Chapter 17: Thunderous Methods
Zhao Er Laizi’s greedy gaze was completely undisguised, staring straight at Su Yan as if looking at a piece of fat meat.
In their view, this Su Yan had lost his parents and was just an orphan, so even if he had some skills, he was a lone tree that couldn’t support itself.
“Get lost!”
Su Yan scolded coldly, striding forward to help Xie Yuzhu up.
“Second Uncle, where are you hurt?”
“I’m fine, just took a kick. Don’t be impulsive.”
Xie Yuzhu grabbed Su Yan’s sleeve with his hand, gripping until his fingers turned white, afraid that the young man would act impulsively and get hurt by ruffians like Zhao Er Laizi.
However, Su Yan grabbed his palm, patted it, and broke free: “Second Uncle, rest assured, they won’t get away with it today.”
“A Yan…”
Xie Yuzhu still wanted to stop him, but Su Yan had already turned to face the ashamed and angry Zhao Er Laizi and his group.
Su Yan’s earlier scolding had made him lose face, and now he viciously brandished the short knife, gesturing threateningly.
“Brat, acting all arrogant, huh? Don’t blame me then.”
He swung the knife at him, wanting to scare Su Yan.
“Stop him!”
The Village Head saw this and was greatly alarmed, hurriedly calling the villagers to come forward.
Debt collection was justified, but in Yun Qian Village, treating a child like Su Yan who had lost his parents this way—did they really think Yun Qian Village had no one?
Several older men from the village pushed out of the crowd, holding farm tools and rakes, about to step forward.
But suddenly they widened their eyes, seeing an unbelievable scene.
Su Yan actually took the initiative to meet him, grabbing Zhao Er Laizi’s wrist.
Zhao Er Laizi cried out “Ouch,” his wrist cracking loudly, as if gripped by an iron hoop.
In pain, the short knife clattered to the ground.
Su Yan’s gaze was like a blade: “Hand too long.”
He exerted force, snapping the hand outright. Zhao Er Laizi’s face twisted red, and he knelt on the ground in pain.
The four behind him saw this and were both shocked and furious, immediately pouncing to attack.
Su Yan’s form was like an ape, charging straight forward.
The leader held a steel fork and had just raised it, preparing to thrust.
Su Yan crouched halfway, from top to bottom like a fully drawn strong bow, using White Ape Offers Peach to strike upward.
That man’s chest let out a muffled thud, and he was sent flying three or four meters, crashing into the earthen wall.
The remaining three charged, but Su Yan was direct without any hesitation, dodging knives and countering with heavy fists.
In just a few breaths, all five who came for debt collection were down on the ground.
The crowd was silent, gasping in cold air. How was Yan Ge’er so powerful?
“Y-you owe debt and still dare to hit people?!”
Zhao Er Laizi’s eyes were full of fear, never expecting Su Yan to have such skills.
“Debt collection is justified, but this matter needs to be settled separately.”
Su Yan spoke unhurriedly, bending to pick up the fallen steel fork, weighing it and finding it unwieldy, putting it back, then picking up a sturdy long wooden stick.
“My father borrowed ten taels from Niu Han, agreeing to repay after the summer tax. Even if it’s 17 taels 8 mace, I’ll pay you, but today hasn’t come yet.”
Su Yan approached Zhao Er Laizi. The guy seemed to think of something, looking at Su Yan with fear in his eyes, instinctively retreating.
“You came for debt today, but the time hasn’t come, and you hurt people, so that’s causing trouble.”
He stared at Zhao Er Laizi, revealing a smile: “For causing trouble, you pay the price.”
“W-what do you want to do?!”
Su Yan didn’t answer, kicking him over and stepping on his chest.
“You kicked people, so break a leg.”
“No—”
Before Zhao Er Laizi could finish, the hardwood had already fallen, with a crack, breaking his right calf.
Zhao Er Laizi was in too much pain to speak. Su Yan stood up and, amid the pleas of the remaining four thugs, hit each with a stick, breaking one hand of each.
It was casual, even with a slight smile on his face.
It made everyone watch in stunned silence, not daring to intervene.
Only the Village Head old man furrowed his brows deeply like wrinkles: “A Yan, don’t be angry, don’t cause a murder case.”
