Chapter 33: Sowing Discord

"So you think only you would strike at vital points? Aren't we capable too?"

A young man on the right, looking displeased, said.

The guy in front of us is way too cocky, acting as if he currently holds the advantage.

"Of course you would; nobody's a fool, you won't take a hit without striking back."

Jiang Cheng looked at him.

"Then that's settled."

The other lifted his head and puffed out his chest, looking very smug.

"Only, are you sure you want to trade blows with me?"

Jiang Cheng snorted coldly: "I alone am indeed no match for so many of you, but killing or maiming a few of you is still no problem. I trust you understand that, so, do you dare to be the first to step forward?"

"Me! Me…"

The person hesitated a moment, still not daring to speak.

Afraid Jiang Cheng would remember him and later target him in the fight.

"Nobody will be the first to step forward." At that moment, Xie Liuhai shouted loudly: "All of us will go together."

"Exactly! We'll go together!"

"All together, what can you do to us?"

The others echoed in agreement.

On one hand to bolster their own courage, on the other to intimidate Jiang Cheng and make him lose the will to resist.

"Is that so?"

Jiang Cheng looked at Xie Liuhai again, snorted, "Those words only fool yourself—who else could they fool? If I'm not mistaken, when the fight actually breaks out, you'll surely charge ahead, letting others take the risk while you reap the fisherman's profit."

As his words fell, the others all turned their gaze toward Xie Liuhai.

In their eyes, doubt appeared.

Indeed, Liu Yang is exactly that kind of person.

He has many crafty ideas, but when real trouble comes, he's the fastest to run.

"Why are you all staring at me? Do you trust him or trust me?" Liu Yang grew anxious, and Jiang Cheng instantly read his thoughts.

But the arrow is already on the string; it must be released. Moreover, among the street vendors, none are richer than this kid in front of us.

"Brothers, this kid has money on him, a lot of money!" he shouted hurriedly.

The gazes of more than a dozen thugs fell again on Jiang Cheng.

Indeed, they had seen Jiang Cheng's bustling stall during the day, their eyes burning with envy.

【9】 "Sure, I have some money on me, but is this amount enough for all of you to split?"

"Not bad, I do have a bit of money on me, but is this amount enough for so many of you to split?"

Jiang Cheng remained calm.

"There are thirteen of you here. I have at most seven or eight hundred coins; that means each of you would get less than a hundred, maybe not even that. Moreover, this guy seems to be your leader, so you'd take a bit more? In that case, each of you would get even less."

Jiang Cheng said, pointing at Liu Yang.

"He's not our leader," a muttering voice sounded.

"Don't listen to his sowing discord!"

Liu Yang quickly replied: "We're good brothers; the money we get will of course be split evenly. Kid, don't try to sow division!"

After speaking, he glared fiercely at Jiang Cheng.

It seemed to say, now see what you say? "What if we split evenly?"

After Sweep‑scanning the circle, Jiang Cheng asked with a soul‑piercing question: "Is it worth risking broken bones just to snatch a few dozen coins from my hand?"

The surroundings fell silent at once.

The thugs were stunned.

It seemed not worth it—no, far from worth it! When Liu Yang presented his plan, the big picture looked very appealing.

If they could subdue Jiang Cheng, they'd have money every day thereafter; a month of doing nothing would still bring about two thousand coins.

Hearing this, they naturally felt tempted.

But if they broke bones and became crippled for this amount of money? Indeed, the injury might fall on someone else, but what if it's them? Two thousand coins a month could also be earned by robbing others as before. The risk is too great.

"That's all I have to say; who will go first?"

Jiang Cheng looked over the crowd with disdain.

The crowd stared at each other, and finally their gazes fell on Liu Yang and his two companions.

After all, this was his scheme; he should be the first to state his position.

Liu Yang wanted to say he'd go first, but he lacked the courage; his legs felt as if filled with lead, immobile.

Finally someone couldn't hold back, sighed, and said to Jiang Cheng:

"Friend, actually today this whole thing is a misunderstanding; it was that Liu Yang fellow who instigated it. We were also blinded by pork‑fat. How about this: from now on we won't plot against you, and if you run into us, just don't cause trouble. Can you agree, friend? If not, then there's nothing we can do."

The speaker stared at Jiang Cheng.

"Exactly. If you agree, we'll keep our waters separate from yours. If you refuse, then everyone here today will meet a disastrous end."

One after another, a few more spoke.

Obviously, they knew that when alone they were no match for Jiang Cheng, and future reprisals would ruin them, hence they said so.

Jiang Cheng disliked being threatened, but he also knew this was no time for rashness.

"Of course."

He answered in one breath, "As long as you don't come to provoke me, I don't want to meddle any further."

"Good, that friend's words are enough."

The person who spoke first nodded at Jiang Cheng, glanced at Liu Yang, then turned and led his group away.

He left like that, and the people at the other two intersections also fled like flying.

Originally more than ten were surrounding, but now only the three ahead—Liu Yang and his two companions—remain.

Liu Yang was stunned.

Just now it was thirteen against one; the advantage was on my side.

In the blink of an eye, only three of our side were left.

The situation changed so fast that he didn't even have time to react.

In the next instant, Jiang Cheng lunged forward with a spear‑step.

With a dozen people, he naturally felt apprehensive.

But the opposite side now has only three people, what is there to fear.

Liu Yang jolted, as if struck by electricity, leapt up from his spot, and then bolted away!

The two behind had already intended to run; seeing this, they also fled at lightning speed, each in a different direction, as if experienced.

Jiang Cheng hesitated briefly, but still did not continue the chase.

Although he successfully averted the crisis, his face was not particularly pleased.

That guy named Liu Yang was the mastermind this time, and he could only watch helplessly as he fled.

Of course, he could chase after him, but first he was uneasy about the tricycle behind, which carried over a hundred jin of sweet potatoes; if someone took advantage of the opening to steal them, he'd be at a loss; second, despite these thugs being skinny and of average strength, their speed is truly fast—without taking several routes, there's no way to catch up.

If he had Secret Martial Arts, he'd be much faster.

"Run, you can't escape."

Jiang Cheng sheathed his Short Staff.

Since that Liu Yang dared to hire someone to rob him, he must be prepared to be found by himself.

When he gathers enough money to purchase Senior Member status and joins the Flying Eagle Martial Arts Hall, it will be time for him to settle accounts with Liu Yang.

However, today's encounter reminded him that it's time to practice Double Staff.

Two or three thugs don't concern him.

If it's three to five, there's some pressure; a single slip could easily cause a disaster.

If eight or ten attack together, he would truly have no match.

What if the opponent wields a long knife? (End of chapter)