IDWBE -Chapter 89 Harsh Punishment Awaits

Built against a low earthen mound, the livestock sheds were packed tight. Horses and donkeys stood in long rows, heads lowered as they drank and ate, the feeding troughs clearly far too few.

Qin Hu sat stiffly beneath a large tree beside the tavern.

He watched the steady stream of guests going in and out, yet still saw no sign of Ge Laoshan.

In the end, his patience wore thin.

But he didn’t dare go inside directly.

He knew very well why he had fled to Sanhe in the first place!

Wasn’t it because he feared Ge Laoshan seeking revenge?

Back then, it was he who had sold Ge Laoshan out in front of Prince He.

Ge Laoshan losing everything overnight—Qin Hu bore part of the blame.

There was no need to say more. Ge Laoshan must hate him to the bone!

Just then, Wang Xing appeared on the street, leading more than a dozen black-clad militiamen on patrol. Qin Hu’s eyes lit up at once.

He hurried over and cupped his fists. “Captain Wang! Long time no see!”

Wang Xing replied, “So it’s Brother Qin. Long time indeed. Not heading out to sea with the fleet?”

If it weren’t for Prince He’s sake, Wang Xing wouldn’t have spared him a second glance.

Qin Hu grinned. “Captain Wang, seeing you really cheers me up. Today’s on me—how about I treat all the brothers to a drink?”

Wang Xing clasped his hands behind his back. “I’m on duty. I can’t drink. Another day.”

“Then no wine—just come in and eat something simple? It’s mealtime anyway.” Qin Hu turned to the militiamen beside him. “Brothers, don’t be shy. Come in together.”

Wang Xing glanced at his men, thought for a moment, then said, “This cursed heat is unbearable. We are tired too. Let’s go in and drink some tea. No food, no wine.”

They had been hunting a notorious bandit these past few days and hadn’t had time for leisure.

If they still failed to catch him, he wouldn’t be able to explain himself to Prince He.

“Please!” Qin Hu was delighted.

His gaze unconsciously swept over a tall man behind Wang Xing—Chen Xinluo.

Wang Xing had once been a spoiled dandy, useless in both civil and martial pursuits. Though he had recently become more motivated, martial arts required great perseverance, and his progress was limited.

Even now, he hadn’t reached the Transforming Force stage.

Everyone knew why he held this position—his father was Wang Cheng.

And for some unknown reason, Prince He favored him.

In the militia, the real backbone consisted of experts who had once served as guards at Prince He’s residence.

Like this Chen Xinluo—under thirty years old, already a peak sixth-rank expert!

It was said he had received personal instruction from Chief Steward Hong.

Seeing him, Qin Hu’s heart finally settled.

He didn’t believe Ge Laoshan would dare act recklessly!

They sat down. The waiter recognized Wang Xing immediately and brought out fine tea without needing to ask.

Qin Hu personally poured tea for them, his eyes constantly darting toward the staircase.

After two pots of tea and some fruit, a thin figure finally descended from upstairs.

Qin Hu looked over. The man looked back at him.

“Chief Ge!” Qin Hu waved enthusiastically.

“After searching everywhere to no avail, we finally meet without effort.”

Ge Laoshan’s hand rested on his blade hilt as he slowly walked toward Qin Hu, his eyes sizing up the black-clad militiamen.

In the end, he let go of the hilt.

Those who wandered the martial world always valued caution above all else. Upon arriving in a new place, it was instinct to learn the local power structure—who ruled the roost, who held authority, whose words carried weight.

Otherwise, with reckless behavior alone, he would never have lived this long.

Qin Hu said smugly, “So Chief Ge recognizes Captain Wang.”

Ge Laoshan suppressed the urge to slash this bastard and snorted coldly. “Captain Wang’s reputation is known to all.”

Wang Xing nodded. “Good that you know me. Baiyun City isn’t like other places. Do not commit crimes here, or you won’t be spared.”

Ge Laoshan cupped his fists respectfully. “Yes. Thank you for the warning, Captain Wang.”

Then he looked at Qin Hu.

Qin Hu grinned. “I’m following Prince He now—living well, eating and drinking fine.”

Ge Laoshan narrowed his eyes. After a long pause, he said, “You’ve got damn good luck.”

“Speak. What are you doing in Baiyun City?” Qin Hu said bluntly. “Otherwise I’ll report you straight to Prince He, and you’ll be done for. Captain Wang, you may not know—this Ge Laoshan used to be the big bandit chief of Fulong Mountain!”

As he spoke, he unconsciously took two steps back.

“Oh?” Wang Xing raised his head and looked at Ge Laoshan again. “Is what Brother Qin says true?”

“It is,” Ge Laoshan said, puffing out his chest. “Prince He himself knows it! Thanks to his guidance, I turned over a new leaf. I now deal in tea. I hope Captain Wang will look after me in the future.”

“That’s for the best.” Wang Xing stood up. His men followed suit, and they left the tavern without a backward glance.

Qin Hu hesitated for a long time. In the end, he didn’t leave. Bracing himself, he said to Ge Laoshan, “Chief Ge, think carefully. This is Baiyun City! Kill someone here, and you pay with your life!”

“Hmph!”

With a clang, Ge Laoshan sheathed his blade. “Take me to see Prince He. Our grudges will be wiped clean.”

“You want to see Prince He?” Qin Hu said arrogantly. “You think you can see him just because you want to?”

Ge Laoshan said, “One question. Yes or no.”

Facing Ge Laoshan’s murderous stare, Qin Hu shrank his neck, rubbing his fingers as he muttered, “I’ll ask for you. But let me say this first—you know what kind of man this Prince is. We’d better not go empty-handed.”

“Of course,” Ge Laoshan replied.

The rice in Sanhe had begun to head.

The rains grew more frequent.

At dusk, the sun gradually sank back behind the mountains.

Sitting at home, Lin Yi could hear a chorus of frogs.

“That’s not right.”

Listening carefully, Lin Yi noticed another sound mixed in with the croaking.

It sounded like a cat’s cry—or like a pig being slaughtered—coming from the courtyard.

He followed the corridor toward the river.

Then he froze.

A river otter was clutching one of the goldfish he kept in the water and feasting on it with gusto.

The bamboo fence upstream had been pushed aside by the little creature!

It wasn’t afraid of people at all—not even trying to run.

“Catch it and skin it alive!” Lin Yi roared.

It ate his beloved goldfish and still dared to act so brazenly!

The moment the words left his mouth, Mingyue leapt lightly across the water and grabbed the otter by the scruff of its neck. Poor thing—until it was lifted out of the water, it still didn’t understand what had happened.

It looked at Lin Yi with innocent eyes.

Lin Yi fumed. “Damn it, don’t play pitiful with me. I won’t fall for it.

“Someone bring rope—tie it up.

“Harsh punishment awaits!”

Ge Laoshan followed Sun Yi cautiously all the way.

When he arrived, the scene before him left him dumbfounded.

A creature that looked like a cross between a rat and a civet had its limbs tied to a tree trunk, its round belly exposed, eyes filled with terror as it let out awful squeaking cries.

Prince He stood there holding a small twig, occasionally stepping forward to poke it while muttering to himself.

Ge Laoshan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

What the hell was this?

Was this man just too idle—or seriously sick in the head?