Chương 129: Rescue

Hearing Old Wu pressuring him so aggressively, Dong Zheng glared angrily:"Do not speak nonsense! This official merely invited them back to assist in investigating a case!"

"Since when did you military folks have the authority to investigate cases?! Motherf*cker, why don't I just give you my uniform so you can do whatever you please?!" Having his jurisdiction blatantly used as an excuse by the opponent, Wu Tian was genuinely furious.

"Hmph, I received reports that this person colludes with bandits. I naturally have the authority to investigate." Being pointed at, Grandee Song was somewhat speechless. I act so secretly, yet you still know?! Seeing Wu Tian signal to him, and deducing from their exchange that things hadn't reached the worst-case scenario yet, Song Que suppressed his fury and waited to observe.

"Hmph, enough talk. Men, bring the person out! If that little girl loses even a single hair today, you can look forward to visiting your precious son in the great prison!" With matters reaching this point, Dong Zheng felt it had completely slipped out of his control. Just as he was hesitating and calculating the feasibility of killing the youth before him, another loud shout flustered Old Dong.

"Lord Xu has arrived!" Seeing County Magistrate Xu Qing approach with a group of people, everyone present—whether they wanted to or not—couldn't neglect their manners and cupped their hands in greeting:"Greetings, Lord Xu!"

"Alright. Head Constable Wu, what has happened here? Why is it so noisy that the entire city knows? Explain it clearly to this official." Nodding in greeting to the others, Xu Qing asked in a low voice.

"My Lord, it is my dereliction of duty," Wu Tian bowed his head, accepting the blame, and began to explain:"Lord Dong's son, Dong Bo, committed assault in broad daylight today and abducted a decent young woman, inciting public outrage across the city. The citizens have gathered here demanding justice. This subordinate..." Old Wu was also an old fox! With his first few sentences, he defined the nature of the incident, then loudly recounted the story from beginning to end for Xu Qing and all the curious onlookers.

In his telling, the Dong family was the epitome of tyrannical bullies, committing endless evil deeds, while Song Que and his group were commoners pushed to a dead end, forced to take up arms to resist! Many people who weren't clear on the details were immediately inflamed with righteous indignation! Most people feared the Dong family and only glared, but there was no shortage of those who couldn't hold back their anger and cursed aloud:"Beasts!"

"Kill those motherf*ckers!"

"Shut up! Wu Tian, stop speaking nonsense!"

"I'm speaking nonsense?! Is there anyone in Qinghe City who doesn't know what kind of person your son is?! Do you dare swear on your martial heart that your precious son has never harmed a decent girl?!" Wu Tian glared and shouted loudly. Oaths in this world held a degree of solemnity. Being shouted at like this, Dong Zheng flushed red with anger and tried to retort:"You... you..."

"Enough!" Xu Qing's expression turned cold as he shouted. Looking at the seething crowd gathered around, he said with an ugly expression:"Everyone, disperse! We will give everyone an answer regarding today's matter. Now, those who are uninvolved, please leave first. Do not disrupt the public order."

"Lord County Magistrate, please arrest that bastard Dong Bo and bring the person out! If we don't see her alive today, we won't be at ease." Seeing that Zhan Sheng had also gotten involved in this, Xu Qing felt a toothache. He had originally intended to suppress the matter slightly to avoid tarnishing the reputation of Qinghe County's administration, but it seemed that was impossible now. Don't look down on Old Zhan just because he's retired; his former comrades are still in active service!

Furthermore, there is that immensely influential and almighty Defense Envoy, Xue Dezhong! Sometimes, a single casual letter from him is worth a hundred words of his own! This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Weighing the forces of both sides: Old Zhan + Old Wu + the Yun family + Song Que (a rising talent) on one side, against the sinister Old Dong on the other. Using his knees to think, he cheerfully abandoned Old Dong!

Besides, the two of them had found each other disagreeable for a long time anyway.

"Lord Dong, where is Dong Bo? Why haven't you brought the person out yet?" Knowing he had definitely lost this round today, Old Dong gritted his teeth, his expression ugly:"Lord Xu, today's matter was merely the county troops inviting someone back for investigation; she is perfectly fine inside. After bringing her in, my son went out."

"Hmph, remember your duty. Defending against bandits and quelling rebellions is what you should be doing! The County Office handles investigations within the city; it is not your place to overstep your bounds," Wu Tian mocked sarcastically.

"Hmph, I suspected their family was colluding with bandits, so I requested their cooperation in the investigation. Logically, there is nothing wrong with that," Dong Zheng argued stubbornly. Displeased, Xu Qing raised an eyebrow and shouted:"My words are final! Do not try to explain it away. Bring the person out."

