Chapter 99: Chapter 99 Officials and Bandits are All Family (1)_1 Chapter 99: Chapter 99 Officials and Bandits are All Family (1)_1 Xia Zheng struck Wang Tianba in the stomach with his stick, making him collapse on the ground clutching his belly, curling into a ball unable to move before he tossed away the stick in his hand.
“You, you Little White Face!
Don’t, don’t you know, know who I am?” Though he had fallen to the ground, Wang Tianba was still stubbornly refusing to admit defeat.
He had been bullying his way around Zhuma Town for nearly ten years; to be brought down by this Little White Face and a smelly young girl was infuriating!
So you’ve got a backer?” Xia Zheng resumed his nonchalant demeanor, lifting Wang Tianba’s chin with the tip of his foot and looking down at him, “Spill it, let’s hear who your backer is.
If it’s someone I can’t afford to provoke, maybe I’ll serve you tea and apologize right away.”
Compelled by his foot, Wang Tianba lifted his head, which triggered pain throughout his body.
He sharply inhaled in agony, but he still threw out his last lifeline, “Hmph, hmph!
Do you know who Master Magistrate is?
I, I am the Master Magistrate’s godson!”
He moaned even louder in pain.
“The Master Magistrate’s godson?
My, my, so the Master Magistrate has a godson like you?
Lordy, lordy, you scare me to death,” Xia Zheng mocked as he clutched his chest, pretending to be frightened.
Lin Yuan rolled her eyes exasperatedly.
If only this scoundrel could really be scared to death, that would certainly save some trouble!
“That’s right, the Master Magistrate’s elder son, he is my, my sworn brother.
His dad is naturally my godfather,” Wang Tianba finally managed to lift his face off the ground, spitting out a mouthful of dirt but still not forgetting to tout his connections in hopes of scaring off this Little White Face who had beaten him into a plump pig.
However, he was bound to be disappointed.
“So that’s the kind of godson you are.” Xia Zheng finally understood.
No wonder the constables from the Yamen hadn’t appeared during the commotion; these ruffians must be in cahoots with them.
No sooner had he spoken than they heard a commotion at the end of the street: “What’s all this, what’s all this?
Clear off, clear off, move aside!”
The perpetually untimely Yamen constables had arrived.
Lin Yuan pursed her lips, dusted off her hands, and picked up her cloth bag and the piece of fabric her mother had prepared for her, which was now smeared with mooncake filling and dirty footprints.
If she brought it back , wouldn’t she just be asking for a scolding?
Alas, Lin Yuan sighed deeply, wondering if she should buy a new piece of fabric to cover it up.
“Oh dear, Brother Chen, my dear brother, you’re finally here!” Upon hearing this familiar voice, Wang Tianba was as emotional as if he had seen his own father, tears streaming down his face as he struggled to lift his arm towards the constables for help: “Hurry, save your big brother!
This White Face, he’s nearly beaten me to death!”
The leading constable, who was still looking around for someone, was shocked when a hand suddenly clutched at his pant leg, which caused him to shudder until he recognized the dirt-covered man on the ground who looked like a beaten dog was Wang Tianba.
He squatted down and clutched Wang Tianba’s hand with concern, “Brother Tianba, what happened to you?
Quick, tell your brother who did this to you; I’ll make sure to lock them up in jail and give them a proper welcome!”
Wang Tianba’s tears and snot flowed even more as he sobbed and pointed accusingly at Xia Zheng, who was leisurely fiddling with his Jade Pendant, and Lin Yuan, who was counting her spoiled mooncakes, “Those two!
They defy the law, commit all kinds of evil deeds, and beat up my brothers to such a state, these vile villains.
You must lock them up in the darkest, deepest dungeon, put them in leg irons, brand them with irons, lash them with whips, soak them in salt water…
Hey, brother, why are your legs shaking?