Chapter Nineteen: Hurry Up and Settle My Appearance Fee

Yang Meng’s posture at that moment was rather peculiar: his hands were positioned one forward and one back, reminiscent of the opening stance in Muay Thai, while his legs were planted in a low horse stance. There was nothing graceful about his stance—in fact, it could only be described as downright ugly.

Zheng Da-Pao, seeing Wu Lian’an kicked clear across the room and his other underlings standing around in a daze, could no longer contain his fury. “What are you all standing there for? Do you think I pay you losers to watch the show? Get in there! Take him down!”

His underlings snapped out of their stupor, exchanged glances, and quickly spread out to surround Yang Meng, attacking him as one. So what if you can fight? Haven’t you heard even a fierce tiger can’t withstand a pack of wolves?

Their thinking wasn’t wrong, but unfortunately for them, they were facing Yang Meng.

Yang Meng’s fighting style was strangely unconventional: head, shoulders, knees, hands, feet, and elbows—all served as weapons. All his strikes were close-range and sharp, somewhat reminiscent of Wing Chun but lacking the relentless focus on a single target to inflict maximum damage. In truth, his method was one hit per opponent, and in a short span, Zheng Da-Pao’s men were all sprawled on the ground, unable to rise. After finishing off the group, Yang Meng walked toward Zheng Da-Pao.

“Who are you? Don’t come any closer!” Zheng Da-Pao pleaded, retreating step by step as Yang Meng advanced.

Yang Meng paid him no heed.

Zheng Da-Pao’s eyes widened in alarm. “You can’t touch me! Tell Qian Ma-Zi that the world is round! I admit defeat this time!”

Yang Meng shook his head as he approached. “How can I make you believe me? I don’t know anyone called Qian Ma-Zi.”

Zheng Da-Pao gave a bitter laugh. “All right, I believe you don’t know Qian Ma-Zi. He could never hire someone as skilled as you. Listen, brother—this is all a misunderstanding. Can’t we settle this peaceably?”

Yang Meng walked up to him and slapped him across the face. The force sent Zheng Da-Pao down to the ground, several teeth flying from his mouth—a clear trip to the dentist in his future.

“A misunderstanding? You don’t do honest business and pretend to be some big shot? When you hit a wall, you call it a misunderstanding, but when you find someone weaker, you bully them to death? Today you ran into me—consider yourselves unlucky!”

Clutching his face, Zheng Da-Pao sat on the ground, staring at Yang Meng in disbelief. True, he was a local tough in Zhao Village, a “country cannon,” hardly comparable to the city’s big gangsters. On his turf, there used to be a Qian Ma-Zi who challenged him, but after he forged ties with the renowned Zhai Ban-Cheng, Qian Ma-Zi was driven out, leaving Zheng Da-Pao in charge of the Zhao Village market. He was always the one slapping others around—never had anyone dared to slap him.

“You… you can’t hit me!” Zheng Da-Pao’s eyes bulged as he blurted, “I’m brothers with Hammer! Do you know Hammer? If you hit me, you’ll be in big trouble!”

Yang Meng paused. Hammer? Why did that name sound so familiar?

He thought a moment and asked, “Is Hammer a stocky guy with a buzz cut?”

Zheng Da-Pao’s face lit up. “Yes, yes, that’s him! If you dare touch me, I’ll call him right now. Hammer and I are close—he’ll definitely come to avenge me!”

Yang Meng shook his head. “No, he absolutely won’t come. You two really are quite the pair. Yesterday, I sent him to the hospital—today it’s your turn.”

“What?” Zheng Da-Pao’s eyes widened, then he burst out laughing. “You’re bluffing! Do you know who Hammer is? He’s a top enforcer under Zhai Da-Cheng! If you really beat him, you wouldn’t be standing here now!”

Yang Meng noticed a small stool nearby and dragged it over, sitting beside Zheng Da-Pao. “Go ahead, call him. Let’s see if he can come. I’ll give you one cigarette’s time—if he doesn’t show up, I’ll beat you again and leave.”

Zheng Da-Pao paused. “You want me to call for backup?”

Yang Meng lit a cigarette. “Only one cigarette’s length. Hurry up.”

Zheng Da-Pao looked miserable. This was Zhao Village, a typical suburb—even if Hammer was notified, he couldn’t possibly get here in time. But the prospect of another beating spurred his survival instinct, and he quickly dialed Hammer’s number.

The call took a while to connect. Before Zheng Da-Pao could speak, Hammer was already shouting from the other end. “Zheng Da-Pao! What the hell are you calling for? I’m busy—don’t bother me! Hanging up now!” He was about to disconnect.

Hearing Hammer about to hang up, Zheng Da-Pao quickly interjected, “Brother Hammer, don’t hang up! I ran into a guy here, he’s so arrogant he claims he beat you!”

Hammer was about to hang up, but at those words, he abruptly demanded, “What did you say? What does he look like? Is he a young guy?”

