Chapter 9

The gate closed behind him, and Li Qingshan looked around. It seemed he hadn't noticed the tense atmosphere in the courtyard at all. He walked to the table where Mr. Liu, the manager, was seated. This table was right in the middle of the courtyard, under the largest old elm tree, the main seat where the most influential people in the village sat.

On either side of Mr. Liu were Li, the village chief, and the shaman, the three most powerful people in Woniu Village. There were also a few elderly villagers, and the only young men were the two sons of the village chief, Li Hu and Li Bao, both of whom were broad-shouldered and muscular, glaring at Li Qingshan with a fierce look.

Mr. Liu's eyes narrowed. After not seeing Li Qingshan for just over ten days, he seemed like a different person, though it was hard to pinpoint exactly what had changed. But he was definitely different from before, with a new air of authority.

Li, the village chief, had a stern look on his face, and his eyes were unfriendly. The shaman, on the other hand, was openly filled with resentment.

Ordinary villagers, if they offended any one of these three, would find life in the village unbearable and would have to submit. It was even worse to offend all three at once, but Li Qingshan would never submit.

There were many rules for dining in the village, from seating arrangements to posture. Li Qingshan saw that all the other tables were crowded, but this one was still relatively empty, so he sat down confidently and said, "Why aren't you eating? Are you all waiting for me?"

No one answered him. Li Hu and Li Bao came from either side, each placing a hand on Li Qingshan's shoulders and pressing down hard.

Although Li Qingshan was young and tall, he was slender and far less muscular than the two of them. In the past, either one of them could have easily subdued him. Even now, Li Qingshan could only handle one of them, but both together would be a challenge.

Li Qingshan frowned, grabbed their wrists, and twisted them downward, using the technique "Water Buffalo Stretching," which made him move like a large water buffalo stretching its muscles. He leaned to the left and right.

Li Hu and Li Bao felt a sharp pain in their wrists and were pushed by Li Qingshan, causing them to lose their balance and fall off their chairs.

Enraged and embarrassed, they quickly stood up, ignoring the dirt on their clothes.

Mr. Liu had intended to say a few polite words to test Li Qingshan's intentions, to see if he would submit. But he didn't expect Li Hu and Li Bao to be so impulsive. He couldn't scold them now and was about to throw the cup in his hand, signaling the laborers to act.

"Clang!" A short knife was nailed to the table, and everyone froze. The blade glinted in the dappled sunlight.

Li Hu and Li Bao dared not move forward. They were the village chief's sons, pampered and strong, but they weren't willing to risk their lives.

Li Qingshan held the short knife in one hand and stepped on the long bench, leaning forward and smiling at Mr. Liu. "Mr. Liu, this isn't how you treat guests. Even if there are any grudges to settle, let's wait until we're full and satisfied. Don't waste this table full of food and drink." As he spoke, he no longer felt nervous.

Before Mr. Liu could speak, the laborers at the other tables started to agree. For them, what was most important was eating. If a fight broke out, who knew how much food and drink would be spilled, and they didn't believe the stingy Mr. Liu would prepare another table for them.

"That's right, Mr. Liu, we haven't eaten since this morning. We're so hungry, we don't have the strength to fight."

"I didn't eat last night either. If I don't eat something soon, I won't be able to go on." He swallowed hard.

The tense atmosphere suddenly became strange, and even Li Qingshan found it somewhat amusing, thinking to himself that he was actually afraid of these people.

Mr. Liu's face turned red. He had set up this banquet to intimidate Li Qingshan and to ensure the laborers would work hard, offering them some benefits. He wanted to mimic the scenes from books where he would have 500 armed men hidden, ready to attack at the signal of a thrown cup. But he forgot that his men were not trained soldiers or household guards, but real farmers.

Li Qingshan smiled at Mr. Liu. "Coincidentally, I didn't eat last night either. I won't be shy now." He grabbed a roasted chicken and started eating.

Since practicing the "Water Buffalo Great Strength Fist," his appetite had become astonishing. A hundred-pound deer was eaten by him in just over ten days, and the green ox hadn't had time to catch new prey.

The roasted chicken disappeared in an instant. He set an example, and the laborers, seeing this, started eating with gusto. For a moment, the courtyard was filled with the sounds of eating.

Li, the village chief, was both angry and afraid, trembling and glaring at Mr. Liu, urging him to think of a solution.

What could Mr. Liu do? He glared back. If he ordered the laborers to act, they wouldn't want to give up their food, and Li Qingshan might attack him first. Why were his two sons, who usually looked so fierce, so weak now?

At this table, Mr. Liu and the group of old men together weren't enough to handle Li Qingshan. They felt as if they had been suddenly thrown onto a deserted island, forced to face this dangerous man alone, and they were all terrified.

A common man's anger can lead to bloodshed.

Li Qingshan, ignoring everyone else, picked up a wine jug and poured himself a drink. The village wine was light, and it tasted bland, so he called out, "Bring me a large bowl!"

No one responded. Li Qingshan grunted, and Mr. Liu quickly ordered a large bowl to be brought. Li Qingshan filled the bowl and drank it in one gulp. "Refreshing!"

The laborers, seeing his boldness, admired his courage and cheered.

Li Qingshan, who had been eating a lot of greasy food lately, felt even more refreshed by the strong drink. He didn't stop, drinking three bowls in quick succession.

By the time he finished the third bowl, the courtyard was filled with cheers, as if they were there to support Li Qingshan rather than to attend Mr. Liu's banquet.

Li Qingshan burped and bowed to everyone. "Eat and drink well, and don't forget Mr. Liu's kindness. Any grievances can be settled after the meal. Even on the road to the netherworld, one shouldn't be a hungry ghost."

Then he glared at the people at the main table. "Why aren't you eating?" The alcohol had fueled his anger. If these people continued to cause trouble, life in Woniu Village would be unstable, and he might be ambushed at any time. It would be better to kill a few of them, take some wealth, and leave for another place. He doubted anyone would dare to stop him.

Originally, Li Qingshan had come to the banquet with some bravado, but he had seen through Mr. Liu's pretense. In a moment, he had taken control, and his thoughts had changed. He remembered what Lei Feng had said: "Difficulties are like springs; if you are weak, they will be strong." He also recalled what Chairman Mao had said: "Imperialism is a paper tiger, and so is the landlord class."

Mr. Liu, though his plans were crude, was good at reading people. Seeing Li Qingshan's expression, he knew he had the intention to kill. The facade of composure he had maintained was now gone, and sweat appeared on his forehead.

The elderly villagers were even more frightened. They didn't want to die of overeating! They hurriedly explained to Li Qingshan that they were just there to make up the numbers and didn't really know what was going on. One of them, trembling, stood up, intending to leave.

Li Qingshan shouted, "Stop! You all saw what happened a few days ago. Don't be in a hurry to leave. Eat and drink to your heart's content, and then stay as witnesses. If you insist on leaving, it will show that you have something to hide, and I won't be lenient with my knife."