Chapter 182: I'll Teach You

"People of the Qinghe Cui clan?"

"Ha, I'm still of the Xingyang Zheng clan!"

Zheng Qing let out a snort, pointed at Wang Congwen and the others beside him, and said, "Which of us brothers isn't from a prestigious family?"

"Your young master isn't worth looking at."

He heard the words.

The middle‑aged man also sneered, "Do a few offshoots really think they're the main line?"

"My young master is indeed of the main line!"

"Do you even deserve to compare with my young master?"

With those words spoken,

Zheng Qing and the others' expressions instantly turned sour.

If they truly are the main line... these few of them really aren't worthy!

But they dared not gamble on whether the middle‑aged man's words were true; the risk was too great.

So the few fell silent, unsure what to say, and could only watch helplessly as the storyteller followed the middle‑aged man away.

The onlookers held their breath, daring not to exhale.

They couldn't get involved in the clash among these aristocratic youths, nor dare to; a slip would mean a death without a burial place!

It does, however, add a bit of gossip for future private chats.

Upstairs, Zheng Qing hammered the table hard, his face full of resentment: "Damn, such a shameful humiliation!"

"Brothers, are we just going to let this matter go like that?"

Wang Congwen tucked away the silver in his hand and whispered, "What if not?"

"He's right; we're merely offshoots, not the main line."

"We truly can't match his young master; endure a bit, take a step back and keep the peace."

"Today counts as our bad luck."

"Endure... I can't endure!" The man in front of Zheng Qing showed a fierce glint in his eyes:

"He may be great elsewhere, but on my turf he still dares such arrogance... then he'll have to eat some bitterness!"

"If this grudge isn't avenged, what face will we have? Let them laugh at us, and we'll walk away with our heads down!"

"Those willing to act, meet me at my place later for a private talk; those unwilling... keep it sealed, and if the secret leaks... I'll die before I become a scapegoat!"

"How about it?"

Upon hearing that, the few exchanged glances, and Zheng Qing with the two other men immediately nodded, "Fine!"

"Li brother, you're a real man!"

"Let's do it!"

The remaining two, Wang Congwen, shook his head: "I won't take part; you know, if my father finds out... I'm afraid I'll be beaten to death tonight!"

"Rest assured, Han brother and I will keep our mouths sealed; can you still trust our character?"

"Absolutely! I'm a modest household, truly can't take this risk; I ask you all... forgive me, forgive me."

Seeing them like that, Zheng Qing and the others didn't press further, just stood up and said, "If that's the case, we'll take the first step away."

"Farewell."

The group had barely gathered when they split up again.

Wang Congwen watched their backs and thought silently, "What nerve..."

"I won't accompany you."

Then he stood and said, "Han brother, shall we go out for a walk?"

The man surnamed Han nodded, "Sure."

The two left the teahouse.

Outside.

"Make way, make way!"

"If you don't want a flogging, don't block the road!"

On the street, a brocaded‑clad youth rode a high‑headed steed, careening wildly.

He brandished a long whip, cracking loudly, the tip drawing a fierce arc in the air.

Pedestrians scattered to avoid; anyone lagging received a hard lash.

Even with heavy winter clothes, a single lash forced a cry of pain, causing them to roll and crawl off the road.

They wanted to curse, but the youth's status made them shut up again, as if this wasn't the first time.

He took pride in the fearful gazes, laughing loudly as he urged his horse forward, until two figures appeared in view—one with a fierce visage, the other with an extraordinary bearing.

The youth instantly frowned, pointing his whip at the fierce‑faced man: "Where did that ugly freak come from? If you're ugly, don't come out to scare people!"

"Get lost!" He raised his hand and cracked the whip, paying no heed to the other.

In his eyes, common folk were no different from livestock—just one that could speak, the other that could not.

Just as the whip was about to strike, the person beside the fierce‑faced man suddenly raised a hand and precisely grabbed the tip of the whip!

"You!" the youth stammered, then tried hard to pull the whip back, only to find it welded to the other's hand, unmoving.

The man gave a slight tug—

"Ow!" the youth cried, tumbling off his horse and landing hard in the mud.

His chin scraped a bloody line on the stone slab, pain making him grit his teeth.

He struggled to rise, spitting a mouthful of blood, shouting angrily, "Who gave you the nerve to seize my horse‑whip?!"

The pedestrians on the street stopped to watch, yet none dared step forward.

Someone whispered:

The magistrate's son......

Now we've stirred up trouble......

The youth raised his head: "Do you know who I am? My father is the county magistrate! You lowly commoners, how dare you............"

Smack!

Yu Lin raised his hand and slapped his face to the side, smiling as he asked: "Then do you know who I am?"

The youth covered his face, unable to feel the pain, looking at him who showed no fear at all, his heart couldn't help but jump: "Who are you?!"

I am your ancestor.

Smack.

Yu Lin raised his hand and slapped the youth's other cheek until it swelled, satisfied: "Not bad, symmetrical now."

You, you, you!

Smack.

What 'you'?

I..... I......

Smack.

What 'me'? If I hit you, you just take it.

"............"

The youth dared not speak anymore, because his face had swollen into a pig's head; he turned and ran away bawling: "You guys wait for me!"

I'll go find my father, find my elder brother!

Yu Lin, instead of striking out to stop him, turned his head to the calm-faced Zhong Kui and asked:

Brother Zhong, aren't you afraid?

"No fear." Zhong Kui shook his head, speaking in a deep voice: "These days I've been teaching door-to-door, and I've actually made a few friends of all ages."

Not much worse than his father.

Such arrogance and domineering behavior deserves punishment! As for you, Brother Yu.

Your skills are extraordinary!

Seeing him look at him with deep meaning, Yu Lin shrugged: "Not bad, I know a little martial arts."

Shall I teach you?

Really?

Really.

Zhong Kui thanks Brother Yu!

Eh, no need, no need, we have fate, fate!

Yu Lin helped him up, pointed ahead:

Or we could go see that Wang Congwen.