[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son":3,"chapter-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-57":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Am the Xu Family's Son",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2307835,4510,"Chapter 57: Fearsome Reputation [Thank You to Our Patrons]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-57",57,"\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing leaned back hard, and soon the three of them were pressed against the side of a roadside gatehouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This reduced the chance of being attacked from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several men drew closer to Xu Zaijing, blades hidden at their wrists now held in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Weapons! Weapons!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp-eyed passerby shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd’s loud cries caused others to scramble away, clearing a small patch of empty space beside Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a burly woman yelled,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let go of my girl!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lunged to grab the maid beside Xu Pingmei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two burly men advanced swiftly toward Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brat, I’ll kill you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, the two surrounded him and attacked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman kept tugging at Xu Pingmei, but was stabbed multiple times by the hairpin in Pingmei’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had done this kind of thing for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boy Xu Zaijing’s age, seeing the knives and hearing the curses, might have wet himself or frozen in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wouldn’t use the silent, ruthless tactics meant for masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yelling was useless against masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them, shouting threats, swung his blade toward Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Zaijing had trained daily for years—he already carried a tiger within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He possessed martial skill, yet could not fully unleash it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had not yet reached the state of gently smelling roses; he only thought of wind howling through forests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he wanted to strike with full force, his master’s daily reminders cooled him for an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that brief pause, Xu Zaijing kicked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thug’s shin bent at an impossible angle; his own hand, gripping the blade, was driven backward into his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing’s strength was beyond his resistance—his eyes filled with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His companion was kicked in the kidneys, flung sideways through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men lost mobility instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s knee, hidden beneath her skirt, was shattered by Xu Zaijing’s kick, twisting her body as she collapsed with a pig-like scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those nearby didn’t even see how Xu Zaijing moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disparity in size was immense, yet the outcome was astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four seconds, less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man flung through the air spat blood, tears welling in his eyes from pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My waist is broken! My hand’s stuck! Retreat! Damn bastards!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man whose blade had pierced his own shoulder was pinned to the ground by Xu Zaijing’s foot, immobile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Help me!! Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shin had twisted when he fell, losing balance; when he hit the ground, the blade had driven deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now pinned by Xu Zaijing’s foot on his shoulder, he couldn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five nearby men fell into chaotic command—two rushed to help the wounded, while three charged Xu Zaijing head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One woman went to support the crippled woman with the broken leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shifted his foot slightly and kicked the fallen man beside him like a ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slammed into the three charging men, knocking them down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Xu Zaijing turned instantly toward a boy nearby, roughly his own age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years of training had forged his spirit and aura; with a low roar,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the boy was frozen in shock—his knife dropped to the ground from the sheer terror of Xu Zaijing’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing was about to step forward when the boy collapsed in fright, scrambling desperately into the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing had more brutal, direct techniques—throat strikes, groin kicks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in that instant, he felt the presence of his sister behind him, and the looming wedding date of his elder brother—he held back the bloodiest kills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mostly injured them—yes, left them paralyzed, missing limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing never left his sister’s side to pursue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gang knew they couldn’t win; dragging their three crippled men, they shoved through the crowd and vanished into a dim alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, City Patrol soldiers were already blowing bamboo whistles, rushing to restore order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they moved against the tide, taking one step forward, three steps back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All this had happened in under a minute; when Qingyun arrived, the gang was already dragging their wounded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pah! Worthy of flaying, filth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pingmei clutched the hairpin in her bun and spat curses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wealthy resident of Bianjing called out: “Young lady, unshaken in danger—what courage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the crowd began praising in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What bravery, miss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder she’s a noble daughter of Bianjing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder which family she’s from—if she’s not betrothed, I’ll send a matchmaker to my son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master, impressive skill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master, tremendous strength!