The one who pushed open the door was Ye Chen. He had grown quite a bit and was fourteen now. He was taller, too, and even through his clothes, the powerful muscles of his chest were plain to see. But he was in a sorry state.
His pants were torn, with half of one leg missing. His shirt was riddled with holes, filthy and foul-smelling. He looked like an unwanted wild child. Shakky's eyes filled with tears at a single glance.
"Who are you?"
Seeing Ye Chen block his Lu, the scarred pirate demanded an answer angrily.
"I'd advise you to pay up right now. Otherwise..." Shakky kindly warned the scarred Pirate.
"Otherwise...?"
The scarred Pirate stared at her, finding Shakky's words ridiculous. He turned back to Ye Chen. The boy was clearly only in his teens. What was there to fear?
"Get out of my way," the scarred Pirate grunted.
He reached out with a hand as broad as a fan to shove Ye Chen aside.
Ye Chen's right hand shot out and clamped around the scarred Pirate's wrist.
"You haven't paid yet."
Ye Chen tightened his grip. Pain shot through the scarred Pirate's wrist, and his body buckled against his will.
The scarred Pirate refused to believe it. He strained with all his might, only to discover, to his shock, that Ye Chen's hand was like an iron claw. The grip hurt so badly he could hardly bear it, and he could not break free.
"Ow... Ow! Let go! Let go! You're going to break my hand!"
He lasted only a moment before crying out. When Ye Chen still would not release him, the scarred Pirate swung his free hand in a wide arc at Ye Chen.
Ye Chen kept smiling. He quickly reached out with his other