Chapter 56: The Cunning Merchant and His Relentless Obstacles

Faced with Jiang Shiren’s threats of power, Li Chao’s expression remained unchanged, his heart calm and undisturbed. He stepped forward again, closing in with unwavering determination.

A look of terror spread across Jiang Shiren’s face; his eyes betrayed his fear of Li Chao.

His voice trembled as he stammered, “Li Chao, don’t do anything foolish! I know Chief Liu—you can’t touch me!”

A flash of disdain crossed Li Chao’s eyes as he sneered, “And what if you know Chief Liu?”

Then, a series of crisp slaps echoed through the air, each one landing squarely on Jiang Shiren’s cheeks.

Smack! The first slap rang out. Li Chao’s voice was cold and resolute: “And what if you know Chief Liu?”

Jiang Shiren’s cheeks swelled rapidly. Eyes wide, his face was filled with disbelief and regret—if only he’d known, he’d never have provoked anyone from Lijia Village.

Smack! The second slap followed. Li Chao’s tone was laced with scorn for the twisted notions of money and power: “Do you really think having money allows you to run roughshod over the world?”

Blood trickled from the corner of Jiang Shiren’s mouth. His eyes brimmed with despair. Inwardly, he cursed his luck—how had he run into someone so fearless?

Smack! The third slap landed even harder. Li Chao’s gaze flashed with an irrefutable strength: “Today, I’ll make it clear—this world is not for people like you to trample as you please!”

The flurry of slaps left Jiang Shiren’s cheeks swollen, his mouth bloodied, his whole body looking like a frightened, flustered pig.

Terror deepened in his eyes. At last, he gave up all thought of resistance, scrambling and crawling toward a distant corner. Clumsily, he fished a phone from his pocket, shaking as he dialed.

When the call connected, Jiang Shiren’s voice broke into a wail, nearly sobbing as he cried, “Chief Liu, please come save me! The people from Lijia Village are rebelling! They’re beating me—I’m about to be killed!!” His words were heavy with despair and helplessness.

Li Chao watched him coolly, his gaze unwavering and resolute.

He knew that today’s conflict needed a conclusion—he couldn’t let these men continue their rampage in the village.

The villagers stood by, their faces a mix of anger and helplessness.

“Hurry up and call those people over!” Jiang Shiren cowered in the shadows, glaring at Li Chao as he barked with a blend of malice and smugness, “You just wait—today is your last day!”

Village chief Li Xitian, anxiously observing, understood the gravity of the situation and hurried to intervene. “Mr. Jiang, let’s keep things small. There’s no need to involve the township police for something like this. Young men are impulsive—please, be forgiving.”

He then turned to Li Chao, pleading, “Chao, apologize to Mr. Jiang—don’t let this get out of hand. We’re just ordinary folk; how can we go up against the authorities?”

But Li Chao remained unnervingly calm, sitting down nearby with a faint, serene smile. “Chief, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. Justice lives in people’s hearts—I’m not afraid of him.”

Li Xitian grew even more frantic. “Chao, you’re young and reckless. You think a bit of ability lets you act with impunity? Out there, your skills are nothing. If you keep this up, you’ll suffer for it!”

Li Chao thought to himself, “Don’t worry, chief; I won’t let things escalate. I just want to show Jiang Shiren that I’m not to be bullied.”

But Li Xitian could only worry to himself: “Chao, don’t be stubborn! Jiang Shiren is the village tyrant—how can you possibly take him on?”

Jiang Shiren, meanwhile, felt smug. “Hmph, Li Chao, just wait until the police come and take you away. Let’s see if you dare cross me then!”

Li Chao, for his part, scoffed inwardly: “Don’t celebrate too soon, Jiang Shiren. Let’s see how arrogant you are once the police arrive.”

Faced with the chief’s concern and reproach, Li Chao merely waved his hand, confidence shining in his eyes. “Chief, you worry too much. Today, I’ll make Jiang Shiren realize that no matter who backs him, justice and fairness will not be absent. Today, I’ll make him truly yield.”

