There Are Things One Must Not Do

Protection money, also known as "settling money," was the fee nearby gangs collected from ordinary civilians in exchange for protection.

The City Guard Office had always turned a blind eye to such matters, tacitly allowing them.

"Protection money? Didn't I just pay it a few days ago?"

Chen Cheng glanced at the eagle-shaped mark on the dark-faced man's cuff and frowned slightly.

The protection money for Locust Tree Alley and several nearby streets had always been collected by the Redwater Gang, while the Flying Eagle Gang operated in the neighboring streets.

"Starting today, our Flying Eagle Gang calls the shots in this area. Only we can collect the protection money."

Even when he saw Chen Cheng carrying a constable's saber, the dark-faced man remained cold-faced. After taking over this territory, he had already thoroughly investigated the backgrounds of the local residents.

The lean youth before him was merely a lowly prison guard.

Soldier, recruit, pawn, brave, prison guard—prison guards were not street-patrolling constables. To gangs like theirs, they were no different from commoners.

"But the protection money I paid the Redwater Gang before..." Chen Cheng showed an awkward expression.

Behind the dark-faced man, a sharp-faced subordinate glared viciously at Chen Cheng and cursed loudly, "If we tell you to pay, then pay! What the hell are you babbling about? We wiped out the Redwater Gang two days ago. You dare play dumb in front of our Master Biao? Believe me, I'll send you down to the netherworld to keep the Redwater Gang's men company!"

Gang clashes were commonplace. Chen Cheng had been focused entirely on practicing the Chasing Wind Saber Technique these past two days and had not heard any news.

When the Redwater Gang collected protection money before, they had charged only thirty coins per household. The Flying Eagle Gang was demanding fifty coins. They were clearly even more tyrannical and overbearing.

After a brief moment of consideration, Chen Cheng could only silently call himself unlucky.

"Fine. Wait here a moment. I'll go home and get the money."

With that, he shut the courtyard gate.

He had fifty coins on him, but one should never flaunt one's wealth. Fifty coins were two or three days' wages for a lowly prison guard like him. He could not act too casual about it. Saying he had to go home for the money let him play poor, so others would not set their sights on him.

The Flying Eagle Gang seemed to think Chen Cheng was not someone easy to handle, so they had deliberately knocked on the Chen household's gate first. When Chen Cheng obediently went home to fetch the money, they split up and began knocking on doors one household at a time.

After taking a turn around the courtyard and judging that enough time had passed, Chen Cheng opened the gate again.

The sharp-faced man stood guard outside, his face full of impatience. He cursed, "You brat, why did it take you so long just to get some money? Were you deliberately trying to toy with me?"

Gang members had always been domineering. Naturally, Chen Cheng would not provoke him. Smiling ingratiatingly, he handed over the money.

"Of course not. Please take it."

Hou Gui accepted the money. Seeing how low Chen Cheng had humbled himself, he finally gave a chuckle.

"Good, at least you know what's good for you! Keep your eyes open next time, so you'll know that your grandpa here is Hou Gui, under Master Biao of the Flying Eagle Gang."

After taking the money, Hou Gui went to knock on someone else's door.

The residents of Locust Tree Alley were all poor households. Chen Cheng could afford the protection money, but the others were stretched thin.

Several households could not pay. Without another word, Zhou Biao and his men rushed inside, rummaged through chests and cabinets, and took valuables to offset the protection fee.

For those with nothing valuable at all, they received a beating and a torrent of abuse.

"Sir, I only have thirty coins in cash right now. My husband and son went outside the city to chop firewood. Once they return after selling it, we'll make up the protection money we owe."

"Hmph! Who knows whether you're telling the truth? You have so much millet and so many eggs in your house, and you still dare tell me you have no money?"

"Sir, my daughter-in-law just gave birth. She suffered a difficult delivery and is weak from depleted qi. This millet and these eggs are for restoring her strength—they're life-saving supplies!"

"Cut the crap. If you dare stop me again, don't blame me for being rude."

"Sir..."

Aunt Cuihua pleaded bitterly, but Zhou Biao paid her no heed.

Aunt Cuihua's husband was named Wang Laoshi, and her son was Wang Chun. Both father and son worked at the sand yard by the Ji River.

