Chapter Thirty-Eight: No Grudge Lasts Overnight

After the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, Chen Fan clapped his hands, wiped away the blood stains, and looked across the room. At this moment, Bao Tianyou held a piece of paper—an official confession written by the young man, with his signature and seal. The boy’s name was Han Sen, an outer disciple of the Four Symbols Sect. The confession detailed how Yu Xingzheng had secretly plotted against Chen Fan, and Bao Tianyou also possessed evidence of Han Sen having tracked him and his companions, which could indirectly corroborate the incident.

Bao Tianyou looked at Chen Fan with a complicated expression. “Hand this over to the Head of the Pavilion. He’ll surely stand up for you.” Li Linliu had voluntarily gifted him elixirs, further demonstrating the increasing value he placed on Chen Fan.

Yet Chen Fan only scoffed and shook his head. “Even if the Head of the Pavilion intervenes, do you think the Four Symbols Sect will hand Yu Xingzheng over for us to deal with?”

Bao Tianyou was stunned. Yu Xingzheng might not be the greatest genius of the Four Symbols Sect, but he was certainly prominent—and, more importantly, a relative of the sect leader. If this matter reached the higher-ups, at most Yu Xingzheng would receive a verbal reprimand; it was inconceivable that he would pay any real price. After all, Yu Xingzheng hadn’t intended to take Chen Fan’s life, and Chen Fan hadn’t suffered any grave loss as a result.

“What are you suggesting, Junior Brother…?” Bao Tianyou asked.

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes. “This paper can be kept as leverage. As for the solution, it’s better we handle it ourselves. He tried to teach me a lesson, so I’ll return the favor. If it comes out in the open, the facts will still be on our side.”

He smiled, glancing at the youth named Han Sen. “Besides… now we’ve got an extra pawn in our hands.”

…

Feiling County, in a secluded courtyard.

Yu Xingzheng stormed in from the outer gate, kicking it open, his mood foul. Three or four young men were in the yard and hurried forward to greet him.

“Boss!”

“Big Brother!”

“Senior Yu, you’re finally here!”

This was Yu Xingzheng’s “secret base,” known only to his trusted followers. He didn’t reply, just grunted and entered the inner chamber, prompting someone to close the courtyard gate behind him.

Inside, a large table stood; Yu Xingzheng sat down at its head. A slightly chubby youth approached, poured him a bowl of tea, and asked, “How did it go?”

Yu Xingzheng’s lips twisted in irritation. He grabbed the bowl and smashed it on the floor. “That bunch from the ‘Black Alliance’—after yesterday’s failed mission, they refunded part of the payment after deducting their commission, but today, if I want to post another task, they’re demanding double the price—no, quadruple!”

“Quadruple?” The chubby youth frowned deeply. “Isn’t Chen Fan just an Inner Qi practitioner? That’s outrageous!”

Four times the original price! Yu Xingzheng sighed. “The ‘Black Alliance’ must have caught wind of the martial contest happening today…”

The chubby youth narrowed his eyes, speaking cautiously. “For someone like Chen Fan, paying such a steep price isn’t worth it. Senior Yu, maybe you should swallow your pride and let it go. If Chen Fan made it into the semifinals, he must have some real ability…”

Yu Xingzheng slapped the youth across the face, his lips twitching with rage. “You’re telling me to back down? Are you saying I’m afraid of that punk?!”

“Ow!” The chubby youth covered his face, not daring to argue further. “Then what should we do, Senior Yu? If you want, I can ask the brothers to chip in for the fee…”

The advantage of hiring the ‘Black Alliance’ was their safety and secrecy, but their prices were steep. Yesterday’s job cost thirty taels—a high sum already. At quadruple, it would be a hundred and twenty taels of silver! Even for someone from a wealthy family like Yu Xingzheng, it was a considerable sum. Spending so much just to vent his anger might not be worth it.

After his outburst, Yu Xingzheng felt a twinge of regret, but his pride made retreat impossible. He took a deep breath. “Send someone to meet up with Han Sen—he should still be watching Chen Fan and his group. After yesterday, they’re likely more cautious… We’ll wait for the right moment. If the opportunity comes, we won’t need to hire anyone; we’ll handle it ourselves!”

The chubby youth was alarmed. “Senior Yu, you must stay calm! Chen Fan is a talent from the White Cloud Pavilion. If we act and get caught, money won’t solve the problem… It’s not worth it!”

