Chapter 66

As the two Wu Hou had said, the atmosphere in the Pythong Mountain Market was now filled with tension and hostility.

Along the way, they saw many suspicious characters loitering around, each dressed in tattered clothes and looking rather sinister.

They looked at Yang Shouwen and Yang Rui as if they were two fat lambs.

However, Yang Shouwen was clearly not someone to be trifled with. The faint aura of killing intent emanating from him made those ruffians dare not approach.

Seeing that Yang Shouwen was calm, Yang Rui gradually grew bolder.

"Second Brother, these ruffians are just paper tigers. You need to learn to be tough here. When you are strong, they become weak; but if you show any weakness, they will become very arrogant."

Yang Rui took a deep breath and nodded forcefully.

"Hey, isn't that Second Brother?"

Sometimes, trouble finds you even when you don't seek it. Yang Rui was a notable figure in Changping, so it was inevitable that someone would recognize him. Just as the two were about to head straight to the Old Army Inn, several people suddenly appeared, blocking their path. The leader was dressed in fine clothes, but despite the cold weather, he had his chest exposed and was rubbing it with one hand.

"Old Yang Three?"

Yang Rui recognized the man and his face turned pale.

This 'Yang' was not the same as their 'Yang.' This Yang Old Three had no relation to the Yang Chenglie family and was a minor gang leader in Changping County.

Yang Rui whispered, "Big Brother, Father once arrested this man, I recognize him."

Yang Shouwen nodded, raised his hand to shield Yang Rui behind him, and said sternly, "Who are you? Why are you blocking my way?"

Yang Old Three glared with his triangular eyes, "Who are you to talk to me like that? Did I even speak to you?"

Yang Shouwen thought for a moment and then suddenly smiled.

"Just a ruffian. Now, get out of my way. My brother and I have important business today and don't want to cause trouble. But if you don't know your place, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Hey, I haven't even shown my strength, and you're already threatening me?"

Yang Old Three was about to point at Yang Shouwen and speak, but he saw Yang Shouwen frown, and then the sound of a Tang sword being drawn. A cold gleam flashed, and blood spurted. A hand fell to the ground, and Yang Old Three, holding his bleeding wrist, looked at Yang Shouwen in disbelief and let out a shrill scream.

"Who dares to cause trouble in the Pythong Mountain Market?"

The ruffians who had been watching the spectacle were initially stunned, but then they shouted in unison and surrounded them.

Yang Shouwen remained calm and shouted sternly, "I am the son of County Magistrate Yang Chenglie. I am here on official business today. Whoever dares to cause trouble, don't blame me for being unforgiving! Changping is in chaos now, and I don't mind informing my father to gather the militia and raid this Pythong Mountain Market. By then, even if you want to regret it, it will be too late!"

This stern warning made the ruffians hesitate.

They looked at each other and then scattered.

This was the Pythong Mountain Market, but it was still under the rule of the Tang Dynasty. The authorities had previously turned a blind eye, but if they provoked Yang Chenglie's wrath for the sake of Yang Old Three, no one would be able to escape.

Don't forget, Yang Chenglie had just raided the Old Army Inn a few days ago.

Yang Shouwen felt relieved. As the saying goes, the common people do not fight with the officials, and it was indeed true!

He fully experienced the feeling of "My father is Li Gang." Honestly, it felt pretty damn good.

"Second Brother, ask him what he wants."

Yang Shouwen sheathed his sword and remained expressionless.

Yang Rui had been so nervous that he almost wet his pants, but now he suddenly believed in Yang Shouwen's words: You must be tougher and stronger than them. They are just paper tigers, scaring ordinary people. As the son of a county magistrate, why should I be afraid?

With this thought, Yang Rui's courage grew.

He walked up to Yang Old Three, who was kneeling on the ground and wailing, holding his wrist.

"Old Three, did you stop me for something?"

Yang Old Three's face was pale, and he held his wrist, crying, "What are you talking about, Second Brother? I just wanted to say hello."

Yang Shouwen narrowed his eyes and pulled Yang Rui to his side.

"Have you finished saying hello? Is there anything else?"

