"Damn it, is this the strength of an old Bone Forging Martial Artist? I lost." Xiao Tian was utterly unwilling to accept it. He had intended to show off, but instead Jinsha Gang had given him a humiliating blow. He had probably made his master lose face.
"Iron Cloth Skill is nothing special after all." Yang He shook his head and returned to his seat. As a martial arts fanatic, he felt somewhat unsatisfied. Xiao Tian had defended like a tortoise from beginning to end, leaving him without a satisfying fight.
The onlookers were all dumbstruck as well. Zhou Qiming had actually been right—Xiao Tian had not even lasted ten moves!
"At his age, he can actually match Qingfeng Hall Master blow for blow. The younger generation is truly formidable."
"Hall Master Yuan has taught himself a fine disciple. Xiao Tian will sooner or later become famous throughout County Town. He has surpassed his master."
"He's still lacking in age and real combat experience. The fact that he could fight Hall Master Yang to this extent is already something to be proud of."
When everyone came back to their senses, they did not look down on Iron Clothes Martial Arts School. Instead, they admired it even more and showered Xiao Tian with praise.
At this age, being able to contend with Yang He meant that Xiao Family would sooner or later nurture a Tendon Transformation Realm Martial Artist. Xiao Tian's future would certainly not end here. As for Yang He, he had no hope of breaking through again and could only serve as a stepping stone.
"He really lost? Brother Qiming is amazing." Chen Ping exclaimed, somewhat inappropriately.
Xiao Tian glared at Chen Ping in embarrassment and anger. A mere Restaurant Servant actually dared to slight and insult him.
Although he had lost to a Bone Forging Martial Artist like Yang He, Xiao Tian was not someone just anyone could discuss or judge—especially not a weakling like Chen Ping.
"Cut out your tongue and gouge out your eyes. I, Young Master Xiao, can let bygones be bygones." Xiao Tian's voice sank as he spoke coldly, filling the air with the stench of gunpowder.
"You—you... I didn't mean any harm." Chen Ping's expression changed, and he was scared witless. He hurriedly tried to explain.
Unfortunately, the life of someone as lowly and insignificant as him could only be held in another's hands. The more he explained, the paler and weaker his words became.
For a moment, all the other Restaurant Servants in the restaurant hurriedly moved away from Chen Ping, afraid of being dragged into it.
"For just one thoughtless remark, you want someone to gouge out his own eyes? That's going a little too far."
A domineering, confident voice rang out, shaking the entire scene once more. It was Zhou Qiming, stepping forward and meeting Xiao Tian's gaze. Their eyes collided like sparks flying.
"Brother Zhou, don't risk yourself for me. Xiao Tian isn't someone we can afford to offend."
Seeing the person standing in front of him, Chen Ping was deeply moved. Warmth filled his heart, but he was also extremely worried about Zhou Qiming. Given Xiao Tian's vengeful temperament, he certainly would not let either of them off.
After Zhou Qiming became a head chef, he had never looked down on his companion. Now, he was even risking Xiao Tian's enmity to speak up for him. Chen Ping was filled with gratitude.
"Who did I think it was? You think you're worthy of telling me what to do, or are you saying you want to have a bout?"
Xiao Tian flew into a rage and was about to strike down his opponent.
Losing to a powerful man like Yang He was not shameful. But being repeatedly judged and humiliated by ordinary people like Chen Ping and Zhou Qiming was intolerable.
If he did not make Zhou Qiming pay the price, how would the other factions present see him? Wouldn't it make him seem weak and easy to bully?
Yuan Tieyi remained silent, while Yang He of Jinsha Gang watched coldly. Everyone felt that the young man from the restaurant was doomed. He had courted death by crashing straight into the muzzle of a gun.
"Is this Iron Clothes Martial Arts School's position? Are you trying to establish your might by using an ordinary person like Chen Ping?" Zhou Qiming stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent.
However, to everyone listening, his words sounded like an admission of defeat and an attempt to back down.
At this moment, Head Chef Liu, Chef Li, and the others also hurried over after hearing the commotion. They all grabbed Zhou Qiming and tried to restrain him.
