noveltune Chapter 7 Paying Back Debts
Chapter 7 Paying Back Debts
On this day, Baiyuan Gambling House welcomed its new owner, and everyone waited at the door.
When Du Xingguang arrived with several of his men, he told everyone else to go to work, leaving only the accountant and the person in charge of collecting debts behind.
The first thing he did was to check the accounts, and when he found problems, they naturally came from the previous administration.
"Why are there still a few outstanding debts? They're all due, but you haven't collected them?"
Du Xingguang noticed several IOUs. Although the amounts were small, this could set a very bad precedent.
They dare not pay back the money they owe the Blood Wolf Gang?
This is absolutely outrageous!
Those who run gambling dens naturally need to lend money at high interest rates, as this is an important source of income.
The henchman in charge of collecting debts hurriedly explained, "It's because Master Li got into trouble, and everyone is too busy to help..."
Du Xingguang interrupted him, "Go and get the money back immediately, including the principal and interest."
"Yes."
……
The thug leader immediately sent his men out, instructing them that no matter what, they must get the money back.
As the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean, and the new head of the workshop is not someone to be easily fooled. If the first task is not done well, the other party will definitely lose trust.
Under strict orders, the thugs sent out to collect debts naturally knew what to do.
"This is it."
Two thugs arrived at Wangjia Lane and, after confirming it was Wang Dawei's home, immediately kicked the door open and stormed in.
Chen Xiaoling, who was embroidering inside the house, was startled when two burly men, looking like wolves, rushed in. "What...what do you want?"
"Call Wang Dawei out here. He owes money to our Blood Wolf Gang, does he think he can get away with hiding?"
Blood Wolf Gang?
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaoling's legs went weak.
She had heard of the gang's infamous reputation; the Blood Wolf Gang was extremely brutal, often causing families to be destroyed and people to die, and committing many horrific atrocities.
She never expected that Wang Dawei would dare to borrow money from the Blood Wolf Gang.
"Found it, it's here."
Soon, a thug found Wang Dawei in the room and dragged him out. He was pretending to be dead with his eyes closed.
"Pah, he's actually crippled."
"Hmph, even if he's crippled or dead, he still has to pay back the money. A wife pays her husband's debts. You, bring out all your valuables. Wang Dawei owes our Baiyuan Gambling House fifty taels of silver, including principal and interest."
"Fifty...fifty taels?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaoling felt as if the sky had fallen, and could only plead, "Our family really has no money left..."
One of the thugs said viciously, "Does not having money mean you don't have to pay it back? If everyone were like you, we'd all starve. Search us."
The two searched the house inside and out, but found only a few coins under the bed.
This family was indeed poor; their rice jar was almost empty.
Normally, this would be enough; a few more threats and they'd come back for the money later. But today, the boss has given a strict order: the money must be returned.
The two first glanced at Wang Dawei's wife, who looked rather old. Finally, they both looked at the six or seven-year-old girl she was protecting behind her.
"If you can't pay back the money, then use your daughter to settle the debt."
Ignoring the woman's resistance and the little girl's cries, the two forcibly took her away and drove off.
……
Wu's Martial Arts School.
Chen Qiyuan was chatting with Liu Shijie when someone came to him and said, "Junior Brother Yuan, someone is looking for you outside the martial arts school. They say something happened at your home and you need to go there immediately."
"Thank you, senior brother."
After thanking him, Chen Qiyuan hurried to the gate and saw his neighbor, Aunt Zhang, standing across the street, pacing anxiously back and forth.
"Aunt Zhang, what happened?" He walked across the street and asked.
"Something terrible has happened."
As soon as Aunt Zhang saw him, she said anxiously, "Your house has been vandalized. You should go back and check on it right away."
Chen Qiyuan was startled. "Aunt Zhang, don't be anxious, tell me slowly. Who came to cause trouble?"
"It's the Blood Wolf Gang. They said your uncle owes them money and won't pay it back, so they smashed up your front door and kidnapped Sanya, saying they'll use her to pay off the debt..."
