Chapter 39

Ordinary children would have been terrified at such a chaotic place, seeing so many fierce-looking people, but Zhao Jin remained calm and composed, even knowing when to speak. Zhao Zhentang was naturally surprised.

Zhao Jin chuckled but didn't explain; there was no way to explain the reason. However, they didn't have to wait long before the sounds of shouting and kicking came from outside. The big man lifted the curtain and walked in, followed by the five hooligans who had caused trouble at the warehouse yesterday, looking dejected.

"Sir Zhao, Young Master, these five scoundrels have come," the big man, called "Fendan," said, panting. After speaking, he turned and slapped the one with the triangular eyes, Hu Ge, with great force, causing blood to gush from his nose and mouth.

"Still not kneeling down!" the big man roared. The five hooligans, trembling with fear, knelt on the ground. Their faces bore old bruises from yesterday's beating, but there were even more new ones.

"Sir Zhao, these are the few blind fools. Whatever you say, I will do it without a word," the big man said menacingly.

As soon as he spoke, the five hooligans collapsed on the ground, their heads bowed low. Hu Ge, who had just noticed Zhao Jin in the room, widened his eyes. There was a coin-sized bruise on his forehead, the spot where Zhao Jin had struck him yesterday. Hu Ge began to guess why they were brought here. Confusion was better than clarity, and now that he understood, he was even more afraid. His body trembled uncontrollably, and his teeth chattered.

Hu Ge's reaction was noticed by the other four, and they too were terrified, as if infected by his fear. They had thought they were just bullying a child, but they had provoked a fierce tiger. They didn't dare to look at the big man in official attire. Zhao Jin had always thought his father was just an ordinary constable, but he never imagined that in the eyes of these ruffians, a constable was like a god.

Seeing their fear, Zhao Zhentang glanced at them with disdain and smiled, asking Zhao Jin, "Xiao Jin, what do you think?"

The attention of everyone in the room focused on Zhao Jin. They thought a child wouldn't know what to do, and the five hooligans, who had been terrified, felt a glimmer of hope, thinking they might suffer less.

"Each of the five should go to the warehouse, kneel down, and kowtow fifty times, and slap themselves fifty times. The kowtows should be loud, and their faces should be swollen. They should do this for five days," Zhao Jin said clearly.

The room fell silent. No one expected the young man to come up with such a straightforward and harsh punishment, though it was a bit unusual.

The five hooligans were still in a daze, but the big man called "Fendan" reacted quickly, kicking one of the hooligans and shouting, "What are you waiting for? Kneel and agree!"

The five hooligans hurriedly kowtowed. Zhao Jin added, "If you don't do it, you're not giving my father face. Think about the consequences."

"Rest assured, Young Master. If they don't go, I'll have someone tie them up and take them," "Fendan" said with a smile.

Zhao Zhentang didn't bother to say more. The five hooligans left in a hurry, and "Fendan" handed over a paper package with both hands. Zhao Zhentang tucked the two packages into his waist and led Zhao Jin out, with "Fendan" respectfully seeing them off.

Outside the courtyard, Zhao Zhentang turned and said calmly, "Tongtou, you need to discipline your hooligans better. I came to you today, but if someone else came, it would be worse for you."

Only then did Zhao Zhentang use the name "Tongtou." Tongtou smiled throughout, showing great humility, but despite his fear, he probably thought it was unnecessary to make such a big deal over a child's matter. However, Zhao Zhentang's final warning truly frightened him. The young man on guard at the door called out, "Brother," and Tongtou, as if coming to his senses, shivered and looked up to see the Zhao family already far away. He shook his head and turned to shout, "Bring me a whip! I'll give those scoundrels a good beating!"

On the way back, there were fewer people to greet, and Zhao Zhentang and Zhao Jin walked much faster, heading to Zhao Zhenxing's place for martial arts practice.

After leaving the poor and dirty area of the southern city and passing Pengcheng Academy, the streets became much neater. Zhao Zhentang suddenly said, "Xiao Jin, you didn't need to say that last part."

Zhao Jin was taken aback, realizing Zhao Zhentang was referring to the "not giving my father face" part. He was puzzled, thinking that if he didn't specifically remind them, they might have tried to get away with it.

"By coming to his door, I've already given Tongtou face. If he dares to delay," Zhao Zhentang left the threat unsaid, but his cold laugh made the meaning clear.

Today, Zhao Jin's performance was much more mature than that of his peers. Zhao Zhentang wanted to say more, "Those five hooligans have little to do with Tongtou, but since someone said they were his people, Tongtou has to take responsibility."

Zhao Jin listened carefully, already understanding. Those "Hu Ge" and Chen Ergou were just small-time hooligans who pretended to be under the protection of a big brother. In reality, they had no such protection; they were just said to be Tongtou's people at the warehouse.

These details were trivial to Zhao Jin. What truly amazed him was his father's great authority. Zhao Jin could see that although Tongtou was a hooligan leader, he must have had some skills, as he quickly found the five hooligans. Yet, such a person was so respectful and genuinely fearful in front of his father.

His father was just a constable and an executioner, yet he had such great power. Zhao Jin was puzzled.

After sending Zhao Jin to Zhao Zhenxing, Zhao Zhentang went to work. Before leaving, he told Zhao Zhenxing, "The child is still young; some things don't need to be said so clearly."

This left Zhao Zhenxing confused, but he didn't bother to ask and simply had Zhao Jin start practicing.

While Zhao Jin repeated the monotonous movements, Zhao Zhenxing began to ask about the details of yesterday's match. He hadn't gone to Zhao Zhentang's for dinner last night, so he was shocked to hear about the hooligans' trouble. He asked more detailed questions.

After understanding the situation, Zhao Zhenxing stared at Zhao Jin for a while, making Zhao Jin feel uneasy. Finally, Zhao Zhenxing said slowly, "If what you say is true, you're only missing two things to be considered a master."

Zhao Jin was stunned, thinking his uncle was mocking him. He laughed nervously and said, "Uncle, don't joke with me. I've only been practicing for less than two months."

"I'm not joking," Zhao Zhenxing shook his head but didn't continue the topic.

Zhao Jin, unable to contain his curiosity, spoke up. Normally, one shouldn't be distracted during practice, and Zhao Zhenxing would have hit him with the rattan rod, but Zhao Jin couldn't help it. He felt he had to ask, as it was ridiculous not to know about his own family.

However, in his previous life, Zhao Jin had no family life and naturally assumed children should know a lot about their parents, not realizing that many parents don't share their own stories with their children.

"Uncle, isn't my father just a constable? How can he be so powerful? Why was Tongtou so afraid?"