SFS Chapter 199 A Cameo as a Robber at the Stone Gate
Chapter 199 A Cameo as a Robber at the Stone Gate
Qingyi was somewhat puzzled as to why Xu Ning had suddenly become interested in these two ordinary people.
However, she also sensed that something was amiss between the two of them.
The young woman was clearly from a wealthy family and had been pampered since childhood; she took the man's care for granted.
Although the young man treated the woman with care and consideration, his demeanor was unconsciously respectful.
It's strange in itself that this odd couple, who don't seem like lovers or master and servant, are talking about how things will be better once they leave Liyue.
Although the Dragon Plague had just passed in Mondstadt, monsters were still rampant in various places. These two did not even have a car or bodyguards with them. They were just preparing to walk out of the Stone Gate.
When Xu Ning asked, the young man turned around and smiled warmly, "We are merchants from Liyue Harbor. We are indeed planning to go to Mondstadt, but we cannot disclose our destination. We apologize."
Xu Ning laughed and said, "You really chose a bad time to travel. Recently, monsters have been rampant in Mondstadt, and some bandits are even targeting lone merchants on the road. This young lady looks like she's used to a life of luxury, and she's an extremely obvious target to anyone with ulterior motives. If you don't bring a bodyguard with you, I'm afraid you won't be able to move an inch after you leave the Stone Gate."
Xu Ning's words immediately caused the woman to look worried, and she unconsciously looked at the man.
The young man quickly reassured her, "It's alright, I'm here. I'll make sure you're safe on your journey."
The woman's eyes reddened, and she nodded emphatically while holding the man's hand.
Xu Ning immediately smiled.
“When you go out to do business, you must be carrying a lot of money. You don’t have any bodyguards, and you look like a refined gentleman. I’m afraid you haven’t experienced any fighting or killing.”
Xu Ning reached out and spat out a gleaming silver longsword from his wine gourd.
With a sharp "thud," Xu Ning planted his sword on the tea table where the two men were sitting, and said with a smile, "Then I'm sorry, gentlemen, this is a robbery!"
This sudden turn of events caught even Qingyi off guard, and everyone stared at Xu Ning in astonishment.
The young man, sweating profusely, stood up and shielded the woman behind him, forcing a smile as he said, "Young man, don't joke around. This place isn't far from the Thousand Rock Army's camp. What if..."
Xu Ning chuckled and said, "Who are you trying to scare? The Thousand Rock Army's garrison in Dihua Island is more than half a day's journey from here. There are only a few patrolling soldiers here at most, and I don't even consider them a threat. Stop talking nonsense, or I'll kill you first, then take that girl behind you and demand ransom from her family."
Seeing that Xu Ning seemed to have them completely under his control, and that it didn't seem fake at all, the man gritted his teeth, took out a money pouch from his person, and threw it on the table.
"This contains all our money. In addition to several hundred thousand Mora, there are two notes from the Northern Bank. You can withdraw the money in any city you choose."
Xu Ning picked up the money pouch, weighed it in his hand, and casually tossed it to the woman in green who was already watching the show with great interest. He sneered, "Buying two lives with such a small amount of money is a bit cheap, isn't it? In my opinion, it can only buy one life. Since you can't come up with more Mora, then let's discuss who should come up and die!"
"You..." The man was both shocked and angry. Just as he was about to speak, the woman he was protecting behind him spoke up.
“My father is the manager of Minghua Trading Company and is quite wealthy in Liyue. If you are willing to spare our lives, I am willing to write a letter to my family to pay for our ransom.”
Xu Ning sneered, "Is that so? In that case, state your name first, so I can hear if that's true!"
The woman gritted her teeth and said, "My name is Hua Chu, and I am the second daughter of the manager of Minghua Trading Company. His name is Jian Qiu, and he is an employee of our Minghua Money Shop."
Qingyi had also entered robber mode at this moment, and loudly retorted when she heard Hua Chu's words.
"Ha, you're involved in both a trading company and a money exchange. Your father runs a huge business, yet he sends his own daughter out to trade, and it's just the two of you, master and servant, walking on foot. Do you think we highwaymen are too uneducated to be easily fooled?"
Jianqiu began, "We didn't lie to you, I really am..."
Xu Ning suddenly stepped forward and punched Jian Qiu in the stomach, simultaneously sending him a whiff of alcohol that made him lie down.
Hua Chu couldn't help but scream loudly, yelling at the old man squatting by the tea stove, "Murder! Grandpa, please help me call for help! Jian Qiu, waaaaah..."
The old man was much calmer. "I'm too old, my legs aren't strong enough, I can't do this anymore."
Xu Ning glanced at the old man, smiled, and said to Hua Chu again, "I just knocked him out. He won't die. I don't want to hear people lie to me. If you continue to hide anything, it won't be as simple as just one punch."
Hua Chu cried out, "Everything I said is true..."
Xu Ning sneered at her interruption and said, "Since you put it that way, then I have to ask you, are you really out here to do business?"
Hua Chu paused for a moment, her face pale, and said, "I...we are not. He and I are in love, but Father forbids it. We ran away from home."
Xu Ning snorted, "I'll ask you again, your father is very wealthy and knew you had run away, but instead of finding some capable and fast horses to search for you, he let you get here so easily?"
Hua Chu's face paled even more, and she said in a trembling voice, "That's because... my father thought I was dead..."
Xu Ning's face turned cold, and he continued to ask, "Your father hasn't even seen you, so how can he be sure you're dead?"
Hua Chu twisted her hands and said in a trembling voice, "Before we escaped, Jian Qiu found a female corpse with a similar build to mine, dressed her in my clothes and jewelry, and then threw her into the well at Yujingtai to create the illusion that I had drowned myself..."
Xu Ning sneered, "By the time the body is discovered and retrieved, it will probably be swollen from being soaked in water. We'll only be able to recognize you by your clothes, making it irrefutable evidence. What a cunning scheme!"
"As for your father and the others living in Yujingtai, whether they will drink corpse water for ten or fifteen days is not something you are considering. You are truly a filial daughter!"
When Hua Chu heard Xu Ning's description, she recalled that horrific scene and almost vomited, covering her mouth.
Seeing her expression, Xu Ning snorted, "Judging from your appearance, I know you don't have the guts to do it. I'm afraid all of this was done under the guidance of Jian Qiu on the ground."
Hua Chu wiped away her tears and said in a deep voice, "We'll share the blame for our mistakes. I don't regret it!"
Xu Ning laughed and pointed at Hua Chu, asking, "You don't regret it? You were all preparing to escape, and then a female corpse just happened to appear to help you complete your plan, and it just so happens to be similar in build to you? Such a coincidence, didn't you ever suspect anything?"
"Haha, if Jianqiu kills your double with his own hands, will you tell me you won't regret it?"
Hua Chu hugged her shoulders and her whole body started trembling.
But in the end, he gritted his teeth and said, "I don't regret it!"