Example money, also known as settlement money, was the protection fee that nearby gangs collected from the common people.
The City Guard Department had always turned a blind eye to such matters, giving their tacit approval.
"Example money? Didn't we just pay a few days ago?"
Glancing at the eagle-shaped insignia on the dark-faced man's sleeve, Chen Cheng frowned slightly.
The example money for Locust Tree Lane and the few nearby alleys had always been collected by the Chishui Gang, while the Flying Eagle Gang's territory was the several alleys next door.
"From today on, the Flying Eagle Gang is in charge of this area. Only we can collect the example money."
Seeing Chen Cheng holding his Constable's Saber, the dark-faced man's expression remained cold. After taking over this area, he had already investigated the residents' backgrounds thoroughly.
The thin young man before him was nothing more than a lowly Prison Guard.
Soldiers, attendants, guards, braves... A Prison Guard was no street patrol constable. To Jianghu Gangs like them, he was no different from a commoner.
"But, the example money I gave to the Chishui Gang before..." Chen Cheng looked troubled.
Behind the dark-faced man, a subordinate with a weaselly face glared fiercely at Chen Cheng and cursed loudly, "When you're told to pay, you pay! Cut the crap! We wiped out the Chishui Gang two days ago! You little punk, you dare play dumb in front of our Master Biao? Believe it or not, I'll send you to the Underworld to keep the Chishui Gang company!"
Clashes between Jianghu Gangs were common, but Chen Cheng had been completely focused on his Cultivation of the Wind Chasing Saber Technique these past two days and hadn't heard the news.
Previously, the Chishui Gang only collected thirty cents for the example money from each household, but this Flying Eagle Gang was actually demanding fifty cents. It seemed they were even more tyrannical and overbearing.
After a moment of thought, Chen Cheng could only silently curse his bad luck.
"Alright, wait a moment. I'll go home and get the money."
With that, he closed the courtyard gate.
He had the fifty cents on him, but one should never flaunt their wealth. For a Little Prison Guard like him, fifty cents was two or three days' salary. He couldn't act too casual about it. Saying he had to go home to get the money was a way to feign poverty and keep others from getting ideas.
The men from the Flying Eagle Gang seemed to think Chen Cheng would be difficult to deal with, so they had deliberately knocked on the Chen Family's gate first. Since Chen Cheng obediently went home to get the money, they split up and started knocking on doors, house by house.
He walked a lap around the courtyard, and once he figured enough time had passed, Chen Cheng opened the gate again.
The weaselly-faced man was waiting at the entrance, a look of impatience on his face. He grumbled, "You punk, what took you so long to get the money? Are you trying to mess with me?"
People from Jianghu Gangs were always unreasonable. Chen Cheng, of course, wouldn't provoke him. He put on a smile and handed over the money.
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Here you go, sir."
Hou Gui took the money. Seeing Chen Cheng's extremely submissive posture, he finally let out a sinister chuckle.
"You're a smart one, kid! Keep your eyes peeled next time. Let me tell you who I am—I'm Hou Gui, one of Master Biao's men in the Flying Eagle Gang. You can call me Marquis Hou."
After taking the money, Hou Gui went to knock on other people's doors.
The residents of Locust Tree Lane were all poor families. Chen Cheng could afford the example money, but other families found themselves in a tight spot.
Several households couldn't pay. Without another word, Zhou Biao and his men stormed into their homes, ransacking them and taking valuables to cover the example money.
If there was truly nothing of value, they were met with a beating and a round of curses.
"Sir, I only have thirty cents in cash right now. My husband and son went out of the city to cut firewood. Once they come back and sell it, I'll pay the rest of the example money."
"Hmph! Who knows if you're telling the truth? You've got all this millet and these eggs at home, and you still dare tell me you have no money?"
"Sir, my daughter-in-law just gave birth! She had a difficult delivery and is weak and drained. This millet and these eggs are to help her recover her strength. They're life-saving!"
"Cut the crap. If you dare try to stop me again, don't blame me for being rough."
"Sir..."
....
Auntie Cuihua pleaded desperately, but Zhou Biao paid her no mind.
Auntie Cuihua's husband was named Wang Laoshu, and her son was Wang Chun. Both father and son worked at the sand quarry by the Jishui River.
