Ruffians and Yamen Runners

Big Eyes, One Line Sky, and Chu Chong supported Fang Xuan until Zheng Juexiong and countless South Hall ruffians disappeared at the end of Ten Li Long Street. Only then did they withdraw their gazes and quickly looked at Fang Xuan with concern.

"Brother Xuan, are you alright?" Water Monkey quickly asked.

"I'm mostly fine, just need a few days to recover."

Fang Xuan shook his stinging hands, shook his head, and asked, "What about you guys?"

Hearing that Fang Xuan was fine, the four of them immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"We're fine." Big Eyes Chen Jingming, Water Monkey, and Chu Chong shook their heads.

"I'm also mostly fine, just got kicked by that guy Xie Han. I think my liver might be a little injured," One Line Sky said, grimacing slightly.

His mother's, the cut on his back from Li Laosan a few days ago hasn't even healed yet, and today he got his liver exploded by a kick.

Every time he gets injured, it's him. He's really unlucky!

After hearing that the others were all fine, the heavy weight in their hearts finally lifted.

"Brother Xuan, you crippled two major figures, Xie Han and Yu Zifu, one after another today, and even exchanged a move with Zheng Juexiong. Tomorrow, you'll definitely be famous throughout Pingjiang City!"

"Brother Xuan, since we won this battle, does that mean you're the East Hall Master now?"

"Wow, Brother Xuan, you were incredibly strong today!

What was that red film on your body earlier? Was it the blood energy film of an Entry Realm Martial Artist?"

The four of them chattered away, with Water Monkey praising first before asking.

Chu Chong didn't speak, just looked at Fang Xuan with a mix of disappointment and envy.

Fang Xuan entering the Entry Realm.

This meant that the gap between him and Fang Xuan had truly widened to an insurmountable level!

"A Xuan, ah no, I should call you Hall Master Fang now. Congratulations, congratulations!"

A hearty laugh rang out.

Fang Xuan looked to the side and saw a group of yamen runners led by Yang Zheng walking towards him with smiles on their faces.

"Yang Zheng, what are you doing coming out now? I'm warning you, don't cause trouble today!"

One Line Sky and Water Monkey looked at Yang Zheng with unfriendly expressions.

They strongly disliked Yang Zheng. Firstly, because no matter how you looked at it, the two sides were in opposition.

Secondly, they felt that Yang Zheng was extremely hypocritical and a sycophant, fawning over the powerful and stepping on the weak.

Seeing this, Yang Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said with a fake smile:

"This is the area I'm responsible for patrolling. I heard someone reported a group fight to the authorities, so of course I have to come and see what's going on."

Pausing, Yang Zheng raised his head and scanned the countless East Hall ruffians staring at him with unfriendly expressions. He stroked his chin and said:

"Each and every one of you is carrying guns and knives. Looking at this, I'm afraid it's not just a simple group armed brawl, but rather plotting..."

Before he could say the word 'rebellion'.

"Brother Yang, you jest. We are all common folk, we never engage in fighting and killing."

Fang Xuan smiled and interrupted Yang Zheng.

"Since you are good citizens, why are you gathered here? Disperse!"

Yang Zheng said with a forced smile.

However, the countless East Hall ruffians stood rooted to the spot, not moving an inch.

Just as Yang Zheng's expression was turning somewhat unpleasant,

Fang Xuan waved towards the crowd of East Hall ruffians and said with a smile:

"Can't you hear the yamen runner? We are good citizens, even watching a spectacle should be done separately, disperse!"

As his words fell.

"Yes! Master Fang!!!"

Hundreds of East Hall ruffians roared in unison, their voices like a mountain tsunami, deafening!

Yang Zheng and the yamen runners were startled by the sudden, unified roar, and their expressions became even more unpleasant.

After the hundreds of East Hall ruffians had all dispersed, Fang Xuan smiled and said:

"Brother Yang, the people under me are poor and ignorant, straight from the bamboo rafts. Please be understanding! In a few days, I will host a banquet and invite Brother Yang and the yamen runner brothers to drink and have fun! Don't worry, there will be plenty of fine wine and beautiful women, and everyone will receive a small gift!"

