Chapter 158: A Good-for-Nothing Boy, Part Three

"Brother Dong, please forgive my ignorance and do not hold a grudge against us. We are here to offer our sincere apologies."

Zhao Fei bowed at a ninety-degree angle, his tone dripping with earnestness.

Following this, a dead silence fell over the entire area. Jiang Yu sat with a faint smile, remaining silent. Lin Dong’s expression froze, Zhao Fei remained bent in apology, and Miao Yingxia and the others stood frozen in fear and unease.

The people surrounding the booth wore varied expressions, all struck speechless.

Did the atmosphere seem somewhat wrong?

One second... Two seconds... Three seconds...

Half a minute passed before Lin Dong reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He bounded straight up into the air as if he had seen a ghost, seized by absolute terror in an instant, and let out a shriek: "Jiang Yu?"

Jiang Yu offered a gentle smile. "You seem terribly afraid of me?"

Given that this was a worthless grand-disciple, Jiang Yu could hardly just strike him down with a sword. At most, he intended to mete out a minor punishment, teaching the kid a lesson on behalf of Lin Wangtian.

Lin Dong was truly caught in a situation where words failed him. Back in Liusha Town, he had witnessed with his own eyes as Jiang Yu single-handedly suppressed the entire Jiangbei region, cutting the imposing figure of an immortal and forcing the tycoons of two provinces to bow their heads in submission. Even the wealthiest man, Ma Tianzong, and his own teacher, Lin Wangtian, showed him the utmost respect by addressing him as Master.

Upon returning, Lin Dong had suffered a severe blow to his pride, remaining depressed and anxious day after day, nearly ruining his cultivation. Eventually, he made up his mind, traveling to the supersized metropolis of Tianhe with a silent vow never to return to Jiangbei unless he made something respectable of himself.

More than anything, he wanted to distance himself from Jiangbei as far as possible to escape Jiang Yu. The impression Jiang Yu had left on him was simply too profound; every deep night, the moment he closed his eyes, he would see Jiang Yu's majestic, demon-like divine posture, which had nearly driven him to madness in his nightmares.

Over the course of more than a year, starting as the lowest-ranking foot soldier, Lin Dong ultimately relied on his cultivation at the late stage of Inner Force to climb to the very peak, becoming a master of a hall within the Martial Arts Union, revered throughout Tianhe and holding sweeping authority in all directions.

The figure of Jiang Yu had slowly faded from his mind over that year.

Yet now, that nightmare-inducing face, still carrying that faint smile, had appeared right before his eyes. How could he not be shocked? How could he not be terrified? Both of his legs turned to jelly, and after struggling to stand for a few seconds, he collapsed straight to the ground.

"I won't dare do it again. I truly don't dare anymore."

Like a child caught red-handed by their parents, Lin Dong confessed his wrongs on the spot, his voice laced with a sob. The teenager sitting opposite him was, after all, his grand-master, and the sheer terror nearly split his gallbladder and sent his soul flying out of his body.

Miao Yingxia’s slender body shuddered violently, filled entirely with disbelief.

Yan Xiaoxiao opened her eyes wide, her cherry lips parted in an "O" shape, staring uncomprehendingly at Jiang Yu and Lin Dong. Her palms were slick with cold sweat; seeing Jiang Yu had made Lin Dong act like a mouse encountering a cat, his face completely collapsed as he continuously confessed and begged for mercy.

Zhao Fei, Tao Biyuan, and Zhou Kai wore expressions of sheer bewilderment as well.

"Brother Dong, what is the meaning of this?"

Asked one of the subordinates behind him, looking utterly clueless.

Lin Dong pouted, wearing an expression of supreme grievance. The moment his subordinates spoke, he immediately roared, "All of you, shut your mouths! Kneel down! Kneel for me now!"

At the sound of the Dragon-Wielding Hall Master's strict command, the men trembled and hastily dropped to their knees.

This punk, having vanished for a spell, had actually come to Tianhe to fool around. If Lin Wangtian, with his upright and uncompromising personality, ever found out, wouldn't he be so enraged that everything would go black before his eyes and he would instantly drop dead?

Jiang Yu was torn between laughter and tears. "You were wrong?"

Lin Dong nodded frantically like a pounding pestle. "I was wrong. Please don't tell my teacher. I won't ever dare do it again."

As Jiang Yu took a seat on the sofa, Lin Dong's eyes rolled as a thought crossed his mind. He picked up a wine glass, poured it to the brim, and carefully handed it over. "Jiang... Jiang..."

Judging by the reactions of Jiang Yu's companions, it was obvious they were unaware of his true identity; otherwise, how would they dare sit at the same table with him? Not daring to address him improperly for fear of ruining his mood, Lin Dong held his tongue.

"Just call me Mister."

Jiang Yu picked up the wine glass and took a small sip.

Seeing this, Lin Dong let out a long sigh of relief, drenched in cold sweat. Since Jiang Yu had accepted that cup of wine, it meant he was off the hook. If Jiang Yu had ignored him, he probably wouldn't have made it out of the bar alive tonight.

"I said before, what need was there to apologize to the Martial Arts Union? Do you believe me now?"

Jiang Yu’s calm voice echoed beside everyone's ears.

Miao Yingxia blinked her eyes, filled with boundless curiosity toward Jiang Yu. Even Lin Dong had been frightened into kneeling on the ground—could it be that Jiang Yu possessed some heaven-reaching background and was merely playing the pig to eat the tiger?

Yan Xiaoxiao bit her lower lip, re-evaluating Jiang Yu. Fortunately, it had been a false alarm. This fellow clearly possessed the status to frighten Lin Dong into collapse, yet he refused to spell it out, causing them all to worry needlessly.

