Chapter 41
Chapter 41
"Long live the Count."
"Long live Young Master Shen!"
Thousands of people were still cheering wildly. A dozen or so warriors, dressed as common folk, pushed their way into the chaotic crowd from all directions. From four different points, they squeezed through the people, heading toward Shen Lang.
First, they would create a commotion by snatching the gold coins. Then, as quickly as possible, they would bypass the four guards at Shen Lang's side, knock him to the ground, and crush his private parts with a single stomp. Finally, they would incite a massive panic, causing a stampede. This would turn into a major disaster, with at least a dozen people dead or injured. All the blame would then be shifted onto the Count's Estate.
Their plan was vicious, insidious, and secretive, but Shen Lang was already somewhat prepared for potential dangers. In a chaotic crowd like this, any kind of accident could happen. Moreover, he spotted a dozen strangers in the crowd who met his gaze and then began to slowly approach. Shen Lang had a computer-like brain, allowing him to clearly remember many faces. They were clearly not from the House of Riches and Honor, but people sent on the orders of Tian Heng's backers. It was strange that Tian Heng's patrons hadn't made a move despite today's events escalating so much. It was only natural that they would act now.
"Quiet! Everyone, please stay where you are."
Shen Lang said in a loud voice. Having just finished scattering the gold coins, this was the moment his appeal would be most effective. Hearing Shen Lang's words, the thousands of people there all fell silent and stood still, looking at him. Shen Lang's action made the dozen or so warriors disguised as commoners stand out conspicuously. Because they were still pushing their way inward.
* * *
Shen Lang pulled the IOU written by Tian Heng from his robes, on which was written seventeen thousand gold coins. Even if the debt could never be collected, seventeen thousand gold coins was a staggering sum.
"This is the seventeen thousand gold coins Tian Heng owes me. I have already declared that I will not take a single coin from him. Where did Tian Heng's money come from? Where did the House of Riches and Honor's money come from? It is all the blood and sweat of the people of Xuanwu City, your hard-earned money! Therefore, aren't these seventeen thousand gold coins all yours?"
Shen Lang held the IOU high.
"This money is not owed to me, but to the people of Xuanwu City. For the sake of the people of Xuanwu City, I intend to send this IOU to the Prefect's office and ask the Prefect to collect this debt. The Prefect, who governs the people of Xuanwu City, will surely collect this money. And I will entrust that money entirely to the Prefect to be used to aid all the poor families in Xuanwu City. Everyone, please believe me. Prefect Liu Chengyan will definitely collect this money for the people."
Hearing this, the expression of Prefect Liu Chengyan, who was inside the House of Riches and Honor, changed drastically.
The dozen or so warriors they had sent were still walking toward Shen Lang, disguised among the crowd.
But Shen Lang, who had noticed everything, moved a little faster. Dashing inside the House of Riches and Honor faster than a flash of lightning, Shen Lang threw open a door without hesitation. And there sat the Prefect of Xuanwu City, Prefect Liu Chengyan. But even though Prefect Liu Chengyan made eye contact with Shen Lang, he said nothing and tried to disappear through the back door.
"Prefect, so you were here after all!"
Shen Lang shouted loudly so the crowd could hear, then stepped forward and grabbed the Prefect's sleeve.
"Everyone, the Prefect was here!"
He called for the crowd to gather. In an instant, the people surged forward, and there indeed was Prefect Liu Chengyan. The Prefect's face was filled with shock and dismay.
*Damn you, Shen Lang, you cunning devil. Just a moment ago you said you'd go to the Prefect's office to find me, and now you barge in like this.*
At that very moment, the dozen or so men outside froze. If only Shen Lang had been there, any accident resulting in serious injuries or deaths would have been his and the Count's Estate's responsibility. But the Prefect was on the scene? In that case, if any accident or problem occurred now, the responsibility would most likely fall squarely on the Prefect, the highest official in Xuanwu City. Shen Lang would bear, at most, secondary responsibility. In the end, the warriors had no choice but to halt their actions, unable to carry out their orders.
Shen Lang respectfully placed the IOU in Prefect Liu Chengyan's hands and said with utmost sincerity,
"Prefect, this IOU represents the hope of the many destitute people of Xuanwu City. Since you care for the people as if they were your own children, I implore you to handle this matter."
The eyes of the countless people there turned to Prefect Liu Chengyan.
"These seventeen thousand gold coins are the blood and sweat of the people of Xuanwu City. This is directly tied to the hopes of countless poor families. My status is low and my words carry little weight, so I cannot collect this gold myself. But you, Prefect, are the one who governs this city. If you step forward to reclaim this money for the countless poor, even Tian Heng wouldn't dare refuse to pay."
Hearing this, Tian Heng, who had just regained consciousness, fainted once again. The IOU for seventeen thousand gold coins was just something he had written carelessly; he had no intention of paying up unless the Count himself came to collect, and even then, he'd sooner let the heavens fall. But since the Count would never come asking for money, the IOU was as good as scrap paper. But now, the situation had changed to one where he absolutely had to repay the debt.
Zhang Jin and Liu Chengyan both felt a chill run down their spines. The casino was nominally Tian Heng's, but most of the money it generated went into their pockets. The money lost here was as good as their own. The Prefect's eye twitched, but he forced a smile.
"Worry not. I will certainly not fail your request."
