Chapter 1042: Chapter 651, Just Ask to Know
Li Rong’s intervention caused the descending temple guards to halt in their tracks.
Here, it wasn’t only the church’s temple guards; there were also many protectors from the Mage Association arranged to guard Li Rong.
If both sides really started fighting, it was still uncertain who would have the advantage.
“Li Rong, are you defending him? Could it be that you ordered him to assassinate?” Xu Haide roared furiously upon seeing Li Rong’s obstruction.
He had suspected her of murder before.
Now that she was defending this man, the first thing that came to his mind was this possibility.
“Defend my ass, you say assassination just like that? Besides, I didn’t see him assassinating you, I only saw me holding a banquet here, and you beating someone up,” Li Rong retorted with no less force.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I was entertaining guests in the private room when he and several others disguised themselves to sneak in with the intent to murder. I ordered the guards to capture them to prevent the situation from worsening. Are you going to make trouble out of this too?” Xu Haide said coldly.
The church’s guards and the Mage Association’s protectors stood at opposite ends.
They looked as if they were on the verge of drawing weapons against each other.
In the midst of them, the ‘assassin’ who had tumbled down the stairs also staggered to his feet.
Despite his numerous injuries, he still appeared capable of holding out for a while.
Soon, people in the crowd recognized Xu Yuanhang, as he had been going to Chinatown these past few days, leaving an impression on many.
They began to whisper among themselves.
“Xu Yuanhang, wasn’t it said that he came to seek Xu Haide’s help? How did he become an assassin?”
“Yeah, I heard he had it tough too, coming all the way to seek assistance from the council.”
“What’s going on? He arrives in Silver Wing City and attempts an assassination? That’s some serious grudge.”
Murmurs and discussions rose up in the hall.
The transmigrators were quietly guessing, wondering how things had turned out this way.
“Pah!” Xu Yuanhang, staggering to his feet, was overwhelmed with a surge of rage and sorrow. He had intended to seek Xu Haide’s help, but never expected that these people had already conspired together.
His attempted assassination had failed because Xu Haide had played the protector, saving those beasts.
Taking a deep breath, he shouted, “Those people are from Wakoku; they hijacked my ship at sea, locked me and dozens of citizens onboard, and left us to drown alive. I was lucky to survive and came to Silver Wing City looking for Xu Haide’s help, only to find them here, drinking and chatting. Today, I, Xu Yuanhang, admit defeat, but I will not rest as a ghost; I won’t let you get away with this, and you, Xu Haide, how dare you claim to be a ‘transmigrator’ representative, you double-dealer.”
Whoosh!!
As these words were spoken, the transmigrators present erupted into an uproar.
That explains it!
Xu Yuanhang had been around for several days, first approaching the council and then Xu Haide.
Now, with the assassination attempt failed, it turns out that the people by Xu Haide’s side were the very murderers he had been searching for.
Just having become the ‘transmigrator representative’, he was already sheltering outsiders and bullying his own kind.
How could this be?
“What do you mean by this, Xu Haide?”
“You’re acting quite mighty as a representative, collaborating with outsiders, huh?”
“I thought you could achieve something noteworthy, psh!”
One after another, questions rang out in the hall.
There were forty to fifty people here, and they all directed their hostility towards Xu Haide, causing beads of sweat to form on his forehead.
He didn’t know there was such a mess.
He couldn’t out argue so many people on his own.
He could only frown, as his gaze fell on Shi He Ming and the others behind him.
Under the watchful eyes of all, Shi He Ming’s heart also leapt in an instant; he had never imagined that Xu Yuanhang would survive.
And that he had come to Silver Wing City to confront him.
But at this moment, there was no way he could admit to this matter.
Not to mention his own safety, the negotiation between the Sea Tribe and the Federation hadn’t been finalized.
If he bungled it, the Sea Tribe could very well execute him upon his return.
Coughing lightly, he spoke in less than perfect Chinese, “This man is lying. His own ship was that of pirates, preying on nearby vessels. It happened to be encountered by us, and during the battle, we sunk it. Now you actually chase us here and say we took your things, how ridiculous.”
“You’re the pirates,” Xu Yuanhang retorted angrily.
“We represent the Sea Tribe in negotiations with the Federation, and we sail on the ships of the Sea Tribe; the Sea Tribe can vouch for us, whether we robbed you or you are the pirate,” Shi He Ming shouted back with no less force.
The Wakoku people chimed in, “Seeking revenge for your subordinates? Don’t you know it was your own actions that killed them?”
Anxiety surged in Xu Yuanhang’s heart, and he spewed out a mouthful of blood.
His demeanor became even more listless.
Hearing Shi He Ming’s words, Xu Haide also relaxed quite a bit.
Having a reason was good.
Even if there were conflicts between the two nations, as long as there was a legitimate reason, it was easier for him to deal with.
“Both parties have their own arguments, but this person has committed assault before our eyes. I’ll take him back for interrogation to find out what really happened,” Xu Haide proposed.
His words were logical and well-founded.
If the truth couldn’t be discerned, it made sense to take the person away for further investigation.
But Li Rong still refused to back down, “You can’t take him away. Once he’s gone, things won’t be clear anymore.”
“Li Rong, what are you trying to imply? How long do you intend to persist here?” Xu Haide exclaimed in anger.
“What am I implying? Everyone is well aware of how your church operates. Once you take him away, will he still be alive to return?”
…
“Damn, is Sister Li that fierce, practically accusing the church to their face?”
“Yeah, so fierce. Isn’t she afraid of the church’s retaliation?”
“The Mage Association should protect her, right?”
“If I had Sister Li’s strength, I’d also reprimand them.”
“The church has always been domineering; they truly deserve to be scolded!”
As the tension on both sides continued to escalate.
There was a flurry of footsteps outside.
A large number of Hall of Justice guards rushed in and surrounded the entire scene.
Then, a leader with a green parrot perched on his shoulder strode in.
Guard Commander, Baccarat.
“What’s going on? What’s all this commotion about?” Baccarat scanned both parties and asked coldly.
Upon entering, he saw the Church and the Mage Association confronting each other with swords drawn and crossbows aimed.
“Commander Baccarat, this person attempted assassination in the tavern, I wanted to arrest him, but was obstructed by Li Rong,” Xu Haide said.
Li Rong also said, “Captain Baccarat, those people are from the Sea Tribe, and this injured person accuses them of raiding and brutally murdering fishermen at sea. He came to Silver Wing City specifically to report this matter to the council…”
Li Rong quickly recounted the events.
Xu Yuanhang also knew that the newcomer must be an official.
Thump, he knelt down on the ground and said loudly, “Esteemed Commander, please seek justice for me. My ship was a merchant vessel, nearby cities can vouch for me. They plundered the cargo and drowned every single person alive, the youngest just fourteen years old.”
“Nonsense, they are the pirates, we only sank their ship, please, your honor, administer justice,” Shi He Ming also shouted loudly.
At that moment, a man with a beer belly in the crowd murmured, “Doesn’t the Church have ‘interrogation’ skills? Just question them and it’ll be settled, won’t it?”
At these words, everyone looked towards Xu Haide.
Your Church people are all here, so question them!
Xu Haide coughed lightly and said, “Interrogation requires the presence of a bishop or higher-ranking clergy to perform. Besides, it might be difficult to summon a bishop for such a trivial matter.”
Damn, it still requires someone of bishop rank or higher to perform, what a useless skill.
Besides, what use are you as a representative? Incapable of handling anything, only knowing how to capture people.
“Interrogation, huh! I seem to remember having a few Magic Scrolls left over from last time,”
Li Rong took out several Magic Scrolls from her bag, one of which was an Interrogation Scroll.
Without waiting for anyone to speak up,
she directly tore open the scroll, and a ray of light enveloped ‘Shi He Ming’, who was trying to walk away.
Shi He Ming, devoutly kneeling, muttered prayers.
Li Rong asked, “At sea, did you raid the ships of transmigrators, and what did you do to them?”
Shi He Ming struggled but finally spoke up, “We did raid, took their supplies, locked the crew in the cabin, and then scuttled the ship’s hull.”
“How many Federation ships have you plundered?”
“I don’t remember exactly, roughly three or four.”
Swoosh!
Hearing this, Li Rong decisively ended the interrogation.
…
The two bland dialogues detonated like a bombshell in the tavern.
The people present were filled with ire, wishing they could tear these men to pieces.
In an instant, Shi He Ming woke up from his devout kneeling, seeing the hateful looks around and the pale faces of his companions, he tensed up.
Could that Interrogation Scroll have really made him reveal everything?
He tried to speak up in his own defense,
only to hear the commander from the Hall of Justice say, “Seize these men, lock them up in the dungeon to await tomorrow’s council judgment. Those who resist, kill!”
“Catch the thieves, catch the thieves!” the parrot echoed.
Clamor!
The guards promptly stepped forward and apprehended Shi He Ming and his group.
Shi He Ming’s eyes were full of terror; he didn’t forget to look back and say, “Mr. Xu Haide, save me, Mr. Xu Haide.”
Xu Haide no longer looked at these people.
Today was a difficult day for him too.
He was sure to be implicated by this ordeal.
“Ms. Li Rong, this person and his few subordinates, I need to take them as well. But rest assured, I will ensure their safety,” Baccarat said, pointing at Xu Yuanhang and his group.
Li Rong also knew that this was not something she could stop.
She nodded and said, “Alright, I hope their injuries can be treated.”
“Yes, well, it’s getting late, best end your banquet,” Baccarat continued.
“Yes!”
The guards of the Hall of Justice departed.
And in the streets echoed the unbridled laughter of Xu Yuanhang.
“Ha-ha—Ha-ha-ha!!”
Inside the tavern, there was silence.
They had never seen anyone as crazed or as foolish as Xu Yuanhang.
But it seemed rather admirable somehow.
“We can’t continue the feast, take some food home for your families, let’s head back,” Li Rong said.
“You got it, Sister Li.”
“Thank you, Sister Li.”
After a chorus of thanks, everyone departed.
No one bothered to pay any attention to Xu Haide, who stood there like a statue.
…
The next day, Chinatown.
“Xu Yuanhang, when he was dragged away, his laughter echoed down the entire street. It was a breath of relief, a release indeed.”
The news about the transmigrator spread incredibly fast.
This morning, the hot topic in Chinatown was the incident of Xu Yuanhang attempting to assassinate the Japanese.
From Xu Yuanhang’s disguise to his attempted assassination, to Li Rong’s intervention to save him,
it was described in detail.
Only, the story had been twisted into numerous versions in the telling, making it impossible to discern the truth.
But the people listened with relish still.
“It’s also thanks to Li Rong being there. Otherwise, those Japanese and Xu Haide would have killed Xu Yuanhang.”
“Spit! What a good-for-nothing Xu Haide, a sorry excuse of a man.”