Chapter 120: This Script Isn't Right, Is It? (Part Four)

Fang Xu could not help but crouch down beside Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian, though his gaze remained fixed on the old man across from him. He found himself overcome with curiosity: who exactly was this person? For some inexplicable reason, the man gave off an indescribable, almost mystical aura.

Before Fang Xu could observe him any further, however, he sensed an unusual commotion nearby. It seemed the world was never short of people who enjoyed spoiling the mood, and the disturbance nearby was caused by just such a person.

Fang Xu stood up, stretched his limbs, and walked toward the commotion. As for Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian, they seemed to have locked horns once again, both determined to prove who was the superior. Fang Xu was actually pleased to see this; it left him free to mind his own business. Besides, after witnessing the techniques Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian had just displayed, who would be foolish enough to provoke them? Anyone who dared to cross them would meet a miserable end, and one could only offer their sympathies.

As Fang Xu approached the restless crowd, he heard the local people murmuring about the situation. It seemed a local bully was harassing the weak, which made Fang Xu frown. A bully? Harassing the weak? This was Danyang County, wasn't it? How could such a thing happen here?

Hearing Fang Xu’s soft muttering, the bystanders looked at him with a mix of pity and exasperation, offering a word of caution. They warned him not to let those people hear him, or his pretty face might not remain intact for long. Fang Xu found this ironic; was his face really that provocative? Still, he couldn’t help but ask: this was the territory of the Danyang Prefect—did these bullies not fear him?

The locals laughed at his question, mocking his lack of awareness. They explained that the bully’s identity was far beyond the reach of the Danyang Prefect; even Prefect Zhang He had to treat this man with deference. Fang Xu’s curiosity deepened. This bully’s background was clearly significant if even Zhang He was afraid of him.

The villagers soon revealed the truth: the bully was a distant relative of the Murong family. That explained why Zhang He had to show him respect; no matter how distant the relation, he was still a Murong, and not someone the Prefect could afford to offend. Rumor had it he was even a cousin of Murong Fu.

As Fang Xu got closer, he finally saw the face of the bully. He couldn’t help but laugh. The man was incredibly obese, bearing a striking resemblance to the late Magistrate Zhao, whom Fang Xu had previously executed. Yet, the man exuded an arrogant aura identical to Murong Fu’s, which was why Fang Xu had felt the way he did earlier.

The Murong kinsman was currently tormenting an old man and his young daughter. "Alas, Old Man Zhang is truly pitiable to be targeted by this bully, especially with his daughter being only sixteen," a bystander whispered. They knew the victim, but none dared to intervene.

Fang Xu felt a cold sneer tug at his lips. Was this situation not exactly like that of Old Sun? The memory of Old Sun was a deep scar in Fang Xu’s heart, and he couldn't help but see him in Old Man Zhang. Fang Xu made his decision. Since he had already burned his bridges with both Zhang He and Murong Fu, why should he show any restraint toward a member of the Murong family?

With a cunning smile, he reached into his robe and felt the heavy weight of the Commandant’s token. He pulled it out and hurled it with force toward the Murong kinsman. Fang Xu’s aim had grown increasingly precise; the token struck the man squarely on the forehead, drawing a cry of pain.

Everything happened so suddenly that the bully’s guards failed to react. The man clutched his bleeding forehead, collapsed to the ground, and began to curse viciously. Old Man Zhang, curled on the ground, pulled his daughter closer, terrified for her safety.

"Damn it! Who is the death-seeking bastard who dared to ambush me?!" the bully roared. The bystanders near Fang Xu scattered, leaving him standing alone in the clearing.

"Was it you, brat?!" The bully glared at him.

"It was me. Do you have a problem with that?" Fang Xu asked with a smile. The bully was stunned by his reaction. This wasn't how the script was supposed to go; according to his expectations, Fang Xu should have been on his knees begging for mercy. Why did he look so utterly fearless? Did he not know who he had offended? Or was he unaware that he was already a dead man?

Yet, the look on Fang Xu's face suggested he knew exactly what he was doing. It seemed he had the confidence to back it up. To his credit, this Murong kinsman was not entirely stupid—at least compared to the late Magistrate Zhao, he possessed a shred of intelligence.