"What?"
Chen Qiyuan's face instantly turned extremely gloomy.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions, and asked in a low voice, "When did this happen?"
"Just now."
"Aunt Zhang, you go back first, I'll go find someone to help."
After sending Aunt Zhang away, Chen Qiyuan went into the martial arts school.
He did not act impulsively.
He had heard of the Blood Wolf Gang; the area around Wangjia Lane was their territory. They rarely ventured into Wangjia Lane because it was inhabited by poor people and there wasn't much to be gained there.
He didn't know the details of the Blood Wolf Gang, or whether they had any powerful experts, so he naturally wanted to find out first.
Chen Qiyuan went directly to the entrance of a small courtyard next to the training ground. "Is Senior Brother Pang here?"
After a while, a lazy voice came from inside, "Come in."
He pushed open the door and entered the courtyard, where he saw a disheveled man with a thick beard sitting there, drinking.
Pang Guoyong looked up and saw him come in empty-handed. A hint of displeasure flashed across his face. "Don't you know the rules? Get out."
Chen Qiyuan naturally knew his rules: to enter this courtyard, one had to bring gifts in order to receive his guidance.
He said, "I know I have come here abruptly and have disturbed you, senior brother. But I do have something urgent to tell you."
Pang Guoyong sized him up a few times without batting an eye, then sneered, "You've got some nerve. Do you think I'll treat you differently just because you're so talented?"
"I dare not. It's just that I really can't find anyone to ask for help."
"Need help?"
Pang Guoyong laughed as if he had heard a joke, "In all these years, you're the first person to come to me for help empty-handed."
Chen Qiyuan was actually gambling.
Based on his observations over the past two weeks, he discovered that this senior brother, Pang, seemed to have a bad temper and was prone to swearing. However, he had never triggered any system notifications.
Either it's because the difference in their cultivation levels is too great.
Either everything he showed was an act.
He tends to think it's the latter.
According to the classification of martial arts realms, Ming Jin, An Jin, and Hua Jin all belong to the same level, and it is only after refining the marrow and changing the blood that one reaches another realm.
Pang Guoyong downed the wine in his glass in one gulp. "Come on, tell me."
Chen Qiyuan then recounted the whole story, concluding with, "I earnestly request Senior Brother Pang's help to bring my cousin back."
After listening, Pang Guoyong seemed somewhat uninterested. He poured himself another glass of wine and asked, "What benefit would I get from helping you?"
Chen Qiyuan said seriously, "Senior brother can gain my friendship."
Pang Guoyong nearly choked on his drink, as if he'd heard a joke, and said with amusement, "You?"
Chen Qiyuan didn't say much, but simply assumed a fighting stance and unleashed a "Tiger Form Fist" move, his whole body crackling and popping.
Pang Guoyong's smile suddenly froze.
Muscles and bones resonating?
How is that possible?
This is a sign of mastering great strength.
How long has this kid been a beginner?
You only mastered Ming Jin about two weeks ago, right?
Pang Guoyong was shocked; your "Hun Yuan Zhuang" technique had taken the opportunity to steal ten points of proficiency from him.
"I knew it."
Upon seeing this notification, Chen Qiyuan felt even more certain. Looking at Pang Guoyong, he asked, "Now, am I qualified?"
Pang Guoyong quickly recovered and said with a hint of sarcasm, "With your level of cultivation, why are you afraid of a small Blood Wolf Gang? With your meager courage, no matter how high your martial arts skills are, it's all in vain."
Chen Qiyuan understood his subtext: the Blood Wolf Gang didn't have any powerful experts. There was no need for him to intervene.
Since that's the case, then he can solve it himself.
after all--
Name: Chen Qiyuan
【Technique: Hunyuan Stance (Mastery 7/500)】
Martial Arts Skills: Tiger Fist (Proficiency 198/200), Mysterious Step (Proficiency 32/200)
The "Hun Yuan Zhuang" has been mastered, which means that the internal strength has been formed!