Chapter 139: Chasing Girls and Robbing

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But at this moment, she could not flare up, so she could only say coldly: “Gongsun Xu, since my nephew values you so much, you take a squadron and go with him. Remember, protect the Young Master well.”

On Gongsun Xu’s square face, there was a slight look of depression and sorrow. He knew that Madame Zhen had already become suspicious of him. The so-called order to protect the Young Master was clearly a form of banishment. But at this moment, he was still loyal to the Zhen Family and said solemnly in a deep voice: “Yes, Madame. If the Young Master suffers any harm, Gongsun Xu is willing to offer his head as punishment.”

But Madame Zhen obviously no longer took him to heart. Whether he was a spy or being wrongly accused, a figure of this Mid-stage Silver level did not rank at all in the Zhen Family Ranch, which was full of talented people. What difference did it make if there was one more or one less of him?

The most important thing right now was to resolve her son’s matter. She said with a cold face: “Nephew, I will give you three years. If my son Mu does not return after three years, I will have to assume he met with an accident while training outside. You’d better watch out.” At this time, she no longer hid her killing intent toward Lei Qing at all.

Madame Zhen spoke, then went up and pulled her daughter away, not looking at her son again.

Seeing her leave, Lei Qing also let out a slight sigh of relief, feeling that his back was already soaked with sweat. This Poisonous Widow was indeed skilled in plotting; he had almost been trapped by her several times. Fortunately, Lei Qing had a firm will and had long made up his mind to take Zhen Jimu as a protective talisman.

But he also knew that he was walking a tightrope over a cliff; one careless step would send him falling into the abyss, his body smashed to pieces.

With a woman like Madame Zhen, who knew where her bottom line was? And who knew if she would go mad after feeling depressed, discarding even her son and focusing solely on taking his life?

Lei Qing knew deeply that often, women were unreasonable creatures, and their actions could not be judged by logic and reason. They acted only on their feelings, wantonly venting their gratitude and grudges. Especially this woman, who was a Poisonous Widow that had lost her husband early. Heaven knew how twisted her psychology had become.

Her tolerance for Lei Qing’s threats depended on how much she treasured her son. For now, he had nearly touched her bottom line just now, provoking her madness. But fortunately, it was clear she still treasured Zhen Jimu; after all, he was her only son. Before she was about to lose her mind and go crazy, she managed to forcibly control herself.

Right now, Lei Qing had only one thought: to retreat immediately, the faster the better. He immediately tied Zhen Jimu up again, had the waiter bring his warhorse, and led Zhen Jimu and Gongsun Xu’s group out of the city gate. With Gongsun Xu there, everything went quite smoothly.

Lei Qing dared not guarantee that Madame Zhen wouldn’t think it over and realize something was wrong, then fly into a rage and order Lei Qing killed, even if it meant sacrificing her son’s life.

Once out of the city gate and looking at the boundless plains, Lei Qing finally relaxed a little. The Northern Yan City from earlier was like a cage, bringing fatal pressure to Lei Qing every moment.

However, once outside, he felt the comfort of the vast sky allowing birds to fly freely. He turned back and said to Gongsun Xu with a smile: “Gongsun Xu, do you and your subordinates have family members to bring along? Why not go back and fetch them while Madame Zhen hasn’t changed her mind yet.”

An angry look appeared on Gongsun Xu’s awe-inspiring face: “General Lei, I, Gongsun Xu, have no feud with you. Why are you trying to sow discord like this?”

“Sow discord?” Lei Qing sneered a few times and said: “Brother Gongsun, ask your own conscience. If I hadn’t said those words just now, given your master’s temperament, would she hold you accountable afterwards for failing to protect the Young Master? Besides, if Madame Zhen really trusted you, how could she have been provoked into suspicion by such an obvious trick of mine?”

Gongsun Xu paused, wanting to open his mouth to refute, but he knew clearly that it was true. Madame Zhen’s temperament was fickle, and she liked to take her anger out on others. What Lei Qing said had at least a fifty percent chance of happening. But he still said stubbornly: “Lei Qing, don’t think that just because your sowing of discord succeeded, I will be driven by you. I tell you, I have been an orphan without parents since I was a child, and the Zhen Family Ranch raised me. I owe the Zhen Family Ranch a lot; even if I die, I will be a ghost of the Zhen Family.”

“Suit yourself!” Lei Qing naturally knew that people raised by a certain force since childhood had high loyalty. He paid no mind to his words and said: “The reason I sowed discord just now was not to take you in, but simply to save your lives, because I see you are a hero. You have your persistence, and I have my ideals. If you are truly loyal to the Zhen Family Ranch, then protect your Young Master well. If he dies, my trouble will be huge.”

“You don’t need to tell me that; even if I have to risk my life, I will protect the Young Master.” Gongsun Xu said with a look of foolish loyalty.

