143: Establish authority

Chapter 142: Establishing Authority

Jessica sneered, saying with a smile, “I’ve seen uglier, buddy.

“That won’t work on me, your face doesn’t scare me.”

“Only an idiot would think that.”

“From your face, all I know is that you lose every fight. If you want to lose again, I’m game.”

The burly man said nothing, walking straight up to Jessica and threatening, “You’ll fall into my hands sooner or later.

“I don’t know when or where, but it will happen.

“I guarantee it, I’m not just talking. If you don’t leave now, it will happen very soon.”

Jessica had lost his patience.

The reason he tolerated these guys was because everyone was a combatant now.

But he had already judged that these guys were useless; even sending them to the battlefield would only make things worse.

So he decided to eliminate this hidden danger.

Jessica suddenly struck, slapping the burly man’s ear with such force that it made him stagger back a few steps.

He said, “I don’t like to complicate things. Let’s settle this early.”

Jessica didn’t wait for a response and walked to an open space in front of the trading post.

Many people had already gathered there, almost all soldiers, some of whom Jessica recognized as Sheriff’s men.

These people were probably called over by those who had brought him here earlier; they stood against the wall in the cold air, each holding a bet.

These people didn’t dare provoke Jessica, but they were happy to see this outsider make a fool of himself.

The reason was simple: Jessica wasn't one of them.

Until he proved his strength, an outsider was just an outsider.

The big man quickly walked to the open space, followed by two locals who looked like porters.

The four stood in the open space, roughly forming a circle, facing each other, breathing and exhaling white mist.

Everyone remained silent; no opening remarks were needed at this moment.

Jessica took off his greatcoat, carefully placing it on the nearest flatbed cart.

He didn’t want to get the coat dirty.

This was a symbol of the Pioneer Group’s administrator.

It was bestowed by his lord, and only the first few who joined could possess it; they regarded this fur greatcoat as an honor.

After placing his coat, Jessica unstrapped his weapons; he also didn’t want to kill anyone. Before a major battle, death brought no benefits.

He saw Grey also arrive upon hearing the commotion. Grey stared at him for a moment, then retreated into the shadows and stood with his men.

Jessica turned around and began to carefully size up his opponent: he wanted to beat the man senseless, to let everyone know the capability of him, the new Sheriff.

But merely hitting his face wouldn’t have that effect, because his face was already ruined, it couldn't get any worse.

Moreover, it would be best to incapacitate him for a while; Jessica didn't want this man to cause trouble behind his back out of frustration.

The man’s chest was barrel-shaped, and he was overweight, so Jessica believed he could deal with him without even using his hands.

As for the two porters, if they ganged up on him, he might need to use his hands—but he probably wouldn't be reduced to that.

He was much shorter and lighter than the ugly man, but also much younger.

The burly man tried to overpower Jessica with numbers, thinking it would increase his chances of winning.

He saw himself as a fierce fighting dog, and Jessica as a small, pretentious noble guard.

He judged Jessica’s behavior to be rule, and that he would be constrained in a fight.

But he was wrong.

The burly man threw the first punch at Jessica, but his chest was too thick and his arms too short; Jessica ducked under the punch.

The burly man stumbled past him, then turned to strike again, but his hand was blocked, and Jessica elbowed him in the face.

But the blow wasn’t strong; Jessica just wanted to momentarily stun his opponent to think about his next strategy.

The opponent put all his weight on his back leg and threw a straight punch at Jessica’s face.

If that punch connected, Jessica estimated he’d be on the ground instantly.

But before he could land it, Jessica was a step ahead, kicking his right knee with his right heel.

Any old veteran from a tavern would tell you that knees are very fragile joints.

The ugly man’s entire body weight was on his knee, and Jessica kicked it with all his might.

With a “crack,” his kneecap shattered, and his leg bent backward.

It broke in a way that mimicked normal knee joint movement, just in the opposite direction.

The burly man fell forward, the tip of his shoe touching the front of his thigh.

He roared loudly, while Jessica coldly stepped back, carefully examining the man’s knee.

The knee was ruined, a result that pleased Jessica—a fracture, torn ligaments, and cartilage damage.

He had originally intended to deliver another kick, but it was no longer necessary.

Next, this guy would have to report to the crutch store, but only after a doctor had fixed his leg.

He would have to pick out a crutch he’d use for the rest of his life.

And that crutch would be proof of the new Sheriff’s strength.

Jessica warned, “If I find out you’re planning something behind my back, I’ll come back and ruin your other leg.”

The burly man might not have heard this; he was rolling around in the stained mud, panting and wailing.

He was trying to find a position that would make his knee hurt less.

The two porters were deliberating whether to intervene or watch; both were fools, one dumber than the other.

He waved his two big red hands. To avoid wasting too much time, Jessica stepped forward and headbutted him in the face.

The man instantly fell beside the big guy, while his companion quickly hid behind the nearest flatbed cart. Jessica retrieved his weapons from the flatbed cart, put them on, then patted himself down and donned his fur greatcoat.

The watching soldiers stared at him, their faces showing fear, admiration, and eagerness.

Jessica understood that this incident wouldn’t change his relationship with these people, but at least it would let them know he wasn’t to be trifled with.

This way, they might be more obedient when he commanded them in battle later.

He walked through the crowd on the field, heading towards Grey.

Grey squinted, his face showing a meaningful expression.

He had witnessed the entire process and was ready to jump in and stop it, but everything ended too quickly.

So, he shouted to the onlookers, “Get to work! Are you all idle? Do you have nothing to do?”

The crowd gradually dispersed.

Grey then said to Jessica, “I guess they started it.”

“So, Sheriff, what should we do with these people?”

Jessica replied, “The south is short on workers to reinforce the wall; they should be able to help.”

Grey nodded and ordered his men to escort these people away.

“I heard Joshua has a nephew?” Jessica asked.

“Yes, but that guy doesn’t know anything. He shouldn’t have anything to do with these people.”

“I want to meet him. If possible, I have work I can arrange for him,” Jessica said.