Chapter 6, The Might of the Warrior
Yes, yes, yes—Chu Yuan still did not show him any mercy, yet Wu Youcai dared not reveal even the slightest hint of it on his face
Just now, Chu Yuan moved as fast as lightning. Before they could react, he rushed in front of Wu Youcai and slapped him twice! Such speed and skill can only be achieved by those who have cultivated their combat abilities
Wu Youcai is truly detestable; not only does he insult himself, but he even dares to insult his own father. This is something that cannot be tolerated! As for the Lu family, Chu Yuan does not believe that they would stand up for someone like Wu Youcai, a mere village official.
Outcast! ? That is a term used to refer to the uncivilized savages in the Duanyun Mountain Range who consume raw flesh and blood! He, Chu Zhengtang, has always conducted himself with integrity and even served as a soldier for the Lu family for three years. How is it that in the mouths of others he is labeled as an outcast! ?
Wu Youcai sneered, "What, do you still want to make a move? Don't forget that I represent the Lu family to collect taxes! A lowly person is just a lowly person, and naturally, a son born to a lowly person like you is also lowly!"
Having finished speaking, Wu Youcai did not wait for Chu Yuan's family to respond. He rubbed his face, which had swollen to the size of a pig's head, and, accompanied by a few lackeys, attempted to rush outside
Wu Youcai's mind raced as he saw Chu Yuan raise the axe, intending to strike him. He quickly smiled apologetically at Chu Zheng and his wife, saying: "I must have been kicked by a donkey; I was just being foolish earlier. I sincerely apologize to both of you. Please forgive me for my petty remarks, as you are magnanimous and should overlook my transgressions"
Chu Yuan let out a cold snort and said: "We will not pay a single cent less than what is due! What business is it of yours, you worthless dog, to meddle in our affairs!"
If this kid loses his mind and really does something like this, he will be done for today
Wu Youcai awkwardly smiled after encountering a setback with Chu Zheng, and then continued, "Although what I said earlier was incorrect, this tax on joy is indeed specifically requested by the Lu family. You must pay it in full within half a month. If there is a delay in payment, the consequences that arise will be beyond my control"
"That is just a rumor, a rumor! What kind of place is Five Spirits Garden? How could we possibly have the fortune to enter it!" Chu Zheng said with a bitter smile, pulling Chu Yuan behind him with a swift motion
A pair of eyes seemed to spew forth flames of intense hatred, glaring fiercely at Chu Yuan, as if unable to believe that a dignified tax official had actually been struck by a mere insignificant petty citizen
Hmph! When Chu Zheng saw his son beat Wu Youcai, he initially worried it might anger the Lu family. However, upon seeing Wu Youcai's current state, he immediately set aside his concerns, feeling genuinely pleased in his heart, thinking that his son had finally proven worth the years of raising him.
"I will hit you!" Chu Yuan glared at Wu Youcai, picked up the axe from the ground again, and shouted angrily, "You worthless scoundrel, daring to insult my parents; it would be a favor to you that I haven't taken your life!"
Chu Yuan has been a formidable character since childhood, and Wu Youcai has been collecting taxes in this area for over ten years, so he is naturally well-informed about him
You are being too unreasonable! Chu Yuan's mother, He, was originally a kind and simple woman from the mountains, always gentle and considerate, never speaking a harsh word. At this moment, upon hearing Wu Youcai insult her family so severely, her face turned pale, and she nearly fainted from anger. Startled, Chu Yuan hurriedly stepped forward to support her.
Wu Youcai's face suddenly became extremely ugly as he pointed at Chu Yuan and shouted, "You little brat dare to insult me? Watch how I properly teach you a lesson, so you understand the principles of seniority and respect!"
Stop! Chu Yuan shouted loudly
Wu Youcai may deceive Chu Zheng with his words, but Chu Yuan has now lived two lives. After experiencing the overwhelming information bombardment of his previous life, he has seen a great many things. Naturally, he can see through such matters, and Wu Youcai will not be able to hide anything from him
Wu Youcai saw that the thugs he had brought were too afraid to step forward, and as Chu Yuan continued to press closer, he suddenly felt a chill run through his heart and mind
Hmph! Where do you think you're running to! Chu Yuan let out a cold snort, raised his axe, and immediately accelerated his movements, swinging his hand to deliver two resounding slaps.
