Chapter 224 Extortion Encounter Leads to Killing the Bully
The boy glanced at her, a flash of resentment in his eyes, then turned and ran.
The rain was pouring down, and the fat woman had only taken a few steps when she slipped on the mud and fell flat on her back.
Seeing that the woman was having some difficulty getting up, Ning Jinli kindly helped her.
Unexpectedly, when the young man disappeared, the woman took her anger out on Ning Jinli, pointing a knife at her and yelling, "You little bitch! You're in cahoots with that little bastard, aren't you? Pay up!"
Xiao Qidi stepped forward, shielding Ning Jinli to his side, and stared coldly at the fat woman, "We just happened to be passing by and stopped here to take shelter from the rain. We didn't even know what was going on. How did we end up with that kid?"
The plump woman sized up the young man and woman before her. Although they were soaked and looked rather disheveled, dressed like ordinary people, their clothes were made of better material than those of the average person in the area. So she said matter-of-factly:
"That little bastard stole a roast chicken from my place! I saw it all clearly just now. You two were chatting with him so enthusiastically, you can tell at a glance that you know each other. And when I just fell down, you little slut pretended to help me up, but you were actually covering for that little bastard and helping him get away!"
"And then what? You pretended not to know him in front of me, thinking you were completely fooled! Humph! Do you think your despicable tricks can fool me?"
"I'm warning you, don't try to argue! Pay up right now!"
The fat woman was clearly trying to extort money, which was bad enough, but what was even worse was that she kept calling Ning Jinli a "little bitch," which made Xiao Qidi want to kill her.
"Forget it, let's just let it go," Ning Jinli whispered, then asked the plump woman how much a roast chicken cost.
The fat woman held up five fingers.
"Fifty coins? Okay, I'll give it to you." Ning Jinli had a purse with some change tucked into her bosom.
Just as she was about to take it out, the fat woman said rudely, "Who told you it was fifty coins? It's five taels!"
Xiao Qidi's eyes darkened. "Five taels of silver is enough to open a chicken farm. Don't go too far."
"I said five taels, so it's five taels!" The fat woman pointed a kitchen knife at him and Ning Jinli. "Without five taels of silver, neither of you are leaving here!"
The murderous intent in Xiao Qidi's eyes was almost overflowing.
The fat woman felt a sudden chill, but she was used to being domineering, and since this was her own territory, she didn't take the man seriously and waved the kitchen knife in her hand, urging him to pay.
Ning Jinli also held back and remained calm, saying, "I only have two taels of silver left. Let's compromise and settle for two taels, okay?"
After saying that, she took out her purse, opened it, and showed it to the fat woman.
The fat woman glanced at Xiao Qidi and asked, "Don't you have any on you, kid?"
Xiao Qidi's tone was icy, "Why don't you search for it yourself? Whatever you find is yours."
The fat woman's eyes darted around. "Alright, alright, I'll take the loss. Two ounces it is! Give it to me!"
Ning Jinli tossed the purse over, and the plump woman hurriedly caught it.
Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli turned to leave, but the fat woman suddenly blocked their way again, her face contorted with a wide grin. "How do you plan to give the remaining three taels of silver?"
"Didn't we agree on two ounces? What do you mean?" Ning Jinli frowned.
The fat woman sneered, "What I meant was that you should give me two ounces first, not just two ounces. The other three ounces are still a must!"
She was now certain that the two young people must come from relatively well-off families; otherwise, what ordinary family could carry such a large sum of money as two taels of silver?
However, they certainly weren't from a wealthy and powerful family.
After all, children from wealthy families wouldn't come to such a poor and desolate place to suffer.
Moreover, the two of them did not report the extortion to the authorities at all, which shows that they were afraid of getting into trouble or dared not face the authorities. It seems that they are most likely a young couple who ran away from home and eloped.
Of course, even if she were to report it to the authorities, she wouldn't be afraid.
Therefore, in her eyes, these two people became perfect targets for extortion without causing any major trouble. How could she not fleece them ruthlessly?
"Are you ever going to stop?" Xiao Qidi asked, both angry and speechless.
Honestly, if they weren't in a swampy area and had to avoid making a big fuss, he would have killed that fat woman eight hundred times over.
"You two are dressed quite well, much better than most poor people," the fat woman said in a commanding tone. "Take them off and give them to me, along with your shoes, as payment. If you dare disobey, I'll report you to the authorities right now!"
The mere mention of reporting to the authorities extinguished Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli's hopes of making a run for it.
