Chapter 146
Chapter 146 - It Turns out to be You
All of Hui State's inns and taverns were packed with people, with martial arts sects and gangs from around the world creating a commotion all day long. The shops had to replace their tables and chairs daily.
The situation was still manageable, but the rowdy gang disciples were even more unruly. If someone collided with them, they could end up with broken arms, keeping the authorities busy.
Yin Xu and Teng Yu walked alone through the streets. Both were strikingly handsome, and their attire screamed wealth from head to toe.
Don't assume that martial artists are deities who don't need to eat. The large sects had their own businesses and disciples who managed them, while some smaller gangs likely survived by stealing.
Yin Xu noticed a pickpocket in the crowd targeting a wealthy young master, who was waving his fan and strolling in the cold weather, completely oblivious to the theft.
Seeing the thief succeed, Yin Xu's eyes gleamed as he walked over nonchalantly, brushing against the thief and deftly retrieving the stolen purse.
“You blind or something?” The thief, seeing Yin Xu's appearance and demeanor, quickly changed his attitude and apologized profusely, “I'm sorry, I'm sorry, did I bump into you?”
Yin Xu flicked his sleeves, raised his chin, and looked at him disdainfully, “So what if it hurts? Can you afford the consequences?”
“Hehe, of course not. Please, young master, don't hold it against this lowly one.” The thief bowed, his eyes fixed on Yin Xu's belt.
“Scram.” Yin Xu pulled the stolen purse from his sleeve, tossed it up and down, and then walked away.
The thief didn't recognize that the purse in Yin Xu's hand was the one he had just stolen.
After walking a distance, Teng Yu finally smiled and said, “So, you decided to play the hero?”
Yin Xu glanced at the young master who had lost his purse and snorted, “I wasn't feeling heroic; I just couldn't stand that thief's sly face.”
“He's a thief. Isn't it normal for him to look cunning?” Teng Yu didn't care about such trivial matters; every dynasty had its share of petty thieves.
Yin Xu tossed the money purse into a beggar's bowl by the roadside, “Here's a reward. Share it with the others.”
The beggar stared in disbelief at the bulging purse in his bowl. He looked at the departing Yin Xu, swallowed hard, and quickly grabbed the purse, darting into an alley.
“Stop… Big brother, that's him…” Someone suddenly rushed up from behind, blocking Yin Xu's path.
Yin Xu crossed his arms over his chest and smirked, “Isn't this the kid who bumped into me earlier? What, here to compensate me?”
The burly men with the thief looked at Yin Xu and Teng Yu, then patted the thief, “Xiao San'er, are you sure it was them who took your purse? Don't cause trouble for nothing!”
One of them wore a brocade robe with a jade pendant at his waist. Who would believe they were hiding anything?
“Big brother, it was really him. He bumped into me, and then I lost my purse!” The thief pointed at Yin Xu and yelled.
Yin Xu asked excitedly, “You're blocking our path because you think I stole your money?”
“If not you, then who else? You were the only one who came close to me!”
“Isn't that funny? You lose something just because you bumped into me? What kind of logic is that?”
“Enough talk, just tell us if you stole San'er's purse!” A fierce-looking man raised his fist threateningly.
Yin Xu asked calmly, “If I say no, would you believe me?”
“We'll find out after we search you!” The burly man waved his fist, and three men advanced towards Yin Xu.
Yin Xu turned and threw himself into Teng Yu's arms, clutching his clothes and saying fearfully, “Master, they want to search me, what should I do?”
“Damn, it's a rabbit!” The burly men stopped, their faces showing lecherous smiles.
Teng Yu sighed helplessly. Hugging Yin Xu around the waist, he patted his back consolingly, “Don't worry, we didn't steal anything.”
Yin Xu's body stiffened. He looked up from Teng Yu's embrace and pitifully asked, “Do you really want to see them touching me with their dirty hands?”
Teng Yu replied gently, “Don't worry, just chop off their hands after they search you.”
Hearing this, the men burst into laughter, “Which family's young master is so arrogant? Do you know who we are?”
Yin Xu shook his head and asked weakly, “Do you know who my master is?”
“Pui, who cares who he is? Stealing from our Tiger Head Gang means paying back tenfold!” The men no longer doubted Yin Xu but were confident they could swindle these two.
“The Tiger Head Gang? Never heard of it. What's it about?” Yin Xu asked, genuinely curious.
“They're probably tigers. Look at them, they all look like savages. They've probably been on the mountain too long.”
“Kid, you're courting death!” The men raised their fists and swung at Teng Yu.
Yin Xu hid behind Teng Yu, screaming loudly. If not for the smile on his face, one might think he was truly scared.
Just as the punches were about to land, Teng Yu raised his leg, and without much effort, sent the burly men flying.
He brushed off his perfectly uncreased clothes and sneered, “You overestimate yourself!”
Yin Xu dashed over and with a light kick to each of them, made the few robust men cry out in pain and collapse to the ground.
