The old man's expression changed with fright as he hurriedly said, "My friend, I'm so sorry. I'm too busy to keep up. Please, sit down. I won't charge you for your meal."

"Not charging?"

The customer in the tank top was furious. He spat on the ground, then pointed at the old man. "You ask around on this street! When have I, Ma Liu, ever paid for food?!"

He rolled up his sleeves and approached the old man menacingly. "Talking to me about money… you don't want to do business here anymore, do you?"

His two companions also rose to their feet, surrounding the elder.

"What… what are you going to do?" The old man, pale with fear, kept backing away.

"Do?" Ma Liu sneered. "Forget the bean jelly. Why don't you treat us three brothers to a good meal instead?"

The intention was as clear as day—he was extorting him.

"I… I don't have much money," the old man said with a bitter expression. A bowl of his jelly was only three yuan, a large one just four. How much could he possibly earn in a day? Judging by their demeanor, a meal for them would cost several hundred, and he didn't have anywhere near that much on him.

"Not giving it to us?" Ma Liu's eyes bulged as he grabbed the old man's collar. "Are you trying to disrespect me— Ah!"

WHOOSH!

A chopstick whistled through the air, instantly piercing the back of Ma Liu's hand. The excruciating pain made him scream in agony, his face contorting.

A calm voice came from nearby. It was Lin Mu. "Don't you know it's very impolite to disturb someone while they're eating?"

Lin Mu put down his chopsticks, looking indifferently at Ma Liu.

"Fuck you!" Ma Liu howled, grabbing a stool and hurling it directly at Lin Mu.

But before the stool could even fall, another chopstick flew through the air.

WHOOSH!

The chopstick shot out at incredible speed, striking Ma Liu's other palm and sending him flying with terrifying force.

THUD!

Ma Liu was nailed to the wall, left hanging in midair. He screamed endlessly from the torn wounds.

"Bastard! Bastard! My hands!"

Ma Liu cried out, tears welling in his eyes. Seeing his two companions frozen in shock, he roared, "What are you gaping at? Kill that guy for me! No, get me down first!"

His companions snapped out of their stupor and rushed forward to help him down.

"Ouch! Don't touch me!" The slightest touch agitated the wounds, making Ma Liu yell all over again.

"Brother Liu, are you okay?" the two companions asked, their faces filled with worry and fear.

"You fucking try it and see!" Ma Liu seethed. With a sudden, forceful yank, he pulled his hands free. Blood streamed out as the immense pain made his face twist violently. His companions watched, their faces twitching and their scalps tingling with fear.

Taking a couple of deep breaths, Ma Liu slowly stood up and staggered toward Lin Mu.

"Kid, you're dead meat!"

Ma Liu shot a look at his companions. They understood immediately, pulling out a dagger and handing it to him.

Ma Liu grabbed the dagger, sucking in a sharp breath against the pain, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through it, stepping toward Lin Mu.

"You dare to lay a hand on me in my territory? You're tired of living!" Ma Liu snarled. "Hold him down! I'm going to chop off his fingers one by one!"

"Yes!"

The two companions strode toward Lin Mu. Although they were frightened by the earlier display, they hadn't put much thought into it. Could he really take on the two of us?

"Young man, you'd better run," the owner said, his face pale with terror and his heart filled with regret. Why didn't I check the almanac before coming out today? Selling bean jelly and now there's bloodshed. This trouble is about to escalate, and I can forget about doing business here from now on. But he was a kind-hearted man and wanted Lin Mu to get away quickly.

"Thinking of leaving?" Ma Liu sneered as he approached, cracking his neck. "If I don't chop off all your fingers today, I'll take your surname!"

"You want to be my son?" Lin Mu replied with a smile. "A pity. You're not worthy."

Ma Liu was speechless.

"Fuck your mother!" he finally roared in a rage. "Hold him down! I'm going to cut his tongue out!"

The two companions moved forward angrily, intending to restrain Lin Mu.

Lin Mu remained expressionless, even taking out his phone to check the time. "Hmm, it should be about time."

Just as Ma Liu's companions were about to act, they heard Lin Mu's baffling comment and paused. What the hell is this kid on about?

They exchanged a look. Forget it! Let's take him down first and avenge Brother Liu! They quickened their pace.

"Stop!" a thunderous shout echoed.

At the entrance of the alley, several luxury cars screeched to a halt, and a group of men got out. Dressed in suits and ties with gleaming polished shoes, they were clearly important figures. The one who had spoken was the middle-aged man in the lead.

This was none other than Xiao Qian, a major figure in Zun City. As a member of a branch of the Xiao Family, his influence in Zun City was considerable.

Sometime before, Xiao Long had offended Lin Mu and was executed by him in his identity as the Miao King. This had repercussions for the Xiao Family, causing them to be targeted by the various Li Clan tribes. The current Clan Leader of the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan, had personally called Lin Mu to apologize and had planned to travel to River City to make amends, but Lin Mu had refused him.

This time, though Lin Mu hadn't informed Xiao Zhan of his trip to Southern Sky, he had notified Li Lai. Li Lai, already dissatisfied with the Xiao Family over past events, had issued a stern order: they were to treat the Miao King with the utmost hospitality. Otherwise, the entire Xiao Clan could prepare to commit collective suicide.

Li Lai now held a position of great prestige. She was not only the Saintess of the Li Clan but also a disciple of the Miao King. No one in the Li Clan dared to refuse her.

Consequently, Xiao Zhan had immediately contacted every member of the Xiao Family, ordering them to monitor all activity in Southern Sky and to report any sign of the Miao King at once. True to his orders, the moment Lin Mu arrived in Zun City, the Xiao Family knew. Xiao Qian happened to be in Zun City, so he was the first to arrive. Xiao Zhan himself was currently on his way.

"Miao—" Xiao Qian began to speak, but Lin Mu shot him a glance.

A cold shiver ran down Xiao Qian's spine. He had almost revealed the Miao King's identity. Realizing his mistake, he hastily dropped to one knee and said, "Greetings… Master!"

He said the word "Master" crisply and without a hint of hesitation.

"Greetings, Master!" Xiao Qian's subordinates, who had already been instructed to show Lin Mu absolute respect, also dropped to one knee and addressed him as Master.

Ma Liu and his men were dumbfounded. These people are calling such a young man their master? Does that kid have such an influential background?

"Brother Liu, that man… I think he's the big shot from Zun City, Xiao… Xiao Qian!" one of the companions said, his face deathly pale. "I've seen him on TV."

"What?"

Ma Liu instantly collapsed to the ground, all the blood draining from his face.

Lin Mu shook his head, placed a banknote on the table, and looked at Xiao Qian. "Clean this up."

Xiao Qian stiffened and replied with deference, "Yes, Master!"

Lin Mu nodded to the old bean jelly vendor, then got into one of the cars under the man's stunned gaze.

After Lin Mu was in the car, Xiao Qian quietly wiped the sweat from his brow and waved a hand. His men quickly helped the old vendor pack up his stall and escorted him to safety.

Then, Xiao Qian turned his gaze to Ma Liu and his two cronies, his voice chillingly indifferent. "To offend the Miao King is an unforgivable sin. Make the three of them disappear. Completely."

THUD.

Ma Liu and his men crumpled to the ground as if struck by lightning.

That young man… he's the Miao King!

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