"Turns out you guys are just here to get fucked up."
The men wearing black suits all looked at each other before looking at their friend, who was now almost planted on the side of the garbage chute. Some of them already knew that they might have a problem with their current target, aka Yun Hao. But they have been following him for a few hours now, and there weren't any indications that he was a Cultivator.
But seeing as their friend was now lying unconscious literally beside garbage-- perhaps they were wrong? No. They were sure of it, this tall young man in front of them wasn't a Cultivator. If he was, then their friend would already be dead instead of just fast asleep.
"Do you know who you're messing with, boy?" The tallest and biggest one of the group slightly stepped forward, "We're part of the Vengeful Serpent gang."
The tall man unbuttoned his collars, showing a tattoo towards Yun Hao. Yun Hao's expression quickly changed as he heard the man's words.
"...A gang?" He muttered.
Hearing the concern in Yun Hao's tone, the tall man let out a small smirk, "That's right. We're one of the biggest gangs here in this little city. If you know what's good for you, then you'll probably just leave all of your money and go."
"Do you have a Cultivator in your gang?"
"What? Why would we--"
Before the tall man could even finish his words, he felt his vision darken. Luckily for him, before he could feel his head hit the ground due to his legs giving out, he already lost consciousness. How is that lucky? One might wonder.
He was lucky enough that he was already out for what was about to come next.
With their number now almost halved, the rest of the group could only look at each other in bewilderment. They were confident in successfully robbing this young muscular man because they had an even bigger thug with them. But alas, that thug was now lying unconscious on the ground as well.
Like with their first friend, they also weren't able to see what the young man just did. The only thing they knew was that he was now in some sort of fighting stance. Perhaps they really did make a mistake?
"Are you… Is the good sir perhaps a Cultivator?" One of the men stuttered. His previous arrogant tone was now completely gone, replaced by a meek but respectful voice.
"Pft," Yun Hao only let out a light chuckle before suddenly disappearing from the man's view.
"!!!" The man blinked a couple of times, trying to see where Yun Hao went. His eyes did not have to wander long, however, as Yun Hao was just slightly below him, his elbows tucked in.
"Wha--" Before the man could even say another word, Yun Hao suddenly moved up, and along with it, his fist which went straight towards the man's jaw. Once again, the rest of the Vengeful Serpent gang could only stare at their friend, whose body was slowly falling to the ground while a bunch of his teeth fell with him.
And then, there were 3.
"P… please forgive us!"
Yun Hao was about to rush towards the nearest member, but before he could do so, the group suddenly kowtowed on the ground, "We didn't know you were a Cultivator! You looked so poor that it didn't cross our--"
"Shut up, are you trying to get us killed?"
"I-- We… We were blind and could not see Mt. Tai."
"The fuck is Mount Tai?" Yun Hao slowly removed his stance as he watched as the 3 remaining members of the Vengeful Serpent gang repeatedly banged their heads on the ground.
It would seem that they were mistaking him as a Cultivator, "...", slowly, a smile started to crawl on Yun Hao's face. He then slowly pulled back his hair, revealing the huge scar adorning the left side of his face.
"!!!"
The three who had seen this all started to let out stuttered gasps. It would seem that they really drew the short end of the stick here. Who said this young man wasn't a Cultivator!? Bring whoever said that so they could hit them in the face repeatedly-- they all thought.
Yun Hao then let out a long and deep sigh. "Yes. I am a Cultivator."
Like a nail finally being hammered through them, the three all widened their eyes in unison as they once again let out gasps of shock. One of them even started whimpering, praying that his mother saved him.
"P… please, master. We--"
"It's alright."
Before they could even finish their words, Yun Hao gestured for them to stand up. The three were reluctant at first, but seeing as they were being ordered to do so, it was not like they had any choice on the matter… 'less they want to end up like their friends.
The three all stood up at the same time. "What do you want us… to do, master?" One of them quickly bowed his head.
"Nothing," Yun Hao quickly replied, "I just hope that none of you remember my face after you wake up."
"What do you mean--" Were the last words the two heard before the three of them lost consciousness almost at the same time.
Yun Hao, who was now surrounded by 6 unconscious men, could not help but let out another sigh as he patted his hands clean. He should probably stay away from this market for a while, he doesn't really know how many members this Vengeful Serpent gang had. Best to return here once he becomes a real Cultivator.
Yun Hao then kneeled on the ground, placing two of his fingers on one of the men's neck. After a few seconds, he then let out a satisfied nod as he did the same with the rest of the members of the gang.
"Good, everyone seems healthy." Yun Hao let out another huge breath as he retrieved his bags. He was supposed to get more coins from his humble house, but alas, it would seem he had to delay it until tomorrow.
He only had one more week of break before Tsinghai High School starts probing him. He must make double the effort if he wants to become a Cultivator before he returns.
Yun Hao took one more glance towards the members of the Vengeful Serpent before finally leaving the alley and making his way back home. Fortunately, no more men in black suits approached him on the way home, if there were, then Yun Hao might just snap.
Back in the scrapyard, Yun Hao waved his hand towards the workers who were throwing and arranging all the junk everywhere. However, none of them waved back, instead just lowering their heads and ignoring Yun Hao.
It had always been like this ever since he was thrown from his apartment. Probably another courtesy by his former best friend. He could only curse himself for being blind and not seeing Long Yazhu for who he really is.
Yun Hao continued to walk deeper into the scrapyard, where no workers tend to go-- near his house. Perhaps it was also a blessing, as none of them would even bother him and his house, which was still filled with probably more than a million yuan.
If only he could also cancel his duplication powers, then he wouldn't even have to trouble himself in distributing them-- Yun Hao thought as he let out a long and deep sigh. This sigh, however, was quickly interrupted as he heard a clanging noise coming from the direction of his house.
"!!!"
Yun Hao hurried his steps, rushing through the several scraps and cars littered along the way.
"Who's there!?" Yun Hao hollered as he reached the perimeter of his house.
"Eek!"
And there, in front of his house made of scraps, was a tall red-haired woman.
"...Miss Song?"
Song Jian, mentioned a few chapters back. First appearance doe.
As always, thank you for reading. Expect another chap tomorrow!