Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Overcome with grief and indignation, Tian Heng clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
‘How dare he act this way in front of me, the leader of the Black Clothes Gang, even if he has the Count's Estate behind him? I, Tian Heng, did not spend decades mastering martial arts and surviving dozens of life-or-death battles to be treated like this by the likes of you, Shen Lang!’
In his mind, Tian Heng imagined brutally crushing Shen Lang's face, but he couldn't do so in reality. Feigning anger, Tian Heng finally spoke.
"Thirteen has committed a grave offense against you, Young Master Shen. When he returns, I will personally break his legs!"
Shen Lang frowned and said, "He's not here?"
"Indeed. Unfortunately, he is not here at the moment. He was dispatched to Bailing City last night and won't be back for another month or two."
"Hahaha."
What a coincidence. Shen Lang didn't believe a word of it. The shrewd Tian Heng had likely anticipated something like this and sent him away in advance. But since Tian Heng was putting on such an act, Shen Lang couldn't press the matter further.
"If he's not here, then so be it. However, you must inform me the moment he returns. I must break both his legs to vent my anger. I will absolutely not give up on this!"
Tian Heng replied with a smile.
"Of course, I will be sure to let you know."
His business concluded, Shen Lang prepared to leave.
"Then I shall take my leave."
The Count's warriors behind Shen Lang glanced at the chest of gold coins on the table, hesitating over whether to take it.
"Take the gold. That is money Gang Leader Tian owes me, and it has nothing to do with the Count's Estate."
The Count's warriors stepped forward, lifted the chest of gold, and followed Shen Lang out. As they left the Black Clothes Gang's headquarters, the two warriors exchanged a look, wondering if Lady Jin had chosen the wrong man. Such shamelessness... it was completely at odds with the character of the Count's Estate.
* * *
After watching Shen Lang depart, Tian Heng, the leader of the Black Clothes Gang, could no longer contain his fury. He swept all the teacups from the table. The one Shen Lang had used, he stomped on until it was nothing but dust.
"Men, chop up the chair he sat on and burn it."
At that moment, two warriors from the Black Clothes Gang entered, drew their swords, and chopped the chair Shen Lang had sat on into firewood, which they then sent to the kitchen to be burned.
"Gang Leader, there's no need to be so angry. Shen Lang is acting so recklessly that it's only a matter of time before the Count of Xuanwu learns of his true nature. He'll be severely punished then. We might even hear news of his sudden death at the Count's Estate before long."
Thirteen, the very man Shen Lang had been looking for, emerged and muttered. He hadn't gone to Bailing City. It was just an excuse for Shen Lang.
"I still can't believe it. How did a foolish and despicable cur like him manage to become the son-in-law of the Count's Estate on his own?"
Although Tian Heng had already acknowledged Shen Lang's capabilities in his heart, he couldn't resist vilifying him, shouting insults without hesitation.
"He's just an idiot who struck it rich by a stroke of luck. It's not worth your anger, sir. He's sure to hang himself with his own rope soon enough."
Thirteen chimed in, echoing Tian Heng's scorn for Shen Lang.
"Thirteen! You are not to go outside for the time being. Don't show your face in public; stay within the gang's headquarters."
Thirteen ground his teeth in frustration but could only nod and reply.
"Yes, sir."
Just then, a brief commotion erupted outside, and a familiar face appeared. It was Shen Lang, who had just left.
Startled by the sudden turn of events, Thirteen moved quickly to hide, but Shen Lang's eyes were already locked on him.
"Thirteen, don't bother hiding. I've already seen you. And my, you're fast. To return from Bailing City in just a few seconds."
In this utterly baffling situation, Tian Heng felt like his eyes were about to pop out of his head. The vile, shameless bastard was cunning as well. He had never imagined Shen Lang would come back.
Shen Lang then turned to Thirteen and continued.
"I heard that yesterday, you brought a dozen of your men to my home, broke down the door, and tried to seize my parents and younger brother. If Jin Zhong hadn't arrived in time, I can only imagine the miserable fate they would have suffered. Do you think breaking both your legs is too harsh a punishment?"
Thirteen's face twitched slightly, and he glared at Shen Lang with cold eyes. From his experience, he knew that begging for mercy from someone like Shen Lang, who never forgot a slight and always sought revenge, was utterly useless.
"Gang Leader Tian made me a promise. He said that when Thirteen returned, he would personally break his legs to appease my anger. Well, Gang Leader Tian, it is now time to fulfill that promise."
Tian Heng quietly closed his eyes. He truly did not want to break Thirteen's legs.
He had already found a powerful backer to protect him: Prefect Zhang Chong. Tian Heng had first met with Zhang Jin, offering thirty percent of the profits from five of his gambling dens in exchange for the Zhang family's protection. This gave him the political foundation and influence he needed to avoid having to bow his head to the might of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate.
However, he didn't want to completely sever ties with Shen Lang. He had long since learned from experience that there was no need to create enemies intentionally.
