The chubby fellow's smile grew brighter and more innocent. He chuckled, "Come, old Hua, let's talk reason… We are all equals when we run trade, why are you forcing old Liu Liu to hand over all his wealth?"
"Old Hua's" expression darkened, and he said coldly, "Don't try to confuse things here. I'm talking about injuring Liu Hao, not pulling in old Liu Liu…"
*Hiss!*
A burst of sword energy shot out.
The sharp, unparalleled sword energy instantly pierced the sturdy deck beneath "Old Hua's" feet.
A chilling aura erupted, engulfing the entire scene.
"Old Hua" was shocked and terrified. He looked up and saw, appearing behind the chubby fellow without anyone noticing, a "cool and aloof swordsman."
This "cool and aloof swordsman" was clad in black, his face obscured by a bamboo hat.
Yet, "Old Hua" could sense an incredibly sharp sword intent radiating from this person, as if it could pierce the heavens and split the earth…
Terrifying!
How utterly terrifying!
A wave of coldness surged from the soles of "Old Hua's" feet, instantly coursing through his entire body.
"Old Hua" felt a chill from head to toe.
At this moment, the "cool and aloof swordsman" spoke coldly, "Answer Qian Duoduo's question!"
A chilling killing intent, almost palpable, accompanied his words. The surrounding air plummeted several degrees.
"Old Hua" shivered uncontrollably, daring not to disobey. He spoke truthfully, "We were ambushed. The robbers demanded all our goods. If old Liu Liu refused to comply, he would implicate all of us, and the robbers would kill us all!"
Upon hearing this, the chubby fellow chuckled and shook his head. "So, according to you, old Liu Liu was being unreasonable? He wanted to endanger all of us by himself?"
"Old Hua" said grimly, "Yes, exactly! Old Liu Liu was reluctant to part with his wealth, and he endangered all of us! Wealth is an external possession; it can be earned again if lost. Is it not his fault for risking everyone's lives along with his own?"
One had to admit, "Old Hua" was indeed an old fox. This old fellow was cunning and wily. With just a few words, he stirred the emotions of everyone present, pitting them against "Liu Liu."
As expected, the surrounding crowd began to murmur.
"This old Liu Liu is really something, clinging to money even now!"
"That's right, with his life on the line, what's the point of the money?"
"It's fine if he doesn't care about his own life, but he shouldn't endanger us!"
…
Their words turned into accusations against "Liu Liu."
"Liu Liu" was both enraged and anxious. He shouted, "I'm not valuing money over my life! This money is the foundation of my family's survival. Without it, my family of twenty to thirty people will be ruined…"
"Old Hua" reprimanded him sternly, "Liu Liu, you are too selfish! You only consider your own family and endanger us innocent people… If you had an ounce of humanity, you would consider the bigger picture and proactively hand over the goods!"
"Old Hua" felt he had the upper hand. Everyone was on his side. He harnessed the "prevailing trend" and used his authority to pressure "Liu Liu," advancing relentlessly. The crowd followed "Old Hua," verbally attacking "Liu Liu."
"Liu Liu, one cannot be too selfish!"
"Liu Liu, we're all handing over our goods, why aren't you?"
"Liu Liu, don't drag us down, hand over the goods quickly!"
…
The crowd was incensed! They all denounced "Liu Liu." Their demeanor was as if they were about to tear him apart alive.
"Liu Liu" was cornered. He looked around and saw nothing but "vicious" faces. These people were shouting frantically, forcing him to hand over all his possessions.
"Liu Liu's" blood surged, anger overwhelmed him, his vision darkened, and he almost fainted from fury. These guys were utterly shameless! Why should they demand he "consider the bigger picture"? Why should they demand he sacrifice his family to save them? Sacrifice the individual for the greater good? Bah! Utterly shameless!
"Hahaha…"
Suddenly, a burst of laughter erupted, drowning out the crowd's "accusations." As people turned to look, the chubby fellow from the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" seemed to have encountered an enormous joke, his laughter uncontrollable, rolling with mirth.
"Old Hua's" expression darkened, and he cast a cold gaze at the chubby fellow. Now that he occupied the "moral high ground" and had the backing of "strong public opinion," he had overcome his apprehension and fear of the "cool and aloof swordsman."
"Old Hua" snorted coldly. "Qian Duoduo, what are you laughing at? Do you still intend to side with old Liu Liu even now? Let me tell you, by shielding Liu Liu, you are opposing all of us, making yourselves the public enemy. Do you really want to do this? Think carefully!"
"Old Hua" was truly an old fox. With his opening words, he pushed the entire "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" to the "opposite side" of everyone. This way, the "cool and aloof swordsman" would be even more reluctant to act against him, risking the wrath of the masses. The older, the spicier!
"Old Hua" felt incredibly pleased with himself, giving himself 10,008,600 self-congratulations in his heart! He even cast a provocative glance at the "cool and aloof swordsman." Come on, hit me if you dare!
The "cool and aloof swordsman" remained aloof, wearing his bamboo hat and with arms crossed, ignoring "Old Hua's" provocation.
At this moment, the chubby fellow, "Qian Duoduo," spoke. He said to "Liu Liu," "Old Liu, see? The trend is clear, and public opinion is on our side. You have no choice but to hand over all your goods! So, hand them over obediently!"
What? This… this…
As soon as the chubby fellow "Qian Duoduo" uttered these words, everyone was dumbfounded. Especially "Old Hua," who stared at "Qian Duoduo" in disbelief. He had expected the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" to put up more of a fight, at least another round or two. He hadn't expected the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" to "back down" so smoothly!
"Old Hua" dismissively glanced at the chubby fellow "Qian Duoduo," his eyes full of contempt. Humph, this fatso is quite sensible, knowing when the tide has turned and it's impossible to resist… However, you "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" have offended me, and I always repay my debts. I will definitely find an opportunity to retaliate fiercely against you later!
"Old Hua" always acted with principle. The stronger the opponent, the weaker he would be; the weaker the opponent, the stronger he would become. If the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" had remained strong, "Old Hua" would have obediently backed down. But now that the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" had shown weakness, "Old Hua" transformed into a "vicious wolf," determined not to stop until he had savaged the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" madly!
As "Old Hua" was contemplating how to scheme against the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild," the chubby fellow "Qian Duoduo" spoke again.
"Old Liu, don't look so crestfallen, it's a small matter! Hand over all your goods now, and I, on behalf of Old Hua, promise you that after this incident, Old Hua will compensate you three times the value of the lost goods!"