"You… you're extorting me!" Zhang Miaochun's eyes blazed with fury. "I'll call the police!"
"Call the police?" The middle-aged man sneered. "All my certificates are in order. Even if the police come, you'll still have to pay."
Zhang Miaochun shook his head violently. "Impossible! Those certificates are fake. The police won't believe you."
"Young man, don't be so naïve." The man's lips curved into a mocking smile. "Haven't you heard the story of calling a stag a horse?"
"If I say this ginseng is real, then it is real. Even if the police arrive, it will be the same. Do you believe they would even bother to examine those certificates?"
Zhang Miaochun's face turned deathly pale.
Yes—what fairness, what justice truly exists in this world?
With power and influence, black can be declared white.
And this man before him clearly wielded both wealth and authority.
"Heh, such bold words."
Just as despair consumed him, a familiar voice rang from outside the shop.
Zhang Miaochun's eyes lit up, and he looked toward the doorway—where Ye Chu strode in.
"Ye Chu."
Zhang Miaochun's heart surged with gratitude, though unease followed close behind.
The man before them was not one to trifle with—could Ye Chu really contend with him?
The middle-aged man's gaze narrowed as it fell upon Ye Chu.
Ye Chu stepped forward, helping Zhang Miaochun to his feet, and asked calmly, "What happened?"
Zhang wasted no time, quickly recounting the matter.
Ye Chu's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering within them.
"And who might you be, boy? This one here ruined my century-old ginseng. He must compensate me." The man's voice was cool, detached.
Ye Chu's lips curled in derision. "Ha. To think the illustrious Third Master of the Yun family would stoop to such petty tricks. Aren't you afraid of becoming a laughingstock if word spreads?"
A flicker of surprise flashed across the man's eyes.
Zhang Miaochun froze—then realization struck. No wonder the man had demanded twenty million in compensation.
So he was the Yun family's Third Master. No wonder…
And now, knowing his identity, Zhang's anxiety only deepened.
The Yun family was one of Jiangdu's four great clans.
Not a force to be trifled with.
"Hmm, quite perceptive." Yun Zhonghe chuckled softly. "Ye Chu, since you know who I am, be sensible and hand over the twenty million. My money is not taken lightly."
Yesterday, when Wang Tianbao returned, he immediately reported to Yun Zhonghe.
Though the latter was enraged, he did not act rashly. Instead, he had the matter investigated.
Learning of Ye Chu's identity left him astonished.
A mere son-in-law, daring to be so brazen?
Though he held Ye Chu in contempt, the man was still tied to the Jiang family.
Yun Zhonghe could not simply strike without cause—thus, he devised this scheme.
Even if the affair escalated and the Jiang family intervened, he would still have grounds to stand upon.
Ye Chu said lightly, "I borrowed that money through my own ability. Why should I return it?"
"Hmph! Then there's nothing left to discuss. This brat will pay, and then leave." Yun Zhonghe's tone hardened.
"The ginseng is fake. Why should he pay? If compensation is due, it is you who should pay my brother—for you had him beaten into this state. That debt cannot simply be erased."
Yun Zhonghe laughed in fury. "Arrogant whelp! Do you truly believe that just because the Jiang family shelters you, I dare not touch you?"
Unruffled, Ye Chu replied coolly, "Then try."
"Very well. Since you're so eager for death, I'll oblige you."
Turning, Yun Zhonghe addressed an emaciated elder standing nearby with uncharacteristic deference. "Elder Feng, if you please."
The old man inclined his head and strode forward, hawk-like eyes fixing upon Ye Chu. "Boy, consider carefully. If I strike, blood will surely be shed."
Ye Chu crooked a finger. "Enough prattle. Do it."
"Impudent cur!"
Feng Hansan's fury erupted. His withered hand clawed forward like an eagle's talon, rending the air with a sharp sonic crack.
"Eagle Claw Technique…"
Ye Chu's eyes gleamed with surprise, and he met the attack head-on.
In truth, it was no contest—Ye Chu was toying with Feng Hansan.
For with only the strength of the eighth refinement stage, how could the elder possibly be his match?
Years spent in prison had left Ye Chu ignorant of the martial arts circulating outside.
Now, seeing Eagle Claw Technique for the first time, he could not resist imitating it.
Bending his fingers into talons, he lashed out sharply.
Like an eagle soaring into the sky, his strike carried a piercing edge.
Feng Hansan's eyes widened in horror. Instinctively, he crossed his arms to block.
Crack!
The sound of bones snapping split the air.
Agony seared through his forearm as a tremendous force flung him backward.
Seven or eight staggering steps later, he steadied himself—only to see deep, bone-revealing gashes carved across his arm.
"You… how do you know Eagle Claw Technique?" His voice trembled with disbelief.
"I just learned it from you," Ye Chu replied evenly.
Feng Hansan's pupils contracted. Impossible! He had honed Eagle Claw for decades, yet never unleashed such devastating force.
Without years of relentless practice, how could this youth display its mastery in a single exchange?
Suppressing his turmoil, he demanded hoarsely, "Who are you?"
At the side, Yun Zhonghe stood dumbstruck. Feng Hansan ranked second among the Yun family's fighters—yet he had been bested by a mere youth.
Had he not witnessed it himself, he would never have believed it.
And he was not alone—Zhang Miaochun too was overwhelmed with shock.
Three years apart, and his old classmate had transformed beyond recognition.
No longer the silent, awkward boy of yesteryears, but someone altogether different.
Ye Chu looked at Yun Zhonghe with a mocking smile. "My identity—you already know it, don't you?"
Feng Hansan turned to his master, doubt clouding his gaze.
This… this was supposed to be the useless son-in-law?
Even Yun Zhonghe himself was baffled. For someone so young to wield such power—why would he enter the Jiang family as a mere dependent?
"Ye Chu… who would have thought? Jiangdu's most infamous good-for-nothing son-in-law, hiding such formidable strength." His tone shifted, growing cold. "But no matter your skill, you will return that twenty million. The Yun family is not to be crossed."
"I've said it already," Ye Chu shook his head. "Money earned by my own ability—why should I return it?"
Yun Zhonghe's face darkened. He barked to his guards, "All of you, together with Elder Feng—take him down!"
The guards obeyed, surging forward.
Zhang Miaochun's face blanched with worry.
But Ye Chu remained calm, moving with fluid grace. He wielded the Eagle Claw he had just learned, each strike sending a guard sprawling, groaning in pain.
Within moments, the floor was littered with fallen men.
"Your turn, old man."
Ye Chu grinned, his hand clawing forward once more, straight toward Feng Hansan's chest.
The elder dodged desperately, but too late—he twisted aside at the last instant, sparing his vitals, yet his shoulder was torn open.
Five deep gashes marred his flesh, blood welling to the bone. His arm hung uselessly at his side.
As Ye Chu readied another strike, Feng Hansan's composure crumbled. "Wait—young friend, I admit defeat!"
Only then did Ye Chu stay his hand. He turned to the shaken Yun Zhonghe, his voice cold and steady.
"Whether or not the Yun family is to be feared, I cannot say. But I am not to be provoked."