“Don’t start a fight, but if you must, never be the first to throw a punch.”
This was a principle Wang Sheng had come to understand; having the moral high ground would mean not hesitating to strike hard when needed.
So no matter what the two men opposite him said, Wang Sheng simply wouldn’t initiate the attack.
It was the moment Li Da’s hand touched him that Wang Sheng moved.
A martial artist’s strength, defense, and reaction speed were all superior to that of an ordinary person’s. Although Li Da and Li Er, the two men who had come to collect chrysanthemum herbs, were robust, they were clearly in the category of ordinary people.
Thus, when Li Da tried to make a move and grab Qin Wangsheng, Wang Sheng easily blocked his hand, preventing him from advancing an inch.
“Take note, it was you who attacked first!”
Wang Sheng repeated this in front of the two men, with clear enunciation, a loud voice, and standard language, ensuring they both could hear him clearly.
Unfortunately, there were no powerful bystanders to act as witnesses.
But this was enough!
Li Da, after hearing Wang Sheng’s words, didn’t react at all. What attacking first? All he wanted was—
“Bang—”
A muffled sound suddenly erupted; Li Da was punched in the stomach by Wang Sheng, sent flying several meters back, painfully crouched on the ground retching, vomiting the bile that surged up.
Li Da was stunned; his intention had only been to subdue Wang Sheng and take him away.
If he truly fought and ruined Wang Sheng’s handsome face, being held accountable later would spell trouble.
But the immense strength Wang Sheng possessed was something he hadn’t anticipated at all—the punch that sent him flying hadn’t even been at full force.
Such strength—
“How dare you hit my big brother, you’re really asking for it now!”
Li Er then charged directly at Wang Sheng, who responded with the same action as before, easily blocking Li Er’s arm and then delivering another punch.
Li Er was knocked right next to Li Da, performing the exact same actions, continuously retching, unable to stand up.
Li Da, seeing Li Er fall, couldn’t help but reveal a bitter smile. He should have warned him directly.
This level of strength was that of a martial artist, or at least one of those born with divine power, neither of which they were capable of provoking.
He had previously offended a novice martial artist in the Sun Family and had been beaten just like this.
If a martial artist wished to take their lives, it would be all too easy.
Wang Sheng, glancing at Li Da who was still barely able to speak, said, “Want to go another round? Next time, I won’t hold back!”
Li Da almost spat out blood.
His underling, Li Er, had indeed attempted to strike, but all he had wanted was to capture someone!
However, arguing with a martial artist was not a risk he was willing to take.
To avoid being killed, Li Da frantically searched his mind, eventually realizing that playing the “Sun Family card” was the only option left.
“You must be a martial artist. I don’t know why you’ve hidden your identity until now, but I am from the Sun Family. The Sun Family has martial artists too, many of them. Even if you are a martial artist…”
Wang Sheng directly interrupted Li Da, “Are you saying that if I kill you, the Sun Family’s martial artists will come to avenge you?”
Wang Sheng was very clear; these two were just the Sun Family’s dogs. Given his status as a martial artist, even if the Sun Family found out, they would most likely not retaliate against him.
Had they retaliated for such a minor servant, especially one who had provoked a martial artist, the Sun Family’s enemies would have been everywhere by now.
Li Da was merely bluffing, and his face stiffened at Wang Sheng’s retort.
“What would you like to do, great martial artist?”
Once he realized his words were useless, Li Da’s tone became significantly more humble.
Li Er at his side, still spitting up bile, was covered in a cold sweat; he couldn’t believe he had actually attacked a martial artist, which was akin to having already walked through Ghost Gate.
Wang Sheng wasn’t interested in killing these two men.
The script of killing these two had been written in his mind long ago: kill them, the Sun Family sends people to investigate, they find out he did it, it would be a slap in their face, and they would come for him.
The result: Wang Sheng’s death!
This possibility might not be high, but as long as there was a slight chance, he wouldn’t risk it.
So that’s why he also cultivated chrysanthemums while practicing martial arts.
Handing over the chrysanthemums, even if it meant fulfilling the requirement, plus with Wang Sheng becoming a martial artist, the Sun Family might just overlook the matter, possibly gaining prestige in the process.
Of course, the key point was still that Wang Sheng had become a martial artist.
Had he not become a martial artist, he would already have been taken away by now.
The Sun Family brothel claims they don’t force anyone, it’s all voluntary, but what were the two who are still lying on the ground trying to do just now?
“In the end, my strength is still insufficient!”
Wang Sheng let out a sigh in his heart, further resolving to practice martial arts, then he said, “What do I want to do? Take these chrysanthemums back for delivery, and then give me a receipt; you should be authorized to do that, right?”
Li Da nodded hurriedly, “Of course, Martial Artist sir, please wait a moment, I’ll have my brother fetch it immediately.”
Wang Sheng nodded.
Li Da kicked Li Er, who, enduring his intense pain, ran outside the village and drove the delivery cart in.
After that, Li Da busied himself with the work at hand and swiftly handled all the matters, even issuing a receipt.
The receipt bore the Sun Family’s seal.
Wang Sheng took the receipt; it was evidence.
“You know what to say when you return, right?”
“I know, I know, rest assured, Martial Artist sir…”
With a face full of flattery, Li Da understood. A person like Wang Sheng who hid his martial artist identity just likes to keep a low profile!
He got it; not giving away certain information was simple.
Deceiving the higher-ups and pulling the wool over the lower ones was also a part of being a lackey’s self-cultivation.
Wang Sheng could tell at a glance that he didn’t understand.
“No, you don’t understand. Tell the truth when you go back, there’s no need for any hiding or exaggeration. Of course, you can choose to make things up, as long as you can ensure you escape the bounds of Lijiang Town.”
The exposure of his martial artist identity was part of the plan.
Otherwise, should the people of the Sun Family brothel really think he was a beauty of the age who must be had, that would be troublesome.
Only by revealing his martial artist status could he avoid such situations.
“Understood, Martial Artist sir!”
Li Da didn’t understand this line of thinking, but he still responded.
For a martial artist, killing him would truly be too easy.
“Then scram!”
Li Da and Li Er, enduring their pain, swiftly loaded all the chrysanthemums onto the cart and quickly left Qingshan Village.
About half an hour later, the two returned to Lijiang Town and met with a high-ranking member of the Sun Family.
“You’re saying the person I sent you to fetch is a martial artist?”
“Yes, sir, we can be a hundred percent certain,” Li Da answered respectfully.
The Sun Family executive tapped his fingers, then said, “I see. Let’s let this issue pass, don’t bother with it anymore!”
Just as Wang Sheng had guessed, the Sun Family wouldn’t trouble a martial artist over such a matter. It wasn’t worth it.
“Dismissed. Then, go to the pharmacy and take a dose of Detoxification Powder,” he said, tossing a token down.
“Yes, sir!”
Li Da was ecstatic. Detoxification Powder was a medicine for internal injuries, usually hard to come by. He hadn’t expected to be rewarded with it.
After expressing his gratitude, he quickly withdrew.
Only the high-ranking member of the Sun Family remained in the room, pondering.
“Indeed, at such times, all kinds of monsters and demons emerge!”
Originally thought to be just a handsome man, who would have expected him to be a martial artist.
It truly was—
A bit of a pity…