Chapter 42: The City Lord also fought together, won a complete victory and returned home

Zhang Jin and Liu Wuyan, the lords of Jin and Liuyan City, were facing each other.

As such a big event occurred, naturally the lord of the city would have to come.

Because... he also took money from this gambling house.

However, with his status, it is absolutely not good to show up in public.

Zhang Jin looked at Shen Lang's beautiful face, recalling the scene of driving Shen Lang away.

It was only a few days ago, but it seemed so distant.

Back then, Shen Lang was clearly a fool.

How come he looks so cunning now?

"Lord of the city, do you think with all this chaos, Shen Lang is especially prone to deep sorrow?" Zhang Jin suddenly said.

Liu Wuyan, the lord of the city, nodded and said, "Yes."

He and the Marquis's Mansion were natural enemies, so naturally they were enemies of Shen Lang as well.

Zhang Jin said, "With thousands of people surrounding Shen Lang to pick up money, if a trampling incident occurs, it should have nothing to do with us, right?"

The lord of the city, Liu Wuyan, said, "Of course not."

Zhang Jin continued, "If by any chance, Shen Lang ends up disabled from being trampled, it's a natural outcome, isn't it?"

Liu Wuyan, the lord of the city, said, "It is."

With the current chaos, if a trampling incident were to occur and harm Shen Lang, it could only be blamed on Shen Lang being too ostentatious.

The Marquis would seek accountability, but he couldn't blame the thousands of people present, since he claims to love the people like his own children, right?

And you couldn't blame it on Tian Hong and others either, he has already been made so miserable by you, fainting and coughing up blood.

Liu Wuyan suddenly said, "Since it's a trampling incident, there will definitely be many deaths, dozens or even hundreds of deaths will be normal. Then Shen Lang and the Marquis's Mansion can't escape blame."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jin couldn't help but be stunned.

They actually wanted to use the incident to shift the blame onto the Marquis's Mansion by causing the deaths of dozens or even hundreds of people?

Zhang Jin looked at the lord of the city with astonishment in his eyes.

He only wanted to take advantage of Shen Lang, but this lord of the city wanted to use the deaths of dozens or even hundreds of people to bring down the Marquis's Mansion.

Damn it, he really lives up to the reputation of a civil official; he is more cunning than us military officials!

Don't you fear creating future trouble?

Then, the two big figures nodded.

It was decided to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a major incident, dragging down the Marquis's Mansion.

Trampling Shen Lang was just incidental.

"Long live the Marquis."

"Long live Master Shen!"

Outside, thousands of people continued to cheer.

Several dozen warriors, disguised as ordinary people, infiltrated the crowd from all directions.

They jostled through the crowd in four directions toward Shen Lang.

First they claimed to grab the coins and created a commotion.

Then they immediately pushed aside the four warriors around Shen Lang, trampling him to the ground and crushing his testicles with a kick.

Finally, they incited a major riot and large-scale trampling.

A major disaster ensued, with at least several dozen deaths, and all the blame was to be pinned on the Marquis's Mansion.

The plan was vicious but effective!

However, Shen Lang immediately sensed the danger.

In chaotic crowds, trampling is most likely to occur, resulting in a major disaster.

Moreover, there were over a dozen unknown people pushing towards him.

With his intellect, he could clearly remember many faces.

He glanced towards the Riches and Noble District.

With such a big incident today, why hadn't Tian Hong's backer shown up? This was abnormal.

These over a dozen people were clearly not affiliated with Tian Hong.

They were clearly aiming to incite greater disorder and catastrophe.

"Quiet, everyone stay still," Shen Lang shouted.

At this moment, all the thousand people on the scene quieted down and looked at him.

The over a dozen warriors posing as common people trying to mix in with the crowd now appeared even more abrupt because they were still pushing forward.

You want to stop it now, Shen Lang? It's too late!

Tian Hong had already fainted after coughing up blood, leaving only you as a significant figure.

Once a major trampling or large-scale death incident occurs, it would be you, Shen Lang, and the Marquis's Mansion who would be held accountable.

Shen Lang took out the promissory note from Tian Hong, totaling a hefty 17,000 gold coins.

Even though he would never collect this debt, 17,000 gold coins was still a very shocking number.

"This is the 17,000 gold coins Tian Hong owes me," Shen Lang declared loudly. "I wouldn't take a single copper coin."

"Where did Tian Hong get this money? Where did the money in the Riches and Noble District come from?"

"All of this is the sweat and blood of the people of Xuanwu City, so this over 10,000 gold coins also belong to you all."

Shen Lang raised the promissory note high and declared, "This money is not owed by Tian Hong alone, but by the entire citizens of Xuanwu City."

"I will take this promissory note to the Lord's Mansion and let the city lord reclaim this debt for the people of Xuanwu City. I don't want a single coin of the money we recover, and I won't handle it at all. It will all be used to help the poor families in Xuanwu City."

"You must believe that Lord Liu Wuyan will definitely stand up for the people," Shen Lang spoke loudly.

As soon as these words were spoken, the city lord Liu Wuyan in the Riches and Honors Residence paled.

Damn it!

This fire has been lit and it's coming at me?

The dozen or so warriors still feigned the appearance of commoners and crowded around Shen Lang.

