Chapter 92: Compensation and the Loud Slap

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As some approached, they stood up, looking at Li Yi and the others with fear. Li Yi crouched down and smiled gently, “Child, is this the home of Thunder Tiger?” The older girl eyed him warily. “Thunder Tiger is my father. What do you want with him?” It seemed they had found the right person. “I’m a friend of your father’s. I’m here to help with something for him.” Seeing the handsome young man before her, the girl’s guard slowly lowered. “My mother is inside; I’ll go get her.” With that, she hurried into the courtyard.

Soon, a plainly dressed yet still graceful woman emerged from the house. Her face was delicate but pale, tears welled in her eyes, evoking a deep sense of pity. Gao Jie and the others stared at her intently. Li Yi snorted coldly, bringing them back to reality. It seemed the woman already knew of Thunder Tiger’s death. Perhaps it was for the best—Li Yi dreaded having to deliver such tragic news and witness a family’s heartbreak.

After introductions, the woman invited Li Yi and the others inside to sit. There, they saw a stout elderly woman glaring at them with two ruffians at her side. “Xiuniang, your husband owes me twenty taels of silver for my shop. Now he’s dead, but the debt remains. You need to give me an answer,” the old woman said menacingly, her triangular eyes fixed on the young widow. Xiuniang’s eyes were bloodshot as she replied, “Aunt Xie, when my husband was alive, he said half the debt was paid, and the rest would be settled by year’s end. How is it still twenty taels now?” The old woman’s expression darkened as she stood and scolded, “What, are you saying this old woman is cheating you? Half paid? I haven’t seen a single coin!” Xiuniang’s voice was hoarse, “Aunt Xie, my husband may be dead, but you cannot treat us like this.” The old woman sneered slyly, “Ha! If you’re so capable, let Thunder Tiger stand up and confront me!” Xiuniang trembled with anger and grief, collapsing weakly.

Li Yi was quick to step forward, catching her just in time. A sweet fragrance wafted to him, and he felt the softness and fullness of a mature woman’s figure in his arms. Meanwhile, the girl brought over a stool, and Li Yi helped her sit. Aunt Xie sneered with mockery, “So this is the man you brought along, your lover. Xiuniang, you always seemed honest and upright, but behind closed doors, you’re quite shameful.” “You…” Xiuniang’s anger flared, but she found no outlet.

Suddenly, Li Yi stepped up and slapped Aunt Xie sharply across the right cheek. Startled, she looked up, ready to curse, only to meet a pair of cold, merciless eyes. Li Yi said icily, “Shut your filthy mouth, or don’t blame me for cutting out your tongue.” The deadly tone made Aunt Xie shiver involuntarily. Enraged and shocked, she gritted her teeth, “Who are you, you pale-faced youth? Do you know who backs me?” “Oh? Someone above you?” Li Yi asked with a sly smile. Aunt Xie snorted, “Let me tell you, Xiuniang is the favorite of Master Zheng.” Master Zheng? Li Yi was surprised—nearly fifty years old, and yet this official lusted after Thunder Tiger’s widow. Seeing Li Yi’s expression, Aunt Xie assumed he was afraid. Indeed, the county magistrate was a local tyrant, and his advisor was like a prime minister; few dared to oppose them. “Young man, if you know what’s good for you, kneel and kowtow to this old woman, admit your fault, and pay fifty taels of silver. Then this matter will be settled.” She smiled maliciously. “If not, not only will you face disaster, but your family will suffer as well.” “Slap!” Before she finished, Li Yi struck her again. Staring at him dumbfounded, she wondered if she hadn’t made herself clear or if he was deaf. “Sorry, I have OCD,” Li Yi grinned.

Aunt Xie snapped to attention and ordered her two ruffians, “What are you waiting for? Beat him!” One drew a short blade and weakly lunged at Li Yi’s chest. Irritated, Li Yi grabbed his wrist and crushed it with a sharp crack; the ruffian screamed in pain. Without hesitation, Li Yi kicked the other assailant away and turned to Gao Jie and the others.

