Chapter 241: Chapter 241: Must You Marry Your Rescuer After Falling Into Water? (Part 12)

The black-clad man never expected that after Ah Chen dodged, she would pick up a stone from the ground and smash it onto his head, leaving him seeing stars.

No matter how skilled in martial arts, they’re still afraid of a real weapon.

Even though Ah Chen used only the strength of an ordinary person, it was enough to leave the black-clad man dizzy, making his steps stagger.

He knew it was impossible to capture Lin Chen again, so he decided to make a run for it.

But his head was so foggy from the hit that his steps became unsteady.

However, he believed that escaping from Lin Chen, an ordinary woman, wouldn’t be a problem.

What he didn’t know was the moment he turned around, Ah Chen shouted for help and smashed another stone onto the back of his head, knocking him out cold.

How… could this happen?

That was his last thought before losing consciousness, wondering how he could stumble over an ordinary young girl.

Soon, people who heard the calls for help rushed over, seeing the overturned basket with scattered incense candles, Ah Chen standing by, and the black-clad man sprawled on the ground not far away.

“Just now, as I was passing through here, someone suddenly jumped out. I sensed something was wrong and dodged. He then attacked me, so I picked up a stone and threw it at him,” Ah Chen explained, scanning her surroundings, “I came here with a friend, but then I saw another black-clad man take her away, and now I don’t know where they’ve gone.”

Someone checked the black-clad man’s breathing and concluded he was still alive. From the looks of it, this guy was no good, so they simply pulled off his waistband and tied him up tightly. The mask covering his face was naturally pulled off as well.

“He’s a stranger, never seen him before.”

“Could there be mountain bandits again?” someone whispered.

Before the current County Magistrate of Lanru County came, the county was constantly harassed by mountain bandits. Later, it was discovered that the bandits were colluding with the local county magistrate.

That magistrate was executed for corruption, and the current County Magistrate took office.

The mountain bandits tried to teach the new County Magistrate a lesson, constantly harassing the people of Lanru County with utter audacity. But the County Magistrate was indeed capable and soon rooted out the entire bandit lair, making Lanru County better ever since.

Hearing about the return of the mountain bandits, people felt apprehensive, as they had suffered a great deal at their hands before.

But when they thought of the County Magistrate’s wisdom and valor, they felt reassured.

Someone shouted, “Report to the authorities quickly, take this guy to the county government! No matter whether he’s a bandit or not, with the County Magistrate involved, they will surely get to the bottom of this.”

“We should indeed report this early. As for the girl who was taken, who knows what might happen. We must hurry.”

“You, young lady, reacted quickly; otherwise, who knows what could have happened.”

Ah Chen was accompanied down the mountain by two aunts. The others dared not ascend further for fear of crossing paths with dangerous bandits and getting captured or killed. Thus, they all followed down the mountain.

Soon, Ah Chen met the County Magistrate of Lanru County, Shen Dai.

Upon hearing the situation, Shen Dai looked particularly serious, gathering his people while having someone wake the black-clad man up.

When he saw the black-clad man’s face covered in blood, he fell silent for a moment.

Shen Xuan also heard about the incident and was there, holding a dog, observing the crowd.

He admired his father greatly, feeling assured because of his father’s abilities and his elder brother standing at the forefront.

Seeing the state of the black-clad man, he froze for a moment, acknowledging the man’s pitiful condition.

Upon arriving, many said the lady was lucky not to have been taken. He rested his chin on his hand, thinking it wasn’t just luck; the young lady reacted swiftly and had some strength, escaping purely through her own capabilities.

During the interrogation, the black-clad man claimed ignorance, refusing to speak a word, despite punishment; this soured Shen Dai’s mood. In truth, he wasn’t a magistrate who liked using torture, but the urgency of the situation insisted that they act fast, lest the young lady suffer misfortune. The thought set his nerves ablaze.

“Keep him detained under strict watch,” Shen Dai said coldly.

Taking a deep breath, his gaze moved to Ah Chen’s face. Trying to keep his tone gentle, afraid to frighten the already startled young lady, which would hinder their search, he asked, “Lin Chen, do you remember which direction the black-clad man took her? Can you lead us?”

Ah Chen replied, “My lord, I remember the direction he went. I can lead the way.”

Shen Dai breathed a sigh of relief, realizing this young lady had not only courage but also… he thought of the black-clad man’s sorry state and silently revised his thoughts to acknowledge her notable strength.

Because her back was turned, Shen Xuan didn’t recognize her at first.

But when she spoke, he realized who it was.

As she turned around, confirming his guess, he didn’t expect it to be her. Recalling how she chopped bone that day, the black-clad man getting smashed that way wasn’t undeserved.

She indeed possessed some strength.

Shen Dai wasted no time, immediately sending people to track them down, yet his expression remained grim. So much time had passed; he wondered if they would make it in time. If it were bandits who took Shi Wen, the consequences were unimaginable. If it were someone else, what good could come from abducting a young lady in broad daylight?

Lin Daming had arrived much earlier, having heard the news; he nearly threw a knife in frustration because he knew that his daughter accompanying Shi Wen wasn’t safe.

Had the County Magistrate not been present, he might have pulled his daughter aside to lecture her, advising her not to go anywhere alone with Shi Wen in the future.

Today’s luck, what of tomorrow’s?

His worries ran deep.

The officers were about to take Ah Chen to search, and Lin Daming followed, explaining his identity. The officers did not stop him, allowing him to stay by Ah Chen’s side.

“Father, I’m fine. Nothing will happen. Don’t worry,” Ah Chen consoled.

Lin Daming was not comforted, and now wasn’t the time for words. He resolved to find the right words and speak later.

Today was a coincidence, or was it Shi Wen’s plotting? If it were the latter, his face sank.

That would truly touch his bottom line.

He would be too law-abiding otherwise.

Suddenly, a cry rang out, and Shi’s mother rushed forward, kneeling before Shen Dai, repeatedly kowtowing, “County Magistrate, you must save Wenwen. How could my daughter have such a hard life?”

Shi’s mother was genuinely in distress, gasping for breath in true grief, not faking it.

Ah Chen quickly understood; Shi Wen likely planned this without consulting Shi’s mother or possibly intentionally avoided discussing it.

Recalling the two black-clad individuals that appeared today, Ah Chen suddenly realized that the vague attention from the Shi family earlier could indeed be related to these two black-clad men.

With Shi Wen’s status, how could she come into contact with such people?

She didn’t know, and the commissioner’s memory offered no clues either.

Shen Dai comforted Shi’s mother, who dared not overreact in the County Magistrate’s presence, solemnly rising after her fit of sorrow.

“Lin Chen, if something happens to Wenwen, I’ll never forgive you! Poor Wenwen, how could it be you who was so unfortunate to be taken away?” Shi’s mother suddenly shouted at Ah Chen, her face full of resentment.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep