Chapter 77 - 77: Jiang Ren Arrives
“Big Brother, it was Sister Jiang and Sijin who brought me here,”
Upon hearing this, Liu Hao cast his gaze towards Jiang Pcihuan and Jiang Sijin.
“Jiang Peihuan, you again?”
Yan Kuan managed to lift himself off the ground, his gaze on Jiang Peihuan simmering with rage.
Compared to Yan Kuan, Jiang Peihuan bore an air of cool indifference. She methodically coiled up her long whip, her eyes as frosty as ice. “Seems like the last lash didn’t serve as a sufficient reminder,” she declared.
“You…”
The sight of his whip marks only served to remind Yan Kuan of his pain. He couldn’t help but flinch at Jiang Peihuan’s words, feeling the sting in his mouth all over again.
Yan Xin, standing aside, was puzzled by Jiang Peihuan’s frosty demeanor. Nevertheless, she mustered the courage to step forward, “Jiang Peihuan, what is the meaning of this? Why did you strike my brother? You…”
As she spoke, Yan Xin reached out to hold Jiang Peihuan’s hand as before. But before her hand could make contact, Jiang Peihuan swiftly moved away.
Caught by surprise, Yan Xin’s hand hung awkwardly mid-air.
This unexpected move left Yan Xin visibly stunned. Confusion swirled in her eyes, but Jiang Sijin was visibly delighted by the spectacle.
Jiang Sijin approached Jiang Peihuan and said mockingly to Yan Xin, “My elder sister has seen through your pretense. She will not associate with you in the future. So, stop trying to ingratiate yourself with her.”
“Peihuan, you…”
“I hardly know you. Henceforth, you should address me as Miss Jiang.”
Before Yan Xin could reply, Jiang Pcihuan cut her off with a disinterested tone. Jiang Sijin, on hearing this, almost doubled over in laughter. She strutted around triumphantly like a rooster returning from battle. Gleefully, she chimed in, “Miss Yan, did you hear my sister? From now on, refer to her as Eldest Miss Jiang.”
“Hmph… What’s so extraordinary? Your Jiang family has already surrendered the commander seal. You think I value that?”
With a disdainful snort, Yan Xin retreated a couple of steps.
Her eyes dark and brooding, she glared at Jiang Pcihuan and retorted coldly, “Jiang Peihuan, are you certain you want to protect the Liu family? They carry the surname Liu, sharing no connection whatsoever with your Jiang family.”
Jiang Peihuan merely looked at Yan Xin with indifference, as though she hadn’t heard her words at all.
Observing Jiang Peihuan’s reaction, Yan Xin felt an odd sensation stirring within her.
However, her annoyance only grew. “Fine, if that’s how it is, then I won’t hold back.”
Surveying her allies, Yan Xin ordered, “Go, seize Yan Xin. Anyone who dares to interfere, strike them down.”
Hearing this, the faces of the Liu siblings shifted.
Jiang Peihuan furrowed her brow. Just as she prepared to act, a voice echoed, “I’d like to see who dares.”
“Uncle?”
Seeing the striding figure of Jiang Ren, Liu Hao and Liu Xin brightened and swiftly called out to him.
“Third Uncle.”
Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Sijin also softly called out.
Jiang Ren nodded to Jiang Pcihuan and Jiang Sijin, then turned to the Liu siblings, “Arc you guys alright?”
“Big brother’s been hurt, but I’m okay.”
At Liu Xin’s words, Liu Hao quickly stepped forward, respectfully addressing Jiang Ren, “Uncle, I’ve caused you trouble today.”
“You, boy, why didn’t you inform me about this mess? Were it not for Songbai calling me, you wouldn’t have thought to mention it, would you?”
“It’s my fault.”
Seeing the look in Liu Hao’s eyes, a hint of helplessness crossed Jiang Ren’s face.
