Eleven

Of course, there is no such thing as an airtight wall in this world. A few sharp-eyed street vendors, noticing that Duan Mingyu would turn left and right, perform a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree spin, and then vanish without a trace, were quite perplexed. After trailing him a few times, these vendors were as ecstatic as if they had discovered a new continent.

Duan Mingyu did not care about this. If they discovered his tricks, that was their own capability; he preferred that everyone just mind their own business and stick to their own affairs.

Watching the woman being not only stripped of her belongings but also groped by those thugs, Xu Zuye and Duan Mingyu felt a surge of indignation. "Animals," they cried inwardly, feeling sickened. It was truly unbelievable—the standards of these thugs were shockingly high.

Looking at the woman who had been knocked unconscious, a wave of melancholy washed over Duan Mingyu. Indeed, good people do not live long, while pests live for ten thousand years.

Just as he was lost in thought, Duan Mingyu felt a tap on his shoulder. "Who is so ignorant, disturbing my show?" Duan Mingyu turned around, and oh boy, it was none other than the notorious Zhang Baobao. Due to past trauma, Duan Mingyu held an inexplicable fear for this type of "city management" figure.

"I was wondering which blind fool dared to openly evade taxes," Zhang Baobao sneered, glaring at Duan Mingyu. "Kid, you've broken the rules of the trade, haven't you? Tell me, how are we going to settle this today?"

Duan Mingyu and Xu Zuye exchanged looks, wondering how this guy had found them. Seeing one of their vendors behind Zhang Baobao, beaten to a pulp and looking like a pig's head, they immediately understood. Sure enough, this bunch of spineless things had leaked the information; unable to withstand torture, they had sold them out.

Duan Mingyu glanced at the calm and composed Xu Zuye. He was a few years older, after all, and much more mature; to remain so unruffled at such a critical moment—Duan Mingyu was truly impressed.

"Brother Xu, what do you think we should do? You have to come up with a plan," Duan Mingyu whispered, tugging at Xu Zuye’s sleeve.

"What kind of plan is there to make? We're surrounded. Maybe we can save our lives if we strip naked and sing a song of surrender," Xu Zuye replied, mimicking Duan Mingyu’s tone with utter helplessness.

Seeing the two whispering and ignoring him, Zhang Baobao flew into a rage. "Didn't you two think you were so good at running? Run! If you've got the guts, run again! Do you think it’s easy for me to make a living? My brothers rise earlier than roosters and sleep later than dogs just to protect the merchants of Bianliang. And yet, there are still people unwilling to pay a little silver!"

After his long-winded tirade, Zhang Baobao took a sip of tea and cursed, "My mouth is dry from talking. Kid, do you understand what I mean? Do you know that what you've done has severely hurt the feelings of my brothers? And more importantly, so many other merchants are now following your lead. Tell me yourself, how much loss have you caused us? (Fifty thousand words omitted here)..."

A long while later, an discordant snoring sound broke the silence. Zhang Baobao turned to look and saw one of his subordinates had ungracefully fallen asleep. He kicked the man, shouting, "You spineless thing, sleeping, sleeping, sleeping! You only know how to sleep all day!" The subordinate didn't dare say a word after being kicked, but thought to himself: If you hadn't talked so much nonsense, would I have fallen asleep?

Zhang Baobao, naturally unaware of his subordinate's thoughts, finished his lecture and asked Duan Mingyu, "Kid, do you admit to this?"

Duan Mingyu forced a smile. "Brother Zhang, I am indeed new to Bianliang City and don't know the rules. Name your price—how much do I need to pay for the damages?"

Seeing Duan Mingyu was so sensible, Zhang Baobao said, "Fifty taels of silver. Not a single coin less!"

Duan Mingyu gritted his teeth. Fifty taels! Damn it, several days of his hard-earned income just vanished because of one sentence from this guy. Forget it; a wise man doesn't fight when the odds are against him. I'll endure it!

"Fifty taels it is," Duan Mingyu said. "Will you let us go once we pay?"

Zhang Baobao gave a disdainful laugh. "It’s not that simple. If I let you off just like that, how will I command respect in the future? If you want to leave, cut off a hand, and then get the hell out of here!" A cruel look crossed his face. He had ruled these streets for years; he was not a soft-hearted man.

