Chapter 410 - 249: Probing (Part 2)

Chapter 410: Chapter 249: Probing (Part 2)

The two children glanced at each other, then shook their heads.

"We don’t have a home anymore," the boy said in a low voice. "Our parents starved to death, so we had to come out and beg."

Fang Yue’s heart sank when he heard this. He knew that in this era, orphans like them were not uncommon. He sighed softly, then stood up.

"How about this," Fang Yue said. "You can come back with me for now. I’ll figure out a way to find you a place to stay."

Hearing this, a spark of joyous surprise flashed in the children’s eyes. They hadn’t expected this man to actually be willing to help them.

"Thank you, mister!" they said in unison.

And so, Fang Yue brought the two children back to the inn where he was staying. He bought them some food and clothes, and had them take a bath and change into clean garments.

He would find a kind family to take them in the next day, when he had time.

~~~~~~

The next day, just as Fang Yue was about to head out,

several men in martial attire walked in, escorting a youth in lavish robes. They all carried themselves with an imposing air; one look told you they were not ordinary people.

Fang Yue frowned. He didn’t recognize these people and had no idea why they were here.

"So you’re the one who beat up my men?" the lavishly-dressed youth asked haughtily, looking Fang Yue up and down.

"Your men? I don’t know any of your men," Fang Yue replied coolly. A thought stirred within him; he had a feeling he knew why they were here.

"Don’t know them? Then you’re the one who beat up those thugs yesterday, aren’t you?" a man in martial attire next to the youth asked coldly.

"That’s right. I did."

Fang Yue admitted it frankly. "They were bullying the weak. I couldn’t stand by and watch, so I taught them a lesson."

"Taught them a lesson? You have some nerve!"

the lavishly-dressed youth roared. "Do you have any idea whose men they are? How dare you attack them just like that?"

"I don’t care whose men they are. Bullying the weak is wrong,"

Fang Yue said coldly. "If you’re here to stick up for them, then bring it on."

"Good! What an arrogant brat!"

The lavishly-dressed youth laughed in fury. "Since you refuse to see reason, don’t blame us for what comes next."

With that, he waved his hand, and the men in martial attire behind him drew their weapons and surrounded Fang Yue.

A flicker of disdain crossed Fang Yue’s eyes. He didn’t even spare the men a glance, simply extending a single finger.

Immediately after, a series of miserable cries rang out as the men in martial attire were sent flying backward, slamming hard onto the ground. For a moment, they couldn’t even get back up.

The lavishly-dressed youth stared at Fang Yue in terror. He never imagined his opponent would be so powerful that even the experts he brought were no match for him.

"You... who in the world are you?" the lavishly-dressed youth asked, his voice trembling.

"I’ve already told you. I’m just a passerby,"

Fang Yue said coldly. "Now, you can take your men and leave. If you want revenge, send someone who’s actually in charge!"

Hearing this, the lavishly-dressed youth’s face alternated between pale and livid.

He knew he’d picked a fight with the wrong person this time. His opponent wasn’t just incredibly strong; his background was probably formidable as well.

He gave Fang Yue one last, hateful look before turning to leave. He knew he was no match for Fang Yue and that there was no point in tangling with him any further.

"You just wait! I won’t forget this!" the lavishly-dressed youth spat out a threat before leaving.

Fang Yue paid no mind to the youth’s threat. He knew that people like him were usually all bark and no bite.

Besides, even if his opponent truly had some powerful background, he wasn’t afraid.

In fact, he wanted them to come for revenge. It would save him the trouble of tracking down the local powerhouse himself.

Far from being worried about the youth’s retaliation, Fang Yue was actually looking forward to it.

He wanted to use this opportunity to test the waters of Fushan Prefecture and see what powers were hidden here.

"Mister, you let them go just like that. They’re definitely going to find people and come back for revenge," the boy named Gou Dan said with some worry.

