Chapter 101: Who Else Dares?

Just like in the old world, people always loved a spectacle. Hundreds had gathered around the main figures involved, whispering among themselves.

At the center stood a young man who was unmistakably a spoiled scion, flanked by a dozen vicious servants, blocking a carriage.

Outside the carriage, seven or eight attendants kept watch vigilantly, eyes fixed warily on the young man and his retinue.

Even Wei Wuji was taken aback by the carriage itself.

Its decoration was lavish yet tasteful, exuding an air of refined nobility. Compared to the carriage Wei Wuji had arranged for Huan’er, it was worlds apart.

The owner of this carriage was no ordinary figure, Wei Wuji thought to himself.

Any normal person could see that—could the scion in the square really be so oblivious?

After all, he was a notorious playboy of Wuan City and should have eyes sharp enough to recognize such a carriage.

If not, perhaps the fellow had lost his mind—or perhaps the carriage’s owner had even greater clout. Upon closer observation, Wei Wuji leaned toward the latter explanation.

Only when he realized where they were did Wei Wuji shake his head ruefully: this was Wuan City! Nobles and princes were as common as flies; how could there be no one with serious backing?

Meanwhile, the scion grew more arrogant, his satisfaction with the day’s gains swelling.

As a famous rich heir of Wuan City, he prided himself on knowing every renowned figure’s insignia in the city. Yet this carriage matched none of them.

Earlier, while wandering the streets, he had caught a glimpse of the woman inside lifting the curtain, revealing a stunning face that made him freeze in his tracks.

His family’s women had all grown dull to him, but such natural beauty was irresistible.

“Fair lady inside, I am struck by your radiance. Might I have the honor of a single kiss?” The scion said with a helpless grin.

This statement alone lowered the bar for Wuan City’s spoiled heirs by several notches in Wei Wuji’s eyes.

“Could this be the true way of a playboy?” Wei Wuji wondered uncertainly.

At that moment, amid the murmuring crowd, a clear, refined voice emerged from the carriage. “I am but a humble servant, plain in appearance, unworthy of a gentleman’s gaze.”

Though elegantly phrased, the meaning was unmistakably a polite but firm rejection.

“You are naturally beautiful, how can you belittle yourself so? Or is it that you disdain me?” The scion’s tone turned colder.

After holding his ground for so long on the long street, his patience was wearing thin.

At his signal, his servants and guards, faces twisted with malice, began to close in on the carriage.

“How dare you!” the carriage guards shouted, ready to defend.

But they were few and outmatched, making full protection impossible.

With a muffled grunt, one of the guards was punched from behind and knocked to the ground.

“Little beauty, don’t blame me for being ruthless,” the scion sneered, determined to force his will.

Seeing his men hesitating, he snapped, “What are you waiting for? Take care of these useless trash at once!”

He was already itching to possess this beauty who had so stirred him.

“Ruffian! Is there no law in Wuan City?” The clear voice from inside the carriage rang out again.

Her words echoed the feelings of the watching crowd. Though they came for spectacle, this bullying stirred their righteous anger.

As fellow underdogs, they were outraged by the scion’s despicable behavior. Was there truly no law? Would no one ensure justice in this injustice?

Words without action are powerless. Outside the carriage, the two sides’ servants clashed, fists flying fiercely.

Before long, the carriage guards were all knocked down, unable to continue the fight.

“Lady, I’ve cleared out these small fry. Now you can come out, can’t you?” the scion gloated. Few in Wuan City dared defy him so openly.

“I’ve heard of the many righteous heroes in the Wei Kingdom, but it seems the name is undeserved. Heroes I see none, but thieves and scoundrels aplenty,” the woman’s voice rang out once more.

This insult stung the crowd of onlookers. Some lowered their heads in shame, while a few rolled up their sleeves, ready to step forward—only to be pulled back by acquaintances behind them.

Wei Wuji, of course, was no hero either. He did not seek trouble. The truth was, he had already stirred up enough.

“Make way! Make way!” A sharp voice cut through the crowd.

“The patrol troops have arrived,” someone whispered.

“This brat won’t last much longer. The patrol has even arrested the sons and nephews of the Nine Ministers before,” another remarked.

“You mean that time? That wasn’t really a son or nephew, just a distant cousin…” a skeptic muttered.

“Quiet, quiet, just watch and see,” another urged.

As the crowd murmured, the patrol soldiers, led by a mounted commander, finally entered.

“Clear the way!” the commander barked.

“What’s going on here? Who’s causing trouble?” His voice was laced with anger, erupting from deep within.

Faced with soldiers wielding swords and spears, the scion and his gang wore indifferent expressions.

“General, we are not the troublemakers. It’s this carriage’s owner who recklessly drove and struck my noble master,” the scion’s follower spoke up.

“Is that so?” the commander replied curtly.

“Of course not, General. Don’t be deceived by this villain. He had malicious intent and blocked our carriage first,” the lady inside immediately countered.

“What exactly happened?” The commander’s tone grew sterner amid the conflicting accounts.

“General, we all saw it: that unruly youth blocked the carriage first, then struck people.”

“Exactly! That lady was the one being bullied!”

Behind the commander, onlookers began to speak up, no longer intimidated by the scion’s men now that patrol soldiers were present.

“Is that true?” The commander scanned the crowd, noticing their unanimous expressions affirming the woman’s version. He understood the truth.

“Sir, why did you—”

Before the commander could finish, the scion’s follower stepped forward, lowering his voice.

“General, you must see clearly. Even if our young master can’t reach you, the House of the Pillar General will never allow its kin to be insulted.”

This silenced the commander. Only five words filled his mind: House of the Pillar General.

“Wasn’t the gentleman in the right?” The commander’s tone became noticeably deferential.

The scion smirked, clasping his hands in mock respect. “Our master is the direct grandson of the High Pillar General, Gao Yang.”

“Oh, Gao Yang, your Excellency. I apologize, sir,” the commander said with a forced smile. The Gao family of Wuan City was not to be trifled with.

“Do you require assistance with this matter?” the commander asked softly.

“No need. This lowly servant’s master will handle it personally,” the follower declined bluntly.

“Then I shall take my leave,” the commander said, flashing a friendly smile at the gentleman nearby.

“Thank you, General, safe travels,” the follower replied courteously.

Turning his horse, the commander called out loudly, “This is a private matter beyond the patrol’s jurisdiction.”

With that, he and his soldiers parted the crowd and retreated the way they came.

Gao Yang laughed triumphantly, shouting to the woman inside the carriage, “So, tell me, who will come to your rescue today?”

“You lowly scum, how dare you speak for that wretched woman?” Gao Yang spat with hatred.

He cast a sidelong glance at the crowd as if daring anyone else to challenge him.

The gathered onlookers shrank back in fear, instinctively stepping away.