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“Break their limbs and throw them out.” Gao Jie and the others hurriedly seized the three and dragged them outside. Harsh screams pierced the air before falling silent. Xiuniang looked pale, staring at Li Yi. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed this handsome youth could be so ruthless. Li Yi took a jar from his bundle and placed it on the table.

“Sister-in-law, this is Brother Lei’s ashes. Many perished in the battle, and to prevent disease, I had him cremated and placed in this urn, so his family can have some solace.” Seeing her once tall and strong husband confined to a small jar, Xiuniang broke down, clutching it and wailing in agony. Li Yi closed the door and waited in the courtyard. The girl seemed to understand, her eyes red from her mother’s crying, while the boy remained oblivious, playing on the ground.

Li Yi took out a packet of sweets and handed them over. The boy cheered and ate one, but the girl, tears streaming, looked up and whispered, “Big brother, will my father never come back?” Hearing this, Li Yi was taken aback. He gently stroked her head, sighing softly. After a while, Xiuniang emerged and knelt before Li Yi, but he helped her up.

“The departed are gone. You have two children to care for, Sister-in-law.” Xiuniang choked back tears as she looked at her children. Li Yi comforted her further and had Gao Jie bring two large sacks.

“Sister-in-law, here is rice and flour, plus the bounty for Brother Lei’s kills—a total of eighty taels of silver. Keep it all.” Xiuniang looked at the heavy silver in surprise. “Brother Li, I heard that before dying, my husband divided his merits with his fallen comrades. Could so many rewards remain?” A soldier from the garrison spoke up, “Sister-in-law, the captain distributed his bounty to them. For those who died and whose families suffer in poverty, he gave extra silver.” Hearing this, Xiuniang’s eyes widened. With so many dead, the total bounty must be nearly a thousand taels. With no official records or oversight, corruption was rampant—but this captain not only refrained from greed, he helped the poor with his own money.

Suddenly, a group stormed into the courtyard. “Master Zheng, it’s this scoundrel who ruined your plans,” Aunt Xie accused bitterly. Master Zheng entered—nearly fifty, his body frail but his lust unabated, always coveting married women. Since meeting Xiuniang, he had been restless, longing to possess her, yet fearing Thunder Tiger’s fierce reputation, he dared not act. Now that Thunder Tiger was dead, he resented anyone interfering with his desires.

Glancing at the graceful Xiuniang, he turned to Li Yi. “Why are you here?” he demanded darkly. Aunt Xie quickly accused, “Master Zheng, this villain is the one who slapped me.” Zheng’s anger grew, “Li Yi, we have no grudges. Now that Lord Hong has abandoned you, be wise and don’t meddle.” After reaching an agreement with Hong Chengchou, Yang He returned to Yulin, leaving Li Yi to wrap things up. Zheng assumed Li Yi had lost favor and backing, especially as Yan Zibin was about to leave office, and so he dismissed him.

“Master Zheng, you say we have no grudge?” Li Yi countered. Zheng hesitated. He had instigated Inspector Xu’s assassination attempt, repeatedly urged Yan Zibin against Li Yi, currying favor with the Ai family, and personally led troops to arrest Li Yi. Their feud was not only personal but intense. Yet, he only operated behind the scenes; Yan Zibin took the blame openly. Surprised that Li Yi knew of his schemes, Zheng snorted. “All my offenses were for duty. Li Yi, with Lord Hong no longer protecting you, and the magistrate gone from Mizhi County, not to mention Shi Kefa’s disgrace, you’re isolated. If I were you, I’d live carefully.” Li Yi replied coldly, “How I live is no concern of yours. But when I see injustice, I must intervene.” “What do you mean?” Zheng demanded. Smiling, Li Yi said, “Literally what I said. Master Zheng, you’re old enough to be Xiuniang’s father. Your manhood is failing, and yet you still bully women. Truly shameless.” Zheng’s face burned with rage.

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His expression darkened as he glared fiercely at Li Yi. “Li Yi, you do have some skill, but you’re a reckless fool. Taxes on summer grain and autumn levies in Ganquanli are collected by the county office. Offend me, and the people of Ganquanli will suffer.” Xiuniang, flustered, stepped forward, pleading, “Master Zheng, please spare us widows and orphans. I’ll repay Aunt Xie’s twenty taels now.” She produced the silver and handed it over, fearing trouble for Li Yi.

