Chapter 15: Windfall

"It hurts, so painful, so painful!"

Two people on the ground continuously let out wailing cries.

Zhang Bing's right hand was originally just flushed red, but in a moment it became enormously swollen.

Li Wei fared even worse.

His whole face swelled into a pig's head, a few teeth fell out of his mouth, blood streamed from the corner of his mouth, and his clothes and the ground were soaked with it.

The injuries on his body were hidden by his clothes, so they couldn't be seen, but it's easy to guess they were large bruises that would kill you with a touch.

"Stop screaming."

Jiang Cheng barked.

The two screamed like they were slaughtering a pig—far too unpleasant.

Yet the two acted as if they hadn't heard, continuing to do as they pleased.

"If anyone cries out again, I'll give them another stick."

As the words fell, the scene fell silent instantly.

The two clenched their teeth, desperately enduring the excruciating pain, and in their eyes toward Jiang Cheng were thick dread and bitter resentment.

After all, anyone beaten so brutally would inevitably harbor hatred.

Jiang Cheng sneered, "You hate me to death in your hearts, huh? Over the years you've taken so much of my money—how should this debt be settled?"

Hearing that, the two glanced elsewhere.

It seemed like guilt, but actually it was fear.

Because if Jiang Cheng were here and smashed them to death with a stick, there would be no consequences; some might even cheer in secret.

"Hand over the money you have on you."

Jiang Cheng said.

He is extremely short of cash right now.

Things aren't easy for Chen Sao either; he wants to repay the three hundred yuan as soon as possible.

There are just over ten days until the end of the month, and the Protection Fee for the Wild Wolf Gang must be paid.

The Stall Fee should also be gathered, since roasted sweet potatoes are currently the only source of income.

Lastly, and most importantly, he wants Grandma to live a good life, no longer like now, unwilling even to eat a single egg.

"No, no money."

【7】 A strange glint flashed in Li Wei's eyes, and he trembled as he said,

Li Wei's eyes flashed a strange hue, and he then spoke tremblingly.

"No money?"

Seeing his dishonesty, Jiang Cheng lifted his stick and struck his leg with a blow.

"Ah!"

A wail.

Li Wei shed tears again.

"Do you have any money?"

Jiang Cheng asked from a superior position.

"Got it! Got it!"

Li Wei quickly nodded, "It's in my trouser pocket; if you reach in, you can take it. My whole body, my whole body hurts."

He said while lying on the ground.

Even trying to sit up a little makes his chest ache terribly.

"Is that so? I warn you, don't play tricks, or you'll know the consequences,"

After speaking, Jiang Cheng squatted, his eyes fixed on the other, and his left hand reached into the trouser pocket, indeed feeling some banknotes.

When he took them out, there were over a hundred!

"You bastard!"

Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth, almost wanting to strike again.

This damn amount is nearly equal to everything he owns.

He searched a few other pockets and found nearly two hundred yuan.

There was also a spring knife.

"Anything else?"

"That's it,"

Li Wei said in a sobbing voice.

Given his nature, having nearly three hundred yuan in savings is rare; if he hadn't been thinking of settling scores with Jiang Cheng that night, he probably would have spent a lot. Jiang Cheng, seeing his demeanor, didn't think he was lying, let out a cold snort, and walked over to the buzz‑cut man.

"They're all in the left trouser pocket,"

Seeing his companion's example, the other was quite sensible.

Jiang Cheng remained vigilant, searched all the pockets on the other, and finally uncovered over a hundred and twenty yuan, plus a second spring knife.

The money on the two summed to over four hundred and fifty yuan; adding two Short Staffs and two spring knives brings it to six or seven hundred.

"Indeed, nothing is faster than robbing for cash,"

Jiang Cheng felt a surge of sentiment.

If he relied on selling roasted sweet potatoes, it would take four or five days to earn this sum.

But that's not the righteous path, and this money was taken by these people from countless innocent victims like him.

At that thought, his grip on the Short Staff tightened a few notches.

Having what happened today, these two will surely be resentful and may seek revenge.

Even if they don't retaliate, they still can't reform, become a different person; they will inevitably keep robbing others.

Since that's the case, perhaps just kill the two with a staff.

This is the Poor District; a few deaths aren't a matter at all, and killing people like this even counts as doing a good deed.

Seemingly sensing the killing aura emanating from Jiang Cheng, the two quickly begged for mercy, uttering words of remorse.

Jiang Cheng tightened his grip on the Short Staff, then slowly released it.

He still ultimately cannot get past that inner hurdle.

Just a few days ago, he was an ordinary person living in peaceful times, not even daring to kill a chicken, and now, after being transported here, he has to take a life…

The difficulty is too great.

"I don't hope there will be another time."

Jiang Cheng spoke slowly.

"If I see you robbing others again, you know the consequences; of course, if you bear a grudge and want to retaliate against me, then I will strike hard."

The atmosphere fell silent.

Then the two quickly shook their heads, repeatedly insisting there will be no next time.

"Hope you practice what you say."

Jiang Cheng picked up the two Short Staffs on the ground, along with his own, and placed them behind his back; it was a bit uncomfortable, but there was nothing he could do, lest the Old Man notice and become worried.

Including those two Spring Knives, he also concealed them on his person.

Since the Short Staff can unlock, the dagger can as well.

An inch long is an inch strong; correspondingly, an inch short is an inch risky, so the dagger can also be practiced, to avoid the awkwardness of having no weapon if the Short Staff slips from the hand one day.

As for the extra two Short Staffs.

Jiang Cheng intends to wait until the Short Staff proficiency rises another one or two levels, then practice the Double Staff.

The difficulty of the Double Staff is certainly higher than that of a single Short Staff, and its power is also much greater; especially in one‑against‑many situations, one could handle dozens without issue.

"Secret Martial Arts…"

These two words sprang up in Jiang Cheng's mind.

He doesn't even know through what channel he could obtain Secret Martial Arts.

Short Staffs, daggers—these are ultimately just modern combat techniques; no matter how skilled, they are mere ornaments before a Handgun, let alone a Rifle or a sniper rifle.

But once Secret Martial Arts are cultivated, not to mention Firearms, even Artillery, missiles, or even nuclear bombs and Star‑Annihilating Cannon, they are nothing to be feared.

However, the Horned People Clan issued a Martial Arts Ban; if anyone learns that he harbors this idea, it becomes a dangerous matter.

"Some things can't be rushed; it's better to first master self‑defense, even if one can't hard‑stop bullets; life in this Poor District will be much better than before, and…"

Jiang Cheng recalled the faces of those martial‑arts school disciples at the daytime stall, a flash of cold light in their eyes.

Then, pushing the tricycle, he walked forward.

The people in the shadows instantly scattered like birds and beasts.

After all, even a fool could see that this kid is a practitioner.

Behind, the two lying on the ground, Li Wei and the other, stared at Jiang Cheng's receding back, their eyes filled with resentment, unwillingness, but more so with fear.

Thanks to reader Jiu Yuan for the 100‑coin reward!!!

Thanks to reader Special Likes Cats for the 1‑month ticket!!! It must be a reader from the previous book, recognized at a glance.

(End of chapter)