Cause of His Previous Life's Death?

Brother Fang, Fang Chen, and finally Master Fang—

These people really were quick to change their faces.

But at the root of it, this still had everything to do with Fang Chen's current strength and status.

Li Hu and the others no longer dared to look Fang Chen directly in the eye.

If the last incident had been a slap in the face, then this time, even if Fang Chen trampled them beneath his feet, they would not have the slightest complaint.

As for Zhang Tao,

he was completely numb by now.

Who could have imagined that the different choices Fang Chen and the others had made back then

would develop into such a tremendous gulf by now?

Zhang Tao had wondered countless times:

If he had followed Fang Chen to practice martial arts back then, how would he be living now?

In less than a month,

the few who had once called each other brothers were now separated by an entire level in status, position, and strength.

He was still struggling and scrambling at the bottom of the gang,

while Fang Chen had already become the steward above their heads.

Such a vast disparity left everyone present feeling deeply uncomfortable.

It clearly had not been long since then, yet it gave them the feeling that an entire lifetime had passed.

From their initial smug satisfaction at following Li Hu, to their later shock and envy toward Fang Chen,

and then to the sense of disparity and apprehension filling their hearts now,

such wild swings had all taken place in less than a month.

That was why they felt as if they had passed through an entire lifetime.

Everyone now lowered their heads and respectfully called out to Fang Chen,

"Master Fang!"

Fang Chen said indifferently, "Just call me by my position. Don't call me Master Fang."

The others nodded like pecking chickens and called out again, "Greetings, Steward Fang!"

Li Hu respectfully asked again, "Steward Fang, do you have any orders? Whatever it is, I'll go through fire and water for you without hesitation!"

Fang Chen smiled and asked them, "Do you remember what happened on the day I was struck from behind? What exactly did I do that day? Was I with you the entire time?"

Li Hu and the others exchanged glances, completely failing to imagine that Steward Fang had come to ask about this.

Had Steward Fang forgotten?

Zhang Tao recalled the matter and respectfully said, "My lord, it seems you took some more money from home that day, then went to the Gambling House."

Fang Chen asked in confusion, "You weren't with me?"

Li Hu added, "No. It seems you took less money that day and said you wanted to gamble by yourself, so you wouldn't be splitting the money with us."

Fang Chen's face was covered in black lines.

So it turned out all the money these people had squandered had come from his former self.

No wonder they all called him Brother Fang.

Poor Father Fang and Fang Ting had worked so hard to earn money, only for his former self to take it all to the Gambling House and blow it away.

Fang Chen pondered inwardly:

If he had stayed at the gambling den all day, then the culprit was very likely someone from the Gambling House.

But... what was the motive?

Could it be that his former self had won too much money, angering someone at the Gambling House?

Fang Chen shook his head and stopped thinking about it. He continued asking, "Where is that Gambling House?"

Zhang Tao respectfully replied, "My lord, the place you went that day should be on the Green Robe Gang's territory—the Gambling House located in Shiping Alley."

Fang Chen was slightly surprised. He thought to himself,

"Shiping Alley? Isn't that where Zhao San lives? What a coincidence."

Fang Chen had gone to Shiping Alley once before when he went to kill Zhao San. He had not expected to become entangled with that place again now.

Fang Chen looked toward Li Hu and the others, waved his hand, and said, "All right, that's enough. You may leave."

Li Hu, Zhang Tao, and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They cupped their fists and said, "Yes, Steward Fang!"

Just as several of them turned to leave, Fang Chen's voice suddenly rang out.

"Wait!"

Li Hu and Zhang Tao's hearts gave a thump.

Damn, is he really going to settle accounts with us?

They turned around fearfully and asked in trembling voices, "My lord, do you have any other orders?"

Fang Chen said, "That alley where I live hasn't been peaceful lately. Keep an eye on it for me. Don't let anything happen to my family!"

"If something does happen..."

Li Hu and the others nodded like pecking chickens and respectfully replied, "We will certainly protect Steward Fang's family. We guarantee that nothing will happen!"

Only then did Fang Chen nod and signal for them to leave on their own.

This time, Li Hu and the others turned around and left without the slightest pause.

They hurried out as if remaining behind might bring about some extremely dangerous incident.

Fang Chen did not think about it any longer.

He had already wasted quite a bit of time that morning. He had to return to the martial arts school and practice his punches first, or his proficiency progress would fall behind.

In the afternoon, he would go to the Gambling House in Shiping Alley to take a look. Perhaps he could discover some clues.

At that moment,

inside a crowded laundry,

the eldest sister, Fang Ting, was boasting about her younger brother to the others.

"My younger brother came home yesterday with a pile of meat and alcohol, and we celebrated properly."

"Who would have thought that a month ago, he was still nothing but a good-for-nothing street thug? Now he's already a steward of the Three Rivers Gang!"

Many people wore envious expressions.

"Your younger brother is that amazing?"

"Practicing martial arts is so difficult, yet your younger brother actually managed to master it!"

"Oh my, I even advised you before not to let your brother practice martial arts. Thinking about it now, I was completely wrong. Luckily, you didn't listen to me!"

"Mm-hmm, I advised Aunt Ting against it too. I never expected her younger brother to be so promising."

Fang Ting happily listened to everyone's praise, feeling extremely proud and gratified.

At that moment, a sharp and sarcastic voice suddenly cut through the chorus of compliments.

"Heh, Fang girl, I never noticed before that you liked bragging so much. How come you're spouting nothing but nonsense now?"

The speaker was an older woman sitting in the corner.

What she usually enjoyed most was using cutting, sarcastic words to contradict and belittle others.

Such behavior brought her immense satisfaction and a sense of superiority.

Only when everyone else was covered in flaws could she appear better than them, more refined than them.

The older woman continued, "Everyone, don't believe Fang girl's nonsense."

"You have no idea how difficult it is to practice martial arts. I had a nephew who went to practice martial arts a few years ago, but after practicing for several years, he accomplished nothing. Isn't he still doing hard labor for others now?"

"It was truly nothing but a waste of time and money."

At that moment, someone nearby could not stand it any longer and spoke up. "Aunt Wang, your nephew wasn't capable, but that doesn't mean Aunt Ting's younger brother isn't. How can you say things like that?"

Seeing that she had been contradicted, Aunt Wang grew even more worked up. She shouted, "Hmph! Go ask around yourself. Who could break through in such a short time? What a joke!"