He was close with Liu Xiu, and though the Liu family was a merchant class, he had never belittled them. However, the Liu family, from top to bottom, avoided troubling Liu Xiu, hence they never reached out to him when issues arose.
This left Jiang Ren both pleased and concerned.
“Third Uncle, please handle this matter.”
At this point, Jiang Peihuan addressed Jiang Ren.
Upon hearing his niece’s words, Jiang Ren nodded in agreement.
Next, Jiang Peihuan, holding Jiang Sijin’s hand, moved aside.
Upon Jiang Ren’s appearance, Yan Xin and Yan Kuan displayed a flash of panic, yet Yan Xin disdainfully retorted, “Lord Jiang, my father’s rank is above yours, you…”
“Silence!”
With a cold glare, Jiang Ren cut off Yan Xin’s words, turning to Liu Hao he said, “Hao Er, come here.”
Hearing Jiang Ren’s words, Liu Hao stepped forward.
Jiang Ren carefully examined Liu Hao, noting his numerous injuries, particularly his hands which were a swollen red.
Jiang Ren had heard from his wife that Liu Hao was the most talented businessman in the Liu family.
“Tell me, who injured you?”
“Uncle?”
“Speak.”
Seeing the stern look on Jiang Ren’s face, Liu Hao pointed to Yan Kuan and a few of his attendants.
Looking at the people Liu Hao indicated, Jiang Ren coldly pronounced, “Will you surrender willingly, or shall I take action?”
The attendants who found themselves under Jiang Ren’s chilling stare were filled with fear, instinctively turning their eyes towards Yan Kuan for guidance.
“Lord Jiang, what are you planning…Ah…”
Yan Kuan’s words were abruptly cut off by a piercing pain in his wrist, coming to the realization that Jiang Ren had firmly grasped it.
Jiang Ren’s actions were so swift and precise that no one caught sight of them. All they heard was a clear crisp sound, followed by Yan Kuan’s agonizing scream.
The sound of Yan Kuan’s distressed cry left everyone in the hall frozen in shock, including Jiang Peihuan.
However, she believed that her third uncle was never an impulsive person.
“You… you dare to break my brother’s hand?”
Yan Xin looked at Jiang Ren, trembling.
In response to her, Jiang Ren’s eyes were seething with a dangerous fury as he retorted, “So, you think it’s acceptable to cripple others’ hands but it’s outrageous when the same is done to you?”
“If that’s the case, I’ll help Young Master Yan reattach it.”
As he spoke, Jiang Ren lifted Yan Kuan’s wrist, gave it a gentle nudge, and remarkably, Yan Kuan’s hand seemed to return to normal. Yet, Yan Kuan was in such immense pain that he couldn’t muster the strength to scream.
Before he could react, Jiang Ren seized his other wrist and using the same technique, he snapped it as well.
The agonizing shriek that followed reverberated throughout the grand hall.
Jiang Sijin discreetly tugged at Jiang Peihuan’s sleeve, whispering in a low tone, “Big sister, I’ve always thought our third uncle was a gentle man, but now… I don’t think so anymore.”
Upon hearing Jiang Sijin’s comment, a faint smile crossed Jiang Peihuan’s face.
Among the warriors, Jiang Ren was indeed known for his mild-mannered nature. However, even the most amiable individuals, after years spent on a battlefield, couldn’t help but harbor some hostility.
Their third uncle, she thought, was managing quite well all things considered.
“What, you didn’t hear my words just now?”
Holding onto Yan Kuan’s wrist, Jiang Ren cast a frosty gaze upon his servants.
At his icy words, the servants hurriedly fell to their knees. “Please have mercy, sir, we were merely following orders.”
“Sir, we prostrate ourselves before you in apology. Please spare us.”
As they spoke, the men hastily bowed their heads towards Jiang Ren. However, Jiang Ren replied coldly, “The person you harmed wasn’t me. Can’t you distinguish who you should be apologizing to?”
“Master Liu, we were at fault. Please forgive us..”