“Xiuniang, if you’re smart, you know what I want is you.” Zheng reached to grab her hand, but another palm caught his wrist. “Li Yi, it seems you are determined to oppose me. Tomorrow, I’ll send clerks to Ganquanli to collect taxes. When your family is ruined, it will be your doing,” he threatened harshly. Li Yi met his gaze coolly. County tax collection was serious. If he resisted, neither Yan Zibin nor Hong Chengchou would support him for their own political gains. The officials held all the power; the people of Ganquanli would suffer silently.

“Think carefully, Li Yi. This world belongs to scholars. You’re just a brute. Best obey,” Zheng mocked arrogantly. The garrison soldiers stepped forward to restrain Li Yi. Gao Jie advised, “Captain, the county office has many harsh methods. Don’t oppose them.” Xiuniang gripped Li Yi’s wrist, imploring, “Captain Li, please don’t act rashly. For my late husband’s sake, care for my children.” Seeing her despair, Li Yi slowly released Zheng’s wrist. Xiuniang’s face was full of sorrow—she did not want Li Yi to suffer because of her. Since Zheng was pressing, she was prepared to meet her fate.

Just as she resigned herself, Li Yi gathered strength and slapped Zheng across the face. “Smack!” The crisp sound echoed as Zheng’s body spun, blood spurting from his mouth and nose, and he collapsed. Everyone in the courtyard froze. “I have visited seventy households. For each, I will honor my promise to my fallen brothers and distribute the compensation to their families. I have secretly vowed to protect their kin. You, a lustful old dog, dare threaten me and seize my fallen brother’s widow? Master Zheng, I don’t know how many families in Ganquanli will be ruined, but if you cause harm, I will take your head.” Li Yi’s gaze was icy as he looked at the wounded, groaning Zheng, then at the ruffian officials with him. They all stepped back in fear.

Li Yi, famed for slaying nearly a hundred invaders at Suijin Town, was a living legend in Mizhi County. Even with ten men, none dared attack him. “Take him away, get out,” Li Yi ordered coldly. The trembling ruffians hurriedly lifted Zheng and fled. Turning to Xiuniang, Li Yi spoke softly, “Sister-in-law, this place is unsafe. If you don’t mind, you may stay at Suijin Town for a few days. Once I resolve this, you can return.” Xiuniang looked at Li Yi with mixed feelings and nodded slightly.

Li Yi assigned Gao Jie to guard the place, then visited several other families of fallen comrades. Upon returning, he escorted Xiuniang and her children back to Suijin Town, settling them in a courtyard for displaced women. As usual, Li Yi went to check on the wounded. At the gate, soldiers who had accompanied him were animatedly recounting the day’s events.

“I saw it myself—Master Zheng tried to seize Xiuniang and threatened her. Just when we thought the captain might give in, ‘smack!’—he slapped Zheng across the face. His head looked like a pig’s snout, it was awful.” One soldier climbed on a table, vividly reenacting the scene, captivating his comrades. “Ergouzi, did Captain Li really give out all the bounty? No proof, no corruption?” “Bullshit! If I hear you badmouth the captain again, I’ll shut your mouth,” Ergouzi growled. Another shouted, “I saw with my own eyes. The captain not only distributed the bounty fully but used his own money to buy rice, flour, and cloth for the widows. With such a good officer, anyone spreading rumors deserves divine punishment.” The soldiers who helped distribute the bounty had become Li Yi’s biggest fans, excitedly defending him against any slander. Being well-liked, their words carried weight.

A bearded soldier sighed, “If only Captain Li were our superior. With a leader like him, dying would be worth it.” “Exactly. He doesn’t look down on us poor folk, treats our wounds for free, and pays bounty generously. I’d gladly follow him into battle again,” the group cheered. At that moment, Li Yi entered, smiling, “Time to change bandages. Go lie down, rest up. When healed, each goes home to their mother.” The soldiers laughed heartily.

Just then, Li Guo and others arrived with a group of women. After days of training, these women had learned to change bandages, easing Li Guo’s workload.