Chapter 35
Author: Yan Ruxu
Jiu Que’s advancing footsteps suddenly halted. The commoners around her, who had been cooperating, also froze. What did he mean, ‘there are also women’? Besides abducting children, were these traffickers also snatching young women and girls?
The man who looked honest and simple finally reacted. The little color that was in his face drained away completely. He had actually revealed the organization’s secret in public! The higher-ups would never let him go! But then he thought again, Hei Lao San was the first one to betray the organization. If he had to die, at least he’d have company in the underworld.
Yet the next moment, the crowd parted slightly, and he saw Hei Lao San, his mouth firmly gagged, face a mask of shock. For a moment, the man felt as if he’d been plunged into an ice cellar, his whole body turning cold. That commotion just now was fake! That female official had tricked him! She tricked him into being the first one to betray the organization, the first to break faith!
No! He couldn’t be exposed. He knew all about the methods the higher-ups used. He would definitely be tortured to death in the most horrific way! He’d be better off dying right now…
“I advise you to think clearly.”
Ying Jiu Que’s soft voice now sounded to the man like a whisper from hell, raising goosebumps on his skin layer after layer.
“The court has long intended to crack down on traffickers across the nation. Do you want to be the first fool to die at the hands of your ‘colleagues,’ or do you want to turn around and become the court’s dog, biting chunks of flesh from your colleagues to ensure your own survival? It’s actually an easy choice, isn’t it? After all, you’ve already betrayed your accomplice. Do you think they’ll let you live without the court’s protection? Letting others die is always much easier than dying yourself. As long as one can live, who would want to die?”
The man’s eyelids fluttered rapidly. Clearly, Ying Jiu Que’s words were not without effect.
“Take your friend over there, for example. He’s eager to be the first to turn informant. It’s just a question of which of you can seize this opportunity.”
The man knew Ying Jiu Que’s words were a mix of truth and falsehood, but when truly facing a moment of life and death, few could maintain control. He seemed to struggle for a long time, but upon seeing Ying Jiu Que already walking decisively towards Hei Lao San without a backward glance, his desire to survive ultimately overwhelmed him.
“I… I’ll talk! Don’t kill me!”
Once one mouth was pried open, the rest became much easier. Eager to atone for their crimes through merit, the two men competed in their haste to reveal everything they knew. Ying Jiu Que quickly pieced together the sequence of events. The criminals transported the stolen children via rivers, bridge culverts, sewers, and similar routes to various hidden locations. The six just rescued were those who hadn’t been transferred yet.
“What about the little boy, around five years old, with a red mole on his ear?”
“You mean Lin Mingde?”
Hei Lao San, contrary to what one might expect, wasn’t ignorant of the identities of the children he abducted. On the contrary, he was exceptionally well-informed. Now, he sighed with a hint of regret.
“That was a fine-looking child. Children like that fetch a better price, so the higher-ups naturally prioritized moving him. A child like that is worth several others combined… He was probably sent away long ago…”
“I’ll kill you!”
Lin Mingde’s father, who had been barely holding back, rushed forward and began fiercely beating the two traffickers! The other children’s relatives naturally didn’t hold back their strength either. For a time, the sounds of pummeling and pained cries filled the air.
Ying Jiu Que quietly withdrew. She had already obtained what she wanted. Besides, she had only promised to spare their lives; she never said they wouldn’t suffer some physical punishment.
But now there was a problem. Although there were many enthusiastic neighbors around, they were, after all, ordinary commoners, lacking special training. Their speed might not be sufficient. But where could she find a large number of people to help now?
Thump-thump-thump—
A series of整齐 (zhěngqí – orderly) footsteps approached from afar. A squad of city patrol soldiers in full armor jogged up,疏散 (shūsàn – dispersing) the crowd. Upon seeing the large gathering, the leader’s expression grew particularly stern. But before they could fully disperse the crowd, they spotted two beaten and bruised men lying within the throng, still being pummeled by fists. Upon seeing the soldiers, the men desperately cried out for help.
Although their current imperial mission was extremely important, they couldn’t just stand by and watch a brawl without intervening. However, after listening to the crowd’s chaotic explanation of events, the patrol squad leader’s expression became as if he’d been struck by lightning. He then looked at the two traffickers with an indescribable expression. So, you two, who deserve to be thrown in prison, are calling for help from us? Your brains really must be addled!
Wait, that’s not the point. The point is, the higher-ups ordered them to search the entire city for the stolen only son of the Earl of Weiyuan, and now six stolen children had already been found! He wondered if the esteemed young master was among these six.
Thinking this, the squad leader was very tempted. He made a decisive decision to take the six children to the palace. Still, he had a sliver of conscience and left the majority of his men under Ying Jiu Que’s command. Ying Jiu Que, for her part, had no time to worry about him stealing credit. She immediately asked the well-trained city guard soldiers to quickly follow the river course, checking every bend, culvert, or bridge opening. Even if these criminals were good swimmers, they couldn’t hold their breath underwater indefinitely; they would have to surface for air eventually.
Then there were these neighbors. The power of the masses had always been great, and Ying Jiu Que deeply believed this.
“Elders, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, Jiu Que earnestly begs for your help. These traffickers have taken far more than just these few children. Many other innocent children are still missing. Time is critical. If we can’t find them today, they might be lost forever. I am not a high-ranking official; I cannot offer you much reward. But helping others is also helping ourselves. I am willing to offer half of my personal wealth as a reward for those who capture the traffickers! I hope everyone can lend their assistance…”
For a moment, the surroundings fell into silence. Ying Jiu Que, having bowed deeply, gritted her teeth. Was half my wealth still not enough? The image of Little Mud’s bare wrist flashed before her eyes. Remembering that there were still children likely in similar danger made her eyes sting.
She took a deep breath. Where there are great rewards, there must be brave men. She was just about to offer her entire fortune as the reward when, within her downcast line of sight, countless hands suddenly appeared. Jiu Que felt herself being lifted up. She looked somewhat bewildered at the flushed, excited faces of the neighbors around her, struggling to comprehend what was happening.
But the next moment, Auntie Lin cried out, her voice choked with emotion!
“Official Ying! This is what we should do! You don’t need to do this! We’re looking for our children too!”
“That’s right! Old friends, quickly! Don’t dawdle! Everyone head in the directions Official Ying pointed out! Don’t let those petty thieves get away! These damned scoundrels! If they dare snatch one today, they’ll snatch ten tomorrow! Which of us doesn’t have children? Which family doesn’t have daughters of the right age? If we don’t catch them, we ourselves will suffer!”
“Everyone, grab your tools! Let’s go! Don’t let a single one of them escape!”
