Chapter 79: Dark Night, High Winds

"Fine."

Hearing Jiang Cheng's words, that person readily agreed.

"Jiang Shidi."

At that moment, a man walked over and said, "Let's go, let's eat."

Jiang Cheng was startled.

"Come on, why are you still hesitating?" the other urged, "Everyone's waiting for you."

"Jiang Shidi, do you remember what I told you yesterday? I said we'd have a group dinner in a few days, and you promised then," Lin Quanliang said with a smile.

"I didn't expect the day to come so quickly," Jiang Cheng said, half laughing, half exasperated.

"Let's go, Jiang Shidi," Sun Xiaoli pointed at the person inviting Jiang Cheng and said, "His family runs a restaurant on the street, Tan Ji Fan Dian. When we get there later, don't try to save him money—just eat heartily."

"Tan Ji Fan Dian?"

Jiang Cheng couldn't help recalling the past; back then he had asked Bai Wei about membership matters, and she had used Tan Ji Fan Dian as an example.

Today, he finally meets the person himself.

"No problem."

Tan Lei pounded his chest and said, "I can't vouch for the others, but you, Jiang Shidi, eat to your heart's content; if you're still not full, I'll get angry."

"Hahaha."

Everyone laughed.

On the way downstairs, Lin Quanliang and a few others also invited Jiang Cheng, saying they would host a dinner for him.

After all, people's hearts are made of flesh; Jiang Cheng would rather not train himself just to advise them, but they should at least show some appreciation, right?

That noon meal was the first time since Jiang Cheng's transmigration that he truly ate until he was stuffed.

There were boiled chicken, braised fish, crispy duck, marinated beef… Jiang Cheng wolfed down the food, his mouth slick with oil, while the others ate rather politely.

Frequent feasts of big fish and meat were unrealistic for Tan Lei and his group, but having a good meal once every one or two days wasn't impossible.

When parting, the enthusiastic Tan Lei even offered to pack a few dishes for Jiang Cheng to take home.

Jiang Cheng quickly declined.

Being able to have a full meal already satisfied him; taking food away while eating was a bit rude, but he didn't mind.

He couldn't help feeling wistful; this meal probably cost over a thousand yuan, and he didn't know when he could afford such lavish feasts for his family.

Relying solely on selling sweet potatoes is still unrealistic.

After drinking and eating their fill, everyone said their goodbyes, and Jiang Cheng turned into the alley, ready to set up his stall.

As he passed by, occasional distant wails and harsh scoldings could be heard.

Most likely the Wild Wolf Gang was still collecting management fees.

Even at high noon, only a few people were visible; sometimes passing a house, one could hear sighs or soft sobs from within.

"In a few days the Iron Fist Gang will arrive, probably demanding another protection fee. Then, how many can actually pay?"

Jiang Cheng couldn't help feeling a sense of rabbit‑death, fox‑sorrow.

These cyclical days—when will they finally have an end?

Thinking of this, Jiang Cheng clenched his fists.

Strength—only by having one's own great power can one avoid being bullied.

But to reach that point, a Short Staff alone isn't enough; only by cultivating Secret Martial Arts and breaking human limits can infinite possibilities arise.

At present, the only way Jiang Cheng can access Secret Martial Arts is through the Martial Arts Hall.

Senior Brother Zeng once said that if one could defeat him using Staff Method, he would inform the Gym Master and have the master guide him.

Then there would definitely be a chance to encounter Secret Martial Arts, though whether the wish could be fulfilled was uncertain. In fact, perhaps someone in the Poor District hoards such things, but finding them would be like searching for a needle in the ocean.

Jiang Cheng took a deep breath.

Anyway, this isn't something that can be achieved overnight; it takes time, so take it slowly.

But right now there's one thing he can do.

That is, kill those bastards of Jiang Xiong!

Having achieved Mastery with Double Staff, he now has a deeper understanding of it; not even a handful of thugs, even ten Wild Wolf Gang members brandishing Watermelon Knives, can intimidate him.

If he wants to do it cleanly, he could just rush over now, in broad daylight, and kill those people.

But if that happens, it's fine if no one sees, yet being seen would be another story; the Martial Arts Hall might not shield him like last time.

So, to be safe, he'll act at night; the Wild Wolf Gang just finished collecting money, and those who can't pay either fled or were beaten into helplessness, making the Poor District's night calmer than the previous two days.

If he's masked, even if seen, he needn't worry about being recognized. Thinking this, Jiang Cheng's mouth curled into a cold grin.

No wonder they call it a moonless murder night, a windy fire‑setting day. Though there's no moon here, the daytime star is neither the sun nor anything else.

In the afternoon, the street had a few more pedestrians.

A few Wild Wolf Gang members still lingered around, and whenever a cart‑pushing vendor appeared, they'd immediately go to check the license plates.

One or two bold ones who tried to fish in troubled waters were beaten outright, and their carts were smashed.

After noticing Jiang Cheng's arrival, the few exchanged a knowing smile.

They had learned from Wei Bao the boy's residence, discovering that besides him there was an Old Man at home; oddly, the door was locked—though perhaps the person was inside; the elderly often lock themselves in.

Anyway, in a few days when they leave, they'll send the boy off with his Grandma.

Jiang Cheng ignored their stares and returned to his stall to busily work.

An afternoon passed, and night fell.

Jiang Cheng tallied his earnings—about five hundred yuan—and a smile appeared on his face.

Borrowing 2,000 from Chen Sao and the Martial Arts Hall's 5,000 for next month, the 7,000 yuan must be saved.

If we can keep this up every day from now on, we'll have enough in less than half a month, and we'll also save a fair amount of money to improve our lives.

After getting home, I ate dinner, then glanced outside through the window—the sky had already turned completely dark.

Jiang Cheng rested a moment, stretched his body a bit, then took out the two iron staffs he had bought a couple of days earlier.

They're about the same length as the wooden stick I used before, but the weight is several times greater—three or four catties—and they feel heavy in hand.

Jiang Cheng hid the two iron staffs, saw that no one was outside, opened the door, stepped out and locked it, then headed toward the place where Jiang Xiong and the others were.

As he walked, he pulled a mask from his pocket—one that only exposed the eyes and mouth—and put it on.

All was silent.

Only the faint sound of Jiang Cheng's footsteps on the ground could be heard.

As the distance closed, Jiang Cheng's heart grew increasingly tense, his body trembling slightly.

"Those guys probably aren't asleep that early. Even if the courtyard gate is locked, it's no problem—the wall isn't high, we can climb over, but if the room door is locked, it'll be tricky."

"If luck's bad, I'll come earlier tomorrow—take out one if I can; anyway, they don't know who I am."

Jiang Cheng was thinking about that when he suddenly heard a noise; he quickly stopped, pressed himself against the wall, and looked ahead.

Just over ten meters away was the courtyard where Jiang Xiong and the others were staying.

But they didn't seem to be asleep; the courtyard gate was ajar, light spilling out, and noisy sounds kept coming from inside.

(End of chapter)