Chapter 187: with translation of chapter title

Xu Zengyi's complexion looked a little better than before, but he still appeared gloomy and emaciated, like a demon that had crawled out of a dark cave.

Even if he did nothing, just that face of his could become a nightmare for the nearby children.

At first glance, he looks like an unforgivable villain.

As soon as he saw Chen Wuji, he complained that Chen Wuji hadn't sent him any yellow weasels for several days, and he was running out of food. He already looked sinister, and saying something like that with a straight face made him utterly a demonic heretic.

"Lately there's been too much going on; I haven't been up the mountain for several days." Chen Wuji said helplessly.

Xu Zengyi joked, "You're a hunter, yet you're not hunting—what are you busy with?"

Yang Tiejiang chuckled, "He's busy picking a fight with the Zhang Family."

Xu Zengyi was somewhat surprised, "The Zhang Family? The biggest Zhang clan in town?"

"Yes."

Xu Zengyi laughed, "You kid, you're pretty tough—actually going toe‑to‑toe with the Zhang Family. If my information is correct, you won?"

"Although the Zhang Family indeed has some problems now, it can't yet be called my victory, and my role here is minor. But for now, this matter is considered over." Chen Wuji said.

Xu Zengyi gave a faint smile, and his gaze toward Chen Wuji suddenly acquired a different nuance.

He was so thin his cheeks looked like nothing but skin stretched over bone; when he smiled, though there was a hint of a smile, it felt more like the unsettling sense that I've taken a liking to you and you'd better lock your doors and windows at night.

Yang Tiejiang said wistfully, "This kid just finished a scrap with the Zhang Family, and now he's tangled with the Shi Family—yes, that Shi Family from Qingzhou you know."

Xu Zengyi's expression instantly became interesting, "You really can stir up trouble, huh?"

"Shopkeeper Xu, you're thinking too highly of me. Even if I were capable of causing trouble, I wouldn't want to provoke someone of that stature. Besides, I've always been a law‑abiding person; if others don't provoke me, I generally don't provoke them." Chen Wuji said helplessly.

Unless he's lost his mind, he wouldn't go provoking those people.

It's a pity, but living in this world, some things are truly beyond his control.

The saying "an innocent man is guilty for carrying a jade" is especially evident here.

The Shocking Heaven Thunder has attracted countless eyes, and Zhu Wei has set his sights on the recipe.

Nowadays, even something as simple to make as an iron pot, with extremely low imitation cost, the Yude Business Business Business would rather suppress him and have him hand these over obediently than copy the work.

It's no longer a question of whether this thing is complex or simple; they've simply grown accustomed to this way of doing things and don't want to waste more brains.

But having said that, stealing is indeed much faster than copying the work.

"Give us an idea, the people of the Yude Business Business Business are now in jail." Yang Tiejiang rose, refilled Shopkeeper Xu's teacup, and spoke with a touch of courtesy.

Although he scolded fiercely with his mouth, Chen Wuji could see that Lao Yang held Shopkeeper Xu in respect.

From the moment Shopkeeper Xu entered, he settled firmly into that seat, and Lao Yang naturally took over pouring tea and water, as if it were meant to be.

"Your conflict with the Yude Business Business Business is over the iron pot, right?" Shopkeeper Xu said, taking a light sip of tea.

Chen Wuji nodded, "Yes, they gave us two options, but neither I nor Lao Yang really wanted them. After a fight, we were temporarily thrown into the Xianya jail."

"Who came?" Shopkeeper Xu asked.

"An overseer from the Yude Business Business Business."

Xu Zengyi thought, "The Yude Business Business Business is nominally run by the Second Young Master of the Shi Family, but I've heard that the person truly controlling these enterprises behind the scenes is Lu Jinglve's eldest son, Lu Chuan."

"It's just a minor squabble, not a big deal—at most it would reach that Shi Family Second Young Master. For this matter, tell me how much benefit you want to gain, and I'll listen."

Chen Wuji looked at Yang Tiejiang.

Yang Tiejiang didn't speak; instead, he raised his hand to signal Chen Wuji to take the lead.

"I'm just a hunter; I don't like stirring up trouble. Lao Yang seems to prefer earning silver these days and has no intention of fighting to the death with those big shots." Chen Wuji said.

Xu Zengyi gave a faint smile, "Just apologize and make amends—hand over your business to the Shi Family Second Young Master, play up your grievance, and he'll surely uphold justice for you; you can drag that bullying overseer back like a dead dog."

"It's precisely because I don't want to be forced into talking about this so‑called business that today's conflict arose." Chen Wuji shook his head, "I don't like apologizing under these circumstances."

Xu Zengyi smiled even more broadly, "So… you want to take on the Shi Family?"

"Not really." Chen Wuji shook his head with a wry laugh, "Shopkeeper Xu, you may think highly of Lao Yang, but don't overestimate me—I'm timid and afraid of trouble, yet I also don't want to be ridden roughshod over, forced to do things I dislike."

"You don't even believe that yourself, yet you're telling me—you kid, you're being a bit dishonest." Xu Zengyi stretched his body and suddenly gave a mocking chuckle.

"In the Nan Jun region, previous officials, no matter their rank, never dared to engage in such blatant extortion, but these last two terms have started bringing in the bad habits they picked up elsewhere, and because this area is chaotic, it's only gotten worse."

"You want my advice? My advice is… to kill them."

Chen Wuji raised his eyelids slightly—so blunt and direct, is that really okay?

"You two personally take your pots to see the Shi Family Second Young Master, discuss cooperation, and meanwhile, just find someone to kill his lackeys." Xu Zengyi added, apparently fearing Yang Tiejiang and Chen Wuji might not understand, and gave a full explanation.

Chen Wuji grasped his idea, and his eyes lit up.

That move is a bit ruthless.

But, it does feel satisfying.

"We have an alibi, so the Shi Family Second Young Master can't legally touch us, but he'll surely guess it was us—slapping him in the face like this will surely make him angry." Chen Wuji said.

Xu Zengyi didn't care, "If he's angry, it means it didn't hurt—then give him another round! Keep at it until he swallows his anger himself; they may have power and influence, but you're not without power and influence either!"

Chen Wuji clasped his fists, "Listening to one word from Shopkeeper Xu is worth ten years of study."

Xu Zengyi's plan is simple, but also vicious.

"Keep your composure; they seize by force and use power to suppress, but this first round looks like you've won—at least give them a slight chance to strike back." Xu Zengyi said lightly.

Chen Wuji nodded, "I also feel we should act right away, but the timing seems a bit insufficient."

Yang Tiejiang drooped his eyelids, his expression grave, "So are we now going to go to war with the Shi Family?"

Chen Wuji, Xu Zengyi:???

What is he saying?