Volume Two: Mountains and Rivers Block the Way Chapter Four: Three Women Smash the Shop

Zhuo Hua hadn’t even had time to ask what was happening when, of the three, Su Xin came running the fastest, practically flying over to Zhuo Hua and Xiao Sui in a couple of strides, her voice choked with tears as she cried, “Young master, you must stand up for us!” Zhuo Yun’s face was streaked with tears as well, supporting Qin Ying as they walked over. Qin Ying’s eyes were red, clearly having cried just now, yet there was a faint hint of murderous intent on her face.

Zhuo Hua was baffled and asked, “Weren’t the three of you out shopping and having fun? How did you end up like this?”

Xiao Sui, standing beside him, added, “Little sister, did someone bully you in the city? Tell me who it was, and I’ll tear them apart!”

At that moment, the three finally noticed the burly, bearded man sitting next to Zhuo Hua. He looked to be in his thirties, with thick, straight sword-like eyebrows that shot outwards, but his eyes were narrow and slightly slanted, giving him a sidelong gaze. Deep creases lined his forehead, making him appear older, and faint scars—clearly left by blades—could be seen on his face, lending him a certain battlefield grimness.

Su Xin stifled her sobs, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief in silence, glancing back at Qin Ying. Qin Ying’s expression remained icy. It was then that Zhuo Yun could not help but speak up: “Young master, there are many shops on the main street buying fox and wild dog pelts. People were even selling them alive, and the shop clerks were butchering them right there on the street—it was horribly cruel. Sister Qin and Sister Su tried to stop them as soon as they saw it, but the vendors said the pelts were for tax payments—if they didn’t kill the animals, what would they give the sovereign? We offered to buy the little foxes and dogs, but the shop boy refused, insisting on the pelts. He said even with money, we might not get the same goods again. Then, right before our eyes, he struck a little silver fox dead with one blow. Wuwuwu...” At this, Zhuo Yun broke down sobbing again, and Su Xin’s freshly dried tears began to flow once more.

Only Qin Ying bit her lip, her voice cold and low as she muttered, “Those who slaughter my kin shall not be spared!”

Zhuo Hua coughed and pretended to drink from his cup, seeking to distract Xiao Sui and keep him from hearing those words. He then asked, “So what happened after that?” He glanced sidelong at Xiao Sui, but the latter showed no sign of noticing anything amiss.

Su Xin, still crying, said, “What else could we do? We told them to stop, but they wouldn’t, so we had to intervene ourselves.”

Zhuo Yun nodded vigorously in agreement.

Xiao Sui, concerned, asked, “You three actually fought them? Are you hurt?”

Zhuo Yun replied proudly, “Of course we’re fine—they’re the ones who aren’t faring so well.”

Sipping his wine, Zhuo Hua remarked languidly, “And after you were done, did you set all their animals free?”

Su Xin looked at him in surprise. “How did you know? That’s exactly what we did—smashed their shops and let the foxes, wild dogs, and everything else go. Not just one shop, the whole street! We’ll show them they can’t do whatever they please. Hmph!”

Zhuo Hua pointed to the street below, where a chaotic din was rising from the west, sweeping closer. In the dimming twilight, a crowd could be seen surging in this direction.

Xiao Sui frowned and asked, “Girls, just tell me one thing—did you kill anyone?”

Zhuo Yun shook her head vigorously. “Of course not! We only wanted to free the animals, we’d never take a life.”

“That’s good then.” Xiao Sui slapped the table, stood up, and said to Zhuo Hua, “Brother Zhuo, this incident happened here in Changshan City, which falls under the jurisdiction of my patrol unit. Since the young ladies didn’t cause any fatalities, I am willing to see justice done. What do you say, Brother Zhuo?”

Zhuo Hua rose as well, bowing in thanks. “My sisters have been reckless and caused trouble. I must rely on you, Brother Xiao.”

Qin Ying was about to speak, but Zhuo Hua shot her a warning glare, silently transmitting his voice to her: “Jingmu Han, do not act rashly. Wait for my instructions.” Qin Ying crossed her arms in frustration and turned away from him.

Within the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, the noisy crowd arrived at the tavern’s door. Among them were some with freshly bandaged wounds on their heads, others angrily clutching empty cages, some supporting the elderly or children, and still others weeping and wailing. All sorts of people had gathered, numbering around a hundred by rough estimate.

Xiao Sui stood with hands on his hips at the tavern entrance, with Zhuo Hua, Zhuo Yun, Su Xin, and Qin Ying behind him. Someone in the crowd immediately spotted the three girls, and shouting broke out—some called them shrews, others witches, some lamented that their lives were now ruined, and a few, armed with sticks, were itching for a fight. Yet, curiously, a handful of others stood utterly still, making no move at all. The scene was bizarre: one side boiling with rage, the other icy and still, an invisible wall dividing them.

After another cup of tea’s time, Xiao Sui judged the moment right and raised both hands in a downward motion, signaling for calm.

The crowd recognized the bearded man—he was the patrol officer always seen at the city gates checking vegetable baskets. Gradually, their voices lowered until silence fell.

Xiao Sui cleared his throat and called out, “Good folk, I have a fair grasp of the situation. Your shops were smashed, your livestock lost, and with no pelts for the tax, it’s natural you’re anxious and have gathered here. These young ladies are newcomers who, upon witnessing the slaughter, were moved by compassion and acted rashly. Their actions, though improper, were not out of malice.”

The villagers, hearing this, thought he was about to side with Qin Ying and the others, and unrest began to stir again.

“But—but!” Xiao Sui raised his voice, “But injuring people and damaging property must be compensated. The head of their household—this gentleman, Master Zhuo—” he gestured toward Zhuo Hua, “is a man of learning and integrity. He has already promised to give everyone a proper account.”

He then made a gesture for Zhuo Hua to step forward. Zhuo Hua strode out, bowed deeply to the villagers, and declared, “My sisters acted rashly, bringing loss upon you all. I will cover today’s medical and property damages, and as for your pelt tax, I shall personally assume the full amount.”

Hearing this, the crowd exchanged glances and began whispering among themselves. Suddenly, someone shouted, “Words are wind!”

Zhuo Hua smiled and replied, “That is easily remedied—I will write a promissory note, with Officer Xiao as witness. The note will be entrusted to your most respected elder, and if the sum is not paid by the due date, I will submit myself to the authorities.”

After another round of hushed discussion, an elderly man with silver hair and a long beard, dressed plainly, stepped forward, bowed to Zhuo Hua, and said, “I am the elder of the pelt guild on that street, and my word still carries weight there. Master Zhuo’s note may be entrusted to my care.”

Zhuo Hua nodded, requested brush and ink from the tavern staff, and wrote out the promissory note. He immediately paid the compensation for damages and medical expenses. With that, the villagers, satisfied with the outcome, gradually dispersed.