Chapter 63: Audacious Ai Wanhua

The two of them left Mizhi County together. Before long, they rejoined the group of young militiamen, who were waiting by the banks of the Wuding River, armored and armed, their faces brimming with murderous intent.

Li Yi briefly recounted what had happened, rousing everyone’s indignation and prompting them to curse Ai Wanhua vehemently. Gao Jie, his expression conflicted, couldn’t help but ask, “Captain, I heard the archers from the Patrol Office were punished recently. Are you in urgent need of manpower?”

Li Yi immediately understood Gao Jie’s intentions from his awkward demeanor. “You want to serve in the Patrol Office?”

Gao Jie nodded. Li Yi smiled, “I am indeed short-handed. If you’re willing to help, that would be wonderful. Let’s do this: everyone here can become archers, led by you, and stay in the Patrol Office to assist me.”

The young militiamen cheered excitedly. Gao Jie was overjoyed, too. Though the position of an archer was humble, everyone knew Li Yi had the powerful backing of Hong Chengchou, promising a bright future. If he could earn merit, perhaps he might even attain official status.

Li Yi turned to Gao Jie, “I promised Master Hong to capture Ai Wanhua. What’s the latest with the Ai family?”

Gao Jie replied disdainfully, “That scoundrel Ai Wanhua has barely been quiet for a while and now he’s stirring up trouble again.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s taken a fancy to a farmer’s wife from the neighboring village, repeatedly trying his tricks, but so far hasn’t succeeded. A few days ago, Ai Wanhua lured the farmer’s wife to the Ai household, intending to force himself on her. Fortunately, the farmer was clever and sought help from the Farmers’ Association. Great-grandfather brought the village chiefs from ten miles around to demand her return. Ai Yingjia, for the sake of reputation, had to send the woman back with courtesy and pay five taels of silver to settle the matter.”

Ai Wanhua’s lustful debauchery had harmed countless respectable women. This time, the Farmers’ Association intervening expanded its influence. Li Yi was delighted and said to Gao Jie, “Ai Wanhua’s audacity knows no bounds. Failing to get his way will surely enrage him. Station your men outside the official village, and if you see him leave with others, report to me at once.”

Though Li Yi now belonged to the Patrol Office and had authority to arrest criminals, the Ai family was a powerful household in northern Shaanxi. If conflict arose, it would be difficult to apprehend Ai Wanhua directly. For now, they could only wait for the opportune moment.

Gao Jie agreed, taking two men with him, while Li Yi led the others to the Patrol Office.

Inside the Ai residence, Ai Wanhua summoned five robust servants, ordering them to take up arms and accompany him that night. Such matters were routine for these servants. Landed gentry and officials bullying farmers, forcibly taking their wives and daughters, was all too common. They were desensitized to it.

One of the servants leered, “Looks like Second Young Master is truly smitten with that buxom woman.”

The others laughed loudly.

A hesitant servant ventured, “But the Farmers’ Association caused trouble the other day. If we use force again, what if they interfere?”

Ai Wanhua’s face twisted with malice. He kicked over a chair, slapped the servant hard, his triangular eyes flashing viciously. “Damn you! Am I supposed to fear those peasants and paupers?”

The servant covered his face, bowing his head in silence.

Ai Wanhua’s gaze grew sinister. “Tonight, I’ll finally get that woman. Let’s see who can stop me.”

Before nightfall, Gao Jie was already stationed outside the official village. In the bitter chill of winter, they wrapped themselves in thick sheepskins and built a shelter to observe the Ai residence. Fortunately, vagrants often gathered outside the village, making their presence inconspicuous.

Gao Jie thought they’d be waiting for days, but as soon as darkness fell, he saw Ai Wanhua and five servants leave the village. He quickly sent a man to report to Li Yi, while he and the others followed.

They trailed the group to a nearby village. Ai Wanhua and his men startled the dogs, whose barking roused villagers to open their doors. The Ai servants brandished gleaming sabers, barking, “What are you looking at? Get back inside!”

Terrified by the blades, the villagers hurriedly closed their doors and windows.

Thus, Ai Wanhua’s group swaggered into a small courtyard.

