Chapter 14 – Bursting Through the Door (2/2)

The voices of the three scoundrels eased up slightly as well, highly praising Li Qingshan’s actions during the day before yesterday.

Li Qingshan ignored these attempts to flatter him and put down the meat. “There is something I must trouble you all with. The meat is the compensation, including for what you did last time.”

“That’ll be rude of us to accept it. Erlang, just say a word, and we’ll do anything to carry it out.” That was what the scoundrels said, but they accepted the meat in a hurry.

Just like last time, Li Qingshan said, “Come with me!” He turned around and left, but this time, there was no bravado. It was an absolute order.

The three scoundrels did not to dare hesitate, following right behind his steps.

Li Qingshan borrowed some hoes and shovels from a nearby farmer’s home first before going to Li Fugui’s house.

It just happened to be noon, around the time when the villagers had just finished their morning farmwork and were tidying up. They were all about to go home to eat. They saw Li Erlang, who just happened to be at the height of his fame in the village, leading three scoundrels to borrow tools. Who knows what he planned on doing, so they all followed behind him curiously. With that, basically the entire village had been alarmed.

They watched him arrive in front of Li Fugui’s home and wondered whether he was going to punish that drunkard. How had the drunkard offended him? They all found this to be rather shameless. He was using his advantage in numbers to harass a pitiful man who had descended into depravity. This was a complete opposite to when he faced the village head and caretaker Liu in caretaker Liu’s home. One was defying oppression, while the other was harassing the weak.

However, the three scoundrels were very happy. “I could tell a long time ago that this old drunkard is utterly worthless.” They even slapped their chests and volunteered. “I’ll drag him out right now.” It had been a long time since they could hold their heads up high. They were going to be making an example out of Li Fugui this time, beating him up in front of the crowd.

Li Qingshan glared at them and called out, “Are you coming or not?”

Just as everyone felt confused, Li Fugui rushed out of the house and gritted his teeth, “I am!”

His face was surprisingly sober, which astounded all the villagers. In the past, Li Fugui had always remained in a drunken stupor. Unbeknownst to them, after Li Qingshan left Li Fugui’s house, the man had not taken a single sip of alcohol. He thought about and longed for what Li Qingshan had promised, but he never thought that Li Qingshan would come on the very next day.

With that, the villagers felt even more confused, and their interest was piqued as well.

Li Qingshan nodded. He walked at the front with his head held high, leading the group of people to the witch’s brick house. He saw that the main entrance was tightly shut. Clearly, he had alarmed her already. Seeing this, he ordered the three rascals, “Smash it open!”

The three scoundrels immediately became timid. There was not a single person in the village who did not fear the witch. Even when patch-haired Liu was around, they were never bold enough to offend her, and the house of brick and tiles that also served as a shrine had a mysterious, holy air around it. They had already lost count of just how many times they had heard of strange things happening there.

The other villagers saw how he was actually making trouble for the witch, and all of them erupted in an uproar as well.

Someone tried to persuade him, “Erlang, don’t mess around!”

There was also someone absolutely terrified. “Your disrespect to the gods will lead to retribution.” He was a devout believer of the witch. If it were not for his fear of the blade in Li Qingshan’s hand, he might have come up and tried to reason with him.

Li Qingshan said nothing. With a bang, he kicked open the wooden door. The door panels that were as thick as an arm snapped into pieces, producing quite a loud sound and startling the villagers into silence.

Li Qingshan looked back and ordered the three scoundrels, “Keep guard outside. Don’t let anyone in.”

The three scoundrels obliged reluctantly. At least they did not have to go in.

Li Qingshan stepped over the door sill and strode into the courtyard. He arrived before the entrance to the hall and was about to kick through the door.

The doors opened by themselves. It was clearly noon when the sun was dazzling, but it was a black mess inside. A cold, gloomy breeze blew over.

The witch wore brightly-coloured robes and sat on the altar, speaking with a different voice, “Li Erlang, do you know your crimes?”