The two men's expressions became slightly more serious.
It goes without saying that once the authorities are alerted, there will be big trouble.
After a moment's thought, Xiao Qidi leaned close to Ning Jinli's ear and whispered, "The best we can do now is to kill her as soon as possible while no one is around. Otherwise, we won't be able to get away. It would be a good deed to rid the people of a scourge."
Ning Jinli nodded slightly in agreement.
"Hey kid! What are you muttering about!" The fat woman glared at Xiao Qidi.
Xiao Qidi's eyes darkened as he quickly scanned his surroundings.
Great, not only is there no one in sight, but the torrential rain also helps to provide cover.
Just as he was about to make his move, hurried footsteps sounded, and seven or eight burly men rushed over.
Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli could only wait and see.
"Hey!" the fat woman shouted at the one-eyed man in the lead, "You lazy bum! Why are you only just getting back?"
One-Eyed Dragon threw the chickens he was carrying at the shop entrance and said fiercely, "You old hag! Didn't you see it suddenly started pouring rain? I'm lucky I even made it back!"
The fat woman glanced at the few skinny chickens tied up on the ground, and then noticed that the others around the one-eyed man were empty-handed. She then showed a look of disgust and said, "How come you only caught a few? Are you even going to do business now!"
"Shut up!" the one-eyed man said irritably. "There have been floods everywhere for the past two months. I've already robbed every household in the city that raises chickens and ducks. These few are the only ones I have. I even had to go to a nearby village to steal them!"
Listening to the question and answer, Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli roughly understood.
These two are a married couple.
Moreover, they are all evil people who do evil deeds.
"Hmm? Who are these two...? They look unfamiliar." The one-eyed man glanced at Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli with a sinister look.
The fat woman immediately embellished the story she had just told.
"Five taels of silver?" The one-eyed man's eyes widened. "You spendthrift woman, you should at least make them pay you ten taels!"
The fat woman rolled her eyes. "It's because you weren't home. If you were, I would have asked for more. But these two are penniless. I was just about to ask them for their clothes and shoes."
"Go! Go inside!" One-Eyed Dragon shouted at Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli.
His seven men stepped forward at the same time, blocking the two men's retreat.
Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli exchanged a glance and walked into the roast chicken shop.
Afterwards, the one-eyed man and his wife went inside, and the one-eyed man ordered his men to close the shop door.
Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli both smiled slightly. They had been worried that dealing with all these people might cause too much noise and attract the attention of people nearby. Now, it was all good. Once the door was closed, they were all inside the shop, which saved them a lot of trouble.
The roast chicken shop had two tables covered in thick grease, a counter, and wine jars on one side; it looked very simple.
One-Eyed Dragon grabbed the teapot on the counter, gulped down several mouthfuls of tea, wiped his mouth, and said, "Since these two are penniless, they can stay and work to pay off their debts."
He pointed at Xiao Qidi and said, "You're tall and strong, you look like you're good at heavy work. From now on, all the odd jobs and chores in my shop and at home will be yours."
Then a wicked smile appeared on his face as he leered at Ning Jinli, "As for this little girl, she has such smooth, delicate skin, she's truly pitiful to behold... From now on, you'll be my concubine and give me a few big, fat sons. I won't treat you badly, hahahaha!"
"You bastard!" the fat woman cursed, "Do you think I'm dead?!"
The one-eyed man was just as imposing, glaring at her and saying, "What are you getting angry about? You've been married to me for almost ten years and haven't even had a child! Shouldn't I find a girl to continue the family line? You should be grateful that this girl can serve you!"
The fat woman thought for a moment, "That makes sense. Okay, whatever you say."
Xiao Qidi sneered inwardly, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the one-eyed dragon's men who had already closed the gate and bolted it shut. He then exchanged a glance with Ning Jinli.
Just as the two were about to make a move at the same time to deal with the nine people as soon as possible.
Bang bang bang!
The shop's door was pounded on so loudly it was deafening.
"Open the door! Open the door!" came the knocking from outside.
With no other option, the two had to stop their actions once again.
Hearing the shouts, One-Eyed Dragon hurriedly ordered his men to open the door, and even went to the door himself with a smile to greet them, "Gentlemen! Why have you come to my humble abode on such a rainy day?"
Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli glanced at it from the side, and their hearts sank.
Entering the shop were six government officials, dressed in their yamen runner uniforms and carrying knives at their waists.
