So Xu Yi had decided to step in again, helping Steward Hu deepen his understanding and get his priorities straight.
After a little work, the results were excellent.
"Yes, yes—no, no, no... I was the one who went too far. I was the one who went too far. You weren't harsh. You really weren't harsh. I—I wouldn't dare take you lightly, even if it meant disowning my own parents. Heaven above, bear witness!"
Steward Hu poured out his heartfelt confession. As he spoke, he even dropped to his knees, looking as if he were swearing an oath to heaven.
Xu Yi pulled him to his feet. "How could I not believe you? All right, go see if those Daoist brothers have finished writing."
The four men from the Righteous Qi Society had been scared witless by Xu Yi's demonic methods. They didn't dare hesitate. They held down the paper, wrote in one swift flourish, then respectfully handed it to Steward Hu.
Steward Hu took it and was about to pass it to Xu Yi, but Xu Yi waved him off. "Keep it. Don't I trust you? Besides, given your position here, it's only right that you keep it."
Steward Hu smiled obsequiously. "You're right. Rest assured, if any of these little punks so much as twitch, I'll make sure they die without a burial place."
Xu Yi nodded with a smile, then crooked a finger at Dong Qingke. "You there. How long are you going to keep playing dead? It's time to settle our score. Are you going to do it yourself, or should I?"
"Do it? Who would dare? Who would dare lay a hand on you?"
Steward Hu was like a cat with its fur standing on end, baring his teeth and shrieking at Dong Qingke.
With a