Chapter 67: Threat

Soon, the three of them arrived in front of Jiang Cheng.

The leader placed the Watermelon Knife he held onto the stove, and as soon as he opened his mouth, a strong smell of alcohol rushed into his nose.

"Kid, have you paid the stall fee? Hand over the number plate so I can see it."

Jiang Cheng forced a smile and said, "Gentlemen, I am a Senior Member of the Flying Eagle Martial Arts Hall, still within the valid period. This is my High-level Membership Card; please have a look."

As he spoke, he took out the already prepared Membership Card and handed it over.

The three exchanged a glance.

Their faces clearly read disbelief.

If it were the street‑side shops, they naturally wouldn't doubt, and some of them wouldn't even need to consider the expressions of either the sellers or the Martial Arts Hall.

But you, a street vendor selling Roasted Sweet Potatoes, how could you afford a High-level Membership that costs five thousand a month? "Let me see."

The leader shouted, taking the Membership Card.

The two behind him also gathered around.

They looked at the photo on it, then glanced at Jiang Cheng.

"Seems to be the same person."

Someone muttered.

"What about the date?" another person asked.

"The date, the date is also correct."

The atmosphere fell silent in an instant.

The three looked very unwilling, staring repeatedly.

Jiang Cheng said nothing, waiting quietly.

After a while, the leader finally lifted his head, stared at Jiang Cheng and asked, "Kid, is this card real?"

"Of course it's real."

Jiang Cheng smiled, "If the three of you don't believe, I can take you to the Flying Eagle Martial Arts Hall to verify; it's not far from here, just a few steps away."

The leader's face was instantly stunned.

Jiang Cheng had already said enough; does it even matter whether it's real or fake?

Moreover, without professional equipment, a mere street vendor couldn't possibly produce such a thing.

"Kid, you who sell sweet potatoes, can you earn that much in a month?"

At that moment, another person behind asked with a doubtful face.

"Exactly, this is a High-level Membership Card; activating it for a month costs five thousand. Add the raw sweet potatoes you buy and your usual food and drink, you must have made quite a profit this month, right?"

Hearing this, the leader also squinted his eyes.

It seemed that this logic held; the hand that was about to return the card recoiled.

Jiang Cheng, hearing this, patiently explained, "Gentlemen, you're joking. In a small trade, how much can you earn? This High-level Membership Card, I bought it with clenched teeth to prevent being intercepted by thugs on the way back, and I also borrowed a lot from others."

"Is that so?"

The three, upon hearing the word 'thugs', showed no reaction.

They were even more skeptical about Jiang Cheng's claim of borrowing.

Who would lend several thousand to someone else? "Your Roasted Sweet Potatoes must have some secret, right? The other few who sell Roasted Sweet Potatoes aren't as rich as you; none of them could afford the Hall's High-level Membership."

"Brother, you're kidding. What secret could Roasted Sweet Potatoes have? It's just skillful hands."

"Is that so?"

The leader sneered, almost writing the words 'don't believe' on his face.

Jiang Cheng gave no reply, only smiled at him. Senior Brother Zhao had said that members of the Wild Wolf Gang are now like dogs of bereaved families; the Martial Arts Hall's former reputation was enough to keep them in check, but now that may no longer be the case.

Therefore, it's best to avoid any conflict with them if possible.

"Kid, name your price," the leader suddenly said, "Tell us the secret of your Roasted Sweet Potatoes, we'll pay, but give us a heads‑up first; the brothers don't have much cash, so don't ask for too much."

As the words fell, the two behind also showed hopeful expressions.

Indeed, this kid must have an exclusive recipe.

In a few days they'll leave here; if there's an exclusive Roasted Sweet Potato recipe, they could just teach it to a few vendors, sit back and collect money—how wonderful would that be?

Of course, letting them sell Roasted Sweet Potatoes on the street themselves is impossible; those accustomed to quick cash can't endure the hard work of honest earnings.

"Brother, there really is no exclusive recipe."

Jiang Cheng, with a helpless expression, said, "I buy raw sweet potatoes directly from the grain shop, then bake them on the stove. At most it's the timing of the heat that's a bit different from others, but that's purely based on personal feel and experience; it can't be described in words."

"What if I insist you describe it in words?"

A cold glint flashed in the leader's eyes.

"Gentlemen, what does this mean?"

Jiang Cheng's expression also changed, "Are you trying to force a sale? I'm a Senior Member of the Flying Eagle Martial Arts Hall."

"Had I known you'd say that."

The other side, instead of being scared, laughed, "Right, you're a Senior Member of the Flying Eagle Martial Arts Hall, but so what? We haven't done anything to you; we just want to make a deal. If you're not satisfied, you can go find the Hall's people and see what they can do to us."

"Exactly, kid, since you're a High-level Member of the Hall, the brothers are speaking to you properly; try it with someone else, see what happens."

"Kid, the Hall can protect you for a moment, but can it protect you for a lifetime? Have you thought about it? If we do something to you and then run far away, would the Flying Eagle Hall chase us to the ends of the earth for you?" the last man said, almost a blunt threat.

They naturally wouldn't dare to provoke the core figures of the Hall.

But even as a Senior Member, they still dared to scheme; at worst they'd run later. Jiang Cheng, just a vendor, bought a High-level Membership, like a sheep in wolf's skin—seeming intimidating but actually defenseless! Jiang Cheng fell silent.

Inside, he felt an urge to kill the three of them outright.

He knew these gang members had no good qualities; the facts proved it.

He did have some experience and insights, but how could he give such things to these three trash‑like people?

But if we don't give it to them, they've made it clear they won't let it go; if we beat them, there's a high chance it will provoke retaliation from the Wild Wolf Gang.

Should we temporize and appease them for now, then later tell the Martial Arts Hall? Or should we write them something irrelevant and vague to get by?

A cold snort sounded.

The leader, as if seeing through Jiang Cheng's thoughts, said: "Kid, don't think you can fool us; don't think that giving us the formula settles it—later we'll still take it to show the roasted sweet potato vendor. If what you write for us is worthless, we brothers will definitely make you regret it!"

"What are you doing here?"

Just then, a somewhat familiar female voice sounded from behind the three Wild Wolf Gang members.

The woman was none other than Bai Wei in a training outfit, but at this moment her face seemed covered with a layer of frost, completely different from her usual cheerful and lively self.

"Junior Brother Jiang!"

"Junior Brother Jiang!"

Several voices sounded in succession.

It turned out to be Sun Xiaoli and a few others; the senior members on the second floor had nearly all come, each smiling and proactively greeting Jiang Cheng.

"Senior Sister Bai?"

Only then did Jiang Cheng notice the arrival of Bai Wei and her group.

It was somewhat unexpected, yet also seemed reasonable.

(End of chapter)