Chapter 24: Kill! Kill Again!

Cao Cao was silent for a moment, then nodded gently.

“Very well. In that case, after the New Year, we shall campaign against Wan City.”

He made the decision on the spot to move against Zhang Xiu in Wan City after the New Year. Not for any particular reason, but simply because he wanted to eliminate any forces nearby that might pose a threat to him. Zhang Xiu was one such force.

Soon after, Guo Jia and Xun Yu both took their leave. However, once outside, the two found themselves together.

“Wenruo, just now when you spoke to the Chancellor, you were helping His Majesty, weren’t you?” Guo Jia said in a lowered voice.

Xun Yu raised an eyebrow and offered a subtle smile. “Fengxiao, your advice to the Chancellor was also in aid of His Majesty, was it not?”

“It seems our goals are the same.”

They exchanged knowing smiles, a silent understanding passing between them.

“But tell me, Fengxiao, why are you also speaking in support of His Majesty?” Xun Yu asked, puzzled.

At this, Guo Jia drew a deep breath, recalling his lengthy conversation with Liu Xie at the tavern some time ago.

“Brother Wenruo, to be honest, I once held a long conversation with His Majesty.”

“Truly, I consider myself learned, but when facing His Majesty…”

“His wisdom in governing the realm is truly admirable.”

“And he holds the world in his heart; no one can compare.”

“To be frank, if it comes to warfare, His Majesty may not be the equal of the Chancellor or us.”

“But in matters of governing the country and caring for the people, none of us can match him.”

Guo Jia’s heart was filled with emotion. Like Xun Yu, during Cao Cao’s search for Liu Xie, he too took steps to protect Liu Xie. For Xun Yu, he was guarding the Son of Heaven, the Emperor of Han. For Guo Jia, he was safeguarding a man who possessed a heart for all under heaven, who would let the people live good lives, and who inspired admiration.

In short, both had, without consulting each other, chosen to protect Liu Xie.

“In truth, His Majesty is helpless.”

“In such circumstances, when he himself has no control over his fate, what good is extraordinary talent?”

At last, Xun Yu sighed in resignation. Guo Jia nodded in agreement, knowing well what Xun Yu meant.

For, during his earlier conversation with Liu Xie, he understood just how dire Liu Xie’s situation was.

The two discussed the matter of the Han Emperor Liu Xie.

Meanwhile, after dinner, Liu Xie and his companions prepared to rest. But just as they were finishing up, sounds came from the entrance.

“Open the door!”

“Damn it, open up or we’ll break it down!”

The gates of the residence were being pounded, and fierce voices rang out from outside.

“It’s Liu Hai’s men.”

Upon hearing the voices outside, Jiayu was immediately unsettled.

At that moment, Liu Xie emerged from his room, gazing at the door being battered.

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen,” he said calmly. “Zhang Tuo, Yu Chun, go and open the door,” Liu Xie ordered solemnly.

“Yes, young master,” the two replied.

They proceeded to open the gates of the residence.

The moment the gates swung open, more than a dozen men wielding steel blades charged in. Their menacing posture sent Jiayu and her mother into a panic.

Among them, following at the rear, was Liu Hai himself.

“You wretched woman, how are things now?”

“Damn it, if you hand over the deed, we can talk. Otherwise, hmm, you’re all doomed tonight.”

Upon entering, Liu Hai immediately shouted loudly, demanding the property deed from Jiayu, completely ignoring Liu Xie.

Jiayu and her mother retreated in terror, their faces pale with fear.

Liu Xie said nothing, merely gesturing to Zhang Tuo and Yu Chun at the entrance.

The two understood, and slammed the gates shut with a resounding crash.

Liu Hai and his men jolted, glancing back, anxiety creeping into their hearts.

“Damn it, so you dare defy me?”

“So what if you shut the door? You think I’m scared of you?”

Liu Hai continued to shout brazenly.

Yet Liu Xie remained silent.

But soon, a number of men emerged from the surrounding rooms, each wielding a sharp curved blade, encircling Liu Hai’s gang.

Seeing this, Liu Hai’s fear grew.

“What—what do you want?”

Liu Xie stepped forward, hands behind his back.

“You’re Liu Hai, aren’t you?”

“Hmph, that’s me. And who the hell are you?” Liu Hai spat arrogantly.

Liu Xie was not interested in trading insults. “So you’re the one who swindled Jiayu out of her property?”

“Tell me, how much did you cheat her out of?”

“Hey, kid, mind your tone when talking to me.”

“Otherwise, hmm, I’ll cut you down right now.”

Liu Hai remained as arrogant as ever, paying Liu Xie no mind.

“Kill.”

Liu Xie spoke just one word, his expression cold.

Swish!

No sooner had Liu Xie spoken than one of his men brought down his curved blade.

One of Liu Hai’s henchmen was killed on the spot.

Now, panic swept through everyone present.

Liu Hai was terrified; Jiayu, too, was frightened. She had never imagined Liu Xie would actually dare to kill someone—especially a member of the powerful Liu family of Wan City.

“You—you—”

“I—I am Liu Hai of the Liu family in Wan City. You dare kill a man? You’re finished!”

Liu Hai began to retreat step by step, truly afraid now.

Though he was usually domineering and rude, when it came to real killing, he had no stomach for it.

Even though his men all carried blades, none dared to kill recklessly.

But this man before him was different—without a word, he killed instantly.

Too ruthless.

“I asked you—how much did you steal from her?”

Liu Xie demanded again.

“I—I—I did not,” Liu Hai stammered, growing more fearful.

“Kill again!” Liu Xie roared.

At once, blades flashed.

All twenty of Liu Xie’s men moved as one.

In just a few seconds, all of Liu Hai’s dozen or so servants were slaughtered.

Looking at the corpses surrounding him, blood pooled across the floor, Liu Hai was completely overcome by terror.

Now, he began to understand—Jiayu’s people were not to be trifled with.

They were all hardened men.

“Speak! What exactly have you done?”

Liu Xie barked once more.

Liu Hai’s legs gave way, and he fell to his knees with a thud.

“Spare—spare me, brother, have mercy, I was wrong, truly wrong.”

Liu Hai pleaded for his life; at that moment, his only wish was to survive.

“It seems you didn’t understand me,” Liu Xie said darkly.

“I—I took two thousand taels of silver from her.”

“And—and some land as well.”

With no other choice, Liu Hai confessed everything.

As he spoke, Jiayu’s face was filled with sorrow.

Clearly, having her family property seized was a source of deep grievance for her.