Open Spears Are Easy to Dodge

Jiang Yun's words were sharp and cutting, her chin raised high, as if contempt and disdain were written all over her face.

Chen Cheng could not help frowning. He truly could not understand why Jiang Yun bore such deep hostility toward him.

They had indeed been betrothed as children, but ever since the Jiang Family broke off the engagement, they had had nothing to do with each other. They were now as unrelated as two people separated by eight poles.

After merely running into him by chance, why did Jiang Yun have to mock and needle him like this?

This woman is insane! Chen Cheng thought. Only that could explain everything.

"What, nothing to say?" Seeing that Chen Cheng did not answer, Jiang Yun curled her lips slightly, her face full of scorn.

Chen Cheng had lived two lives. Where would he find the time to trade barbs with a madwoman like her? And what would it matter even if he won?

As for the Jiang Family's promissory note, he could not easily bring it out. After all, the one who had borrowed the money was Jiang Rongxuan, not Jiang Yun.

Besides, two guards followed behind this madwoman.

The two men were tall and powerfully built, long sabers hanging at their waists. Their eyes gleamed brightly, and they faintly exuded an intimidating presence. Though they were not Skin-Tempering Realm martial artists like Jiang Cheng and Liu Yunfeng, they were not to be underestimated.

Stay steady. Do not provoke this madwoman and create needless trouble. Lying low in peace and practicing martial arts in silence are what matter most.

With that thought, Chen Cheng could not be bothered with Jiang Yun. He turned and left the restaurant.

Jiang Yun snorted and sank into her own thoughts.

It seemed this Chen Cheng knew his own lowly status and understood that he was not worthy of me. He must have felt ashamed of his inferiority.

But how did he know Harmony Restaurant was a new business of my family?

Did he come here because he still could not let go of that childhood betrothal?

Forget it. He is only a petty prison guard. After I humiliated him like that, he must surely see reality for what it is and give up those foolish thoughts.

"Young Miss, you're here?"

The voice of Lu Ming, the manager of Harmony Restaurant, interrupted Jiang Yun's thoughts.

"Uncle Lu, was Chen Cheng really here to eat?"

Because of Chen Cheng's appearance, Jiang Yun had instead forgotten that she had come to inspect her family's restaurant business.

Lu Ming nodded with a smile. "In reply to Young Miss, that guest truly came here for a meal. He was hosting Constable Liu from the City Guard Office and the constables under him."

"What did you say? Chen Cheng was hosting Constable Liu? You mean Constable Liu Yunfeng?" Jiang Yun asked in astonishment. There was only one Constable Liu in the Ruyi Ward Branch Office of the South District City Guard Office: Liu Yunfeng.

"Precisely," Lu Ming replied.

The Jiang Family had started out as merchants and operated several restaurant businesses. In their daily dealings, they received and saw off all manner of people from every walk of life, and disputes were unavoidable.

Beyond that, they also had to face the open and covert extortion of various martial world gangs.

Although the Jiang Family had martial arts instructors serving as guards, they still faced no small amount of pressure. They had always been trying every possible means to befriend officials from the City Guard Office and seek protection through official channels.

Liu Yunfeng was one of the people the Jiang Family was working hard to win over. Every month, they sent silver to grease his palm and pay their respects.

Liu Yunfeng accepted every bit of silver offered to grease his palm and pay respects, yet when Jiang Rongxuan personally hosted him several times in hopes of deepening their relationship, he had politely declined.

Even the Jiang Family could not invite him, yet Chen Cheng, a mere prison guard, could. This left Jiang Yun profoundly shocked.

"Why was he hosting Constable Liu?"

Lu Ming gave a bitter smile. "That, I do not know."

Jiang Yun no longer had the mind to inspect the restaurant. She turned and left.

Without stopping for even a moment, she hurried home. Jiang Rongxuan was sitting in the reception hall, holding a teacup and drinking tea at leisure.

In recent years, the Jiang Family's business had gone smoothly, growing ever larger. He was in high spirits and had developed a taste for leisure and refinement.

When he saw Jiang Yun enter, a smile appeared on Jiang Rongxuan's face.

