Chapter 36: Killing Liu Xunshan

When Liu Xie first arrived here, he was full of confidence and promised Jia Yu that he would restore justice for her.

But now, lately, there had been no progress at all.

From Fu Shou’s perspective, seeking justice seemed almost impossible.

So, she was thinking about how to break the news to Jia Yu.

Otherwise, Jia Yu might still be holding on to hope.

Yet Liu Xie merely smiled calmly, “Who says I’m not going to restore justice for her?”

“Don’t worry, I will make it right for her.”

“And I’ll have it all settled before the New Year.”

As he spoke, Liu Xie seemed lost in thought.

“But... there are less than ten days left before the New Year. Will there be enough time?” Fu Shou was worried.

“Relax. Ten days are more than enough,” Liu Xie replied with confidence. In truth, he had never thought much of the Liu family from the start.

He merely wanted to use the Liu family to accomplish something in Wan City.

Time slipped by.

A few days later, with less than a day left before the New Year, evening fell—the night of the lunar New Year’s Eve.

Fu Shou and Jia Yu were busy at home preparing the feast.

Meanwhile, Liu Xie, flanked by the entire Wolf Shadow squad, departed from the residence and headed toward the Liu household.

The Liu family, too, was enveloped in the festive atmosphere.

But their mood was anything but cheerful.

Not long ago, Liu Xunshan’s son had been murdered, and vengeance had yet to be exacted.

His heart was filled with rage and frustration, utterly devoid of any festive spirit.

He sat alone in his study, brooding, when urgent footsteps sounded from outside.

Suddenly, the study door was flung open, and a subordinate rushed in.

“Master, master! This is terrible, they—they’re here!” The man was so frightened that his voice trembled.

“Have you forgotten to knock? Where are your manners? Who has come?” Liu Xunshan rose, scolding him.

“Liu—Liu Shi-ban, the ones who killed the young master...” the subordinate stammered.

At that, Liu Xunshan felt a ringing in his head.

“Damn it! They dare come to my home? This is outrageous!” He was furious.

He hadn’t sought out Liu Xie these past days because he knew he couldn’t match him.

Sending his own men would have been nothing short of suicide.

He never expected Liu Xie would come to his door.

Just then, a scream echoed from outside.

Liu Xunshan rushed out to investigate, only to be struck with fear at the sight before him.

The courtyard was strewn with his men, writhing on the ground in agony.

Amidst the fallen, a group of more than twenty strode forward, Liu Xie at their head.

Of course, the people only knew him as Liu Shi-ban.

In moments, Liu Xie and his men stood before Liu Xunshan.

“Are you Master Liu? I think it’s time we had a proper talk,” Liu Xie said coldly, his gaze fixed on him.

“Hmph! What is there to talk about? What do you want?” Liu Xunshan shouted angrily.

Liu Xie sneered, “My reason for coming here is simple.”

“Your son cheated my friend out of her property.”

“Today, everything he took from her will be returned, not one item missing.”

“Listen carefully: I want you to return it yourself.”

He laid out his purpose.

“Hmph, so that’s what this is about? You’re championing a widow’s cause?”

“Perhaps you don’t realize the relationship between our Liu family and the Liu family of Xiangyang.”

Mentioning this, Liu Xunshan regained his confidence.

Liu Xie sneered, “Don’t worry, I know you’re related to Liu Biao of Xiangyang.”

“So what? The law is the same for all, even for the Emperor.”

“Besides, what about Liu Biao? He’s far away in Xiangyang—do you think he can come to your aid?”

“Do you think he can arrive before I kill you?”

Liu Xie radiated an overpowering presence.

Liu Xunshan’s heart quaked with fear.

If only he had asked Zhang Xiu for help earlier.

Now, with Liu Xie and his men blocking his path, it was too late to call for reinforcements.

“Hmph, arrogant brat! What can you possibly do to me?” Liu Xunshan still refused to yield.

He clung to his kinship with Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, believing himself untouchable.

Liu Xie was not surprised; he had expected Liu Xunshan’s attitude.

“Fine, if you won’t hand over the property, don’t blame me,” he said, and signaled to his men.

“Hmph, let’s see what you can do,” Liu Xunshan scoffed.

But what happened next made his hair stand on end.

Wolf Shadow squad members drew their curved blades and, without a word, began their slaughter.

The Liu household’s retainers were all cut down.

Yet it wasn’t indiscriminate killing—the slain servants were notorious bullies, abusing their positions as Liu family retainers to oppress the people of Wan City.

Their deaths could be seen as ridding the city of evil.

Liu Xie spared the female servants.

Most of them were decent folk, sold by impoverished families or forcibly brought by the Liu family.

As for Liu Xunshan’s close relatives, Liu Xie left them untouched—for now.

Not because he would never act, but because the time was not yet right.

Watching his men slaughtered, Liu Xunshan trembled inwardly.

He never imagined Liu Xie and his followers would be so ruthless.

In moments, the Liu family’s retainers were all dead.

The courtyard was filled with bodies.

Now, all the Liu family members had come out, trembling behind Liu Xunshan, unable to believe what they saw.

Liu Xunshan was no better; his whole body shook.

“Master Liu, think carefully,” Liu Xie said.

“My purpose is simple: if you do not return Jia Yu’s property, you will die tonight.”

His gaze was deadly.

Liu Xunshan edged away, terror consuming him.

“I—I won’t return it! What can you do to me?” Even now, he believed Liu Xie could do nothing to him.

His confidence came solely from his kinship with Liu Biao of Xiangyang.

“Kill!” Liu Xie ordered without another word.

The Wolf Shadow squad’s curved blades flashed.

Liu Xunshan stood frozen, unmoving.

Moments later, he collapsed to the ground, dead.