roccoschili Chapter 17 The Patient
Chapter 17 The Patient
The words are divided into two parts.
Meanwhile, inside the Weizhou government office, Commander Lu was furious upon seeing the murder committed by Zheng Tu. He immediately summoned the coroner, the neighborhood official, the village head, and a group of others to repeatedly examine the scene and thoroughly investigate the clues.
Immediately, fishing warrants were issued and sent to various prefectures and counties.
The document stated: "Apprehend murderer Zheng Tu, aged 26 or 27, a resident of Weizhou, formerly a butcher selling meat under Zhuangyuan Bridge."
They also commissioned a painter to depict Zheng Tu's appearance, with thick eyebrows, a wide mouth, and a face full of flesh, making his features distinct.
A reward of one thousand strings of cash was offered, and the reward was posted everywhere. Lu Zhishen swore a solemn oath to capture this scoundrel and uphold the law.
……
Leaving that aside, let's turn to the Tongqing Tower in Yanmen County, where Zheng Tu had already made up his mind not to interfere in Jin Cuilian's affairs anymore.
He closed his eyes to rest, pondering how to live a peaceful life and secretly improve his martial arts skills, when he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a tall, thin rascal with his arm around his shoulder.
The man was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks, his eyes darting around, wearing a worn silk shirt, a leather belt around his waist, and fast boots on his feet.
It was Li Biao, a lackey of Master Zhao, who usually ran rampant in this area, indulging in all sorts of vices, including eating, drinking, gambling, and whoring, and specializing in extortion. His reputation was extremely bad.
Zheng Tu was dressed in rich clothes, and his bulging satchel had long been on Zheng Tu's radar.
He had just overheard the waiter whispering to him, and when he occasionally heard the name Jin Cuilian, he knew that there was another piece of fat meat to eat.
Li Biao said with a grin, "This gentleman is quite unfamiliar. Are you from out of town? There's an old saying in Yanmen County: if a stranger wants to eat from Master Zhao's bowl, shouldn't he first offer a bribe? If you know what's good for you, don't make things difficult for me."
As he spoke, his beady eyes glanced at the bulging satchel at Zheng Tu's feet, his meaning crystal clear.
Zheng Tu froze, then slowly opened his eyes.
He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, a troubled expression on his face. He cupped his hands and said in a low voice, "Absolutely, absolutely, what this brother says makes sense. But..."
He looked around and lowered his voice, "But there are too many people around here, and I'm afraid that if I show off my wealth, others will see it, which wouldn't be good. I know there's a dark alley behind the building. Why don't we move there and talk? It's quieter and safer there."
Seeing Zheng Tu's submissive demeanor, Li Biao was overjoyed, thinking to himself, "This outsider looks burly, but he's all show and no substance!"
He patted Zheng Tu on the arm and laughed, "You're a smart guy! Let's go!"
Zheng Tu picked up the satchel, and the two of them went downstairs one after the other.
The patrons in the building all turned their heads in surprise. Those who knew each other whispered among themselves.
"That stranger looked fierce, but it turns out he's a coward!"
"That scoundrel Li Biao has the backing of Master Zhao, and he does this risk-free business here every month. Who dares not to pay? If it were you, would you dare not pay?"
"Tsk tsk, look how heavy that satchel is, it looks like he's about to have a major hemorrhage."
The crowd murmured amongst themselves, but no one dared to step forward and stop him. Who would want to provoke Li Biao, who was known for his many misdeeds?
The two of them went straight into the dark alley.
This is the very spot where Zheng Tu was strangled to death; the ground is piled with garbage and filth, and the stench is overwhelming.
The alley was dark, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through the gaps in the high walls.
Li Biao turned around, smiling broadly as he weighed his hands in Zheng Tu's hands: "Sir, you are indeed generous! Then thank you very much for your kind offer..."
"Of course, of course."
Zheng Tu pretended to reach into his robes, but suddenly lunged forward!
But then he twisted his waist, and his right fist shot out like a venomous snake, striking straight into Li Biao's abdomen!
