Each to Their Own Clash, Hand Her Over!

The moment Shangguan Liuyun said this, some of the townsfolk showed little reaction, but the older ones had already gone pale.

The young might not have known, but the elders understood clearly: before the Shangguan Family's caravans entered Dongjiang City, this place had been desperately short of supplies.

No matter how the barren land nearby was cultivated, it yielded pitifully little, unable to sustain Dongjiang City's needs.

Moreover, things like salt, cloth, and medicinal herbs had all first been brought in by the Shangguan Family's caravans.

Without the Shangguan Family, Dongjiang City would likely return to the days when people could not even fill their bellies.

What was even more troublesome was that, thanks to the supplies continuously brought in by the Shangguan Family over the years, Dongjiang City's population had grown rapidly, multiplying several times over compared to years ago.

Without the Shangguan Family's supplies, Dongjiang City's fate...

For a moment, the townsfolk crowding the entire street fell silent as cicadas in winter.

At that moment, Xu San at the front was also full of anxiety. Others might not know, but how could he not?

But was this right?

Wasn't the Shangguan Family part of the righteous martial world?

Weren't these self-proclaimed martial heroes all people who cherished their feathers?

As long as innocent commoners were brought out, wouldn't they be willing to leap into mountains of blades and seas of fire?

They were merely asking him to hand over one woman from the Shangguan Family. Why did he have to bring calamity upon Dongjiang City?

No, he could not let him do this. Otherwise, Xu San would surely meet no good end.

Yet before Xu San could speak, a thread of chill rode in on the wind, and Huang Lingyan drifted over.

"What has made Brother Liuyun so angry that you would cut off the lifeblood supplies of Dongjiang City?"

Shangguan Liuyun did not even look at Huang Lingyan. He said blandly, "Everyone, continue if you wish. If anything happens to my little sister today, I will make every one of you pay the price!"

Hearing this, Xu San panicked and looked toward Liu He beside him. Yet Liu He remained unhurried, merely smiling at Huang Lingyan.

"Hehe, Brother Shangguan, saying such things before me, the city lord—are you not taking me rather lightly?"

"Since City Lord Huang refuses to leave the Shangguan Family a path to live, why should I, Shangguan Liuyun, be polite?"

"Good~"

Huang Lingyan sneered. "Though Brother Shangguan may be heartless and unjust, I, Huang, as the city lord of Dongjiang City, will not disregard the lives of an entire city's people."

As he spoke, Huang Lingyan looked at everyone present. "Do not worry, everyone. I, Huang, have already contacted many merchants. Even without the Shangguan Family's caravans, you need not worry about having no goods to use."

Having said that, Huang Lingyan turned to look at Shangguan Liuyun, seemingly hoping to see a different emotion on his face.

And just as he had expected, Shangguan Liuyun's face was now full of disbelief.

"Impossible. How could you possibly find merchants?"

"Hehe, there is no need for Brother Shangguan to concern himself with that."

"Damn it! Don't even think about taking my sister away!"

Before his words had faded, Shangguan Liuyun moved to take Shangguan Xiyun away. But Huang Lingyan was faster; with a raise of his hand, frost surged forth and blocked Shangguan Liuyun's path.

"Everyone, do what you wish to do. I, Huang, will be your greatest support!"

With such assurance from the city lord, these people found their courage. Under Xu San's lead, they immediately pushed the prison cart toward the city gates.

Not long after leaving the city, they saw several riders waiting in the distance.

Seeing this, Xu San immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands toward them. "May I ask if you are heroes from Feng Hui Mountain?"

"Hmph, old man, you do know how to talk. We are the Fierce Wind Bandits—what are you going to do about it?"

Once he confirmed their identities, Xu San repeatedly said he would not dare, then continued, "May I ask where First Boss Wang is? We came to—"

"Hmph! What are you? Is our First Boss someone you can see whenever you please?"

"Let me tell you, First Boss already gave you plenty of face by not making you send the person all the way to Feng Hui Mountain. Hand her over, now!"