“Brother Gongsun, I have to remind you of one thing. If you don’t have the absolute certainty to rescue your Young Master, I advise you to extinguish that thought.” Lei Qing urged his horse forward slowly and said with a cold smile: “Otherwise, if your Young Master gets his head cut off by me, you will truly be unable to absolve yourself of the blame. Wait honestly for three years, and I will keep my promise and release him.”

“Will you really keep your promise?” Gongsun Xu followed with dozens of Black Iron-rank subordinates, frowning and saying: “How can I trust you?”

“A real man keeping his word is a matter of course.” Lei Qing said calmly: “Do you think I am like your Madame Zhen, whose heart is as vicious as a snake or scorpion? Forget it, speaking ill of Madame Zhen to your face, you surely won’t accept it. If you don’t believe me, feel free to try. Just don’t regret it later.”

“Fine, I believe you, and I will protect the Young Master for three years.” Gongsun Xu pondered for a moment and said: “But after three years, if you don’t release him, I will take your life.”

Lei Qing smiled and said no more, but began to urge Wuzhui forward, trotting continuously toward the return journey. This trip didn’t take long, but the events that happened were earth-shattering.

To have this result now was something Lei Qing hadn’t anticipated originally. Actually, if it were possible, he would have preferred not to come this time. Now he had certainly extorted a large sum of wealth, but the moment he thought about the situation three years later, Lei Qing felt cold all over.

Before the protective talisman of Zhen Jimu expired, Lei Qing had to speed up his development again. By then, as long as he had enough powerful strength in his hands, anyone who wanted to deal with him would have to weigh the consequences.

Just as Lei Qing was preparing to speed up his departure and return to Yehe Town earlier, a sound of horse hooves came from behind. The number seemed large, a full dozen riders or more.

But from this, it could be deduced that it probably wasn’t Madame Zhen suddenly going mad and sending pursuers to kill Lei Qing. A few dozen riders were not something Lei Qing took to heart, especially with Gongsun Xu and his elite squadron beside him.

Sure enough, not long after, the dozens of riders behind gradually appeared in sight. Seeing that those cavalrymen were all wearing full battle armor, with chain mail on their horses, Lei Qing knew this was the Li Chamber of Commerce’s group.

Lei Qing simply reined in his horse and waited for them to catch up. In just the time of a hundred breaths, those dozens of riders stopped not far behind Lei Qing, and Li Baobao waved at Lei Qing and said: “Lei Qing, come here for a moment.”

“Uh, why don’t you come over?” Lei Qing glanced at the dozens of riders; among them seemed to be a woman not wearing armor but ordinary clothes.

That woman’s face was as calm as water, and her gaze was like lightning. After staring at Lei Qing from a distance, Lei Qing immediately felt like he was being targeted by a ferocious Demonic Beast, causing a stinging sensation in his back and making him shiver all over.

A very powerful woman, she should be an expert he couldn’t match, and she seemed to have hostility toward him.

Who knew if this female expert would suddenly attack? Lei Qing was currently carrying Zhen Jimu and didn’t want to take the risk.

“Aunt Wenren won’t let me approach you alone.” Li Baobao stuck out her tongue, looked back at the woman with the compound surname Wenren, and couldn’t help giggling: “Aunt Wenren says you are a dangerous person, like a flood or a beast; what if you kidnap me again?”

“I have no interest in kidnapping someone I’ve kidnapped once a second time.” Lei Qing rolled his eyes and said: “Besides, I have enough trouble already and don’t want to cause more. If you don’t want to come over, let’s just talk from this distance.”

“Hmph, so you know you cause trouble? You really are audacious, daring to offend Madame Zhen like that.” As if she didn’t want to talk to Lei Qing from so far away, she turned back and pleaded with the expressionless middle-aged woman: “Aunt Wenren, you heard him say he won’t kidnap me again. Please, let me talk to him alone for a while. Although this guy Lei Qing is a bit bad, he keeps his word. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let me come back.”

That middle-aged woman surnamed Wenren pondered for a while, seemingly unable to withstand her pleading. She had to say coldly: “I will stay five paces away from you; any further, and I fear I won’t be able to protect you.”

“Aunt Wenren, I knew you were the best to me.” Li Baobao rode over joyfully, and when she reached Lei Qing, her cheeks slightly flushed as she said: “Bandit Leader, you, how have you been recently?”

“Uh, same as always, chasing girls, robbing people, and occasionally kidnapping children from wealthy families.” Lei Qing shrugged and patted Zhen Jimu’s head: “Here, you see it too, just caught a fat sheep.”

“Hey, hey, Boss, you don’t need to use me as a stepping stone to chase girls, do you?” Zhen Jimu lay on his stomach on the horse’s back and said grumpily: “Hostages have human rights too.”

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