Chapter 20: The Intimidating Power of a Brick

The petty thief was so furious he was gasping for air. "You insolent little wretch, a sharp tongue won't save you. When I ask to borrow a bit of money from you, that's me giving you face, but you don't know how to appreciate it. If I don't teach you a lesson, you'll never know who's the boss around here."

"Borrow?" Wan Shun let out a laugh. "I have no money, I'm short on cash myself. How about you brothers lend me some? You all look kind and gentle, real good people. Helping out poor country folks like us shouldn't be a problem, right?"

The petty thief cackled weirdly. "I've lived long enough to see everything. You're the first to ask me for money. Want to borrow some? Sure. Serve my brothers well, make them happy, and I'll give you whatever you want. Brothers, let's go."

"Run!" Yu Yan suddenly pushed Wan Shun backwards, then herself tried to rush forward.

Wan Shun was caught off guard by the shove, nearly tumbling over, her brow twitching.

She grabbed Yu Yan back with a quick reflex and narrowly dodged several men swinging clubs at them.

She stood at a safe distance, her voice calm. "Brawling violates the public order law. I'm a law-abiding citizen, I don't fight."

The men laughed loudly. "Good, getting beaten isn't against the law! Taste my club and be a good girl!"

A club as thick as three fingers swung down towards Wan Shun's head. That blow would definitely split her head open. Wan Shun dodged, using her shoulder to take the hit.

Yu Yan tried to rush in to help block it, but Wan Shun held her back firmly.

A sharp crack rang out—whether the club or bone broke, it was unclear.

"Shun!" Yu Yan cried out in terror.

Wan Shun pushed Yu Yan behind her and smiled at the men across from her. "It’s not just getting beaten that's legal—self-defense is legal too."

With a flourish, she swung a brick, striking a man on the side of his head. Blood gushed, stars danced before his eyes, and it was clear there was some personal grudge behind it.

The man’s head swiveled violently on his neck; he didn’t even manage a scream before collapsing to the ground, his fate uncertain.

The dust kicked up by the brick startled the rest, who had been stunned by its sudden appearance.

A chorus of angry howls erupted. "You wretch, you’re asking for death!"

Wan Shun’s lips curled up, her eyes gleaming with wild light.

She smashed down with the brick, breaking a club in one blow, then brought the next brick down directly onto another man’s head.

Seven or eight men, utterly powerless to resist—within ten minutes, all were left bleeding and moaning.

The petty thief’s legs trembled with fear as he retreated, but he kept his tough act, throwing threats: "I—I—I warn you, don’t touch me. I belong to Master Chen San. You know Chen San, don’t you? He’s the big boss of Qijiang County, with hundreds under him. If you dare touch me, he'll have you killed in no time!"

Wan Shun paused, her sweat-soaked hair plastered to her small face. Though thin and somewhat tanned, her bright eyes and delicate features, with her head tilted, gave her an oddly adorable look.

"Chen San? What a coincidence."

Chen San was the local snake, with business interests in Barley Commune. Wan Shun had neither the time nor the ability to confront him yet, planning to wait. Unexpectedly, on her first outing, she encountered one of Chen San’s dogs.

The petty thief thought Wan Shun was scared, grinning with pride. "Scared now, aren’t you? You little wretch, dared to kick me—watch me kick you to death!"

He raised his foot to kick her.

Wan Shun struck down with the brick, making him howl in agony.

His face twisted in a furious roar. "You dare hit me again? Are you not afraid of death? I'll slice you into a thousand pieces, tear you limb from limb, you stupid wretch. Just you wait, I’ll definitely kill you!"

Wan Shun said nothing, delivering another brick straight to his mouth.

He spat out a mouthful of blood and two teeth, his eyes bloodshot, glaring fiercely at Wan Shun.

Expressionless, Wan Shun raised the brick again.

The thief's pupils contracted, hatred turning to terror as he desperately scooted away.