"Starting today, leave the Martial Arts Union, get your ass back to Jiangbei, and go find Lin Wangtian to make amends. Hmph, holding a small post in the Martial Arts Union has really inflated your ego, hasn't it? Do you have any idea that you are dragging my reputation through the mud?"

Jiang Yu wore a stern face as he looked at Lin Dong.

Lin Dong let out a loud gulp and slumped back onto the floor.

As Lin Wangtian’s final-admitted disciple, Lin Dong naturally represented Jiang Yu’s face whenever he walked out into the world. Anything else could be overlooked, but for this kid to sneak into the Martial Arts Union and take pride in it?

Raising his voice, Jiang Yu let out a cold snort. "If I ever catch you messing around blindly again, I will have Lin Wangtian strip away your cultivation and expel you from the sect. Also, I heard the Martial Arts Union extorted ten million from Aunt Yan. Tomorrow, I will—"

Mid-sentence, Jiang Yu waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind, I'll go sort it out myself."

Lin Dong jerked his head up. Had Jiang Yu developed killing intent? Though he couldn't be certain of the exact reason, one thing was clear: after tonight, the Martial Arts Union would likely be erased from Tianhe.

"Understood. I'll head back to Jiangbei tonight and beg my teacher for forgiveness."

With his heart pounding in his throat, Lin Dong knew that if he stayed any longer, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't actually pass out from sheer fright.

Zhao Fei wore a heavy expression. Within Tianhe City, he knew far more than the others. Take Lin Dong, for instance—this man practically controlled nearly half of Tianhe's underground world, a figure whom even Wei Jia treated with a degree of respect.

Yet someone with such a resounding reputation had been frightened into collapsing straight to the ground the moment he laid eyes on Jiang Yu. Zhao Fei absolutely refused to believe that Jiang Yu lacked status. Could he perhaps be the young master of some supreme aristocratic family?

Even the young women looked at Jiang Yu with burning gazes. Not only was he handsome, but he also possessed an immense background, to the point where even Lin Dong treated him like a ghost or a deity.

By comparison, those so-called second-generation wealthy heirs were utterly pathetic.

Jiang Yu spoke softly, "Are you still not going to scram? I won't say the same thing a second time. Brat, you better remember this."

Lin Dong scrambled to his feet, abandoning his subordinates entirely, and bolted out of the bar as if running for his life.

The remaining lackeys scattered in all directions, leaving Miao Yingxia and her group staring at one another with wide eyes and bellies full of questions.

"Jiang Yu, just who on earth are you?"

Having survived a narrow escape, Yan Xiaoxiao sat down with her chest heaving, though her tone was no longer as rigid as before. Even the dullest person could piece together clues from what had just transpired.

She was a smart woman and would not treat Jiang Yu's playful indulgence of the Yan family as capital for her own arrogance.

Jiang Yu’s gaze flickered, staring off into an unknown distance as he muttered to himself, "Who am I? It won't be long before you all find out. Don't worry, after this, nobody from the Martial Arts Union will ever come to bother you again."

The Yuzhou incident served as a reminder to Jiang Yu: when cutting grass, one must eradicate the roots. While the mortals of this world could do nothing to him, they could target his family and friends. Even with his heaven-reaching abilities, he could not guarantee the safety of so many people at all times.

"It's time to send a signal to Tianhe and let them know that I have arrived."

Jiang Yu mused inwardly, his mind made up.

Shortly after, Miao Yingxia and the other girls repeatedly toasted Jiang Yu, while the burly and unremarkable Zhao Fei also garnered the young women's favor.

Possessing decent foundations and skilled at pulling heartstrings, the girls went all out, displaying boundless charm and allure. Zhao Fei, who had never been in a relationship before, quickly lost himself in this enthusiastic paradise of tender affection.

After a dozen bottles of beer, Zhao Fei began making frequent trips to the restroom, radiant with pride and turning no one away. In his heart, he understood that the girls' enthusiasm stemmed entirely from the fact that he was Jiang Yu's dorm-mate.

Loving the house for the sake of the bird, anyone connected to Jiang Yu's inner circle would undoubtedly receive his favor in the future.

Miao Yingxia's eyes were hazy with alcohol, a pair of rosy flushes gracing her cheeks, instantly lending her an air of mesmerizing charm. Old Tao bit his lip, casting a troubled look toward Jiang Yu; having finally won the goddess's favor, she was now drifting away again.

Jiang Yu stated bluntly, "Miao Yingxia, if you dare play any little games with Old Tao, I will throw you out onto the street. If you don't believe me, feel free to try."

Miao Yingxia's sobriety instantly returned, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at Jiang Yu again.

Zhou Kai warned him, "Old Jiang, you'd better be careful. The Martial Arts Union won't let this matter rest. The power behind that organization far exceeds your imagination. When it comes down to it, Lin Dong's status in the Martial Arts Union isn't even at the very top."

Jiang Yu nodded. "Rest assured, I know a few people in Tianhe. The Martial Arts Union should give them some face."

Throughout the night, they drank an unknown quantity of alcohol, resulting in a bill nearing fifty thousand when it came time to settle. Zhou Kai insisted on paying, and by the end, he was so drunk he couldn't tell east from west, having to be propped up by Zhao Fei.

Stepping out of the bar's entrance, Jiang Yu said, "You guys head back first. I have some business to attend to."

Watching them board a taxi, Jiang Yu’s gaze gradually cleared. With his level of cultivation, let alone dozens of bottles of beer, even a hundred pounds of hard liquor would be nothing to him.

"The Martial Arts Union?"

Jiang Yu raised his head, his gaze seeming to pierce through the boundless void, stretching all the way to the ends of Tianhe.