Indeed, dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes give birth to phoenixes, and the offspring of a mouse can dig holes. The Five Spirits Garden is certainly not a place for lowly commoners like you to enter! I estimate that you wouldn't even be able to produce 10,000 battle coins to waste on this!" Wu Youcai glanced disdainfully at Chu Zheng and mocked him.
Wu Youcai shuddered, his face turning pale as he turned around to look at the gleaming axe in Chu Yuan's hand. With a tone of weeping, he said: "My Lord Chu, what exactly do you want? I have already apologized; you wouldn't really want to cut me down, would you?"
"To hell with the hierarchy of age and status! How dare you talk to me about age and status!" With a furious roar, Chu Yuan dashed towards Wu Youcai like lightning, raising an axe to strike down upon him with full force
Chu Zheng was happily watching Chu Yuan teach Wu Youcai a lesson, and naturally, he would not show Wu Youcai any good attitude
The individual combat power of the battle masters is extremely formidable, which has led to this world being divided and controlled by powerful sects or families. For instance, the Twelve Cities of Yunzhou fall under the jurisdiction of the Lu family
Just a bunch of trash! Even more is still trash!" Chu Yuan disdainfully snorted, shaking the axe in his hand, he fixed his gaze on Wu Youcai and coldly said: "I reiterate, apologize to my parents immediately, otherwise I will definitely chop you up today, you worthless dog!"
He was originally persuaded by his father to leave, intending to adopt a "out of sight, out of mind" approach and retreat into the house. However, unexpectedly, just a few steps away, Wu Youcai dared to insult his own family in such a manner. Chu Yuan had not yet reacted when a surge of instinctive anger immediately welled up from within him
Oh no! Wu Youcai was taken aback, as he saw a flash of cold light rushing towards him. He was instantly drenched in cold sweat. Fortunately, he had practiced regularly, and hurriedly stepped back a few paces, narrowly escaping the danger.
With two sharp sounds, Wu Youcai managed to evade the axe, but both his left and right cheeks still received two extremely loud slaps. He was immediately knocked down by Chu Yuan, taking a long time to get back up from the ground
This Wu Youcai is merely relying on his brother-in-law holding a minor official position in Miyun City to secure this tax officer role, which is hardly a legitimate official position. Chu Yuan pays him no mind
He swung his axe in his hand, resembling a flash of silver light, making a whooshing sound in the air, its momentum unmatched at that moment
Snap! Snap!
What are you talking about? Just take it!" Chu Yuan raised his axe, glared, and scolded: "But you must not shortchange me on those one hundred battle coins. If you shortchange me even one battle coin, I will not let you off lightly today!
Moreover, Wu Youcai discovered that Chu Yuan seemed to be a person with genuine combat capability. Thinking of the rumors regarding participation in the selection, he became even more worried
"I want to see who dares!" Chu Yuan shouted loudly, like a thunderclap rising from the ground, causing people's eardrums to ache.
The land of Yunzhou is not comparable to those states and prefectures within the borders. Although the entire Yunzhou is under the jurisdiction of the Lu family, it still retains a strong atmosphere of barbarism. If one were to be carelessly cut down by this brat, it is likely that no one would come to collect the body.
Your face is even more flushed, but the figure that was about to rush forward comes to a sudden halt, trembling with anger in place
"All of you, come at me! Teach this brat a harsh lesson. I want him to be unable to live or die!" Seeing Chu Yuan approach again with the axe in hand, Wu Youcai's heart trembled, and he quickly retreated like a frightened rabbit.
Those formidable and unpredictable powerful warriors, each one of them, serve the Lu family. If one were to offend the Lu family, it could very well lead to the destruction of one's entire clan
The people of Yunzhou are inherently fierce and combative; it is not unusual for lives to be lost in conflicts, and the death of a few individuals hardly raises any eyebrows. In his previous life, Chu Yuan had been bedridden for an extended period, which made him irritable except when he was out on the streets admiring beautiful women. Now, influenced by the instinctive anger of this body, it is only natural for him to resort to violence at the slightest provocation
Chu Zheng's polite words just now were made in consideration of the fact that the other party is a tax official, as he did not wish to provoke any trouble; however, this does not mean that he is timid or afraid of issues
Upon thinking of this, Wu Youcai's expression changed slightly, and he thought to himself: "A wise man does not suffer immediate losses; after all, in half a month it will be tax collection time. If they cannot pay the taxes then, the Lu family will naturally step in to deal with it. There is no need to clash head-on with this young bull from the Chu family today."