Duan Mingyu panicked. This was true chaos—the people had no way to survive. Compared to the mafia right in front of him, the city management officers of his past life were nothing—merely child's play.

A desperate thought flashed through Duan Mingyu's mind. He gripped the throwing knife hidden on his person, but just then, Xu Zuye, who had remained silent the whole time, suddenly launched a kick at Zhang Baobao. Caught completely off guard, Zhang Baobao’s not-so-sturdy body flew backward like a kite with a broken string.

Holy crap, that was fierce! So, old Xu was a legendary master of masters! Xu Zuye looked back at the stunned Duan Mingyu and barked, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and break through the encirclement! Are you waiting to get your hands or feet chopped off?"

Duan Mingyu was truly startled by Xu Zuye’s decisiveness. He snapped to his senses and delivered a fierce kick to Zhang Baobao’s crotch.

Xu Zuye looked at Duan Mingyu in shock and sighed, "How times have changed; people aren't what they used to be. Can the equipment for continuing the family line handle such destruction? Brutal, truly too brutal... but I like it." Zhang Baobao, still in mid-air, took the hit squarely. A scream like a slaughtered pig echoed through the tavern, across the city of Bianliang, and throughout the entire land of China.

Seeing this bloody and violent scene, the rest of Zhang Baobao’s men felt a chill in their own crotches. They wilted instantly. After exchanging glances, they all took a step back, none of them willing to provoke these two "crotch-destroyers."

Duan Mingyu grabbed Zhang Baobao. Memories from before and after his transmigration flooded his mind: he had graduated from a prestigious university, yet couldn't find a job; his mother had worked herself to the bone for his education; he had worked day and night only to be bullied by city officials; his girlfriend must have been heartbroken when she heard about his car accident; and now, after transmigrating, he still had to endure the insults of this low-life mafia. And the most painful part was that he, a top scholar, was so physically inept!

Zhang Baobao was in agonizing pain and had no strength to resist. Pinned to the ground by Duan Mingyu, his struggle was futile.

Xu Zuye whispered, "A one-sided slaughter. The most classic counter-attack in history."

"You motherfucker wanted one of my hands, didn't you? Come on, take it!" Duan Mingyu punched Zhang Baobao’s pale face hard, venting all the frustration of his recent bad luck on him.

A bruise immediately bloomed on Zhang Baobao’s face. He endured the blow, sweat pouring from his forehead like beads, and roared at his men, "You bastards, hurry up and save me! Whoever doesn't step up, I won't forgive him when I get out!"

Everyone sweated—what did he mean by "when I get out"? It sounded like he had been sentenced to hard labor.

Hearing this, the subordinates hurriedly straightened themselves up, puffed out their chests, and shouted, "Brothers, charge! Save our boss, save our Bianliang, save our beloved Great Tang! Charge!"

Good grief, they were so practiced at shouting slogans—professional mafia really are different.

Duan Mingyu was secretly pleased; it seemed this bunch of clowns was just putting on a show, all thunder and no rain. While they were busy shouting slogans, Duan Mingyu landed a few more punches on Zhang Baobao’s face.

Before losing consciousness, Zhang Baobao yelled angrily, "Duan Mingyu, I will never let you go!"

Duan Mingyu said coolly, "Is there any point in saying that now? Scum like you will never understand that it's best to leave a way out for others. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, and a dog will jump over a wall; even more so for a handsome and dashing top scholar like me!"

With that, his fists rained down like a storm on Zhang Baobao’s face. Xu Zuye sighed for Zhang Baobao—they said not to hit a man in the face, but this kid kept targeting that exact spot until he was beaten to a pulp. How would poor Brother Zhang ever be able to show his face in public again?

Zhang Baobao felt more and more stars dancing before his eyes, and he could almost see his own swollen face. Nearby, the subordinates were "fighting" Xu Zuye with half-hearted moves, screaming as they did so.

"Oh, he's too strong, I can't hold on!"
"My waist was kicked!"
"My arm was cut by a blade!"

Good grief, that kick didn't even touch you, what are you yelling about? And that guy—I didn't even see a kitchen knife, where did that cut come from?