The two sons of the old Jiang Family were disappointments, but their daughter was exceptionally outstanding. She had trained in martial arts under the family's martial arts instructors for only three years, yet had advanced rapidly. She had hopes of entering the Skin-Tempering Realm and becoming a true martial artist.

Whether the Jiang Family could flourish depended on this treasured daughter. Therefore, Jiang Rongxuan intended to cultivate her, having her inspect the family businesses in addition to practicing martial arts.

"Yun'er, how is business at Harmony Restaurant?"

But Jiang Yun said, "Father, something terrible has happened. Chen Cheng hosted Liu Yunfeng at Harmony Restaurant."

"Chen Cheng? Which Chen Cheng?" Jiang Rongxuan did not react at first.

Jiang Yun said anxiously, "Chen Cheng from Locust Tree Alley—the one who was once betrothed to me as a child!"

"You mean Old Chen's son? Why would he invite Liu Yunfeng?" Jiang Rongxuan asked curiously.

Jiang Yun said, "Father, do you think Chen Cheng invited Liu Yunfeng because he wants to use that childhood betrothal to pester me?

Of all the restaurants he could have gone to, he chose Harmony Restaurant. Could it be that he knows it belongs to our Jiang Family and deliberately came here to put on a show for us?"

Jiang Rongxuan slammed the teacup in his hand heavily onto the table, fury surging across his face.

"Hmph! A petty prison guard dares dream of climbing the high branch of my Jiang Family? A toad lusting after swan flesh—utter wishful thinking!

Not one of those poor neighbors in Locust Tree Alley is any good! Ever since your father made his fortune, quite a few of those poor neighbors have come knocking to borrow money.

Old Chen had at least known his place. After being turned away a few times, he took the initiative to stop contacting us.

Who would have thought his son would have such a cheap backbone? Does he think that treating Liu Yunfeng to one meal will let him cross the threshold of my Jiang Family? No chance!"

"Father, Liu Yunfeng is still a constable. Quite a few of our family's businesses fall under his jurisdiction. You should make preparations early," Jiang Yun urged.

Jiang Rongxuan pondered briefly, then said, "Good daughter, do not worry. Your father knows what he is doing.

Our Jiang Family is, after all, connected to the Zhou Family by marriage. Liu Yunfeng would not dare do anything to us.

Besides, hasn't that Young Master Wang been pursuing you all along?"

Jiang Yun flicked her sleeve and said reproachfully, "Father, Wang Cong is just a playboy who spends every day drinking and making merry in brothels. Why are you trying to tie me to him?

Besides, I do not want to marry so early. Once I enter the Skin-Tempering Realm, I will go to the inner city to find a master and train in martial arts."

"Fine, fine, fine. My precious daughter is devoted wholeheartedly to martial arts and will marry no one. Even if she does marry, it can only be some young master from a great inner-city family," Jiang Rongxuan said with a chuckle.

Jiang Yun said, "Then what should we do about that little rascal Chen Cheng?"

Jiang Rongxuan's face darkened slightly, then a fierce glint surfaced in his eyes.

"If he behaves himself, then so be it. But if he still dares set his sights on you, then do not blame me for disregarding my old friendship with Old Chen.

If a petty prison guard is robbed and murdered by bandits while walking down the street, even the City Guard Office would have nothing to say."

"Father, it does not necessarily have to go that far. If it comes down to it, just send someone to teach him a lesson," Jiang Yun advised. She was not as vicious as her father.

Jiang Rongxuan smiled. "Chen Cheng is lucky that my daughter has a kind heart. Otherwise, I would find someone to deal with him right now."

"Achoo!"

After Chen Cheng left the market, he walked down the street carrying large and small bags of food, along with an old hen. For no reason at all, he suddenly sneezed!

That should not be possible. Ever since I made an entry in the Iron Garment Art, my physical condition has become much stronger. I should not catch a cold so easily!

Could it be that some troublemaker wants to harm me?

He carefully went over everything that had happened these past few days, but found no loopholes.

Right. There are too many bandits in this world. Walking through the streets so conspicuously, I might run into villains blocking the road for robbery.

Although I have my constable's saber on me, open spears are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against. Better to be careful!

With that thought, he turned and entered the market again. When he came back out, his clothes bulged with several packets of lime powder. Only then did he feel somewhat safer, and he quickened his pace toward home.