Chapter 224: Chapter 216: The Next Moment, He Will Break In_2
A pair of earrings was placed on the clothes again.
Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but frown.
It’s strange, why give her earrings to wear? In this place, not to mention she had no mind for dressing up, with enemies on all sides and people like Lu Yong around, dressing up would only invite trouble for herself, wouldn’t it?
So, she still placed the earrings aside, changed into clothes, and got up to wash.
After breakfast, she pushed the door open and went out, discovering that it was snowing again outside.
Before, it had only been sunny for a day, as if the heavens had been holding back a lot of bad temper, intending to pour it all out now. The thick dark clouds overhead were like a black hand covering the entire Huangtu Ridge, overshadowing the sky and the sun. And the heavy snowflakes fell, forming a barrier of snow around, making people feel an invisible pressure as they walked into the snow, a pressure that made it hard to breathe.
What was more suffocating was a young man running over and shouting, "Everyone, hurry to the assembly hall!"
The people around hurriedly asked, "What’s happening?"
"Lu Yong is insisting on transporting grain to Wanggang Village again, but the leader is unwilling. Now both sides have brought people to the assembly hall to talk, and the swords are drawn!"
"Why have they drawn swords? Let’s go and see!"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi also hastily walked forward.
As she passed through the small door, a few people suddenly ran from the side and bumped into her, causing her to nearly fall. At this moment, a hand suddenly reached out to support her.
Turning back, she saw it was Hua Ziyang.
Still shaken, Shang Ruyi quickly steadied herself and nodded to him, "Thank you."
Hua Ziyang immediately let go of her, yet his face remained sullen as he looked towards the assembly hall ahead, saying, "Are you going there too?"
Shang Ruyi replied, "I’m just going for the excitement, but Mr. Hua should go quickly."
Hua Ziyang said nothing more, just gestured for her to walk with him, and the two of them strode forward. Before long, they arrived at the assembly hall, which was already packed inside and out with people. They hadn’t even entered yet, when they heard Xiao Yuansui’s angry voice inside—
"Are you rebelling?!"
This angry shout shook the rafters, and the noisy voices at the door were immediately suppressed.
Shang Ruyi was stunned for a moment.
From their first meeting until now, regardless of Xiao Yuansui’s rise or fall, he seemed very calm, or rather, the possibility of emotional fluctuation for noble sons and daughters like them was much lower than ordinary people. This was the first time she felt anger from Xiao Yuansui.
Evidently, it was also the first time for the people in Warehouse City, especially those gathered at the door, who were frightened and retreated, making way for them.
Hua Ziyang immediately led Shang Ruyi inside.
Upon entering the assembly hall, they saw the mess inside, with tables and chairs overturned on the ground; the hall was also crowded but divided distinctly into two sides. On one side, Lu Yong and his men looked aggressive, even holding knives and swords, ready to fight at any moment; while the other side, Xiao Yuansui stood with a few clearly loyal subordinates, confronting Lu Yong’s group.
Xiao Yuansui stood at the forefront, his handsome face filled with anger, especially his bright eyes, now bursting with sharp light, stabbing straight at Lu Yong like a tangible blade, causing even the burly Lu Yong to subconsciously step back.
But the next moment, he regained his composure.
Lu Yong immediately said, "Rebellion? Hmph, Xiao Yuansui, we were originally the rebels, but you, you’ve turned our Wanggang Village into a little court. I think you’re the real scourge of Wanggang Village!"
Xiao Yuansui replied, "Without rules, there can be no order. I established the rules of Wanggang Village merely to stop you from acting arbitrarily!"
"Stop us from acting arbitrarily? Then what are you doing? We are all people of Wanggang Village, isn’t it right to transport grain for Wanggang Village?"
"..."
"But you, I see, you’re the one intending to rebel!"
"..."
"You’ve long harbored disloyalty towards the leader. You brought this group out intending to rebel against Wanggang Village. Now, I’ve finally uncovered you, and you can’t deny it!"
"Lu Yong!"
Another angry roar erupted, and Xiao Yuansui’s face was full of anger, seemingly unable to suppress the rage in his heart, gritting his teeth: "I have tolerated you over and over again to avoid embarrassing you, to prevent the brothers of Wanggang Village from distancing, and even more to prevent giving the court’s forces an opportunity. Do you know, Yu Wenye is likely lingering around. If we have internal conflict, he might break in at any moment—"
Shang Ruyi’s heart stirred.
Lu Yong sneered, "Stop trying to scare us with Yu Wenye. Can one Yu Wenye frighten you like this? You’re just using him to terrify us. Let me tell you, I won’t fall for it!"
"Lu Yong, if you keep challenging me repeatedly, if you remain stubborn, I can’t keep you around!"
"Fine!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yong and his men also raised their knives and swords. For a moment, the assembly hall became a sea of glinting blades, and Lu Yong shouted loudly, "Today, I will purge Wanggang Village’s ranks to see who is traitorous and who is loyal!"
With that, he waved, and his men really started to charge!
Just as the imminent fight in the hall seemed unavoidable, suddenly, from a distance came a loud shouting, gradually approaching, causing the people at the door to subconsciously make way once more.
It was someone from the gate guards.
He ran all the way, panting heavily, barely able to stand. Catching sight of the scene in the hall, he was also taken aback, stammering, "Le, leader..."
Xiao Yuansui glared angrily at Lu Yong and his group, asking in a deep voice, "What is it?"
The man said, "Ou, outsider, a troop is coming into the mountain."
Hearing this, everyone in the hall was stunned, instantly stopping their raised swords mid-air, while Shang Ruyi’s heart also leapt.
Could it be this group entering the mountain now—
Xiao Yuansui turned his head to look at the man, "Who wants to enter the mountain?"