Mountain Rain Is on Its Way

Chen Cheng returned to Locust Tree Alley just as Zhou Biao of the Flying Eagle Gang came out of Widow Tian's house. He seemed not to have had his fill, lingering at the courtyard gate and flirting shamelessly with Widow Tian.

"Master Biao, I'll leave the door open for you tonight." Widow Tian brushed the hair by her temples with one hand, her waist swaying gently as her watery peach-blossom eyes gazed at Zhou Biao.

Zhou Biao adjusted his belt and had intended to leave, but Widow Tian's teasing immediately sent flames surging through his heart. He stepped forward again and wrapped her in his arms, his rough, broad hands freely kneading those millstones.

"You little seductress, looks like I didn't feed you full just now. Once I'm done with my business, I'll properly deal with you tonight!"

Even in broad daylight, Widow Tian felt no shame. Pressed close against him, she giggled without end. The two carried on as though no one else existed. The neighboring residents feared Zhou Biao, and every household kept its doors tightly shut, with no one daring to gossip.

Chen Cheng had abruptly run into this shameless pair and could only curse his bad luck inwardly as he quickened his pace.

"Oh... isn't this Chen Er? Rushing about in such a panic—are you hurrying off to be reincarnated?" Widow Tian said in a mocking, affected tone.

Last time, Chen Cheng had kicked her, and she had been forced to repay her debt with interest.

On top of that, after Chen Cheng broke Ma Liu's arms and legs, Ma Liu had sprawled in her house, eating and drinking for free for over a month, making her suffer bitterly.

She hated Chen Cheng to the very bone.

This time, when the Flying Eagle Gang came to collect their regular tribute, she successfully hooked up with their leader, Zhou Biao, and had him drive Ma Liu away.

Now that Zhou Biao was backing her up, she naturally wanted to seize the chance to take revenge on Chen Cheng and vent the hatred in her heart.

Chen Cheng naturally understood Widow Tian's intentions and could not be bothered with her. His steps only grew faster.

"Master Biao, this Chen Er is terribly arrogant. This servant kindly greeted him, yet he ignored me. Never mind ignoring me—he doesn't even put you, Master Biao, in his eyes." Widow Tian tightly wrapped her arms around Zhou Biao's neck and spoke in a coquettish whisper by his ear.

The wicked woman was naturally fanning the flames.

Zhou Biao had been bewitched senseless by her, so of course he meant to stand up for her. He was already arrogant and tyrannical, fond of bullying the weak with his strength, while Chen Cheng was merely a lowly jailer—the perfect target for him to trample at will. He immediately turned to Chen Cheng and barked, "Stop!"

Chen Cheng halted, his expression calm. "Does Master Biao need something from me?"

Wanting to show off before Widow Tian, Zhou Biao immediately bulged his eyes and snarled viciously, "Madam Tian called to you. Are you deaf?"

Chen Cheng frowned. He had long expected that once Widow Tian latched onto Zhou Biao, she would use the opportunity to stir up trouble, but he had not expected it to come so quickly.

His trip to drink with Liao San had two purposes: first, to build some rapport with Liao San; second, to learn about the Flying Eagle Gang and Zhou Biao's background so he could prepare early.

From Liao San, he learned that the Flying Eagle Gang was one of Ruyi Ward's four major gangs. Their leader, Cao Fei, was a martial artist at the peak of the Skin-Tempering Realm, and he had two to three hundred gang members under him.

Normally, the Flying Eagle Gang ran rampant, arrogant and overbearing, committing every kind of evil.

As for Zhou Biao, he was Cao Fei's number one enforcer. Though he had not entered the Skin-Tempering Realm, he had cultivated a thirty-six-form Ground-Rolling Saber Art to mastery, and his strength was formidable.

He was ruthless in his dealings and avenged even the slightest grievance. Many leaders of rival gangs had died beneath his blade.

In the recent bloody clash with the Redwater Gang, Zhou Biao had slain two incense masters of the Redwater Gang. Cao Fei promoted him to incense master and put him in charge of the Redwater Gang's former territory. His momentum was at its height.

Even Liao San had little he could do about him; the two sides simply kept to their own waters and stayed out of each other's way.

Facing such a ruthless man, Chen Cheng knew his strength was still meager. If he could avoid provoking him, he would. He immediately said amiably:

"I just came back from drinking with Brother Liao San of the City Guard Office, so I'm a little muddled. I hope Master Biao will forgive me."

Liao San was a City Guard Office constable and a martial artist whose saber art had reached mastery. Bringing him up was also a move born of helplessness.

But Zhou Biao clearly did not buy it. He snorted. "What do you mean by bringing up Liao San to me? Do you think I'm afraid of him?"

Chen Cheng smiled. "That's not what I meant. I also have some acquaintance with Constable Liu Yunfeng."

As he spoke, Chen Cheng turned to Widow Tian. "Madam Tian, when you repaid me last time, Constable Liu personally witnessed it. Surely you haven't forgotten?"

Since Liao San's name was not enough, Chen Cheng could only borrow the tiger's hide of Constable Liu Yunfeng.

The moment Zhou Biao heard that Chen Cheng had ties with Liu Yunfeng, he immediately grew wary.

As an incense master of the Flying Eagle Gang, he could rely on his own abilities and refuse to give Liao San face.

But Constable Liu Yunfeng was different. Even the leader of the Flying Eagle Gang had to be respectful when he saw him.

"Madam Tian, is there such a matter?" The muscles in Zhou Biao's dark face twitched incessantly, and the look he gave Widow Tian turned incomparably cold.

As a gang leader, he had always bullied the weak and feared the strong. He would not offend Constable Liu Yunfeng merely to stand up for Widow Tian.

Widow Tian's heart trembled, and she said instinctively, "There was such a thing, but—"

"You needn't say any more." Zhou Biao cut her off, then turned to Chen Cheng with a smile.

"So Brother Chen Er knows Constable Liu. Just now, Zhou was only joking with you. Zhou still has some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."

With that, Zhou Biao cupped his hands. Without sparing Widow Tian another glance, he turned and strode away.

"Chen Er, just you wait!" Widow Tian spat resentfully before entering her courtyard and slamming the gate shut with a muffled bang.

Clearly, this wicked hag would not let the matter rest.

The tree wishes for stillness, but the wind will not cease. I only want to live quietly, but in this world... I'm afraid that truly cannot be done.

Chen Cheng sighed inwardly and headed toward his home.

Using Liu Yunfeng's name had frightened Zhou Biao off, but it was not a long-term solution.

Widow Tian had hooked up with Zhou Biao, and she would inevitably whisper some pillow talk into his ear. Zhou Biao would probably still make a move against him.

Even if he did not dare kill him openly, he would likely take action in the shadows. Chen Cheng had to stay on guard.

After all, people from the martial world's gangs were no good sort. To them, killing one or two people was as commonplace as eating and drinking.

If he wanted the martial world's gangs to be wary of him, the only way was to join the City Guard Office and become one of its constables.

Chen Cheng had long intended to resign from his jailer's post and seek advancement in the City Guard Office. At the drinking table earlier, he had already expressed this intention to Liao San.

Liao San was a rather loyal man and agreed to think of a way for Chen Cheng, telling him to wait for word.

[Chasing Wind Saber Technique cultivation progress increased.]

[Skill: Chasing Wind Saber Technique (Beginner 18/100)

That afternoon, after cultivating for more than two hours, the Chasing Wind Saber Technique's cultivation progress had risen to 18 points.

He was still far from minor mastery of the saber technique, but Chen Cheng could feel his improvement. His saber art was becoming increasingly proficient.

"Zhou Biao's saber art is at mastery, while mine is only at beginner level. We're separated by a full two ranks. But I'm at minor mastery in the Skin-Tempering Realm, my cultivation level is higher than his, and my strength and speed surpass his. If we met head-on, I wonder who would be stronger."

Chen Cheng compared them in secret and felt somewhat uncertain.

He was currently at minor mastery in the Skin-Tempering Realm. His skin membrane was tougher and harder than that of ordinary martial artists, like cowhide, but it was still far from being impervious to blades and spears. In a direct fight, Zhou Biao, whose saber art had reached mastery, would likely still hold some advantage.

"My strength is still too weak!"