chsdbacks Chapter 67 You, Zhang Qingyang, wouldn't—not—dare—go—?
Chapter 67 You, Zhang Qingyang, wouldn't—not—dare—go—?
"Rock-Solid Martial Sect?!"
"My God! That's one of the top sects in Luyang Prefecture!"
"The Wang family has such connections! Young Master Wang Chengyu has a bright future ahead of him!"
Upon hearing the words "Rock Martial Sect," a collective gasp and undisguised exclamations of envy filled the pavilion.
Compared to directly entering a major sect like the Rock Martial Sect, a mere prefecture-level Qingyun Ranking spot seems insignificant.
The gazes of the crowd toward Wang Chengyu became even more complex, a mixture of envy and awe.
Wang Chengyu's expression was uncertain; clearly, his brother's decision had surprised him.
But soon, a calculating glint flashed in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled back into that signature, condescending smile.
He looked at Zhang Yuan and announced loudly, "Zhang Qingyang!"
The sound was exceptionally clear in the now-quiet attic.
Everyone looked at Zhang Yuan.
"Since my elder brother has spoken up, and he has paved a brighter future for me," Wang Chengyu spread his hands, appearing generous and magnanimous, "then I, Wang Chengyu, will give you this spot today for the sake of Young Master Jintang."
He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming playful and provocative.
"However... Zhang Qingyang, it's a bit too easy for you to get this spot so easily."
"Not only will the Wang family lose face, but the faces of these talented young people from Fengming County present today will also be tarnished, won't they? An eight-year-old child, relying on someone else to 'give' him a spot—wouldn't that be a laughing stock if word got out?"
His words immediately resonated with many people in the attic.
Especially those who already had doubts about Zhang Yuan's age and "reputation".
Quiet discussions arose, tinged with a sense of agreement and anticipation.
In the martial arts world and among powerful families, reputation and strength are paramount; fame gained through charity is ultimately meaningless.
Wang Chengyu was very satisfied with the effect. He glanced at everyone and finally fixed his gaze on Zhang Yuan.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes, his voice suddenly rose, and he pointed towards the dock:
"Isn't it said that you, Zhang Qingyang, killed someone at the age of eight and are unparalleled in bravery? I also heard that you once used the Zhang family's ancestral sword and one hundred and twenty taels of silver to exchange for the body of a little beggar from Qin Hu of the Black Tiger Gang?"
He looked at Zhang Yuan and said, word by word:
"Here's what we'll do: go to the docks now, find Qin Hu, and use your 'bravery' and 'courage' to get your family's ancestral sword back intact!"
"Let us, the 'talented' people of Fengming County, open our eyes and see if you, Zhang Qingyang, truly have the guts and courage!"
He emphasized the last two words deliberately, his tone filled with contempt.
"If you can get the item back unscathed and honorably, the spot is yours. I, Wang Chengyu, will have no objections, and I'm sure everyone here will agree!"
He chuckled lightly, his tone laced with undisguised mockery, as if he could already see Zhang Yuan trembling before the ruthless Black Tiger Gang:
"The Black Tiger Gang is nothing but a bunch of low-life thugs and scoundrels. They may act strangely and unreasonable... But you, Zhang Qingyang, wouldn't dare—not—go—there, would you?"
"Wang Chengyu!" Li Jintang abruptly stood up, his face ashen, his tone carrying a warning, "You've gone too far!"
The gazes from the attic became complex, and many of the four major families revealed undisguised schadenfreude on their faces.
In their view, Zhang Yuan's so-called "prodigy" title was nothing more than relying on the reputation of Chen Wenyuan and Zheng Chaoyang, and he didn't really have much substance.
Facing a real jackal alone at this moment would probably make one's legs go weak with fear.
Wang Chengyu's hurtful words pushed Zhang Yuan to the brink of despair.
Not going would confirm one's "cowardice" and "empty reputation."
Going there alone to face Qin Hu, the ruthless leader of the Black Tiger Gang who controlled the docks, would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den.
Zhang Yuan remained calm, glanced at Wang Chengyu, and said indifferently, "It's a deal."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Upstairs, Li Jintang watched Zhang Yuan's retreating figure, his clenched fist slowly relaxing:
"Brother Qingyang—"
"careful."
Zhang Yuan didn't stop walking, not even the slightest hesitation. He simply raised his right hand and waved it casually behind him twice.
That gesture was as if he were brushing away a tiny speck of dust from his shoulder.
There was no turning back, no words spoken.
As Zhang Yuan left, the people in the attic seemed to be drawn by invisible threads, instantly rushing to the window railing overlooking the river.
The air seemed to freeze, with only the faint rumble and horns coming from the distant Blackwater Ferry, and the suppressed breathing sounds of the place.
Wang Chenglin's heart skipped a beat when he saw the smug, self-satisfied smile on his younger brother's face.
He grabbed Wang Chengyu's arm and pulled him to a corner, his voice low and tinged with barely perceptible shock, anger, and urgency:
"Cheng Yu! What exactly are you trying to do? Did you... did you already conspire with Qin Hu? Zhang Qingyang is going to the dock..."
Wang Chengyu's smile instantly turned cold and cruel. He broke free from his brother's hand, turned his head, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, with the glee of a wild beast about to tear its prey apart:
"Brother, don't you think it's too late to ask now?"
He raised his hand and, extremely slowly and clearly, made a sharp, sweeping motion across his own neck.
"Qin Hu will take good care of him for me."
"That kid... he's not coming back."
Wang Chenglin's face suddenly turned extremely ugly, turning ashen.
He turned his head sharply, his eyes shifting dramatically before finally settling into a deep, somber expression.
Inside a riverside pavilion not far away, Li Decai stood by the railing, his eyes fixed on the thin figure on the dock pier.
Standing beside him was a middle-aged guard with a deep and unfathomable aura and prominent temples, who was none other than the late-stage Innate Realm expert he had paid a hefty sum to.
"Old Zhao," Li Decai's voice was extremely low, carrying an undeniable urgency, "keep a close eye on him! If anything happens to that kid, even if it means exposing yourself, you have to protect him for me!"
"Remember, only act when absolutely necessary; just protect lives!"
"Yes, Master." Guard Zhao responded in a low voice, his figure like an inconspicuous gray shadow, silently slipping into the shadows under the waterside pavilion, hugging the riverbank, and stealthily moving towards the dock.
On the other side, at the corner of the warehouse closer to the dock, Wang Quanfu was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
He was accompanied by seven or eight burly men, each carrying a hard wooden stick as thick as a bowl, their eyes wary.
"Listen up, all of you!" Wang Quanfu pointed his chubby hand at the dock pier where the sounds of fighting were rising, his voice trembling with tension and worry. "See that? My nephew! Zhang Yuan! If a single hair on his head is lost, none of you are coming back to see me! You'd better risk your lives to protect him and get him out of here! Do you hear me?"
"Yes, boss!" the able-bodied men roared in unison, gripping their clubs tightly and staring intently at the waters that were about to become a battlefield.