The King of Urban Mercenaries

The people around were surprised to hear Lin Fei’s words, each looking at Lin Fei with amazement. They didn’t expect this young man, who appeared quite frail, to have such a commanding tone. There was an undeniable charisma about him.

"Kid, do you know what you’re saying? Don’t be so arrogant. If it weren’t for Master Shang asking me to let you go, you’d have been captured by now, I’m telling you!" The two brothers spoke up, but in their hearts, they felt a bit scared. It seemed the young man before them was quite a tough one, someone who even dared to challenge them.

"Master Shang, are you referring to this officer here?" Lin Fei asked, looking at Shang Madao.

Shang Madao was the head of the city gate guards. Seeing Lin Fei looking at him and inquiring about his affairs, Shang Madao spoke up, "Indeed, it is I. My name is Shang Madao. May I ask for your esteemed name, young hero?"

"I don’t dare claim an esteemed name. I am simply Lin Fei. I’d like to ask this officer, considering your awareness of their actions and character, why have you ignored and tolerated them? Have you considered the outcome if I were truly beneath them?" Lin Fei spoke, but every word was polite.

Upon hearing Lin Fei’s words, Shang Madao chuckled, "Young hero, isn’t this all resolved? Besides, although they’ve committed wrongs before, they’ve never hurt anyone, merely extorting small amounts. Why make a mountain out of a molehill?"

"Making a mountain out of a molehill?"

Lin Fei laughed, "This is blatant collusion. It seems Officer Shang, you’re in cahoots with criminals!"

"How dare you!"

Shang Madao shouted coldly, "I advise you, young hero, not to speak nonsense and slander others!"

"Have I spoken nonsense and slandered? Everyone here has seen it. Knowing their deeds yet allowing them to thrive here like a fish in water, and that a robber calls you ’Master’ while you protect him, isn’t this collusion?" Lin Fei responded sternly.

Suddenly, Lin Fei’s words made Shang Madao’s demeanor darken. He spoke sternly, "Young hero, it’s best not to blow this matter out of proportion!"

Lin Fei chuckled, "With justice, one can traverse the world; without it, one cannot take a step. Besides, it might seem like small amounts, but if a struggling family is extorted, what result would it have? It might cost them their lives, and your neglect confirms collusion!"

Hearing Lin Fei say this, the people around shifted toward Lin Fei, nodding one after another, thinking Lin Fei made a very valid point. After all, not everyone has enough wealth to be robbed.

"Very well, you spoke excellently!"

Shang Madao unexpectedly applauded and then asked, "Since that’s the case, young hero, what do you suggest we do?"

Lin Fei looked at Shang Madao, thinking he was at least capable of handling affairs, but even so, it was worthless. "I don’t have any authority. I’m just someone who got robbed. What to do is up to you officials. Everyone is watching whether it’s fair; judgment belongs to the public."

Hearing Lin Fei’s smooth response, Shang Madao looked around at the people; this was becoming harder to handle. But when he looked at Li San and Li Si, suddenly Li San and Li Si accused Lin Fei, "Master Shang, actually you’ve all wronged us. It was him who tried to rob us, attacking our brothers, not leaving us any peace!"

Hearing Li San and Li Si say this, it was hard for everyone to believe, as the facts were laid out before their eyes. Everyone wasn’t blind, so the explanation sounded somewhat hollow.

However, Shang Madao asked Li San and Li Si, "Are you speaking the truth?"

"Every word is true, absolutely no lies!" Li San and Li Si responded with utmost sincerity, as if speaking no falsehood.

"Since that’s the case, then take him back first for a proper trial!" Shang Madao ordered, then commanded soldiers to move toward Lin Fei.

Lin Fei chuckled, "Turns out I am indeed naive; it’s clear there’s collusion here. Nonetheless, I believe justice resides in people’s hearts; it’s enough if everyone understands."

"Take him away! Everyone stop listening to his nonsense and disperse!" Shang Madao finished speaking, escorting Lin Fei toward the interrogation room at the city wall.

The so-called interrogation room was merely a regular room, a resting place for the city guards. Lin Fei was taken into the room, and Shang Madao dismissed the soldiers, leaving only himself and Lin Fei in the room. Shang Madao looked at Lin Fei.

"Why are you staring?" Lin Fei asked.

"I’m watching you, daring to utter such solitary words in Ancient Meng City, aren’t you afraid of inviting trouble?"

Lin Fei chuckled, "I merely spoke the truth, didn’t say anything else, right?"

After hearing Lin Fei’s words, Shang Madao laughed heartily, then said, "You’re right, you indeed spoke the truth, and many people know it. I also admit you’re right."

"And then? I bet you still won’t do anything to eliminate harm for the people, right?" Lin Fei mocked, looking at Shang Madao. He detested such petty men, abusing their power while colluding with tyrants.

"You’re overthinking. There wasn’t any harm, just a group of good men," Shang Madao sighed, expressing what he intended to say.

"You want to know why I protect them? Because they are good people who rob the rich to help the poor. They won’t extort those who look poor. They only target you wealthy officials, and they’ll let you go no matter how much you give. Do you still think they’re bad people?" Shang Madao asked.

Hearing this, Lin Fei looked skeptically at Shang Madao, "The credibility of your words seems low."

"Indeed, I know you won’t believe what I say, thinking we’re in collusion. But they’re genuinely not bandits, otherwise, why would people stand by unconcerned, watching you get taken?" Shang Madao replied.

Lin Fei chuckled, "Your fabricated lies are pretty decent."

"Why would I need to lie? They were originally my brothers and city guards, but seeing many poor families starve, those young men who went out to kill Demon Beasts died one by one, their families left uncared for, without money, left to await death. You didn’t know this, did you?"

"Are you joking? Isn’t this one of the three major cities of the Ancient Ao Empire? Could there really be people starving on the streets?" Lin Fei found it hard to believe this was true.

"Hehe, you will know someday whether it’s true or not. Now, I charge you with insulting an official, and will detain you for ten days. After ten days, when you come out, take a good look at this city, and you’ll see whether I’m speaking the truth or not."