Qin Ying then said, "Quick, bury the coffin back!"
Hearing this, Nan Batian also said, "Right, bury it back quickly."
But at that moment, Tang Ziyueâs face darkened and he said, "Itâs too late."
Upon hearing this, Nan Batianâs ears twitched, and his expression immediately turned ugly, followed by a shout, "Run!"
But with seven hundred people around, escaping wasnât so easy. Just then, a group of Mulan people emerged from the forest, led by none other than Arutai.
Arutai arrived at the scene, looked up, and saw the Tara family graves of his own Mulan Clan completely dug up, the coffin lids opened, just short of pulling out the corpses to whip them.
He was instantly furiousâthey Han people had gone too far! Was this how they bullied people?
They really didnât regard them as human at all.
Thinking this, his gaze landed on Nan Batian; after all, such a famous person was not someone they could fail to recognize. Then, Old Arutai bellowed, "Nan Batian, youâve got some nerve to dig up our Mulan graves! Stand right there!"
"I tell you, you might escape from the monk but not from the temple. Iâve recognized you, just wait. You and your Fishing Guild have treated people so outrageouslyâIâm going to complain to Darugachi and youâll get what you deserve!"
...
With a roar of anger, Nan Batian stopped in his tracksâhaving been recognized, running away would only lose him more face. Qin Ying, falling behind Nan Batian, said, "What now, Gang Leader, shall we kill them?"
Tang Ziyue hastily interjected, "Absolutely not."
Qin Ying turned to Tang Ziyue and said, "If we donât kill them, how do we explain ourselves to Darugachi?"
"Itâs just over a hundred people; the Gang Leader doesnât need to act personally. I guarantee no survivors, no one will know!"
Qin Yingâs eyes were filled with murderous intent, and Nan Batian was somewhat tempted.
At this, Tang Ziyue said, "Qin Ying, have you lost your mind? We dug up the Mulan graves which, although despicable, wonât lead Darugachi to do much to us. But if you kill over a hundred people from Mianshui County of the Mulan, especially when the Inspection Envoy is about to visit, that would be exposing us directly to Lord Yeluâhe wouldnât have a choice but to execute us!"
Qin Ying snorted in dissatisfaction, "If everyoneâs dead, how would Yelu know it was us?"
Tang Ziyue replied, "Are you planning to kill our seven hundred brothers too?"
"Hmm?"
Qin Ying looked at Tang Ziyue, who continued, "Killing a hundred Mulan people is a big deal. Yelu will do everything to investigate. Are you sure our seven hundred brothers can all keep silent, or do you plan to kill them too?"
"If you kill these seven hundred people, our Fishing Guild will be relegated to a second-rate guild; it wouldnât be worth anything."
Angered by Qin Ying, Tang Ziyue heard him fall silent for a moment, then said, "So what do you suggest?"
Tang Ziyue replied, "Do nothing, wait for Lord Yelu to decide. Right now, we are like insects on a spiderâs web, the more we struggle, the worse it gets. The best thing now is to keep still, to control action with inaction, which might solve these troubles."
Hearing this, Qin Ying looked at Nan Batian, who took a deep breath, "Alright, let us follow Mr. Tangâs advice then."
Qin Ying cursed, "Damn..."
Nan Batian and his people were immediately surrounded by the Mulan people. Despite there being only a little over a hundred Mulan people, they showed no fear in confronting over seven hundred Fishing Guild Disciples, even pointing and shouting at Nan Batian.
Nan Batianâs face grew dark and he remained silent while not far away, Old Arutai said, "This guy is the Gang Leader of the Fishing Guild, itâs tricky. Send someone back to the city right away to find Darugachi, let him come to administer justice."
"Yes!"
Hearing this, the Mulan man ran off swiftly while the remaining Mulan people continued to berate Nan Batian.
"How shameless, digging up our graves; youâre nothing but beasts."
"Indeed, you are so disgusting, you lowlife Han dogs!"
"Han dogs, this matter is not over; we, the Mulan people, will not tolerate such humiliation!"
...
As insults flew, Nan Batian and Qin Yingâs faces grew darker. Tang Ziyue, after watching, approached with clasped fists and asked, "Lords of Mulan, may I inquire who is in charge here?"
Old Arutai stepped forward, "Iâm in charge, what about it?"
"This elderly gentleman, I think thereâs been a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding my ass, you dug our graves and you call it a misunderstanding? I already sought Darugachiâs intervention. Just stay put until Darugachi arrives. Nobody leaves!"
Tang Ziyue responded, "Alright, we can wait for Lord Yelu, but in the meantime, could you refrain from hurling insults?"
"Why should we? If you dare do it, why canât we condemn it? Just curse, you shameless Han dogs..."
...
Tang Ziyue, insulted, covered his face with a fan and hid among the crowd. Nan Batian said, "The Mulan people are unreasonable; why even talk to them?"
Tang Ziyue responded, "Gang Leader, be patient. Once Lord Yelu arrives, everything will be resolved."
...
In South City, Chen Jie rode into the city on a horse with Xiao Hu, arriving first. A scout at the city gate brought him two pieces of news: Nan Batian had gone to West City Xiaohe Village.
And Yelu was in East City tracking down the rebels!
Now, almost no masters were left in Mianshui City.
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie nodded slightly, spurred his horse into the city, then changed into a different outfit and took a detour to the Fishing Guild Headquarters, Nan Batianâs stronghold.
Yes, Chen Jie was planning a raid.