Vicious Scoundrel Takes Advantage of the Fire

Zhou You had been unconscious for a full five days, and during that time, no news had come from him.

At the Martial Arts School, Fang Guiqi's exposure as a Phantom had caused a stir. Afterward, the apprentices were strictly ordered to keep silent, forbidden from leaking even a single word.

Five days was enough time for many changes to occur in the outside world.

For instance, the current major event: Tu Laosan believed he had failed and was taking the opportunity to counterattack the old Zhou family.

"Fugui, do you know about Shan Wa's family?"

The news of Shan Wa's family being burned to death by the Wild Fox Gang had already spread through every street and alley.

This was the consequence of offending the Wild Fox Gang.

Song Fugui gritted his teeth and nodded. "So what if I know? At worst, my entire family will move out of the city."

His family had connections outside the city as well. Even if they left Gongliang City, they could still make a living selling oil in the countryside.

"Good brother, you don't have to go."

Zhou You patted his shoulder. "All the oil spilled today is on me."

After speaking, Zhou You stepped out, kicking up a gust of wind from flat ground.

Song Fugui's vision blurred as a strong wind hit his face, and he immediately lost sight of Zhou You.

"So fast?"

Thinking of the Wild Fox Gang's cruel methods, Song Fugui's mood became somewhat dejected, and he lowered his head to tidy up the scattered oil carrying poles.

He felt a bit uneasy in his heart. His father would definitely blame him if he knew he had been so impulsive.

Getting involved with a gang for a friend, causing his entire family to flee the city in a panic, was too foolish.

However, Song Fugui didn't regret it!

He had inherited his father's shrewd business acumen and a bit of a calculating nature, but after joining the Martial Arts School to train, his mindset had changed. In this chaotic world, ordinary people had to rely on the strong to survive.

Zhou You was the potential asset he had chosen. He believed in his own judgment.

The current investment would surely yield generous returns in the future.

Widow Li tightly gripped her rag, too nervous to speak.

She saw the scene in front of the old Zhou family's house: a large group of Wild Fox Gang thugs shouting and cursing, spewing obscenities, and throwing stones.

The ground in front of the door was full of potholes and covered in foul-smelling waste.

The old Zhou couple were both hiding inside, afraid to come out.

But how long could a wooden door hold? It was only a matter of time before the Wild Fox Gang broke it down and barged in.

Not long ago, Tu Laosan had brought his men to cause trouble, claiming that Zhou You was seriously injured and the Martial Arts School would not protect their family.

The neighbors hadn't believed it at first, but as the commotion continued without any intervention, they started to wonder.

"Could it be that Zhou You is really injured and dead?"

As Widow Li was lost in thought, two uninvited guests at her stall urged her on.

"Pour another pot of wine. Boss lady, what are you spacing out for?"

Two burly men sat at the stall, their knuckles calloused, their eyes bloodshot and filled with murderous intent.

They were experts from the Wild Fox Gang, accompanying Tu Laosan to provide backup.

Widow Li noticed that Tu Laosan was very polite to both of them, inviting them to sit at the wine stall to rest and have a drink.

These two were there to back Tu Laosan up.

"G-guests, coming right up."

Widow Li's hands trembled uncontrollably. She remembered Shan Wa's family being burned to death and felt as if she could already smell the scorched odor.

With Zhou You gone, wouldn't the old Zhou family be facing the same fate?

The two big men at the stall, named Wu Gang and Du Dayou, were experts from the Wild Fox Gang.

They were under Tu Lao Er's command and were the gang's fierce generals, possessing strength at the Internal Force level.

The two were sent by Tu Lao Er to protect his younger brother but were brought here to provide support.

"Such a fuss over a common family. Tu Laosan is truly useless."

Wu Gang shook his head. He was completely convinced by Tu Lao Er but held his younger brother in contempt.

He was a good-for-nothing, only good for eating, drinking, and having fun.

Du Dayou agreed wholeheartedly, nodding as he downed a bowl of rice wine. His gaze fell on Widow Li, turning greedy.

Wu Gang saw his actions and immediately stopped him. "Don't cause trouble. This woman's lover is a constable."

"So what if he's a constable?"

Du Dayou grumbled a few times but ultimately did not lay a hand on Widow Li.

Wu Gang watched for a moment longer, then whispered to Du Dayou, "The subordinates couldn't get any information earlier. They said the Jianxiong Martial Arts School was keeping a tight watch and no news had leaked out."

"The outer courtyard apprentices have all been silenced; not a single word can get out."

"There was one clever kid, though. He bribed a servant from the kitchen's procurement department, and that's how we got the information."

"This family's son, the one who joined the Martial Arts School for protection, Zhou You, is now bedridden with a serious illness. He can't even walk, let alone practice boxing."

Wu Gang said this with some admiration, "A mere commoner, knowing to seek survival in death, using the Martial Arts School to keep our gang in check—he's quite a promising talent. If given the chance, he could very well achieve something significant."

"Unfortunately, fate plays cruel tricks."

"The kitchen servant said there was a conflict in the outer courtyard. One person died, and one was injured. The injured one was Zhou You."

Du Dayou slapped his thigh upon hearing this, "That's right, it's him. He's already severely injured without even cultivating Internal Force. There's no hope for him now."

"Exactly. Tu Laosan thinks the same way and couldn't wait to bring his men over."

Wu Gang stared expressionlessly at the entrance of the old Zhou family's house, where the wooden plaque representing the Jianxiong Martial Arts School was hanging precariously.

"Once the deadline passes, the Martial Arts School will expel Zhou You and take back the plaque. My men will receive their orders and act. This family is doomed."

Hearing that it was another family annihilation job, Du Dayou yawned, "A small matter. You don't even need us for this."

Two old folks and an injured son, without the protection of a major power, a few gang members could easily kill their entire family.

"Sigh, it's been a bit unstable in the city lately. Outsiders are getting restless, and Second Master is worried about his brother."

"Second Master has been agonizing over this thing. If I had such a useless brother, I'd strangle him myself to find some peace."

Du Dayou finished his wine and urged Widow Li, "Another pot of wine. Your wine is too watered down, it doesn't last."

There was no response, as Widow Li's gaze was vacant, frozen as she stared in a certain direction.

"Little Zhou is back."

The figure returning from the street was none other than the son of the old Zhou family.

"Third Master, we can't use fire."

A gang member looked troubled, pointing at the plaque hanging at the entrance.

"Second Master said not to touch the Martial Arts School's plaque at all. The brothers dare not cause trouble."

Despite the noisy shouting of the surrounding gang members, they all stopped at the entrance, not daring to step forward.

Stones, cow dung, and the like were all thrown, carefully avoiding the plaque, scattering randomly on the ground and walls.

The fundamental reason was the deterrent effect of the Jianxiong Martial Arts School's name, which allowed the old Zhou couple to remain safe and sound until now.

"This is troublesome. Why hasn't the Martial Arts School come to retrieve the plaque yet?"

Tu Laosan had ordered his men to set a fire to smoke out the old Zhou couple, but the subordinates were afraid of damaging the plaque and didn't dare to act.

He was cruel and somewhat volatile, and was about to lose his temper.

He heard a gang member's exclamation, "Someone from the Martial Arts School is here."

Finally, they've arrived. Once these people take back the plaque, he could unleash his killing spree.

Tu Laosan breathed a sigh of relief, then heard, "It's not another apprentice, it's the son of the old Zhou family! How did he get back?"

He was clearly bedridden with severe injuries, so how could he appear to be walking as fast as the wind and be perfectly healthy?