Chen Lei, the Powder Keg

The next day, Hou Chun arrived as scheduled with a whole group of people.

Having learned from Master Bear's misfortune, he didn't dare go anywhere alone. At the very least, he had to bring along another Mingjin Martial Artist.

The group arrived at Chen Han's house. Seeing the tightly shut gate, Hou Chun lifted his leg and kicked it clean off its hinges, sending it flying several meters.

"Shen Family brat, didn't you know I was coming today?"

He spoke in a cold voice and strode into the courtyard.

But the next moment, he froze.

At the far end of the courtyard, through the open doorway, sat two men. One looked old, the other middle-aged. They were drinking tea, unhurried and at ease.

He knew them both. The former was the chief steward of the Chen Family, a martial arts lineage in Black Lion City. The other was Squire Li, a wealthy merchant from the inner city.

Several men stood behind each of them. With their bulging temples, taut skin, and sturdy builds, they were all Mingjin Martial Artists!

Hou Chun's gaze instantly grew grave. "This brat has connections like these?"

"Marquis, what do you mean by this?" Squire Li was the first to demand.

He was only a wealthy merchant in the city, and his household had just a few Mingjin Martial Artists serving as guards. Though he was nowhere near the Black Mountain Gang's strength, he could still hold sway over a man like Hou Chun.

"Nothing. I'm just here to take someone away. May I ask why Squire Li is here?"

Hou Chun sneered and asked in return.

The Black Mountain Gang, a local power that dared to burn the yamen to the ground, had his back. Naturally, he feared nothing.

"I came to visit my worthy nephew. But you've broken down his gate. If you don't give me an explanation, I'm afraid you won't be leaving so easily today."

Before Hou Chun arrived, Squire Li and the Chen Family's old steward had been chatting amiably. They'd discussed many things and even exchanged advice, reaching the beginnings of several business partnerships.

But now, in the middle of their conversation, some man had suddenly barged in to pick on his young friend from the Chen Family. Of course he had to stand his ground, to show his mettle and make sure the old steward didn't look down on him.

"A young friend from the Chen Family... Good. I didn't realize this brat had ties to you, too."

The old steward suddenly cut in, his tone stern. "Enough, Hou Chun. I came here today not only to meet Brother Li, but also to deal with my nephew's situation."

Several Mingjin Martial Artists behind the old steward fixed their gazes on Hou Chun.

Among them was Chen Han's friend, Chen Lei. Chen Lei had a fiery temper, like a powder keg that went off at the slightest spark. With outstanding bones and exceptional talent, he was now preparing to break through to Dark Force. His blood and qi were frighteningly strong, and the atmosphere instantly turned taut.

Even Hou Chun, backed by the biggest local power in Black Lion City, felt considerable pressure.

"My nephew says you wanted to take his wife and child, and leave his family ruined! Is that true?"

"What!"

Chen Lei's fists clenched in an instant. He nearly charged forward and beat Hou Chun to death. He roared, "You sissy! Do you know he's my brother? Lay a hand on him, and you're asking to die!"

"Wait!"

Meeting Chen Lei's furious gaze, Hou Chun panicked. He feared that if Chen Lei led the charge, everyone else would pile on and beat them to death in a flurry of fists!

Even if the Black Mountain Gang later made these two families pay a terrible price, he'd already be dead by then. What good would that do him?

His life came first!

"Gentlemen, let's talk this out. I was only joking with young friend Chen Han."

The old steward waved for Chen Lei to step back. Killing someone at this point would only make matters worse, and no one would benefit in the end.

"Hou Chun, I have some influence over the martial arts world in Black Lion City. You were in the wrong in your dispute with Chen Han. We'll settle it as it should be... What do you say?"

Though the old steward was advanced in years, he had a commanding presence and knew how to handle people. Just a few words gave Hou Chun a way to back down.

Hou Chun forced a smile. Realizing that someone in the group truly dared to act, he wouldn't dream of causing trouble. His tone turned much more conciliatory. "As for this matter, I was indeed in the wrong. I apologize to young friend Chen Han. What I said before was just talk. Don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously."