"Shun, stop!" Yu Yan, afraid she’d kill someone and get accused of murder, hurried over to grab Wan Shun’s hand.

Wan Shun flashed a grin. "Don’t worry, godmother, they won’t die."

Without warning, another brick landed on the thief's face.

A scream echoed.

...

"Godmother, are you hot?"

On the back seat of the bicycle, Yu Yan glanced nervously at the string of men roped together, her heart uneasy. "I’m not hot... Shun, are you really going to lead them like this?"

Wan Shun pedaled leisurely—it was the petty thief’s bike, a convenient windfall.

"Of course. Don’t worry, godmother. They’re young and strong, a little walk is just exercise."

Yu Yan’s lips moved as if to protest. It wasn’t that simple. Each one was bloodied, looking terrifying, and running under the blazing sun couldn’t possibly be harmless.

But she had no better solution.

"Shun, where are you taking them?"

"To the Public Security Bureau, naturally," Wan Shun replied as if it were obvious.

Yu Yan grew anxious; she didn’t like dealing with the authorities. Moreover, with the injuries Wan Shun had inflicted, who knew who’d end up in trouble.

"Shun, is... this really appropriate?"

"It’s appropriate. To make it appropriate, I even took a hit myself. How could it not be?"

The men wept inside, cursing the heartless lunatic who smashed them with bricks without hesitation. None of their bones were intact—she was truly vicious.

Going to the Public Security Bureau was good, they thought. There, they would expose her crimes, have her arrested, sentenced, and executed. The murder weapon was still in her basket; she had no chance to deny it.

Wan Shun was unaware of their indignation. Riding was faster than walking, but by the time they reached the county, it was already afternoon.

The men had been dragged all the way, battered by the sun, aching all over, barely alive and shuffling forward like dead dogs.

Wan Shun on the bike and Yu Yan in the seat were exhausted as well.

Upon arriving in town, they went straight to the Public Security Bureau.

A string of bloodied men at the Bureau’s entrance caused quite a stir.

"What happened?"

"Help! Comrades, help us! Please save us!" The men suddenly straightened, rushing past Wan Shun and throwing themselves at the officers, crying and pleading their grievances and fears.

Yu Yan was dumbfounded—this wasn’t right.

Wan Shun, calm and composed, stepped forward. "Comrades, I’m reporting a crime. They blocked the road to rob us, intentionally caused harm, and stole. I’ve brought them here myself."

"She’s lying! That wretch is lying! She beat us like this—she’s the one committing murder and robbery!" The petty thieves screamed wildly.

The officers frowned. "They robbed you?" It didn’t seem likely.

Wan Shun nodded emphatically. "Yes, they robbed us. I only fought back in self-defense." To make it credible, she rolled up her sleeve, showing her bruised shoulder. "See? Evidence."

"Oh, and they’re minions of the local snake, Chen San. I suspect this is part of his extortion scheme. They’re surely not the only ones—there must be other victims waiting for your help."

The thugs stared in disbelief as Wan Shun spun her tale.

This wasn’t Chen San’s modus operandi. If he knew what they’d done, using his name, he’d kill them himself.

The officers were silent for a moment. "All of you, come inside."

When Wan Shun and Yu Yan left the Bureau, dusk was falling.

It was the time when townsfolk, having eaten dinner, came out to stroll, when the night market began.

Yu Yan had never seen such lively scenes and was curious.

Seeing her happy, Wan Shun took her straight to the night market for snacks.

"Isn’t everything expensive here?" Yu Yan clung shyly to Wan Shun.

Wan Shun smiled. "Not at all. It’s affordable and delicious."

Yu Yan, half convinced, followed Wan Shun and tasted many things she’d never even heard of, amazed at every bite.

But while the food was tasty, it was indeed expensive—a dollar for a small bowl, hardly worth it.

Wan Shun didn’t argue with Yu Yan’s complaints. After eating, they searched near the hospital and found a guesthouse to spend the night.