Free Web NovelChapter 450: Chapter 450: We Can Talk
Ding Anmin stood motionless in front of Yi Roujing, but his legs were already a little weak because there were too many people. "Sis, you go quickly, you’ll be fine on your own, and once you’ve escaped, find someone to rescue us."
Ding Anmin quickly made up his mind. Everyone present was a burden, and Yi Roujing would certainly be able to break through on her own.
"I won’t leave you behind. All of you, stick close to me in single file." Yi Roujing said solemnly. She couldn’t be ruthless now, so she protected them as best she could, at least she hadn’t used all her strength when dealing with Stutter.
Like a mother hen leading her chicks, everyone lined up neatly behind Yi Roujing. Six women, four holding one child each, the other two carrying a girl with a broken leg, and one guarding the rear.
"In a moment, I’ll clear a path. You all rush outside." Yi Roujing commanded.
"Yes." Everyone replied resolutely.
Yi Roujing held a long stick, the same one the four kids used to block the door earlier. Its range of attack was the greatest, something she sorely needed now.
"Boss, this bitch underestimates us, let’s show her a thing or two." A group of men wielding machetes, fire sticks, and knives charged forward in a surge.
Yi Roujing swung the long stick, spinning it a few times in the air before it landed, and the four nearby men cried out in pain and collapsed, their weapons scattering.
"Pick them up. If anyone dares to block your way, just chop them, even if it kills them, they asked for it." Yi Roujing said with deep eyes.
Those closest picked up the nearest weapons, and no one panicked, no one revealed fear. Instantly, the courtyard’s atmosphere shifted, and Smiling Tiger’s face stiffened for a moment, casting a different gaze at Yi Roujing. Not only was she clever, but also capable. No wonder Stutter and the others were tied up—they thought some trickery was used, but it seemed like sheer force prevailed.
"Didn’t expect her to be a fiery one. Boss, I fancy this chick. Even if she’s married, I don’t mind. My wife is dead anyway, we could make it a second marriage." The lanky man with a sullen face said before Smiling Tiger.
"Second Bro, you might not be able to handle her." Smiling Tiger boss replied, "You might not even be her match."
"Won’t know till I try." The sullen-faced Second Bro said directly, "Don’t bother with that woman, grab the girls and kids. Leave this one to me."
"Yes, Second Leader."
Yi Roujing tightened her grip on the long stick. The situation she wanted to avoid most had come. At first, she could attend to one or two things, but once the sullen-faced Second Bro acted, Yi Roujing felt a chill inside. This man’s skills surpassed Stutter. If it were a one-on-one fight, she might not lose, but it’s impossible to watch over others.
After five moves, Yi Roujing’s heart sank further. She was starting to tire. The sky darkened gradually, like her mood. Around her, the girls’ startled screams echoed, resisting fiercely but unable to compete.
Yi Roujing closed her eyes briefly, retreated swiftly, and knocked down the few men trying to grab people. "Circle up."
The girls followed orders, forming a circle around the kids and the girl with the broken leg, while others surrounded them for protection. Yi Roujing stood at the forefront with her long stick.
"Stop fighting." Smiling Tiger boss suddenly called it off, then motioned with his right hand. A man entered carrying a child, Mancao, with a kitchen knife poised at Mancao’s neck.
"Mancao." The girl with the broken leg inside the circle saw this scene, screamed in horror, and tried to crawl forward, held firmly by Ding Anmin.
"Put down your weapons and return to the house obediently, and this incident will be ignored, the child unharmed." Smiling Tiger boss said, "What do you think?"
Yi Roujing sighed deeply, "Comrade, it’s rare to walk this earth, what’s the point of living on the knife’s edge? We could negotiate."
"I reckon you’ve committed enough crimes to face a firing squad, carrying your head on your belt every day, how much longer do you plan to do that?" Yi Roujing said gravely. "I suppose all of you do this for money. I have a way to make money and a talisman for a safe life. Interested?"
Everyone looked around at each other, then burst into laughter. "Boss, Second Leader, this woman says she can help us make money. How? In bed? And keep us safe? With her body?"
"If you keep talking that way about our big sis, I’ll tear your filthy mouths apart." Ding Anmin was furious, ready to charge forward, but Yi Roujing stopped her.
"Let them bark on, don’t take it seriously, lowers yourself." Yi Roujing reassured.
"Who are you calling a bitch?"
"Whoever responds." Ding Anmin retorted, calmed down.
"You..."
"Enough, let’s talk business." Yi Roujing immediately interrupted the other side’s rising insults, "Dear boss, do you care to speak? What I said is not empty talk. I can keep my word, for you and your men."
"I suppose you all have families to protect. Isn’t it better to live steadily? Licking blood off a knife might earn well, but it’s unstable, with high risk. Isn’t redemption appealing?"
"Perhaps comrades have doubts, but as boss said, the police in the city are investigating door-to-door."
Smiling Tiger boss’s smile faded slightly. "So, are you saying you’re someone important?"
"Basically." Yi Roujing nodded affirmatively. "I have a soft nature, you’ve seen my skills. If I wanted to escape alone, there wouldn’t be any issue, and finishing you off later is doable. I stayed to protect these women and children, and to discuss a deal with you."
"Haha, nice words. If we hadn’t arrived early, you’d have fled."
Yi Roujing’s expression didn’t change at all. "Isn’t that perfect timing? Since we’ve met, it’s fate."
"Can you really keep the police from killing me, help us make money?" A man with family showed interest, asking.
"Don’t be fooled by her." Second Leader said, "The state hopes to eliminate those like us, no way they’ll give us a chance."
"Opportunities are seized by oneself." Yi Roujing said seriously. "Turn away from evil, redeem yourself, and serve. Why wouldn’t the state give such an opportunity to fellow citizens?"