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Xu Minghua and Sun Shi finally pushed through the crowd to reach the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua quickly bowed to the surrounding residents and onlookers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you all for your righteous aid! Thank you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency has raised fine children—truly admirable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t this Marquis Xu of Quyuanjie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis Xu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi gripped Xu Anmei tightly with one hand, her face pale as she asked her daughter and son if they were hurt—within a few sentences, tears filled her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua ordered the household retainers to distribute silver and gold as thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the City Patrol soldiers arrived; concerned residents pointed out the fleeing gang’s trail, and the troops gave chase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this incident, the Xu family lost all desire to continue strolling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They returned to the Xu Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet that night, the event became the talk of Bianjing households.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many claimed they had been right beside the Xu family, crushed against the roadside by the crowd, witnessing the whole thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the encouragement of those with ulterior motives,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the attack was spun as thieves lusting after the beauty of Marquis Xu’s eldest daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They claimed Xu Pingmei was a seductress with eyes that lured men, and the attackers had been bewitched by her beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some righteous passersby loudly denounced such nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Bianjing residents had seen with their own eyes how Xu’s eldest daughter stood firm, drew her hairpin to defend herself, and cursed the thieves—she was truly a virtuous woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others had received gifts from the Marquis—this was a bragging point worth boasting about! (How impressive!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passersby challenged the man who called Xu’s daughter a seductress: “Where did this happen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stammered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he covered his face and fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>City Patrol soldiers questioned their night-shift comrades, asking what they had seen and heard; when they heard Xu Zaijing, a boy of such tender years, had disabled nearly five adults in two breaths, they found it unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It became a sensational rumor, twisted with each telling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long time afterward, Xu Zaijing’s fearsome reputation spread among Bianjing’s military ranks, though most disbelieved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boy of twelve or thirteen disabling five adults? You’re pulling our legs! As the tale spread, no one remembered the “two breaths” part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps they thought the lie too outrageous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days after the Lantern Festival,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>at the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion, Madam Chang was speaking with Bai Shi about the festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, some heartless family must’ve wanted to ruin Ping’s reputation! Thank heaven Jing-ge protected his sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly terrifying—did they catch the thieves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Chang whispered: “I heard the authorities pressed hard—several constables were beaten with sticks. The culprits were found quickly—in a passenger boat in the city. They say they all…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Shi’s eyes darted as she drew a sharp breath: “Eliminated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Bai Wanshu had come to Bianjing and, upon Madam Chang’s advice, recounted a few of his early violent tales to Bai Shi,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Bai was no longer the timid little rabbit she once was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard there was even a child, over ten years old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Bianjing appears full of prosperity, but no one knows how many wolves, tigers, and beasts lurk in the shadows, sharpening their teeth and licking their claws.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter reached the ears of the Emperor and Empress of Great Zhou, and palace ladies turned it into gossip; by the third day after the incident,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lantern Festival continued, and news of Xu family’s eldest daughter spread further across Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress issued an imperial edict to reward and commend Xu family’s eldest daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch delivering the edict deliberately passed through the busiest, most prosperous stretch of the Imperial Street, while the accompanying imperial guards shouted loudly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress’s edict: Commending Xu family’s eldest daughter—for facing bandits without fear, brave, resolute, virtuous, and chaste. All bystanders, make way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Empress’s edict: Commending Xu family’s eldest daughter—for facing bandits without fear, brave, resolute, virtuous, and chaste. All bystanders, make way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing these words, the crowd parted, whispering among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Public opinion in Bianjing began to turn in favor of the Xu family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Residents near Quyuanjie spread word that the Duke of Qi had sent condolences and comfort, and the Lady of the Duke of Ying had sent tokens of approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The negative impact of the incident gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a tea gathering of noblewomen in Bianjing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing’s fierce protection of his sister—having beaten an adult to incapacity at age fifteen—earned him a reputation for brutality; some also said Xu Pingmei’s act of using her hairpin in self-defense was too aggressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke of Ling spoke ill:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such martial prowess—anyone marrying into the Xu family should think twice. A woman ought to be gentle and mild!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With a violent brother like that, if he so much as harms a hair on your head, won’t he come storming into your home?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daughter-in-law of the eldest branch of the Marquis of Zhennan chuckled behind her hand: \"Indeed, such a fierce woman—whose household could bear it? The husband’s authority would crumble~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(The current character relationship chart is posted in the book comments section—visible on Qq Reading, please visit Qidian to view. Readers may check it; if you wish to know about other characters, please leave a comment.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh ha!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1619,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","214cfda8ea78e23341d9646915c60ee255e58d399d9adf72b1a21b9b7b22b9b0","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-58","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-56",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]