Chapter Forty-Two: No One Is Useful

Young Master Rui regarded the beautiful village chief with newfound respect. To command the entire village with just a single sentence—such authority was rare, especially in a woman.

“Pretty lady, are you certain you want to do this?” Young Master Rui tilted his head, watching her.

Zhang Xiu’e maintained her easy smile. “You’re an honored guest here in Yutou Village. How could we dare neglect you? Please, go ahead.”

It was only after a pause of more than ten seconds that Young Master Rui rose from his bench. With a cold, sinister smile, he said, “I’d like to see how you handle the aftermath.”

Zhang Xiu’e appeared utterly unconcerned. “When soldiers come, we raise our defenses; when water floods, we pile up earth. What else can we do?”

Once Young Master Rui and his men had set off down the mountain, Zhang Xiu’e called Lian Sheng over and whispered in his ear, “You all stay on the back mountain. If things look bad, head deeper into the hills and hide.”

Lian Sheng hesitated, then shook his head. “Chief Zhang, don’t worry. We know what to do. If it comes to the worst, we’ll just go with the police.”

“You know nothing!” Zhang Xiu’e shot him an angry glare and let slip a curse. Realizing her words were unrefined and lacking in composure, her cheeks flushed. She’d become more irritable after spending so much time with the villagers of Yutou, especially that rascal Tang Long.

“Just listen to me. I wouldn’t lead you astray. It’s far easier for us to help you if you’re hiding than to try and bail you out from the station.” She rolled her eyes at him. She wasn’t really angry about Lian Sheng’s earlier fight; in his place, she’d have called someone to beat that little troublemaker too—he was simply asking for it.

“Do as I say!”

“Alright!” Lian Sheng nodded dutifully.

Only then did Zhang Xiu’e lead a few villagers down the mountain. As for Zhang Kang’s nephew, he looked miserable but could walk on his own—there wouldn’t be any major problems. The people of Yutou Village weren’t bandits or highwaymen; they wouldn’t break someone’s legs at the drop of a hat. Nor was Zhang Xiu’e ignorant of the law.

On the way back, Zhang Xiu’e received a call from Tang Long.

“Have you figured out what’s going on?” Tang Long got straight to the point.

With a wry smile, Zhang Xiu’e recounted the events and then, after a moment’s hesitation, said softly, “I feel like Young Master Rui is just looking for trouble.”

Tang Long mulled it over. “He’s just making a fuss over nothing. There isn’t much in Yutou Village worth coveting. If it’s not you he’s interested in, then it must be the ‘King Ghost Cave.’”

“Interested in me?” Zhang Xiu’e blushed, annoyed. “Tang Long, you’re the village head—can’t you be a little more serious?”

Tang Long, far from angry, chuckled teasingly. “Am I wrong? Aren’t you and the King Ghost Cave both treasures of the village?”

“I’m not going to argue with you!” Zhang Xiu’e didn’t hang up, nor was she truly angry. Being called a ‘treasure’ delighted her more than anything. She was just exasperated that Tang Long would tease her so slyly.

“When are you coming back?” she asked softly.

She wasn’t sure she could really hold off Young Master Rui. After all, she was just a woman; without a man as the backbone at home, she couldn’t quite feel at ease.

“We should be home by dusk,” Tang Long replied after a brief pause, reassuring her. “Don’t worry too much. No matter who comes, wait for me. Until I’m back, don’t let anyone take away a single villager.”

“Alright, don’t worry. I understand,” Zhang Xiu’e nodded. Young Master Rui was not to be underestimated: with a single word, he’d brought in a crowd from the county, and they were already on their way to Donghe Town.

After she hung up, Shan Xiu approached, curiosity in her voice. “Was that your village chief Tang Long? Is he coming back soon?”

Shan Xiu had been staying with Zhang Xiu’e these days. She was quite fond of her, and of this remote mountain village.

A genuine smile spread across Zhang Xiu’e’s face. She nodded. “Yes, he should be home by evening.”

At sunset? Shan Xiu’s eyes glinted with a hint of contemplation.

“I still don’t know what Young Master Rui’s real background is,” Zhang Xiu’e mused aloud, not noticing Shan Xiu’s expression. Her mind was preoccupied with village matters. She had no inkling that Shan Xiu was here on a mission—to assassinate Tang Long.

“I’ve heard of Young Master Rui,” Shan Xiu said quietly, after a moment’s hesitation.

Zhang Xiu’e stopped and looked at her, curious. “You know him?”

Shan Xiu nodded. “Young Master Rui is known as the foremost scion of Taoyuan; he’s very famous in the city. Behind him is a vast, powerful family network. Did you notice those two young men always at his side? One trained at the Nanhe Shaolin Martial Arts School, the other was runner-up in the national Sanda championships. Both have fought in the city’s underground boxing matches—they’re tough characters. If a real fight broke out, those dozen or so villagers of Yutou might not have come off well.

You should keep an eye on those two, especially. As for Young Master Rui himself, he’s notorious for being sly and ruthless—a despicable character, acting on whim, turning on people without warning. Though young, he’s cunning and experienced. Few escape unscathed once he sets his sights on them.”

Zhang Xiu’e didn’t ask how Shan Xiu knew all this. She understood everyone had their secrets; the fact that Shan Xiu was willing to share this much was already more than enough.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “So, according to you, there’s really nothing we can do against Young Master Rui?”

Shan Xiu smiled and shook her head. “Not necessarily. First, this is Yutou Village—you’re the ‘beautiful chief’ here. As long as you don’t give the word, no outsider can do anything. No matter how deep Young Master Rui’s connections run, he can’t have the county arrest every man, woman, and child in Yutou. If something big happens, the authorities won’t be able to cover it up. So in this patch of land, his network is useless.

His greatest strength is his connections, but he loses that leverage here. What’s left is to be wary he doesn’t get desperate and lash out. But as long as he’s not stupid, he won’t try to go head-to-head with hundreds of villagers. If he did and got beaten to death, it’d serve him right—he’d deserve no pity.

In short, as long as you, the ‘beautiful chief,’ hold your ground and refuse to let any villagers be taken away, no one can do anything to you. We haven’t committed any serious crime—at most, it was a fight, and even that was started by Young Master Rui and his men. If things get really dire, we can always launch a ‘public opinion battle’—and we’d have the upper hand.”

Zhang Xiu’e paused, then burst out laughing. “Alright, let’s do it your way. No matter who comes today, we won’t give in. I don’t care if it’s Young Master Rui or some other dog of a master—here in Yutou Village, even a tiger must crouch and a dragon must coil. No outsiders call the shots here!”

“Impressive!” Shan Xiu giggled, giving Zhang Xiu’e a thumbs-up.

What was the greatest strength of Zhang Xiu’e and Yutou Village? Unity.