"This..."

Xu San hesitated. They had originally agreed to hand the person personally to Wang Dingtian, but the one who had come was merely a small-time lackey. That left him feeling uneasy.

"What? You don't want to hand her over?"

"No, no, no... it isn't that... it's just..."

"Just? Fine, then keep her yourselves. When the Fierce Wind Bandits start paying frequent visits to Dongjiang City in the future, don't say us brothers failed to warn you beforehand."

With that, the man waved to the people behind him and prepared to turn his horse back.

Xu San immediately grew anxious. He represented the townsfolk of the city; if these negotiations fell apart, he would be in deep trouble.

Left with no choice, Xu San looked again at Bai Xiushi Liu He beside him.

"Hehehehe, brother, please wait."

The moment Liu He spoke, his figure flashed, and he blocked the path before their horses, cupping his hands in greeting.

The men's expressions darkened. This white-robed scholar's cultivation was not shallow; that display of lightness skill alone had been extraordinary. With their path blocked, they could not help becoming wary.

But remembering that person's instructions, one of them immediately said coldly, "What? Is Dongjiang City planning to keep even us brothers here and thoroughly tear faces with the Fierce Wind Bandits?"

"Haha, this hero must be joking. The people of Dongjiang City greatly admire all you heroes of the greenwood. How could there be any talk of tearing faces?"

"However, when word was sent to First Boss Wang that day, First Boss said he would come personally. Why is there no sign of First Boss today?"

The men exchanged glances. Then one of them revealed a ferocious look and said, "You seem to understand courtesy. Don't you know that not everything can be asked?"

Then, after letting out a soft sigh, he spoke again. "Fine. There is no harm in telling you. Just yesterday, First Boss received word and tracked down the whereabouts of the brat who killed Second Boss and Third Boss."

"First Boss was burning for revenge, so he personally led men there. That is why he sent us here instead."

"Rest assured. First Boss gave instructions that we will take good care of this woman and will not break the agreement."

Upon hearing this, Liu He showed a look of understanding, then smiled again. "May I ask where that thief is? That person—"

"Hey!" The leader cut Liu He off. "You are truly rude. We answered one question only out of respect for First Boss. If you keep pestering us, take the person away today. If anything happens later, you will bear the responsibility yourself!"

Having said that, he truly prepared to ride away.

"Hero, please wait!" Liu He hurriedly called him back. A vicious gleam flashed through his eyes before vanishing, but he still said with a smile, "My apologies, my apologies. This scholar asked too much. Please, take the person away."

As he spoke, Liu He waved his hand, signaling for the prison cart to be sent over.

"Hmph, at least you know what's good for you... Zhang Lao San, you and Third Boss once pursued this woman. Go see whether these people randomly caught someone to pass off as her."

"Right away."

Zhang Lao San walked before Shangguan Xiyun and looked her over from left to right. At last, he said uncertainly, "She looks quite similar, but she was very beautiful when I saw her that day. This one looks a bit uglier."

"You bastard, who are you calling ugly?!"

When Shangguan Xiyun heard someone call her ugly, she immediately flew into a towering rage.

"Eh! That temperament does resemble her—just that same fiery disposition!"

"Enough. If she's the right person, leave already. That woman we abducted up the mountain two days ago was quite tender and lovely. Today, it is only right that I get a taste of her."

With that, they no longer paid Liu He any mind. Zhang Lao San drove the prison cart while the others rode alongside it.

Only after the group gradually disappeared into the distance did Xu San walk to Liu He's side and ask, "Was there a problem?"

"Nothing. It was merely a precaution."

Liu He had indeed observed them a while longer, but every last one of that group carried themselves like genuine bandits from head to toe. They could not possibly have been disguising themselves on short notice, so he naturally had no further suspicions.

Just then, an unwilling roar rang out from within Dongjiang City: "Damn it! Yun'er, don't be afraid! Elder Brother will definitely save you!"