Chapter Thirty-Nine: Kick Him Where It Hurts

Wu the Scoundrel watched as Liu Ling’er grabbed the hand of a masked man, his irritation growing. Folding his arms, he sneered, “Well, well, you even brought a lover with you. Do you even know who I am? If you don’t come with me to the mansion today, it won’t matter how many lovers you bring.”

Liu Ling’er privately mourned for this poor fool. Even a prince as upright as the Virtuous King wouldn’t say such things, yet here he was being called a lover. How thoroughly had this wastrel failed at being a rake? It seemed she couldn’t let him off lightly, not with such a fascinated crowd watching.

Wu, notorious for haunting brothels and indulging in every vice—drinking, gambling, womanizing—had long since stopped caring about recognizing any minister at court.

Ignoring Wu’s taunts, Liu Ling’er bounced over to Bai Li Xian, grabbed his hand, and said, “Ah Xian, can I ask you a question?”

Bai Li Xian replied, “Ask away.”

Liu Ling’er put on a puzzled face. “If someone speaks ill of you behind your back, and insults you to your face as well, what would you do?”

Bai Li Xian was momentarily stunned. “Slanders me? Who’s saying bad things about me?” As he spoke, his gaze fell on Wu the Scoundrel. Could it be this fool? Badmouthing me behind my back and to my face? That’s pretty low.

With crisp decisiveness, Bai Li Xian declared, “If someone talks about me behind my back, I’ll smack him upside the head.”

Hearing this, Wu’s expression darkened and he began to feel an ominous premonition.

Liu Ling’er pressed on: “But what if someone tries to steal your woman right in front of you and tells you he’s going to put a green hat on you?”

Bai Li Xian instantly flared with rage. That was something no man could tolerate! He shouted, “I’d kick his balls in!”

Liu Ling’er nodded vigorously, a bright smile on her face. “Then let me help you kick him, all right?”

Without hesitation, Bai Li Xian replied, “Alright!”

No sooner had he spoken than Liu Ling’er spun around, and with a flawless upward kick, landed a devastating blow squarely between Chief Qian’s legs.

Wu the Scoundrel had never expected Liu Ling’er to turn on him so suddenly. His face went a deep shade of purple, his legs clamped together, and clutching his crotch, he toppled to the ground without a sound.

The onlooking townsfolk erupted in commotion. More than a few men emerging from the brothel, seeing Wu writhing in pain, instinctively crossed their legs, a sympathetic ache surging through them.

Bai Li Xian was so stunned he stood rooted to the spot. Stammering, he asked, “Liu Ling’er, what are you doing?”

Liu Ling’er cocked her head, “I kicked his balls, of course!”

Everyone’s faces twitched in disbelief, words failing them.

Liu Ling’er lowered her head, looking pitiful. “Did I do something wrong again?”

Bai Li Xian glanced at Wu the Scoundrel, who lay on the ground gasping for air, and forced a dry laugh. “No… no, not at all.”

Liu Ling’er asked innocently, “But why is your face so pale?”

Bai Li Xian managed a smile more painful than a grimace. “Nothing—just a bit of sympathy pain.”

Wu the Scoundrel, writhing on the ground and gritting his teeth against the agony, shouted at his attendants who rushed forward to help him, “Are you all blind? Get those two shameless wretches! Ah, it hurts!”

A mob of burly attendants surged forward, surrounding Liu Ling’er and Bai Li Xian. Liu Ling’er played along, exclaiming, “What are you doing in broad daylight? Don’t come any closer! I’m warning you, if you do, I’ll beat you all up!”

Bai Li Xian was exasperated. Was she addicted to playing the fool? He jerked his chin back at Silver Wula. “If you want the numbness removed, you’d better hurry up. If you’re not done by the time I finish counting, well, you know what’ll happen.”

Silver Wula shivered inwardly. The prince was ruthless—did he feel no guilt treating his subordinates this way? Though he grumbled internally, his hands moved quickly, especially when he heard the prince already counting down, “Ten, nine, eight, seven…”

By the time Bai Li Xian reached three, only three attendants remained. At Silver Wula’s speed, dispatching one per second was no problem, but the prince’s counting caught even Liu Ling’er off-guard: “Three, one—Silver Wula, there’s still one left. You didn’t finish your task. The mute point will be released in a week.”

This was absurd—who skipped straight from three to one? Wasn’t this just toying with people? Liu Ling’er asked curiously, “Ah Xian, what about two?”

Bai Li Xian was quite pleased with that pet name. He pointed at Silver Wula. “Isn’t he number two?”

Truthfully, Bai Li Xian just wanted some peace and quiet for a week—he doubted Silver Wula would dare undo the mute point himself.

Poor Silver Wula crouched in a corner, gnawing on a handkerchief and drawing circles on the ground: Don’t bully me like this! Master, please have mercy!

Wu the Scoundrel, still sprawled on the ground, was utterly stunned. He’d kicked an iron wall. But he refused to back down. “Just you wait! I’ll bring my men and deal with you two!”

Seeing Silver Wula’s misfortune, Bai Li Xian’s mood instantly improved. He bent down, smiling, “Go ahead! If you have the guts, come find me at the Virtuous Prince’s Manor. I, Bai Li Xian, will be waiting. If you don’t show up, you’re a coward.”

What? He’s the Virtuous King! Wu the Scoundrel was completely dumbfounded, teetering on the verge of unconsciousness.