Peacemaking

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, Niu Baoyuan returned and said to everyone, "It's Deputy Captain Zhong of the Arms Division and Ren Baokang of the Iron Fist Martial Hall fighting in the next private room."

Old Lan glanced at Liu Jiali and said with a nonchalant smile, "Pay them no mind, let's continue drinking. Come on, Old Liu, let's have a toast."

Everyone continued to drink, but Liu Yuanzhou felt that it wasn't as lively as before.

Liu Yuanzhou asked Niu Baoyuan, "Who are Deputy Captain Zhong and Ren Baokang?"

Niu Baoyuan whispered, "Deputy Captain Zhong is the deputy captain of Squad A of our courtyard's Arms Division, a Martial Master. Ren Baokang is the son of Hall Master Ren of the Iron Fist Martial Hall in Yan Province City, also a Martial Master who has entered the Ming Jin Realm."

Liu Yuanzhou suddenly understood. Martial Masters were fighting next door, no wonder everyone present was acting unnaturally.

At this moment, Third Master Feng, the owner of the restaurant, hurriedly pushed the door open and walked in. He went straight to Liu Jiali and Old Lan and said, "Grandpa Lan, Grandpa Liu, please, you two must do me this favor and go next door to persuade those two. If they keep fighting, my restaurant will be torn down."

Liu Jiali and Old Lan both lowered their heads and remained silent, each hoping the other would take the lead. They both knew very well that persuasion might not work, and could even cause trouble.

Although in terms of official duties, Steward Guan corresponds to the squad leader of the Arms Division, which is a higher level than the deputy captain, those who practice martial arts have always been unruly and never paid attention to stewards like them.

Seeing Liu and Lan pretending to be deaf and dumb, Third Master Feng almost pleaded, "Please, you two, say something."

Liu Jiali said, "Grandpa Lan, you have always been highly respected. Why don't you go out and say something? I'm sure they'll give you some face. I won't go and embarrass myself."

Old Lan waved his hands repeatedly, "It's more appropriate for you to go, Brother Liu. I, I have a stomachache and need to go to the restroom." As he spoke, he stood up.

Liu Jiali quickly got up and pressed him back down.

At this moment, there was another burst of clanging and banging outside, accompanied by shouts and curses.

Hearing this, Third Master Feng trembled with heartache and gritted his teeth, "Please, you two, stop declining. Consider the Feng family owing you a favor. Please, both of you, go and talk to them."

Since he had said this much, Liu and Lan couldn't refuse any longer. It wasn't that they were afraid of Third Master Feng, but that Third Master Feng had a deep background in the Prefecture Yamen.

"Alright, then we'll go and try to persuade them, but let's get the ugly words out of the way first, we can't guarantee success," Old Lan said with a wry smile.

Third Master Feng nodded repeatedly.

Having made a decision, Liu and Lan no longer hesitated. They asked Third Master Feng to lead the way, and led the crowd out of the private room in a mighty manner.

The fight was taking place in Private Room Number Three of Block A, which was only one room away from Private Room Number One.

The group arrived at the door of Room Number Three and saw that the door was wide open. Looking through the doorway, they could vaguely see two groups of people confronting each other.

Third Master Feng took the lead and walked in, followed closely by Steward Liu Jiali and Lan. Liu Yuanzhou quickly pulled Steward Guan and the other three over and stepped forward to stick close behind Liu Jiali.

He was worried that if a fight broke out, he could block for his uncle. After all, fists and feet have no eyes. Although he couldn't beat a Martial Master, he could still block for a moment.

Liu Jiali nodded secretly, thinking that he was indeed his own nephew, concerned about his safety, and felt very gratified.

The group walked into the private room, and Third Master Feng stopped far away, pleading, "Please stop fighting, everyone. Let's talk things over, let's talk things over."

Liu Yuanzhou sized up the two groups of people fighting. One side had four or five people, all wearing short martial arts uniforms, while the other side had only two people. There was a dining table in between, which was now overturned, with bowls, chopsticks, cups, plates, and food scattered all over the floor.

Among the group of people wearing martial arts uniforms, one person was sitting in a chair, in his thirties, with a rough face. He should be the leader of these people, Deputy Captain Zhong. He said impatiently, "I said, Third Master Feng, this is none of your business. If you say any more, I'll beat you up too."

"Old Lan, Steward Liu, you've come at the right time. Come and judge this matter," the young man standing in front of the other two shouted angrily, but a hint of joy appeared on his face. This person should be Ren Baokang.

Deputy Captain Zhong shouted, "Ren Baokang, stop talking nonsense. Either hand over the person or pay the money. Even if the King of Heaven comes today, it won't work."

