Chapter 79: Zhao Takes Responsibility

Everyone had an instinctive fear of government offices and yamen. Just thinking about it made them anxious and afraid. Only after seeing Zhao Jin's arrangements and preparations did they feel that everything would be properly handled from here on.

Zhao Jin didn't argue with his companions. He simply walked to the curtain of the side room and said, "Xiaolan, are you alright?"

"Brother Xiaojin, I'm fine. It's just too stuffy in here by myself. Can I come out and look around?" Mu Shulan's voice was a little weak, but it was probably just from exhaustion.

Zhao Jin turned his head to look back, then said, "There's too much blood outside, and dead bodies too. I've already called for my father to come. Wait until he arrives, then you can come out!"

"I'm not afraid." The girl's reply was crisp and decisive.

Zhao Jin hesitated for a moment, then lifted the curtain anyway. The girl cautiously peered outside before stepping out.

The moment she saw the corpses and bloodstains on the ground, Mu Shulan let out a frightened shriek and immediately covered her mouth. Zhao Jin was just about to step forward to comfort her when he noticed the girl's eyes had already widened. She actually lifted her skirt and quickly stepped over the bodies, running straight to where that Ding Gongmeng was.

Before anyone could react, Mu Shulan fiercely kicked Ding Gongmeng several times. The kidnapper was caught completely off guard, kicked until his mouth and nose bled. Perhaps disgusted by the blood staining her, the girl then started kicking him hard in the stomach.

Truly unafraid. Zhao Jin also noticed that the girl's kicks were all very accurately placed, and even her force had proper technique. He really had no idea what the girl had been learning all these years.

Listening to Ding Gongmeng's continuous cries of pain, everyone in the room looked at each other, then burst out laughing. They all laughed heartily, finally relaxing.

Amid the laughter, Mu Shulan stopped her kicking. Seeing everyone's reactions, her face immediately flushed bright red. Usually, the girl was always charming and adorable in front of everyone, but today she had revealed a completely different side.

Mu Shulan stood there embarrassed and awkward for a moment, then tears uncontrollably welled up in her eyes. She began wiping them with her hands, then used her sleeve to dry them, but she couldn't stop them no matter what. In the end, the girl covered her face with her hands and cried, sobbing as she said, "Thank you... thank you all."

Her father had died suddenly, she had fled alone in the dead of night to the Zhao household, and then the very next day she was kidnapped and trafficked. From a beloved daughter of a wealthy family, she had suddenly suffered blow after blow and upheaval after upheaval. To be safe and sound now, and for Mu Shulan to merely stand there crying, already showed she was resilient enough.

The girl wept sorrowfully. Everyone's gaze turned toward Zhao Jin. Zhao Jin scratched his head and walked up in front of the girl. Before he could even open his mouth to comfort her, Mu Shulan suddenly hugged him tightly and burst into loud, unrestrained sobs in Zhao Jin's arms.

The room fell silent. Wang Zhaojing made a hand gesture to the others, and everyone quietly tiptoed out of the room.

How to comfort a girl—Zhao Jin had no practical experience. His body remained stiff for a long while before he gently patted the girl's shoulder and said, "I'm here. No need to be afraid."

At this comfort, Mu Shulan cried even louder and held on even tighter.

While there was commotion inside, the sounds from outside still came through clearly. Chen Sheng cursed in a low voice, "Sun Dalei, that coward. I really misjudged him."

"It's our first time experiencing something like this. You can't tell normally, but now, of course, you can see it clearly." This was Wang Zhaojing's voice.

"You two, hurry up and help hold this kid down! Good thing we went out to check, otherwise he would've run off." Shi Manqiang barked irritably.

It must have been those two hidden sentries outside. With all the commotion going on inside for so long, they had probably woken up by now.

After Mu Shulan's crying subsided, the girl busied herself in the room and boiled some water. Everyone came in to wash up with hot water. Just after three people had washed, they heard someone outside shouting loudly, "You little brat, are you in there?"

It was Zhao Zhentang's voice. Hearing his father had arrived, Zhao Jin hurriedly walked out of the house and opened the courtyard gate.

Outside the gate, it wasn't just Zhao Zhentang alone. Behind him were five men carrying lanterns, all "public servants" from the yamen—that is, unofficial runners not on the yamen's formal roster. Zhao Jin saw these five regularly and knew they were his father's followers. Dong Bingfeng stood behind these men.

Zhao Zhentang wore a black official's robe and square hat, a long saber at his waist, dressed in very formal constable's attire. His expression was extremely grim. He didn't even greet Zhao Jin, merely saying coldly, "You all wait outside. I'll go in and take a look first."

