Chapter 907: This Is My Law
A frown creased Li Daoxuan's brow.
How odd. Were these men hired by the Prince of Fu's mansion? That doesn't make sense! Didn't the Prince of Fu's mansion fund Bai Yuan's militia? Why would they then pay to hire this gang of roving toughs? What was the plan here? Wasn't the Prince of Fu's mansion worried about raising private armies and being accused of rebellion by the civil officials?
He immediately used Co-sensing, instantly projecting his consciousness into the golden Heavenly Lord emblem on Bai Yuan's chest. He asked aloud, “Bai Yuan, do you know about the Prince of Fu's mansion hiring private soldiers again?”
Bai Yuan was currently training the militia. Hearing the Heavenly Lord's inquiry, he quickly replied, “I know about this! Although the Prince of Fu funded our militia, it remains under my control, and it deploys with the Governor to suppress bandits. Whenever I lead the troops away, he feels unsafe. So, he dug into his own pocket again and hired a group of mercenary bodyguards. These men don't run around with me; they stay in the city every day, which makes him feel more at ease.”
Li Daoxuan asked, puzzled, “Isn't he afraid of being impeached?”
Bai Yuan shook his head and said, “As long as he doesn't hire too many, keeping the number under a thousand, it shouldn't be a major issue. He can claim it's for self-defense against bandits, and the civil officials won't be able to impeach him effectively. Even if the Emperor finds out, he won't do much, at most a few reprimands.”
That's true!
With a flash, Li Daoxuan instantly returned to the body of the Mass-produced Heavenly Lord.
As soon as he switched back, he saw the ten mercenary toughs all stand up, their hands on their saber hilts, glaring menacingly at the shopkeeper.
The mercenary toughs snickered. “Laws? The Prince of Fu's mansion *is* the law!”
The shopkeeper grew even more flustered. He stammered, unable to form words.
Just then, Li Daoxuan stood up. He reached out and pulled the shopkeeper behind him, shielding him with his own body. He turned to face the gang of mercenary toughs, a strange, wicked silicon-man smile on his face. “Eating noodles and not wanting to pay?”
The mercenary toughs saw at a glance that someone was looking for trouble. They quickly scrutinized Li Daoxuan's clothes and accessories. If he wore fine silks and brocades, adorned with precious gems, he would be untouchable, and they would have to retreat immediately.
But upon closer inspection, Li Daoxuan was wearing only a simple warrior's attire. He wore no precious jade or jewels, nor any gold or silver ornaments. He didn't even have a saber hanging at his hip. Clearly, he wasn't a man of wealth.
Such a man was well within their means to provoke.
The leader of the mercenary toughs sneered at Li Daoxuan. “I've never paid for my noodles, not once.”
Li Daoxuan spread his hands. He turned to the shopkeeper and asked, “How many times has he eaten your noodles without paying? I'll make him compensate you.”
The shopkeeper whispered, “Twice now.”
Li Daoxuan nodded. He turned back to face the mercenary toughs. “Not paying twice means you owe 20 cash. Let's make the late fee double that, so pay 40 cash and I'll let you off.”
The mercenary tough exploded in rage. “What the hell is wrong with you? Sticking your nose where it doesn't belong! Do you believe I'll smash your head in?”
Li Daoxuan remained perfectly calm, utterly unfazed, and said, “Eating noodles without paying is originally a civil dispute; paying compensation would settle the matter. However, taking extreme measures, such as violence or threats, could constitute the crime of provoking trouble. This would result in a fixed-term imprisonment, detention, or surveillance, as well as a fine.”
All ten mercenary toughs listened, utterly bewildered. “What the hell, where did you get these rules? Is that from the Great Ming Code?”
Li Daoxuan chuckled. “Not the Great Ming Code. It's the law I've always upheld. Wherever I am, things operate by *this* law.”
The mercenary toughs burst into laughter. “Turns out he's a madman.”
Li Daoxuan replied, “Calling me a madman is disrespectful. Please call me ‘Xiao Qiushui, the Marvelous Hero of the Divine Land.’ ”
By now, the shopkeeper realized the situation was dire. He whispered from behind Li Daoxuan, “Young master, thank you for your chivalrous assistance, but things look bad now. These fellows seem serious about using force. A wise man doesn't suffer immediate losses, young master, you should run quickly.”
The two children stopped eating their noodles, clutching their little fists in anger.
There were two or three other tables of customers in the shop, all simmering with silent indignation.
Just then, one of the mercenary toughs suddenly lunged forward. He swung his fist, aiming a punch straight at Li Daoxuan's face.
Li Daoxuan didn't even bother to dodge. Alright, actually, his reflexes weren't fast enough, and he simply couldn't dodge in time. All they heard was a dull thud, then the tough cried out in agony, clutching his punching hand with his other hand, and crouched down. “My hand... it hurts so much...”
Li Daoxuan seized the chance, raising his foot and *thump!* kicked him in the stomach. The man reeled backward a long distance, collapsing to the ground, unable to get up for a long time.
Li Daoxuan declared, “Alright, you've thrown a punch. The crime of provoking trouble is confirmed. Prepare for half a year of Labor Reform.”
The other nine immediately flew into a rage.
They all charged at Li Daoxuan, unleashing a furious barrage of punches and kicks upon him.
The shopkeeper and the two children were terrified. The other customers couldn't bear to watch, covering their faces. All they heard were continuous screams of agony. Only when the sounds gradually ceased did everyone dare to look again.
Everyone thought to themselves: *That young master is probably...*
It was then they realized: the young master was still standing firm, while the ten mercenary toughs were all lying on the ground, each howling in a bizarre variety of agony, their bodies curled up like shrimp.
Li Daoxuan announced, “All of you, half a year of Labor Reform!”
One tough on the ground cried out loudly, “Don't get cocky! The Prince of Fu won't let you off!”
Li Daoxuan replied, “Oh? Your words remind me. I can't just teach you a lesson and be done with it. I also need to teach the Prince of Fu a lesson.”
At his words, everyone was stunned.
Those writhing in pain on the ground even forgot to cry out. They stared foolishly at Li Daoxuan.
The shopkeeper, the other customers, the two children—all were scared witless.
Li Daoxuan said, “Common sense tells me that the Prince of Fu is likely unaware of you coming here to dine and dash for noodles. I doubt a man like him has the time to personally order you to eat a 10-cash bowl of noodles for free. But he still bears responsibility. He's been lax in controlling his subordinates, failing to properly discipline his troops, and taking in any riff-raff. Therefore, he must bear the consequences for your mistakes. I'm going to settle accounts with him right now.”
“You really dare to go?”
The onlookers nearly blurted out the question.
Li Daoxuan then raised his foot and *thump!* kicked one of the toughs on the ground again. “Get up! All of you, get up! We're all going to the Prince of Fu's mansion!”
The ten men had been beaten into submission by Li Daoxuan. They dared not resist at all, dutifully clambering to their feet, their heads bowed, clutching their injuries. They limped along, leading the way towards the Prince of Fu's mansion.
As they walked onto the street, they surprisingly attracted a large crowd of onlookers.
Especially the snack stall owners on the street. Many of them had been victims of these mercenary toughs dining and dashing. Seeing them humbled, they immediately rejoiced.
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