Chapter 135: I Say, No
Outside Rongyuan Orphanage.
A group of ruffians stood with hands tucked into belts, each wearing a melon skin hat and squinting sideways, ferociously blocking the door with menacing looks.
The leader was tall and thin, about fifty years old, with white eyebrows like snow hanging long, appearing quite refined, but his ears were completely gone, leaving only two deep holes that chilled the heart to behold.
Inside the orphanage, faint cries of children could be heard.
“Owl Third Master, what is this about? Our orphanage hasn’t offended you brothers in any way, why block the door?”
The male steward of the orphanage rubbed his hands, sweat beading on his forehead, pleading repeatedly.
Speaking of this Owl Third Master, he was known to everyone in Wuqing County.
He was the fortress lord of Fish Huo among the Four Great Huo. All fish, shrimp, crabs, even Precious Fish caught from the river in Wuqing County had to be weighed first by Fish Huo, under Owl Third Master’s watchful eye.
Only after he nodded could the fish catch be transferred to the fish market at Banye Ferry Crossing and the various fish shops in the county for sale.
Not only was he personally a Slay Two Thieves expert, especially those ears of his—back when he fought viciously with other Huo for territory, he had rashly offended a noble person, couldn’t win the fight, and had his ears cut off and fed to dogs.
But Owl Third Master felt no shame, rather pride in it. The Qing Pi on the streets saw it as a battle achievement, and all respected Owl Third Master.
The reason was that the noble person was none other than Lu Jing, Leader Lu, now serving at Liangjiang Military Academy!
What kind of figure was Leader Lu?
The top figure at Liangjiang Military Academy, a Slay Four Thieves expert, and the boss of Wuqing Stick Bureau!
To survive under Leader Lu’s hand with only a pair of ears lost—how could that not make Owl Third Master proud?
Owl Third Master smiled at the male steward in front of him and said slowly,
“You are called…”
“If Owl Third Master doesn’t mind, you can call me Zhou Daquan.”
“Oh, little Zhou…”
Owl Third Master smiled: “I’ve come to deliver you a stroke of fortune.”
“Ah? Fortune?”
Zhou Daquan was somewhat puzzled, feeling uneasy inside.
This group of Huo ruffians were experts at taking advantage, swindling, and cheating, but he’d never heard of them giving benefits to others.
“Your Rongyuan Orphanage is already struggling financially, and lately many more orphans and disabled have been sent here. Tell me, even with hearts of bodhisattvas, you two how long can you hold out?”
Owl Third Master showed no thuggish air and spoke kindly,
“Just in time, my sixtieth birthday is approaching, and I have no sons or daughters under my knee. I don’t mind taking your orphanage’s children as adopted son and daughters. I’ll cover their food, clothing, and expenses. If any have martial arts aptitude, I’ll pay for their training. How about it?”
“This…”
Hearing this, Zhou Daquan immediately hesitated, unsure.
Both tempted and conflicted.
“Third Master, wait a moment, I’ll go ask my wife.”
Zhou Daquan always lacked decisiveness; for big matters, his wife made the decisions.
He hurried back inside and soon emerged quickly with a female steward.
Hearing Owl Third Master’s words, the female steward’s heart skipped a beat.
The female steward forced a smile: “Third Master, our orphanage’s children are all bald with sores on their heads, covered in scabs, staggering when they walk—freaks not fit to be your adopted son and daughters. Third Master, look elsewhere…”
“What thing are you!”
A man beside Owl Third Master, dressed in blue with black accents, striding in a square gait, suddenly flew into a rage and jumped forward,
“Third Master is giving you face, don’t be ungrateful!”
“Xiao Hai, no rudeness… We must now speak of reason and sentiment now, not draw knives at a disagreement, understand?”
Xiao Hai stood in place, nodding and bowing: “Yes, Third Master!”
The two, one playing good cop, one bad cop.
Scaring the Zhou Daquan couple pale, they begged and pleaded, to no effect.
Finally, Zhou Daquan grew anxious and blurted out,
“Third Master, our Rongyuan Orphanage outside also has a benefactor protector—Chen Shun’an from the Water Station—!!”
The female steward covered Zhou Daquan’s mouth, twisting his flesh hard, scolding: “Shut up, you fool!”
In the female steward’s view, though Master Chen was a second-rate martial artist backed by the Water Station,
his strength was there after all, and he was advanced in age—how could he make Fish Huo’s fortress lord hesitate?
Not mentioning Master Chen was fine, but mentioning him would not only harm Master Chen but also displease Owl Third Master, adding fuel to the fire.
After all, Three Refinements Martial Body or Wuqing County’s new nobles were too distant for these common folk and low-level martial artists; they didn’t understand or care.
“Chen Shun’an?”
Owl Third Master heard this, a glint flashing in his eyes, smiling ambiguously,
“I’ll talk to him. We’re all brothers on the path, colleagues at Wuqing Stick Bureau; one talk and it’ll be settled.”
With that, Owl Third Master waved his hand, and immediately some Huo members escorted the Zhou Daquan couple inside.
Smack!
Smack!
Several rotten eggs and mud clumps flew out from the house, smashing onto some Huo members, reeking terribly, covered in filth.
Several pairs of eyes, though clear, now glared viciously from behind windows and doors, watching this group of Huo unkindly.
“Courting death!!”
These few Huo members glared, lips twisting, eyes fierce, rolling up sleeves to charge in and beat people.
“No rudeness!”
Owl Third Master scolded,
“They’re just children—how can you be so rude? Go wash off in the pond yourselves…”
“Yes, yes, yes, Third Master is right.”
The few shuddered, quickly stopping, agreeing repeatedly.
