Chapter 20 : Chapter 20
Chapter 20. The Kind Are Bullied
After returning to the dormitory,
Tian Yang, overflowing with gratitude toward Xu Yuan, rushed over to help him make his bed and arrange his belongings.
This even surprised Li Shan, who was nearby.
Back in the communal bunkroom, their relationship had not been bad, but it certainly was not close either.
How had the two of them become like brothers in just a few days?
Later, when he returned to the rear courtyard and learned the full story, he could not help but admire Xu Yuan even more.
After finishing all the chores, Xu Yuan left the gates of the Shangyang Residence.
Now that he had become a Formal Martial Artist, his freedom had increased significantly. There were fewer restrictions—he could even stay overnight outside—but unless there was an urgent matter, he was not allowed to remain outside for more than two days.
Xu Yuan stopped at a meat stall and bought two strips of pork belly and three smoked fish, wrapping them in oil paper before carrying them in his hand.
He made his way into the outer city and soon saw the familiar alley from a distance.
A sense of emotion stirred within him. His current income could already be considered high. As long as he continued to climb upward, better days would soon come.
The outer city was still somewhat chaotic. If possible, it would be best to move his elder brother’s family into the inner city.
With that thought in mind, Xu Yuan subconsciously looked ahead—and suddenly, his gaze sharpened.
A figure slipped out from the alley, acting furtively. Something was clearly off.
“It is him?”
Xu Yuan recognized him immediately. This was one of the thugs who had followed Li Daqiang to cause trouble last time.
After a moment of thought, Xu Yuan quietly moved aside, concealing himself. Once the man left, he followed from a distance.
They passed through various pleasure districts and winding streets, eventually arriving outside a small courtyard.
Xu Yuan’s eyes flickered. “So he even lives in a courtyard. It seems Li Daqiang has not been feeding on others’ blood for nothing.”
The thug swaggered forward and knocked on the door. Once it opened, he slipped inside.
Xu Yuan circled to the back of the courtyard. Seeing no one around, he tightened his muscles and leaped upward, lightly grabbing the wall and peering inside.
Li Daqiang was seated in the center of the courtyard. A maidservant stood beside him, serving tea, while he appeared completely at ease.
The thug approached him and said with a grin, “Brother Qiang, I checked earlier. That kid still has not come back.”
“The servants only get one day off per month. That has already passed, so of course he is not home,” Li Daqiang snorted.
“But that also proves he has not broken through to become a martial artist… Once we get news from Niu Er’s nephew, we will act immediately!”
“Without the protection of the Shangyang Residence, let us see what he can do!” Li Daqiang said coldly.
“But Brother Qiang, that kid has learned martial arts,” the thug said with some concern.
“So what if he has learned martial arts? As long as he has not become a martial artist, he is nothing more than slightly stronger. I can still deal with him easily!”
“My territory is not so easy to disrupt!”
Li Daqiang sneered, completely unconcerned.
He understood the details of martial artists well enough. When the time came, as long as he gathered a few more people, what was there to fear?
“With Brother Qiang taking action, everything will surely be handled perfectly.”
Now that the risk seemed minimal, the thug revealed his true nature, grinning lewdly.
“Speaking of which, that Xu family sister-in-law I saw before… tsk, truly delicate. She does not look like a woman who does manual labor at all.”
Li Daqiang glanced at him. “That Zhang Shi comes from a once-prominent family, so her bearing is naturally different. But when the time comes, she will be handed over to the Gang Leader. What makes you think you would get a turn?”
“Yes, yes, of course the Gang Leader comes first. I was only joking,” the thug said with a forced smile, rubbing his hands.
“Mm. Go. Report back when there is news.”
Li Daqiang waved his hand casually, as if shooing away a fly, adopting the air of a leader.
…
Listening to the conversation inside, Xu Yuan’s gaze gradually turned cold.
He had not expected Li Daqiang to be so vindictive and malicious.
Not only had he arranged for surveillance, but he was also scheming to confirm whether Xu Yuan had become a martial artist—planning to cut off his future. Worse still, he even intended to target his elder brother and sister-in-law!
“What a loan shark thug…”
Xu Yuan repeated the words silently, a trace of killing intent quietly emerging in his heart.
In this world, the kind are bullied, and the gentle are ridden upon.
If he were still the struggling servant from before, his fate would be obvious.
With that thought, Xu Yuan did not linger. He dropped lightly from the wall and quickly returned to his brother’s alley.
