Chapter 173: The Worst Kind of Trouble

The others secretly nodded as well, but these ordinary people did not even understand the true power of the martial world, nor did they understand the dark side of the world’s news. They did not know how far so-called Dao Arts and Martial Arts could actually go.

They only knew a little about gang fights and had seen some Martial Artists at the level of Xiao Jingyang and Qin Wu.

The fight that happened at the martial arts school earlier sounded to them like just some underworld brawls.

The real martial world and the Dao Sect were an underground world far from ordinary people, a dark side unknown to common folk.

Most ordinary people did not understand it. Just like in Zuo Zhicheng’s previous life, even wealthy families had many spoiled children who did not know much about fields like mercenaries, assassins, the martial world, and the underworld. Even though many people in those fields could easily kill them.

Of course, this was also related to the fact that, as the environment changed, fewer and fewer people possessed Innate Primordial Breath and Life Grove. To them, the displays of the Crimson Sun Monk, Zuo Zhicheng, and Shen Zong were all things out of legends.

Then they saw Yao Youwei sneer coldly and say, “Just a bunch of ignorant martial artists. It would be fine if they obediently handed over the formula. If they don’t, I can have them locked up for life with just one word.”

“And that Zuo Zhicheng, don’t think just because he’s now some vice-president of the Martial Arts Association, if he dares to mess with us…”

Just as Yao Youwei was toasting and celebrating with a group of friends, filled with joy, the door to the reception hall was pushed open.

A grim-faced middle-aged man walked in, and behind him was the icy-faced Qingyue Qiu.

“Father?” Yao Youwei looked at the middle-aged man in surprise, not understanding why the other seemed so angry.

“You unfilial son, you still have the face to call me father?” Yao Jinzhong took a big step forward to stand in front of Yao Youwei, raised his hand, and slapped him, leaving a red handprint on Yao Youwei’s face.

Yao Youwei touched his stinging cheek in disbelief, almost jumping up as he shouted excitedly, “Father, are you crazy? Why did you hit me?”

“You ask me why? Don’t you know what you’ve been up to lately? Framing people, bullying others, dominating the market—who taught you these evil ways!”

Yao Youwei said with a face full of defiance, “Father, I know you care about your reputation, but this Match business really has a lot of potential…”

Yao Jinzhong’s forehead bulged with veins as he pointed at Yao Youwei’s nose and cursed, “You beast, how dare you speak!”

“Enough, Lord Yao.” Qingyue Qiu’s expression remained icy cold from beginning to end, and now she said coldly, “There’s no need to put on a show in front of me. I was initially willing to give Youwei a chance, but you heard what he just said.

It’s easier to deal with the king of hell than his little demons. Haijing is already planning to fully cooperate with Zuo Zhicheng. If a few little demons affect the cooperation between the two sides, neither you nor I can bear the responsibility.”

“Miss Qingyue.” Yao Jinzhong’s expression also calmed down. It turned out everything he had done earlier was an act in front of Qingyue Qiu, hoping to protect his son.

Hearing Qingyue Qiu’s resolute words now, he said in a pleading tone, “I spoiled Youwei since he was a child; he doesn’t understand anything…”

“Father, why are you begging her!” Yao Youwei fumed, “Qingyue Qiu, don’t push your luck. Don’t think I don’t know anything. The chief instructor of the Tiger Wolf Army, so impressive? I’m keeping this Match business!”

Qingyue Qiu’s father was named Qingyue Yang, and he was the leader of the Shadow Corps. However, his public identity was the chief instructor of the Tiger Wolf Army. Only a few top officials knew his true identity. Someone like Yao Youwei couldn’t possibly know; even the Shadow Corps was just a mysterious organization in rumors to him.

As for Yao Jinzhong, he only vaguely knew that Qingyue Qiu held a high position in the Shadow Corps; otherwise, she couldn’t have become the person in charge of a city.

In Yao Youwei’s heart, Qingyue Qiu’s father’s official rank still couldn’t compare to his own father’s status as city lord. It was just that, because of her connections in Haijing, she had more say in the Southern Bay government.

So he and Qingyue Qiu were people of roughly the same class. Now that Qingyue Qiu was protecting Zuo Zhicheng, of course he wasn’t convinced.

‘Completely clueless.’ Yao Jinzhong cursed inwardly, then ordered aloud, “Drag him out. Miss Qingyue, I can guarantee that Youwei will never cross paths with Mr. Zuo again. Tomorrow, I will personally visit to apologize. I will definitely give him a satisfactory resolution to this matter.”

“Father, why are you doing this!” Yao Youwei was being dragged away by several guards, struggling fiercely as he said, “Qingyue Qiu, are you looking for a fight?”

In his heart, over the past few years, he had relied on his background to accumulate wealth and achieve success in Xinlu. He was the leading figure among almost all the young masters and misses in Xinlu. The friends beside the wine table always looked at him with astonishment and envy.

Now, his father’s conversation and attitude toward Qingyue Qiu made him extremely unhappy, and he especially hated his father’s weakness.

What he especially couldn’t understand was why Qingyue Qiu wanted to protect that Zuo Zhicheng so much. She was even opposing him—someone of her own class—for Zuo Zhicheng. And she was doing it in front of his friends, showing no face at all; it was a complete break.

Even though Yao Youwei had once been interested in Qingyue Qiu and had accompanied her daily when she first arrived, at this point he was determined to stand his ground.

“Qingyue Qiu, do you believe I’ll send someone to break one of Zuo Zhicheng’s legs tomorrow? You think just because he can fight, he’s something special? Throw a bag of lime powder, and have a dozen blade-wielding fighters charge at him. Let’s see how he fights then.”

“Lord Yao, you see it yourself. It’s not that I’m not giving him a chance.”

“Beast, shut up! Miss Qingyue, listen to me, this matter…”

“Father, why are you begging her? I don’t believe her family can do anything to us. The chief instructor doesn’t have military power; what use is that?”

“Then I’ll take my leave, Lord Yao.”

“Qingyue Qiu, you’re forcing my hand. I promise that good-for-nothing Zuo Zhicheng will be kicked out of Xinlu within three days!”

“Beast!!” Yao Jinzhong suddenly pulled out the short knife from his waist and walked step by step toward Yao Youwei.

“Father, what are you doing!” Yao Youwei panicked.

Qingyue Qiu also turned around in surprise, watching Yao Jinzhong as he walked up to Yao Youwei and raised the short knife high.

Yao Jinzhong’s face was ashen. He ordered the guards to hold Yao Youwei still, pulled out his hand, and with a swift motion of the knife, cut off Yao Youwei’s thumb.

Yao Youwei let out a scream of pain. Filled with anger, fury, and anxiety, he finally passed out.

Clenching his teeth, Yao Jinzhong offered the thumb to Qingyue Qiu and said, “Miss Qingyue, I will give Mr. Zuo an explanation for this matter.”

“Why go this far?” Qingyue Qiu hadn’t expected Yao Jinzhong to care for his child so much. Although what he did protected Yao Youwei, he couldn’t escape the judgment of being someone who didn’t understand the big picture and ignored the overall situation. Probably before long, he would step down from his position as city lord.

But Yao Jinzhong clearly knew how great the value of a Human Aspect level Martial Artist was. If he didn’t do this, his son would definitely meet a bad end.