Refusing a Toast Only to Drink a Forfeit

Refusing a Toast Only to Drink a Forfeit

"Someone, go with Captain Liu to his residence and collect the money." Zhou Shan immediately said, "Why aren't you thanking Captain Liu? Suppressing bandits was our duty to begin with. Since the Iron Palm Gang colluded with Horse Bandits, and I uncovered it, naturally I couldn't stand by and do nothing. Captain Liu, you're far too generous—actually willing to pay out of your own pocket to reward the brothers with five thousand taels of silver.

What are you all still standing around for? Hurry and thank Captain Liu.

Bring a few men and go to Captain Liu's residence to collect the money."

"Many thanks, Captain Liu!"

"Captain Liu is truly generous."

"Come on, let's go to Captain Liu's residence and collect the silver."

Upon hearing Zhou Shan's order, He Yong and the other five centurions stepped forward with smiles to offer their thanks.

Of course they understood what Zhou Shan meant.

The moment Captain Liu arrived, he wanted to swallow all the Iron Palm Gang's wealth, offering them only five thousand taels. His appetite was far too large. Not only was Zhou Shan unhappy about it—they were unhappy as well.

At the very least, it should have been split evenly.

That was what the five centurions thought.

If Zhou Shan had known what they were thinking, he could only have said they were being far too conservative.

What even split? That bastard Captain Liu wouldn't get a single copper coin.

"Wait, wait. Captain Zhou, did you hear me wrong?" Captain Liu immediately said. "What I meant was that five thousand taels would be taken from the stolen silver confiscated from the Iron Palm Gang, as thanks to Captain Zhou and all the brothers—not taken from my residence."

"I heard you just fine," Zhou Shan said. "If Captain Liu wishes to thank us, then the silver comes from your residence. As for the silver here, you won't take away a single coin."

"Captain Zhou, surely you're joking with me."

At those words, Captain Liu's expression immediately darkened.

With the matter laid out so plainly, how could he fail to understand Zhou Shan's meaning?

"When have I been joking? If anyone started the joke, it was you, Captain Liu." Zhou Shan said calmly, "Whether it was the Horse Bandits who plundered merchant caravans, or the Iron Palm Gang that committed every evil and preyed upon the people, I led the men who wiped them out. You had nothing whatsoever to do with it.

Now that it's time to tally the spoils, you came running over all eager and excited. If you had spoken to me politely, then for the sake of us both being members of the Black Armored Army—and since Ye County is under your jurisdiction—I wouldn't have minded letting you sip a little soup.

But the moment you arrived, you wanted to pick the peaches, claim the Iron Palm Gang's wealth for yourself, and dismiss me with five thousand taels?

Then I'm sorry, but I won't give you even a single copper coin."

"You presumptuous—"

Captain Liu had not expected Zhou Shan to give him so little face, nor to make his words so unpleasant.

Rebuked before so many people, Captain Liu felt his face burn as though he had been slapped again and again. Boundless fury immediately surged into his eyes as he said coldly, "You said it yourself—Ye County is my jurisdiction. Without my orders, don't even think about taking this silver out of the city."

"Oh? Then go ahead and try. Let's see whether you can stop me."

Zhou Shan's expression turned cold as well.

"Fine! Then I'd like to see just how many pounds and ounces a brat like you has."

The fury in Captain Liu's heart could no longer be suppressed. He practically roared the words.

At the same time, a powerful aura erupted from Captain Liu and bore down on Zhou Shan.

"What are you shouting for? Just because your voice is loud, you think you can lose your temper? Want me to get you a loudspeaker so you can roar? Do you think you've cultivated Lion's Roar?" Zhou Shan shouted. "If you've got the guts, then try making a move."

As he spoke, Zhou Shan also unleashed a powerful aura.

Facing Captain Liu's oppressive aura, Zhou Shan showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he turned around and suppressed Captain Liu.

The atmosphere instantly became taut as drawn bows.

"Calm down, my lords, calm down."

"We're all colleagues. There's no need to harm our goodwill over such a small matter."

"That's right. We're all members of the Black Armored Army. Whatever it is, it can be discussed. There's no need to get angry."

"How about this? Why don't we split the Iron Palm Gang's wealth equally?"

At that moment, the centurions from both sides stepped forward to mediate.

By the usual course of events, at this point both sides should have taken a step back.

In their eyes, Zhou Shan and Captain Liu had argued until their faces were red, even seeming ready to draw swords against each other, all because they wanted to fight for greater benefits. They would not truly come to blows over this.

"There's nothing to discuss." Zhou Shan said calmly, "My words have always been a spit and a nail. Since I said I wouldn't give Captain Liu a single copper coin, then he shouldn't dream of taking anything from me."

"What?"

The moment those words were spoken, not only were Captain Liu's men bewildered, even He Yong and the other centurions were somewhat at a loss. They all looked at Zhou Shan with confusion in their eyes.

They had thought Zhou Shan's earlier words were merely meant to secure greater benefits.

They had not expected him to be serious.

"This... really is not playing by the usual script."

He Yong and the others exchanged glances, utterly unable to fathom Zhou Shan's thoughts.

Zhou Shan was still young. He was hot-blooded and youthful, and did not understand compromise.

The martial world was not about fighting and killing; the martial world was about human feelings and worldly dealings.

"Damn it, Zhou Shan, don't think I'm really afraid of you."

Seeing that Zhou Shan was impervious to oil and salt, Captain Liu shouted furiously.

"Fuck you! You were the one who acted shamelessly first, yet you still dare to open your mouth and curse me? You dog bastard who refuses courtesy only to demand more—if I don't teach you a lesson today, my surname isn't Zhou. Get the hell out of my sight at once!"

Zhou Shan roared.

With things having reached this point, there was no need for Zhou Shan to keep wrangling and trading insults with Captain Liu. Cursing him ten thousand times would not feel nearly as satisfying or vent his anger as beating him up.

As his words fell, Zhou Shan immediately charged at Captain Liu.

"You think I'm afraid of you?"

Captain Liu bellowed as well, immediately circulating his cultivation and striking out with a palm.

Boom!

The two figures immediately collided.

Right after that, one figure flew out of the main hall like a ball and crashed heavily to the ground more than ten meters away.

This time, Zhou Shan had not held back. The seventy-four years of cultivation from his Golden Bell Shield erupted in full, along with the cultivation of Eagle Claw Iron Shirt. Though the cultivation of the two techniques could not be added together, unleashing them simultaneously still greatly increased their power. He was not far off from a martial artist with Hundred Years of Cultivation.

Although Captain Liu was a peak first-rate martial artist, he was crushed in a single move and directly knocked unconscious. Even after waking, he would need two or three months of recuperation before he could fight again.

More importantly, he had suffered internal injuries. To recover completely, he would likely need at least half a year to a year.

"What are you still standing there for? Hurry and carry your Captain Liu away to find a doctor and save him. If you're too late, I'm afraid he can't be saved."

Looking at the unconscious Captain Liu, Zhou Shan dusted off his hands and said blandly to the men Captain Liu had brought.