Chapter 113: Iron-Headed

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

West Market, Orchid Pavilion…

At the same time the incident occurred on Parasol Street, the Orchid Pavilion was closing its doors. The local tyrants in the nearby streets were sitting together and discussing a neither too big nor too small matter.

Last month, the Imperial Capital government had specially approved the renovation and rebuilding of Dye Workshop Street. The matter was outsourced to the Pei family, the wealthy merchant family of Heavenly Water Bridge.

Dye Workshop Street occupied a large area. After renovation and rebuilding, there would be at least a hundred stores. From renovating and rebuilding buildings to attracting merchants and the subsequent maintenance of the street, it was all white silver.

Cheng Bao, Second Master Cheng of the West Market, had a high seniority in Yun’an City. Today, he was sitting in the main seat and chatting with a few familiar bosses about this matter.

“There are many streets and alleys in the capital where no one is causing trouble, but Heavenly Water Bridge is just a grocery street. Just relying on some trivial relationships gained by piling up money, they have such a tough tone. They’re really impudent…”

Second Master Cheng was about fifty years old. He had a bald head and a round face. He looked a bit like a gangster, but he was dressed quite formally like a minister.

The other five people sitting here were dressed similarly, but one of them was more special.

Yang Guan from River Shore Wharf had almost been beaten to death by Ye Jingtang last month. He had already learned his lesson and had been very honest recently.

But because he had a conflict with the Pei family and could be considered to have ‘interacted’ with them, he had been invited here by a few bosses in the city to give advice.

Yang Guan’s two arms had been stabbed, and his bones and tendons had yet to recover. At this moment, his left and right arms were wrapped in bandages and in a sling hanging from his neck. He couldn’t even drink tea, and his expression was very ugly. “Second Master Cheng, I think it’s better not to get involved in the matter of Dye Workshop Street. You got people to beat up someone from Heavenly Water Bridge, so 1 think it’s better to visit to apologize and give some medical expenses. The martial arts skills of Young Master Ye of Heavenly Water Bridge are quite domineering, and his temper is even more domineering than his martial arts. Moreover, he’s close to the Black Office and not to be trifled with.”

Hearing these cowardly words, an old man sitting beside him sneered while holding a teacup in his hand. “No matter how domineering he is, can he be as domineering as Second Master Cheng with his fists? In terms of relationships, Second Master Cheng is the brother-in-law of the vice-minister of the Ministry of Works. He even helps Prime Minister Li’s third wife manage a few stores. Aren’t these relationships domineering?”

Someone sitting opposite said, “We’re businessmen, and we’re not cutting off the Pei family’s income. We’re all in the capital. The government has decided that this family will take the bulk of the profits, leaving the chores to us. It’s only natural—”

Squeak!

While he was talking, the door was pushed open.

The wind and rain outside instantly swept into the restaurant, blowing up the clothes and hair of the several people inside.

Whoosh!

The people in the hall stopped speaking. Everyone frowned and turned to look.

Outside the restaurant, a handsome young master who was folding his umbrella appeared. Behind him was a young master of a rich family with terrified eyes. He was pulling the handsome young master’s arm with all his might. “No, no, no. There are hundreds of people outside. If the two of us are beaten to death, the Pei family will have no descendants. I’m only seventeen…”

The men led by the big bosses outside the restaurant were originally taking shelter from the rain in the nearby teahouses and wine shops. When they saw this scene, they ran toward the door angrily.

“Who are you?!”

“Kid, are you blind…”

The people discussing matters in the restaurant looked displeased.

Yang Guan was sitting near the entrance of the restaurant. When he noticed something amiss, he turned around to check. He was originally frowning, but when he saw the young master’s appearance outside the door…

“Hiss!” Yang Guan was instantly frightened out of his wits. He hurriedly stood up and took a few steps back. “Ah! Young Master Ye, 1 didn’t get involved! I swear I was forcefully dragged here. 1 just tried to persuade them, but I couldn’t persuade them at all…”

Ye Jingtang closed his umbrella and found that Yang Guan, who had both arms in a sling hanging from his neck, was also in the restaurant lobby. He was really surprised and tilted his head slightly.

Yang Guan didn’t dare to say no. He nodded and ran out of the door with a smile. When he saw Young Master Pei walking in, he blocked him with his body. “Young Master Pei, this place isn’t for you to enter. Just stand outside.”

Pei Luo was obedient, mainly because he didn’t dare to go in. He turned around and looked. “Gang Leader Yang?! It’s good that you’re here. Quickly help pull him back and apologize. Don’t let anyone get hurt. The Pei family will definitely thank you heavily afterward…”

“Alright. Young Master Ye, don’t be agitated. Second Master Cheng is just temporarily confused…”

“You’re pulling the wrong way! Speaking of which, what’s wrong with your arms?”

“Sigh, it’s a long story. There’s no need to talk about it…”

There were five people sitting here. From Yang Guan’s messy words, they could distinguish the identities of two noble young masters—the two young masters of Heavenly Water Bridge.

Second Master Cheng’s expression was still normal. “Young Master Ye, it’s good that you’re here. I—”

“You stay here. The rest of you, get out.”

