Tang Wulin lifted the lid off the clay pot before him. The beef was tender, the broth rich. Its aroma wafted out, teasing his taste buds and making his mouth water.
He copied Xie Xie, spooning the meat and broth over his rice. Protein, fat, and carbohydrates combined-it was the perfect replenishment for students who had spent the entire afternoon studying.
The beef was fragrant without being greasy, and paired with the refreshing pickled vegetables, it tasted incredible.
In less than a minute, Tang Wulin had emptied his bowl. Xie Xie did not hesitate either. He had said he was treating today, and he would make sure Tang Wulin ate his fill.
Xie Xie turned toward Uncle Li, who was tending the fire, and called, "Uncle Li, more rice!"
Everyone was thoroughly enjoying their meal.
Just then, three burly men barged in.
Their leader was bald and bare-chested, with a dragon tattoo on his arm.
"Li, hurry up and pay your protection money!" the bald man demanded viciously, his expression fierce.
At the sight of them, the customers hurriedly paid their bills and slipped away. Passersby gathered outside to watch, but not one dared step forward.
"Brother Guanglong, it's not that I don't want to pay. Someone in my family is sick. Every bit I earn working from dawn till dark goes toward their treatment. I really don't have any money to spare right now."
Hearing this, Guanglong immediately kicked out, smashing the nearest table to pieces.
"No money? Then shut the place down! Pack your things and get lost!"
How could Uncle Li agree? For an ordinary man like him, finding a steady source of income was far from easy. Once it was gone, his family member would have no hope.
Guanglong's two lackeys could not keep their hands to themselves either. Seeing that Xie Xie and the other two were still in the shop, they walked straight over and raised their hands to slap Xie Xie.
Both lackeys were ordinary people. Even if Xie Xie could not beat Jiang Mingyuan and Tang Wulin, who were his own age, handling two ordinary people with his rank-eighteen soul power was as easy as turning his hand.
Right before Guanglong's eyes, Xie Xie hurled both lackeys out of the shop.
Xie Xie summoned his martial soul, and a yellow soul ring rose from beneath his feet. Tang Wulin stood up as well, clenching his fists. His parents were ordinary people too.
"Where did you little brats come from? You dare cross me, Guanglong?"
Guanglong stepped forward with his left foot. Two soul rings, one white and one yellow, rose beneath his feet. Gray scales grew across his exposed skin.
The atmosphere in the shop grew intensely tense.
Uncle Li hid in a corner, not daring to make a sound, bitterly lamenting to himself. He probably would not be able to keep the shop open now. He only hoped nothing happened to Xie Xie.
Guanglong swung his fist at Xie Xie. At the critical moment, Tang Wulin stepped in, raising both hands to catch the punch.
"You've got some strength, brat." Guanglong was about to raise his other fist, but Xie Xie reacted swiftly, his dagger flashing.
Several bloody cuts instantly appeared on Guanglong's arm.
"You're asking to die!"
Xie Xie's actions had enraged Guanglong.
Today, no matter who these brats' parents were, he would kill them all.
Two lizard soul spirits crawled onto Guanglong's shoulders, and both soul rings lit up at once.
Guanglong's entire body swelled, nearly bursting his clothes. His right arm in particular grew thicker than Tang Wulin's waist.
"Let me show you brats my Kirin Arm!"
Guanglong turned his hand over and seized both of Tang Wulin's hands in his grip. He lifted Tang Wulin straight off the ground.
"I'll crush you to death, brat!"
Xie Xie was frantic, but no matter how he slashed his little dagger across Guanglong's body, it left only faint white marks.
"Hahaha! Are you trying to scratch an itch for me?" Guanglong could not help laughing. His martial soul, the ironclad dragon, possessed powerful defenses and considerable strength. It often gave him the upper hand when fighting others.
Unfortunately, he had failed to see whom he was dealing with today and provoked Jiang Mingyuan.
"Put Wulin down."
Guanglong's laughter faltered. Only then did he notice there was another person in the shop.
"Heh. And what if I don't?"
The instant Guanglong finished speaking, he felt searing pain all over his body. Guanglong was on fire. Literally.
Guanglong released his grip and frantically slapped at his body, trying to extinguish the blood-red flames.
But instead of weakening, the flames burned even more fiercely.
The two lackeys finally got up from the ground. Seeing their boss on fire, they immediately rushed over to help put it out. One clever lackey spotted an iron bucket filled with liquid beside the stove. Without the slightest hesitation, he rushed over, picked it up, and poured it over Guanglong.
The flames engulfing Guanglong grew even larger.
The other lackey took one look.
"That's fucking oil!"
In the end, Jiang Mingyuan dispersed the flames.
Guanglong lay on the ground, charred black from head to toe. His two lackeys proved loyal enough, hoisting him up and running toward the hospital.
Once the troublemakers left, the onlookers dispersed as well.
"Hurry up and leave. Hurry! Guanglong's older brother will definitely come back for revenge."
Uncle Li knelt on the ground, staring blankly at the shop he had poured half a lifetime of effort into. It was over. He probably could not keep this shop open anymore.
Seeing Uncle Li like this left Xie Xie feeling miserable. His mother had brought him here for clay-pot beef when he was little. Uncle Li had always greeted them with a smile.
Xie Xie took a card out of his Storage Soul Tool.
"Uncle Li, there are two hundred thousand Federation Coins on this card. Take it and use it for now."
Uncle Li accepted the card with trembling hands, tears welling uncontrollably in his eyes.
"Xie Xie, thank you."
Tang Wulin searched his pockets too. He still had five thousand in cash on him. He turned to Jiang Mingyuan.
"If there's something you want to do, go ahead."
"Uncle Li, please take this money too."
Tang Wulin walked over to Uncle Li, sympathy in his eyes.
"Thank you. Children, you should hurry and leave too. That Guanglong has an older brother. He's the captain of the Eastsea City Mecha Brigade."
Soul masters bullying ordinary people was hardly uncommon on the Douluo Continent. Those who possessed extraordinary powers naturally considered themselves a cut above everyone else.
Discussing fairness in a society like this was laughable.
Suddenly, Jiang Mingyuan's Communication Soul Tool rang. He opened it and saw a message from the Designer Association.
Qin Yu: Little brother, an important person wants to meet you. Do you have time to come over?
After Guanglong's disturbance, Jiang Mingyuan was no longer in the mood to keep wandering around.
"Wulin, Xie Xie, something's come up. I need to head out, so I won't be joining you."
Tang Wulin and Xie Xie returned to Eastsea Academy in low spirits. Guanglong's older brother held a position far beyond their ability to handle.
Although Xie Xie's family had some standing, they could only back down before Guang Biao, who controlled Eastsea City's armed forces.
"Wulin, let's tell Teacher Wu about this. He's a Soul Emperor. Maybe he can help us."
Tang Wulin nodded.
They would discuss it with Teacher Wu first. If he could not do anything either, Tang Wulin would have to consider seeking help from the Blacksmith Association.
By the time the two returned to Eastsea Academy, it was already dark. They decided to see Wu Changkong the following morning.
A slow, low wail sounded from the street.
"Is there a fire somewhere?" It was clearly the sound of a fire engine.
That night, Tang Wulin could not fall asleep. Jiang Mingyuan had not returned, and he was a little worried.
The next morning, Tang Wulin entered the dining hall listlessly. Two students were chatting at a nearby table.
"Hey, did you hear? Something huge happened in Eastsea City."
"The Eastsea City Mecha Brigade's base caught fire last night. More than half the members died-even the captain."
"Seriously? You're not messing with me?"
"It's true. My dad works at the Fire Department."