Ordinarily, their family managed fairly well on the wages earned by Wang Laoshi and his son.

But the cold disaster was upon them now, and with no work at the sand yard, life had become difficult for their family.

The Wang family had always been on fairly good terms with the old Chen family. Wang Laoshi had borrowed money from Chen Cheng's father before and had always repaid it on time.

Aunt Cuihua also often looked after Mu Xiaowan.

So be it. There are things one should do, and things one must not do. Chen Cheng sighed inwardly and strode toward the Wang residence.

"Master Biao, I'll pay the protection money Aunt Cuihua owes."

"I couldn't tell before, but you're quite kind-hearted, brat." Zhou Biao accepted the twenty coins Chen Cheng handed over, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Chen Cheng replied with an ingratiating smile, "Aunt Cuihua has helped my family a great deal in the past. I can't just stand by and watch her family suffer."

"Since you're so kind-hearted, then pay the protection money owed by all the other households in the alley as well!" Zhou Biao's expression suddenly darkened as he spoke coldly.

"Master Biao, you must be joking. My family isn't doing well either. We're so poor we can barely afford to eat. How could I have any extra money?"

Chen Cheng answered with a troubled look.

"Hmph! Old hag, we'll let it go this time."

Zhou Biao shot Aunt Cuihua a glare, spat out the threat viciously, then turned and left.

Aunt Cuihua hurriedly thanked Chen Cheng over and over. Wang Chun's wife also dragged her weak body out of the house to thank him.

Chen Cheng smiled and comforted them for a few moments, telling them they could repay him slowly once they had money. There was no rush.

As he came out of the Wang residence, he saw Widow Tian leaning against her own courtyard gate, posing seductively as she spoke with Zhou Biao.

Zhou Biao stared fixedly at Widow Tian. After the two spoke for a while, Zhou Biao followed her through the courtyard gate.

"Ma Liu, is it? Get the hell out of here, as far as you can! Don't let me see you in Locust Tree Alley again."

Ma Liu was thrown out of Widow Tian's courtyard. Chen Cheng had broken his arms and legs before, and they had only just begun to heal. This fall broke them again.

As a street thug, how could he dare offend a gang leader? With lowered brows and submissive eyes, he repeatedly begged for mercy before limping away.

After taking only a few steps, Ma Liu suddenly turned to look toward the Chen household's gate, his eyes filled with venomous hatred.

Chen Cheng's brows immediately knitted tight.

"Brother Cheng, are you all right?" Seeing Chen Cheng return home looking preoccupied, Mu Xiaowan asked worriedly.

Chen Cheng smiled and said gently, "I'm fine. The Redwater Gang was wiped out by the Flying Eagle Gang. Now the Flying Eagle Gang is collecting protection money instead. I paid them, so they probably won't make trouble for our family."

"That's good, Brother Cheng. I'll go make dinner."

"Go ahead and cook for yourself. I have something to do, so I'll eat outside." Chen Cheng stopped her.

"You're eating outside?" Mu Xiaowan looked puzzled.

Chen Cheng smiled. "I'm acquainted with Brother Liao San and the others from the City Guard Office. I'm going to talk with them about something, and we'll have a meal together while we're at it."

Mu Xiaowan was quick and perceptive. She immediately understood that Brother Cheng was treating Brother Liao San to a meal in order to deal with the Flying Eagle Gang.

"Mm."

After leaving Locust Tree Alley, Ma Liu did not dare linger nearby. Limping, he hurried along.

He had once been a local hoodlum and had offended many people. Now that he was injured, he feared running into enemies and did not dare show himself on the main streets, choosing only secluded alleys.

After walking for a while, he reached a deserted, quiet alley and suddenly heard movement behind him.

Just as he was about to turn around and look, a gust of cold wind swept toward him...

Bang!

Someone slammed into Ma Liu from behind, sending him sprawling to the ground. His head struck a bluestone slab squarely, and blood and brains instantly splattered everywhere. He died on the spot.

"Letting that bastard die so quickly—I'm still too kind-hearted!"

Chen Cheng strode quickly out of the alley. Only after seeing that no one around had noticed him did he remove the strip of cloth covering his face.