"I intend to donate the seventeen thousand gold coins to the poor people of Xuanwu City. And I wish to formally entrust this task to you, Prefect. Will you ensure that this money is collected for the sake of the countless poor?"
What could the Prefect do? With so many people watching, could he pretend not to know or say it had nothing to do with him? Shen Lang had already set the stage, declaring the money would be used to save the countless poor people of Xuanwu City.
If the Prefect refused, rumors would spread by tomorrow. That the Prefect was in league with Tian Heng, that he was the backer protecting the casino. Otherwise, why would the Prefect have been hiding inside the House of Riches and Honor? When that happened, it wouldn't be just Tian Heng's reputation that hit rock bottom.
The Prefect wore a smile on his face, but inside, he was in agony, as if his bones were being scraped.
*Shen Lang, you venomous snake!*
With so many people's eyes on him, Prefect Liu Chengyan put on a virtuous smile and said,
"Of course. Young Master Shen, rest assured."
Shen Lang bowed and said,
"Thank you, Prefect. The sun is setting, so I shall take my leave first. Prefect, I look forward to seeing you again."
With that, Shen Lang unhesitatingly climbed onto his magnificent carriage and departed as if nothing had happened. It was a complete and resounding victory. From this day on, rumors about him would spread like wildfire throughout Xuanwu City.
* * *
Inside the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, the Count paced anxiously in the main hall, frequently glancing outside.
"Jin Zhong, has Shen Lang not returned yet?"
"No, my lord. He has not returned."
"Have the men we sent to gather news not returned either?"
"They have not returned either, my lord."
"Are the men I sent to secretly protect Shen Lang enough to overcome any crisis?"
"We sent over a dozen men, so it should be enough."
The Count looked up at the sun, his heart growing more anxious. Though he didn't say it aloud, he was regretting his decision. He shouldn't have let Shen Lang go out. If that boy, in his arrogance, went and challenged Tian Heng... Losing didn't matter, but he was worried Shen Lang would be seriously harmed.
Behind Tian Heng stood Zhang Jin and Prefect Liu Chengyan. He was afraid that Shen Lang would not only suffer a crushing defeat but also bring about a great disaster. It was so late, and he still hadn't returned... I'm worried he hasn't just been defeated, but has caused some major trouble.
The Count regretted letting Shen Lang go out simply to keep his word, even if it was a promise. But who would have thought Shen Lang could memorize the entire family precepts overnight? He had no choice but to lift Shen Lang's confinement. The Countess comforted him from the side.
"My lord, it's alright for a young man to suffer a setback once. No matter what, Tian Heng wouldn't dare to harm or beat Lang'er."
"Behind Tian Heng are Liu Chengyan and Zhang Jin. One is extremely cunning and deceitful, the other is vicious and ruthless in his methods. Shen Lang is a reckless upstart who has just stepped out of his thatched hut for the first time. He thinks he's just dealing with an underworld boss, but that's not the case. I'm afraid he might be seriously harmed, fall into a trap they've set, and bring about a great disaster."
The Count swallowed the last sentence, unable to say it aloud. It was the fear that Shen Lang, caught in a trap by Tian Heng and the others, might drag the Count's Estate down with him. He could never say those words. Shen Lang was still young and wouldn't be able to bear such a heavy burden.
"A young man needs to clash with the world to learn how harsh it can be. It will make him easier for you to handle in the future, my lord. Lang'er is a thoughtful child in his own way; he needs to be convinced of things himself. He won't listen if he's forced."
"Alright. Perhaps as you say, this failure might be a blessing in disguise for him. He'll have to learn to be more restrained in the future."
"He's still young. Tian Heng is sharp enough not to let things get out of hand. Still, there's always a chance, so we can only hope he doesn't think his relationship with the Prefect's office gives him the right to provoke our family."
Liu Chengyan is clever and has good judgment; he wouldn't try to see things to the bitter end by completely enraging the Count's Estate. If Shen Lang returned in defeat this time, the Count planned to use it as an opportunity to teach him a lesson and stop his reckless, arrogant behavior.
Just then, a figure darted in like an arrow and knelt on one knee.
"Greetings to the Master and the Countess."
It was Jin Hui, an expert from the Count's Estate. The Count had secretly sent a dozen men to protect Shen Lang today, and Jin Hui was their leader.
"What happened? How badly was Shen Lang hurt? Tian Heng didn't dare injure him, did he?"
The expert Jin Hui's expression was a bit strange.
"My lord, my lady... the young master... has achieved a complete victory!"
Hearing Jin Hui's words, everyone present was stunned. The Count and Countess stared at each other for a long moment before speaking.
"H-how is that possible?"
Just Shen Lang alone against a major underworld boss like Tian Heng? And with a powerful faction behind him, no less. Isn't Xuanwu City practically the den of Tian Heng and his backers right now?
"Didn't Zhang Jin and Prefect Liu Chengyan help Tian Heng?"
"Zhang Jin and Liu Chengyan did try to harm the young master with a vicious scheme. They planned to cause a major incident, a stampede involving hundreds of people, sacrificing innocent lives to place the blame on the young master, and by extension, on our Count's Estate."
Hearing this, the Count and Countess shot to their feet. Were those men so impulsive? Even though the Count's Estate is acting very cautiously right now, not interfering in local government affairs at all?
"What was the result?"
The Count couldn't even begin to imagine how Shen Lang had dealt with such a perilous situation.