Li Xitian, seeing Li Chao’s resolve, could only sigh heavily and step aside, silently watching as events unfolded.

He knew he could no longer stop this brewing storm—he could only hope Chen Shan would weather it safely.

Young men often lack the insight that comes with age and experience. In time, regret may well follow their boldness.

Jiang Shiren, initially anxious that Li Chao would escalate things, was surprised when his adversary, instead of losing his nerve, sat down calmly—making Jiang all the more pleased.

Go ahead, show off all you want!

Just wait until Chief Liu arrives—let’s see how you end this.

The incident quickly spread through the village, the commotion reaching the very threshold of the village committee.

Villagers, hearing that Li Chao had given Jiang Shiren a lesson, felt both gratified and worried for Li Chao’s future.

After all, violence begets violence; the law’s net is inescapable.

If he were really detained for this, who knew what the consequences might be.

On Yuxin’s lovely face, worry cast a deep shadow.

“I warned him not to act impulsively, but still it’s come to this. Reckless—utterly reckless! Now it’s real trouble.”

Time slipped quietly by.

Some twenty minutes later, a law enforcement vehicle, sirens blaring, sped toward the village.

Seeing this, Yuxin’s heart tightened.

“It’s over—the police have come after all!”

Li Chao, hearing the sirens, felt a jolt of anxiety, but reminded himself to stay calm.

Yuxin approached him, whispering, “Brother Chao, aren’t you afraid at all?”

Li Chao smiled, reassuring her. “Don’t worry, sister-in-law. I know what I’m doing.”

Her gaze was filled with concern. “No matter what happens, I’ll support you.”

He patted her hand. “Don’t worry—I won’t let you down.”

Chief Li Xitian came over as well. “Chao, you’ve been too rash this time. Just wait for the police to take you away.”

Li Chao replied, “Don’t worry, chief, nothing will happen to me.”

Li Xitian sighed. “You’re too young, Chao. You don’t know how deep these waters run.”

Li Chao said, “Chief, I know you mean well, but I believe the law is just.”

Li Xitian shook his head. “Don’t be naive, Chao. The law may be just, but it can still be manipulated.”

“I’ll protect myself, chief. Don’t worry.”

Yuxin looked at Li Chao. “Be careful, Brother Chao.”

“I know. Don’t worry.”

The law enforcement vehicle maneuvered through the crowd, stopping firmly in the village committee courtyard.

The doors swung open, and four uniformed officers stepped out. Leading them was Liu Xinyu, chief of the township police station—imposing and unapproachable.

Jiang Shiren, having waited by the window, rushed out to greet them, delighted. He hurried to Liu Xinyu, fumbling a cigarette from his pocket in an effort to curry favor. “Chief Liu, you came just in time! Today, you’ve got to teach these troublemakers a lesson!”

Liu Xinyu’s eyes flickered as he declined the cigarette, his voice firm. “Teach a lesson? We enforce the law here.”

Jiang Shiren quickly stowed the cigarettes, wearing a sycophantic grin. “Yes, yes, enforce the law!”

Li Xitian hurried over, warmly greeting Liu Xinyu.

Liu Xinyu led his team inside, his sharp gaze scanning the room before settling on Li Chao, who sat calmly. Then his eyes moved to Li Fugui, as he asked in a deep voice, “What happened here?”

Jiang Shiren immediately embellished his account, emphasizing his own innocence, claiming he’d merely come to discuss a contract but had been brutally attacked for no reason, describing the violence as outrageous.

Li Chao scoffed inwardly. Jiang Shiren was expert at distorting the truth; it was he who struck first, yet now he posed as the victim. Li Chao steeled himself—he would see the truth come to light.

Liu Xinyu nodded and instructed his officers, “The evidence is clear. This involves fighting and provoking trouble—bring the involved parties back for questioning.”

The officers moved to detain Li Chao.

