Chapter Six: You Little Scoundrel, You Dare Kidnap Your Own Auntie Me?

"Stop right there!"

A boy, looking like a beggar, was sprinting desperately down the street, glancing back as he ran. Behind him were three other beggar boys of similar age. The fleeing boy paid no heed to the pedestrians, crashing through the crowd and causing quite a stir, yet this did nothing to deter his pursuers.

"What time is this this month?"
"At least the third. He gets beaten black and blue every time, yet he still refuses to leave."
"The kid has had a rough life. He watched his family being brutally murdered with his own eyes. It was only because his family’s guards were loyal enough to risk their lives to get him out. It’s just a pity for the dozens of people back at his home."
"Indeed. I heard they died in a horrific manner."

The onlookers felt a twinge of pity for his circumstances, but not one of them stepped in to help; he was merely fodder for their after-dinner conversation.

"Hey, what’s happening up ahead?" Jiang Zao, piqued by the commotion, stood on tiptoe to look.
"Let's go see," Yan Wuqiu suggested.

Gossip is human nature. Following Yan Wuqiu’s suggestion, the three of them pushed through the crowd to the front.

"I thought it was something major, but it’s just a chase," Jiang Zao remarked upon reaching the front. Seeing that the cause of the commotion was merely a squabble among beggars, she lost interest, pouting in mild annoyance.

*I thought this disturbance was something significant. And this is it? What a waste of my interest.*

Jiang Zao complained silently, her good mood dampened, and she looked rather sullen.

"Zaozao, since there’s nothing worth watching, let’s head to the restaurant," Jiang Zhuoran said, noticing her low spirits and taking her hand.
"Let’s go quickly, then."

Mentioning the restaurant meant food. Thinking of the various delicacies, Jiang Zao’s gloomy mood brightened instantly. She pulled Jiang Zhuoran along, following Yan Wuqiu as he led the way.

However, the situation took an unexpected turn.

The beggar boy at the front suddenly sprinted at full speed toward Jiang Zao. Before anyone could react, he grabbed her, pressing a sharp shard of roof tile directly against her slender neck.

"Let her go!" Jiang Zhuoran commanded, her eyes cold.

By the time she reacted, the beggar boy had already dragged a startled Jiang Zao nine feet away. To ensure her safety, the two dared not act rashly, waiting for the right moment to rescue her.

"Unless you kill those three, I'll make her die with me!" the boy spat, his eyes fierce and predatory, revealing a ruthlessness that did not belong to someone of his age. He pressed harder, the shard piercing Jiang Zao’s skin and drawing bright red blood, causing her to frown in pain.

"Hey buddy... what kind of grudge do you have that makes you want to kidnap me so desperately, just to threaten them into killing those others for you?" Jiang Zao, though startled, wasn't truly afraid, and instead began to interrogate the boy.

"Shut up!"

He didn't answer her question, only barking a loud reprimand. What grudge? What hatred? Ever since his family was murdered by his enemies and he was reduced to a beggar, he had been bullied constantly. He had fought back, but that only led to more severe beatings, and any food he managed to get was always stolen.

"Being so fierce won't make girls happy," Jiang Zao muttered, pouting. Noticing the murderous glare from the boy, she quickly clamped her mouth shut.

*Fine, you're the boss, whatever you say.*
*To become the target of the gossip I was just watching—I must be the first person in history to do that.*

The three boys who had been chasing him, hearing his demand, were visibly frightened. After exchanging glances, they turned and ran without a moment's hesitation. They only dared to bully other beggars like themselves; the three strangers looked like people of status, and only Fang He'an was reckless enough to provoke them.

"You bastards, you just wait!"
"Just you wait!"

The three shouted back as they fled.

"Kill them!" Seeing them about to escape, Fang He'an threatened again, his eyes filled with malice. Everyone who had hurt him deserved to die. The person in his hands was clearly important to these two; as long as he held her, he was sure they would obey. If he couldn't kill them himself, he would use someone else's hands!

Jiang Zhuoran refused flatly: "Don't even think about it!"
Yan Wuqiu frowned, observing the situation closely, looking for an opening to rescue Jiang Zao safely.

"Since you won't kill them, then die together!" Fang He'an raised the shard and thrust it fiercely toward Jiang Zao’s neck.

"Zaozao!" Jiang Zhuoran screamed in panic, rushing toward them. No matter what, Jiang Zao could not be harmed!

"It's too late!"

The situation changed in an instant. Yan Wuqiu didn't have time to think; he channeled his spiritual energy into a sphere and launched it at Fang He'an.

However, the scene that followed left both of them standing frozen in disbelief, their mouths agape.

At the very moment Fang He'an raised his hand to strike, Jiang Zao stomped hard on his foot, grabbed his arm, and twisted it behind his back, using a joint-locking technique to pin him down securely.

"Let me go!"

The reversal was so unbelievable that Fang He'an couldn't fathom how the frail girl he had held captive had suddenly turned into an expert, leaving him incapacitated.

Jiang Zao ignored his fury and mocked, "Little trash, you dare to kidnap your mistress?"

*Good thing I know some grappling, otherwise you would have really finished me.*

"Zaozao, are you all right?" Jiang Zhuoran hurried to her side, worried.
Jiang Zao shook her head with a smile. "I'm fine, sister."

Yan Wuqiu noticed the wound on her neck and offered her a pill. "Take this. It wouldn't look good for a girl to have a scar."

*Baby, you're doing this... I really might fall in love with you!*

Hearing her unfiltered inner thoughts, Yan Wuqiu was stunned; he was caught in an awkward position, not knowing whether to withdraw his hand or keep it extended. Pure-hearted as he was, he had never seen a girl express her inner feelings so bluntly. Jiang Zhuoran was even more serious, conflicted by her sister's thoughts. As her sister, should she support her or oppose her?

"Thank you, Senior Brother Yan." Jiang Zao quickly took the pill from his hand and thanked him politely.

*There's no reason to take back a gift once it's been given.*

Jiang Zhuoran looked at the silenced, malevolent Fang He'an and asked with disgust, "What should we do with him?"

Jiang Zao was safe, but they weren't sure how to handle the culprit, Fang He'an.

"Since he is just a commoner, let's send him to the magistrate's office."
"Very well, Senior Brother Yan."

With a mischievous streak, Jiang Zao stripped Fang He'an naked, tied him up, and dumped him at the entrance of the magistrate’s office—the busiest place in town—ensuring his public humiliation would spread.

Jiang Zao looked at the tightly bound, unconscious Fang He'an like an artist admiring a masterpiece, feeling proud and smug.

*Malicious kidnapping, assault... if I don't give you a lesson, I'd be doing a disservice to the wound I suffered.*

Jiang Zhuoran and Yan Wuqiu felt a chill at her mischievousness, vowing never to provoke Jiang Zao. This young lady had ideas far too explosive; they would rather die than suffer such public social death. Neither of them dared to imagine what the beggar would look like when he woke up.

However... that wasn't important to them.

The small episode concluded, and the three were finally able to dine in peace at the restaurant. After a satisfying meal, they left and returned directly to Yuling Peak.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the magistrate's office, passersby pointed and stared at the naked Fang He'an. Ridicule, disgust, and indignation—all sorts of negative emotions poured toward him.

"I will... kill... you... all!"