Chapter Eleven: Here’s a Coin, Buy Yourself an Egg to Eat

Although Yang Jiekai had only recently returned to China, he was already quite familiar with some of the country’s less savory social trends. Instantly, he recognized that he had attracted the attention of a professional scam team.

These types of organized scammers often exhibited characteristics akin to those of criminal gangs. If they didn’t see any money, it was nearly impossible for the victim to extricate themselves without trouble; in some cases, they might even be beaten up by the “relatives.”

Given that the old woman had suffered two broken ribs because of him, these people clearly wouldn’t let him off easily.

“Just my luck,” Yang Jiekai muttered, though not out of fear of them, but rather due to the hassle they represented. Such small-time thugs were beneath his notice, but the trouble they could stir up was disproportionately annoying.

It was hardly appropriate to resort to violence on a busy street, so Yang Jiekai just resigned himself to his misfortune for the moment. He let the taxi drive off ahead, then turned to the blond ringleader and said, “Enough with the nonsense—let’s find somewhere less crowded and settle this quickly.”

The blond gave Yang Jiekai a once-over, snorted, and replied, “At least you know what’s good for you.”

Since Yang Jiekai seemed so cooperative, the blond didn’t feel the need to use force, though he couldn’t help but wonder if this kid was soft in the head. Most people, when confronted like this, would be yelling or so terrified they could hardly walk straight. But this one strolled along behind them as if he were out for a leisurely walk, even asking how much a professional scammer could earn in a month.

“Hey, where exactly are you taking me? I don’t have all day. If it’s too far, I’m not going. Listen, I know a quiet alley nearby—why don’t we settle things there?” There was no bravado in his tone; Yang Jiekai honestly didn’t want to waste more time on this. With his skills, this bunch wasn’t worth a second thought.

But people like this were like sticky candy—never dealt with in just a few punches or kicks. In broad daylight, it was inconvenient to fight, so he’d have to find a secluded spot and teach them a lesson all at once. Yet, this crowd kept weaving through the streets, showing no signs of stopping.

“Relax, our boss is just ahead. We won’t waste much of your time. At most, you’ll be laid up in the hospital for a week or two,” the blond said, exasperated by Yang Jiekai’s apparent insanity—never before had he seen someone so eager to walk into a beating.

After rounding a corner, they brought Yang Jiekai into a bar called The Dragon’s Palace. The place only operated at night, so during the day it was deserted. After they entered, someone shut the door with a bang, and the entire hall was suddenly illuminated as bright as day by white fluorescent lights.

Yang Jiekai glanced around. The bar was small but elegantly decorated. He rolled his neck and commented, “This really is a good spot.”

With a cold snort, the blond and his group formed a tight circle around Yang Jiekai. The blond stepped forward, his tone menacing. “Give us fifty thousand yuan, and this ends here.”

Yang Jiekai touched his nose. “Isn’t fifty thousand a bit much?”

A cruel smile curled on the blond’s lips. “How much do you think is fair, then?”

Yang Jiekai reached into his pocket, pulled out a one-yuan note, and handed it over. “How about one yuan? Buy yourself an egg, build up your strength—no need to thank me.”

The blond was momentarily stunned, then exploded with rage. This guy was making a fool of him! “Get him!”

With a roar, he lunged at Yang Jiekai, leading the charge. But before his fist could land, he felt a heavy blow to his chest, as if struck by a sledgehammer. He flew backward several meters.

The rest of the group hesitated only a moment before charging at Yang Jiekai, howling. Yet, his movements were as elusive as a phantom. Dozens of steel pipes and wooden clubs swung at him but never landed. With each shift of his body, several assailants were sent flying.

In no time, the floor was littered with bodies. Yang Jiekai shook out his arms and walked over to the prone blond, speaking in a flat tone, “You wasted my time, so I’ll make you pay double. But I won’t be unreasonable—just one leg. That should make your future scams more convenient. No need to thank me.”

As he spoke, he placed a hand on the blond’s thigh, ready to snap the bone with a twist.

“You’d better kill me!” the blond snarled, showing no fear as he glared at Yang Jiekai. “If you don’t, I swear, as long as I’m breathing, I’ll hunt you down!”

Yang Jiekai paused, amused. “Well, look at that—a real man. Since you’re so tough, maybe I’ll break both your legs. Next time, I’ll throw in a wheelchair for free. No need to thank me.”

He was just about to apply pressure when a cold woman’s voice sounded behind him. “Stop!”

