Chapter 134: The Dragon Across the River

Noticing the unusual situation in the private room, a waiter standing at the door quickly put on a flattering smile, while several other waiters rushed over as well.
“Young Master Peng, what caused you to get so angry?”
“Get lost! All of you, get out!” Peng Tianan pushed the waiters away with a swat, then grabbed one who had been standing at the door waiting for orders. With a fierce expression, he demanded, “Tell me, where is that old bastard surnamed Zhang?”
“Th-this…” The waiter was so panicked that his face turned red, but he dared not answer.
With a creak, the door to a nearby private room opened, and Ying Chunhua, an old brothel owner in her forties yet still full of charm, stepped out, swaying her waist.
“Oh, Young Master Peng, what’s going on?” Ying Chunhua had been entertaining guests in the room when she heard the commotion and came out to check what was happening. Seeing the situation, she shuddered and swayed her waist even faster. Like a butterfly, she quickly reached Peng Tianan’s side. “Young Master Peng, is the food or drink not to your taste? Don’t worry, I’ll have someone beat the chef later. Today’s food and drink are on me.”
“Aunt Ying, so you’re here too!” Peng Tianan gritted his teeth.
Ying Chunhua pretended to be surprised and said sharply, “Young Master Peng, aren’t you angry because no music was ordered? Well, how about I have Yi Yi sing a song just for you later?”
“Aunt Ying, I’m following the rules. But that old bastard surnamed Zhang is really unacceptable. Time and time again, he’s used money to pressure me—already five times!” Peng Tianan said coldly. “If I keep staying calm, it means I’m allowing others to insult the Peng family’s reputation.”
Ying Chunhua was at a loss. She had been trying to persuade him to let them play a song or two while she was in the room, but they didn’t care about the Peng family at all.
“As for the ‘throat-soothing fee,’ of course, running a restaurant means hoping for as much money as possible. I don’t blame you for that, but you must do me a favor today.” Peng Tianan’s tone softened slightly. Ying Chunhua was resourceful, with connections to both official circles and the seven major families. There was no point in angering her for this matter.
“Don’t worry, Young Master Peng,” Ying Chunhua said, patting her full chest. “Tomorrow, I’ll arrange a table at Fenglin Restaurant, with Yi Yi and Qing Qing to keep you company and relieve your anger.”
“I’ve said I don’t blame you,” Peng Tianan said, pushing Ying Chunhua aside and pointing with his right arm at the private room she had just come from. “Is he there?”
“Young Master Peng, no! Lord Zhang is from Lingnan Commandery!” Ying Chunhua exclaimed urgently.

“I don’t care if he’s from Lingnan Commandery or the capital. If I don’t break his legs today, I’m not Peng Tianan!” Peng Tianan sneered and waved his arm. Lord Zhang clearly belonged to the merchant gentry class. In the Great Han Nation, strength matters more than money. Several servants surrounded him, all looking fierce, waiting for orders to attack. “What an arrogant attitude!” A middle-aged man with a big belly stepped out of the private room, flanked by several guards with stern expressions. “Just you?” Peng Tianan frowned slightly, feeling ashamed. The third young master of the Peng family being humiliated by an old man with money—five times at that! “So what if it’s me?” Zhang Shihua smiled coldly. A mere kid daring to threaten to break his legs? In a place like Qiufeng City, there really turned out to be a tough guy. “Break him!” Peng Tianan waved his hand, and the servants rushed forward. From behind Zhang Shihua, two of the four guards immediately stepped forward as well. Lin Dong’s eyes sparkled. With those guards’ skills, they were at least at Level 7 of the Lingdong Phase. Such people would be captains in the guard teams of the seven major families. With such powerful guards, this Lord Zhang was likely as strong and prestigious as Peng Tianan. As the battle erupted suddenly, the hall became chaotic. Fearing to suffer the same fate, the customers hurriedly left. “What are you standing around for? It’s all free today—hurry up and see them out!” Yingchunhua slapped a waiter who was standing nearby to wake him up. “Boss, shall we go?” Ma Chun smiled and looked at Lin Dong. The meal they ordered today was worth at least thirty to forty taels of silver. Leaving now meant getting a free meal. Lin Dong hesitated for a moment before nodding. With Peng Tianan’s arrogant personality, if he got killed or injured, any other member of the Peng family could probably manage Wanbin Tower better than him. To eliminate a strong competitor for the inn, Lin Dong had thought about helping Peng Tianan, but decided against it. Although they could take advantage of their speed to subdue Zhang Shihua first, the opponent had four guards at Level 7 of the Lingdong Phase, and Yingfeng Tower surely wouldn’t sit idly by while their guests were hurt. There was no need to get involved in this mess. Seeing Wang Bin still standing there, Lin Dong reminded him, “Young Master Wang, it’s time to go.” “You go! There isn’t even one person to remind Yi Yi. I’m worried she might be in danger when she comes out later,” Wang Bin shook his head. Lin Dong was surprised. “Is Young Master Wang a martial artist?”

