Bang! Bang! Bang! The rhythmic symphony of fists meeting flesh echoed through the marketplace like the drumbeat of a festival—except instead of celebration, it was just two unfortunate dudes getting the discounted "all-you-can-punch" buffet special.
The merchants, usually mild-mannered folk who haggled over copper coins, were now unleashing their inner action movie villains. Given the chance to vent years of frustration, they turned into an angry mob with the combined strength of a thousand unpaid wages.
There is strength in numbers. Yang Kai only asked for aid, but before he could lift a finger, he was pushed aside by these merchants.
Eventually, the festival of fists ended, and the two scam artists lay on the ground, looking beaten bloody and their faces so swollen, that even theirs mothers won't be able to recognise them.
Looking at the men, Su Mu's heart cried out in pain, and his leg started to cramp.
His plan had been simple: set up a fake scam, step in as the hero, gain street cred, profit. Now, his two accomplices were looking at him like he was their only lifeline on a sinking ship.
"Su…" One of them weakly raised a trembling hand.
Su Mu immediately denied all affiliations like a pro. "What 'Su'? What are you talking about?
He even threw in a fake confused expression for good measure.
Yang Kai, who had been watching the drama unfold, smirked. "Man, you two really suck at this whole 'bad guy' thing."
The waiter from He's Rice Stand crossed his arms and spat. "Hmph! Acting all high and mighty in our rice shop, and for what? To get beat up like this? Pathetic."
Yang Kai, deciding to crank up the chaos dial, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You know… people like this don't learn unless they really understand the consequences. Fellow waiter , why don't you and I each take care of one? A little execution for the greater good, you know?"
The entire marketplace froze.
The two scam artists turned white as steamed buns, breaking into a cold sweat.
Su Mu, who had just recovered from an internal panic attack, snapped his head toward Yang Kai so fast it could've given him whiplash. "Wait, wait, wait—hold up, isn't that a bit much? Like, a little? Maybe a lot?"
"Is it, though?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow, completely unbothered. "If their little scam had worked, Boss He would've been ruined. And that means no rice stand. And no rice stand means no free food for me. Now tell me, isn't that a crime worthy of death?"
The merchants nodded in approval, because hey—if there was one thing they respected, it was a man who prioritized food.
Boss He stepped forward, shaking his head. "Nephew Yang, I appreciate your help, but let's not go around committing murder over a business dispute, yeah?"
Su Mu, internally sighing in relief. Maybe a little too early
Yang Kai glanced at Su Mu, eyes twinkling with mischief. "You're awfully quick to defend them. Almost like you have a reason to…"
Su Mu's soul nearly left his body.
"What are you implying?" he asked, feigning ignorance like a seasoned politician avoiding a scandal.
Yang Kai grinned. "Oh, nothing. Just interesting, that's all."
And that's when the two scam artists, realizing this was their last chance at survival, decided to go full betrayal mode.
"Su Mu, you backstabbing snake!" one of them cried. "You were the one who set this up! You told us to scam Boss He so you could play the hero!"
The crowd gasped in perfect unison.
Su Mu's brain shut down for a full five seconds.
"You lying scum!" he barked, but the larger of the two conmen was already in full dramatic reveal mode.
"Oh, am I lying?" he sneered. "Tell me, Su Mu, didn't you also say you wanted to impress Boss He's daughter? Didn't you say that if she saw you as her savior, she'd finally fall for you?!"
When this was revealed, something clicked inside the heads of the onlookers. Many people could not help but turn to look at Su Mu with disbelief in their eyes.
So that was it! Yang Kai was satisfied that he had guessed correctly, Su Mu really had an ulterior motive. Though he had thought it was something related to profit or reputation. He hadn't thought it was actually for his own sexual desires.
He had also met the Boss' daughter, even though she wasn't outrageously beautiful, she was still a work of art. Alluring body, delicate features, slim figure and the most beautiful girl in the entire village at only fourteen.
Such a young girl, unfortunately had caught Su Mu's eye, provoking such trouble.
"What utter rubbish!" Su Mu's face was as red as a tomato, trying to deny the truth.
Boss He's face turned as red as a spicy hotpot. "You little creep! You dare use such dirty tricks to go after my daughter?! Thankfully she has eyes and saw your true face. Ah, how could High Heaven have such a degenerate disciple. You are ruining your Pavilion 's good name. You are vain and selfish, with a character completely opposite to brother Yang. I feel ashamed for your mother and father."
The surrounding merchants, once supporters of Su Mu's 'heroic act,' now looked at him like he was yesterday's expired milk.
Su Mu felt his reputation crumbling like a sandcastle in a typhoon. All his careful planning—GONE. He had been exposed. Unmasked. Dragged.
Under that situation, Su Mu put on a calm face and turned towards Yang Kai and asked: "Brother, how may I call you?"
"You guess!" Yang Kai replied with a wink.
Taking a deep breath Su Mu said: "Though you may chose to withhold your identity, I will able able to find out. For you have already entered the Pavilion for three years, yet you are not a official disciple. That means you are a Trial Disciple and within the entire Pavilion , there are only a few of you. Finding you will be simple."
When he finished he immediately turned around and left. In the end, he did have some strength. For those who blocked his path, he pushed them to the side. Waltzing away unhindered
When he had left, the people had only just remembered the two Han men. But where were they? There was no trace, for when Yang Kai and Su Mu were arguing, they had sneakily ran away.
The debacle had finally been resolved. Yang Kai was satisfied, for he had exposed the deceit, gained approval from the merchants and Boss He was especially grateful to him.
That waiter also looked at Yang Kai in worship.
And as Su Mu disappeared into the distance, Yang Kai chuckled.
Su Mu wasn't a villain, per se. Just a dude who made a really bad life choice.
When the crowd finally dispersed, Yang Kai found himself cornered by Boss He's wife, whose eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Little Yang, where do you live? Are you married yet? How many kids do you want?"
Yang Kai's looking at this, clearly the boss' wife wanted to become his mother-in-law. Knowing this survival instincts kicked in instantly.Abort mission. Evacuate immediately.
In record time, he grabbed his bag of rice, muttered a polite farewell, and yeeted himself out of there before he found himself engaged by force.
As he made his way back to High Heaven, he smirked.
Su Mu's true strength, Yang Kai didn't fully see, but he most definitely was at the peak of the tempered body. The only thing was he didn't know what stage exactly.
Seems like he must focus more on his practises. Otherwise, Yang Kai truly couldn't continue staying at High Heaven.
Knowing this, Yang Kai swiftly returned back to his hut to practise.