Chapter 124: Who Exactly Did It?

Liu Xing was momentarily stunned when he saw the scene unfolding before him. He was about to call for help when Xiao Yang appeared on the street, followed by a dozen or so unruly, swaggering youths. At first, they merely observed from a distance, as if the scuffle had nothing to do with them. But as they quickly approached, their true intent became clear. Without bothering to hear any side of the story, they brazenly accused Village Chief Zhao, Nie Sun, and Nie Quan of wrongdoing.

Several unfamiliar passersby, witnessing the commotion, gathered around and even joined in, egged on by Xiao Yang. It seemed as if the five strangers blocking Liu Dongju’s front gate with a pile of manure were justified in their actions.

Niu Lianfang could no longer stand it. Just as she was about to give Xiao Yang a lesson, Director Wu arrived and stopped her. “Don’t act recklessly now. Zhu Dachang might still be lurking nearby!”

“What then? Should we just stand by and watch Village Chief Zhao get bullied?” Niu Lianfang snapped furiously.

“Liu Xing, you handle this. Have Zhao Gou and Zhao Liang call for backup to drive these people away. As long as no one gets seriously hurt, I will help you deal with any fallout,” Director Wu said in a low voice, his eyes blazing with anger as they locked onto Xiao Yang.

They had expended enormous manpower and resources to capture Zhu Dachang. If Xiao Yang, a petty villain, ruined their efforts, he would not be spared.

Liu Xing understood immediately and nodded in agreement with Director Wu’s plan. He was about to rush to the backyard to summon Zhao Gou and Zhao Liang.

At the gate, Guazi and Little Dot were helping to arrange firecrackers. Seeing Village Chief Zhao, Nie Sun, and Nie Quan being harassed by the five young men, their anger flared uncontrollably.

Guazi, suddenly summoned by courage from nowhere, grabbed a string of firecrackers and ran toward the road, holding a lit stick. “You villains! How dare you bully Grandpa Zhao? I’ll blow you up!”

“Yeah, blow you up!” Little Dot followed closely behind, toddling along with the firecrackers in hand.

Zhao Jing, witnessing this, also followed in righteous indignation.

Niu Lianfang sensed something was wrong and quickly reached out to pull Zhao Jing back.

Liu Xing dashed toward Guazi. After all, it was dangerous for children to get involved in an adult fight. If they got hurt, it would be a serious problem.

But by the time he realized it, it was too late.

Guazi, still running, had already lit the firecrackers and tossed them at the two young men holding Village Chief Zhao down.

Due to her weak strength, the throw was poor, and the firecrackers landed in a manure bucket blocking the road instead.

With a series of crackling explosions, one of the manure buckets suddenly burst!

Centered around Village Chief Zhao, Nie Sun, and Nie Quan, an instant erupted into screams of agony and curses.

“Who did that?”

“Step forward, now!”

“If I don’t beat you to death, I’ll change my name to yours!”

Guazi, sensing the escalating chaos, tucked her head and fled home with Little Dot trailing behind.

Only when she glanced back did she realize the extent of the mess she had caused.

The exploded firecrackers had scattered manure everywhere. Aside from Village Chief Zhao, Nie Sun, and Nie Quan, many others were hit as well.

Especially Xiao Yang and his troublemaking companions, who were all covered—faces, hands, backs—there wasn’t a spot left clean.

Even Niu Lianfang was caught in the fallout, with her baby-soft face sullied by the filth. After a retch, she hurried to the kitchen to wash herself.

The curious bystanders lost all interest and scattered in all directions.

Only Xiao Yang and his group of strangers remained frozen in place, dumbfounded by what had just happened.

Xiao Yang had intended to stir up trouble deliberately, hoping to sabotage Liu Xing’s shoe store opening the next day. Instead, his plan backfired spectacularly, leaving him covered in manure.

Regaining his senses, he howled in hysterical rage, “Who the hell did this?! Step out right now!”

His eyes bloodshot from fury, but no one dared to answer.

