Chương 128: Bad News

Plum Garden Mountain Villa. In a wild patch of forest, Song Que and Xiong Ba were sparring. Each held a pair of large, refined iron sledgehammers, the clanging sounds of their collisions echoing throughout the mountains and woods. This was precisely why they had chosen a location far from the manor.

"Xiong Ba, this hammer technique emphasizes the conceptual intent of 'lifting something heavy as if it were light'. Swinging with all your might like you're doing is incorrect! You must retain at least thirty percent of your strength with every strike you unleash. Otherwise, if you encounter a martial artist skilled in adaptability, your fighting style will easily put you at a disadvantage!"

"Understood, Young Master!" Following his instructions, Xiong Ba reduced the force behind his swings. The two continued to exchange blows, and both gained significant insights.

"Master Song! Master Song! Something terrible has happened!" Just as the two were engrossed in their sparring, a figure ran toward them from a distance, shouting in a panicked voice. Song Que hurriedly ran over and grabbed the person by the shoulders:"Shitou, what happened?!" The person arriving was Shitou. He had been busy with the newly opened branch store, but the matter was too important; throwing everything aside, he had rushed over to deliver the news to Song Que.

"Master Song, hurry back to the city! Er Nya has been abducted, and Li Xin was beaten!" Already having a bad premonition, hearing those words made Song Que's heart sink. His eyes shot out a terrifying murderous intent, making the surrounding temperature feel as if it had dropped below zero. Without taking the time to ask for details, he urgently called for Xiong Ba to prepare the horses, and the three quickly rode toward the city.

"Shitou, tell me exactly what happened!" Only while on the road did Song Que have the free time to ask for the full story.

"Master Song, I wasn't there when it happened. I only know that today at Aunt Li's porridge stall, a man named Dong Bo—the son of the County Defender—came to eat. For some unknown reason, he took a liking to Er Nya and wanted to take her away! Brother Li Xin argued with them and ended up being beaten quite severely. Er Nya was taken away. Brother Hong, worried that something might happen to her, followed them and told me to rush here to inform you!" Dong Bo! He's courting death!

At this moment, Song Que and Xiong Ba emitted such a ferocious, violent aura that Shitou's horse trembled in fear, involuntarily snorting and shrinking back. With the matter being so urgent, Song Que didn't bother with him, merely instructing Shitou to make his own way back. Master and servant spurred their Black Dragon Horses, galloping like the wind toward Qinghe County. A distance of over ten miles took very little time for 'Wu Yun Da Xue' and 'Wu Zhui' at a full sprint.

"Halt! Dismount for inspection!" The soldiers guarding the East Gate, seeing someone attempting to charge straight through, changed their expressions, drew their weapons, and shouted loudly. Song Que's heart was burning with anxiety; how could he have time to delay?! He roared furiously:"SCRAM!!!" The shout boomed like a massive temple bell. Everyone within a hundred-yard radius felt their ears ringing and vibrating, squatting down and covering their heads!

The two horses didn't slow down in the slightest, charging straight through! Shouting to clear the path as they rode, the Dong Manor soon appeared before their eyes. By this time, a crowd had already gathered outside. Song Que's sharp eyes spotted Pockmark Luo, Aunt Li, and the others. He hurriedly pushed through the crowd and rushed over to ask:"Auntie, calm down! I will handle this!"

"Luo Xian, what's the situation? Where is Brother Hong?" Seeing Grandee Song and Xiong Ba arrive, Pockmark Luo was overjoyed and hurriedly reported:"Grandee Song, the main gates are locked tight; we can't get in! Brother Hong went to find reinforcements!" How could I possibly wait?! Hearing this, Song Que, his heart burning with urgency, stepped forward. The several guards at the gate, treating them as a formidable enemy, shouted loudly:"Halt!"

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Bam... Bam... Bam... Bam...! Walking beside him, the 'bodyguard' Xiong Ba, seeing people trying to stop them, struck with lightning speed! Four kicks, both fast and powerful, sent the four men flying backward, spitting blood! Song Que ignored these lackeys. Gripping his Dark Iron Saber, without a word of explanation, he swung down forcefully! Crash!... Crash!

The main gates—made of ironwood wrapped in copper edges and over twenty centimeters thick—couldn't withstand a single strike from Song Que's saber! Two sharp, X-shaped cuts formed from the four corners, and the wooden doors groaned and collapsed inwards. Still not satisfied, Grandee Song raised his foot and kicked hard, smashing the pieces of the doors straight into the courtyard behind! Crash!... Crash!

"Enemy attack!" Amidst the chaotic shouts, a group of well-equipped soldiers emerged from inside, led by a man with a dark, sinister expression.

"Bastard! Are you trying to rebel?!" Staring coldly straight into the opponent's eyes, Song Que, his gaze devoid of any emotional color, asked darkly:"Where is she?" Being assaulted right at his front door by a commoner—how could Dong Zheng, as the County Defender, endure it?! He roared in a towering rage:"You're courting death! Men, fire your arrows!"

"Hold on!" At this moment, an old man with a limp walked in from outside—it was Zhan Sheng. With a cold expression, he shouted:"You are truly audacious! Kidnapping a decent girl in broad daylight! Is there still any law in this land?!" Hearing his daughter recount the morning's events, Old Zhan had also flown into a rage. Because of his beloved daughter, what he hated most in this life were men who bullied women! He had seen that little girl Er Nya a few times; she was so young, yet they dared to lay hands on her!