"No, no!"

Yang Old Three was sweating profusely and answered in a trembling voice.

Yang Shouwen glanced at him once and then ignored him, walking forward with his head held high. Yang Rui hurriedly followed and asked softly, "Big Brother, why didn't you ask him what he wanted?"

"It's just about showing off... I already said at the gate that Old Army is in trouble now.

I guess these lackeys couldn't wait and wanted to show their presence. Don't pay attention to them. We represent Father's face now. Even if we kill him, it would be giving him face. Why bother with him?

Yang Rui had been tricked by Gai Jiayun a few days ago.

I guess some of these people in the Pythong Mountain Market thought Yang Rui was easy to bully and wanted to take advantage of the situation.

But Yang Shouwen wouldn't give them that chance.

As they walked, they chatted and laughed as if nothing had happened, and soon they arrived at the entrance of an inn.

It was a simple two-story inn, with many ruffians gathered at the entrance and noise coming from inside.

When the Yang brothers arrived at the inn, the ruffians scattered.

Clearly, Yang Shouwen's earlier sword strike had intimidated these ruffians. They could bully honest people, but when faced with someone like Yang Shouwen, who would draw his sword at the slightest provocation, they kept their distance. Although many didn't recognize Yang Shouwen, they were now afraid.

"Big Brother, this is the Old Army Inn."

As they were talking, a man walked out of the inn.

"Yang Dailang, what are you doing here?"

The man was Gai Jiayun, whom Yang Shouwen recognized.

This was the first time Yang Rui had seen Gai Jiayun since the incident a few days ago, and his eyes turned red as he shouted, "Gai Erlang, you still dare to show your face?"

Gai Jiayun was taken aback by Yang Rui's outburst but then sneered, "Why shouldn't I?"

"You..."

"Second Brother, be quiet."

Yang Shouwen's calm voice made Yang Rui immediately shut up.

Yang Shouwen looked at Gai Jiayun, saying nothing, and sized him up, making Gai Jiayun feel uneasy.

He knew that this person was not as easy to deal with as Yang Rui.

"What are you looking at?"

"I'm looking for Old Army. He should be here."

"My father's name is not something you can call casually."

A cold glint flashed in Yang Shouwen's eyes, and he said softly, "Gai Erlang, don't push your luck. I have business with your father. Don't provoke me, or I'll raid your Old Army Inn again, and don't think I'll show any mercy."

"I..."

Gai Jiayun was a proud person, but for some reason, he couldn't be proud in front of Yang Shouwen.

Yang Shouwen pushed him aside and walked inside.

Yang Rui, following behind, couldn't help but smile and said softly, "Gai Erlang, you have your day too."

"Hmph... If it weren't for your Big Brother, I'd make you pay."

"Come on, then?"

Gai Jiayun turned his head away, refusing to acknowledge Yang Rui's taunt.

The hall of the Old Army Inn was in chaos.

On the second floor, a group of people in various attire were gathered, watching the commotion. In the hall, a group of people were gathered, arguing about something. In the center, a middle-aged man lay on a couch, looking to be about the same age as Yang Chenglie. However, he looked somewhat older, with gray hair.

But lying on the couch, he resembled a fierce tiger.

At his feet, a half-naked Hu girl was massaging his legs.

In front of him, several men with different appearances were waving their arms and shouting, seemingly arguing with him.

"The one lying on the couch is Old Army."

Yang Rui whispered to Yang Shouwen and then stepped back behind him.

Gai Jiayun walked to Old Army's side and whispered something in his ear. Old Army frowned and sat up from the couch.

"Alright, let's talk about this tomorrow. I have guests today."

In the past, when Old Army said this, the people would have dispersed obediently.

But today, they didn't listen to Old Army's command, and one of them stood up and said, "Old Army, don't make excuses. They are just two kids, what kind of guests are they? Recently, we've been following your orders and haven't caused any trouble outside. But we still have to live, don't we? You need to give us an answer. When can we start making a living again... Changping is in chaos now, but what does that have to do with us?"

"Yeah, we're not law-abiding citizens. Why pretend to be good citizens in front of the authorities?"