"Don’t worry. There are some things I want to find out from them anyway. Instead of me having to track them down, it’s better if they come to me."

Fang Yue said reassuringly with a smile. He could tell that these two children were sensible and very smart.

Sure enough, just as Fang Yue had expected.

On the third day, a menacing group of people arrived at the inn and surrounded it completely.

Their leader was a burly, middle-aged man with a sinister face. One look was enough to tell he was bad news.

"I don’t know who Your Excellency is, but my men have offended you. I, Zhou Kuisheng, apologize on their behalf."

This middle-aged man was Zhou Kuisheng, the Vice Gang Leader of the Shui Long Bang in Fushan Prefecture City. He was a Martial Master at the late stage of Qi Sensing.

Fang Yue looked at the middle-aged man named Zhou Kuisheng, and his interest was piqued.

He could sense that the man’s aura was not weak; he was clearly a Martial Master of considerable skill.

Moreover, the man’s attitude was quite polite. He hadn’t resorted to violence right away, which gave Fang Yue a slightly better impression of him.

"Your men were bullying the weak. I couldn’t stand by and watch, so I taught them a lesson," Fang Yue said coolly. "If you’re here to stick up for them, then bring it on."

Hearing this, Zhou Kuisheng’s expression changed slightly.

He hadn’t expected Fang Yue to be so arrogant, completely disregarding him.

However, he did not get angry. Instead, he spoke even more politely, "Your Excellency misunderstands. I am not here to stick up for them. It is merely my failure to manage my subordinates properly that has made me a laughingstock before you. Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will discipline them thoroughly when I return."

Looking at Zhou Kuisheng’s attitude, Fang Yue couldn’t help but feel a little puzzled.

He didn’t think this Zhou Kuisheng was an easy-going person. For him to be so polite, there had to be a reason.

"What is it you really want to say?" Fang Yue asked directly.

Seeing how direct Fang Yue was, Zhou Kuisheng stopped beating around the bush. "Your Excellency is incredibly powerful, and I am full of admiration. I have an impertinent request. I hope Your Excellency will do me the honor of joining me at my residence for a talk."

Hearing this, a thought stirred in Fang Yue’s mind.

He was just thinking about learning more about Fushan Prefecture. Zhou Kuisheng’s invitation was a perfect opportunity to probe the man and find out what he was up to.

"Alright, I’ll go with you," Fang Yue agreed readily.

Seeing Fang Yue agree so readily, Zhou Kuisheng was inwardly delighted.

He hurriedly led the way, taking Fang Yue from the inn.

Gou Dan and Yaya watched Fang Yue leave with Zhou Kuisheng, and they couldn’t help but worry.

Zhou Kuisheng led Fang Yue to an impressive estate. This was the headquarters of the Shui Long Bang.

"Your Excellency, please," Zhou Kuisheng said respectfully to Fang Yue.

Fang Yue nodded slightly and followed Zhou Kuisheng into the estate.

He was somewhat puzzled, wondering what on earth Zhou Kuisheng was up to. However, his skill gave him courage, and he felt no fear.

Entering the estate, Fang Yue saw a middle-aged man sitting in the main hall. He was burly with a dignified and imposing face—the very Gang Leader Zhou Kuisheng had mentioned.

"Haha, Your Excellency’s presence brings light to my humble home!" the Gang Leader, Chen Dayong, said with a great laugh.

Fang Yue smiled slightly and asked directly, "For what reason has the Gang Leader asked me here?"

"To apologize to you, of course! My subordinates were ignorant and offended Your Excellency. I hope you can forgive them," Chen Dayong said with a smile, his attitude extremely polite.

Fang Yue looked at Chen Dayong, feeling even more puzzled. He had no idea what tricks this Chen Dayong had up his sleeve or why he was being so polite.

"There’s no need for apologies. I just couldn’t stand by and watch, so I taught them a little lesson," Fang Yue said indifferently.

"Your Excellency is truly a straightforward person."

Chen Dayong praised him, then changed the subject. "Actually, besides apologizing, I have invited Your Excellency here for another matter. There is something I would like to ask for your help with."