Stranger Danger

Chapter 465: I Will Handle My Own Problems

Chapter 465: I Will Handle My Own Problems

Reprehensible criminal? Break the law? As if you know a thing about the law! Hong Jianglong scoffed. If I didnt know better, I would think that youre the one who wrote them!

First things first, Ye Qing hasnt been trialed by the Three Judicial Offices and the Imperial Clan Court[1]. Until he is convicted, he is just a suspect.

Second, it was entirely your own fault that your men died in Ye Qings hands. He isnt convicted yet, and yet you accused him of treason and dispatched your whole fucking army to kill him. Of course he was going to defend himself!

You Zhou Hengshan couldnt say anything against that because it was true, and that caused his blood pressure to rise even more than it already was. This argument is pointless. Im just going to ask you one question: Are you getting out of my way, or not?

Ooh, Im so scared! Hong Jianglong sneered. No. What are you going to do about it?

So be it! A terrible power emanated from Zhou Hengshan. His aura shot through the heavens and seemingly warped his very surroundings into a cold, merciless battlefield. It almost felt like armies would pour in at any moment.

The rage of a Grandmaster could literally change the world.

Hah! Like Im scared of you. Hong Jianglong laughed as his aura began skyrocketing as well. Ive been wanting to test your Men of War. Today is the perfect opportunity to do so!

Ill keep Hong Jianglong busy. You go kill Ye Qing, Commander Chu, Zhou Hengshan ordered.

Although Chu Hao was displeased with Zhou Hengshans earlier action, he knew that capturing Ye Qing took priority. That was the task the Harmony King had entrusted to him.

I dare you to make a move, Chu Hao.

But before the shadow guard commander could make a move, his heart suddenly skipped a beat. Hong Jianglongs energy had locked onto him, and it felt as if someone had pressed a sword to his neck.

Are you seriously going to fight the two of us together, Hong Jianglong? Zhou Hengshan scoffed. He and Hong Jianglong were more or less at the same level, and while Chu Hao wasnt a Grandmaster, he was only half a step away from entering that stage. Therefore, there was no way Hong Jianglong could win against them.

Also, my men will be arriving any moment now. There is no way you can protect him, Hong Jianglong. Just surrender him already so we may be done with this farce.

Hong Jianglong wasnt intimidated in the slightest. No, you shut up and come at me, he declared as his energies stirred the surrounding air and origin qi like a golden dragon.

Are you really going to make an enemy out of the Harmony King and the imperial family, Lord Hong? Chu Hao asked in an unfriendly tone as well.

Heavens above, why cant you people just shut up and fight me? Fine, Ill waste some breath on you. Until Ye Qing is convicted, he is still a member of the Pacification Bureau, and youre discussing his murder right in front of me. Do I look like a pushover to you?

Hong Jianglong declared in a tone that would accept no rebuke. If you wish to kill him, then you can go through the official process. If, and only if the Three Judicial Courts and the Imperial Clan Court determine that his crimes are punishable by death, then you may kill him. Until then, he is still a member of the Pacification Bureau, and you have no right to lay judgment on him.

Youre the one who insists on shaming yourself, Hong Jianglong! Zhou Hengshan roared with bloodshot eyes, and the noises of war grew louder.

Right back at you, fatty. Hong Jianglong sneered. Stop peeing in your own face. Its unsightly.

Heaven and earth began to stir ominously. A great battle would soon break out between two Grandmasters.

It was at this moment Ye Qing took a step forward and declared, Please stop, my lord. There is no need for this.

Chu Qingge also looked at Chu Hao and ordered, Uncle Chu, stay your hand.

Hong Jianglong looked back at Ye Qing and said, Dont worry, Joyless. I swear I will get to the bottom of this and clear your name. Until then, no one will harm a hair on your person.

I am eternally grateful for your trust, my lord, Ye Qing replied with wholehearted sincerity. He didnt expect Hong Jianglong to defend him even when things had come to this. He would be lying if he said he wasnt moved by it. But that was precisely why he couldnt drag Hong Jianglong down with him.

He knew very well that he was in deep shit. The crime of killing Chu Qingli was unforgivable, but he also killed hundreds of Hengshan soldiers and a battalion commander. Although he was set up, there was no way he could have absolved without some consequences even if he had all the evidence he needed to clear his name, which he didnt, not to mention that neither the evidence nor the truth always mattered.