"Qiming, don't be impulsive. They're all martial artists. You'll lose your life." Head Chef Liu and several other chefs all spoke up to dissuade him, afraid that hot blood would cloud Zhou Qiming's judgment.
Chen Ping also shook his head and tried to stop him. He was about to step forward and kneel. "Qiming, don't be foolish. Whoever caused the trouble should take responsibility. I'll kneel and apologize. They can't really be trying to force someone to give up his life."
In the corner, Li Qian also saw what was happening and sneered incessantly. "So this is the match Father introduced? He's too impulsive and brainless. It's simply a mantis trying to stop a chariot. He clearly has no strength, yet he still dares to thrust himself forward."
Li Qian shook her head repeatedly, looking down on Zhou Qiming more and more. She was glad she had rejected the match Head Chef Li had introduced back then. If she had really married this man, she might not even know how she had died after he caused trouble.
Xiao Tian had a noble bearing and had managed to last dozens of exchanges against Yang He. He was the truly suitable match.
"Apologize? You know to be afraid now? Is my, Xiao Tian's, dignity really worth no more than a kowtow and an apology?"
Xiao Tian did not yield in the slightest. He was determined to bring down Chen Ping and Zhou Qiming and intimidate everyone present.
He kicked over the dishes that had been prepared on the table. Steam billowed, leaving a complete mess across the floor.
"You made this food, didn't you? It tastes so awful that it dirtied Young Master's eyes. Is Haolai Restaurant tired of doing business? What kind of person is worthy of being invited as a head chef?"
Xiao Tian refused to let up. He planted a foot on the roast duck on the floor and pointed at Zhou Qiming's nose as he berated him.
He had not even tasted the dishes, yet he claimed they did not suit his palate. He was clearly here to pick a fight.
All the head chefs were furious and somewhat worried about Zhou Qiming. Although Brother Zhou had only been a head chef for a few days, everyone already recognized his culinary skills.
"You've gone too far. These are all dishes Qiming worked hard to cook. If you don't want to eat them, then our restaurant simply won't do business with Xiao Family." Head Chef Liu was also provoked into anger and set down the spatula in his hand.
Xiao Tian had not expected these people to stand united and defend Zhou Qiming so fiercely. It seemed the other man had made quite a name for himself in the restaurant.
Boss Xu Hailai was also alerted by the commotion and finally came forward to mediate. "Brother Xiao, we'll provide this banquet free of charge. How about we let our anger die here? Iron Clothes Martial Arts School has done business with us for many years. Let's not damage our cordial relationship."
"Oh? That makes it look as though I, Xiao Tian, am petty. My Xiao Family isn't short of this little money. Do I look like someone trying to freeload?"
Xiao Tian sneered repeatedly. He turned to Xu Hailai and taunted him. "Is Haolai Restaurant determined to protect this brat, even at the cost of offending my school? Boss Xu, you're really incapable of judging people. You promote just anyone to be a head chef without fearing that they'll smash your decades-old reputation."
"Do you represent Iron Clothes Martial Arts School? Don't push people too far." Even Xu Hailai's mild temper had turned furious, and he ground his teeth in anger.
This was the sorrow of ordinary people like them. Without martial strength or status, they could only be exploited and bullied by the martial artists of gangs and government offices.
Now Xiao Tian was relying on Iron Clothes Martial Arts School's backing to bully the restaurant, simply because Xu Hailai had no Body Tempering strength and no Martial Artist guards.
Without a powerful fist, people in this world could only live like ants in dark gutters and shadows!
"One sentence: the two of them must pay a price in blood." Xiao Tian stared fixedly at Xu Hailai.
"Junior Brother, you've gone too far. How about giving your senior brother some face?" Cheng Yu suddenly stepped forward and blocked Xiao Tian, to everyone's surprise. Even Yuan Tieyi was somewhat astonished.
"What? You're going to oppose me for the sake of these servants?" Xiao Tian was also utterly stunned. He had not expected Zhou Qiming's relationship with Second Senior Brother to run so deep—that even fellow disciples were now less close than outsiders.
"Young Master Cheng!" Xu Hailai hurriedly bowed, overwhelmed with excitement. He had not expected the martial arts school's Second Senior Brother to stand on the restaurant's side. Not everyone was unreasonable after all!
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