Suddenly, Tian Heng's expression changed, his eyes turning cold as he slammed his fist on the table.
*Crack.*
The incredibly sturdy mahogany table shattered instantly under his fist. At the same time, the two warriors from the Count's Estate swiftly drew their greatswords and stood in front of Shen Lang. Regardless of their personal opinions of him, they were willing and duty-bound to fight to the death if he was in danger.
"Shen Lang, this is an insult too far!"
Tian Heng roared. For the sake of his own honor, he had no intention of breaking Thirteen's legs. Thirteen had gone to seize Shen Lang's family on his orders. If Shen Lang forced him to break Thirteen's legs, Tian Heng's prestige would plummet, and the morale of the Black Clothes Gang would hit rock bottom. Who would be willing to risk their life for him then?
Shen Lang sneered in response.
"Gang Leader Tian, you promised me yourself. Why do you now claim that I am insulting you?"
"Young Master Shen, nothing good can come from making enemies. Let it go and show some magnanimity."
"Magnanimity? What an interesting notion. Very well, let me ask you this. In the past, when I was powerless, you tried to kill me and my entire family. Did you show any magnanimity then? Now that you are in the weaker position, do you finally feel the threat you couldn't perceive when you were the strong one, Gang Leader Tian?"
Tian Heng glared at Shen Lang and enunciated each word clearly.
"Shen Lang, do not delude yourself. You are not a truly powerful man. You are merely a fox borrowing the tiger's might. Of course, now that you are the son-in-law of the Count's Estate, I cannot touch you directly. But Shen Lang, you are nothing more than a live-in son-in-law. Do you truly believe someone like you can intimidate me, the leader of the Black Clothes Gang and a Commander of the City Militia?"
Thirteen chimed in from the side.
"The Count of Xuanwu's Estate has a long-standing reputation for treating its people like its own children. Do you think the Count will stand by and watch as you, his live-in son-in-law, run rampant after just one day? He might even kill a nobody like you to uphold justice and preserve the estate's honor. Hahaha, what a joke that would be."
Following Thirteen's taunt, Tian Heng shouted.
"His Lordship, the Count, is a man of principle. I am a Commander of the Xuanwu City Militia. My authority does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Count's domain; I am subordinate to the Prefect's Office. Even if I were to become your enemy, it is highly unlikely that His Lordship would overstep his bounds to deal with me. Shen Lang, the reason I am leaving you be is not because I fear you!"
Indeed, Tian Heng was right. The State of Yue currently operated under a system of independent local governance, making it difficult for the Count of Xuanwu's Estate to act rashly. Moreover, since the Count's Estate and the Prefect's Office had been separated, the Count had generally refrained from meddling in affairs outside his jurisdiction. It was unlikely he would interfere in local military and political matters. If the Count's Estate were to take such a step, the Prefect's Office and the Governor's Office, who were always looking for a weakness to exploit, would not remain idle.
"Shen Lang, I was originally willing to give you face. We could have even been friends. But you refused the wine offered in peace, choosing the one offered in punishment instead. Do not blame me for our relationship turning sour."
Shen Lang listened to Tian Heng until the end and then spoke calmly.
"Gang Leader Tian, I will ask you one last time. Do you have no intention of breaking Thirteen's legs yourself?"
"If you want it done, do it yourself. Or have the Count's warriors behind you do it."
Shen Lang, break them himself? That was impossible. With his level of strength, how could he possibly win a fight against Thirteen? Have the Count's warriors do it? That was even more impossible. These two warriors would protect his life, but they would never obey an order from him to assault someone else.
Shen Lang glanced at the two men to test their reaction, but they averted their gaze, looking elsewhere. Their meaning was perfectly clear. Besides, Shen Lang had no authority to command them in the first place.
Tian Heng sneered.
"Shen Lang, a man who covets what is beyond his grasp will only bring shame upon himself."
Shen Lang's face hardened, then suddenly broke into a wide smile.
"Gang Leader Tian!"
"What is it, Young Master Shen?"
Believing he had already won, Tian Heng replied with a smirk. Shen Lang glanced at the sky outside and said, "Time flies. I must visit my parents today, so I shall return tomorrow."
Tian Heng laughed.
"Tomorrow? What difference will tomorrow make?"
"Who knows? We'll have to wait and see what tomorrow brings, won't we? By the way, I will reflect deeply on the words you've shared with me today and give you my answer tomorrow."
Tian Heng laughed boisterously.
"Hahahaha! I've never heard such empty blustering. You are merely the Count's live-in son-in-law. Stop putting on airs. Does a fox borrowing a tiger's might think he can trample all over me? Dream on!"
"Since everything will be clear tomorrow, there's no need for you to be so hasty, is there, Gang Leader?"
"We shall see, then!"
Shen Lang smiled and spoke gently.
"Gang Leader Tian, I will see you tomorrow."
The day was still long. Tomorrow, Tian Heng would learn the meaning of bone-deep agony and regret it so bitterly he would cough up blood