“Village Head Grandpa, rest assured, I won’t take their lives.”
Su Yan clattered the hardwood onto Zhao Er Laizi’s body.
“Come get the money after the summer tax. If not, find me at Golden Ape Martial Arts School; the silver is all there.”
Su Yan’s gaze swept around: “Though I’m an orphan, heaven pities me, giving me some talent for practicing martial arts. I know a bit of fist and foot techniques. If unsatisfied, call Niu Han over.”
At this point, Zhao Er Laizi didn’t dare speak, hurriedly having those with only broken hands support him, stumbling away from Yun Qian Village.
Afraid that Su Yan’s violent temper would flare and really kill them.
The Village Head old man opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say, sighing: “Yan Ge’er has made something of himself.”
“Yes, yes.”
The nearby villagers breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly chiming in with smiles: “Yan Ge’er becoming a martial artist is great news for Yun Qian Village. Don’t forget us poor neighbors in the future.”
“Village Head Grandpa, tell everyone to disperse. Thanks for everyone’s help today.”
The Village Head nodded: “Disperse, all disperse. Yan Ge’er is fine, everyone go about your business.”
The crowd dispersed, leaving only Xie Yuzhu and a few others.
“Sigh, you…”
Xie Yuzhu had recovered by now, looking at Su Yan, unsure if happy or worried: “Having success in practicing martial arts, why provoke them? If Niu Han causes trouble, it harms your future…”
Xie Yuzhu wanted to say more, but his wife Li Lian tugged his sleeve hard, stopping him.
“Second Brother, Sister-in-law and Yan Ge’er will take care of you. We’ll head out first.”
The mountain hunting partners saw the atmosphere and found excuses to leave one after another.
“Second Aunt, I’ll help Second Uncle back.”
Xie Yuzhu’s home was not far from Su Yan’s, which was why he could intervene so quickly when Zhao Er Laizi and the others came to cause trouble.
Supporting him into the room, they found a bamboo chair to sit on, opened his coarse hemp clothes, revealing a purple bruise footprint on his chest.
Su Yan’s gaze turned cold. Such bruising meant he had gone easy earlier.
“Dad, what happened to you?”
A round-faced little boy poked his head in to ask, full of concern.
This was Xie Yuzhu’s son, only eight or nine years old, named Xie Bao.
Xie Yuzhu grinned, his smile a bit forced: “Dad’s fine, just fell on the mountain.”
“A Bao, don’t bother your dad. Go get the medicinal wine.”
Li Lian called A Bao over, about to fetch the medicinal wine from home.
For mountain hunters, bruises and bumps were minor; broken hands or feet were the serious injuries.
So homes always prepared some herbal medicinal wine for common wounds.
“A Bao, here, try this.”
Su Yan quietly took a package of pastry from the Insect Realm Space and handed it over.
A Bao took the cowhide paper package, opened it, and said delightedly: “Dad, Mom, it’s pastry! Thanks, A Yan Bro.”
“This…”
Xie Yuzhu recognized the pastry; so exquisite, surely only available in the city.
He instinctively grumbled: “You child, how can you waste money like this.”
“It’s for A Bao to eat, how is that wasteful?”
Su Yan just smiled, then said to Xie Yuzhu: “Second Uncle, tomorrow I’ll take you to the Mountain Market to see a doctor and treat this injury.”
Xie Yuzhu frowned: “It’s just bruises and swelling, no need for a doctor. I’m fine…”
Su Yan interrupted Xie Yuzhu, saying seriously: “Second Uncle, listen to me. If it needs looking at, then look at it. Also check your old rheumatism wounds. I still have silver.”
Xie Yuzhu’s pupils shrank: “A Yan, what do you want to do…”
Su Yan cut him off mid-sentence, shaking his head slightly: “Second Uncle, listen to me. It’ll be fine.”
Xie Yuzhu fell silent. Li Lian had just brought the bruise liniment, but he suddenly spoke: “A Lian, put the medicine away first. Use it tomorrow.”
Li Lian saw their demeanor, opened her mouth slightly, but nodded silently and put the bruise liniment away.
Su Yan wanted to say more but held back, gave a few instructions, then got up to leave.
As he reached the door, Xie Yuzhu’s heavy reminder came from behind: “Be safe.”
