Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1207: A Father’s Debt, a Son Pays

Still attempting to flee?

Those three words, imbued with an icy chill, caused Gao Sanxiong to whirl around in terror. Upon spotting Qin San Lang, he broke into a cold sweat, as if he had just been plunged into water.

"King Qin!" Hearing the panicked cries, Boss Gao and his men rushed over. The sight of Qin San Lang, still holding his bow, sent them collapsing onto the ground in sheer fright.

Qin San Lang cast a cursory glance at them, noting their lack of weapons and their cowardly demeanor, which brought him a measure of relief. He dismounted, approached Gao Sanxiong, and produced a rope, prepared to bind him.

Recalling the connection between Qin San Lang and the Gu Family, Li Kuihu quickly nudged Zhou Laoer forward. "Company Commander Qin, wait! Do you recognize this man? He is Zhou Laoer, who endured famine alongside your family. You even addressed him as Uncle Zhou Er!"

Zhou Laoer?

Qin San Lang paused, his gaze settling on Zhou Laoer as he scrutinized him. "I recall now. You are Elder Zhou's son, the father of Zhou Erlang."

Overjoyed by this recognition, Li Kuihu nodded repeatedly. "Precisely, precisely! Ah, Company Commander Qin, we are all acquaintances here."

He then gave Zhou Laoer another shove. "You, as an elder, should approach and converse with Company Commander Qin. It has been many years since you last met; it's time for a proper chat."

Qin San Lang's brow furrowed slightly. An uncle? Not just anyone deserved such a title in his eyes.

Zhou Laoer, initially trembling with fear, was now elated that Qin San Lang recognized him. He straightened up, assuming an air of seniority as he approached Qin San Lang. "San Lang, it has been some years. You have certainly achieved much. We only returned from the Gu Family a couple of days ago and saw your family members, but unfortunately, you were not present then..."

"Indeed, quite unfortunate," Qin San Lang cut him off, his eyes hardening. With a swift movement, he seized Zhou Laoer by the neck and lifted him, a cold sneer playing on his lips. "Had I been there, you would not have dared to act so brazenly!"

"Ugh, ugh, ugh! San, San Lang... what are you doing? Let go!" Zhou Laoer gasped, close to suffocating. His hands clawed at Qin San Lang's arm, desperately trying to pry his grip loose.

But Qin San Lang's hold was like iron, utterly unyielding to Zhou Laoer's struggles.

Li Kuihu's face drained of color in fear. "Qin, Company Commander Qin, is there perhaps some misunderstanding?" he stammered.

He then turned to berate Zhou Laoer. "Damn you, Zhou Laoer! Did you do something to offend the Qin family or the Gu family? Apologize to Company Commander Qin at once!"

Li Kuihu had initially intended to leverage Zhou Laoer to establish a connection with Company Commander Qin. He never anticipated such intense animosity from Qin San Lang towards Zhou Laoer.

This is bad. That wretched fool Zhou Laoer had better not drag him down with him.

Zhou Laoer's face had turned a dangerous shade of red from being choked, rendering him unable to speak.

Qin San Lang fixed his gaze on Zhou Laoer. "Originally, I had hoped your Zhou family would learn from past mistakes and mend your ways. I did not expect you to harbor such a death wish. In that case, I shall oblige."

Hmph. Zhou Erlang is not here, so his father shall pay the son's debt.

To dare harbor illicit intentions towards his Xiao Yu – had he grown weary of living!

Gao Sanxiong observed Qin San Lang, and even he, a lifelong participant in illicit dealings, swallowed hard in apprehension. Truly, one should not trifle with the young.

Furthermore, this man was as formidable as King Yama himself. Falling into his hands was unthinkable. Seeing Qin San Lang entirely focused on choking Zhou Laoer, he endured his pain and scrambled to his feet, attempting to flee once more.

With a resounding thud, just as Zhou Laoer was about to be choked unconscious, Qin San Lang flung him aside.

