The Rebel's Omega Chapter 91

“They tied him up and took him,” she continued. “Told to pay five thousand gold yuan if I wanted him back. I sold my house. My jewels. Even the heirloom jade my mother gave and I paid them.” Her lips trembled. “But they never returned him. I’ve been living here, in my stall ever since. This stall is all I have left.”

Hua Ren gazed at her, not knowing what to say. He wanted to make her feel better but he was never good at consoling people. What he usually did was solve the problem but he wasn’t sure he could solve this one. It had already been three weeks since the boy was taken. He could be anywhere in the Celestial Kingdom or worse, beyond. So, he didn’t want to promise her anything.

She gave a weak laugh and wiped her face quickly. “We tried fighting back but the hunters we hired were no match for them. Our chief sent word to the capital and begged for help but the Emperor never even replied. I guess we’re not important enough for him.”

Her eyes flicked up to Hua Ren, softening with sympathy. “Silly . Telling all this to an oga.” She reached out and patted his hand gently. “My best advice? Go back to your husband. Talk it out and solve your problems. I an, look at him staring at you like a love sick puppy. He hasn’t moved an inch since you sat down here.”

Hua Ren subtly glanced at Sheng Fei but all he saw was a brute pressing him down on the bed. He coldly turned away, finishing his tea.

“Everything will be fine. Trust .” She said with a smile. “Also, lock your doors and stay inside after dark. No matter what you hear, do not co out.”

Before Hua Ren could respond, another custor called for tea, and the woman stood with a sigh, brushing her hands on her apron as she went to serve him.

He sat in silence for a long mont, the weight of her words settling heavily over him. A group of bandits... kidnapping ogas... It sounded a lot like the auction house. He wondered if it could be connected. After all, the auction house had to have a way of getting all those ogas.

Well, there was only one way to find out. Besides, he really needed to let out so steam.

And make so money.

He stood slowly and called out, “Thank you. For the tea... and the honesty.”

The woman smiled over her shoulder. “Take care, little one. Stay safe.”

He bowed slightly, then turned and walked toward the large notice board he’d spotted earlier at the edge of the marketplace. It stood crookedly beside the blacksmith’s, peppered with wanted posters, torn notices, and old reward listings.

As expected, his face was there and beside it, a wanted poster with the image of a man with sharp dark eyes and a scar under one cheek.

He scoffed softly. Sheng Fei was lucky. It was one of his fake faces.

So the Emperor could send out people to post wanted posters but not one soldier to protect this town?

Then his eyes landed on a different poster. The one of the bandits.

WANTED

Dead or Alive

Bandit Group known as The Night Foxes.

Responsible for multiple kidnappings, thefts, and assaults.

Reward: 10,000 gold yuan for the head of the leader.

2,000 gold yuan per confird mber.

Report to the Town Chief, Master Bai, with proof.

Hua Ren slowly smiled. It was the first ti he had smiled all day. He turned from the board, now happy to be able to do sothing.

The Night Foxes were about to et soone far worse than them.

********

It was well past midnigt. The market, once alive with colour and chatter, had fallen into a ghostly silence. Where laughter and haggling once echoed between the stalls, now only the soft rustle of leaves answered the wind. Lanterns that had burned bright just hours ago were now dark, their flas long extinguished. Shutters were closed tight and doors bolted. It was as if the entire town had taken a breath and then vanished, leaving behind only shadows and silence.

And at its heart stood Hua Ren, patiently waiting for the bandits.

He was utterly still, hands clasped neatly behind his back, posture straight and expression unreadable. The night breeze tugged gently at the veil of his hat and the hem of his robes, cool and quiet as it brushed against his skin, his pale eyes scanning the area calmly.

So far, he hadn’t sensed anything out of the ordinary. The once bustling place had turned into a ghost town. Not a single person let out so much as a squeak. He sighed. The residents must all be deathly scared of the bandits. He even saw so hiding their ogas underground, afraid that they would be taken by the bandits.

He really wished the bandits would show up already so that he could unleash his pent up anger on them. How dare they disturb the peace of a town and kidnap their ogas? It was downright disgusting.

“Are you going to wait here for them all night?”

Hua Ren had sensed his presence long before he heard his voice but he didn’t answer. He kept his gaze forward, chin slightly raised, eyes steady on the road that led into the town gates.

“On an empty stomach?” ca the voice again, soft, laced with concern.

Almost on cue, Hua Ren’s stomach betrayed him, letting out a low, angry growl that echoed embarrassingly in the silent square.

“I drank tea,” he muttered curtly, jaw tightening. He was still pissed and Sheng Fei’s presence made his mood worse.

“It’s not enough,” Sheng Fei said, stepping closer. The space between them shrinking with each word. Ever since he marked Hua Ren and Hua Ren pulled away, ignored him, avoided him, Sheng Fei had felt a constant ache, a restlessness that no amount of reason could soothe. Before the bond, he could handle the distance but now it was unbearable. There was this constant hollow ache in his chest, one only his oga could fill.

“You won’t be able to fight properly like this.” He said.

Hua Ren scoffed. He had engaged in nurous battles with an empty stomach. This would be no different.