Chapter 9: The Killing of Zhang Mo

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Zhang Mo, who had just wanted to wake up, suddenly realized he had already been thrown into a prison cell. Fury surged through him, his face flushed with rage. Outside the cell, Zhao Mang immediately lit the fuse on this powder keg. The thought of the beauty he had just acquired snatched away by that brat Zhao Mang made him curse shamelessly without regard for appearances.

“You bastard! You’ve ruined my plans again and again! When my father gets me out of here, I’ll tear you to pieces!”

Outside, Zhao Mang watched Zhang Mo’s hysterics through the bars of the cell, gripping the door in impotent fury, feeling utterly bored.

With a cold voice, he said, “Are you all mouth? If that’s all you’ve got, then I really overestimated you.”

With that, Zhao Mang flashed forward and stood right before the cell door. Reaching through the bars, he grabbed Zhang Mo by the neck and said coldly, “Tell me honestly, who gave you the order to take my sister away?”

A nearby jailer, seeing this, hurriedly intervened, “Brother, you can’t cause trouble inside the cell. Besides, this young master is from the Zhang family. Please think twice; we can’t afford to incur the wrath of the Zhangs.”

Zhao Mang shot the jailer a sharp glance, completely ignoring his words. His gaze was like icy water piercing through, causing the jailer to shiver all over, unwilling to say more. He quickly backed away, out of sight, out of mind.

Meanwhile, on the street, Wu Zhuo, an aide to the Military Commissioner of the Fields, was rushing here with Jiang Shan and Wang Wu. The moment they received the news of Zhang Mo’s arrest, they set out immediately.

Zhang Mo’s repeated abductions of local women were a notorious matter, usually resolved by Jiang Shan and Wang Wu. But this time, Zhang Mo had kidnapped Miss Jiang Wan, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family. This was no ordinary matter, so Jiang Shan had brought Wu Zhuo along to provide reinforcements, hoping to safely retrieve Zhang Mo from the cell and return him home.

What they hadn’t expected was Zhao Mang’s involvement in this incident. In their eyes, the most important concern was the Jiang family’s stance. Some obscure Zhao Mang was irrelevant to them.

Inside the cell, Zhang Mo’s expression grew wilder. “No one! I just wanted to try the taste of that girl from Central Plains.”

Suddenly, Zhang Mo’s eyes gleamed meaningfully as he looked at Zhao Mang, thinking he had found Zhao Mang’s weakness.

“You were the one who broke into my yard that night.”

“What? Want to know more?”

“Then kneel down and beg me!”

Zhao Mang looked at the flushed Zhang Mo with utter calm, no patience left. If he wouldn’t talk, then let it stay buried forever.

With a sudden punch to Zhang Mo’s chest, there was a soft sound. Zhao Mang’s fist pierced through Zhang Mo’s body instantly. Zhang Mo’s pupils shrank violently, blood sprayed from his mouth, and before him, Zhao Mang seemed to turn into a bloodied figure.

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Zhang Mo died on the spot, his face still frozen in arrogance, hoping Zhao Mang would relent. The jailers nearby turned pale with fright. Who was this man? How dared he kill someone inside the prison?

And the victim was a son of the Zhang family!

The jailers quickly turned and ran, one stumbling to the ground, hastily getting up and fleeing for fear that this killing god would silence them too.

Zhao Mang killed with one strike, then strode decisively out of the cell. The seed had been planted; now it was only a matter of time before the result came.

Just as Zhao Mang stepped out, Wu Zhuo arrived with the two others heading toward the cell. Their intention was clear: to rescue Zhang Mo.

Seeing Zhao Mang covered in blood, at first they paid no attention—Wu Zhuo didn’t know who Zhao Mang was and disregarded the bloodied man emerging from the cell.

The two who had seen Zhao Mang before cast strange glances at him but didn’t think much of it; they followed Wu Zhuo into the cell. The two parties passed each other without conflict.

But Zhao Mang hadn’t gone far when a furious shout came from inside the cell: “Zhao Mang! Thief, don’t run!”

“How dare you kill inside the prison?”

“Such lawlessness—what crime do you deserve?”

The three who had just entered soon came out carrying Zhang Mo’s corpse. Wu Zhuo led them in questioning Zhao Mang.

Zhao Mang turned with an expressionless face and coldly said, “Oh? How do you know it was me who killed him?”

Wu Zhuo laughed in anger. *Are you stupid? Don’t you see the blood all over you?* To pretend ignorance so blatantly was just disrespectful.

He cursed, “You barbarian speak nonsense!”

Then he turned to Wang Wu and ordered, “Wang Wu, seize this thief and sober him up.”

Jiang Shan gave a signal. Without hesitation, Wang Wu threw Zhang Mo’s body aside and charged like a cannonball.

Seeing Wang Wu rushing at him, Zhao Mang no longer acted casually. He lowered his stance, stepped his left foot back half a step, and prepared to attack.

In an instant, Zhao Mang and Wang Wu collided midair. There was a loud bang, and a circle of shockwaves burst where their fists met, stirring up dust.

They exchanged blows for several rounds in a flash.

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The two fought to a standstill.

Zhao Mang was taken aback—he knew Wang Wu was strong but hadn’t expected Wang Wu’s strength to force him to exert eighty percent of his power.

No wonder Wang Wu had been able to smash a hole in the ground with a single kick that day.

Wang Wu was somewhat excited to find a worthy opponent. He focused more, no longer relying on brute force but showing his true skill with every move.

The onlookers behind Wang Wu were even more shocked. They had never considered this unremarkable country bumpkin a match for Wang Wu.

They knew Wang Wu’s strength well—he possessed the power of five bulls in one hand and could single-handedly slaughter a squad. Such strength surpassed that of most generals.

Yet, they still underestimated Zhao Mang, confident as if victory was assured.

After a while, the battle had reached a fierce stalemate. Zhao Mang was already using ninety percent of his strength, while Wang Wu gave his all.

Seeing this, Wu Zhuo frowned slightly. “Jiang Shan, why aren’t you helping?”

At his command, Jiang Shan no longer hesitated. He opened his folding fan and began attacking from afar.

Indeed, his method was throwing concealed weapons.

This vicious tactic perfectly suited Jiang Shan’s slender appearance.

His throws were tricky and deadly, causing Zhao Mang considerable trouble.

After several rounds, Zhao Mang was beset on all sides, struggling.

Just as he was about to collapse from exhaustion, he suddenly retreated and fled.

There was no need to wear himself out here; he had other places to go, no reason to stay and tangle with them.

Seeing this, Jiang Shan hurled all his remaining weapons at once, hoping to take Zhao Mang down in one go.

But Zhao Mang was incredibly agile, easily dodging all the projectiles and escaping farther and farther.

Though his own strength was considerable, Wang Wu’s power surpassed expectations, especially with Jiang Shan’s support from behind.

Zhao Mang was growing frustrated and headed straight for the government office’s exit.

Before he could leave, Xiao Han arrived with his men.

Seeing the situation, Xiao Han spoke decisively, “Those who take someone in front of Captain Liu are clearly not taking our captain seriously!”

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