Apocalypse: Grinding EXP through Hunting

Chapter 272: Chapter 234: A Village Run by Women

Lin Shi had just been struck by a terrible calamity, and now someone was prodding at her most vulnerable spot.

In her panic and confusion, hearing Tang Wen’s comforting voice was like listening to heavenly music.

She lifted her tear-filled, almond-shaped eyes, shot Tang Wen a grateful look, and hastily said, "Those are my family members from my mother’s side. They truly have nothing to do with this. Lady Shui Yun, please see the truth!"

A beauty in tears, looking utterly pitiable.

Shui Yun was completely unmoved. "Cut the damsel in distress act you use to fool men. I’ll find out the truth as soon as I investigate."

Feeling Shui Yun’s hostility, Lin Shi couldn’t possibly relax.

Her heart was in her throat. She wanted to look to Tang Wen for help, but she held herself back, words caught in her throat.

Shui Yun pressed her. "First, if the people in the photo are your family, why was it hidden in a secret room?"

The people from the Giant Rock Martial Arts Hall nodded as well; they wanted to know the answer too.

Lin Shi hesitated, as if she had something to hide.

Tang Wen said reassuringly, "Think about it. We have the portrait, and Liu Bing is going to investigate. Do you really think you can hide the truth?"

With that, he started walking toward the secret room, but Shui Yun grabbed his arm and shot him a glare.

’Lin Shi is a plaything at most. So why do I feel so bothered?’

The two of them fell behind the group.

Tang Wen stealthily intertwined his fingers with hers.

"Senior Sister, if you don’t like her, then I don’t want her."

Shui Yun snorted softly. "A beautiful young wife, ready for the taking. Are you sure you don’t want her?"

"She can’t hold a candle to you, Senior Sister." Tang Wen reached for her waist.

Her slender waist twisted, evading his hand.

"Tch, this is hardly the time or place. Let’s go! Since that idiot Zhao Zhe dared to cross you, this woman should be your slave for life as compensation!"

Shui Yun was a natural-born leader, her sense of right and wrong vastly different from that of an ordinary person.

Since Zhao Zhe had done this and offended Tang Wen, it was only natural that his entire family be punished along with him.

However, due to the special circumstances, Zhao Zhe probably wouldn’t die.

The title of Eldest Young Master of the Black Water Gang carried a lot of weight.

They couldn’t just have Zhao Zhe die the moment the Giant Rock Martial Arts Hall came knocking.

Wouldn’t that imply the Black Water Gang was inferior to the Giant Rock Martial Arts Hall?

All right, although in terms of actual power, they were indeed inferior.

But they couldn’t lose face.

They had to show everyone that even though Zhao Zhe had made a huge mistake and thrown the entire city into turmoil, the Black Water Gang was powerful enough to handle the fallout and save his life.

This would demonstrate the Black Water Gang’s immense power and its loyalty—its ability to protect its own.

The group arrived at Lin Ya Huan’s room and entered the secret chamber, which was furnished like a lady’s boudoir.

As they entered, Tang Wen noticed Lin Shi relax. Without waiting to be questioned, she sank into a sofa and said, "I’ll confess. There’s a problem with my identity."

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Her words were cut off by a knock on the door.

Someone delivered a file from outside.

With such a major incident, the Black Water Gang’s Law Enforcement Hall had acted swiftly.

The Eldest Young Master’s entire faction within the gang was under investigation.

His wife, Lin Shi, was naturally the first to come under suspicion.

As the wife of the Eldest Young Master—and a potential future wife of the Gang Leader—the Law Enforcement Hall had always kept a file on Lin Shi.

Shui Yun took the file, glanced at it, and smiled. "What a coincidence, Lin Shi. It’s your profile."

She then handed it to Tang Wen.

Lin Shi slumped onto the chair, swallowed hard, and said in a hoarse voice, "What I was about to confess... is my identity."

"Heh! You sure know how to pick your moment," Shui Yun sneered.

The man and woman from the Giant Rock Martial Arts Hall—both of them Extraordinary—eyed Lin Shi with suspicion.

"Let’s hear it," Tang Wen said calmly.

Lin Shi spoke quickly. "I’m not from a fallen Martial Arts Family. In truth, I’m just an ordinary girl who grew up in the mining camp near Ganshan City. I met Zhao Zhe by chance and then did everything I could to become his wife."

"What kind of methods?" Shui Yun asked, her interest seemingly piqued.

Lin Shi pursed her lips and glanced at Tang Wen first.

’Four people are interrogating me, but I can see how things stand. Shui Yun dislikes me, but not out of genuine hatred—it’s simply because I’m Zhao Zhe’s wife. In other words, this high and mighty lady couldn’t care less whether I live or die. The two from the Giant Rock Martial Arts Hall don’t care about my fate either. As long as they confirm I knew nothing about today’s events, they’ll leave. Proving that is both difficult and simple. It’s difficult because I can’t prove my own innocence. It’s simple because as long as they use the [Heart Stone] on Zhao Zhe, my ignorance will become immediately clear. But Zhao Zhe is probably finished. And as his wife... can I possibly expect a good outcome? But there is still a sliver of hope, and it lies with this Seventh Young Master. He seems to have a favorable impression of me. I can use that. It’s for this very reason that I’m hesitant to speak. I’m afraid that if I reveal how I painstakingly schemed to become Zhao Zhe’s wife, my image as a gentle wife will shatter, replaced by that of a cunning, manipulative woman. Would Tang Wen still have a good impression of me then? Would he still speak up for me?’

Meeting her gaze, Tang Wen said calmly, "Madam, please speak freely. There’s no need to worry."

He mentally grumbled to Shui Yun, "Senior Sister, this Lin Shi doesn’t seem very bright. What is she still trying to preserve at a time like this?"

Shui Yun laughed mentally in return. "The beautiful young wife turned out to be a scheming woman. Don’t want her anymore?"

Tang Wen couldn’t follow her logic. He was a simple man. ’Who cares if she’s a schemer? All that matters is that she’s got a big... heart.’

Lin Shi lowered her head and began her story.

At the time, Zhao Zhe was still a Martial Artist—a genius Martial Artist.

He’d been assigned to guard the mine, where he spent his days practicing his techniques, drinking, and womanizing.

Lin Shi had originally planned to get close to him, hoping to win him over with her looks.

But she soon discovered that he looked down on the women from the camp, going through a different one every few days.

At most, he would give them a bit of money.