Their plan was to trample Shen Lang first and then cause a large-scale trampling incident with casualties.

However...

Shen Lang suddenly rushed over.

In a swift and decisive manner, he charged into the Riches and Honors Residence, pushing open the door forcefully.

The city lord Liu Wuyan didn't even utter a word before attempting to escape through the back door.

"Lord City Lord, you're really here..." Shen Lang shouted loudly, fearing that others wouldn't know, and then he grabbed the city lord's sleeve.

"Dear fellow countrymen, the city lord is really here," he called out, rallying numerous people to come and see.

Suddenly, the crowd surged forward and indeed saw the city lord Liu Wuyan.

The city lord was full of astonishment and embarrassment.

Then, he dashed into the Riches and Honors Residence, pushing open the door forcefully.

The city lord Liu Wuyan stood inside with a look of astonishment.

Damn it, cunning as a fox, Shen Lang. You said you were going to the Lord's Mansion to find me, but now you suddenly rush in here.

And in that instant, the dozen or so people outside ceased their actions.

If only Shen Lang was present, then in the event of a major trampling incident with casualties, it would be solely the responsibility of Shen Lang and the Earl's residence.

But if the city lord was present?

Well, sorry, as the highest official in Xuanwu City, the responsibility would undoubtedly fall on you. At most, Shen Lang would be only partly responsible.

So, the sinister plan was halted.

With such a significant event, of course, he had to come, because... he also received money from this gambling den.

The city lord Liu Wuyan didn't expect the deceitful Shen Lang to rush in directly, exposing him in front of the masses.

Then, Shen Lang respectfully placed the promissory note in the hands of City Lord Liu Wuyan and sincerely said, "My Lord City Lord, this promissory note represents the hope of numerous poor souls in Xuanwu City. You love the people like your own children, so I entrust this heavy burden to you."

Then, with the countless eyes of the masses on him, Shen Lang continued, "This sum of 17,000 gold coins represents the blood and sweat of the people of Xuanwu City and is related to the hope of countless impoverished families. I, insignificant as I am, acknowledge that I cannot recover this money. But as the lord of the city, if you step forward to reclaim this debt for the countless poor, Tian Hong would surely not dare not to repay it."

When he finished speaking, Tian Hong, who had just regained consciousness, was about to faint again.

This promissory note for 17,000 gold coins was written casually and it is impossible to repay it. Unless the Earl comes to collect the debt, but even if the sky fell, the Earl would not come to collect this gambling debt.

So, this promissory note is worthless.

And now...

It is actually going to be repaid?

Zhang Jin and City Lord Liu Wuyan both were in shock.

This... On the surface, the gambling den belongs to Tian Hong, but most of the money went into their pockets.

The losses are all ours.

The city lord's eyes twitched, and then he smiled and said, "Rest assured, I will not let you down."

"I will donate this 17,000 gold coins to the impoverished people of Xuanwu City and officially entrust it to the city lord," Shen Lang said. "Are you sure you will reclaim this debt for the countless poor people?"

What can the city lord do?

Should I just ignore this matter?

With countless eyes on them, Shen Lang had raised the issue to the level of vital funds for the countless impoverished people of Xuanwu City.

If the city lord were to refuse, then rumors would spread tomorrow that the city lord and Tian Hong were in cahoots, and he would be seen as a protector of the gambling den.

Otherwise, why would the city lord be hiding in the Riches and Honors Residence?

By then, it wouldn't just be Tian Hong who would be discredited.

The city lord put on a smile, but in his heart, it felt like a thousand camels trampled over, like being bitten by a snake to the bone.

Shen Lang, you are nothing more than a poisonous snake!

But now with countless eyes on him, the city lord couldn't afford to react and had to show a friendly smile.

"Of course, Lord Shen, you can rest assured," City Lord Liu Wuyan said with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Lord of the City." Shen Lang bowed and said, "It's getting late, I will take my leave now. Goodbye, Lord of the City."

Amidst the admiring gazes of countless people and the envious glares of many, Shen Lang boarded the splendid carriage and departed triumphantly.

Today's battle was truly satisfying.

From this day onward, the entire Xuanwu City would be filled with legends of him.

...

Inside the Count Xuanwu's residence.

The Count paced anxiously in the hall, occasionally glancing outside.

"Jin Zhong, has Shen Lang not returned yet?"

"Not yet, my lord," Jin Zhong replied.

The Count asked again, "Have the men sent to gather information returned?"

"No, my lord."

The Count said, "Are there enough people sent to secretly protect Shen Lang in case of a sudden crisis?"

"There are over a dozen men, it should be enough," replied Jin Zhong.

The Count looked up at the sun in the sky, feeling more agitated.

He regretted it inwardly, even though he hadn't voiced it out loud. He shouldn't have let Shen Lang go out. That kid didn't know his place, going straight to confront Tian Heng alone. Losing the battle wasn't the only worry; he was afraid that a disaster might occur.

Behind Tian Heng stood Zhang Jin and City Lord Liu Wuyan.

He feared that Shen Lang wouldn't just suffer defeat, but the most terrifying thing was that he might cause a catastrophe.

It was already so late, and he was really worried that it wasn't just a loss, but something much worse.

...

Note: Thank you for the generous reward of 10,000 coins, macuy. Thank you.