Liu Xing suppressed a laugh as he saw Guazi and Little Dot timidly peeking through the door crack. He quickly waved them to hide.

“You little sister of yours! You’re like Sun Wukong causing chaos in heaven, as if the world isn’t already chaotic enough!” Director Wu chuckled dryly, knowing that with Guazi’s stunt, Xiao Yang wouldn’t dare cause more trouble. Patting Liu Xing on the shoulder, he quietly slipped away.

After all, his mission was to capture Zhu Dachang, not to watch a farce unfold.

Liu Xing watched Director Wu leave, scratching his head with a faint smile as Zhao Gou and Zhao Liang, who had just arrived, hurried over.

Seeing Village Chief Zhao, Nie Sun, and Nie Quan were unharmed, they helped them to their feet and started toward the gate.

Xiao Yang tried to stop Liu Xing but, seeing his own pitiful state, could only grit his teeth and wave his men away.

Sharp-eyed observers noticed that the five young men who had carried the manure also left alongside Xiao Yang.

On their way, the group encountered a burly man wearing a conical hat. His back was slightly hunched, his face obscured as he walked with his head lowered.

One of the youths, caught off guard, bumped into him.

Already irritated, Xiao Yang glared at the man’s apparent lack of awareness. Steadying himself, he lifted his leg and kicked out.

To his surprise, the burly man didn’t budge an inch.

Just as Xiao Yang prepared to strike again, he froze.

The man raised his head, revealing fierce, bloodthirsty eyes.

Xiao Yang recognized those eyes—they were familiar—but he couldn’t place the face.

As he tried to back away, the youths behind him scattered like ghosts at the sight, shouting out a name Xiao Yang dreaded to hear.

That name was none other than the notorious cattle thief, Zhu Dachang.

Snapping out of his stupor, Xiao Yang’s first thought was to flee. He had no desire to die at the hands of the desperate outlaw Zhu Dachang.

But it was already too late.

He felt a sharp pain as a blade pierced his thigh.

Terrified, he looked up to see Zhu Dachang’s grimacing, bloodthirsty face raising another knife and driving it down hard.

“Mother of God!” Xiao Yang was so frightened he nearly lost control of his bowels.

He tried to run, but his legs wouldn’t move.

The murderous aura radiating from Zhu Dachang had paralyzed him.

Just as Xiao Yang thought he was doomed, Zhu Dachang suddenly bolted toward a nearby alley and vanished in an instant.

“Quick, after him! He ran that way!”

“Notify Director Wu! We’ve found Zhu Dachang!”

A dozen plainclothes officers appeared beside Xiao Yang. Seeing that he was unharmed, they scattered to pursue Zhu Dachang’s trail.

“I must have committed some terrible sin!” Xiao Yang wailed in hysteria, collapsing to the ground, trembling uncontrollably. He still couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Had he known Zhu Dachang was hiding in the marketplace, no amount of courage would have emboldened him to act so arrogantly!

He certainly wouldn’t have stirred up trouble with Liu Xing at such a critical moment.

Now, not only had he failed to find trouble with Liu Xing, but he had also angered the outlaw Zhu Dachang.

If Zhu Dachang came after him tonight to settle the score, ten lives wouldn’t be enough for him to survive.

With this grim realization, Xiao Yang finally sobered up.

Ignoring the bleeding wound, he bolted toward the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

Onlookers hurriedly moved aside.

Villagers who had been going to the cooperative to buy shoes saw Xiao Yang’s disheveled state and manure-covered body and quickly dispersed, no one daring to enter.

Thus, the farce came to an end.

But Liu Xing, now examining Nie Quan’s condition, knew the matter was far from over.

Xiao Yang was merely a petty fool, but Zhu Dachang was the true source of this chaos.

If he was not dealt with, the entire marketplace would never know peace again.

As for Hei Duzi’s safety, Liu Xing no longer worried.

The moment Zhu Dachang showed up, there would be no chance for him to get close to Hei Duzi.

After all, Director Wu and his officers were not to be taken lightly.