"Well!"
Caught off guard, Li Biao felt a tremendous force strike his abdomen, as if his internal organs were about to burst out.
He was in so much pain that he bent over, curled up like a live shrimp!
But this rascal was a regular on the streets, and his reactions were extremely quick.
He endured the excruciating pain, and with a swift movement of his left hand, he grabbed Zheng Tu's vital spot between the groin!
Zheng Tu sneered, stepped aside, and swiftly raised his elbow, striking Li Biao hard in the shoulder and neck.
Before Li Biao could fall to the ground, Zheng Tu's fists and feet rained down like a storm.
His face, chest, abdomen, and ribs were all struck hard. His fist technique was already highly skilled, and this time, fueled by anger, every move was ruthless.
Just as a torrential rain batters the lotus leaves, and a strong wind blows the leaves away.
Li Biao coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face bruised and swollen, and collapsed to the ground, convulsing. He was barely breathing.
Zheng Tu then stopped, bent down, grabbed Li Biao's hair, and lifted his head up.
"Next, I'll ask, and you answer. Do you understand?" Zheng Tu's gaze was chilling as he spoke, enunciating each word clearly.
Li Biao's face was covered in blood, his eyes filled with fear, and he nodded hastily.
……
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zheng Tu slowly walked out of the alley.
He straightened his sapphire blue robe, dusted off his sleeves, and remained calm, as if he had only gone to relieve himself in the alley.
Returning to Tongqinglou, I sat down in my original seat and continued to eat and drink as usual, completely at ease.
The patrons in the building were all surprised and suspicious when they saw this.
Li Biao followed him out, but now only the wealthy man has returned alone, while the rogue has disappeared without a trace. Why is that?
The crowd whispered among themselves:
"How strange! Why hasn't Li Biao returned?"
"Could it be that this wealthy man dealt with them?"
"Nonsense! Li Biao is incredibly fierce, and with Master Zhao backing him, would this outsider dare to touch him?"
"But if Li Biao took the money to gamble, why didn't this rich man show the slightest sign of distress? Look at him, still leisurely drinking his wine!"
A few sharp-eyed people noticed that there were traces of blood on the skin of his knuckles. They exchanged glances but dared not say anything, and buried their heads in their wine.
Zheng Tu ignored the stares around him and focused on drinking by himself. Only after he had eaten and drunk his fill did he put down his chopsticks and call over the waiter.
The little boy approached cautiously.
He had just seen Li Biao go out with Zheng Tu, and now he was feeling uneasy.
Zheng Tu picked up the satchel from beside his feet and placed it on the table with a muffled thud.
He said in a deep voice, "Give this satchel to Jin Cuilian, the singer, and tell her to open it only after she returns to her room. Remember, don't let anyone else see it."
The waiter, carrying the heavy satchel, trembled upon hearing Zheng Tu's instruction to give it to Jin Cuilian.
He looked around, and seeing that no one was paying attention, he leaned closer and whispered in a trembling voice:
"My lord... have you forgotten what I just said? Jin Cuilian has already caught the eye of Master Zhao! To act this way is... isn't it like snatching food from a tiger's mouth?!"
Zheng Tu remained expressionless and simply shook his head slowly.
Seeing this, the waiter became even more anxious and said, "Could it be that you, sir, do not believe what I have to say?"
That Master Zhao is a big shot in our Yanmen County; he's so powerful that even the city gate tower trembles when he stomps his foot! His twenty or thirty strong farmhands are all skilled with weapons, and they have connections with several constables in the county government.
Although you, sir, are a hero from out of town, even a mighty dragon can't suppress a local snake!
Zheng Tu shook his head again, his expression indifferent, as if the waiter's words were nothing more than idle gossip.
Seeing him shaking his head repeatedly, the waiter grew increasingly suspicious and couldn't help but ask, "Then...why is the master still acting this way? Isn't this...isn't he just inviting trouble?"
Zheng Tu, however, slowly grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth.