Chapter 386 - 286: A Fist Will Only Charge Forward, Not Bow

Chapter 386: Chapter 286: A Fist Will Only Charge Forward, Not Bow

"Punishment by the law... and I’m supposed to just meekly accept it?" Wu Liangchen leaned back, looking at the earnest woman before him with a bemused expression.

"Are you sure you aren’t joking?"

"Of course." Annabelle stared at Wu Liangchen, her voice unwavering.

The smile on Wu Liangchen’s face slowly faded. "So... how exactly do you plan on punishing me?"

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Graham felt his palms begin to sweat. He wished he could just turn and run.

After all, he couldn’t afford to offend either side.

But just then, to his surprise, Annabelle suddenly smiled.

Her smile was like a melting glacier or a field of flowers bursting into bloom—a beauty so dazzling it was dizzying.

"I know perfectly well that my men and I are no match for you. We couldn’t possibly punish you. But don’t forget, this is Folangji."

"Oh?" Wu Liangchen raised an eyebrow, listening with keen interest.

"And?"

"With your level of power, you wouldn’t cross the vast ocean just to be a tourist in Folangji," Annabelle said, suddenly changing the subject to the purpose of his journey.

Wu Liangchen remained noncommittal, simply sitting in his chair and quietly watching the beautiful, blonde-haired, blue-eyed young woman make her case.

"Even if you don’t say anything, I can guess," she continued. "After all, while the number of Martial Artists like you trying to reach the overseas secret realms through Folangji has dwindled in recent years, you aren’t the first."

Annabelle didn’t beat around the bush, laying his motives bare.

After speaking, she stared intently at Wu Liangchen, trying to gauge his reaction.

The result, however, was disappointing.

Wu Liangchen didn’t so much as blink. He sat as still as a deep well, like an old monk lost in meditation.

Though somewhat discouraged, Annabelle gathered her wits and pressed on.

"And you should know, my family happens to control all the shipping lanes to the Corner of Heaven. What do you suppose would happen if I asked them to... obstruct your passage?"

This time, Wu Liangchen finally reacted. He stared at Annabelle and spoke slowly. "Are you threatening me?"

"You could say that. You..."

Before she could finish her sentence, a violent aura slammed into her, plunging her into a state of near-suffocating terror.

It wasn’t just her. Fleming and the officers behind her also sensed the imminent danger.

But an intense fear rooted them to the spot, forcing them to watch helplessly as Wu Liangchen slowly rose to his feet.

Wu Liangchen’s aura was now fully unleashed. His power, which had reached the very limits of this world, imbued his every movement with an immense, crushing pressure.

He looked at her face, now drained of all color, and spoke in a calm tone that carried an undeniable authority.

"I have no interest in debating who is right or wrong. I just want to tell you one thing." Wu Liangchen paused before continuing.

"You believe your noble birth gives you the right to look down on everyone, to play with their lives as you see fit. You are wrong. Because... a fist only strikes forward. It never bows."

At these words, Annabelle’s fear reached its peak.

Driven by an overwhelming will to live, she suddenly screamed.

"Don’t kill me! I’ll make a deal with you!"

The pressure lessened slightly. Wu Liangchen raised an eyebrow. "What kind of deal?"

Annabelle gasped for air several times before rushing to say, "My family has worked with the merchant ships from the overseas secret realms many times. If you want to go, I can get you there."

"Graham can get me there, too," Wu Liangchen stated.

"It’s not the same," Annabelle explained, speaking rapidly.

"We have an established partnership with the merchant fleets of the secret realms. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Graham."

Wu Liangchen turned to look at Graham, who stood nearby.

Graham nodded.

Annabelle wasn’t lying. Her family did indeed control the routes to the Corner of Heaven, and they traded with the overseas secret realms far more frequently than he did.

The immense pressure suddenly vanished.

THUMP. THUMP. A few of the officers, drenched in sweat and completely drained, collapsed to the ground.

Annabelle staggered as well, but she managed to remain on her feet.

"When do we leave?" Wu Liangchen had no desire to waste any more time in this tedious country.

"Whenever you wish. But before we do, please allow me to take Hoffman away and deliver the reward you’ve earned," Annabelle said with the utmost respect.

Wu Liangchen was right. A fist was all it took to shatter any pride built on the false illusions of power and status.

For instance, Annabelle’s arrogance had vanished completely, replaced by a meek compliance.

"Fine." Wu Liangchen nodded. "I’ll give you one day. I want to leave the day after tomorrow."

"Understood!"

Hoffman was taken away.

As he was leaving, the pirate lord who had terrorized these seas for years tried to maintain a strong front, but the foul-smelling puddle he left as he was dragged away betrayed his terror.

After they left, Wu Liangchen turned to Graham. "Get ready. We’re leaving with them the day after tomorrow."

Graham, who had assumed they would be parting ways, was surprised.

Wu Liangchen smiled. "I’ve grown accustomed to this ship. I don’t feel like moving."

With that, Wu Liangchen turned and left.

Watching him go, Graham felt a warmth spread through his chest.

He understood the meaning behind Wu Liangchen’s decision.

He was clearly helping him.

After all, if this incident allowed him to form a connection with Annabelle’s family, it would be immensely beneficial for his future sea trade.

As for whether the recent friction would be an obstacle...

Graham didn’t think the young imperial officer would be so foolish.

After all, Wu Liangchen had just demonstrated his power and his attitude through direct action.

Because of that, Annabelle and the family behind her would certainly react accordingly.

That was how the world worked. When you had the power to flip the table, everyone else suddenly became polite and reasonable.

And indeed, events unfolded just as Graham had predicted. Before dawn, the enormous bounty for Hoffman’s capture was delivered to the ship.

Accompanying the delivery was a massive fleet.

The person leading them was not Annabelle, but an elderly gentleman. His hair was white, yet impeccably combed, and he was dressed in an old-fashioned formal suit, holding a black umbrella.

Upon seeing Wu Liangchen, he immediately performed an elegant, classic gentleman’s bow.

"Honored Mister Wu Liangchen, please allow me to apologize on behalf of my unruly daughter."

This was none other than the current patriarch of the Bell Clan, holder of the title of Prince, master of dozens of shipping lanes and trade routes, and owner of countless manors and estates—Orlando Bell.