Ye Jingtang’s attitude couldn’t be considered arrogant, but his tone of instructing small fries really dissatisfied the bosses, who had high statuses.

The man closest to him immediately slapped an armrest. “You—”

As soon as he said the word, Ye Jingtang raised his leg and kneed the man in the forehead with lightning speed.

Bam!

An explosion sounded in the restaurant.

The man sitting in the armchair suddenly leaned back, shattered the back of the chair, and fell straight to the floor. He couldn’t move anymore.

There was dead silence inside and outside the restaurant. Everyone’s eyes were horrified. Only Yang Guan’s expression was normal.

The remaining three local tyrants were stunned for a moment when they saw the man being knocked down in one move. They stood up and walked out of the restaurant from the side as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

Second Master Cheng’s eyes were quite surprised. He put down the teacup, stood up, and slowly rolled up his sleeves. “Kid, do you want to talk with your fists?”

Ye Jingtang didn’t respond and strode over.

Second Master Cheng frowned and was about to attack when he heard a crisp crack coming from the floor.

Ye Jingtang’s figure exploded, and in the blink of an eye, he was already close to him. He flew forward and kneed Second Master Cheng in the chest.

Boom!

Second Master Cheng was stunned. Before he could raise his hand, he was instantly sent flying and smashed into the center of the restaurant.

Clatter!

His body immediately made a large hole in the wall, revealing the private room behind it, and smashed into the tables and chairs inside.

Second Master Cheng crashed to the floor. He tried to stand up, but halfway through, he was hit in the forehead by Ye Jingtang, who was following him like a shadow. He instantly fell backward, and the back of his head hit the floor.

Boom!

Ye Jingtang grabbed Second Master Cheng’s neck with one hand and punched his forehead three times in a row.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Second Master Cheng raised his hands to fight back, not forgetting to curse angrily, “Damn it—”

Bam!

The last punch landed, and Second Master Cheng directly shattered the floor.

Half of his head sank into the floor, and his words abruptly stopped.

The people outside the door were terrified. They felt that even if Second Master Cheng didn’t die this time, he would be crippled!

But Second Master Cheng still refused to admit defeat after suffering such a heavy blow. He shook his bald head twice and then raised his fists to fight back.

Ye Jingtang frowned and didn’t say anything else. He pressed down and continued beating him.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

In the empty restaurant, muffled thunder sounded.

After taking several punches, Second Master Cheng’s upper body sank into the pit in the floor, but he still refused to admit defeat.

Countless thugs outside the door turned pale. Many of them were so frightened that their clubs fell to the ground, making thumping sounds.

After more than ten punches, Ye Jingtang was afraid that he would beat this fool to death. He wanted to stop, but after the last punch, he discovered that there were faint cracks on Second Master Cheng’s forehead.

The cracks looked like cracked ice. Because the capillaries were damaged and bleeding, his skin quickly turned dark red, and it was difficult to see any traces.

If not for the fact that the lighting was good, Ye Jingtang wouldn’t have noticed this slight abnormality at all.

?

Ye Jingtang’s fist paused. He felt that there was something wrong with this fellow’s body. He was definitely not practicing an ordinary defensive martial arts.

Second Master Cheng, whose head had already sunk into the floor, suddenly raised his hand and patted Ye Jingtang’s armpit.

Pa! Pa! Pa!

“I… I’m convinced…”

A trace of doubt flashed across Ye Jingtang’s eyes, but it would be against the rules if he continued to beat him. After thinking about it, he retracted his fist and stood up. “The Iron Buddha Ridge lives up to its reputation.”

Second Master Cheng lay in the pit, his mouth and nose covered in blood. His breathing was heavy, and he couldn’t say a word.

Ye Jingtang glanced at Second Master Cheng’s forehead again before suppressing the doubts in his heart, turning around, and leaving.

The bosses outside the door turned pale and hurriedly made way. The hundreds of thugs gathered outside also retreated.

Yang Guan nodded and bowed. “Take care, Young Master Ye. Come often in the future… No, if you need anything in the future, just send someone to inform me. You don’t have to come personally…”

Pei Luo followed Ye Jingtang and passed through the hundreds of thugs. Seeing that no one really dared to block their way, he whispered, “Brother Jingtang, you’re so awesome! But in the capital, relying on fists alone isn’t enough. The Cheng family has people in the government…”

While they were talking, Ye Jingtang noticed a carriage parked at the street corner. The curtain was lifted, revealing a dignified face looking over coldly.

“This is?’

“The Prince of Jing.”

“Oh…” Pei Luo stopped in his tracks and opened his mouth, but he had nothing to say. He moved forward like Chen Biao had earlier. “Brother, I’ll hold the umbrella for you. When greeting the Prince of Jing, you have to have the bearing of a young master…”

Ye Jingtang handed the umbrella to Pei Luo. “You should go back first. Study hard and achieve scholarly honor. Jianghu isn’t a place for scholars.”

“Okay, I’ll go back to the academy to study now…” Pei Luo wanted to go back obediently, but when he saw the thugs being dispersed, he felt a little unconfident.

In the carriage, Dongfang Liren instructed, “Send Young Master Pei back home.

Ye Jingtang, come up.”

Then she lowered the curtain…