Yu Xingzheng slapped him again, snarling, “When I speak, do you listen or not?!”

The chubby youth almost wept in frustration, but dared not show it. “I’ll send someone to find Han Sen. As for the rest, we’ll talk later. Senior Yu, just wait here for now…”

Yu Xingzheng narrowed his eyes, silent for a moment. “Go quickly.”

The chubby youth knew Yu Xingzheng regretted his actions, but pride prevented him from admitting it. After he left, Yu Xingzheng sat gloomily at the table, drinking alone.

Less than half a stick of incense later, there was a knock at the courtyard gate!

“Who’s there?” someone called out.

Yu Xingzheng heard voices from outside and was surprised. “Back so soon?”

He rushed out as the gate opened—and his face changed dramatically.

Instead of Han Sen, a group of burly men entered, their faces covered with sacks, only their eyes visible.

“Who are you?! Ah!”

In an instant, these men subdued the youths in the courtyard.

“Damn!” Yu Xingzheng reacted swiftly, darting to the wall, leaping up, and grasping the top to vault over. As soon as he landed, a cloud of sand and liquid hit him from the side.

He raised his arm to block, but it was useless. Within moments, his eyes burned and stung—the sand was actually lime, and the liquid was chili water!

“Ugh! You despicable scoundrels—”

Even at the second level of martial arts, he was still flesh and blood. His eyes burned fiercely, tears streaming, and he could barely make out blurred figures waiting nearby.

“Despicable!”

But none of the figures replied. One of them charged straight at him!

“You think I’m easy to beat?” he roared, swinging blindly despite the pain, his fist aimed at the vague silhouette.

Smack!

But his blurred vision made it impossible to judge his target’s position; the punch missed its mark.

As his fist sliced through the air, the attacker struck, landing a blow right to Yu Xingzheng’s face!

Thud!

It felt like a sledgehammer smashed his nose. His eyes went numb, unable to stay open. The pain was unbearable.

Blind and panicked, he staggered about, ears alert, swinging his fists wildly.

“You despicable scoundrels!”

He hardly finished speaking before another punch landed on his chest.

Thud!

His throat burned, and he fell backward uncontrollably.

Soon after, a sack was pulled over his head.

He raged inwardly, shocked and furious. “Bastards, do you know who my uncle is?!”

His questions met only silence. No one spoke, careful not to reveal their identities.

Yu Xingzheng felt several men restrain him, binding his arms and legs. “You’re all dead men! You’ll pay for this!”

Dragging the bound Yu Xingzheng back into the courtyard, only two remained outside.

Chen Fan removed his mask and shook his hands. “Yu Xingzheng’s brute strength isn’t small, but his skills are mediocre. I defeated him easily—he doesn’t compare to Lin Qingyu.”

Beside him, Bao Tianyou also removed his mask.

It was indeed Bao Tianyou.

The two had interrogated Han Sen ruthlessly, intending to make him an insider and wait for a chance to retaliate. Unexpectedly, they extracted the location of Yu Xingzheng’s “secret base” directly. After confirming the details and the strength of his group, they decided to bring masked men and launch a direct assault!

Hearing Chen Fan belittle Yu Xingzheng’s abilities, Bao Tianyou’s expression became strange, his eyes narrowing. You started with lime and chili water—if he could still handle you, that would be the real surprise!

Clearing his throat, Bao Tianyou said, “Junior Brother Chen, time is short. If we stay longer, the neighbors may notice. Deal with him as you see fit—but don’t kill anyone, or the Bao family won’t be able to cover for you…”

Bao Tianyou didn’t mean they couldn’t cover for him, but that it would be difficult. Chen Fan was stirred by this, gaining a deeper understanding of the Bao family’s power in Feiling County.

He smiled, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother—I won’t make things difficult for you.”

Cracking his neck, he strode into the courtyard.

Shortly after, anguished cries echoed through the yard.

Indeed, Chen Fan did not kill Yu Xingzheng—he lacked the confidence for that. But he did break all ten of Yu Xingzheng’s fingers and battered him until his face was swollen and unrecognizable.

He had not used excessive force; if the matter escalated, even with the Bao family’s backing, it would be hard to manage. His current abilities did not allow him to act recklessly.

Yet, despite this, Yu Xingzheng was left howling in pain, begging for mercy—his former arrogance utterly gone.