At the very instant he was about to make his move, Yang Jiekai sensed something amiss. His wrist trembled slightly. Having grown up on the battlefield, he recognized this feeling all too well.

The scent of a gun.

Footsteps approached slowly from behind. A hard, cold object pressed against the back of his head.

“Believe I won’t shoot you right now?” the voice murmured.

Yang Jiekai slowly raised his hands and stood up. The blond, seeing his chance, scrambled to his feet and, without a word, kicked at Yang Jiekai’s stomach.

In a flash, Yang Jiekai spun around, caught a wrist in his left hand, and drove his right elbow into the blond, sending him flying once more.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye; now, a pitch-black pistol had appeared in Yang Jiekai’s hand.

It was a simple disarm maneuver, one that many special forces soldiers learned. But Yang Jiekai had long since mastered it to perfection.

“It’s you!”

The words left both Yang Jiekai and the woman behind him simultaneously. Their eyes met, and surprise flashed between them.

“Damn, you again? Do you haunt me on purpose? Stole my wallet last time, now you set people on me. What’s the deal—did you fall for me or something?” Yang Jiekai teased as he deftly dismantled the homemade pistol, sending parts and bullets clattering to the floor.

The woman was none other than the pickpocket who had stolen his wallet before.

She bit her lip and retorted, “Who’s haunting whom? You’re the one who keeps getting in my way!”

“Sis Long, don’t waste time talking. Let me just put a bullet in this guy,” the blond growled, having staggered back to his feet. Producing a gun from somewhere, he stalked toward Yang Jiekai, intent on pressing it to his head. But before he could, his wrist went numb, pain shot up his arm, and the gun dropped involuntarily from his grasp.

Without even looking, Yang Jiekai plucked the weapon from his hand and dismantled it just as easily, scattering its crude parts everywhere.

“Shoot your own head, why don’t you. Get lost,” Yang Jiekai said, kicking the hapless blond over once more. The others looked ready to attack but the pickpocket woman barked, “Enough! Stand down!”

Though every one of them looked ready to tear Yang Jiekai apart, they clearly feared the woman. With venomous glares, they retreated from the room.

Suddenly, only Yang Jiekai and the woman remained in the bar.

“Care for a drink?” she offered, unruffled by Yang Jiekai’s display of skill, having witnessed his prowess before.

Yang Jiekai shrugged. “Sure, as long as you’re buying.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Relax, this bar’s under my protection. Drink as much as you like.”

Yang Jiekai didn’t stand on ceremony. He grabbed a bottle of liquor from behind the bar and took a deep swig, only to spit it out with a curse. “Damn, you serve fake booze?”

She was surprised. “You can tell?”

“Of course.” He tossed the bottle aside. “This brand of Bordeaux is famous for its mellow, aged flavor. You lot just add artificial essence and call it a day—who do you think you’re fooling?”

She chuckled. The wine was indeed fake, though the counterfeiting was usually good enough to pass for the real thing. In all the time the bar had been open, no one had ever noticed. Her curiosity about Yang Jiekai grew.

“Let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Long Xiaoman.”

“Yang Jiekai.”

Long Xiaoman fetched a bottle of ordinary red from behind the bar. “This one’s not fancy, but at least it’s real.”

“No problem, I’m not picky.”

They clinked glasses. Long Xiaoman regarded him with a sly smile. “Do you know why I invited you for a drink?”

“Get to the point. I’m not giving you a cent. I’m only sitting here because you’re a woman.”

He meant it. If she had been a man, he would have sent her flying by now. He assumed she was only trying to squeeze some money out of him.

“I like you,” Long Xiaoman said, sipping her wine.

“That’s hardly surprising.” Yang Jiekai, confident in his charm, grinned. “But those are two different things. You liking me is one thing; me paying you is another.”

She blinked, then laughed. “You’ve got it wrong. I’m giving you an opportunity—to join our Dragon Society. With your skills, you could be my personal bodyguard.” Her smile was tinged with challenge.

“A gang?” Yang Jiekai swirled his wine. “Sorry, not interested. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going. My wife’s waiting for me at home.”

He stood to leave.

“Yang Jiekai!” Long Xiaoman finally lost her temper, glaring at him as she spoke through gritted teeth. “Do you really think I’m afraid of you? I’m offering you a place in the Dragon Society because I value your talent. Don’t get—”

She stopped mid-sentence. She’d caught a glimpse of his eyes—chilling, predatory eyes that inspired a deep, primal terror, the kind a creature feels when it suddenly faces its natural enemy.