Chapter 136: Khun Sa

"Su Pan, return De-Ying to us, and I will consider this matter as if it never happened." Basong ignored the elder’s challenge entirely, stating his demand directly. As he spoke, the boxers following him glared with fury, casting menacing looks at the group across from them. Due to Basong’s presence and meticulous training, the skill level of the fighters in his village was significantly higher than the norm.

"That’s an interesting statement. Even without this so-called Khun Sa, do you think anyone in the nearby villages would dare to bully De-Ying? Love is, above all, about mutual affection. Using violence to coerce someone hardly qualifies as love," Qin Anyi said, his tone dripping with disdain.

"Who is this? What village is this young man from? So ignorant of the rules! I am speaking to Basong; what right do you have to interrupt?" Su Pan’s expression hardened, and he rebuked him mercilessly.

"Whether I have the right is not for you to decide. A man’s strength is meant for protecting women, not for oppressing them. We aren’t here to waste breath on you; we are here to save someone. Move aside immediately, or I cannot guarantee your safety." Qin Anyi stepped in front of Basong, cracking his knuckles as he did so. The threat was childish, but he didn't care. Whether it worked was irrelevant; he only needed a window to strike. Every minute wasted was another minute of danger for De-Ying.

"Hahaha, good, very good! What an arrogant brat! I would truly like to see how you intend to ensure our safety!" Provoked by Qin Anyi’s words, Su Pan flew into a rage, slamming his cane heavily against the ground. The boxers standing behind him surged forward. As a chaotic brawl seemed inevitable, Qin Anyi prepared to strike with lethal force the moment the fighting broke out, determined to end the conflict in the shortest time possible.

However, just as the tension reached its breaking point, a shout cut through the air. Upon hearing it, Su Pan’s group erupted in joy, their eyes turning toward Qin Anyi as if looking at a dead man. Qin Anyi knew it must be Khun Sa. Following the sound, he saw a skinny, one-eyed man emerging from the village entrance, accompanied by twenty others. Each of those twenty men carried a firearm; while most were crude, homemade guns, four carried high-powered AK-74 rifles. If this firepower were multiplied fivefold, controlling a dozen villages would indeed be a simple matter.

"Who dares to stir up trouble in my village?" The one-eyed man walked up to stand beside Su Pan, his cold gaze sweeping over Qin Anyi and the group of boxers. The fighters felt as though they were being watched by a venomous snake, and they shivered in unison. Only Qin Anyi remained calm and composed.

"Master Khun Sa, we mean no harm. Our village’s De-Ying went to gather herbs with Lao Chuan today, but was kidnapped by your people halfway. We only hope that Master Khun Sa will serve justice and let De-Ying return with us." Basong’s heart sank as he realized Khun Sa had brought twenty armed men. If a conflict broke out, he doubted even half of his own people would survive. The men of the Blood Flag would not massacre the entire village, but they would certainly use bloody suppression as a warning to those who dared to resist.

"Oh? Village Chief Basong must have listened to rumors. De-Ying wasn’t kidnapped; she heard I had returned and came to find me of her own volition. You should know that De-Ying and I grew up together; the affection between us is naturally..."

As the village chief, Basong had to be responsible for everyone. If he clashed with Khun Sa’s men here, not only would they fail, but they would invite catastrophe upon the village. They had only a hundred boxers; even if they had twice that many, they would be no match for the Blood Flag.

"Since Village Chief Basong has said as much, I won’t make things too difficult for you for the sake of De-Ying. However, this brat publicly defied me, which is a contempt for the entire Blood Flag. To show your sincerity in admitting your mistake, the tribute for this year will be doubled," Khun Sa said, his head tilted back in arrogance.

Basong’s body trembled slightly. If the protection money were doubled, his village would be left with nothing. Yet, if he refused, disaster was imminent. He thought he might have to agree and find another way later. But just as Basong was about to nod, his vision blurred. A figure flashed, and in an instant, Qin Anyi had charged directly in front of Khun Sa! As a Muay Thai expert, Basong’s vision was sharp, and he saw clearly that the person rushing at Khun Sa was none other than Qin Anyi.

What is this kid doing?!