"This..."
Captain Chen wore an equally troubled expression. At this moment, he did not dare threaten Jiang Che with the might of the Cao Gang, because comparatively speaking, Zhu Sheng was even more formidable.
Otherwise, Kou Yuansheng would not have been seeking an audience with Zhu Sheng.
He merely wanted to divide up the benefits and did not wish to become overly entangled in the struggle between him and Magistrate Zhao.
"What if it is only that Protector Wang?"
"This... would still be difficult. That fellow pointed at me and called me a stinking fisherman in front of so many people. Brother Chen, if it were you, what would you do? If I let him go so easily,
then I fear any stray cat or dog would dare piss on my head in the future. Where would my dignity be? Where would my reputation be?"
Well, once he put it that way, Captain Chen, an old hand at officialdom for many years, knew Jiang Che was about to open his mouth like a lion.
Yet he could not refuse, so he could only continue.
"Could Brother Jiang give me some face?"
"Of course I must give Brother Chen face, but..."
Jiang Che put on a thoughtful expression.
"Name your terms."
Captain Chen stated his position directly.
"I heard there are quite a few martial artists in the cells. Jiang here is something of a martial arts fanatic, always pursuing higher realms and greater strength. In my spare time, I enjoy finding people to spar with.
But you also know there are only a few people in the West City Martial Camp who can exchange blows with me. I do not want to stir up trouble in the other camps either, so I would like a few prisoner sparring partners. What do you think?"
Jiang Che naturally intended to seize this chance to gather some sacrifices.
Captain Chen had the ability to arrange it.
"There are not many in the cells who can trade blows with Brother Jiang."
Captain Chen shook his head. Today, he had witnessed Jiang Che's strength firsthand. Being able to force Yu Zongping back with a single punch meant his strength was almost no weaker than Captain Chen's own. Yet there were currently no such experts in the cells.
Besides, he oversaw the constabulary, not the prison.
"Then I will take a step back. Inner Breath Realm prisoners will do. At worst, let them join forces."
Jiang Che shook his head "helplessly."
"Inner Breath Realm..." Captain Chen's gaze shifted slightly. After hesitating for several breaths, he continued.
"How many does Brother Jiang want?"
"Not many. Three will do. Any fewer would be no fun."
"Fine. I will think of a way. I will give you an answer tonight."
Captain Chen nodded.
"Good. Then Jiang shall await your good news."
Jiang Che smiled faintly.
"Jiang Che said that if you want to rescue your brother-in-law, it will take at least this much." Captain Chen wore a grave expression as he held up two fingers.
"Two hundred taels? Why does that Jiang fellow not just go rob someone?"
Yu Zongping slammed his palm onto the table with a bang, his face full of fury.
Two hundred taels was absolutely no small sum. Based on his monthly stipend, he would need to save for at least several years—naturally, that was excluding the other ways he had of making money.
Even so, it was still not something ordinary people could afford.
"This is already very little. Jiang Che originally asked for five hundred taels. He only lowered it to two hundred out of consideration for my face, brother." Captain Chen looked helpless.
As the middleman, naturally he could not help Yu Zongping for nothing.
For three Inner Breath Realm martial artists, he would have to spend at least a hundred taels greasing the right palms in the prison before he could forcibly arrange for those men to die silently in their cells.
Earning only half was already very conscientious of him.
"No. That is far too much silver, and it is only for Cheng En alone. If he is willing to return all those goods, then it would be more acceptable."
Yu Zongping gave a cold snort.
"Brother Yu, let me remind you of something. Your brother-in-law has had an arm severed. If you do not get him out quickly, he will die in the West City prison within a few days."
Captain Chen reminded him with great solemnity.
"Damn it."
Yu Zongping clenched his fists. After weighing the pros and cons for several breaths, he finally exhaled a breath of Turbid Air.
"Two hundred taels it is. Let that brat extort a sum for now. I want to see how long he can stay pleased with himself." Yu Zongping's face darkened, a streak of ruthlessness showing in his eyes.
"Fine, I will handle it right away."
Captain Chen rejoiced inwardly and immediately nodded, preparing to take his leave.
The moment he pushed open the door, he saw a woman in a plain-colored long dress standing anxiously outside. Captain Chen recognized her, and cupped his hands in greeting.
"My lord, why has my brother been thrown into prison? I heard someone even severed one of his arms. You must save him! Our Wang Family has only this one heir!"
Madam Wang threw herself into Yu Zongping's arms, her tears falling like pear blossoms in the rain.
"That is enough. Stop crying. I have already asked someone to rescue him."
Yu Zongping gently stroked Madam Wang's back as he comforted her in a soft voice.
"Thank you, my lord."
"We are family. Why be so polite?"
"Who was the one who severed my brother's arm? Can we find a way to cripple him? My brother has been proud since childhood. He cannot endure such humiliation." Madam Wang continued to sob.
"The one who arrested your brother and crippled him is the same person. His name is Jiang Che, the newly appointed Deputy Commander of the West City. But we cannot touch him for now. He has backing. When there is an opportunity later, naturally we cannot let him off."
The moment Yu Zongping mentioned Jiang Che, his expression swiftly turned ugly.
"A mere deputy commander is that difficult to deal with?"
"An ordinary deputy commander would not be, of course. But this brat is different. I told you, he has backing. Even the Gang Leader cannot move him lightly. Do not secretly cause trouble for me."
Yu Zongping warned her with a stern expression.
He had personally met with the Gang Leader already, and the Gang Leader had warned him of the same thing.
"I understand. By the way, what did you say that deputy commander's name was?" Madam Wang nodded, then seemed to recall something and raised her head to ask.
"Jiang Che. Jiang as in rivers and lakes, Che as in thorough. He used to be a fisherman on the Qinglin River."
"Jiang Che."
Madam Wang frowned slightly. For some reason, the name felt familiar, as though she had heard it somewhere before.
"Brother Jiang, I have brought the people. Go ahead and inspect them first."
At the West City Martial Camp, Captain Chen pointed at the people beside him, who were under guard with sacks over their heads.
Jiang Che nodded and stepped forward, squeezing each of their shoulders in turn to confirm they were correct.
These Inner Breath Realm martial artists did not look like much on the surface, but once one came close enough to touch them, one could feel a faint current of air surging through their bodies and continuously circulating around them.
"Brother Chen truly is a man of his word. Good, wait here for now."
Jiang Che nodded and had Geng Dabiao take the men away first, ensuring that Captain Chen would not change his mind shortly. Then he brought Xu San'er and the others to the prison.
Wang Chengen opened his eyes and hurriedly shouted.
"Jiang Che, you... you said you would let me go as long as I confessed."
"What exactly did I say at the time?"
Jiang Che looked at him with an amused expression.
"You asked me whether I wanted to die or... wanted to live..."
Wang Chengen's voice caught, as though he had foreseen something.
"Yes, I asked whether you wanted to die or live. But did I promise that I would definitely let you live? I was only asking casually." Jiang Che grinned, then turned to Xu San'er and asked.
"Old Xu, I heard that this Protector Wang could not bear the humiliation and bit off his tongue to commit suicide. Is that so?"
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