C5 The Commoners All Admired Gao Shaoyi

"Don't move!"

Ryoji Otomo swiftly altered his approach. Initially, he had intended to intimidate Gao Shaoyi, but he soon recognized the futility of his threats.

Gao Shaoyi had correctly assessed the situation. Ryoji Otomo was nothing more than a coward.

With that realization, the task at hand became much simpler.

Gao Shaoyi clapped Ryoji Otomo on the shoulder, laughing heartily toward the heavens, much like an adult commending a child. It seemed a way for him to vent his pent-up stress.

"Well done!"

"The Young Marquis is truly formidable."

The commoners around them lavished praise upon witnessing Gao Shaoyi's behavior. It had been ages since the Qian Empire had seen the likes of such a figure.

They harbored dreams of the Qian Empire returning to its past splendor. Yet, year after year, they waited in vain for any sign of change from either the court's aristocracy or the military.

The actions of the Young Marquis today brought them a sense of solace.

In that moment, Lee Mingshan's face was etched with despair.

Any official or noble would tremble at the sight of someone from the East Di Empire.

And Ryoji Otomo was no less than an Envoy from the East Di Country.

But Gao Shaoyi was far from intimidated; in fact, he had rendered Mr. Otomo utterly speechless.

With a single step forward from Gao Shaoyi, the guards of the East Di Country's embassy retreated several paces.

The commoners, witnessing this, couldn't contain their elation.

"You have five minutes," Gao Shaoyi declared, his grip tight on Ryoji Otomo's neck. "Either produce forty thousand imperial coins or forfeit all your assets and land deeds. Ask around; I'm known as a troublemaker in the capital city, and I'm not afraid of a fight to the bitter end."

As he spoke, Gao Shaoyi casually tapped his watch face.

Lee Mingshan thought he could lean on the support of the East Di Empire, did he? Today, Gao Shaoyi would turn the tables on him.

"But..."

Embarrassment washed over Ryoji Otomo's face.

Lee Mingshan was their cultivated turncoat, highly regarded by the East Di people. But now, cornered by Gao Shaoyi's threats, they had no choice but to comply with his demands.

As Ryoji Otomo made his way toward Lee Mingshan, a guard from the East Di Country, who was behind Gao Shaoyi, charged at him.

The guard evidently believed in his own skill, and seeing Gao Shaoyi and Ryoji Otomo part ways, he seized the opportunity to attempt an assassination.

Unfortunately for him, Gao Shaoyi was armed with a gun.

He shot the guard dead on the spot.

That made two lives he had taken.

Earlier, he had dispatched Lee Mingshan's guards, and the locals hadn't taken it too seriously.

But killing a member of the East Di Country's Embassy Guard was an entirely different scenario.

"You've gone too far. Do you realize the consequences your actions could have for the Qian Empire?" Ryoji Otomo's fists were tight with tension.

"If anyone makes a foolish move, I won't hesitate to eliminate the threat. My safety is at risk. Now, I'm demanding sixty thousand imperial coins, and I certainly won't object to you handing over the money," Gao Shaoyi stated with unsettling calm.

"Are you even listening to me? Do you comprehend the war you could be bringing upon the entire Qian Empire?" Ryoji Otomo was nearly frantic, and the tension was palpable among the onlookers. The Young Marquis's actions were shockingly ruthless.

"War is a concern for the future. But if we come to blows, your life is as good as forfeit. Besides, if war does break out, do you think you'll have an easy life? If war erupts, do you think you'll ever make it back to the East Di Country?" Gao Shaoyi's words rang out like an alarm, jolting Ryoji Otomo to his senses.

He was right!

Regardless of how the East Di Empire might deal with Gao Shaoyi later, his fate was sealed.

If war were to break out, returning to the East Di Country would be impossible.

Should he fall in battle, his wife would be conscripted into military service, where many men would lust after her beauty.

And in a couple of years, his daughter might face the same grim fate.

The thought sliced through Ryoji Otomo's heart like a knife.

Impatiently, Gao Shaoyi extended his hand and tapped his watch again. Two minutes had passed, and he was not one to waste time.

After hearing Ryoji Otomo's words, Lee Mingshan was visibly shaken.

"Mr. Otomo, how can this be acceptable? Gao Shaoyi is nothing but a rogue."

Tears threatened to spill from Lee Mingshan's eyes. The prospect of paying Gao Shaoyi 60,000 imperial coins in front of a crowd meant leaving the General's Mansion penniless.

"We'll spare him this time. There will be other opportunities to deal with him later."

Ryoji Otomo's voice was laced with malice. Though Gao Shaoyi had the upper hand today, it didn't mean he wouldn't face retribution eventually.

"But I simply don't have that much money."

Lee Mingshan had grasped the gravity of the situation at the sight of the grenades, yet his avarice persisted.

"Money is inconsequential. Once we're past this hurdle, we can reclaim it. You have the backing of the East Di Empire."

Ryoji Otomo was singularly focused on making a swift exit.

"I doubt he has the gall to kill me, but he wouldn't hesitate with you. Your life doesn't hold the same value as the guards of the East Di Empire."

With Lee Mingshan still hesitating, Ryoji Otomo resorted to a veiled threat.

The words hit Lee Mingshan like a jolt.

If Gao Shaoyi could kill East Di soldiers, he certainly wouldn't balk at killing him.

Had he foreseen this, he would have treated his ex-wife differently.

Now, Lee Mingshan was left to reap what he had sown.

"Just a moment, please. I'll have it ready shortly."

Watching Lee Mingshan go to retrieve the money, Ryoji Otomo quickly turned back to Gao Shaoyi, his face breaking into an ingratiating smile.

Such was the way with the East Di—flatter them, and they'd respond with arrogance; show them strength, and they'd be as docile as a house pet.

The local onlookers were astounded, having never witnessed a foreigner address them with such audacity.

The Young Marquis was indeed formidable.

"You have received 460 worship points."

"Each worship point can be exchanged for ten merit points."

"You've eliminated the guards at the General's Mansion, earning a reward of 100 merit points."

"For publicly slapping the Envoy from the East Di Country, you've been awarded 500 merit points and an opportunity to draw in the lottery."

"By taking out the soldiers from the East Di Country, you've gained an additional 300 merit points."

Upon hearing the system's prompt, Gao Shaoyi was suddenly seized by the urge to drag Ryoji Otomo back and deliver a few more well-deserved slaps.