After speaking, he turned to look at Liu and Lan, and said expressionlessly, "Steward Lan, Steward Liu, this is none of your business. Go do whatever you need to do, otherwise, if we accidentally hit you two when we start fighting, it won't be good."

Old Steward Lan narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "Deputy Captain Zhong, don't get angry. Originally, this matter really has nothing to do with us, but firstly, Boss Feng asked me for help, and secondly, I also have some friendship with Hall Master Ren. Can we sit down and talk slowly? Don't fight, otherwise, if we really damage this Gathering of Immortals Pavilion, it won't look good for anyone."

Deputy Captain Zhong said lazily, "Okay, I said it just now, either pay money or hand over the person, choose one of the two. I'll take my brothers and leave immediately, and I'll pay for the damaged tables and chairs at the original price."

Ren Baokang said angrily, "You surnamed Zhong, you're talking nonsense! What do you mean by paying money? How much is your broken thing worth?"

He looked at Old Lan and said angrily, "You guys be the judge. I was eating with this friend," he pointed to the man behind him, who had been keeping his head down, so his face couldn't be seen clearly, "and then this guy surnamed Zhong barged in with his men and overturned our table without saying a word, and wanted to take my friend away."

"Fortunately, I know a little bit of martial arts, so he didn't succeed. I asked him what he wanted to do? He said my friend broke one of his jars earlier and had to pay for it. I asked how much, and guess what he said? He actually said two hundred taels of silver."

After speaking, he pointed to a gray jar on the ground, which was now broken in half, "Tell me, is this broken jar worth two hundred taels?"

Liu Yuanzhou looked over, and the jar was just an ordinary rice jar, worth a few copper coins at most. He looked at Deputy Captain Zhong again, and saw him looking calm and collected, picking his nails, and not refuting.

The people behind him started chattering, saying that the jar was an ancestral antique, that Ren Baokang was blind, and that he should pay for it.

This was not some valuable antique at all, it was obviously Deputy Captain Zhong and his gang extorting money, everyone knew it.

"Deputy Captain Zhong, two hundred taels is indeed too much, can you ask for a little less?" Liu Jiali said, he had the intention of mediating, anyway, as long as they didn't fight, and they could negotiate a number that both parties could accept, then they would have completed their merits.

"Since Steward Liu has spoken, I have to give you some face, so let's make it one hundred and eighty taels." Deputy Captain Chong said.

Two hundred taels was not a small amount, it was almost enough to buy a house with a yard in a remote part of the city, and it was the expense of a family of five in the city for two years.

"Nonsense, I don't want to give you even one tael of silver for your broken jar." Ren Baokang said angrily.

"Haha, Steward Liu, you see, it's not that I don't give you face, it's that he doesn't give you face." Deputy Captain Zhong laughed.

Liu Jiali's face immediately became embarrassed, and he stopped talking. It seemed that neither side wanted to negotiate.

"What thing is worth two hundred taels of silver? This old man would also like to see it." Someone suddenly interjected from outside the private room.

Everyone looked over and saw an old man standing outside the door at some point, with a dark complexion and unusually sharp eyes.

"Dad, you're here." Ren Baokang said in surprise.

Deputy Captain Zhong stood up immediately, his face no longer as relaxed as before.

Steward Lan and the others who were blocking the door separated to both sides, making way.

The old man walked in leisurely with his hands behind his back, nodded to Steward Lan and Liu Jiali as a greeting, and Lan and Liu quickly cupped their hands in return.

The old man's steps were calm and his demeanor was extraordinary. It was none other than Ren Taihe, Hall Master of the Iron Fist Martial Hall.

Ren Taihe approached his son and said casually, "You guys go back first."

Ren Baokang immediately pulled the person behind him and walked out. Deputy Captain Zhong's face was green, but he did not stop them, allowing them to leave.

The private room fell silent for a moment, and one could hear a pin drop.

"Hehe, since there is no treasure, then this old man will also take his leave." Ren Taihe cupped his hands and turned to leave.

"I heard that Hall Master Ren's Iron Fist has reached Major Accomplishment, I would like to learn from you." Deputy Captain Zhong suddenly said. As soon as he finished speaking, he struck Ren Taihe's back with a palm.

Ren Taihe seemed to have been prepared for this. Without turning around, he dodged to the side and swung his right fist.

There was a loud "bang", and the two palms separated as soon as they touched. Deputy Captain Zhong staggered back a few steps, his right arm trembling constantly, and his face flushed. The people behind him immediately stepped forward and surrounded him.

Hall Master Ren, on the other hand, only swayed his body, his feet not even moving. Comparing the two, it was clear who was superior.

Hall Master Ren flicked his sleeves, glanced at Deputy Captain Zhong, snorted coldly, and walked out of the private room with his hands behind his back.