These people were truly smart, had bright futures, and were damn cool. Duan Mingyu was secretly amused as he mechanically punched Zhang Baobao. Poor Zhang Baobao—having been kicked in his "vital parts," he was in unbearable pain, and then being pinned down, he had no way to fight back, which made the beating so satisfying.

Duan Mingyu looked at Zhang Baobao with contempt. With skills like that, he could be a boss? Back when he watched *Young and Dangerous*, none of the bosses there were this pathetic.

Xu Zuye slowly drove the group toward the stairs and then kicked them, sending them rolling down one by one.

This bunch of top-tier thugs actually pretended to be unconscious; not one of them got up to continue fighting. One even shouted before passing out, "Ah, I've fainted!" and then lay down very naturally.

You can still shout when you're unconscious? Big brother, could you try to be more professional next time?

Duan Mingyu looked at the group. Although their boss was in his hands and he understood the need for caution, this was just too much...

Duan Mingyu felt like going crazy. These people could actually collect protection money? And someone as pampered as Zhang Baobao was simply not suited for this line of work. It was truly unjust! Starting tomorrow, he might as well go out and collect protection money himself; he would definitely do a better job than this bunch.

Xu Zuye, who had thought they were doomed, walked over to Duan Mingyu after dealing with the group. "Brother Duan, that's enough. Let's get out of here quickly. If reinforcements arrive, we really won't be able to leave."

Duan Mingyu looked at the unconscious Zhang Baobao, feeling quite satisfied. He clapped his hands and looked at Xu Zuye with longing. "Let's go. By the way, Brother Xu, what kind of martial arts did you use? You sent Zhang Baobao flying with one kick!"

"The Virgin's Skill. Do you want to learn it?"

"Better not! Haha, I was just asking, just asking..."

Duan Mingyu sighed in disappointment. How could he practice that while maintaining his virginity? He still needed to branch out and carry on the family line for the Duan family!

Duan Mingyu thought to himself, left a large footprint on Zhang Baobao’s face, and walked away in style.

The two walked slowly, so much so that people could clearly hear their shameless dialogue.

"Brother Xu’s courage is unmatched; you took down a whole crowd in no time. I am truly impressed!"

"Not at all, not at all. Brother Duan’s 'Crotch-Destroying Kick' is truly divine and dazzling. Even the legendary martial arts masters couldn't compare!"

"Brother Xu, you are too modest. How could I compare to your brilliance and martial prowess?"

"Brother Duan, you are also too modest. Even that Zhang Baobao, who dominates Bianliang, had no way to fight back in your hands. I truly admire you!"

"Keep it low-profile, Brother Xu. We must keep it low-profile and not let too many people know we beat up Zhang Baobao."

The crowd, mostly fainted, felt like laughing. You were the loudest of all just now, and you have the nerve to talk about being low-profile?

After the two walked away, a giggle came from the crowd: "Grandfather, do you think they are shameless?"

Yang Yanguang sighed. "Shameless, truly shameless. The waves of the Yangtze River push the ones in front, and the ones in front die on the beach. Compared to me back in the day, these two are infinitely more shameless!"

"Grandfather, were you shameless back then too?"

"..."

One incense stick of time later, Duan Mingyu and Xu Zuye strolled leisurely along Shili Pu, the busiest street in Bianliang.

From the north end to the south, the street was bustling with prosperity: emerald-green vaulted canopies stretched from end to end, individual shops lined the street, and shelves were filled with an dazzling array of goods. Only one spot looked particularly awkward—a patch of ruins.

This had been Duan Mingyu's former house. He secretly made up his mind to rebuild his home on these ruins. Whether it was a gold nest or a silver nest, it was still better than his own dog kennel!

Xu Zuye patted Duan Mingyu on the shoulder. "Don't be sad, Brother Duan. You'll return eventually. Even though it's a mess now, we have money. One day, we'll build an even bigger house." The two smiled at each other, unusually not bickering.

Xu Zuye’s house was said to be in the suburbs, but it was actually not far from the city gate and occupied a great location. Now, it could be considered half a home for Duan Mingyu as well.

At Duan Mingyu’s suggestion, Xu Zuye converted the entire house into a brick building, saying it would be safer against fires. The area had a lot of foot traffic, and the two were planning to rebuild Duan Mingyu’s home and open a specialty store. Then, Xu Zuye would move over to help manage the business.