Yet Li Chao, far from afraid, smiled and challenged, “Isn’t it hasty to take me away solely on Jiang Shiren’s one-sided account?”

Liu Xinyu’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Li Chao.

Since entering, he’d been displeased by Li Chao’s composure; now, the man’s words and demeanor only deepened his frown.

“My judgment stands. You need not question it!” His tone brooked no dissent.

“For your unprovoked violence, the law prescribes at least five to ten days’ detention!” Liu Xinyu declared sternly.

Li Chao only smiled. “Without asking for details, how can you claim it was unprovoked? Besides, Jiang Shiren’s men were present—if there was a fight, it was mutual.”

Liu Xinyu sneered, “You’re glib—you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin.”

Li Chao replied evenly, “I’m not being glib. I’m stating the facts. There are indeed disputes between me and Jiang Shiren, but that’s not why I struck him. He hit me first—I acted in self-defense.”

At this, Liu Xinyu was momentarily at a loss for words.

He had shown favoritism toward Jiang Shiren due to their personal ties and intended to make an example of Li Chao, but hadn’t expected such resistance.

His brows knitted tighter, his tone growing harsher. “Regardless of the reason, I’m in charge here—take him away!”

Jiang Shiren, seeing this, smirked with satisfaction, thinking, “Trying to outplay me? You’re still too green.”

Li Xitian, standing by, was anxious but dared not speak out.

At that critical moment, Li Chao calmly requested, “Wait—let me make a phone call, or you may regret it.”

Jiang Shiren scoffed, his contempt clear. “Now you’re afraid? Too late! Want to call for help? Ridiculous! A country bumpkin like you—who could you possibly know?”

“Chief Liu, please don’t waste time,” Jiang Shiren urged, but Liu Xinyu ignored him, staring hard at Li Chao, inwardly speculating.

Li Chao’s calm was not something an ordinary villager could feign. Suspicion began to stir in Liu Xinyu: Could this seemingly ordinary man have powerful backing?

After a moment’s consideration, Liu Xinyu relented with a nod, signaling Li Chao to proceed.

Li Chao promptly pulled out his phone and dialed. On the other end, Ye Wuji’s warm and hearty laugh sounded, “Ha! Brother Li, what brings you to call today? If there’s anything, just say it.”

Relieved, Li Chao replied, “Elder Ye, I’ve run into a bit of trouble here. I hope you can help me resolve it.”

Ye Wuji’s tone grew serious. “Liu Xinyu, you say? Understood. Rest assured, I’ll handle this.”

Liu Xinyu’s face turned ashen. He could never have imagined that Li Chao would know someone like Ye Wuji.

Now he realized he was in real trouble.

Jiang Shiren, too, went pale, cursing his luck—this country boy knew such influential people; he’d clearly kicked an iron wall.

Li Chao’s tone was light and easy. “Elder Ye, I’ve run into a minor issue in the village—comrades from the township police are here. I’d like your help coordinating things.”

Such simple words were enough for Ye Wuji to grasp the situation. Without hesitation, he voiced his support.

“Don’t worry, Li Chao. I’ll immediately contact the relevant departments and make sure this is handled properly.” Ye Wuji’s voice was firm and decisive.

“Thank you, Elder Ye. I trust you’ll take care of it.” Li Chao’s gratitude was clear.

Ye Wuji felt a wave of warmth; he understood the trust and reliance Li Chao placed in him. He resolved to do all he could to resolve the issue and not let him down.

Hanging up, Li Chao looked calmly at Liu Xinyu and Jiang Shiren.

Both men’s expressions subtly changed as they began to realize that Li Chao was, perhaps, no ordinary man.

Liu Xinyu was suddenly uneasy, beginning to regret his earlier rashness and underestimation. Did Li Chao really have connections?

He chose to remain silent, waiting to see how things would unfold.

Jiang Shiren, too, was filled with uncertainty and worry, realizing he might have underestimated Li Chao’s influence and pondering how to deal with the consequences.