Although the jailer agreed verbally, he was not a tight-lipped person. On the day Zhao Damei finished shopping in the county town and randomly chose a restaurant for a meal, she happened to run into this man drinking and chatting there.

"Let me tell you, I never expected that Old Master Wan's eldest son, who looks so honest and simple, was actually a bandit before!"

Upon hearing this, his tablemates were so startled that they choked on their drinks. Zhao Damei, upon hearing this, eagerly pricked up her ears and subtly moved closer to the group.

After confirming that it was true, Zhao Damei was overjoyed.

She will never forget the heartless things the Wan family did!

But no matter how hard she tried to take revenge, Wan Suizhou's family connections were as solid as a rock, and no matter how hard she tried, it was to no avail.

This is like a timely gift, and Zhao Damei is determined to seize this opportunity to crush Wan Suizhou's family until they have no chance to recover!

Once her thoughts were set on it, she lost all appetite and rushed outside, putting down her chopsticks.

While it was still early, she wanted to hurry up and spread the news.

As evening fell, Magistrate Cao was enjoying the cool evening air in the courtyard after dinner when he suddenly heard a commotion at the gate. As he got up, he saw a constable approaching in a panic.

"My lord, something terrible has happened!"

The constable's face grew increasingly grim. "I don't know why the people in the city are suddenly so indignant today. They're saying you're protecting bandits and demanding that you go to Hailan Village to arrest Wan Kongshan."

“Wan Kong Mountain?” Magistrate Cao’s heart skipped a beat. He suddenly remembered the jailer and immediately understood the situation.

"I don't know where they heard these rumors from, but they've slandered Young Master Wan like this!" the constable said indignantly.

"Come with me and take a look." Magistrate Cao put down the teapot in his hand, feeling as if a huge rock was pressing on his heart, making him feel suffocated.

The constable hurriedly followed behind, one hand already on the hilt of his knife.

The crowd was terribly angry; many of them even carried rotten eggs. He feared he wouldn't be able to handle it and might have to resort to violence if necessary.

"The corrupt official is here!"

The people in front immediately started shouting when they saw Magistrate Cao.

Public anger can be terrifying. Just as water can carry a boat, it can also capsize it. Angry people are like a raging storm; they are unable to think clearly when they are in a fit of rage and are extremely easy to manipulate.

"You corrupt official! If you don't give us an explanation today, we won't leave!"

A burly young man shouted. He was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with his back straight and his head held high. He looked very righteous, just like a commoner hero in a story who stood up for justice.

Following this call to action, others joined in the shouting, creating a cacophony of voices that nearly made Magistrate Cao's ears ring.

"How dare you! Stop this nonsense!"

The constable stepped forward and blocked Magistrate Cao's path, an action that further fueled the discontent of the common people.

"Fine! You corrupt official, how dare you protect bandits and oppress the people!" The young man stretched out his arms, pretending to protect the people behind him. "Fine, if you won't catch the bandits, we'll catch them ourselves! Folks! We'll do it ourselves!"

After saying that, he was about to lead the others to Hailan Village.

"Wait!" Magistrate Cao stepped forward alone and stopped the excited crowd. "Everyone, calm down. It's not that I'm unwilling to go, but I don't have enough troops at my disposal. I'm afraid the thief will escape."

“That would be great.” The young man’s eyes blazed like torches. “I’ve brought so many men with me today. You bring your men, and we’ll go together to capture that bandit.”

Before Magistrate Cao could refuse, the young man grabbed his shoulder and pulled him into the crowd as if afraid he would run away, forcing him to hurry towards Hailan Village. The constables behind him, not knowing what was going on, had no choice but to follow when they saw their magistrate being taken away.

The young man led a large group of people on a grand march, shouting slogans as they quickened their pace. Their heavy, disorderly steps kicked up clouds of dust, like migrating bison.

The veil of night quickly swept across the sky, shrouding Hailan Village under a black dome.

The group of people, chanting slogans to capture Wan Kongshan, lit torches and continued their march at an undiminished pace, appearing from a distance like a giant fireball approaching the village.

The villagers quickly noticed this strange phenomenon. They were both surprised and suspicious when they heard the group shouting slogans to capture the bandits of Wankong Mountain.

They had lived with Wan Kongshan for several years and knew that Wan Suizhou's family had always been kind and warm-hearted. How could they suddenly be labeled as bandits?

He must have been slandered!

None of the villagers believed it, and they immediately dispersed. Some went to inform everyone about Wan Kongshan's situation, while others went to inform Wan Suizhou's family.

By the time the news reached Wan Suizhou's family, Magistrate Cao had already been cornered at their doorstep by the young man.

With the Wan family's doors tightly shut, everyone felt even more certain.

The young man gave Magistrate Cao a push, and as he stepped forward to the front of the crowd, he nodded at him, as if to see how he would perform, urging him to speak.

Magistrate Cao looked around blankly at the people behind him. They were all furious, and their eyes seemed to wish they could include him in the category of bandits as well.

He sighed silently to himself and turned to look at the tightly closed gate of the Wan family.

"Mr. Wan!"

Magistrate Cao cried out helplessly. Despite being pressured by public resentment, Magistrate Cao still held Wan Suizhou in high regard. "There is suspicion of bandits in Kongshan. We hope that Mr. Wan can hand over your son in time so that we can investigate this case."

Upon hearing this, the young man frowned, seemingly dissatisfied with Magistrate Cao's mild manner. Just as he was about to speak up for him, the Wan family's gate suddenly opened, and the entire Wan family appeared before them.

They all looked solemn and as still as statues. The courtyard was unlit, and the dim light gave people a sense of solemnity and respect, without any fear or tension.

"You guys know what's good for you!"

The young man couldn't hide his excitement, then turned to Magistrate Cao, "Sir, the people are out, why haven't you made a move yet?"

Magistrate Cao looked troubled, glanced left and right, sighed, and then gestured to the constables around him to take Wan Kongshan away.

"Young Master Wan, please come with us."

The constables were also reluctant and in a very difficult position.

Seeing this, Wanwan suddenly stretched out her little arms, protecting her uncle behind her as if she were a chick. Her little face was firm, and although she was serious, her voice still trembled a little when she spoke.

"Wanwan won't let you take Uncle away!"

The constables looked at each other, unable to bring themselves to lay a hand on the child.

"You're all bad!" Wanwan said to the excited crowd behind the constables. "Wanwan's uncle is a good person, not some bandit! You're all bad guys!"

As Wanwan spoke, her little nose wrinkled, and she looked like she was about to cry. Her big eyes welled up with tears, which made people's hearts tremble.

"Wanwan." Xiao Qi emerged from behind the Wan family and reached out to support her small arm. "Don't try to wrap your fingers around the boil."