The Double
Chapter 267 - 108 Tyranny_5

Chapter 267: Chapter 108 Tyranny_5

The government soldiers drew their swords in unison, and Ye Mingyu’s men did the same, confronting each other and frightening the innkeeper into hiding under the table.

In the midst of this tense standoff, the beauty chuckled lightly. Jiang Li walked forward, extending a finger, and ever so gently nudged aside the sword tip the government officer had pointed at Ye Mingyu.

Her delicate, onion-shaped fingers were soft yet white, resting on the cold, hard sword tip that shone with a silver light. Rather than seeming fragile, they exuded an elegant chill. However, her smile was as warm as the sword tip was not. She wasn’t the least bit afraid of the soldiers and said lightly with a laugh, "Uncle, stop joking around. Officer, we’re not looking for the criminal Xue Huaiyuan," she emphasized the word "criminal" quite heavily before continuing, "What we’re seeking is your superior."

"Our superior?" The leader of the government soldiers furrowed his brow, "What do you mean?"

"It’s quite simple," Jiang Li said, "I have no idea where your superior is, nor how to invite him here. Even less do I know how to let him know of our arrival. I heard that if I just mention the Xue Family’s matter here, your superior would appear. So, I mentioned it, and indeed, like magic, you showed up."

While her smile was adorable, the sarcasm in her words choked the soldiers, their faces turning red and then white. Yet, they could not refute Jiang Li’s words; to refute would be to admit guilt, causing them much frustration.

"Enough with the nonsense!" The head soldier was becoming infuriated, "Why are you looking for our superior? What’s your scheme?"

"Actually, had I not come looking for your superior, he certainly would have come to invite me upon knowing I was in Tongxiang," Jiang Li said nonchalantly, "However, we’re pressed for time on this trip, so we urgently need to meet him."

Ye Mingyu, impatient, said, "Jiang Li, why bother talking so much with them? Lead the way quickly and let us meet this good-for-nothing superior!"

The leader of the government soldiers, probably not used to being dismissed in such a manner, let out a sardonic laugh and said, "Do you think you can just meet our superior whenever you wish? Who do you think you are? You speak so arrogantly without even knowing your connection to the criminal Xue Huaiyuan." He gestured with a wave of his hand, "Take them all away!"

Jiang Li laughed, countering, "Are you sure you want to do that?"

The officer looked at her with disdain, ready to retort, but then his eyes caught sight of the Feicui earring hanging by Jiang Li’s earlobe and suddenly he closed his mouth.

The Feicui earring was completely green, the color fresh and dripping, clearly very valuable. He remembered that the favored concubine of his superior had a bracelet of inferior quality to this earring, and even for that bracelet, the superior had paid a hefty price to obtain it.

This young girl barely fifteen or sixteen years old was dressed extremely elegantly, especially her eyes and brows which displayed a genteel spirit befitting someone raised in a wealthy household. Even walking on the streets of Tongxiang, she was a noteworthy presence. Moreover, the man she referred to as "Uncle," although a rough-looking, tall fellow, had a long knife with a handle adorned with a ruby the size of a pigeon’s egg.

This group’s status was not ordinary, at the very least they weren’t from a common household. The soldier had a sudden realization, and looking back at Jiang Li, he felt a lack of confidence.

But in front of so many people, and especially in front of his subordinates, backing down just like that seemed too much of a blow to his pride. After quickly weighing his options, the leader of the government soldiers still decided to deliver some tough talk. But before he could utter a word, he saw the girl in front of him looking at her fingertips leisurely, as if saying, "If I were you, I’d take advantage of my current amiable mood and lead the way, otherwise..." She lifted her head and smiled sweetly at him, "The unfortunate one will certainly not be us."

Despite her seemingly harmless demeanor, at that moment, the leader of the soldiers indeed perceived the malice behind the young girl’s smile. He had an intuition that if he did not comply with Jiang Li’s request, the outcome might very well turn out as she described.

He had no wish to be the unfortunate one.

After scrutinizing Jiang Li and her companions again, he put on a stern face and stiffly commanded, "Take them to see the superior!" Perhaps feeling he had lost face, he quickly walked to the front of the line, no longer willing to glance at Jiang Li.

Perhaps he also felt that looking on would not put him in an advantageous position. Regardless, in terms of presence, he could not shake the resolve of this delicate girl.

Ye Mingyu gave Jiang Li a meaningful look and said softly, "That’s impressive, Jiang Li. You have that unflappable demeanor of your Uncle from back in the day. Not bad!"

Tonger patted her chest, "Miss, you scared me to death. Those soldiers were so aggressive... It’s amazing how you dared to face off with them."

Jiang Li smiled faintly, "Just paper tigers." She had grown up with Xue Huaiyuan, seeing plenty of soldiers. Those uncles and brothers, once out of their official uniforms, were nothing more than ordinary citizens who would buy her sweets and fight bullies for her.

To Jiang Li, men in official uniforms were usually the most familiar sight.

But the soldiers who came today were not the uncles and brothers she knew; every face was completely unfamiliar. Without a doubt, Xue Huaiyuan’s men had been purged, replaced by those who now obeyed the "superior" of today.

She was curious to see just who was this "superior," who dared to play the tyrant in Tongxiang, act with impunity, and eagerly serve as Yongning’s watchdog.