He paused, then Fang Xuan lowered his voice and said:

"Brother Yang, rest assured, the monthly tribute from the East Hall will remain unchanged, and I will add another ten percent from my personal pocket."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zheng's expression finally softened slightly. He gave Fang Xuan a meaningful look and said:

"A Xuan, when you are a man, you must not forget your original intentions. Don't get carried away just because you've achieved a little success. You must understand who the real boss in this world is right now!"

"Let's go!"

As his words fell, Yang Zheng and the others quickly left.

"Yes, I understand. Brothers, take care." Fang Xuan's smile remained unchanged as he watched them leave.

It wasn't until Yang Zheng and the others disappeared from sight that the smile on Fang Xuan's face slowly faded.

"Brother Xuan, should I find a way to get rid of him? This kid is clearly treating us like dogs!" A hint of ruthlessness flashed in One Line Sky's eyes.

"No need, it's not time yet."

Fang Xuan withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Yang Zheng is easy to kill, but it's hard to find another yamen runner as greedy, lustful, and without any bottom line as him."

"Ah?" One Line Sky nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

The crowd had all dispersed.

On the entire Ten Li Long Street, only Fang Xuan, One Line Sky, Water Monkey, Big Eyes Chen Jingming, and Chu Chong remained.

"Alright, now it's just the five of us brothers. After today, we can be considered to have made a name for ourselves in this Jianghu. How about a drink?"

Fang Xuan glanced at them and said with a smile.

"Hahaha, we definitely have to drink!"

"Let's go!"

"Speaking of which, it's been a while since us four brothers drank with Brother Xuan, hasn't it? Today, we must drink until we drop!"

The four men burst into laughter and strode into a wine shop.

The wine shop owner had been scared away long ago. Fang Xuan casually rummaged through the counter, pulled out a handful of broken silver, threw it down, and then reached for five jars of wine.

The tables and chairs the wine shop had placed on the street were already shattered from the fighting between the South Hall and East Hall ruffians. The five men didn't mind the dirt, directly sat down cross-legged, and drank the wine sip by sip.

"Wow, is this Diao Zi Red? Eight hundred copper coins a jar? I never thought I'd be able to drink such good wine in my life!"

Water Monkey shook the wine jar in his hand and said.

"Hahaha, look at how unpromising you are. From now on, the entire East of the City will be ours. You can drink as much as you want!"

One Line Sky teased.

The others also couldn't help but laugh.

Fang Xuan smiled and took a sip of wine, then put down the wine jar, his expression slightly serious as he said:

"After we take over the East Hall, there are a few things to pay attention to. First, don't make it impossible for the common people to live. To put it bluntly, we are just a group of people who profit by exploiting the common people. Don't be complacent and forget yourselves. Second, when we are in charge of the East Hall, not only can we not be arrogant and look down on others, we must be more restrained than before. Don't continue to act like tyrants and bully the market."

Water Monkey couldn't help but mutter, "Brother Xuan, wouldn't that be boring? We finally get to be the masters of this East Hall, and we can't even be arrogant on our own turf? Are we ruffians or great philanthropists?"

"You can't!"

Fang Xuan glared at Water Monkey and said, "If I hear any bad news about you, don't blame me for sending you back to the river to fish!"

Big Eyes Chen Jingming nodded from the side, deeply agreeing, "Brother Xuan is right. In this world, it seems like the common people depend on us and live by our breath, but in reality, we depend on the common people. Only when the common people are rich can we have money."

"Moreover, Hall Master Yu's lesson is right in front of us. If we act like tyrants one day and offend a big shot who happens to pass by unintentionally, how wronged would that be!"

Water Monkey looked at Big Eyes, then at Fang Xuan, and finally nodded helplessly, saying:

"Whatever Brother Xuan says, I'll do. Anyway, I've listened to Brother Xuan since I was a child."

"Mm." Fang Xuan nodded with satisfaction. "Third point..."

Time slowly passed.

After a few rounds of drinks, the few of them finally got up, preparing to go home and rest.

"A Ming!"

A clear female voice sounded. Fang Xuan looked up and saw a beautiful woman, about twenty years old, wearing a light yellow belted long dress, with a tall figure, walking towards them with a frosty expression.

Seeing the drunk Chen Jingming, who was still holding a wine jar, the beautiful woman snatched the wine jar from Chen Jingming's hand and smashed it to pieces. Her eyes turned red, and tears were faintly visible.