At this point, everyone in the jianghu would have heard of his exploits. This was no longer just a matter of the Harmony King or Zhou Hengshan taking revenge against Ye Qing. This had escalated into a situation where the dignity of the imperial family and the military itself was on the line.

No business was too insignificant, and no slight was too slight when the Son of Heaven was involved.

Hong Jianglong might be able to protect him for a time, but the price was his own life and maybe even the Pacification Bureau itself. At the very least, the consequences would be severe and far-reaching.

The Pacification Bureau had been nothing but good to him. How could he possibly repay kindness with suffering?

This was neither his style nor his way.

He would not and could not become the reason Hong Jianglong was brought low.

That was why he looked at Hong Jianglong and said seriously, But its fine. You dont have to help me.

What do you mean, Joyless? Hong Jianglong furrowed his brows. If youre worried that Im not strong enough to protect you, dont.

He glanced meaningfully at Zhou Hengshan and Chu Hao as he declared, I, Hong Jianglong, fear nothing and no one.

You dont have to tell me that, Ye Qing said with a gentle smile on his face. However, there are some things in life that only I can do. I dont wish to borrow anothers hand or entrust my life to another.

What are you trying to say, Joyless? Hong Jianglongs confusion only grew at Ye Qings puzzling words.

Im saying that I will clear my own name, claim the vengeance I am owed, and handle my own problems by my own hands.

Ye Qing looked at Hong Jianglong and declared firmly, I officially resign from the Pacification Bureau. From now on, my actions and behavior no longer have anything to do with the Pacification Bureau, and the Pacification Bureau no longer holds any power over me. So please, dont meddle in my affairs any longer, Lord Hong.

Hong Jianglong shuddered. That was how shocked he was to hear Ye Qings sudden declaration. Joyless, you

Hahahahaha! Zhou Hengshan interrupted the conversation with a crazed, ridiculing laugh. See, Hong Jianglong? He doesnt appreciate your kindness at all! How does it feel to waste your feelings on an ingrate!?

What do you care? Its my business! Hong Jianglong retorted.

Trye. I couldnt care less about you. Zhou Hengshans laugh subsided into a sinister grin. So you best stay out of my business as well.

As soon as he said this, a deafening boom rocked the world, and Zhou Hengshan abruptly pounced toward Ye Qing. For someone so fat, he moved as fast as a lightning bolt.

Hong Jianglong was going to block the generals way again, but this time Chu Hao predicted his movement and fired a violent, storm-like sword beam from his fingers. Although Chu Hao was just a Half-Step Grandmaster, the attack wasnt something he could just ignore. So, he turned his palm around and pressed toward the ground.

Hong Jianglongs palm was only several inches long, but it was like an entire world was contained within it. Inside that world was a golden dragon that opened its mouth and absorbed every wisp of the storm-like sword qi. As powerful as the attack was, it could not harm even a hair on his person.

The Pacification Commissioner took a step forward and blew Chu Hao away like a cotton in the wind.

Chu Hao was stunned. He knew he was no match for Hong Jianglong, but the gap was far bigger than he expected. The man had defeated his sword qi with a single palm, and pushed him back in a single step.

That wasnt to say Chu Haos hindrance was useless. Try as he might, Hong Jianglong ultimately was one step too late to cut in front of Zhou Hengshan. The general swiftly closed the distance between himself and Ye Qing.

Zhou Hengshan! You dare?! Hong Jianglong roared.

Hahaha! Why wouldnt I?! Zhou Hengshan laughed savagely while overflowing with murderous intent. Im going to kill him right in front of you! What are you going to do about it?

It was at this moment Chu Qingge took a step forward and released a tremendous amount of purple qi. As the Son of Heavens imposing silhouette took form in the sky, she declared, General, please wait and listen to me.

Zhou Hengshan didnt expect this reaction from Chu Qingge, and with so many eyes watching him, he didnt have the courage to kill the princess. He was forced to withdraw the large majority of his energies.

As a Grandmaster, he could release and withdraw his energies as he pleased. Any other warrior below this stage would have suffered at least some damage.

How dare you use the princess as your shield! Princess, watch out! Zhou Hengshan shouted so loudly that no one could hear what Chu Qingge was saying. At the same time, he grabbed her shoulder, sealed her energies so she couldnt resist, and tossed her out of the way like nothing.

With Chu Qingge out of the way, Zhou Hengshan continued to advance toward Ye Qing.