After Lin Xue'er left, the atmosphere in the eatery became lively again. People began to talk softly, but occasionally glanced toward Li Wuchen. Some still looked incredulous. That youth without aura… dared to speak like that to Lin Xue'er.
Wuchen himself didn't care. He still sat casually, finishing his meal. His spoon moved slowly. His gaze was calm, as if the world around him didn't exist.
The old man beside him leaned back lazily.
"Kid… do you know who that girl was?"
Wuchen shook his head, "No."
The old man grinned. "Good. Means you won't have a headache."
Wuchen glanced at him. "Who is she?"
The old man took a sip of his wine.
"Lin Xue'er. Core disciple of the Purple Cloud Sect."
Some people around immediately swallowed hard. That name was clearly not ordinary.
Li Wuchen only nodded slightly.
"Oh."
The old man stopped drinking. He looked at Wuchen, "Just 'oh'?"
Wuchen continued eating. "Then what should I do, Gramps?"
The old man chuckled. "Nothing. I just wanted to see your reaction."
Wuchen didn't answer. He lifted his bowl… then drank the last of the broth.
"Finished."
He placed the empty bowl on the table.
Then turned to the waiter.
"Sir, I'm done."
The waiter approached hesitantly. "Yes, sir… so, about the payment…"
Wuchen nodded, "Yes."
Silence for a moment.
The waiter waited. Wuchen remained silent. The old man beside him covered his face.
"Kid… you really are…"
Wuchen turned to the waiter, "Is there any work I can do?"
The waiter blinked, "Work?"
"To pay for the meal." Wuchen answered while pointing at the empty bowls and plates on his table.
The waiter swallowed hard. He glanced toward the kitchen. Then back at Wuchen. "Actually… there is."
Wuchen nodded.
"Just say it."
The waiter moved closer and lowered his voice.
"Lately… there's a group of people who often come to eat… but never pay."
Some customers immediately tensed. Clearly they knew who was being referred to.
Wuchen asked flatly, "And?"
The waiter whispered,
"If you can… drive them away…"
The old man beside Wuchen chuckled.
"Haha… interesting."
Wuchen thought for a moment. Then he said, "How much is my meal?"
"Ten silver coins…" the waiter answered quickly.
Wuchen nodded, "Oh? In that case… I'll help."
The waiter was surprised, "Really?"
Wuchen stood up, "Where are they?"
Before the waiter could answer, suddenly—
BANG!
The door of the eatery was kicked open roughly.
Several people dressed entirely in black entered. They were all burly. Their faces were rough. With various weapons hanging at their waists.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The waiter who had been talking to Wuchen turned pale.
"T-they…"
The man in front stepped in while grinning.
"Wow! It's quite crowded today!"
He looked around.
Then shouted, "Oi! Owner! Prepare the best food! And wine!"
No one answered.
Everyone was silent.
The man snorted. "What? Are you all deaf?"
He walked to an empty table… then sat down roughly.
His companions followed and sat down. One of them pointed toward the kitchen.
"Quick! We're hungry!"
The waiter trembled. But he still walked closer.
"Y-yes, sir…"
On the other side…
Wuchen stood. His eyes were calm. He walked slowly. The old man behind him commented casually,
"Don't be too harsh. Later no one will be able to pay."
Wuchen didn't answer. He stopped in front of their table.
Silence.
One of the men turned.
Seeing a foreign youth approaching them, this person raised an eyebrow.
"Ha? Who are you?"
Wuchen answered flatly, "You haven't paid for your previous meals here."
Silence for a moment.
Then,
The entire table burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Listen to that! This kid is asking us to pay!"
The man in front grinned. He leaned back while looking Wuchen up and down.
"Are you the owner of this eatery?"
Wuchen shook his head, "No."
"Then why are you meddling?"
Wuchen answered shortly, "Because I eat here."
Silence.
Then, one of the men said sarcastically,
"So?"
Wuchen looked at him.
"If I can't make you pay, then how can I pay for my own meal here?"
Some people who heard it almost choked. The old man behind him held back his laughter.
"What kind of logic is that…"
The man in front of the table narrowed his eyes. "Kid… do you know who we are?"
Wuchen answered without hesitation, "No."
The man laughed coldly. "We are from the Black Wolf Group."
