Chapter 44: Without Protection, You Are Merely a Paper Tiger

However, the scoundrel’s words fell on deaf ears. The villagers had already seen through his true nature, realizing he was merely using them to achieve his own ends. One after another, they declared their unwillingness to be manipulated any longer. They placed their trust instead in Lin Junsheng, a man of righteousness. That young man with the crippled leg had even tended to their livestock’s ailments, having injured himself on the road. How could such a person be deceitful? Only someone like this scoundrel was truly detestable.

Meanwhile, the people from the neighboring village began to waver. They had originally planned to leverage the town mayor’s nephew to intimidate Lin Junsheng and the villagers, but now it seemed their scheme would fail. The scoundrel’s face darkened instantly, blacker than a pot’s bottom, as if the sky had darkened before a storm. Through clenched teeth, he spat out each word with venom.

“Hmph, don’t get cocky too soon, kid. We’ll see about that!” Then turning to his men, he sneered, “If your wives lose their jobs and you all end up back home raising kids and farming, let’s see what you’ll do then! If you’ve got guts, come at me!”

His eyes gleamed with defiance and resentment, like a wild beast driven into a corner, ready for its final strike. This was a matter of life and death.

Lin Junsheng raised an eyebrow at his challenge. Straightening his back like an unwavering pine, he locked eyes with the scoundrel and spoke in a powerful, resonant voice.

“I, Lin Junsheng, have lived with integrity, upright in both conduct and posture. I fear no threat or challenge. If you truly have the courage, then bring it on. I will stand and fight to the very end, never retreating an inch!”

At that moment, Wang Cuihua stepped forward. Though not tall in stature, her words carried immense strength.

“The people of our village have always stood united, weathering storms together and overcoming hardships side by side. Whoever tries to shatter our peace or trample on our dignity will face our united resistance. Don’t think we only know farming—we have courage and blood in our veins! If it comes to a fight, we will never hold back!”

Wang Cuihua’s words ignited a fire of determination in the villagers’ hearts. They responded eagerly, some clenching fists, others grabbing tools, ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Wang Cuihua and Lin Junsheng, vowing to defend their land to the death.

The people from the neighboring village, unwilling to be outdone, rolled up their sleeves and raised their hoes and sickles, preparing to confront the looming conflict. A fierce battle was on the verge of eruption.

At this critical moment, the sudden wail of sirens shattered the tense silence. A police car sped in like a gale, kicking up clouds of dust and drawing every eye. The doors flung open, and two officers stepped out swiftly, their faces grave, eyes scanning the crowd with sharp vigilance.

“Stop this at once! This is a society governed by law, not a place for lawlessness!”

The officers’ authoritative voices rang out like thunder, instantly silencing all. Should violence break out, the consequences would be dire—not only injuries or deaths but severe repercussions for the law enforcement as well.

The sudden intervention cooled the boiling tension immediately. Villagers lowered their weapons, and the scoundrel’s gang subdued their arrogance. The police arrival was like a timely rain, quenching the flames of war and turning the tide unexpectedly.

One officer approached the scoundrel, his measured steps exuding the solemnity of the law. His piercing gaze seemed to see through to the man’s soul, cold and unyielding.

“You are suspected of multiple offenses including causing disturbances and extortion. Under the law, we have the right to arrest you now. Please come with us and cooperate with the investigation.”

The scoundrel’s face paled instantly, his usually arrogant, domineering eyes now filled only with panic and helplessness. He stammered in a futile attempt to defend himself, but faced with the officers’ stern gaze and the iron certainty of handcuffs, all his protests flickered like a candle in the wind before extinguishing.

Without his backing, the scoundrel was merely a paper tiger.

The villagers whispered among themselves, their voices rising and falling like cicadas on a summer afternoon, filled with shock and disbelief. Their eyes widened, mouths agape, as if they could swallow an entire egg whole.

This once brazen bully who terrorized the countryside was hiding a trove of heinous deeds—truly outrageous beyond words.

“Ah, you can never truly know a person’s heart by their face! He looked so tough, yet he’s done such wicked things!” one villager lamented, shaking his head in anger.

“Exactly! Now justice is catching up to him. The net is wide and cannot miss. That scoundrel is finally done for! Let’s see how arrogant he’ll be from now on!” another exclaimed, waving his arms with a triumphant grin, feeling the sweet victory of righteousness.

“Our village will finally have peace. The children can go to school safely, no longer fearing the scoundrel’s bullying.”

“Yes, with the law protecting us and the police maintaining order, what do we have to fear?”

The villagers chattered animatedly, each face lit with various expressions of relief and hope.

As the scoundrel was led away by the officers, the imminent battle quietly dissipated. The police then turned to calm the crowd.

“Folks, the matter is settled. Please head home now. If you encounter any problems in the future, remember to come to us. We will resolve things according to the law.”

The villagers nodded in understanding. Soon, the neighboring villagers also lowered their weapons, their anger and hostility gradually fading away.

Just as everyone was about to disperse, Lin Junsheng approached the police, his expression serious.

“Officers, I have a question. Has the town mayor also been arrested?”

The officers exchanged a glance and smiled slightly. One replied, “Oh, you mean that corrupt mayor? Yes, we arrested him last night. But this matter isn’t public yet—you’ll just have to keep that in mind.”

Lin Junsheng’s heart tightened. It truly seemed the mayor was headed for prison, perhaps even the gallows.

He wanted to ask more, but seeing the officers’ stern faces, he knew some questions were off-limits. He simply nodded and said, “Understood. I heard nothing.”