Chapter 26: Do You Remember What I Said Yesterday?

Liu Xunchao nodded solemnly.

After this incident, although he had never met Liu Xie nor exchanged blows with him, it was not hard to discern from his own son’s account that Liu Xie was perhaps a man not easily dealt with. Otherwise, how could over a dozen of the Liu family’s retainers have perished at his hands? For Liu Xie to act in such a way clearly meant he regarded the Liu family as nothing.

Indeed, Liu Xie truly cared nothing for them.

An entire night passed.

The next day, Liu Xie did not go anywhere. He waited at home, knowing well that the Liu family would surely seek revenge. Very well, if they were coming, he would wait for them right here.

Yet Jiayu was far from calm. In her eyes, the Liu family was not a force to be trifled with. She worried whether Liu Xie and his companions could truly resolve her predicament. Although Liu Xie’s words the day before had been steadfast and reassuring, she remained uneasy.

“Master Liu, perhaps it’s best if we just let this go,” she whispered anxiously, drawing close. “We can’t possibly win against them.”

Liu Xie offered her a relaxed smile. “Don’t worry. I, too, am curious to see just how powerful this Liu family really is.”

As they spoke, there was finally commotion outside.

Bang!

A tremendous crash sounded as the main gates of the residence were rammed open. More than a dozen men, all dressed in constable uniforms, burst in. Following them were two others, one of whom was Liu Hai. The other, also in constable garb, appeared to be their leader.

“Seize them all!” the leader shouted upon entering.

Without another word, the constables drew their blades and encircled everyone.

Jiayu grew even more fearful. “Master Liu, I—” Her face was full of anxiety, but she could not finish her sentence.

“Don’t worry. It’s fine,” Liu Xie replied offhandedly, then clapped his hands twice.

Immediately, as before, twenty men sprang out from the four corners of the residence, each wielding a curved blade and exuding an air of ferocity.

“Hmph, are you people rebelling?” Liu Hai scolded with righteous indignation. “Can’t you see the authorities are here? What are you trying to do?”

“Enough with the nonsense, take them all in!” the constable leader barked, paying no heed to right or wrong, and moved to arrest them.

Liu Xie stood calmly where he was, a faint smile on his face. His twenty subordinates, however, were not so accommodating; they immediately stepped forward to confront the constables.

“Are you truly intent on rebelling?” the constable leader shouted. “Don’t forget where you are—this is Wancheng’s domain!”

“I am well aware this is Wancheng. And yes, we’ve killed,” Liu Xie replied, his tone arrogant and domineering. “But so what?”

He was brazen indeed—killing and still so defiant.

“You truly have no respect for the law!” the constable fumed.

Liu Xie scoffed. “The law? Ever since chaos engulfed the land, tell me, when has there been any law? If slaying a few heinous lackeys is to defy the law, then what of the endless wars between lords, the countless dead? Why do you not accuse them of lawlessness?”

“You—” The constable was left speechless by Liu Xie’s retort. Indeed, with war raging everywhere, what law remained? Even the emperor himself was under another’s control—what law could there be?

“If you’re looking to make arrests, you should start with him.” Liu Xie cast a glance at Liu Hai. “He’s done more harm to the people of Wancheng over the years than anyone. He’s the one who should be taken in. Or is it that you won’t arrest him because he’s bribed you?”

Liu Xie spoke openly, making no attempt to conceal anything.

“Enough with your nonsense!” the constable snapped, unsettled by Liu Xie’s words.

Liu Hai, on the other hand, grew even more brazen. “Hmph, you’re right! I did bribe them. So what? They’re constables—what can you do about it?”

Liu Hai was even more arrogant than Liu Xie, utterly unashamed.

The constable leader took a deep breath, his expression turning grim. In truth, with no outsiders present, what did it matter if people knew he took bribes? Such things were hardly a secret here.

“Hmph, I’m not here to arrest you. I’m here to see you dead.” He sneered. “Ha, these are constables. What can you possibly do to them? Kill him!”

Liu Hai was supremely pleased with himself. In his mind, with these constables present, Liu Xie would not dare cross them and could only submit.

But was Liu Xie truly so easily cowed? That was another matter entirely.

The constable leader waved his hand, his face dark. The dozen or so constables advanced, steel blades in hand, their eyes cold and murderous.

“Kill them!” he ordered, and the constables raised their blades with a shout and charged.

“No fatalities. Do as you wish,” Liu Xie commanded his men with just a few words.

In truth, even if Liu Xie were to kill these constables, it would matter little. But for now, he did not wish to.

At his command, the twenty subordinates sheathed their curved blades and met the constables unarmed.

The ensuing fight lasted less than two minutes. The constables barely had time to swing their swords before the twenty men deftly disarmed them, turning their own blades against their throats.

Witnessing this, Liu Hai and the constable leader were both shaken, their faces paling. They had never imagined Liu Xie’s followers could be so formidable—especially the constable leader, who had never seen such skill before.

“Tell me, should I kill these men or let them live?” Liu Xie asked, hands clasped behind his back as he stepped forward.

Liu Hai and the constable leader fell silent, their expressions growing ever darker.

Gradually, Liu Xie turned his gaze to Liu Hai. “Do you remember what I said yesterday? Bring everything you took from Jiayu here. If you cannot, then I’ll take your life.”

As he spoke, a fierce, murderous light flared in his eyes.

Liu Hai instinctively took a step back, his face turning ashen. He wanted to speak, but no words came. He could only stand there, tense and wary.

Liu Xie waved his hand again, and one of his men drew a curved blade, advancing slowly on Liu Hai.