Chapter 120: Take My Punch

"Cousin?" Chishui asked.

"Yes, cousin, come back quickly. I've been beaten," Chimu shouted over the phone.

Chishui paused, then asked, "What happened?"

"Don't ask, just get over here. This kid is tough; he injured over a dozen of my men in a single move. If you don't come, I'm finished."

Hearing this, Chishui felt a sense of helplessness. He had no desire to get involved in his cousin's messy affairs. Although he had been in the military for the past few years, he was well aware of his cousin's behavior. Relying on his status as a village leader, Chimu often gathered family members to run rampant across the seven towns of Danzou County. Chishui had warned him that times had changed and his title held no real weight, and that pushing too far would only bring disaster upon himself and the family. But Chimu never cared, continuing his bullying ways, leaving Chishui at a loss.

For one, the clan’s younger generation and some of the elders still held the "village leader" title in high regard and supported him. For another, Chimu had done him favors in the past. Whenever Chishui spoke too sternly, Chimu would accuse him of being ungrateful, which gave Chishui a headache and forced him to let it be.

This time, Chishui had returned to treat his cousin to a meal as a gesture of gratitude for his past financial support, only to stumble upon him getting into a fight. The opponent was exceptionally strong, and Chimu’s men were no match. Seeing his cousin losing, Chimu had begged for help. Chishui felt he couldn't just watch his cousin suffer, so he had intervened. To his surprise, the man was incredibly skilled; Chishui had to use all his abilities to defeat and severely injure him. He felt a pang of guilt afterward, but he had no choice given the opponent's strength. After the fight, he had warned Chimu to stop causing trouble and left, wanting nothing more to do with it.

Now that Chimu was calling again, Chishui didn't want to answer. But after weighing his options, he couldn't bring himself to abandon his cousin entirely. Sighing, he turned his car around and told Chimu he was on his way.

After hanging up, Chimu wore a triumphant expression. With his cousin coming, none of these people would get away.

Meanwhile, inside the shop, A-Duo said to Lu Ming in a panic, "Brother, you should leave quickly! Chimu is very powerful and has many clansmen. If you don't go now, you won't be able to leave later."

Lu Ming smiled and said, "It's fine. I haven't finished my noodles yet. Bring me five more bowls, and make them spicy."

A-Duo stomped her feet in anxiety. "Brother, what time do you think it is? How can you still be thinking about food? Hurry and find a way to run!"

While A-Duo was anxious, Wang Zeyan and his group remained calm. With this master promising to protect them, they felt secure even if an entire army arrived.

"Go cook the noodles. I haven't eaten in a month," Lu Ming said with a smile.

A-Duo bit her lip, looking at Lu Ming. The anxious expression on her delicate face made Lu Ming’s heart skip a beat.

"Go ahead and eat then, see what happens later." Seeing that Lu Ming wouldn't listen, she stomped her feet and ran to the kitchen. She knew that Chimu’s men were already surrounding the place; it would be hard to leave. Although Lu Ming seemed capable, Chimu had strength in numbers. A single person could only do so much, and she feared Lu Ming would be the one to suffer.

Watching her, Lu Ming smiled. He turned to Wang Zeyan and the others and said slowly, "Dressing like that, don't be surprised when flies keep following you."

Lele, Yaoyao, Wang Zeyan, and the others blushed. They knew exactly who Lu Ming was referring to, and the girls felt extremely embarrassed. Lu Ming shook his head and ignored them; if not for his desire to vet the Yanlong unit, he wouldn't have bothered with such nonsense.

Before long, A-Duo returned with a furrowed brow, serving more noodles. Lu Ming dug in with gusto. Just as he was finishing his fifth bowl, Chimu walked in, accompanied by a tall, upright young man. The man was about 1.8 meters tall, with a cold expression and a posture as straight as a spear, exuding a distinct aura.

Chimu arrogantly declared, "Kid, if you've got guts, try picking a fight with my cousin."

Lu Ming glanced at Chishui, who stood behind Chimu. He slurped down the rest of his noodles, and as if it wasn't enough, he lifted the bowl to drink the broth before smacking his lips and saying, "That hits the spot."

"Damn it, I'm talking to you! Are you deaf?" Chimu shouted in a rage.

Only then did Lu Ming turn to him and ask, "Is this your cousin, the Special Forces captain and prospective member of Yanlong?"

Chishui stepped forward and said, "Sir, I am standing here as a member of the Chi family, not in my professional capacity."

Lu Ming nodded slightly. "Not bad. At least you aren't using your position to bully others."

"So, how do you intend to resolve this?" Lu Ming asked.

"Hmph," Chimu sneered. "Kneel, apologize to me, and pay for my men's medical expenses, and I'll let you go."

"Oh," Lu Ming said indifferently. "Is that your intention too?" He asked Chishui.

Chishui frowned. Chimu had told him the story on the way. After Chishui left, Chimu hadn't been satisfied and had pursued the group here, only to run into another expert who had injured a dozen of his clansmen. Hearing this, Chishui wanted to slap his cousin. He had warned him not to cause trouble, yet Chimu wouldn't listen and had gotten himself beaten again. He had tried to walk away, but Chimu begged him, claiming that if he couldn't reclaim this face, he couldn't remain the village leader, even implying that Chishui was ungrateful.

Chishui had sighed and agreed. Seeing the question directed at him, he said, "Regardless, you injured many of my clansmen. An apology is the least you can do." As a member of the Chi family, seeking justice for his people wasn't unreasonable. He intended to get an apology and a symbolic payment, help his cousin save face, and be done with it. He thought his terms were fair.

However, Lu Ming smiled. "And what about the fact that you injured my friend?" He looked at Zhao Bing.

Upon hearing Lu Ming call them friends, Zhao Bing, Wang Zeyan, and the others beamed with pride.

Chishui frowned. "Your friend was very strong. I had to use all my strength to defeat him, and perhaps I was too heavy-handed; I apologize to him. But you injured my clansmen, and you must apologize as well."

"And what if I refuse?" Lu Ming asked calmly.

Chimu interjected, "Cousin, why waste words with him? Break his legs, and I'll deal with him."

Chishui glared at his cousin, then said to Lu Ming, "I'm afraid that won't do."

"Heh," Lu Ming chuckled. "How about this: if you can take one punch from me, I'll apologize and even kneel if you want. As for the compensation, just name your price, and I won't say a word. Does that work?"

"Ha! What an arrogant kid! My cousin is a Special Forces captain and a prospective Yanlong member; his skills are unmatched! You're telling him to take a punch? Aren't you afraid of biting your own tongue?" Chimu mocked.

Chishui, however, looked cautious. He wasn't as arrogant as his cousin. Lu Ming’s calm demeanor, even knowing his background, suggested he wasn't just posturing but possessed real ability. Nevertheless, Chishui was a master at the Xiantian realm; he feared no one in this world except for Grandmasters.

Chishui said slowly, "Very well. I will take your punch. If I can take it, you apologize to my clansmen. If I cannot, I will leave immediately and never interfere in your affairs again."

Lu Ming nodded with a smile.

Chishui turned to the side and said, "Let’s take this outside."