The man was truly worse than a beast! Therefore, without needing his daughter to plead, the already enraged Zhan Sheng didn't care if the man was the County Defender or the County Magistrate! He hurriedly grabbed his saber and came to save the girl. Just in time to see Song Que and Xiong Ba about to clash with the opponent, the old man rushed forward to stop it. Seeing this old man before him, Dong Zheng felt a twinge of apprehension.

He said in a low voice:"Elder Zhan, this is a private matter concerning official troops; it is best you do not interfere."

"Heh, haha! Official troops! Well said! Does this old man need to write a letter to the capital to ask if official troops are allowed to kidnap decent girls in broad daylight?! And does that dead-dog son of yours count as an official troop?!" Being pointed at and cursed, both father and son, Dong Zheng was livid. But wary of the opponent's identity, he could only swallow his anger and shout:"The county troops detained the person merely for investigation! If there are no issues, she will be released!

But this person dared to attack and attempt to murder an official today; he will not escape! Men, arrest him for interrogation!"

"Wait a moment!" Once again someone interfered. Dong Zheng's fury became uncontrollable, his cold eyes searching for whoever dared to be so bold.

"So it is Steward Yun. I wonder what the matter is?" The opponent was from the Yun family, not someone a minor County Defender like him could mess with. Dong Zheng's expression cooled slightly as he cupped his hands and asked.

"Lord Dong, Young Master Song is a good friend of my Miss. Could you do the Yun family a favor and release the person? Let us let this matter go. The Yun family will remember this favor." Dong Zheng hesitated for a moment, but remembering the request he received yesterday, he still shook his head:"Steward Yun, he attempted to murder an official; this crime cannot be pardoned! Rest assured, out of respect for the Yun family, I will not kill him, but escaping punishment for his crimes will be difficult."

Seeing Old Zhan and Old Yun arrive to support him, Song Que acknowledged their kindness. But the great saber in his hand was already thirsting uncontrollably! For this man to still dare act so arrogantly before him... Grandee Song sneered and spoke:"Kill me? Just you? Do you dare? Do you have the capability?!" Song Que's four questions infuriated Dong Zheng immensely. He glared at him like a wild beast:"Brat, do you truly wish to die?!"

"Young Master Song!" Raising a hand to stop Yun Shan, who wanted to step forward and intervene, Song Que thanked him and Elder Zhan, then turned his head to stare intently at Dong Zheng.

"I want both you and your son to die!" Too much time had passed. In Song Que's heart, he already assumed Er Nya had been harmed. He had only one thought: to slaughter all the masterminds! He didn't care what happened afterward!

"Hahaha, kill me? Do you have the capability?!" Nodding expressionlessly, Boss Song said indifferently:"I do! Even if I cannot, I can trade the promise of the Grandmaster of Ling Ying Temple for your dog lives! But your lives are not worth it." Watching Song Que slowly raise his saber, Dong Zheng felt an inexplicable chill in his heart. He could tell this person wasn't joking; he truly intended to wipe out his family at all costs!

Thinking of the temptation of a Grandmaster's promise, Dong Zheng's heart turned icy cold. This person must die today! It seems the deal with that person to capture this kid cannot be fulfilled! Thinking of this, Old Dong felt as sick as if he had eaten a bowl of sh*t! I gained no benefits and ended up covered in stench! But things having reached this point, there was no other way.

"Men, kill him for me!"

"Stop!" Being repeatedly interrupted, Dong Zheng's fury was truly uncontainable. His eyes blazing, he roared:"You court death!" But the newcomer remained indifferent to his wrath, smiling faintly as he spoke:"Lord Dong is truly majestic. What? Do you want to kill me too?" Knitting his brows as he looked at the newcomer, Dong Zheng asked coldly:"Wu Tian, what do you want?"

"Uncle." Seeing the newcomer, Song Que also nodded in greeting.

"Good question. Today, I am here to take someone away. I wonder if Lord Dong agrees?" Replying faintly to Dong Zheng, Wu Tian gave Song Que a reassuring look.

"Don't even dream about it! This person dared to attack an official; his crimes are unforgivable! Wu Tian, you want to shield a criminal?!"

"Attack you? Did he? Who here will step forward and testify for this official?" Old Wu was also a scoundrel. His fierce gaze swept over the crowd.

"No one? It seems it was just a misunderstanding. Let us leave it at that, Lord Dong." Dong Zheng was livid:"Wu Tian, are you blind?! The evidence is as solid as a mountain! I'd like to see who can save him today!"

"Hehe, evidence? Why don't I see any? It was purely a personal collision, accidentally breaking your doors. I've been solving cases for years and know this well; paying compensation is enough!"

"If there's a case, it should fall to this old man! County Defender Dong! Hurry and bring your son, Dong Bo, out! Someone has accused him of molesting a decent woman in broad daylight and illegally detaining her! The witnesses and physical evidence are all here. Hand him over so this official can interrogate him!" Dong Zheng's head throbbed. He hadn't expected the opponent to have so many helpers, and all of them prominent figures in the county!

The mastermind was still nowhere to be seen, and Old Dong cursed the opponent to hell in his heart! This matter today is difficult to handle!

"What's wrong, Lord Dong? Where is the person? Hand him over quickly, don't force this official to issue an arrest warrant!"