TGCFNM -Chapter 326 Decisive and Ruthless

Chu Ling looked at Lian Wu.

“Did you hear that, General?”

Lian Wu clenched his fists and said in a deep voice, “I heard it.”

“What crime did these soldiers commit? And what crime did their families commit?” Chu Ling paused, choked up, and asked, “General, can you tell me—what crime did they commit?”

Chu Ling reached out and looked toward Su He.

Su He handed over a copy of the autopsy report.

Chu Ling opened the report, took a deep breath, and slowly said, “Fuxiang, seventeen years old, of low status, made a living through performing arts, cause of death…”

“Cause of death: humiliated during her life; bruising on her neck from strangulation, fractured cervical bones. In addition, fractured shoulder blades, kneecaps, and ankles… arms broken, three stab wounds in the abdomen, whip marks on the back… General, I can’t read any further. Could you see it for yourself?”

Chu Ling trembled as he reached out toward Lian Wu.

Lian Wu stepped forward heavily, took the autopsy report, and examined it carefully.

“General, this is only one person,” Chu Ling said softly. “There are thirty-seven more.”

Lian Wu, furious, clenched the report tightly and stormed toward Lian Ci, startling Madam Lian, who quickly shielded him in her arms.

“She was just a weak girl! How could you be so cruel? Are you the reincarnation of a beast?” Lian Wu gritted his teeth, filled with hatred.

Madam Lian struggled, “It—it was just a bit too harsh… originally, originally at home…” Her expression changed, and she suddenly fell silent.

But Lian Wu seemed to realize something. His lips trembled as he asked in disbelief, “It was… Nanny Zhao, my wet nurse… you said… you said she returned to her hometown?”

Madam Lian dared not look at Lian Wu, lowering her head and protecting Lian Ci tightly with her arms.

Chu Ling looked coldly at Lian Ci. “Some people are just born rotten. When their family falls, they dare nothing; once they have a bit of power, they put no one in their eyes. People like this—sooner or later, they’d even dare to kill their own parents.”

“What nonsense are you talking! You’re just a lowly county magistrate!” Lian Ci shouted.

“You, who have now been stripped of your military post and are merely a civilian, why shouldn’t I speak?” Chu Ling said coldly.

Suddenly, Madam Lian released Lian Ci and knelt directly before Lian Wu. “Consider it a plea from your mother. In this life, I beg only this one thing from you. If your younger brother dies, I cannot go on living.”

“When you married my Song Lian off to someone else, did you ever think that I wouldn’t be able to live either?” Lian Wu asked, lowering his eyes.

Madam Lian said firmly, “Once I return to the capital, I will annul Song Lian’s engagement to Lian Ci. I will let Song Lian marry you. I agree.”

Lian Ci, standing nearby, gritted his teeth with hatred, his eyes red as he glared at Lian Wu.

Lian Wu glanced at him casually and asked with a smile, “Still not convinced?”

Lian Ci snorted and turned his head away.

Lian Wu slowly turned, took a golden immunity token from his clothes, and looked at Chu Ling. “I’ve always carried this death-exemption token with me.”

Madam Lian saw hope and quickly helped Lian Ci up.

Lian Ci also exhaled in relief. This little county magistrate wanted him to pay, and Song Lian… he must marry her, maybe even kill her and throw her onto Lian Wu’s bed.

Lian Wu placed the death-exemption token and the autopsy report together on the table.

Chu Ling looked at him. “General, what do you mean by this?”

Lian Wu smiled bitterly. “I feel ridiculous. Although it seems like my mother indulged him, in truth, I was an accomplice too, which created this demon and even gave him power.”

Chu Ling nodded; indeed, that was true.

Lian Wu slowly turned to look at Lian Ci. “He acts so recklessly because he believes no one dares to touch him. After all, he’s of the Lian family—who would risk offending them at a time like this? But for the long-term legacy of the Lian family, it’s necessary to clear out some rotten flesh.”

Madam Lian gasped and lunged forward frantically.

“Master Chu, I offer this golden pardon token to you. As for Lian Ci’s life, allow me to take it myself!”

With that, Lian Wu strode forward, effortlessly swatting Madam Lian aside.

She fell heavily to the ground, screaming in agony.

Lian Wu ignored her entirely, lifted the tightly bound Lian Ci with one hand, walked through the crowd, and threw him onto the street outside.

Chu Ling clutched the golden pardon token and rushed out.

Madam Lian, ignoring her pain, ran out crying and shouting.

Lian Wu drew a large blade from a soldier’s waist and, looking down at the kneeling Lian Ci, asked coldly, “Do you know your crime?”

Lian Ci’s eyes widened in terror. “Lian Wu, you wouldn’t dare kill me! You wouldn’t! If you kill me, Father and Mother will hate you forever! You kill your own brother—you’ll meet a terrible end!”

Madam Lian shrieked, “Lian Wu, if you dare kill your brother, I’ll fight you to the death… ah!”

Su He quietly withdrew his foot that had tripped Madam Lian, then, seeing her sprawled on the ground, kicked her once more.

Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin, seeing this, each delivered an additional kick.

Lian Wu’s eyes were ice, his expression merciless as he swung the blade down…

“Ah—”

A sharp, agonized scream pierced the air. Madam Lian, seeing Lian Ci’s head roll toward her, screamed in horror and immediately fainted.

Lian Wu calmly wiped the blood from his blade on the fallen body and returned it to the soldier.

“Your decisiveness and ruthlessness in eliminating threats for the sake of honor is admirable, General,” Chu Ling said, bowing.

Lian Wu looked at Chu Ling. “Master Chu, you are brave and clever, every step well thought out. Even if I had known, I couldn’t have escaped your strategy—you are truly formidable.”

Chu Ling smiled. “I’ll just take that as the General’s compliment.”

“Since Master Chu is handling matters for Prince Rui, you should be heading to the capital, yes?” Lian Wu asked.

Chu Ling nodded firmly. “I am going to the capital.”

Lian Wu suddenly smiled. “I look forward to it. Also, please deliver a message to the Song family: Song Lian will marry me in this lifetime. I will achieve great success, leaving her with no worries.”

Chu Ling bowed. “I will deliver the message. Furthermore, I guarantee that no one will dare approach Miss Song.”

Lian Wu waved and summoned several men. “Escort my mother back to the mansion. Let her do as she pleases—if she wants to seek death, so be it. If she wants to return to the capital, she may. But make sure she knows this: my father’s concubine’s son is five this year, and he is very clever. If she wants to claim the inheritance, let her try.”

“Yes, General.”

The soldiers brought the horses. Lian Wu mounted swiftly, bowed to Chu Ling, and spurred his horse forward, leaving immediately.

Ghost Scholar cast a long glance. “Decisive and ruthless, truly fit for great responsibilities. The Emperor’s judgment is sound.”

Chu Ling was momentarily taken aback and looked toward Ghost Scholar.

Ghost Scholar smiled lightly. “Since you are heading to the capital, remember this: even a toothless tiger is still a tiger. One swipe from him, and rivers of blood could flow.”

Chu Ling clenched the golden pardon token in her hand.

Is that so? Then I’ll have to go to the capital myself to see with my own eyes.