Zheng Da-Pao hesitated. “Brother Hammer, did you really get beaten?”

Hammer’s face flushed. “Enough with the nonsense! Where’s the kid?”

Zheng Da-Pao replied, “He’s at the Zhao Village market right now!”

Hammer barked, “Whatever it takes, keep him there! Our people are on their way!”

Zheng Da-Pao gave a bitter laugh. “Brother Hammer, I really can’t manage it. He’s knocked out all my men, and me too. He says he’ll wait one cigarette’s time—if no one comes, he’ll beat me again.”

Hammer didn’t answer straightaway; instead, he glanced at those around him. He was currently in the hospital, and the room was crowded, led by Zhai Da-Cheng’s top enforcer, Zhao Hai.

Zhao Hai gestured to Hammer, signaling for the phone. “Hello?”

Zheng Da-Pao was startled by the sudden change of voice. “Who are you? Let Hammer speak!”

Zhao Hai snorted coldly. “I am Zhao Hai.”

“I don’t care if you’re Zhao Hai or Zhao He! Stop messing around—let Hammer answer!” Zheng Da-Pao shouted in frustration.

The phone was on speaker, and Hammer’s face darkened. “Zheng Da-Pao, think before you speak! This is Brother Hai!”

Zheng Da-Pao was taken aback and quickly apologized. “Brother Hai, I didn’t realize it was you.”

Of course, he’d heard of Zhao Hai—known as Zhai Ban-Cheng’s top enforcer! Someone he could never afford to offend. At this moment, all he could do was apologize profusely.

Zhao Hai snorted. “Enough. We’ll settle this later! For now, I don’t care how, keep the guy there until I arrive. If he escapes, I’ll hold you responsible!”

Zheng Da-Pao replied with a pained expression. “Brother Hai, this guy is too tough. He’s taken out all of us. If he wants to leave, I really can’t stop him!” Zhao Hai was about to curse when Zheng Da-Pao added, “Brother Hai, how about this—give me your number. If anything happens, I’ll call you directly, okay?”

Zhao Hai considered for a moment. “Fine, just call Hammer’s number later! Hmph, hearing all this makes me even more eager to meet the kid!” With that, he hung up.

Yang Meng can fight? Zhao Hai sneered. One man against five or six—nothing special for a trained fighter! These country bumpkins, scared silly by a little action? When he met Yang Meng, he’d show them what true strength meant!

Looking at Yang Meng sitting beside him, smoking, Zheng Da-Pao managed a bitter smile. “May I ask your name, brother?”

“Don’t. I could never aspire to be brothers with someone as important as you,” Yang Meng replied with a wry grin. “So? You called Hammer and confirmed what I said?”

Zheng Da-Pao nodded fervently. “Confirmed, confirmed! Brother, I’m telling you, things have gotten complicated. You beat Hammer, and his boss is coming for you. You’re in for trouble!”

Yang Meng chuckled. “Come on, Brother Pao, weren’t you just about to tip them off about my whereabouts? Why the sudden change of heart?”

Zheng Da-Pao hurriedly explained, “Big brother, that was just a delaying tactic. They asked me to keep you here, but I know I can’t. Better to be honest with you.”

Yang Meng sized him up. “Huh, I didn’t expect you to be so sensible. You seemed awfully arrogant just now.”

Zheng Da-Pao gave a bitter laugh. “Big brother, please stop joking. Those who aren’t sensible simply haven’t suffered enough. I was blind to provoke you today—deserved this lesson! But suffering once is blindness; suffering twice is stupidity. I accept your lesson. Now all I want is to send you off quickly. If you stay here and clash with Brother Hai, no matter who loses, I’ll end up the worst off.”

Hearing Zheng Da-Pao’s words, Yang Meng’s opinion of him improved. He’d seemed arrogant before, but now Yang Meng saw he was actually quite pragmatic.

Flicking away his cigarette, Yang Meng smiled at Zheng Da-Pao. “I know you’re playing the sympathy card, but I happen to be susceptible to that. Secretary Duan, stop lurking in the background enjoying the spectacle—tell me where the Dragon family’s young master is waiting for me?”

Watching from the sidelines, Duan Bowen walked over with a cheerful smile. “Mr. Yang, what a thing to say! I wasn’t watching the show—I was admiring your heroic display up close.”

His words weren’t entirely honest; he’d actually filmed Yang Meng’s fight and sent it to Long Teng, so the latter could prepare accordingly. After all, forewarned is forearmed.

Yang Meng had noticed him recording, but didn’t mind. “Do whatever you like. So where is this young master from the Dragon family waiting?”

Duan Bowen replied quickly, “He’s at the main branch of ‘Dragon Melody Gym.’”

Yang Meng turned to Zheng Da-Pao. “Brother, you heard it all. If anyone wants trouble with me, they can find me there! Whether it’s new grudges or old debts, settle them at ‘Dragon Melody Gym’! Secretary Duan, pay up my appearance fee!”