C7 No One Can Marry Him

As Ryoji Otomo was about to voice his dissent, Gao Shaoyi swiftly resorted to his old tactic, resting his hand on his pistol with a menacing ease.

The move might have been cliché, but it was undeniably effective, especially against cowards like this.

The locals watched on with glee, for this was a unique spectacle in the world.

It used to be foreigners extorting us; who would have thought we'd see the day when we'd turn the tables?

One thousand and fifty worship points had been accrued, and with probably just over a thousand commoners in the vicinity, they now revered us as idols. Gao Shaoyi's heart swelled with pride.

"I'll pay..." Ryoji Otomo managed to say through clenched teeth, conceding to the demand. "Fifty thousand it is!"

"Your sister is to marry Lee Mingshan, or this matter won't be settled. Let me make this clear today: I don't care who it is, if anyone dares to give a woman from their household to Lee Mingshan, I will personally seek retribution. Please, I implore all the uncles and elders here to convey this message to the young masters of the capital city. My thanks in advance."

Gao Shaoyi directed his initial remarks at Ryoji Otomo, but then, turning on his heel as the Wang brothers hoisted him onto their shoulders, he addressed the entire gathering of commoners.

"Rest assured, Young Marquis. By sunset, this news will be known throughout the capital city."

"That's right, no work today. We're dedicating our efforts to the Young Marquis..."

"It's the least we can do."

The surrounding men declared their support, thumping their chests with genuine intent, not even expecting payment.

"What are you gawking at? Don't just stand there. If you want to leave, better cough up the cash fast. Ten minutes without seeing your money, and you're not going anywhere."

Gao Shaoyi leapt down from First Wang's shoulder and delivered a sharp slap to the back of Ryoji Otomo's head. Were you here just for the show? What business is it of yours?

Ding, ding...

For slapping Ryoji Otomo, the Envoy from the East Di Country, a reward of two hundred merit points was earned.

Upon hearing that voice, Gao Shaoyi couldn't help but exclaim, "This damn dog is a treasure trove from head to toe! If I catch him and bring him to my estate, a thorough shake-down should yield at least ten thousand imperial coins."

Ryoji Otomo nodded in disgrace and hastily instructed his men to fetch the money.

As for Lee Mingshan, who was pleading beside them, Ryoji Otomo ignored him completely. In such a predicament, it was every man for himself.

Blame it on your misfortune for having such a spineless brother-in-law.

It wasn't long before Ryoji Otomo's men delivered the money. Just as they were about to hand it over to Gao Shaoyi and make their escape, Gao Shaoyi clutched Otomo's neck once more.

Wasn't this over yet? Ryoji Otomo felt on the verge of madness.

"Don't even think about diplomatic protests when you return. If you escalate this, not only will I face dire consequences, but imagine the reaction back home when they learn of your cowardice. Do you think you'll keep your position?"

Ryoji Otomo had indeed planned to seek retribution upon his return, but Gao Shaoyi's words left him frozen.

The East Di Country had long been a vassal state to the Qian Empire, but after the industrial revolution, they surged to the forefront of the world, especially eager to encroach upon the Qian Empire.

They pandered to the West and disparaged the Qian. If their superiors learned of their subservience today...

Ryoji Otomo felt an icy chill on his neck.

"I understand, Marquis. There's no need for your concern," Ryoji Otomo said gravely. Though he couldn't retaliate through official means, today's enmity was firmly established.

"Scram! By the laws of the Qian Empire, you foreigners are forbidden from riding horses or carriages within the inner city. Follow the path I'm pointing to and walk out. And if you dare to board a carriage..."

Gao Shaoyi didn't finish his sentence but instead snapped his fingers.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Wang brothers fired into the sky, sending a powerful message to the guards of the East Di Country. The sound of gunfire sent the nearby citizens reeling. Gao Shaoyi stood before the brothers like a war deity, his worship points from the system surging by two hundred.

These Wang brothers are destined for greatness; it's no surprise their father relied on them so much—they could practically read his mind!

*Ding! Ding!*

By publicly threatening the envoy from East Di Country, he bolstered the confidence of the Qian Empire's citizens and was rewarded with five thousand merit points, not to mention being gifted a 98K rifle.

Gao Shaoyi hadn't anticipated that his spur-of-the-moment decision to humiliate Ryoji Otomo would pay off with such a bounty.

"Young Marquis is incredible!"

"Young Marquis is valiant!"

"He's truly one of our Qian Empire's finest!"

Ryoji Otomo and his entourage beat a hasty retreat, with no one daring to mount their horses. The commoners present could hardly contain their joy—decades of pent-up frustration were finally being released.

Gao Shaoyi watched Ryoji Otomo's departure, hands clasped behind his back, as the commoners flanked him, resembling stars encircling the moon.

The people of the Qian Empire have never lacked bravery, but after years of humiliation, they had lost their way. Now, with a leader to rally behind, reclaiming their past glory was more than just a pipe dream.

"You... what do you think you're doing? I'm an imperial official; don't you dare act recklessly."

Lee Mingshan's voice quivered as Gao Shaoyi's intense gaze settled on him. Now forsaken by the East Di, and with Gao Shaoyi's soaring prestige, everyone was convinced that if Gao Shaoyi demanded his life, they would not only applaud but possibly even lend a hand.

Even Lee Mingshan's own guards had joined in the cheering with the commoners, some going as far as stripping off their uniforms.

"Strip him down to his undergarments and have him run barefoot in front of me. If he stops, beat him until he can stand again. Make some room, everyone. Today, I'll show some leniency; let him experience what my sister went through. Any legal transgressions, I'll personally address tomorrow."

Gao Shaoyi's declaration was met with resounding approval. His handling of the situation was both adept and accountable, earning yet another round of raucous cheers from the crowd.

In the capital's Yamen, officials were well aware of the situation and had already dispatched representatives. But they knew when to pick their battles. With public sentiment strongly backing the current course of action, attempting to apprehend Gao Shaoyi could lead to a violent backlash against them.

The will of the people was a force to be reckoned with.

We'll address this issue later. After all, Lee Mingshan is no saint; he's a notorious collaborator in the capital.

Why attract scorn over such an individual?

Besides, Gao Shaoyi holds the title of a third-class Marquis. The jurisdiction of the capital's Yamen extends only to the common folk and lower-ranking officials. A third-class Marquis is beyond our purview; we'll have to wait for the Yamen of the Infantry Commander to intervene.

Several burly men stepped forward and ripped Lee Mingshan's clothes to shreds, his shoes flung to some unknown corner.

A debt paid in blood.

As for your feet, consider them forfeit. Keep running until they're worn to the bone...