Wang Bin smiled bitterly. “If I were a trained fighter, I’d have rushed into the backyard to warn Yiyi by now. I wouldn’t fear the guards from Yingfeng Tower blocking my way.”
“Miss Yiyi is the treasure of Yingfeng Tower. How could they let her face any danger?” Lin Dong laughed. “Even if there really was danger, since Young Master Wang isn’t a trained fighter, he probably can’t do much to help.”
Wang Bin still shook his head.
“Then we’ll head ahead first.” Lin Dong said no more. He had done what needed to be done to warn her, fulfilling their shared mealtime bond.
The two got up. Before they reached the stairs, as Lin Dong had predicted, the group of servants was easily defeated in no time. Even Peng Tianan’s head was trampled under Zhang Shihua’s foot.
“With such strength, and you still dare to threaten to break my legs?” Zhang Shihua twisted his foot violently against Peng Tianan’s swollen face.
“Let go, let go! I’m the third young master of the Peng family!” Peng Tianan cried out in pain.
“And I’m the head manager of the Duan family in Lingnan County! What’s a young master from a small family worth?” Hearing the screams, Zhang Shihua laughed heartily. Seeing a green figure emerging from the wooden platform, he shouted “Beat him to death!” before striding toward it.
“Don’t fight, Lord Zhang! Don’t! If you hurt the third young master of the Peng family, how can I do business in the future?”
Hearing Peng Tianan’s screams, Yingchunhua panicked and rushed after Zhang Shihua.
“If you let Miss Yiyi spend the night with me, if the Peng family causes trouble, tell them to come to me at the Duan family in Lingnan County.”
Zhang Shihua pushed Yingchunhua aside and stepped forward with a sinister smile.
“Spend the night with you?” Yingchunhua was furious. Yiyi was the treasure of Yingfeng Tower. Even a powerful man like him wouldn’t bully someone from their own territory like this.
Zhang Shihua glared at Yingchunhua and stepped forward directly.
“Stop! What do you want?” Not far from the wooden platform, Wang Bin stopped Zhang Shihua and shouted back, “Miss Yiyi, go back quickly and call the guards!”
“Right! What are you all standing around for? Go call the guards right away!” Yingchunhua, as if waking from a dream, shouted at her subordinates.
“Another one who thinks he’s invincible! Cut off one of his arms and show them what the Duan family of Lingnan is made of!”
Zhang Shihua turned and, along with two other guards behind him, lunged forward, slashing at Wang Bin’s outstretched right arm.
Seeing this, Yiyi on the wooden platform was heartbroken and rushed down.
Bang!
Suddenly, a bench spun out and deflected the sword.
“Who?” The guard quickly retreated, along with another companion, surrounding Zhang Shihua on either side.

“A mere broken family dares to be so arrogant. If I were a disciple of a sect, wouldn’t I be able to kill anyone I met?”
Lin Dong leaned against the staircase, lazily looking at Zhang Shihua, and said calmly, “Speak up! Which hand do you want to keep?”
Zhang Shihua and the two guards retreated in terror.