"Cough, cough, cough!" Zhou Laoer, slammed heavily onto the ground, coughed violently, gasping desperately for air. It took him a considerable moment to regain his breath.

With a swift whizz, an arrow cut through the air, precisely striking and piercing Gao Sanxiong's other knee.

"Ah!" Gao Sanxiong screamed, collapsing to the ground, utterly unable to stand again.

Qin San Lang strode forward, looking down at him. "Did you truly believe you could escape?"

Living so arrogantly in the countryside for so long, had he forgotten the vastness of the world? Did he genuinely think his scheme of opportunistically seizing peasant property during times of chaos was clever? Such a tactic was long outdated, easily deciphered for those employing such tired tricks.

Gao Sanxiong's face contorted in agony, yet he somehow held back a cry of pain and yelled, "I am brothers in life and death with Liu, the Chief Commander of Hushan Prefecture's garrison!"

He repeated this declaration twice, then turned his gaze towards Qin San Lang, a defiant smile on his lips. "Company Commander Qin may arrest me, but once I reach the county government, I can still have County Magistrate Zheng dispatch a message to Brother Liu."

County Magistrate Zheng, aspiring to continue his official career and potentially transfer his post to Hushan Prefecture someday, would find it beneficial to cultivate alliances and avoid making unnecessary adversaries. It seems likely he would grant this favor.

Qin San Lang remarked, "You've truly spent too much time in the countryside."

With that solitary statement, Qin San Lang dismissed Gao Sanxiong and tossed a rope to Section Leader Jiang, who arrived with soldiers. "Tie him up and gag his mouth."

"Yes, sir." Section Leader Jiang readily took the rope and secured Gao Sanxiong.

Section Leader Jiang was, in fact, a relative of County Captain Jiang.

Following his appointment as County Captain, Jiang had promoted his kin, assigning them positions within both the government and the Military Office.

Such actions by County Captain Jiang faced no public scrutiny. In the realm of Great Chu, the influence of clans was profound.

It was expected that individuals who achieved success would uplift their relatives; failure to do so would lead to accusations of being cold-hearted and uncharitable.

Qin San Lang surveyed the three individuals associated with Boss Gao. "Tie them up as well," he commanded.

Boss Gao hastily cried out, "Company Commander Qin, I had no part in this! It was all my father's doing. Please, don't arrest me."

Section Leader Jiang chuckled. "Boss Gao, does that argument hold water? Your father has committed a grave offense, and your entire family will face repercussions. As the eldest son, you are as culpable as your father, according to the laws of Great Chu!"

His fate as the eldest son, deemed guilty alongside his father, was sealed; no one could intervene.

Qin San Lang, momentarily taken aback, recalled his grandfather's words echoing in his mind...

"Enough talk. Let's finish this quickly; we have much more to accomplish today," Qin San Lang urged Section Leader Jiang.

"Understood." Section Leader Jiang wasted no more words, leading his soldiers to bind Boss Gao and his companions.

Li Kuihu felt utterly wronged. Kneeling and begging for mercy before being tied, he pleaded, "Company Commander Qin, I'm being framed! I merely visited the Gao family as a guest and did nothing wrong. Please, have compassion and let me return home?"

Return home?

Such a thought was pure fantasy.

Qin San Lang stated, "From the moment County Magistrate Zou fell, you common thugs who preyed on the countryside should have been apprehended. You've evaded justice for too long; it's time to pay the price."

Li Kuihu, having a history of trouble, was now caught at the Gao residence, making his capture inevitable.

Seeing Qin San Lang's resolve to not release him, Li Kuihu attempted a desperate escape but was swiftly knocked unconscious by Section Leader Jiang, struck by the hilt of his sword.

Zhou Laoer, utterly useless, witnessed this and promptly fainted with a whimper.

Before long, all of them were bound.

However, a minor complication arose on Steward Zheng's side.

Gao Sanxiong's wife, accompanied by a group of women, knelt before Steward Zheng. "Steward Zheng, we beg for your mercy. Please do not bring hardship upon the women and children left at home."