The three burly men, upon witnessing this imposing presence, immediately halted, their faces turning pale as they stared at the axe in Chu Yuan's hand, not daring to take another step forward
Although Chu Yuan is merely a first-tier warrior, he is certainly not someone that these second-rate individuals, who cling to Wu Youcai, can withstand
"Hmph!" Chu Yuan glanced at him disdainfully, reached into his bosom, and tossed the crystal coin gifted by the mountain man onto the ground, saying: "The joy tax is 600 battle coins plus the annual tax of 300 battle coins, return me 100 battle coins and get lost quickly!"
"Damn you to hell!" After helping his mother to sit down, Chu Yuan stepped forward a few paces and angrily shouted at Wu Youcai.
Moreover, if he had reacted just a bit slower to that axe just now, he would have likely been split in two by now. Thinking of this, Wu Youcai broke out in a cold sweat!
At this moment, even if Wu Youcai had two more guts, he would not dare to challenge the broadsword in Chu Yuan's hand. Pretending not to hear Chu Yuan's scolding, he quickly continued: "Since that's the case, I will come back in two days. We can settle the score then"
Chu Zheng glared fiercely at Chu Yuan and said, "Get inside the house!" He then turned around, his face filled with worry, and said, "With so much money, our family truly cannot take any more out right now!"
The three burly men beside Wu Youcai finally reacted from the shock of Wu Youcai being struck. Upon hearing Wu Youcai's command, they immediately charged towards Chu Yuan like hungry wolves
Wu Youcai finished speaking and shot a fierce glare at Chu Yuan, who had just shown a grimace that had greatly irritated him
Chu Zheng had served as a soldier in the Lu family for three years, and naturally, he was aware of the Lu family's formidable nature
Under normal circumstances, Chu Zheng would not mind beating Wu Youcai half to death. However, now he is representing the Lu family on official business. If he were to strike him, it would be tantamount to challenging the authority of the Lu family
"Whether I attend the selection or not is none of your business!" Chu Yuan retorted disdainfully.
Picking up the axe from the ground, Chu Yuan shouted angrily: "You, with the surname Wu, are truly the son of a rat! Apologize to my parents immediately! Otherwise, I will chop you in half today!"
Looking at the battle axe in Chu Yuan's hand, although the three men were all towering figures standing eight feet tall, they instantly lost all their courage! This exemplifies the vast difference between those with combat power and those without.
Ah, ah, spare me, spare me! Wu Youcai quickly forced a smile, realizing that Chu Yuan was indeed serious about making him pay. He hurriedly picked up the crystal coins from the ground, returned the remaining one hundred battle coins, and then rushed out of the courtyard, fleeing in a panic
You... you... you actually dare to hit me!" Wu Youcai shook his still-dizzy head, feeling as if his entire face had swollen up significantly.
At this moment, facing the furious Chu Yuan, Wu Youcai felt little confidence in his heart
"Not in a hurry, not in a hurry, let's talk about it in a couple of days!" Wu Youcai said with a flicker in his eyes, looking at the axe in Chu Yuan's hand, smiling obsequiously.
Chu Zheng was taken aback, the smile that had been forced onto his face gradually faded, and then his face began to flush red as he angrily exclaimed, "What did you say? Who is a lowly commoner!"
"No money?" Wu Youcai made an exaggerated expression and mocked, "When others say they have no money, I can still believe it to some extent. But you say you have no money? How could Chu Yuan possibly participate in the selection for the Wuling Garden if he has no money? The registration fee alone is a full 10,000 battle coins!"
If this foolish boy really goes to participate in the selection and successfully becomes a disciple of the Five Spirits Academy, then not only himself, but even his brother-in-law who works in Mi Yun City is likely to suffer misfortune as well