White Clothes, Blue Sword, Subdue with Strength!

"Over here, right here! Braised beef in a jar—a truly authentic East Sea snack."

Na'er transformed into a little treasure hunter, weaving through the bustling crowd with Jiang Xiu in tow until she stopped in front of a small shop with the words "Braised Beef in a Jar" written in bold characters on the storefront.

As evening had fallen and the temperature outside was dropping, the moment they neared the shop, the rich aroma of beef wafted toward them, instantly making one feel refreshed and stirring a ravenous appetite.

"Let's go in and have a taste, then."

Jiang Xiu looked at the small shop before him and raised an eyebrow slightly, as if something had occurred to him, but he didn't voice it to avoid dampening Na'er's high spirits, choosing instead to follow her inside.

"Welcome! There are seats inside, you two little ones go ahead and sit."

The shop was small, containing only five modest rectangular tables that could seat at most twenty-some people. It was already half-full. A middle-aged owner wearing an apron and a kind face greeted Jiang Xiu and Na'er with enthusiasm as they entered.

"Two portions of braised beef and a side dish, please. Uncle, we won't be needing the rice."

Na'er had already done her research; she ordered the signature dish right away and skipped the rice to save room for more.

Before long, the middle-aged owner brought the beef over with a smile, the fragrance immediately hitting their noses.

"Eat quickly, it won't be authentic if it gets cold."

Na'er picked up her chopsticks, ready to dive in with gusto.

"What a handsome little girl. Eat slowly, and if it's not enough, just tell Uncle. I'll give you free refills—beef is the one thing we have plenty of here."

Looking at Na'er, who looked like she was carved from pink jade, the middle-aged owner laughed heartily, a glimmer of joy flashing in his eyes.

He had a daughter about Na'er's age, but she was currently bedridden with a serious illness. He had no choice but to work hard and save money for her treatment. Fortunately, he had saved almost enough, and soon his family would be able to return to their peaceful, happy life.

Na'er acknowledged him and began to eat.

However, Jiang Xiu's attention was drawn to a customer in the shop. The man was tall with a lean, athletic build. Though he appeared somewhat thin, his eyes were piercingly bright, his nose bridge high, and his entire bearing was exceptionally upright.

What was even more peculiar was that this customer had blue hair, wore white robes, and possessed calm eyes that faintly radiated a cold aura.

White robes and a blue sword? Is that Wu Changkong? It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?

The moment he saw him, Jiang Xiu immediately recognized the man. Being in the East Sea now, Jiang Xiu felt even more certain.

"Hmm? There's actually a genius here."

Seeming to notice Jiang Xiu's gaze, Wu Changkong lifted his cold eyes, but upon seeing Jiang Xiu and Na'er, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly.

Jiang Xiu gave him a faint smile. He had no bad impression of Wu Changkong; he was one of the few normal people in Shrek Academy—loyal in love and possessed of both honor and integrity.

Jiang Xiu then prepared to eat his beef, knowing that if he didn't, Na'er would start sneaking bites from his bowl once she finished her own.

Sure enough, while Na'er was eating from her own bowl, her bright eyes were already fixed on the beef in Jiang Xiu's.

Just as they were halfway through their meal, the sound of a clay jar shattering erupted from outside, followed immediately by the middle-aged owner's scream.

The next moment, the middle-aged owner stumbled into the shop. His once-kind face was already bruised and swollen, his eyes filled with terror. Three burly men followed him inside, acting with arrogance.

"Listen here, Li, it's time to pay the protection fee. And those three brats who put me in the hospital last time? That was because of you, so it's only fair that the medical bills go on your tab."

The bald man in the lead spoke with a mocking, chilling tone, a trace of malice in his eyes.

Three months ago, when he came to collect protection fees, he had been beaten by three teenagers from East Sea Academy. After being discharged from the hospital, he naturally refused to let it go and wanted to settle the score; otherwise, how could he, Guang Long, continue to run this territory?

As Guang Long waved his hand, the two burly men beside him immediately moved to violently snatch the money bag from the middle-aged owner.

"No! You can't take that money, it's for my daughter's medical treatment! I'll give you free beef, can't you just take the beef instead?"

The middle-aged owner guarded the money bag desperately, pleading at the top of his lungs. This was his daughter's lifeline!

But as an ordinary person, how could he stand against two burly men who were one-ring Spirit Masters? Not only was the money bag snatched away, but he was kicked twice and knocked to the ground again, forced to watch helplessly as his daughter's only hope for survival was taken away.

"Beef? I don't eat beef."

"Whether your daughter lives or dies has nothing to do with me."

Guang Long weighed the money bag in his hand, pulled out the Federation notes one by one, and sneered.

The surrounding crowd watched the scene, but no one reached out to help. They even stepped back, for everyone knew that Guang Long was not only a Great Spirit Master but also had a brother who was a six-ring Spirit Emperor backing him. They were just ordinary folk; how could they afford to provoke him?

Seeing this, Guang Long laughed even more wildly. He was the one who called the shots here. He prepared to raise his foot and stomp on the middle-aged owner.

"Boss, that uncle was just about to give us free refills. Should we help him?"

A flicker of anger rose in Na'er's eyes. She put down her chopsticks, clenched her small fists, and asked Jiang Xiu in a low voice.

"Na'er, as the saying goes, a gentleman does not resort to violence, and one should convince others with reason."

Jiang Xiu's expression remained calm as he spoke softly, slowly setting down his own chopsticks.

"But Boss... I..."

Hearing this, Na'er clenched her fists even tighter, her gaze shifting between the owner and Jiang Xiu, her heart in a state of intense hesitation.

Wu Changkong, sitting nearby, felt a flash of disappointment in his cold eyes and prepared to stand up, but then he heard Jiang Xiu's voice continue.

"But your boss here is no gentleman, and I don't like convincing people with reason. I prefer to convince them with force."

Jiang Xiu's muscles tensed. The moment his voice fell, he transformed into a black shadow, and a cold, sharp glint flashed through his hand.

"Squelch!"

The sound of blood spraying echoed through the room. Guang Long's left leg, which he had been about to stomp down with, was instantly severed at the root, and bright red blood gushed out.

"Ahhh!"

Guang Long felt a surge of intense pain, his face instantly twisting into a hideous grimace. At that moment, a figure appeared before him, watching him with an indifferent gaze.

"You..."

Before Guang Long could react, Jiang Xiu raised his leg and swept it across in a whip kick. A massive force slammed into his chest, causing him to grunt as his eyes rolled back. Like a cannonball, he was sent flying out of the shop, crashing onto the street outside.

"Boss!"

Seeing this, the two burly men each released a white soul ring and charged toward Jiang Xiu with a roar.

"Boss, I'm here to help you!"

Just then, Na'er's voice rang out. A flash of silver light streaked by, and the two burly men immediately followed in Guang Long's footsteps, sent flying into the air.

Na'er looked at Jiang Xiu beside her, her purple eyes shimmering with delight. This was the boss she knew.

"You two little brats! You're finished! Do you even know who my big brother is?!"

Guang Long struggled to lift his head from the ground, glaring at Jiang Xiu and Na'er with venomous hatred.

Just then, a series of mechs approached rapidly from the distance. A glimmer of surprise flashed in Guang Long's eyes, and he looked at Jiang Xiu and Na'er with an even more ferocious expression.

"My brother is Light Biao!"