You Call This an Honest Person?

"Brother Zhao, don't... don't kill me."

"I don't... I don't want these banknotes. I'll give them all to you, all of them."

With someone holding a dagger to his neck, Yang Xiao instantly trembled all over, his voice shaking.

As he spoke, Yang Xiao, out of "fear," actually let out a "waah" and began bawling his eyes out.

His sobs were so mournful that those who heard them would grieve, and those who listened would be moved.

The tremendous crying also made Zhang Long, who had fallen into an illusion nearby, unable to stop his brows from furrowing, faintly showing signs of waking.

"Could it be that Zhao Hu wasn't killed by this kid?"

Seeing Yang Xiao scared out of his wits, without the slightest hint of pretense, "Zhao Hu" immediately frowned.

"Forget it. This chance is hard to come by. No matter who killed Zhao Hu, this kid Yang Xiao can't be left alive, lest extra branches grow from the joint and ruin the young master's great undertaking."

"Zhao Hu's" gaze turned vicious, and he suddenly tightened his grip on the dagger.

"I was planning to spare your dog life, but you brought this on yourself!"

What "Zhao Hu" failed to notice was that Yang Xiao, whom he regarded as an ant, groveling and begging for mercy, had a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.

If he killed "Zhao Hu" inside the private room, this matter would be very hard to explain.

But since "Zhao Hu" was hell-bent on seeking death, Yang Xiao naturally could not worry about so much if he wanted to survive.

In an instant, Yang Xiao circulated the Spirit Cicada Transformation, clearly "painting" every movement inside and outside the surrounding private rooms into his mind.

Yang Xiao could even "see" that at "Zhao Hu's" dantian, a cluster of black light flickered in and out of sight. Within the black light were low, wailing sounds like ghosts crying and wolves howling, while strands of baleful qi seeped out.

"This man cultivates the Yellow Heaven Body Casting Scripture: Warrior Chapter. Like the real Zhao Hu I killed, he's actually a disciple of the Peace Sect too?"

Yang Xiao's pupils shrank, and he was instantly stunned.

The Yellow Heaven Body Casting Scripture: Warrior Chapter was a foundational cultivation method of the Peace Sect, specially used to train Yellow Turban Warriors. Yang Xiao was not surprised that this art was widely circulated within the Peace Sect.

But the "Zhao Hu" before him was actually cultivating by "eating people"!

"No wonder Emperor Ming launched three campaigns against the Peace Sect. These demons all deserve to die!"

Yang Xiao hesitated no longer. Iron Skin erupted across his body, and he was about to strike first and seize the advantage!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Outside the private room, a heavy knocking suddenly rang out.

"Big Brother, Big Brother? It's me, Ye Feng. I'm here to empty the slop water."

Ye Feng's voice, even through the thick bronze Mystic Black Stone door, still came through in broken, faint snatches.

"Count yourself lucky, kid. I'll spare your life for now. Hmph!"

The baleful look in "Zhao Hu's" eyes flashed and vanished. He quickly took a step back, and the dagger in his hand disappeared without a trace.

"Brother Yang, just now I was only joking with you. Don't take it to heart."

"Since those banknotes were gifted to you by Mr. Zou, and as the saying goes, a gentleman does not take what another loves, how could I take them away?"

Smiling, "Zhao Hu" patted Yang Xiao on the shoulder and pointed at Zhang Long. "Big Brother Zhang is still here comprehending the Nurturing Self Scripture. Go tell the menial servant outside to wait a little while. He must not disturb him."

"Yes!"

Yang Xiao hurriedly nodded and bowed. As he rose to leave, he "carelessly" let a large-denomination banknote worth a full five hundred taels slip down to "Zhao Hu's" feet.

"This kid is a rare talent. What a pity—tonight, he has to die!"

"Zhao Hu's" eyes lit up. He quickly bent down and picked up the banknote, and when he looked at Yang Xiao, a hint of regret could not help appearing in his gaze.

Yang Xiao walked out of the private room, gave him a look, then turned and entered the gatehouse next door.

Ye Feng understood at once. Without saying a word, he hurriedly followed.

"The walls have ears. Brother, thanks!"