Xiao San'er, who had brought along a group of people, was already terrified. She tried to run but Yin Xu used a small stone to cut her leg, causing her to join in the wailing.
Yin Xu searched the body of the sturdy leader and found an order badge inscribed with “Martial Union.” It was precisely what he had been looking for.
He used the order badge to pat the sturdy man's face and laughed: “This item will be used by this young master. With your little abilities, you still want to encircle and exterminate the Evil Sect? You're courting death! Go home and farm early.”
Seeing the strong men lying on the ground, the surrounding commoners saw it too. Some of them immediately ran to call the patrolling officials. Such incidents had been frequent lately, so they were all immune to it.
When the official arrived, only a few screaming men remained at the scene. The culprit had long disappeared without a trace.
Someone recognized Teng Yu and whispered, “Official, the one who did the beating just now seemed to be … I think it's the Third Prince.”
The official grabbed the man's collar and asked, “Are you sure?”
The person nodded repeatedly, “During the disaster relief, I saw His Highness once. It was indeed him.” With Teng Yu's distinctive face, it would be hard for ordinary people to mistake him after seeing him once.
When the official heard this, he immediately ordered his subordinates, “Take these criminals back to the yamen and hand them over to the Prefect!”
“Stop… you, do you know who we are…”
“Who cares who you are? Daring to attack an imperial court official, you're courting death!”
After the officials had tied them up, someone from the crowd threw an egg at them. “I've always disliked you bastards, you commit crimes all day long! Serves you right!”
This street was a busy part of Hui State. Due to the arrival of these martial arts people recently, it had become quite deserted, forcing many vendors to close down and stay home.
“Don't surround them, disperse, disperse!” The official waved his hand and led the men to the yamen.
The people had been feeling aggrieved over the past few days. They frequently encountered troublemakers in the streets, and not only did they lose money, they even got beaten up.
Now that there was a chance for revenge, how could they let it go?
Yin Xu and Teng Yu took the order badge and entered a private brothel. Han Qing had found this place, and it was also where the martial arts sects gathered.
The token they snatched was proof of entry. Without it, entry would be impossible.
It was Yin Xu's first time entering such a private brothel. It was said this place only catered to wealthy officials and nobles, with a graceful environment and outstanding ladies.
As for why they supported this group of barbarians, it was said this place was owned by a certain sect in the martial arts world.
“The two of you look unfamiliar. Which sect do you belong to?” A man wearing a shirt and wielding a large blade blocked Yin Xu and asked.
Yin Xu sized him up and arrogantly asked, “Which sect are you from? I also think you're quite similar.”
“You… In my opinion, you're spies from the Evil Sect.” The man shouted, pointing at the two of them, “Just look at your clothes. You can't possibly be people of the martial arts world. Only people from the Evil Sect dress so flashily.”
Flashy? Yin Xu and Teng Yu's eyelids twitched simultaneously. They hadn't cared about their attire, only picking something low-key.
Teng Yu facepalmed. He had only come to accompany Yin Xu, and if they were surrounded by martial artists, the two of them wouldn't stand a chance.
Yin Xu continued to look at him sideways and taunted: “Seeing how poor you are, you must not be a disciple of a big sect. Speaking so boldly without knowing the world, I feel too embarrassed to hit you.”
The man's face turned red from the ridicule. Although there were wealthy people in the martial arts world, most still lived modestly. Even big sects had to support many people and aid their allies from time to time.
Despite their daily battles, few wore silk clothing and paraded around.
Yin Xu was too lazy to argue further. He pushed the man aside and walked over to a young man in front of him, shouting, “Hey, Qingsheng, we brothers meet again!”
He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder and knocked on his forehead, under the young man's dumbstruck expression. “What's wrong? You forgot your brother so quickly? Have you forgotten we slept in the same room that night?”
Teng Yu's sharp gaze landed on the young man, realizing he hadn't seen this kid before. The fact that Yin Xu could call his name meant he must have seen him before.
He walked over and removed Yin Xu's arm from the young man's shoulder, then cupped his fists and said seriously, “Hello, I am Yin Xu's senior brother. I've heard about your exploits, it's nice to meet you!”
Seeing him being so serious, no one doubted him. Only Qingsheng stood there staring at the two of them.
His eyes were brimming with anger, “Who are you? I don't even know you!”
Yin Xu shook his head and sighed, “I knew Brother Qingsheng would say that. Even though there was a misunderstanding between us, why keep it in your heart for so long?”
Qingsheng looked at this slightly unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar face in front of him and started to doubt his own memories. Could it be that he had really met this guy somewhere before?
“It's you.” A refined young man walked out from behind Qingsheng and looked at him with a confused expression, “So it's you, the Young Master who stole our private box last time.”
When he reminded him, Qingsheng immediately remembered. With wide eyes, he pointed at Yin Xu, “Wow, you actually still have the guts to appear!”