Some customers immediately lowered their heads. Clearly, that name was quite famous in this area. A gang of thugs who often caused trouble.
Wuchen nodded slightly. "So? What if you're from the Black Wolf Group?"
The man stopped smiling. His gaze turned cold. "You still dare to speak like that?"
Wuchen answered calmly, "Yes."
Silence once again enveloped the entire eatery. The atmosphere grew tense. After some time, the man finally stood up. His body was tall and large. He looked at Wuchen with sharp eyes.
"Kid… you're looking for death."
Wuchen shook his head. "I just want you to pay."
The man snorted. "Catch him!"
Two men immediately stood up. They stepped forward. Quickly, their hands reached out, intending to grab Wuchen's shoulders.
But Wuchen moved first.
One step. His hand rose.
Grab!
He caught one of their wrists. Then—
Crack!
"Arrghhh!"
The man screamed. His wrist broke. He howled in pain and it wasn't over yet when—
Thud!
One punch struck his stomach. His body folded… then was thrown backward.
BANG!
The table shattered.
The second man was shocked. But before he could react—
Slap!
A hard slap landed on his face.
His body spun in the air… then crashed into the wall and stopped moving.
Silence immediately engulfed the entire eatery. Everyone was stunned. They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
Only Wuchen remained calm and stood there. As if nothing had happened.
He looked at the man who had been standing in front earlier.
"Now it's just you left."
Feeling belittled, the man glared. "Insolent!"
He drew his sword.
Whoosh!
A faint aura emanated from his body. Pressure spread. Some customers immediately retreated.
But Wuchen remained still. His eyes observed.
"Inner energy…"
The man charged.
His sword aimed straight for Wuchen's neck. The movement was extremely fast, accompanied by the sound of splitting wind. Indicating that in this attack, the thug had channeled his high inner energy.
However, seeing this ferocious attack, Wuchen did not retreat. He stepped forward. His hand reached out. A very simple movement. But—
Grab!
He caught the man's wrist, stopping the sword's movement completely.
"Ha?!"
The man was shocked. How was it possible? Without inner energy… he could stop his attack?
Wuchen twisted his hand.
Crack!
"Arrghhh!"
The sword fell. Wuchen raised his leg.
Thud!
A kick struck the burly man's chest, sending his body flying out of the eatery.
BANG!
The door shattered.
Silence.
Everyone was quiet. Wuchen turned to the waiter.
"Done."
The waiter was still stunned. "Ah… y-yes…"
Wuchen sat back down. As if nothing had happened. The old man beside him chuckled.
"Haha… eat for ten coins, work like a hundred coins."
Wuchen answered casually, "As long as it's paid."
*****
Outside the eatery… the man who had been thrown got up with difficulty. His face was covered in blood. His eyes were filled with rage.
"Insolent…!"
He turned to his subordinates. "We call Big Brother!"
One of them was shocked. "Big Brother? You mean… him?"
The man nodded.
"Yes! Let that kid know… who he's dealing with!"
They immediately left in a hurry, grimacing while holding their injured body parts.
*****
Meanwhile… inside the eatery, Wuchen poured water into his glass. He drank slowly. Calmly. As if the coming storm… meant nothing.
The old man beside him grinned. "Kid… your problem is getting bigger. And getting closer."
Wuchen put down his glass. And sighed helplessly, "Trouble comes by itself."
Then he looked toward the door and commented in an indifferent tone,
"In that case… I just need to settle it."
*****
Without Wuchen realizing it, at this moment in the corner of the eatery… A middle-aged man who had been silently watching, slowly smiled.
"Interesting…"
He stood up.
Then walked out without a sound.
*****
Elsewhere… Lin Xue'er stood on the roof of a building. The wind blew gently, making her clothes and long hair flutter.
A servant suddenly appeared and knelt behind her. "Young Miss, there is something I must report."
"What is it?" Lin Xue'er asked without turning.
"That young man has caused trouble again." The servant answered.
Lin Xue'er did not turn. "Again?"
The servant nodded, "Yes."
"What and how?"
The servant answered, "He defeated several people from the Black Wolf Group… without inner energy."
Silence.
Then, a faint smile appeared on Lin Xue'er's lips.
"Just how deep is he hiding?"
She looked toward the eatery with flashing eyes.
"Li Wuchen…"
To be continued