Gently closing the door, Yang Xiao used clear water to write lightly on the wooden table.

"Big Brother, do you want me to go find Uncle Liu?"

Ye Feng's heart tightened. Imitating Yang Xiao, he used clear water to write on the table.

"That won't be necessary. Brother Ye, I'll trouble you to help me prepare a few things. Like this, like this, and like that..."

Yang Xiao continued writing.

After he finished, Yang Xiao paused for a few breaths, then used his hand as a towel and quickly wiped away the clear water on the table.

"Brother Ye, Big Brother Zhang is in sudden enlightenment in the private room next door. I'm afraid today's slop water will have to be delayed. I can't say exactly when."

"How about this? You go back to the kitchen and rest first. Later, once I've packed up the slop water, I'll call you over."

As Yang Xiao gave Ye Feng a look, he deliberately spoke in a loud voice.

"Big Brother, this... how could I accept that?"

Ye Feng hurriedly played along.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Since you've called me big brother, this is only a tiny matter, no more than raising a hand. Go on!"

At this point, Yang Xiao suddenly lowered his voice again.

"Brother Ye, take these banknotes and have someone go to Drunken Immortal Inn to reserve a banquet for me. Once work is over, I can properly apologize to Big Brother Zhao Hu."

With that said, Yang Xiao waved his hand impatiently, indicating that Ye Feng could leave.

"Then I'll trouble you, Big Brother. This little brother will head up to the top floor and enjoy himself."

Only then did Ye Feng nod, putting on a grateful act as he left.

The moment Ye Feng left the gatehouse, he immediately sensed that behind the crack of the private room's door, there was a pair of sharp eyes like knife edges, landing coldly on him.

"No wonder Big Brother pulled the Mystic Fire Buckle ahead of time, just as we agreed, to make me hurry over and knock on the private room door. So Big Brother offended Zhao Hu."

Ye Feng's scalp tingled. Only now did he realize that he, a lowly odd-job worker who dumped slop water, had actually been dragged without realizing it into a struggle between two waiters.

Vermilion Bird Tower had vast wealth and business, ranking as the number one establishment in the Great Yan Dynasty. Under it were hundreds and thousands of waiters, so it was naturally no surprise that they fought one another over resources and status.

Even among the group of odd-job workers dumping slop water in the kitchen, they were likewise locked in open spears and hidden arrows, tripping one another up in all kinds of ways, and the competition was extremely brutal.

But when he thought of the things Yang Xiao had instructed him to help buy, Ye Feng clearly let out a breath of relief.

Clearly, Yang Xiao was buying all these things to prepare an apology for "Zhao Hu."

Then it was fine!

"Although Big Brother's aptitude and innate bones are inferior, he knows when to retreat from difficulty, is willing to spend money to avert disaster, and doesn't hold grudges—Big Brother is far too honest, so honest that people can bully and humiliate him at will. Sigh!"

Ye Feng sighed and hurried away, swearing in his heart that he would train hard in martial arts. Once he achieved something in his studies, he would definitely protect Yang Xiao well.

Inside the private room.

"Zhao Hu" watched Ye Feng's receding back before finally withdrawing his spying gaze, a trace of mockery flashing through the corner of his eyes.

The gatehouse next door was a temporary resting place for waiters and odd-job workers, and its main door was not soundproof.

Just now, in his "rush," Yang Xiao had only left the door ajar.

"Zhao Hu" was already extremely deep in the chest. The moment he sent Yang Xiao away with his front foot, with his back foot he immediately left the private room door ajar and turned his ear to eavesdrop on the conversation between Yang Xiao and Ye Feng.

"That kid Yang Xiao really does know how to handle matters. Fine then. After work today, I'll go to Drunken Immortal Inn first and have a full meal. I'll let you eat your fill and drink yourself drunk, then send you on your way in a drunken dream."

In a voice only he himself could hear, "Zhao Hu" murmured softly, killing intent flashing through his eyes and vanishing in an instant.

What Zhao Hu did not know, however, was that his every move, through the Spirit Cicada Transformation, had been "seen" without the slightest omission by Yang Xiao in the gatehouse next door...