!"

Mu Nan Zhao said, "It still takes Auntie's hand."

Gu Xixi couldn't help but glance at him, thinking, "That's also true; in this rural setting, letting Mu Nan Zhao act over such an internal squabble would be overkill—like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

Aunt Zhang's method is still better.

Aunt Zhang had caught her breath, hands on hips, proudly declaring, "I told you—while I'm here, nobody's laying a finger on Xi!"

Mu Nan Zhao and Gu Xixi locked eyes, "It's about time to calm down, isn't it?"

"How do you want to make them quiet?"

Gu Xixi looked toward the main road; she didn't want her hired workers to get hurt, so it was time to end the farce.

She knew Mu Nan Zhao had hidden manpower in the village; a single order from him could quell things in an instant.

But…

The so‑called Shadow Guards, if used openly, would probably not be appropriate.

Although Gu Xixi didn't fully understand the ins and outs, she didn't want to waste Mu Nan Zhao's people for nothing and add extra trouble for him.

After a moment's thought, Gu Xixi's lips curled into a sly smile.

She said to Mu Nan Zhao and Aunt Zhang, "Please keep watch and don't let anyone cause trouble; I'll be right back."

Mu Nan Zhao frowned; he had thought Gu Xixi would ask him to step in and quell the disturbance.

But she not only didn't do that, she also didn't tell him what plan she had come up with.

Mu Nan Zhao kept watching Gu Xixi's back as she crossed the main road and said something to those workers.

Then she headed straight for An Qinghe.

Gu Xixi spoke to An Qinghe at close range, saying several sentences, and An Qinghe nodded from time to time.

Although too far away to see clearly, Mu Nan Zhao could still tell that An Qinghe's face had broken into a smile,

his phoenix‑shaped eyes narrowed, he ground his back teeth, and squeezed out two words between his teeth: "Lackey!"

Although He Jinglan and little Shitou had also gathered nearby to listen.

But Mu Nan Zhao could still see An Qinghe.

It was just a few words—did he really need to stand that close?

Their cheeks were almost touching!

Zhang Shen beside him noticed that Mu Nan Zhao wasn't focusing on guarding the wheat field, and he kept gritting his teeth and clenching his fists.

She looked at his face doubtfully.

Following his gaze, she said, "Chen Dafu, what are you looking at, so absorbed?"

She then looked over at Gu Xixi; it seemed she had finished speaking.

She patted An Qinghe on the shoulder, and An Qinghe left alone.

Mu Nan Zhao's face darkened, and he said with a cold smile, "All right."

Zhang Shen puzzled, "What's good about it?"

Mu Nan Zhao stared fixedly at Gu Xixi in the distance, "She has some arrangement she didn't tell us about, yet she forsakes the near for the far, going to seek an outsider!"

Zhang Shen understood, "You're saying Gu Xixi already has a plan? What is she going to do?"

Mu Nan Zhao was in a terrible mood; he had originally wanted to say he didn't know.

But watching An Qinghe walk across the "battlefield" and fade into the distance, he basically understood.

"Capture the bandit by capturing the leader first."

Gu Youfu was still leading people in opposition to Chen Dafu and the other hired workers.

But he gradually realized that, after Gu Xixi returned and said a sentence to Chen Dafu,

The hired workers were obviously not as brave; after a few blows they'd run, prompting Gu Youfu's side to give chase, you chase I dodge, making it seem like they were deliberately playing with them.

Gu Youfu looked around for a moment and said, "Oh no, they're deliberately stalling for time!"

"That foreigner has disappeared; maybe he went to the county to report to the officials!"

He thought of his task for today, gritted his teeth, and shouted,

"We have many people, so let's not worry about seeing blood; the bold will be well-fed, the timid will starve—everyone, follow me in the charge!"