Someone beside them chimed in, “Exactly! Who does that? Just listen to me!”
He yanked off a piece of cloth and draped it over Xie Yan’s head. “Come on, guess which one’s your husband!”
Xie Yan held Lu Yang’s hand tightly while the others kept spewing nonsense.
“Better guess right! If you grab the wrong person, you’ll be going to the bridal chamber with them!”
The crowd burst into laughter, more people squeezed in around them, pushing and pulling, trying to separate the couple and make Xie Yan grab someone else.
Xie Yan tore off the cloth and tried to slam it to the ground. His hand, mid-swing, only managed to smack someone’s face.
That sparked anger. The man shoved him, ready to get rough.
Xie Yan was frail, but he stood his ground. No matter how they pushed or yanked him, he protected Lu Yang.
Meanwhile, others were messing with Lu Yang too, throwing cloths at his face and goading him to touch other men.
Xie Yan had a scholarly title, so they didn’t dare go too far with him.
Lu Yang, however, didn’t get the same courtesy. The taunts aimed at him were nastier.
They told Lu Yang to “touch the rooster” to recognize his man.
“Hey, does the scholar’s husband even know how to handle a cock?”
Xie Yan’s temple throbbed with rage. “Stop this nonsense! You’re out of line!”
But his scolding didn’t carry enough weight to quiet the crowd. The space was cramped; people jostled them from all sides. Xie Yan deliberately let the shoving push him toward the wall. It was a bad move—it left no room to escape. But at least this way, he could shield Lu Yang better.
Lu Yang raised an eyebrow, his gaze toward Xie Yan subtly shifting.
Maybe this annoying Xie guy… wasn’t so bad?
That thought barely crossed his mind when someone shoved Xie Yan hard.
With no room to brace himself, Xie Yan’s head slammed into the wall with a dull “thud.”
Up until then, Lu Yang had stayed calm, just observing. But now, anger surged through him.
“He’s going to be a top scholar! What the hell are you doing?!”
The words froze everyone in place.
Scholars were precious—those with official titles even more so. A chill of dread crept over the crowd.
Meanwhile, Xie Yan rubbed his forehead, eyes unfocused.
Wait… hadn’t Lu Yang said he’d never pass the provincial exam? Why did he suddenly expect him to become a top scholar?
Lu Yang grabbed his head, worried. “Does it hurt? Are you okay? Do you know who I am? Why are you looking at me like that—did you get brain damage?”
Xie Yan’s lips moved faintly. “I’m not aiming for top scholar…”
Lu Yang didn’t hear him.
Because the mob had resumed their taunts.
Seeing no blood or unconsciousness, they figured Xie Yan was fine and went right back to their antics.
Lu Yang had seen enough.
People said the best way to break up a mob was to take out the leader. But sometimes, you just needed to make an example.
He wrapped red silk around his hands and struck fast.
In quick succession, he landed three sharp blows to the groins of the nearest men. Pain contorted their faces, leaving them gasping soundlessly, bodies rigid with agony.
The men clutched themselves instinctively. Lu Yang wasn’t done.
He knew exactly who’d shoved Xie Yan. That guy’s groin got a relentless, savage beating—enough to draw shrieks that cut through the rowdy noise and sent chills through everyone present.
“Who the hell is screaming like that? Scared the crap outta me!” someone yelled.
Lu Yang ignored the voice. He kept attacking.
The man backed away in terror, legs twisted awkwardly, trying to escape. Lu Yang landed a final, brutal kick.
Nearby, the other two groin-injured men turned pale with sweat.
One bolted, shoving his way through the crowd. The other, driven by pain-fueled anger, raised a fist to fight back.
Bad idea.
Lu Yang met the attack with another strike below the belt.
The crowded room made movement difficult, but word spread fast: “Lu Yang’s smashing every man’s crown jewels!”
Spectators at the doorway tried to intervene.
Lu Yang placed his scissors at one captive’s neck. “I know you think the Xie family’s dangerous,” he said coldly. “I came here knowing that. If I’m not walking out alive, I’ll be taking a few of you with me.”
The room fell silent.
Finally, someone asked, “How much ransom do you want?”
Lu Yang smirked. “One rooster per family. Fair enough?”
Word traveled quickly through the village: The Xie family’s new son-in-law was terrifying.
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