"Here, here! This is the place—clay-pot beef, an authentic East Sea snack."
Na'er turned into a little treasure-hunting mouse, leading Jiang Xiu through the bustling crowds until they stopped in front of a small shop. Four large characters reading "Clay-Pot Beef" were painted across its facade.
Night was gradually falling, and the air outside had cooled. As soon as they approached the shop, the rich aroma of beef washed over them, instantly making them feel refreshed and ravenous.
"Then let's go in and try it."
Jiang Xiu glanced at the little shop before him, raising an eyebrow as if he'd thought of something. But he didn't want to interrupt Na'er while she was so excited, so he simply followed her inside.
"Welcome! There are seats available. You two can sit down."
The shop was small, with only five modest-sized rectangular tables that could seat a little over twenty people at most. Half the seats were occupied. When the middle-aged owner, a kind-looking man wearing an apron, saw Jiang Xiu and Na'er enter, he greeted them warmly.
"Two portions of clay-pot beef and a plate of side dishes. Uncle, no rice, please."
Na'er had done her research in advance. She ordered the signature dish right away and skipped the rice so she'd have room for more.
Before long, the middle-aged owner brought out the beef with a smile. Its aroma immediately filled the air.
"Eat up before it gets cold. It won't taste authentic then."
Na'er picked up her chopsticks, ready to dive in like a whirlwind.
"What a pretty little girl. Take your time, and tell Uncle if you want more. I'll give you a free refill. The one thing we've got plenty of around here is beef."
The middle-aged owner laughed as he looked at Na'er, who seemed as delicate as a porcelain doll. A trace of delight flickered in his eyes.
He had a daughter about Na'er's age, but she was seriously ill at home. He had no choice but to work and run around, saving up for her treatment. Fortunately, he'd nearly saved enough. Soon, his family would be able to return to the warm, happy life they'd once had.
Na'er answered him, then immediately dug in.
But Jiang Xiu's attention was on another customer in the shop. The man was tall, with long arms and a lean waist. Though he looked a little thin, his eyes were bright and alert, and his nose was high-bridged. He had an unusually upright bearing.
Even more striking, the customer had blue hair and wore white robes. His gaze was calm, and a faintly icy aura seemed to surround him.
"White clothes, blue sword? Is that Wu Changkong? What are the odds?"
The moment Jiang Xiu saw him, he thought of Wu Changkong. And since they were in the East Sea, he felt even more certain.
"Hmm? There's a genius here, too."
Perhaps noticing Jiang Xiu's gaze, Wu Changkong lifted his cold eyes. But when he saw Jiang Xiu and Na'er, his brows rose slightly.
Jiang Xiu gave him a faint smile. He had no bad impression of Wu Changkong. Wu Changkong was one of the few decent people at Shrek Academy, loyal in love and true to both affection and honor.
Then Jiang Xiu turned to his beef. If he didn't eat now, Na'er would finish her own and start sneaking bites from his bowl.
Sure enough, while Na'er ate from her own bowl, her bright eyes had already locked onto the beef in Jiang Xiu's.
Just as the two of them had eaten about half their meal, the sound of a clay pot shattering rang out from outside the shop. The middle-aged owner's scream followed right after.
The next instant, the owner tumbled into the shop. His once-kind face was now bruised and swollen, his eyes full of terror. Three burly men swaggered in right behind him.
"Li, time to pay up, isn't it? And those three brats who put me in the hospital last time did it because of you, too. It's only right to stick you with the medical bill, don't you think?"
The bald man in the lead wore a mocking expression as he spoke in a chilling voice. A venomous glint shone in his eyes.
Three months ago, when he'd come to collect protection money, three boys from Eastsea Academy had beaten him up. Now that he was out of the hospital, he naturally couldn't swallow his pride. He'd come to settle the score, or how could he, Light Biao, keep making a living around here?
At Light Biao's wave, the two thugs beside him immediately lunged for the money pouch on the owner, snatching at it without restraint.
"No! You can't take that money! It's for my daughter's treatment! I'll give you free beef—can't you take that instead?"
The owner clutched the pouch and pleaded desperately, his voice hoarse. That was the money his daughter needed to survive!
But how could an ordinary man stand up to two burly One-Ring Soul Masters? They snatched his pouch, kicked him twice, and knocked him to the floor again. All he could do was watch helplessly as his daughter's only hope of survival slipped away.
"Beef? I don't eat beef."
"Whether your daughter lives or dies is none of my damn business."
Light Biao tossed the money pouch in his hand, pulled out the Federation bills one by one, and sneered.
The onlookers saw what was happening, but not one of them stepped in. Some even backed away. They all knew Light Biao wasn't just a Soul Grandmaster—he had a Six-Ring Soul Emperor for an older brother backing him up. They were ordinary folk. How could they afford to cross him?
Seeing this, Light Biao laughed even more brazenly. Around here, he was still the one who called the shots. He raised his foot, about to stomp on the owner.
"Boss, that uncle just offered to give us more beef for free. Shouldn't we help him?"
A little anger rose in Na'er's eyes. She put down her chopsticks, clenched her delicate fists, and asked Jiang Xiu in a low voice.
"Na'er, as the saying goes, a gentleman doesn't get involved—and wins people over with reason."
Jiang Xiu's expression remained calm as he spoke, slowly lowering his chopsticks.
"But, Boss... I..."
Na'er clenched her fists even tighter. Her gaze shifted between the owner and Jiang Xiu as she wavered fiercely.
At the side, a trace of disappointment passed through Wu Changkong's cold eyes. He started to rise, but then he heard Jiang Xiu continue.
"But I'm no gentleman, and I don't like winning people over with reason. I'd rather win them over with strength."
Jiang Xiu's muscles and bones shuddered. As his words fell, he turned into a streak of black and shot forward. A cold flash glinted in his hand.
"Pfft!"
Blood sprayed with a wet sound. Light Biao's raised left leg was severed cleanly at the root and sent flying, a torrent of scarlet blood gushing out.
"Aaargh!"
Agonizing pain twisted Light Biao's face into a savage grimace. Now a figure stood before him, looking down at him calmly.
"You..."
Before Light Biao could react, Jiang Xiu lifted his leg and swept it across. A tremendous force slammed into Light Biao's chest. He grunted, his eyes rolled back, and he flew out of the shop like a cannonball, crashing into the street.
"Boss!"
The two burly men released a white Soul Ring each and charged at Jiang Xiu with angry roars.
"Boss, I'm here to help!"
Na'er's voice rang out. A flash of silver passed by, and the two burly men followed Light Biao's fate, flying through the air.
Na'er looked at Jiang Xiu beside her, delight shimmering in her violet eyes. Now this was the Boss she knew!
"You two little brats! You're finished! Do you know who my big brother is?!"
Light Biao struggled to lift his head from the ground and glared venomously at Jiang Xiu and Na'er.
Just then, a stream of mechas sped over in the distance. A flash of delight crossed Light Biao's eyes, and he glared at Jiang Xiu and Na'er with even greater malice.
"My big brother is Light Biao!"
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