While Big Bro is Away
Neither Lu Jianqiu nor Li Shoulin had any respect for another martial artist of Jiangnan in their age bracket, but they could not help sizing up Tang Ye. It was not just a question of Tang Ye’s skill, but there was also the fact that they never heard about a cool-looking guy staying at Yan Manor. Even if Tang Ye was not another guy trying to court Song Yanluo, they could not accept the risk of her taking a liking to him, hence forming a new united front against a common enemy.
Being the more socially apt of the two, Lu Jianqiu queried, “May I ask for the esteemed name of the one who dares to interfere in our lame business?”
“Liu Shan Men’s Tang Ye.”
There was nothing to gain out of hiding his identity. Besides, since Yan Buer was the local magistrate, it would have been easier for Tang Ye to utilise connections once he identified himself. As for Song Yanluo, there was no need to hide his identity from someone belonging to the martial world.
Tang Ye did not have taboos about offending so-and-so. He only followed Ming Feizhen’s orders when the latter was around. Without Ming Feizhen’s leadership, Tang Ye never hesitated to opt for the more efficient route.
Lu Jianqiu sneered. “You only answered one question. What’s the matter? Your courage is only enough to go around sneak attacking people when you don’t have to face the repercussions?”
Lu Jianqiu restored rational thought once he expelled the freezing energy from his body. Although it was impressive for Tang Ye to get in between them, the audible stimulus did slow them down, so accuracy and perceptiveness aside, there was nothing to suggest that Tang Ye was the superior fighter. If Tang Ye was truly superior, there was no need to first distract them with his voice; he could have leapt right in between them and flicked their weapons away, forcing them to retreat. Seeing as Tang Ye was not necessarily superior, not to mention all the support he had behind him, he saw no logic in fearing Tang Ye.
That was half correct. The missing part was that Tang Ye’s internal energy truly exceeded their levels, except he could blast but not retract. The shout simply caused them to misjudge his timing. It took him everything he had to flick their weapons off course – actually took him to the edge of losing control. Had he thrown two more attacks – hit or miss – his two qis would have started running amok inside him.
Tang Ye’s lack of fear for the two of them made him look cooler, which only triggered them more. “Do you think you are above the law and can unlawful hold a gang war and ride inside a city, not to mention right at the doors of a magistrate’s office, because of your family backgrounds?”
“What’s it to you? Are you a relative of Yan Family, or are you acting the fool to get close to Yanluo?”
“I’ve made myself very clear already.” Tang Ye looked at the duo as if they were too moronic to understand what was common sense and continued, “I’m Liu Shan Men’s Tang Ye. You’re members of the martial world. You have broken the law, and I am here to apprehend you.”
Tang Ye initially called for them to halt due to the risks of injecting more unpredictable outcomes into the current situation in Hangzhou. The other reason was a bit too messy for even himself to explain concisely. Perhaps it was just his sense of justice acting out. If he did not step in when they were disturbing the peace of Hangzhou, then he would be too ashamed to accept his salary as a constable of Liu Shan Men.
“Arrest me?” Li Shoulin rhetorically questioned. “You would dare despite knowing who I am?”
“You are the scion of a military family and the imperial family.” Tang Ye bobbed his head whilst wearing a disdainful expression. “If I must arrest someone, you are first.”
Li Shoulin laughed hysterically. “Liu Shan Men thinks they can do as they fancy now, huh? Fine! Come arrest me if you have what it takes!”
Lu Jianqiu could not rub the smirk off his face even if he tried. If the two did start fighting, he planned to stir the pot further.
Tang Ye smirked more condescendingly than ever. If they had to start a physical confrontation, his only hope was to run back to the inn to call for reinforcements. There was no need for Hong Jiu to personally get involved; the sentries were more than enough to put away the hundred-odd here making a scene. If he could just land a punch on their faces, then there would be a way out as long as he did not get dragged into a legitimate fight.
“Enough.” Song Yanluo ambled over from behind Tang Ye. “Have you not had enough?”
Li Shoulin and Lu Jianqiu were enamoured with Song Yanluo’s bossy attitude on her graceful appearance. In contrast, she ignored them and approached Tang Ye to courteously say, “Mr. Tang, please allow me to apologise for my previous attitude. I was unaware you were fair constable on duty. Please allow me to make a request.”
Tang Ye was bewildered as to why Song Yanluo suddenly started behaving so courteously and what that had to do with his work. On account of her identity, though, he nodded and obliged.
“Hey! Didn’t you say you’re not interested in her?!”
“Y-Yanluo, you…”
“What? You’re so annoying.”
The two of them beamed as soon as she turned to them.
Song Yanluo sighed. “All you two know is fight, fight, fight. You never do anything meaningful unlike others…”
Lu Jianqiu immediately blurted, “Who does ‘others’ refer to? Who?” He cast his gaze over to Tang Ye and exclaimed, “It’s you!”
LI Shoulin thundered, “How dare you be the ‘other’ when you’re just a mere constable!”
“Not me.” Tang Ye shrugged. Since Ming Feizhen’s identity had yet to be revealed, he said, “It’s my servant.”
“Servant?!” Li Shoulin and Lu Jianqu looked to Song Yanluo, who tacitly agreed with silence.
“Your servant? What did your servant do?”
“He…” Tang Ye did not know what happened between Ming Feizhen and Song Yanluo, so he pieced together the fragments of information he had and answered, “… is probably willing to die for her… something like that?”
Lu Jianqiu and Li Shoulin: “Who is he?! What’s his name?!”
“Detective Ming? Uh… he’s currently working on a case?”
“That’s called upholding justice! Look at you two; all you two do all day is fight,” added Song Yanluo.
Lu Jianqiu and Li Shoulin gave each other a nod, turned around in the directions they came and left.
Tang Ye was surprised they were so well-behaved, but he was glad that he did not have to fight.
“They’re going to go even further now,” Song Yanluo lamented.
“Huh?”
Previous Chapter l Next Chapter
