Chapter 110: 110, Robbery (Fourth update)

Perhaps it was because his heart had been sincere when he once thanked himself, or perhaps the palace did not wish for Ren Xiaosu to die, so those seven thanks had all been exchanged for gratitude coins. Now, when he thanks himself, there is none left.

Ren Xiaosu felt a pang of regret—if only he had known, he would have thanked a few more times back then!

But Ren Xiaosu failed to notice that Yan Liuyuan was now utterly bewildered. Though no one else heard what Ren Xiaosu said, he had.

The shadow of being forced to thank Ren Xiaosu all night had not yet faded. Now, you’re beginning to thank yourself? What of that nonsense about not spitting out grape skins when eating grapes? Could you be any less sincere?

Suddenly, the crowd ahead stirred once more. Wang Yihang had ordered the refugees to search every person present, as though intending to seize all their food.

Wait, not just food.

Ren Xiaosu saw the refugees stripping watches from people’s wrists, along with silver and gold ornaments—not one was spared!

Those who had fled from the barriers were truly unfortunate. In the morning, their homes had been destroyed and families slaughtered; by evening, they were stripped bare. If they reached Wall 109, they would likely have nothing left to sell.

Wang FuGui grew anxious: “Xiaosu, will they take all our things?”

After all, the items Wang FuGui carried were his life’s savings—medicine, gold, cash—all extremely valuable. The refugees would not let them go.

But Ren Xiaosu shook his head: “Fear not. No one can take them.”

Originally, Ren Xiaosu had no desire to deal with Wang Yihang and the others—only to reach Wall 109 safely. But the problem was that trouble found him whether he sought it or not.

The fleeing crowd now behaved as obediently as a flock of sheep. Six hundred refugees searched over three thousand people, yet no one dared resist or speak a word, standing there like statues, too afraid even to flee.

This puzzled Ren Xiaosu—surely among three thousand souls, someone could rally and resist? What use were six hundred?

The refugees were indeed fiercer than the barrier folk, but two fists could not withstand four hands. What was there to fear?

Among the crowd, only the female teacher quietly led dozens of students backward, attempting to evade the search.

At first, the refugees had been cautious in their searches, for they faced the barrier people—those once-revered figures from their past.

But as they realized the barrier folk dared not resist, they grew bolder, even touching women with ill intent!

At that moment, the teacher and students brushed past Ren Xiaosu’s side and halted behind him, as if waiting to observe before deciding whether to retreat further.

Yet refugees had already approached this side.

Ren Xiaosu wondered if his identity would be recognized. Dressed in different clothes and mingling with the crowd, his features should not be so obvious.

Over a dozen refugees approached, each with watches on their wrists—all freshly seized.

Watches were precious in the market towns and barriers. Even the general store owner Li had only one, and Wang FuGui had none!

It seemed many wealthy and influential people were among the refugees, but their status had crumbled to nothing.

Ren Xiaosu watched silently as the dozen or so refugees approached. But when they saw him, they froze. In his heart, he sighed—this disguise had failed at a glance…

As Ren Xiaosu pondered how to deal with these refugees, those tasked with seizing valuables unexpectedly veered off to search others…

Those around them stared in bewilderment. What was this? Those fearsome refugees had deliberately bypassed this youth?

Why? Wasn’t he just a boy of sixteen or seventeen?

They had all seen it—the refugees’ expressions revealed deep dread, as though fearing Ren Xiaosu himself.

They could not fathom why the refugees feared him.

What they did not know was that even before the exodus, no one dared provoke Ren Xiaosu. This man was notorious for his brutality—and now he carried a gun!

Though the refugees knew Wang FuGui and Wang Dalong’s packs held great wealth, survival came first!

The students and teacher behind Ren Xiaosu watched in silence. The teacher gazed at his back, her lips pressing together thoughtfully.

As the refugees turned to search others, Ren Xiaosu suddenly spoke: “Ahem, you lot. Come here.”

The refugees stiffened. Turning to face him, they stammered, “What… what is it…”

“Fine watches,” Ren Xiaosu said.

The refugees exchanged glances. They had robbed over a thousand people, yet here they were, being robbed by him! Where was the logic in that?

Those nearby were speechless—who knew there was an even more ruthless figure nearby?!

One refugee meekly tore a watch from his wrist and offered it to Ren Xiaosu, tears of humiliation welling in his eyes…

It was fortunate—he had once witnessed Ren Xiaosu killing someone outside the schoolhouse…

The refugees turned to leave, eager to put distance between themselves and Ren Xiaosu. But his voice rang out again: “You! You! You! You! Your watches are fine too.”

Ren Xiaosu pointed at four of them, their faces darkening. Was this not over yet?

Yet what could they say? They could only obediently remove their watches and hand them over. By now, all around were stunned—this youth was too ruthless!

Ren Xiaosu did not continue the robbery. After all, he had no wish to clash directly with the refugees. Harmony brought prosperity, did it not?

He waved them off: “Go on.”

The refugees fled as if granted amnesty, their fleeting sense of superiority evaporating.

Ren Xiaosu handed the four watches to Xiaoyu and the others, beaming: “Here, now we can tell time.”

Wang FuGui had never worn a watch in his life. As he took one from Wang Dalong, he laughed: “Hurry and thank Uncle Xiaosu!”

Wang Dalong nearly wept—why had his generation inexplicably declined?!

At that moment, Ren Xiaosu’s mind wandered endlessly. Robbery was not his usual way, but preying on predators—surely that was acceptable…