Normally, with the wages earned by Wang Laoshu and his son, their family got by just fine.
But now, in the midst of a winter disaster, there was no work at the quarry, and their family had fallen on hard times.
The Wang Family and the Chens' were on good terms. Wang Laoshu had even borrowed money from Father Chen before and always paid it back on time.
Auntie Cuihua also looked out for Mu Xiaowan on a daily basis.
'So be it. A man must have his principles.' Chen Cheng sighed to himself and strode toward the Wang Family's home.
"Master Biao, I'll cover the example money that Auntie Cuihua owes."
"Well, look at you. You're quite the bleeding heart, kid." Taking the twenty cents Chen Cheng handed him, Zhou Biao's eyes held a hint of mockery.
Chen Cheng forced a smile. "Auntie Cuihua has helped my family a lot. I can't just stand by and watch her suffer."
"Since you're such a bleeding heart, why don't you pay off the example money for everyone else in the lane!" Zhou Biao's expression suddenly darkened as he spoke in a cold voice.
"You must be joking, Master Biao. My family isn't doing well either. We're so poor we can barely afford to eat. Where would I get extra money?"
Chen Cheng replied, his face a mask of difficulty.
"Hmph! You old hag, I'll let it slide this time."
Zhou Biao shot a glare at Auntie Cuihua, spat out the words viciously, and turned to leave.
Auntie Cuihua hurriedly thanked Chen Cheng profusely. Wang Chun's wife also dragged her weak body out of the house to express her gratitude.
Chen Cheng smiled and offered a few words of comfort, telling them they could pay him back slowly whenever they had the money, and that there was no rush.
Coming out of the Wang Family's home, he saw Widow Tian leaning against her own courtyard gate, flirting coquettishly as she spoke with Zhou Biao.
Zhou Biao stared intently at Widow Tian. After they spoke for a moment, Zhou Biao followed her into the courtyard.
"You're Ma Liu, right? Get the hell out of my sight. And don't let me see you in Locust Tree Lane ever again."
Ma Liu was thrown out of Widow Tian's courtyard. His limbs, which had been broken by Chen Cheng before, had just started to heal. Now, after crashing to the ground, they were broken again.
As a common street punk, how would he dare cross a Jianghu Gang leader? He lowered his head submissively, begged for mercy repeatedly, and finally limped away.
After taking a few steps, Ma Liu suddenly turned his head to look toward the Chen Family's gate, his eyes filled with venomous hatred.
Chen Cheng's brow furrowed sharply.
...
...
"Brother Cheng, are you alright?" Mu Xiaowan asked with concern, seeing Chen Cheng return home lost in thought.
Chen Cheng smiled and said gently, "I'm fine. The Chishui Gang was wiped out by the Flying Eagle Gang. Now the Flying Eagle Gang is collecting the example money. I paid it, so they shouldn't bother our family."
Mu Xiaowan said, "That's good. Brother Cheng, I'll go make dinner."
"You just go ahead and cook for yourself. I have something to do, so I'll eat out," Chen Cheng said, stopping her.
"You're eating out?" Mu Xiaowan looked puzzled.
Chen Cheng smiled. "I know Brother Liao San and the others from the City Guard Department. I'm going to talk to them about something and grab a meal with them."
Mu Xiaowan was incredibly perceptive and understood at once. By treating Brother Liao San to a meal, Brother Cheng was making preparations to deal with the Flying Eagle Gang.
"Mm."
...
After leaving Locust Tree Lane, Ma Liu didn't dare linger nearby. He limped along, hurrying on his way.
He was a local thug who had offended many people in the past. Now that he was injured, he was afraid of running into his enemies, so he avoided the main streets and stuck to deserted alleyways.
After walking for a while, just as he reached a deserted and quiet alley, he suddenly heard a noise behind him.
Just as he was about to turn and look, a cold gust of wind struck...
THUD!
Someone slammed into Ma Liu violently from behind. He tumbled to the ground, his head happening to strike a slate flagstone. Blood and brain matter instantly splattered, and he breathed his last.
...
'Letting that bastard die so quickly... I'm still too soft-hearted!'
Chen Cheng walked briskly out of the alley. Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he finally untied the cloth strip covering his face.