Knowing that failing to release her would surely incite public anger—and that it was common for these hot-headed martial artists to rebel, which would escalate the matter—Dong Zheng already had his answer. But being ordered around by a rival made Old Dong extremely displeased. He snorted coldly, tilted his head, and said:"The person is inside. Go in and bring her out yourselves." Having waited impatiently for a long time, Song Que didn't say a second word and rushed into the courtyard.

Fearing he would cause trouble, Wu Tian hurriedly followed him in. Before long, everyone saw Song Que carry out a tearful, pear-blossom-bathed-in-rain Er Nya, and they collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

"Daughter!"

"Waaaa... Mother!" Seeing Aunt Li rush over, Er Nya wailed loudly, running to bury her head in her chest to vent her fear. Mother and daughter embraced, crying a river of tears.

"Alright, everyone has seen it. Today was merely a misunderstanding; everyone disperse. You must trust in the government; we will fairly handle all grievances and complaints from the people, and absolutely not allow any injustices to occur!" Satisfied with the outcome, County Magistrate Xu began his speech to farm a wave of goodwill. The commoners bought it and gradually dispersed, looking for others to share what they had witnessed today.

"Hold on! This person attacked this official; he cannot leave!" Dong Zheng pointed at Song Que, unwilling to give up, trying to seize the opportunity to eliminate him. Sneering at him, Wu Tian ignored him and turned to cup his hands to Xu Qing.

"Lord County Magistrate, this matter appears to be merely a misunderstanding. It was just a minor scuffle. The County Office will handle it strictly, collect the medical compensation in full, and provide Lord Dong with justice."

"Mm, very good. Let us leave today's matters at that. This official still has many affairs to attend to." Having dealt a blow to his rival and farmed a wave of reputation, Old Xu was in an excellent mood and led his people away. Beside him, before leaving, Young Master Xu Shisheng didn't forget to glare at Song Que. Naturally, Grandee Song couldn't be bothered with this Young Master Xu's petty actions.

He instructed Xiong Ba to escort Aunt Li, Er Nya, and the others back, while he personally stayed to thank the big shots who had come to support him.

"Elder Zhan, Steward Yun, Uncle! For lending a hand today, Song Que offers his deepest gratitude! If you ever need anything in the future, please do not hesitate to command me. This youngster will spare no effort." Waiting until Brother Hong and Xiong Ba had taken everyone home, Song Que turned to the three elders and bowed deeply. Seeing the kid before him turn ugly, Old Zhan actually found him much more pleasing to the eye.

Rarely refraining from mocking him, he said arrogantly:"This old man simply cannot stand seeing people bully the common folk. It wasn't for you." Watching the old man swagger away, Boss Song smiled. Quite the personality! At least this old man isn't entirely despicable. I will remember this favor.

"Today, we owe it all to Lord Wu. I couldn't be of much help; it seems the Yun family's name isn't very effective here in Qinghe County," Yun Shan smiled, his dissatisfaction evident in his tone. It seemed Old Dong had thoroughly offended the Yun family today.

"Senior Yun, you flatter me. If you hadn't stopped them, blood would surely have been spilled today! If you ever need anything in the future, please feel free to command me." Grandee Song clearly distinguished gratitude and grudges. He would repay those who helped him a hundredfold. Truthfully, if Elder Zhan and Yun Shan hadn't held the line until Wu Tian arrived, given the situation, he wouldn't have been able to hold back from hacking that old thief Dong Zheng to pieces!

Perhaps after today, Boss Song would truly have had to change his profession to become a bandit! Wu Tian nodded in agreement:"Song Que is right. Nine times out of ten, today was a trap aimed at you, A'Que. No wonder someone caused trouble early in the morning to lure me out of the city! Fortunately, that kid Quan Yu called me back in time, otherwise, the outcome would have been unpredictable." Hearing Wu Tian say this, Song Que suddenly felt enlightened. Everything about today's events seemed bizarre!

That Dong Bo was lecherous, and his reputation stank; that was true. But it also depended on the target! If someone said he saw that little girl Er Nya and couldn't control his lust, Grandee Song wouldn't believe it for a second! Even if you're starving, you wouldn't eat just anything! The truth matched his thoughts. When he and Old Wu went in to rescue the girl, Er Nya, apart from being locked in a room, had suffered no other harm.

That Young Master Dong hadn't even bothered with her; he had already slipped out to play around! With that, everything made sense. Someone had orchestrated all of this specifically to target him! Grandee Song's eyes grew cold. These people had touched his absolute taboo! Even though he hadn't investigated who the mastermind was yet, he had already issued a kill order for this person in his heart! As for the Dong father and son? Every mistake must be paid for. It's just not the right time yet.

This works out conveniently. I can use their dog lives to buy loyalty! My newly recruited subordinate, Hu Xiaodao, has a blood feud with this father and son! Just watch as Grandee Song steps up for his subordinate!