Before he even reached the door, he suddenly heard his sister-in-law’s sharp voice.
“Elder brother got scolded again?”
Xu Yuan could be smooth and adaptable around others, but at home he felt awkward. He had no choice but to steel himself and step inside.
As he drew closer, her voice became clearer:
“This morning, that scoundrel came to deliver a message—next month we have to repay half a tael of silver… damn it, we only borrowed one tael in total!”
“You must have lost your mind to borrow such hellish debt. What are you going to do now?”
Xu Zheng retorted unwillingly, “The Wild Wolf Gang had already set their sights on us. This was all premeditated.”
“If you had not borrowed from them, would they have targeted you for no reason?”
Xu Yuan coughed lightly.
The two turned to look at him.
Zhang Shi glared at him but said nothing more.
Xu Zheng, seeing Xu Yuan, showed a trace of embarrassment and forced a surprised expression. “Ah Yuan, did you not say last month that you would focus on training and not come back this month?”
“Elder brother, I have become a Formal Martial Artist.”
After sitting down and taking a sip of tea, Xu Yuan spoke directly without hesitation.
“I see… wait, you said you broke through to become a martial artist?” Xu Zheng was just about to relax when he suddenly froze.
Zhang Shi also stood there, stunned.
Xu Yuan picked up a wooden board, held it in his hand, and crushed it into fragments.
“This—”
Xu Zheng’s eyes widened. He immediately believed it. Such strength was not something an ordinary person could possess.
He stood up and carefully examined his younger brother.
The light in the room was dim, but upon closer inspection, he was startled.
Compared to over a month ago, Xu Yuan had grown more than half a head taller. His once well-fitting cotton clothes now appeared tight, and his pant legs were noticeably shorter.
His previously dark complexion had become smoother and fairer, his eyes bright and spirited, giving him an air of vigor.
“Good! Good! Ah Yuan has made something of himself! Thank heavens our parents are watching over us—the Xu family can rise again!”
Xu Zheng was overwhelmed with emotion. He slapped Xu Yuan’s shoulder heavily, then paced back and forth, unable to contain himself.
Zhang Shi’s eyes were full of astonishment. After a long moment, her lips moved, but she said nothing.
“Sister-in-law, Li Daqiang’s people came this morning to collect the debt, correct?” Xu Yuan asked again.
Zhang Shi nodded instinctively.
Xu Yuan nodded, placing the pork and smoked fish on the table. “Elder brother, give me the IOU. I will go repay him now… do not worry, I have money. The Shangyang Residence just issued my stipend.”
“You—”
Xu Zheng wanted to scold him, but recalling the strength Xu Yuan had just displayed, he hesitated and handed over the note. At the end, he still reminded him:
“They are not easy to deal with. Just return the money—do not create further trouble.”
“Stay for dinner before you go.”
While they were speaking, Zhang Shi had already taken the meat and fish into the kitchen. Now she called out.
Xu Yuan glanced at the sky. He had intended to leave, but under the insistence of his brother and sister-in-law, he had no choice but to stay.
“Rest for now. I will help your sister-in-law.”
As Xu Zheng stepped outside, his back seemed straighter than before. Soon, his voice rang out with renewed vigor:
“Alright, time to eat!”
Things would only get better from here.
Xu Yuan’s expression remained calm as he thought this to himself.
When he had first transmigrated, though he had not shown it, he had always felt a sense of unease. Now, this feeling of inner calm had been absent for a long time.
He touched the patched blanket on the bed, then glanced at the bare room. Leaning against the wooden beam, he sighed.
“Elder brother has not had it easy…”
When the Xu family had fallen, the original body had still been studying. Later, he had become a servant, and all the family’s debts had been repaid slowly by Xu Zheng and his wife.
From a life of comfort to one burdened with debt—at over twenty years old, there was not even a decent furnishing in the house. His sister-in-law had endured much hardship as well.
“Everything will get better…”
Xu Yuan took a deep breath and once again felt the changes in his body.
[Skills: Tai Chi Exercise (Major Mastery 1%), Stone Platform Stance (Minor Mastery 1%)]
[Aptitude: 8 (Naturally Gifted)]
Since his aptitude had improved, Xu Yuan’s comprehension of various techniques had increased significantly.
Now that he had become a martial artist, his Qi and blood circulated continuously through his meridians, making his physique and strength far superior to ordinary people.
However, he lacked real combat experience.
“Li Daqiang…”
Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes.
Let me use you to test myself.