The leading constable grumbled, "It's all because several local canals and dikes collapsed, and some troublemakers took the opportunity to cause trouble. All the constables in the county government have been out working all day! Damn it! I haven't even eaten yet! I just happened to be passing by here, so hurry up!"
"Yes, yes, yes! Officer Sun, please! Gentlemen, please come in as well!"
The one-eyed man greeted them warmly, then shouted to the fat woman, "Quick! Serve the gentlemen some food and drinks, as is customary, one roast chicken for each person!"
"Okay!" the fat woman replied and went to the kitchen.
Officer Sun rubbed his belly. "No, this time we need two!"
"Alright, alright, two it is!" One-Eyed Dragon didn't hesitate at all, and led his men to invite the constables to sit down.
Constable Sun took out some loose silver from his pocket and casually tossed it onto the table.
One-Eyed Dragon bowed and said with a fawning smile, "Officer Sun, you're being too polite. What kind of relationship do we have? I've always been able to live such a good life thanks to your protection. You don't need to pay me!"
"Take it," Constable Sun said without any hesitation. "Although I was a bit tired today, I also managed to take some valuables from their homes while punishing the troublemakers. Here's a few taels of silver as a reward for you."
One-Eyed Dragon grinned from ear to ear, “Then I won’t stand on ceremony. I just caught a few live chickens. They’re a bit skinny, but it’s enough for you. I’ll stew another pot for you.”
Head Constable Sun nodded in satisfaction, his attention finally turning to Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli. "Hmm? Who are these two? I've never seen them before. They're not from around here, are they?"
One-Eyed Dragon sidled up to Constable Sun and whispered something animatedly.
"Good heavens, then I must congratulate you, you're quite the lucky one!" Officer Sun said, making no attempt to hide his lust as he stared intently at Ning Jinli. "Tsk... she's truly more alluring the more I look at her. Of all the women I've been with, none can compare to this girl."
One-Eyed Dragon immediately said, "Officer Sun, once this little wench gives me a son, I'll send her over to you so you can enjoy her for a while."
Officer Sun's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily, "It's settled then! Don't be reluctant to part with it later!"
"No, of course not! As long as Officer Sun is happy, how could I hesitate? Even if you take a fancy to my wife, I'll still give her to you!"
"Go to hell! You can keep that one for yourself!"
"Hahaha!"
The two burst into laughter, and the other constables joined in.
Ning Jinli and Xiao Qidi's faces were as cold as ice. Just from their conversation, it was clear that the local bully and the tyrannical head constable were in cahoots. One could only imagine what kind of life the people here were living.
No wonder it's so dilapidated everywhere, and so many children have become beggars.
"The roast chicken is here!" The plump woman brought over a large wooden platter piled with more than ten roast chickens, placed it on the table, and then cut it for everyone with a knife. "Gentlemen, please enjoy your meal."
One-Eyed Dragon turned and walked up to Ning Jinli. "Little girl, it's getting dark. Come to bed with me."
As he spoke, he reached out his dirty hand and touched Ning Jinli's face.
Bang!
A muffled thud.
The one-eyed man was suddenly sent flying backward.
It turned out that Xiao Qidi had finally reached his limit and took action.
A lightning-fast punch dented a large section of the one-eyed man's chest.
Before anyone else could react, the one-eyed man lay on the ground, vomiting blood violently. After only a couple of breaths, he died, his one eye still wide open.
"You...you killed my man?! I'll kill you!"
The fat woman was both shocked and furious. Without thinking, she grabbed the knife in her hand and rushed towards Xiao Qidi.
However, as soon as she took a step, she stepped on the blood that the one-eyed man had spat on the ground. Her foot slipped, and her fat body fell uncontrollably to the ground. She didn't even have time to let go of the knife in her hand.
There was a soft "pfft" sound.
The blade, about the length of her forearm, plunged completely into her chest.
Under the astonished gazes of the one-eyed man's henchmen and the constables, the fat woman twitched a few times and died.
This was quite unexpected, and Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli were also a little confused.
Everything happened so fast that in the blink of an eye, the tyrannical couple were both killed.
Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli were the first to react, and without saying a word, they turned around and rushed out of the roast chicken shop.
It wasn't until the two figures had almost disappeared into the evening downpour that the others came to their senses.
One-Eyed Dragon's men began to wail.
Officer Zhao slammed his fist on the table, drew his sword, and roared:
"Outrageous! How dare they commit murder in front of the officials?! Send one person to the yamen to report the situation and summon all the constables! The rest of you, come with me to apprehend the murderer!"
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