Chapter 74: Kindness

Twenty meters.

Ten meters.

Five meters.

The dark silhouette, unaware that someone was approaching from behind, held a piece of wire in its hand and kept turning it.

Crack!

A crisp sound rang out as the lock clicked open.

A smile instantly appeared on the silhouette's face.

Just then, a voice sounded from behind.

"Your skill isn't bad, huh?"

"No, no, I'm just making a living."

The silhouette said reflexively.

As soon as the words left his mouth, his complexion changed dramatically, and he dropped even the wire stuck in the lock, turned his head, and fled.

Jiang Cheng said nothing and smacked the opponent's thigh with a single stick.

The silhouette let out a wail, and before it could take a step, it fell with a thud, clutching the leg that had been struck and howling in pain.

"Is that you?"

Jiang Cheng looked at the person on the ground, a bit surprised.

That person lives a little eastward, a few houses away; he came yesterday to ask Jiang Cheng for a loan.

Jiang Cheng himself had no money, so he naturally couldn't lend.

He didn't expect the other to resort to crooked schemes and try to steal his house.

After all, if someone is home, they'd lock from inside; when no one is home, they'd lock the door from outside. Moreover, at noon he had left with Grandma and Chen Sao, and many people nearby saw it.

Thinking this, Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.

"No! No, Xiao Cheng!"

Ge Weidong was terrified, pleading repeatedly, "I won't dare, I won't dare."

"Now you say this, don't you think it's too late?" Jiang Cheng said coldly.

"Xiao Cheng, I had no choice either."

Ge Weidong choked out, "In two days the Wild Wolf Gang will collect money; I've borrowed everywhere and still lack a lot. I'm truly at my wits' end, which is why I hatched this scheme. Xiao Cheng, please be merciful this time. I will kowtow to you, I will kowtow now."

Saying that, he gritted his teeth, turned his body, and was about to kowtow.

"Enough."

Jiang Cheng frowned.

A man in his forties kowtowing to him—he doesn't fear losing face, but I fear it might shorten my life.

"Xiao Cheng..."

Ge Weidong halted, lifted his head toward Jiang Cheng, his eyes full of pleading.

"Please, spare me. I won't dare, I really won't dare."

"I just struck you with a stick; that ends it. If there's a next time, it won't be settled so easily."

"It won't happen again, it won't."

The other kept shaking his head, struggled to stand, then limped toward his home.

Watching his back, Jiang Cheng loosened his grip on the Short Staff.

He let out a soft sigh in his heart.

At the door, the lock was already open, and Jiang Cheng frowned.

The lock, as expected, was all show and no use; a thin wire could open it.

In the Poor District, many know this trick; it was a coincidence I came back this time—if I set up a stall tomorrow, someone might try to pick the lock.

And also...

Jiang Cheng's gaze fell on the house next door belonging to Chen Sao.

It could be that while I'm still sleeping inside, I wake up tomorrow morning to find Chen Sao's house turned upside down. Although Chen Sao has already taken the valuables, clothes, bedding, pots and pans can't all be taken and are still worth something. If the Wild Wolf Gang leaves and Chen Sao returns to see a barren home...

Jiang Cheng shook his head.

He decided that in a moment he'd move everything from Chen Sao's house into his own.

That way, even if someone pries the door open late at night, they'd get nothing.

More importantly, this move also prepares for the Wild Wolf Gang's fee collection in two days. He pushed the tricycle back, ate a simple dinner, and then began the moving task.

Fortunately, Chen Sao's place didn't have much, and she kept it tidy; Jiang Cheng cleared it in under two hours.

He locked the door again and let out a sigh of relief.

The next problem was how to ensure his own house's safety while he's away.

He had originally planned to use the time the elderly were away to go to the Martial Arts Hall and continue training, but now he realized he couldn't.

But what about daytime? He can't skip the Martial Arts Hall in the morning and not set up a stall in the afternoon, right? "Maybe I could ask someone at the doorstep to watch over it."

A thought flashed through Jiang Cheng's mind.

These thieves usually operate at night; the occasional daytime one gets scared off after a couple of shouts.

Nevertheless, to be safe, it's best to keep the cash on one's person.

For the next two hours, Jiang Cheng, as usual, did some stance training, then practiced Double Staff for a while before washing up and going to sleep.

Early the next morning.

Jiang Cheng went around, and finally hired two nearby households for ten yuan a day each to watch his doorway during the day to deter thieves; he'd return early at night, so they wouldn't need to stay.

The two households immediately agreed.

After all, when they're idle at home they're idle, so they bring a small stool, sit at the doorway, and three or four jin of rice ends up in their hands; why wouldn't they enjoy it?

One of the families even asked Jiang Cheng whether a thief was caught last night; they had vaguely heard some commotion.

Jiang Cheng smiled lightly, saying nothing.

After finishing these, he locked the door and headed toward the Martial Arts Hall.

These petty thieves and thugs are all minor players.

The truly ruthless ones are those from the Wild Wolf Gang.

I must seize the time to raise the proficiency of the Double Staff.

Upon arriving at the second floor of the Martial Arts Hall, someone had already arrived.

Before Jiang Cheng could speak, the other party took the initiative to greet him.

"Jiang Shidi, good morning."

"Morning, Senior Brother Lin."

Jiang Cheng hurriedly replied.

"Your family has already been sent to the Outer City District, right?" Lin Quanliang walked over, his tone concerned.

"Yes, they've already been sent over, thanks to Senior Sister Bai."

"That's good, but Senior Sister Bai really is a wonderful person. By the way, Jiang Shidi, your Double Staff is truly impressive; if you have time we could spar? I've been at the entry level of the Fist Technique for a while now, so if you have any questions later, you can ask me."

Lin Quanliang wore a smile all over his face.

"Would love to."

Jiang Cheng laughed.

These few members probably gain little improvement from real combat with weapons.

But once I learn the Fist Technique, the proficiency will skyrocket.

Therefore sparring with them using weapons is fine; it benefits both them and me.

"Alright, it's settled then."

Lin Quanliang laughed heartily, reached out and gently patted Jiang Cheng's shoulder, "Jiang Shidi, in a couple of days a few of us Senior Members will gather for a meal; everyone will get to know each other, including Sun Xiaoli and the others. Would you like to come along?"

"Well…"

Jiang Cheng scratched his head.

"Senior Brother Lin, it's not that I'm being disrespectful, but I'm afraid I don't have time, because…"

"It's just a meal; it won't take much of your time. If it really doesn't work, we can compensate you for the lost work, okay?" Lin Quanliang interrupted.

Jiang Cheng waved his hands repeatedly, "Senior Brother Lin, what are you talking about?"

"Then just come, okay? Alright, it's settled."

Lin Quanliang patted the table, then lowered his voice, glanced upstairs, "Brother Xiao also knows about yesterday's incident; you should be more careful."

After saying that, he smiled and turned to leave.

(End of Chapter)