"How about this? I'll keep my distance from young friend Chen Han from now on. I won't come around anymore, all right? I'll pay for a new gate."

"Old sir, surely this will do?"

The old steward furrowed his brows. "How much protection money do you collect from my nephew each month?"

A flash of displeasure crossed Hou Chun's eyes, but he quickly resumed his respectful expression. Chen Han really had thought of everything.

"Not much. Just half a tael of silver."

He was lying.

"You're lying! It's ten taels, a whole ten taels!"

A bright-eyed, pretty young woman suddenly sprang out from somewhere and pointed at Hou Chun's nose, loudly calling him out. It was Shen Yue.

"What! Ten taels!"

Chen Lei's eyes bulged with fury, as if they were about to shoot fire.

"Everyone else pays just over a hundred wen. Why does my brother have to pay ten taels? You're trying to suck him dry to the bone, so he can't go on living!"

"Scoundrel, die!"

Rage surged through Chen Lei, and he could hold back no longer. He lunged like a fierce tiger, the force of Mountain Breaking Fist exploding as he punched straight at Hou Chun!

The sight took everyone present by surprise. Squire Li's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Even Chen Han hadn't expected Chen Lei to go this far for him, risking his life to fight Hou Chun.

The thing Hou Chun feared most had happened. He retreated a step and raised his arms before his chest, muscles tensed. He gritted his yellow teeth so hard they nearly shattered, barely managing to block the punch.

Before he could catch his breath, the man in front of him came at him like a raging storm. Every move was fierce, aimed straight at a vital point. In the blink of an eye, several punches had already come flying.

Hou Chun was horrified. He retreated again and again, raising his arms to fend off the blows. He kept his breath clenched tight, not daring to relax for a moment, afraid that one missed beat would expose an opening and get him beaten to death on the spot.

"Chen Lei! Stop this at once!"

At last, a voice rang out like a savior.

Only when the old steward spoke did Chen Lei halt his attack. He looked at Hou Chun, who was still shaken, and, seeming not yet to have vented his anger, spat viciously onto the ground.

"Listen here. Don't think your Black Mountain Gang is so formidable. Times have changed. Don't think I don't know that the Black Mountain Gang can't easily leave Black Lion City. You sent most of your fighting forces to hunt Exotic Beasts, and now you're caught in a storm yourself."

Chen Lei was young, hot-blooded, and full of spirit. All he thought about was how the enemy was weak and they were strong: if they wouldn't yield, then fight!

If we're having a hard time, you're having an even worse one. We might as well fight until both sides are crippled, until the fish die and the net breaks!

In the eyes of Squire Li, the old steward, and the city's other powers, this kind of thinking and behavior was extraordinarily foolish.

With disaster looming, the various powers should be thinking about how to join forces and weather the crisis together. But this fool wanted them to turn on one another, leaving their side beset by troubles within and threats from without.

Utterly foolish!

Chen Han, however, was overjoyed. He'd only wanted to hold the other side at bay for a while, buying time to recover. But thanks to Chen Lei's powder-keg temper, the intimidation had already gone far beyond what he'd hoped for.

He was only a nobody. With disaster bearing down on them, neither side would let this throw the larger picture into chaos. Compared to that, letting the matter rest was the best choice for now.

Hou Chun had spent years in the underworld and was shrewd enough to see the situation clearly. At first, he'd planned to use the Black Mountain Gang's clout to negotiate with both sides, then admit fault and settle for collecting a little less silver. But unfortunately for him, there was a hothead among them!

Now he wouldn't dare keep talking his way around the matter. If Chen Lei lost his temper and went after him again, he'd have nowhere to cry about it.

Sure enough, he gritted his teeth and said, "I was also in the wrong about the protection money. From now on, young friend Chen Han only needs to pay one tael of silver each month."

"What! One tael? I'm not satisfied. Make it a hundred wen, not a coin more!"

"Er... A hundred wen it is, then. No problem. Let's call it a gesture of friendship."