Chapter 48

During this time.

The title "Incomparably Righteous Jade公子" had spread far and wide; even if Chi Hu hadn't deliberately inquired, he'd still heard plenty of rumors.

It's not unheard of for a Fist Master to rise to Head Boss.

But how long has Ye Tian been in Linshui City? First, he leapt three levels—directly from outer sect member to Fist Master, then from Fist Master to Head Boss—too fast.

Add to that the title "Incomparably Righteous."

Regardless of whether some sneered and thought Ye Tian's title was fake.

But undeniably, the name "Incomparably Righteous" was highly popular among the younger generation; everyone recognized it.

Chi Hu's words.

Caused the surrounding brothers to exchange glances, then all turned to look seriously at him.

"Boss, tell us what to do."

"We follow you."

,,,

"No follow-up?"

He'd expected this outcome; after hearing Mei Yongning's account, Ye Tian's face wore a look of unmistakable regret.

"..."

Do you think this is a play?

Mei Yongning also looked utterly exasperated.

"For now, that's all—Lei Tang hasn't reacted, and after returning to his territory, Chi Hu hasn't made any moves either. But I know Chi Hu—he's not the type to hold anger inside."

His silence now is suspicious.

If Chi Hu had returned and flown into a rage, smashing things, that would've been normal.

The quieter he is now, the more trouble is likely brewing—he's probably holding back something big.

"Our Brother Lei really has a big heart—he actually thinks everyone will fear him and obey him?"

This isn't the first time he's been dealt with.

Lei Tang's intentions, Ye Tian could guess easily.

Does he really think his status alone ensures none of his subordinates harbor dissent? Too much comfort—he's lost even basic vigilance.

"Boss, what should we do?"

Mei Yongning looked curiously at Ye Tian.

"Don't rush," Ye Tian waved his hand, cutting off Mei Yongning's words.

"This fire hasn't reached its peak yet. Wait a little longer—let it burn a bit more."

Ye Tian was curious: after suffering such a heavy blow, was Chi Hu truly surrendering—or plotting something?

"Understood!"

Mei Yongning was naturally clever.

Hearing Ye Tian say this, he naturally understood the meaning, nodded in response, stopped pressing the matter, and prepared to bring up something else.

"W-who are you? Stop! Stop right there!"

Just then.

Xiao Cao's voice came from outside; usually, when nothing was happening, Xiao Cao did chores inside the mansion. Though Ye Tian hadn't specifically instructed her, she seemed to enjoy it herself.

Ye Tian hadn't tried to persuade her.

But after so long, Xiao Cao's courage still hadn't improved much.

At the sight of even slightly intimidating people, she'd immediately stammer.

"Get lost!"

The next moment, they saw.

Xiao Cao's frail figure shoved in from outside, stumbling to the ground, her hands scraped bloody.

This sight made Ye Tian narrow his eyes, his expression turning dangerous.

"You're Jade公子 Ye Tian?"

The leader was an old man, about sixty or seventy, leaning on a cane, flanked by several young strong men—the one who had shoved Xiao Cao was one of them.

"Let me introduce myself first, old man is..."

"No need for introductions yet—there's something else to do first."

"???"

Ye Tian's words made Wang Tai pause.

Then they saw Ye Tian raise his hand and gesture to Tie Quan beside him.

"Go—break the hand that pushed her."

As he spoke, he pointed at the young strong man who had shoved Xiao Cao.

"?"

Noticing Ye Tian's gaze, the man also froze—he hadn't expected Ye Tian to be so blunt.

Then, far from fearing him, he grew angry.

"Don't you dare look down on me—I was already in the Jianghu when you were still playing in the mud!"

After decades in the Jianghu, how could he be so easily intimidated?

After receiving Ye Tian's order, Tie Quan walked silently toward the young strong man, ignoring his angry expression.

"You damn—"

The young strong man, feeling insulted, lunged forward with a punch first.

Then!

Boom!

Iron Fist swung his fist again; with the clash, a sharp crack echoed, and the young man's hand bones snapped out of place.

The name "Iron Fist" isn't given lightly.

"Wait!"

Wang Tai didn't shout when they were about to fight, but seeing his man losing ground, he quickly called out.

But Wang Tai's words couldn't command Iron Fist.

He grabbed the wrist and smashed down with the other hand.

Crack!

The entire arm twisted grotesquely.

"Ahh!"

While the man screamed in pain, Iron Fist seized his other arm.

Can't remember which hand pushed Xiao Cao? Then break both.

"I..."

At that moment, Xiao Cao had already gotten up and returned to Ye Tian's side, his expression still meek as ever.

The next instant, Ye Tian raised his hand and rubbed Xiao Cao's hair.

"Don't worry—no one bullies my people."

The confidence in his tone left Xiao Cao stunned for a long moment.

Then he nodded firmly.

"Mm!"

His gaze toward Ye Tian grew even stronger with that inexplicable emotion.

,,,

"Can we start talking now?"

Watching his two ruined hands, Wang Tai suppressed his rage and stopped those around him from moving.

He stared coldly at Ye Tian.

"You'd better explain who you are first—after all, not everyone has the right to speak with me."

"..."

Originally, bursting into Ye Tian's mansion was meant to give him a stern warning; though Ye Tian's reputation was now high, Wang Tai had spent decades in the Jianghu—he was, in a sense, Ye Tian's senior.

Isn't it natural to assert one's senior status?

But he hadn't expected Ye Tian to show him such disrespect—instead of delivering a warning, he'd lost one of his men.

After several deep breaths, Wang Tai finally calmed himself.

"I am Wang Tai, Bāngzhǔ of the North City Wang Family Gang. Have you heard of Zhuī Yá?"

Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain.

Wang Family Gang?

Ye Tian's expression remained calm—he'd expected this, so it didn't surprise him.

"Zhuī Yá? Of course I know him. My men—what do they want with him?"

He made it plain he was pretending ignorance.

He'd thought his status would make Ye Tian hesitate, but Ye Tian's demeanor made Wang Tai realize: if he demanded Zhuī Yá be handed over, he'd only humiliate himself.

"I won't trouble Zhuī Yá—but the money he took when he left the Wang Family Gang must be returned."

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