Chapter 6

(Folks, the new book urgently needs all kinds of support.)

"Do you know who I am?"

"Do you know where I come from?"

"When I go to eat, no one has ever dared to charge me."

"You really have some nerve, don't you?"

When Lin Xiao and the three others rushed into the tavern, they saw overturned and broken tables and chairs, shattered bowls and plates scattered everywhere, and three or four people lying on the ground, who were the waiters of Zhenwei Tower. Despite their strong and muscular appearances, they were groaning and unable to get up.

At a still intact table, a young man in his early twenties was sitting, slightly drunk, swaying his head and giving orders with a haughty and arrogant attitude, as if he were the second most important person after the heavens.

"You finally came. Hurry up, deal with him. I pay thirty taels of silver to Zhenwei Tower every month, and it shouldn't be for nothing." The plump shopkeeper's eyes lit up when he saw Lin Xiao and the others, as if he had found a lifeline. He rushed over, grabbed Lin Xiao's arm, and spoke excitedly.

"Hey, someone's here, from Baiyun Gang. Come, come, let me see what you can do." The young man belched and playfully beckoned with his fingers, a mocking smile on his face.

Wang Daniu, with his short temper, charged over and swung his staff with all his might.

The arrogant young man kicked out, causing Lin Xiao's expression to change abruptly. It was clear that the kick was fast and powerful, directly hitting Wang Daniu's staff and sending it flying. It then struck Wang Daniu's chest with a loud thud, and the sound of something breaking could be heard. Wang Daniu let out a惨叫 and was sent flying backward.

"Xiao Hu, Da Zhu, take care of Daniu." As he spoke, Lin Xiao charged forward like a galloping horse, his iron sword flashing out in an instant, transforming into a bolt of lightning. The fierce and sharp sound of the sword made everyone's scalp tingle involuntarily.

The arrogant young man was startled and hurriedly tried to dodge, but he was too drunk and dizzy. He barely managed to roll away from the sword thrust. Lin Xiao followed up with a kick, which struck the young man like a sharp sword, causing him to roll on the ground, the impact point throbbing with pain. Lin Xiao's iron sword slashed down, the cold blade making the young man shiver.

"I'm also from Baiyun Gang." The young man's drunkenness seemed to dissipate a bit, and he spoke with astonishing speed.

"I don't recognize you." Lin Xiao's tone was indifferent, and his sword was poised at the young man's neck, ready to cut his throat with a single swipe.

"I just came from the main branch." The young man, afraid of being cut, quickly explained, not daring to move.

Lin Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly.

"How much did this meal cost?" Lin Xiao's voice was cold, and his grip on the sword was steady, like a rock.

"Five taels." The shopkeeper's answer, which only considered the cost, made Lin Xiao's hand tremble, almost cutting the young man's throat.

A meal costing five taels of silver was equivalent to five months of his income. Comparing oneself to others could be very discouraging.

"How about compensation?" Lin Xiao asked, still staring at the arrogant young man without turning his head.

"Compensation? No need, no need." The plump shopkeeper, seeing the young man's half-smiling, half-threatening look, shivered and quickly said with a smile, "Consider this meal on me."

He was afraid because the young man was also from Baiyun Gang and had come from the main branch. If he were to offend him, the loss would be more than just a few dozen taels of silver.

"Five taels of silver for my brother's medical expenses." Lin Xiao said firmly.

"What can you do if I don't give it to you?" The young man, after revealing his background, became more confident. He was certain that someone from a branch wouldn't dare to do anything to him.

"Today, in Zhenwei Tower, a member of Heituhang pretended to be from Baiyun Gang's main branch, ate without paying, damaged property, and injured my Baiyun Gang brother, tarnishing our reputation. Lin Wu, an elite member of Baiyun Gang, has killed him here. I hope everyone can bear witness." Lin Xiao suddenly said loudly, his voice carrying outside the tavern.

"Wait, you're ruthless." The young man was stunned for a moment, then, seeing the cold and calm look in Lin Xiao's eyes, he was suddenly frightened as if doused with a bucket of cold water. That was the look of someone who would kill: "Five taels of silver, right? I'll give it to you."

The young man obediently took out five taels of silver and placed it on the ground.

"Alright, the silver is here. Can I leave now?" The young man was secretly angry but knew the situation was not in his favor, so he decided to leave first.

"Get out." Lin Xiao's voice was cold and stern.

The young man slid back a couple of steps, got up, and walked out of Zhenwei Tower, glancing back at Lin Xiao: "Don't be too arrogant. We'll meet again."

Lin Xiao sheathed his sword, picked up the silver, and ignored the shopkeeper. Whether the shopkeeper wanted compensation was his own choice and had nothing to do with him. He looked at Wang Daniu and the others: "Go see a doctor."

"Brother Xiao, I'm fine, really." As he spoke, Wang Daniu coughed up a mouthful of blood. It was clear he needed to see a doctor. Lin Xiao judged that Wang Daniu's ribs might be cracked, and he might have internal injuries as well.

After seeing the doctor, Lin Xiao's judgment proved accurate. Using better medicine, the five taels of silver cost one tael, leaving four taels. The four of them split the remaining four taels evenly. According to Lin Xiao's thinking, such unexpected wealth should not be kept to oneself, even though he desperately needed the money.

"Brother Xiao, if that person really came from the main branch..." Zhou Dazhu expressed his concern.