With a crash, the servants kicked open the decaying gate and barged in.

Gao Jie hid in the shadow of the fence, carefully watching.

He saw the Ai servants ruthlessly drag out a farmer in his thirties. The farmer tried to protest, but was knocked down with a punch. Three or four servants beat him mercilessly, soon leaving his face covered in blood, his cries echoing.

Ai Wanhua stood with his hands behind his back, gazing coldly at the farmer sprawled on the ground. “You dare conspire with those peasants to accuse me? Tonight, I’ll show you my power.”

He kicked the farmer in the stomach. The farmer spasmed in pain, barely recovering before Ai Wanhua kicked him hard in the face. Blood gushed from his broken nose, his body tensed in agony.

“Dear, dear! Someone help!” cried the farmer’s wife, still alluring in her maturity.

But the villagers, intimidated by the Ai family’s power and the armed servants, dared not show themselves.

Ai Wanhua’s face twisted into a leering smile, his eyes fixed on the woman’s chest, licking his lips. “Don’t be afraid, little lady. Tonight, I’ll make you feel ecstasy beyond imagination.”

The farmer reached out, grabbing Ai Wanhua’s foot, pleading, “Master Ai, I beg you, please spare us.”

Ai Wanhua kicked him aside, took out the dog leash he’d prepared, and said gleefully, “Don’t worry, tonight I’ll take good care of your wife. You just wait outside.”

He slipped the leash around the farmer’s neck and tossed it to his men, then strode toward the house, grinning wickedly.

The woman screamed, trying to escape, but the Ai servants were already guarding the door. Ai Wanhua laughed, hoisted her onto his shoulder, and went inside.

The farmer shouted in anguish, cursing, but with the leash choking his neck, he could not rush in to save his wife.

The Ai servants outside laughed cruelly, “You dog, once the young master’s done, it’ll be our turn. If you want her, line up behind us.”

Their laughter rang out harshly.

The farmer’s eyes were bloodshot, staring furiously at the house, his nails digging deep into the hard earth.

Just then, more than a dozen men burst in.

“Damn you! Tired of living, are you? How dare you meddle in Ai family matters?” the Ai servants shouted arrogantly. But when they recognized the young man leading the group, their faces changed dramatically.

“Li Yi!”

Li Yi, holding his Tiger-Tooth Spear, glared coldly at the Ai servants a dozen steps away. “Breaking into private homes, assaulting citizens, and violating women—such courage!”

The Ai servants tried to bluster, “Li Yi, this has nothing to do with you.”

Li Yi raised his Patrol Office badge, commanding, “Open your eyes and see if I can intervene or not.”

“The Patrol Office badge?” one cried in shock. Before he could react, Li Yi’s figure flashed, the spear tip thrusting straight through a servant’s chest.

The dying man stared at Li Yi, trying to speak, but blood gushed from his mouth as he collapsed.

The others cried out in terror.

“Resisting the authorities, committing violence—unforgivable crimes! Kill them all!” Li Yi commanded without mercy.

In chaotic times, harsh measures were needed. Gao Jie and his men rushed forward, slaughtering the pleading servants in pools of blood.

Only then did Li Yi hear screams from inside the house.

The woman, refusing to yield, fought desperately.

Ai Wanhua, enraged at his failure and oblivious to the commotion outside, struck her repeatedly, weakening her resistance.

Just as Ai Wanhua began tearing at her clothes, Li Yi charged in, sweeping his spear and striking Ai Wanhua’s chest.

The powerful blow sent Ai Wanhua flying into a cabinet, blood streaming from his mouth and nose.

He turned his vicious gaze toward Li Yi, pupils contracting in fear. “Li Yi…”

Li Yi lowered his spear, walked over, and grabbed Ai Wanhua by the hair.

Ai Wanhua, terrified by Li Yi’s cold eyes, immediately begged, “Li Yi, I admit my wrongs, I’ll pay silver—please spare me!”

Li Yi sneered, slapping him hard across the face.

Ai Wanhua screamed, his left cheek swelling instantly.

He tried to speak, but Li Yi slapped him again.

After a dozen blows, Ai Wanhua’s face was swollen like a pig’s head.