Chapter 10: You've Got Guts

Jiang Cheng's actions took everyone present by surprise.

The two thugs opposite were even more stunned.

They had robbed this guy in front of them many times, and each time the latter honestly handed over a sum of money.

But this time, the sun rose from the west?

Anger surged again.

The buzz‑cut youth wielding a knife growled viciously: "Kid, got some nerve? Still dare to mess with us? You think that if we really start fighting, you'd be a match for the two of us?"

"I said so."

Jiang Cheng felt he had never been this excited before; his ears seemed to hear the sound of blood flowing inside his body.

"Two days ago I broke a high fever, spent all my savings, and still owe a lot of money. These sweet potatoes on the cart are my hope of turning things around. If you rob me, you're after my life! That's right, I alone may not be a match for the two of you, but dragging one of you as a sacrifice shouldn't be a big problem."

He growled low, like a beast that picks its prey and tears it apart.

At this point, there is no way back.

If he chooses to retreat, it will only make the two in front intensify their attack.

Everyone is like two shoulders supporting one head, scared of a feather.

The two opposite also seemed frightened.

Although they each held a Spring Knife, the knives were clearly much shorter than the staff, and the distance between them was a little over one meter, close to two meters.

If a fight really broke out, Jiang Cheng would definitely strike them first.

Of course, from their perspective, even being hit by the staff once or twice wouldn't be a big deal; as long as they charge forward, they'd win.

But the man before them had his whole face flushed red, bloodshot eyes, looking terrifyingly reckless, as if he didn't care about his life.

And who knows whether this guy is carrying a knife on him?

If he does have one, once they get close, it would become a mutual stabbing.

They're thugs; they rob for money, not to gamble with lives. Gambling with lives is something the Wild Wolf Gang does.

But just retreating like that wouldn't satisfy them.

First, this guy has always been the type to take things as they come; now he dares to bare his teeth at them—how is that acceptable? Second, there are many onlookers; if they back down, they'd become a laughingstock, ridiculed.

Both sides thus stood in a standoff.

After an unknown amount of time, the two thugs' momentum waned.

"Fine, kid, you have some guts."

The tall one tapped Jiang Cheng with his hand and said, "This isn't over today; just you wait."

After speaking, the two glared fiercely at Jiang Cheng and left.

After all, they knew what Jiang Cheng did and where he sold sweet potatoes; blocking him again wouldn't be hard.

Jiang Cheng watched the two disappear down the alley, kept his back straight, and pushed his tricycle forward.

At the same time, he kept his eyes on all six directions and ears on all eight sides.

Who knows if those two have really left; a mid‑way ambush is still possible.

After traveling dozens of meters, constantly changing direction, and confirming no one was following, Jiang Cheng finally exhaled.

At that moment, he realized his back was already soaked with sweat.

Recalling the earlier scene, a lingering fear rose in his heart.

But he didn't regret it.

As he said before, he had no money left and still owed Chen Sao three hundred; he could only hope that the hundred‑jin of sweet potatoes on his cart would turn the tide.

Now he could only go all out.

By the outcome, he succeeded, frightening the two away and safeguarding the sweet potatoes.

However, barring any surprise, their retaliation would soon arrive.

Jiang Cheng's complexion instantly grew solemn.

Moreover, if he goes to do business on the street later, he'll be blocked by those two on his way back at night.

There could even be more than two. The safest method is obviously not to go, to find an excuse—like feeling unwell, staying home to practice Staff Method, and once his Staff Method skill improves, he won't have to fear a few people.

But if he does that, Grandma would definitely go sell Roasted Sweet Potato.

Those two have robbed the original body countless times; they know exactly where he sets up his stall.

If they vent their anger onto Grandma…

Jiang Cheng dared not think further.

Moreover, doing so would break his earlier promise.

He had promised that from now on he would go out to sell Roasted Sweet Potato while Grandma rested at home.

So, telling Grandma not to go and rest a day? That also doesn't work.

First, Grandma most likely wouldn't agree.

After all, the Stall Fee has been paid; skipping a day not only earns no money but loses money.

Second, even if persuaded, having Grandma at home watch him practice Short Staff? "I still have to go at noon, and whatever happens on the road can't be told to Grandma."

Jiang Cheng sighed.

Sometimes, it's not that he doesn't want to play it safe.

It's the situation that forces him.

Fortunately, he can sell Roasted Sweet Potato while practicing Short Staff.

Moves like Chop, Lift, Sweep—these three he definitely can't practice in public; his skin is thin.

But Staff Flourish is fine; first, Staff Flourish, like the three basic moves, can also improve proficiency; second, performing Staff Flourish doesn't look dangerous, is somewhat attractive, and is unlikely to affect his business much.

However, if it truly does affect his business, there's nothing he can do.

He must quickly raise his Short Staff skill from Entry to Proficient level; if he reaches Mastery, that would be even better, although that doesn't seem very realistic.

"Let's go back first; we've been delayed on the road for so long, Grandma is probably starting to worry."

Jiang Cheng tucked the Rolling Pin back onto his back, pushed the three‑wheeled cart, and walked toward home.

On the other side.

Two thugs who blocked Jiang Cheng entered a room.

"This is simply absurd!"

The buzz‑cut man shouted loudly, his expression extremely agitated.

"A sweet‑potato seller daring to threaten us? I think he clearly doesn't want to live! Li Wei, we shouldn't have retreated earlier; we should have fought that kid. He's alone; he can't match the two of us."

Li Wei gave him a look and said, "Then why didn't you go up earlier?"

"I…"

The buzz‑cut man's eyes flickered.

In that situation, whoever went first would become the target.

He didn't want to get hurt.

"So we just leave it at that?"

He changed the subject, saying, "Alright, I'll go find Liu Yang and the other two. As long as that kid dares to sell sweet potatoes on the street, we'll block him tonight and let him see how many eyes Lord Ma actually has!"

In fact, as long as they intend to rob the street vendors, they can basically succeed—one in daylight, one in darkness.

The only problem is, they don't want to overfish the pond; raiding every day would ruin anyone's business, and being too excessive would draw the attention of the Wild Wolf Gang.

Another point is, they're also afraid of driving people to desperation, just like Jiang Cheng just now, risking their lives with them.

So every few days they extort some money from street vendors; moreover, they can't rob every vendor—they have to consider a distribution issue.

If they steal someone else's prey, other thugs will come after them.

Jiang Cheng is the prey of the two of them, and even if they kill him they never expected that this usually unusually docile prey would actually dare to fight back.

"Looking for them, are you out of your mind?"

Li Wei, hearing that, glared at him.

(End of chapter)