Owl Third Master arrived outside the orphanage, where someone had already set up a canopy with a Grand Tutor’s Chair; the table had fruits, snacks, books, tea, and water pipes all prepared.
The crowd of Huo members escorted Owl Third Master to sit.
The entire street was cleared, no bystanders allowed to pass; the pomp was huge.
Today, thick clouds blocked the sun, no light visible.
Yet Xiao Hai still held an umbrella for Owl Third Master, asking softly,
“Third Master, will that Chen Shun’an agree?”
Owl Third Master fiddled with the tea lid, blew off the foam lightly, and smiled faintly,
“He seeks fame, I seek fame; it’s a match made in heaven—what’s not to like?”
Owl Third Master had naturally investigated Chen Shun’an delivering Sweet Water to the orphanage and donating multiple times in his own name.
In his view, Chen Shun’an did this for nothing but ‘reputation.’
Paving the way for his future promotion.
With the Year-end Grand Celebration approaching, any force in Wuqing County with background was vying for this quota.
Reputation was likewise a key performance metric; many were already finding ways to gain good name.
Chen Shun’an had luckily gotten ahead of the game.
But with only a few months until the Year-end Grand Celebration, Chen Shun’an’s hope of breaking through to first-rate in that time was slim.
Even if he truly became a True Intent Master, with shallow foundation and insufficient depth, it would still be extremely hard to earn a Year-end Grand Celebration quota.
These reasons, Chen Shun’an surely understood.
He wouldn’t offend or refuse him over a mere orphanage.
Besides, Chen Shun’an could continue sending his Sweet Water and getting intimate with these children.
Owl Third Master had no desire to interfere and would welcome it.
“These wise sons and grandsons, after a few years of training, will be the core backbone of my Huo—whether as suicide soldiers for fierce fights or for the opium trade, top choices.”
Owl Third Master sipped tea silently, a calculating glint in his eyes.
After one incense stick, footsteps came from the street corner.
Chen Shun’an and Li Shicheng arrived side by side, followed by several gang members from Wanlong Pounding House pushing unicycles loaded with rice and flour.
“This is…”
Seeing this scene, Chen Shun’an frowned.
Xiao Hai saw the arrivals, patted dust off his shoulder, and immediately came forward with a fawning smile,
“Brother Chen, you’ve come; our Third Master has been waiting a long time. Quick, quick, come with me.”
Saying so, Xiao Hai reached out without asking, grabbing for Chen Shun’an’s arm to bring him before Owl Third Master.
As for Li Shicheng, he hadn’t been active openly in Wuqing County for years, and in recent years had been gravely ill, reduced to skin and bones.
So at this moment, including Owl Third Master, none recognized him.
But as Xiao Hai reached out, it was like hitting a copper wall of iron; excruciating pain drilled along the radius bone from his wrist, his whole hand seeming shattered.
“Ouch!” Xiao Hai cried out in agony, staggering back.
Li Shicheng stood in front of Chen Shun’an, lightly patting the chest Xiao Hai had touched, face displeased, eyes cold, saying coldly,
“What thing are you, daring to call ‘Brother Chen’?”
“Hm?!”
Owl Third Master abruptly stood, looking at Li Shicheng with shocked, uncertain eyes.
Observing closely for a moment, he suddenly seemed to recall something and hesitantly said,
“Is it Golden Snake Li Family’s Family Head?”
Li Shicheng glanced at Owl Third Master indifferently,
“Old Owl? Back when the old fortress lord was around, I remember you still carried a knife for him; now you’ve become even more dog-like.”
“Bastard!”
“Where did this madman come from!”
“Damn it, we’ve always been the ones bullying others; now someone’s bullying us—brothers, grab weapons!”
The crowd of Huo members was roused, drawing knives and pressing swords, faces hostile.
Even Chen Shun’an beside Li Shicheng was somewhat dumbfounded, as if seeing Li Shicheng for the first time.
Brother Shicheng, isn’t this too arrogant?!
“Stand down.”
Owl Third Master pressed down with his palm, instead quickening his steps down the stairs, cupping hands and saying,
“Indeed Family Head Li. A few days ago I heard Family Head Li’s health had improved; I thought it rumor, but seeing today, it’s true. Congratulations, Family Head.”
Owl Third Master looked somewhat wistful and said,
“Back then Family Head Li’s heroic spirit made a huge name in the northern martial world, even a model for us. If not for the mishap, Wuqing County would likely have another Slay Four Thieves or higher expert today.”
“You’re too kind. What business does Owl Third Master have here today?”
As the saying goes, don’t hit a smiling face; with Owl Third Master treating him so courteously and flattering, Li Shicheng couldn’t keep up the old veteran airs.
“It’s like this…”
Owl Third Master quickly explained his intent, even inviting Chen Shun’an and Li Shicheng to sit, personally pouring tea.
The watching Huo members muttered endlessly.
When had Owl Third Master ever treated others so courteously?
Was that Li Shicheng really that impressive?
“Regarding this orphanage matter, can Brother Chen cooperate? I’ll only pick some passable children, not take too many. In future, I’ll bear half the orphanage’s expenses.” Owl Third Master smiled fully. “Of course, whether Brother Chen agrees or not, it won’t harm our harmony. Working together at Stick Bureau, we must look after each other.”
“Of course not.”
“Hahaha… is that so? That’s really great, I’ll go pick now… Hm?”
Owl Third Master midway sensed something off, smile stiffening, hesitating if he’d misheard, and asked again,
“What did Brother Chen just say?”
Chen Shun’an didn’t even glance at the tea before him, saying calmly,
“I said, cannot.”
