Da Gangya's first reaction upon seeing Chen Ping'an was that he was young, too young!
The Nanquan Lane Garrison Office actually sent such a young Yamen Runner to collect the tax from his Hu Pao Gambling House!?
Are they kidding!?
According to past years' practice, collecting the tax from his Hu Pao Gambling House wasn't a matter of one visit, or two, or three; it required several back-and-forth trips. But this year, as far as he knew, the surrounding shops and businesses had Yamen Runners collecting taxes two days prior.
His Hu Pao Gambling House waited two days without seeing a Yamen Runner. Only his subordinates reported that a Yamen Runner had come to the entrance, taken a look, and then left.
He had thought the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office was planning something big, but in the end, this was it!?
Only two Yamen Runners came!?
“You are Da Gangya!?” Chen Ping'an looked at Da Gangya expressionlessly, his tone indifferent.
Hmm!?
Da Gangya's heart thumped. For a moment, he couldn't quite figure out Chen Ping'an's background.
What's going on!?
When Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners came to the door in previous years, they were always sent off with smiles. What is this one doing!?
“How dare you! This is the Tiger Head Gang's Protector, Lord Ya!”
Da Gangya hadn't spoken yet, but a loyal subordinate behind him stepped out and shouted angrily.
Swish!
A flash of blade light went straight for the speaking subordinate.
The blade's speed was not slow, showing no signs of holding back.
The subordinate reacted too late, and was about to be struck.
Da Gangya, who was nearby, struck out decisively, slamming his fist onto the blade.
Clang!
The blade vibrated wildly. The immense force diverted the sword, causing it to miss.
Cold sweat immediately trickled down the subordinate's back.
He just wanted to show loyalty and run his mouth. The other party drew a blade and attacked without a word! There was no warning at all. What kind of ruthless character is this!?
Da Gangya was also startled! He wasn't afraid of trouble, but he was startled by Chen Ping'an's reaction.
Is this person here to collect tax, or to directly pick a fight!?
Having experienced so many Zhenfu Division tax collections, he had never encountered a situation like this.
Several ruffians behind Da Gangya unfastened their weapons, facing Chen Ping'an, in a tense, ready-to-fight stance.
Zeng Jihe, who was behind Chen Ping'an, was completely stunned!
Chen Tou, is he that brave!?
This is their territory!
“Lord, you draw your blade at the slightest disagreement. Are you trying to bully our Tiger Head Gang into thinking we have no one!?”
Da Gangya questioned loudly, his eyes fixed on Chen Ping'an, observing his reaction. The reason he could rise to the upper echelons of the Tiger Head Gang, besides his strength, was his brain!
He didn't believe that a Zhenfu Division Yamen Runner would be a lunatic, directly offending their Tiger Head Gang without any reason.
As long as the Yamen Runner opposite him showed even a hint of evasion in his eyes, or a feigned madness, he would not hesitate to have his men take the other party down first.
“This Lord represents the Zhenfu Division here. You, as the manager of the gambling house, are unwelcoming, and that's fine. But your subordinates dare to point fingers and curse at this Lord! Is it this Lord who is bullying your Tiger Head Gang into thinking you have no one? Or is it you, Da Gangya, deliberately condoning your subordinates in provoking the authority of my Zhenfu Division!”
Chen Ping'an spoke with conviction, his presence commanding respect without anger. His Martial Dao Realm brought him not only strength but also an intangible Aura that had been nurtured within him.
Chen Ping'an's reaction completely exceeded Da Gangya's expectations. The accusation of provoking the Zhenfu Division's authority immediately changed Da Gangya's thoughts.
“Lord, a misunderstanding! It’s all a misunderstanding! How would we dare provoke the Zhenfu Division's authority? It’s just that my subordinates are ignorant!”
Da Gangya forced a smile onto his face.
“How about the Lord comes inside and sits down! Have some tea and calm down!”
“Good!” Chen Ping'an nodded and strode in the direction Da Gangya indicated, without the slightest fear. It was as if he were walking in his own home, and not the Tiger Head Gang's important Hu Pao Gambling House.
Chen Ping'an's composure made Da Gangya's eyes flash. He increasingly felt that softening his tone and not reacting was the correct decision.
Looking at the other party's confident demeanor, if they really started a fight, who knows what kind of trouble it would cause.
“Lord, please!” Da Gangya smiled, leading Chen Ping'an through the inner door.
Zeng Jihe looked around at the several ruffian subordinates glaring at them, and couldn't help but shiver. He forced himself to be brave and followed Chen Ping'an.
Inside the door was a lavishly decorated room.
Without any hesitation, Chen Ping'an unhesitatingly took the main seat.
Noticing Chen Ping'an's confidence and composure, Da Gangya's eyes flickered several times. He forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart and sat down in a companion seat on the side.
“Why aren't you quickly serving the Lord tea!”
Da Gangya instructed the ruffian subordinate behind him, then turned and smiled at Chen Ping'an.
“May I ask, Lord, what brings you here today?”
Chen Ping'an looked up at Da Gangya, remaining silent, just staring at him.
Da Gangya forced a smile, looking back at Chen Ping'an.
Only when Da Gangya's facial muscles began to twitch did Chen Ping'an's voice finally sound.
“Da Gangya, you ask this Lord these questions, do you think it's necessary!? This Lord's reason for being here, you know better than this Lord!”
Chen Ping'an's face held no smile, his gaze fixed on Da Gangya's face.
“Lord, you wrong me! I truly don't know.”
Da Gangya cried out that he was wronged.
In his heart, however, a hint of apprehension arose towards Chen Ping'an. This is a ruthless person!
If it were an ordinary person who dared to speak to him like that, he would have already had them chopped up. But unfortunately, the person sitting in front of him was not an ordinary person!
He was a Zhenfu Division Yamen Runner from Nanquan Lane, a formal Yamen Runner!
To become a formal Zhenfu Division Yamen Runner at such a young age, he didn't believe the other party had no background whatsoever.
Moreover, judging from his series of actions from just now, the other party's emotions were controlled and managed well. He was definitely not simply prone to anger or impulsiveness! He should not be underestimated!
Bang!
Chen Ping'an slammed his palm heavily on the table.
“Da Gangya, you're feigning ignorance! Is my Zhenfu Division giving you too much face, or what!?”
The tabletop trembled, and a faint crack appeared.
Zeng Jihe, standing behind Chen Ping'an, felt as if his heart had skipped a beat.
This...
Chen Tou, Chen Tou, don't be so brave!
We're here to collect tax, not to pick a fight and die. You need to take it easy!
If you keep this up, Xiao Zeng can't handle it!
“You!”
If another Protector, Tiger Head Gang's Whirlwind Wolf, Lord Wolf, were sitting here, he would probably fight Chen Ping'an no matter what!
However, it was Da Gangya sitting here!
Da Gangya's angry expression flashed and was then forcibly suppressed by him.
“Lord, my Da Gangya's face is earned by myself, not given by others! And... don't constantly use the Zhenfu Division to pressure me! I, Da Gangya, will lose my temper!”
Da Gangya looked at Chen Ping'an with a sinister gaze.