Chapter Fourteen: The Great Sramana

A large group of people moved in a mighty crowd toward the Overpass. Along the way, Cao Kui quickly explained the situation, and only then did Chen Liang understand what was going on.

It turned out that Dayong and his crew had met two flashy girls while hanging around the Overpass. Today, when they went to look for them, one of the girls’ boyfriends happened to spot them. And just like that, trouble started—like a turtle locking eyes with a tortoise, the two sides immediately squared off.

As has always been said, in the old districts of the city, everything is about saving face. If you give me face, all is well; you’re happy, I’m happy, everyone gets along. But if you trample someone’s pride into the ground, then, well, blood may well be spilled.

Now, one of those girls’ boyfriends felt humiliated—though it’s not certain Dayong’s crew actually succeeded with the girls, the mere fact was enough to make him lose face. So, Dayong and his group were cornered at the Overpass, not allowed to leave.

Still, the group doing the blocking had some sense of the rules; they allowed Dayong’s side a chance to call reinforcements. If they could bring in someone formidable, the two sides could negotiate and avoid a fight. But if not, then they’d have to take the beating—and suffer every time they met in the future.

Chen Liang was no stranger to these matters. He was a well-known troublemaker in the old city, perfectly familiar with the unwritten rules. Hearing the story, he felt no urge to get involved. “Fifth, how did you end up knowing this kind of people?” he grumbled. “Stealing someone’s girl, what kind of thing is that? If they get beaten to death, it’s their own fault!”

“Liang, Dayong’s not that kind of guy, I promise you!” Cao Kui replied with a wry smile, still firmly believing that his friend would never stoop to such things.

“Alright, alright. Just don’t say much when we get there. If we end up helping the wrong side, our own reputation will be ruined!” In the end, Chen Liang decided to check things out for himself.

At the mouth of Overpass Alley, thirty or forty people had gathered, making a racket. When Chen Liang and his group arrived, they saw Dayong and his friends blocked in the center.

“Move aside, move aside!” Cao Kui and the others pushed their way in, quickly joining up with Dayong’s group.

With his friends now at his side, Dayong’s confidence returned, and his voice grew louder. “Brother Cao, they’re bullying us! Yang Liu already said she barely knows them, but they still won’t let us leave!”

Ah, women truly are the root of many troubles.

“Enough, let’s stop talking. Liang, what’s your take on this?” Cao Kui, seeing Chen Liang was present, deferred to his judgment.

Chen Liang knew he couldn’t just listen to one side, so he stepped forward. “I’m Chen Liang. Who’s in charge here? Let’s get a real person out to talk!”

A stir ran through the crowd, then a burly man with a face full of scars stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting. “Chen Liang? Are you by chance Master Tong’s apprentice?”

Ah! Turns out he’s trained in martial arts too.

Chen Liang clasped his hands in return. “That’s right. Master Tong is my teacher. Brother, let’s hear your side.”

“I’m Wang Laosan. My teacher is Master Feng!”

“And I’m Chen Liang, apprentice of Master Tong.”

According to old city rules, before anything else, you had to establish your background. Both Master Feng and Master Tong were famous martial artists in the city.

“Since you’re Master Tong’s apprentice, let’s talk this through properly,” Wang Laosan replied. It seemed a real heavyweight had arrived—time for some negotiation.

“Brother Chen, it’s simple. Your friend tried to steal my younger brother’s girl…”

Chen Liang cut him off with a gesture. “Brother Wang, first we need to clarify whether these two are actually in a relationship.”

He turned. “Which one is Yang Liu?”

A young woman, shielded by Dayong’s group, stepped out gracefully. “That’s me.”

After a quick look at the rather attractive Yang Liu, Chen Liang turned back. “Brother, how about you call your brother out too?”

“Fine! Xiao Qi, get over here!” Soon, a pale, baby-faced youth was dragged forward.

“Let’s ask directly. Yang Liu, do you know him?” Chen Liang glanced at her.

“We’re neighbors, but I barely know him!” Yang Liu replied bluntly.

“You’re lying! Yang Liu, your father already took my family’s betrothal money—how is that not close? Want me to tell them how many birthmarks you have?” Wang Xiaoqi, incensed by her words, began to spout wild claims.

“Oh? Whoever takes your money, let them marry you! I certainly won’t!” Yang Liu shot back mockingly, her brow furrowing at his outburst. “You should look at yourself—just because I talked to you for a couple of days, you think I have to marry you? If that’s all it takes, I could have dozens of husbands. Who do you think you are?”

What a remarkable woman; her words were right on the mark.

Such women, who take pride in seducing men, are nothing new—only nowadays, the internet exposes them for all to see.

Yang Liu’s words left Wang Xiaoqi reeling, as if the sky had collapsed. In truth, it just showed how little experience he had—once he’d dated a few more girls, he’d realize how valuable an independent woman like this could be.

Chen Liang and Wang Laosan exchanged a glance, then clasped hands again. “Brother,” they said in unison.

Wang Laosan sighed. He’d thought he was coming to catch a cheater, only to find himself witnessing an unexpected drama.

“Brother Chen, sorry about that, this was my—” he began, but Chen Liang interrupted him. “Brother Wang, let’s just leave it at that. No need to say more. If you keep talking, your brother will never live it down.” He shot a complicated look at Yang Liu. Truly, appearances can be deceiving.

“My apologies!” Wang Laosan, seeing Chen Liang’s reluctance to discuss it further, apologized and led his brother away.

Cao Kui, still confused, stepped forward. “Liang, that’s it? We’re just letting it go?”

Chen Liang shot him a look. “What else could we do? Have two gangs brawl over a woman like that?”

Seriously, an innocent kid running into a woman like her—this is even more dramatic than a novel. Yang Liu really is something—what’s so great about a puppy like that?

Patting his own sturdy waist, he thought, such a fine stallion and she doesn’t even notice, yet she’s off playing with some old relic.

“Let’s go! It’s over, Yang Liu’s gone—what are you staring at?”

With the matter resolved, Yang Liu and her friend left without a backward glance, bored that there hadn’t even been a fight.

Meanwhile, Cao Kui watched Yang Liu’s retreating figure with a longing gaze.