With that, he strode into the courtyard. Zhao Jin hurriedly followed, about to speak, but Zhao Zhentang turned his head and glared at him, saying in a muffled voice, "Whatever you have to say, say it inside!"

Dong Bingfeng also followed behind and said quietly, "Brother Zhao, I left my horse at your house. Uncle wouldn't let me ride it, said it was too conspicuous."

As they spoke, they entered the house. The room was very bright, with a full dozen or so candles lit. Since none of it was their own stuff anyway, they had rummaged around and lit everything they found.

The moment Zhao Zhentang entered, he was shocked. With it this bright, he could of course clearly see the six corpses on the ground. The thick stench of blood further proved they had died recently. As for the terrified expressions of those tied up, Zhao Zhentang took those in as well.

"Father, those from Cloud Mountain Temple are all dead. The rest are these kidnappers. Just now, your son already cross-checked their confessions with them once. Roughly speaking, Cloud Mountain Temple intended to..."

Before he could finish, Zhao Zhentang turned around and slapped him across the face. Zhao Jin couldn't dodge in time and was struck heavily on the cheek with a loud "Smack!"

The others in the room reacted instinctively, each placing a hand on their weapon and fixing their eyes on Zhao Zhentang.

The fight had just ended, and their nerves were still taut. Seeing their "leader" Zhao Jin struck, each of them prepared to attack.

In that instant, Zhao Zhentang also tensed up, his hand moving to his saber hilt. But everyone quickly came to their senses and relaxed.

Zhao Zhentang's expression grew even colder. He raised his hand and delivered another slap. Zhao Jin was still holding his face and had no time to guard against this one, taking the hit again. His father's hand was very strong; Zhao Jin could feel both cheeks starting to swell.

In all these years, Zhao Jin had never been beaten. He'd only ever been disciplined by his uncle during martial arts training. He never expected to receive two heavy slaps tonight.

A father beating his son is perfectly justified. Chen Sheng and the others were thoroughly embarrassed and had no idea what to do.

"You wretched fool! Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused?!" Zhao Zhentang pointed at Zhao Jin and shouted sternly.

"But they kidnapped Xiaolan and were going to sell her to Cloud Mountain Temple!" Zhao Jin held his face and explained. He felt deeply wronged.

"What's with all this blood on you? Didn't your uncle teach you how to treat your own wounds? You just let it go like this?" Zhao Zhentang gave Zhao Jin no chance to explain, questioning him in an even louder voice.

Most of Zhao Jin's group had wiped the bloodstains off their faces clean, and had either turned their clothes inside out or tidied them up. Only Zhao Jin, busy making arrangements, hadn't had time yet. To Zhao Zhentang's eyes, this was mistaken for Zhao Jin being wounded.

The words were filled with care and concern. Sensing the care and worry beneath Zhao Zhentang's fury, Zhao Jin rubbed his own face and felt a sting in his nose.

But now was clearly not the time for this. Zhao Jin opened his mouth and began recounting the events in detail.

"... Skip the fighting part, talk about the rest!" When Zhao Jin described the battle, Zhao Zhentang cut him off directly.

When Zhao Jin got to Ding Gongmeng's background, Zhao Zhentang's eyes narrowed. Staring at the kidnapper on the ground whose face was covered in blood, he said, "I didn't expect it to be him."

Zhao Zhentang clasped his hands behind his back and walked up to Ding Gongmeng. He asked, "Do you know how many open cases you have in the yamen? Do you know how many families want to carve you into a thousand pieces?"

Ding Gongmeng trembled all over like chaff in a sieve, unable to utter a single word. Zhao Zhentang looked at him with disgust, found a piece of rag, and stuffed it into his mouth.

Zhao Zhentang looked at the young men in the room. He recognized every one of them. At this moment, they were all holding weapons and watching this way.

He looked at the corpses and bloodstains on the ground, looked at the bound and gagged kidnappers, and a hint of a smile finally appeared on Zhao Zhentang's face. He turned his head toward Zhao Jin and said, "You have a fine group of brothers!"

Hearing these words, every single person present felt immensely proud and couldn't help but straighten their chests.

Zhao Zhentang's smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. He then spoke, "I will take these kidnappers to the yamen. I'll handle what comes next. All of you, go home now. If you want to tell your parents, tell them. If not, you can keep it hidden for a few days. But don't go out for the next few days. Wait for word from Zhao Jin. It's very late; go back now!"

Hearing an elder speak this way, no one had any objections. They all took their leave. As they were about to walk out the door, Zhao Jin raised his voice and said, "Brothers, don't worry. I alone will bear responsibility for this matter!"

Zhao Zhentang immediately shot a glare over, but seeing the resolute look on his son's face, for a moment, he couldn't find the words to say.