The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 557: Standing Up Against Injustice

The person beating him increased the force with every strike, cursing as he did: "My young master took a fancy to your sister, which is her good fortune, and still you dared reject it. She deserves death! You shadow my young master suspiciously, your intentions clearly ill. Whether you want to steal or harm, is there a difference?"

The young master sneered: "Fool! Beat him to death for me!"

Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin exchanged a glance. Initially, not knowing the grudges between these people, they dared not act impulsively. But upon hearing their exchange, having grasped the situation, they couldn’t suppress the fury in their hearts.

They know from roaming the Jianghu that in this world, authority often outweighs justice.

To think, even in the Capital City, beneath the Emperor’s feet, such things happen.

This is clearly abusing one’s wealth and power to disregard human life.

Without hesitation, they intervened, pulling away the seven or eight men under the young master’s command, helping the half-dead man up.

The man appeared to be in his early twenties, with thick brows and large eyes, coarse hands and feet, calloused palms, his face full of grief and despair, blood oozing from the corners of his eyes, his mouth busted, looking truly pitiful.

Seeing someone dared interfere in his affairs, the young master’s face darkened as he shouted: "Who are you? Daring to meddle in my affairs. Who gave you the audacity?"

Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin were righteous swordsmen who helped when they encountered injustice in the Jianghu. Moreover, now it was clear the young master was forcing someone to death, and still oppressing others, having forced a man’s sister to death and now seeking the brother’s life. Had they not encountered it, it’d be one thing, but facing it, not intervening would be a disgrace to their honor!

Hua Yuanming said: "I don’t care who you are. I only ask, is what he says true? Did you really force his sister to death?"

The young master looked at Hua Yuanming as if looking at a dead man, speaking with arrogance: "You ask? Are you worthy of asking? Killing someone to me is like crushing an ant. Never mind those two wretched siblings, if I want, I can kill you too!"

It was already evening, the street devoid of people, which made the young master especially arrogant.

The thick-browed youth, terribly beaten, with a broken arm, looked gratefully at Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin, his voice wobbling between despair and worry: "Great benefactors, I can only repay you in another life. He has power, you must leave quickly, or it’ll be too late!"

"Leave? Can you?" The Brocade Young Master turned to his subordinates: "Beat these two meddling fools to death!"

This man was undoubtedly the most arrogant person Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin encountered since arriving in Capital City. There was no exception. They’ve met Imperial Grandsons, yet those were courteous, graceful, and carried an aura of nobility, never using their status to bully, naturally inspiring respect and compliance.

Could this person, by status, surpass an Imperial Grandson? Yet his manner was far grander than Huangfu Yuxuan.

Knowing he truly killed someone and remained arrogant, both Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin found it intolerable. Even if they wished to ignore, they couldn’t, as those seven subordinates closed in with malicious intent, some even drew weapons—short swords and daggers easy to carry.

Upon drawing their weapons, the seven looked even more malicious, attacking the two viciously, holding nothing back, clearly aiming to take their lives.

Judging by their skill proficiency, they’ve done such things more than once.

Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin exchanged a look. Though mere Third Class Captains, in terms of true skill, even their superior, Capital Guard Commander Pei Yichang, might not be their match.

These seven family members were fierce, with some skill, more than enough against ordinary folks, but nothing before those two.

Within less than a quarter-hour, all seven lay knocked to the ground.

Seeing his men downed, the Brocade Young Master’s face sank, yet rather than fleeing, he coldly observed, though the murderous intent in his eyes grew increasingly strong.

The thick-browed youth watching this scene nearly had his eyes pop out, yet was more worried, pleading urgently: "Benefactors, you must leave at once, or it will truly be too late! My worthless life is not worth grieving, I can’t involve you further!"

Hua Yuanming said: "How can one ignore injustice? They’re excessively bullying, and you’ve done no wrong, you needn’t fear them!"

Feeling something amiss, Gu Hongxin gently tugged Hua Yuanming’s sleeve. Anyone so arrogant must have something backing them. In the Capital City, beneath the Emperor, such hubris surely hidden forces aren’t weak.

Usually, he wouldn’t care much. What is a chivalrous hero but one who defies authority, upholds justice, even if one man’s strength is akin to halting a cart, one must pierce the wheel—that’s the fearless, resolute act of a grand hero.

But his mindset subtly shifted since joining the military, holding rank, understanding the Capital’s power divides.

The greater the power, the greater the force.

They’d have friends, kin, numerous proteges, advisers, and they’re wealthy, exceedingly wealthy. As the saying goes, money makes the ghost and grinds the mill, can gather many experts to their side!

The young man daring to murder in the street surely has a powerful backing. If some senior official’s descendant, their Jianghu identities couldn’t confront such a prominent family; nor their Third Class Captain rank, as they are worlds apart!

Having drunk a bit too much earlier, without much thought, after stretching and getting the early evening breeze, sobered considerably, they grew apprehensive, seeing Hua Yuanming still intended to assault the Brocade Young Master, hastily pulled him back: "Second Brother Hua, don’t be rash! We’re only here to save lives, don’t incite greater conflict!"

With this advice, Hua Yuanming regained some clarity.

Stepping forward, Gu Hongxin said: "Young master, we mean no challenge to you, but witnessing your intent to murder. Encountering it, we cannot merely stand by! If you’d spare him, let the matter end, I’ll persuade reconciliation between the young master and him! If the young master insists on harm, given the gravity of human life, and being beneath the Emperor, it would tarnish your reputation if word spreads. Why not cease here?"

The thick-browed youth looked at Gu Hongxin incredulously, but quickly gritted his teeth: "These matters are unrelated to you two, your kindness I’ll repay in another life, don’t involve yourselves with me, leave quickly!"