"Don't worry." Lin Xiao said: "You two take Daniu back to rest. I'll go see Brother Wang."

…

"Someone from the main branch?" Wang Tigen's brows furrowed as he listened to Lin Xiao's report.

"Brother Wang, it can't be someone from the main branch." Zhou Xiwen, who was patrolling with Wang Tigen, said: "If it were really someone from the main branch, how could he have been defeated by Lin Xiao?"

Wang Tigen thought about it and found it reasonable.

If it were really someone from the main branch, they wouldn't be an ordinary member but most likely a martial artist. Lin Xiao wasn't a martial artist, so just surviving against a martial artist would be a feat, let alone defeating one.

Thinking too much.

Even if it were someone from the main branch, if they were really defeated by Lin Xiao, they wouldn't be an important figure, so there was no need to worry.

…

After reporting to Wang Tigen, Lin Xiao returned to the patrol point. Suddenly, he realized something was missing and was startled: "Battle achievements, my battle achievements, that was an enemy, right? You're also deducting them?"

"Defeating a higher-level enemy, battle achievements +2." A cold, emotionless voice responded, without any sense of guilt.

Lin Xiao suddenly rubbed his chin, finding the description intriguing.

Defeating a higher-level enemy, so the arrogant young man was stronger than him?

If he was stronger, how could he have been defeated by Lin Xiao?

It was contradictory, but unfortunately, the damn system was not transparent, always keeping things hidden.

"You said, we're now in the same boat... ah, spit... we're one, working together for a better future. Shouldn't you be more transparent and proactive in telling me what I need to know?" Lin Xiao tried to communicate with the system.

"I can leave at any time." The response left Lin Xiao speechless. Are you doing this on purpose, trying to annoy me?

With a sense of resentment, Lin Xiao completed his daytime patrol, handed over to the night patrol members, and left Wuli Street, buying a few pounds of beef and two lotus-fragrant chickens

(To be continued, please turn the page)

and headed to the civilian area.

As he pushed open the gate, Lin Xiao's forehead tingled, his hair stood on end, his eyes narrowed, and a fierce cold light shone from them. Without hesitation, he threw away the beef and chickens, took a step forward, and charged like a galloping horse. His iron sword flashed with a sharp, cold light, and the short, sharp sound of the sword made it seem as if his body and the sword had merged into one, the force concentrated at the tip of the sword, piercing forward like a bolt of lightning.

Anger and killing intent surged, burning like a fierce fire. Lin Xiao felt that even if there were a mountain in front of him, this sword could pierce through it.

It was a powerful, unyielding strike.

But in the next moment, the lightning-fast sword strike paused, caught by a powerful, jointed hand. The hand was bare, yet the sharp blade did not cut it. Lin Xiao was shocked, using all his strength, but the sword did not budge. Without hesitation, he let go and kicked with all his might, his body's strength coiling like a rope, creating a sharp, whistling sound, like a large sword slashing horizontally.

This kick had once split a tree trunk as thick as a calf, but it was blocked by the other person's arm, the force rebounding, causing a painful, numbing sensation, as if he had kicked a piece of steel.

"Where's Ahzheng? What did you do to Ahzheng?" Lin Xiao landed and roared, like a wild beast.

"I..." The other person was about to speak.

"Brother, you're back. Uncle Fang has been waiting for you for a while." Zhouzheng, holding a bowl of tea, walked out, speaking as he did so.

Lin Xiao was slightly stunned and immediately said, "Ahzheng, go back inside, quickly."

Confused but obedient, Zhouzheng turned and went back inside.

"I went to your martial arts school to collect the monthly fee, following the gang's rules." Lin Xiao glared at the other person and growled, "The rules of the underworld state that family members should not be involved. If you have any grievances, take it up with the gang leader."

"I thought you were going to say take it up with you." The other person said with a half-smile, half-sneer.

"What do you want? Do you want the monthly fee back? I've already paid it." Lin Xiao remained on guard, his eyes cold and fierce. Losing was one thing, but having the right attitude was crucial: "I have four hundred cash coins, which I can return to you."

"Didn't I tell you to come to the martial arts school that night?" The Qinghu Martial Arts School master suddenly exerted force, a bone-chilling sound echoing as the iron sword shattered in his hand. He let go, and the pieces fell to the ground: "Since you didn't come to me, I came to you."

"I'm a decent person, not interested in men." Lin Xiao's face changed, his hair standing on end, his body tense. If it weren't for Ahzheng being inside, he would have run away long ago.

"I ask, you answer. I speak, you listen." The Qinghu Martial Arts School master, ignoring Lin Xiao's words, had a fierce and cold expression, his aura deep and imposing, his voice low and domineering: "Who taught you swordsmanship?"

"From the gang." Lin Xiao answered subconsciously.

"What other sword techniques have you practiced?"

"Basic sword techniques."

"What body-strengthening techniques have you practiced?" The other person asked in a deep voice, each word carrying an indescribable pressure.

"Stance training." Under the pressure, Lin Xiao found himself answering honestly.

What's going on?

Am I losing control of myself?

The other person's tiger-like eyes gleamed, staring at Lin Xiao's body as if trying to see through him, creating an invisible pressure. Just as Lin Xiao felt he was about to suffocate, the other person suddenly spoke: "Call Zhouzheng out and have him kneel down."

Lin Xiao's body trembled, almost wetting himself. What was this person up to?