Chapter 6 – Unyielding Confrontation (Part 2)
“What did you say?” The Bandit Leader took a quick step forward, trying to grab Jiang Pengji by her collar for some clarification.
She deftly sidestepped his outstretched hand with a light pivot, “I don’t appreciate anyone getting handsy.”
Surprised by his empty grasp, the Bandit Leader felt a flicker of confusion within.
Suppressing his agitated emotions, he grinned, revealing a set of yellow teeth that complemented his scruffy beard, making him look as menacing as a blue-faced demon.
“Who are you? What do you know?”
“Who I am isn’t important; you wouldn’t even recognize me if I told you. Just know that what I know is far greater than what you know.”
The Bandit Leader’s eyes flickered, his gaze towards Jiang Pengji laced with cold murderous intent, one hand even reaching for the hilt of his knife.
“I know you became a killer in a fit of rage after your beloved was dishonored and died, leading to your tattooed punishment and exile to Zisang. But then you escaped and became a bandit in Hejian County. Am I right?”
The bandits standing by were utterly baffled, while the other noble girls were captivated by her boldness, momentarily forgetting the perilous situation.
What kind of rhythm is this?
System: “…”
What the heck? How does she know this?
This information wasn’t assisted by the system, how could she possibly know it?
As a super system capable of interdimensional broadcasting, its functions go far beyond what’s previously revealed.
It planned to slowly reveal its capabilities over time; Jiang Pengji had to comply with the live-streaming demands instead of occasionally choking it or threatening to go on strike. Like fruit dangling on a stick, enticing a hardworking donkey to keep chasing.
Jiang Pengji could buy information from it with money; any info with low secrecy could be purchased, including the Bandit Leader’s past.
But… right now, it was completely broke, and even if it wanted to help Jiang Pengji, it had no means to do so.
So the question arose, how did this girl know that the Bandit Leader had such a tragic beloved?
The Bandit Leader’s icy stare fixed on Jiang Pengji, and suddenly he looked up to the sky and burst into a long laugh, “What a load of nonsense…”
“Your mother, you haven’t visited her in ages, have you?” Jiang Pengji continued, unaffected, “You pride yourself on being a filial son, wandering in exile, even willing to become a bandit, yet not once have you gone to see her… is this your version of filial piety?”
The Bandit Leader froze like he was hit with the pause button, his grin awkwardly suspended.
In the end, he clenched his teeth hard, his fierce demeanor revealed.
“Oh, is this the start of some murderous intent? Like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, what else can you do aside from scratching? To commit violence against a woman, have you thought about your poor beloved? She was waiting to marry you with a heart full of joy before she died.”
Silence enveloped the room, the atmosphere so tense it felt like a gasp was too loud. Everyone couldn’t help but steal glances at the Bandit Leader’s expression.
One bold bandit attempted to take advantage of a noble girl, and the Bandit Leader swiftly drew his long knife, nearly slicing off the tip of his nose.
Ignoring the terrified little bandit, he coldly gazed at Jiang Pengji, asking, “So, who is the animal that did this?”
Jiang Pengji let out a cold laugh, her posture regal as if seated upon a throne, “Is this your attitude when asking for help?”
“You are my captive! Listen here, if you don’t spill the beans, I’ll let my brothers have their way with you filthy women one by one!” The Bandit Leader was goaded into losing all patience, his explosive rage nearly boiling over.
“Hehe…”
Jiang Pengji showed no signs of being threatened, her restrained hands belied the aura of someone in complete control of the situation.
“What are you laughing about?” The Bandit Leader felt a strange sensation at her smile, an unshakeable unease.
“I’m laughing because this scene mirrors what your beloved experienced when she was forced. How similarly tragic.”
Jiang Pengji’s reputation as a demon spread throughout the Seventh Legion; many officers had suffered under her wrath, not just because of her formidable combat prowess but also due to her sharp tongue.
Powerful violence + lethal verbal skills = a moving human weapon.
For those in her clutches, if she was in a good mood, they might even walk away with their bodies intact; if not, they’d rather wish they were dead.
Her words sent the Bandit Leader, who was poised on the edge of explosion, into another forced calm.
He pushed forward, causing a noble girl to stumble towards Jiang Pengji, landing half in her embrace, which flushed her cheeks.
The Bandit Leader kept his voice low while threatening, “If you dare lie to me, I’ll make sure you’re toyed with before being sold into a brothel.”
“Lie? Please tell me, which part of what I said was false? If I were lying, would you even dare to move?”
Jiang Pengji scoffed, her long, dark hair cascading down, enhancing her feminine charm, yet paradoxically intensifying her allure. It wasn’t the kind of charm meant to attract men; it was difficult yet tantalizing, dripping with irresistible charisma that left one feeling restless.
Even Wei Jingxian, who initially didn’t want to acknowledge her, subtly turned around, her gaze mixed with concealed concern and… confusion and suspicion.
“I’ve done everything you asked, so now you tell me, which beasts are responsible for hurting Xin Niang!”
His fingers tangled in his hair, portraying a scene filled with despair, making onlookers empathize, except for Jiang Pengji, who just sneered.
“Garbage!” she declared, “You just lost a beloved from only a few years back, and you’ve even forgotten her name? It’s Xin Niang, right?”
The Bandit Leader’s actions froze, his eyes now tinted with red.
Indeed, his beloved was not named Xin Niang; her previous demeanor was half true and half false.
He secretly desired Jiang Pengji to know something real, but at the same time, he hoped this was just her playful deceit to trick him.
“Fine…” The Bandit Leader wiped his face, inhaled deeply, “As long as you tell me which beasts harmed Mo Niang, I can guarantee you will leave here unharmed, and no one will lay a finger on you!”
“Refusal. The bargaining chip you offer is too lightweight; it’s just me against a hoard of information? How could it be worth such important news?” Jiang Pengji remained unmoved.
“What do you want?” The Bandit Leader quickly asked, scanning the noble girls in the room, suddenly realizing with a smirk, “So you want to be greedy and have all the beauties…”
“Whether you agree is up to you; if you don’t believe me, feel free to refuse my proposal. Just try it, and see if I’m pressured into spilling any tidbits.” Jiang Pengji appeared unbothered, her gaze sweeping across all the bandit faces with a disdainful snort.
In that instant, everyone felt a sense of indescribable awkwardness, like a virgin was teased after being humiliated; wait, who is really taking advantage here, and who is worse off?
For a moment, every face was left in utter bewilderment.
“Boss…” Despite some having been influenced by Jiang Pengji, others maintained their dedication to their craft.
They had robbed so many noble girls in Hejian; would those people let them off the hook?
It was likely that even the King of Hell was sending the Black and White Impermanence to collect their souls, and before dying, wouldn’t they want to enjoy themselves? Otherwise, wouldn’t it all have been for nothing?
