Chen Xiaobo stood to the side, utterly stunned.
It was the first time he had seen Chen Jiuyang in action, and he hadn't expected his cousin to be so violent, resorting to slapping someone at the slightest disagreement.
That single slap had knocked out the teahouse owner's teeth.
Chen Xiaobo's face immediately turned pale, and cold sweat streamed down his forehead. Chen Jiuyang's violence meant they were in serious trouble.
He quickly moved behind Chen Jiuyang, "Cousin, this teahouse owner has a powerful background. You can't fight local snakes with a strong dragon..."
He voiced his concerns, but the other man simply said indifferently, "What are you afraid of? One matter is one matter."
"Sit down and just watch."
Seeing Chen Jiuyang's calm expression, Chen Xiaobo gritted his teeth and sat down. This incident started because of him. Although Chen Xiaobo was a troublemaker, he was still a man and had some manly responsibility.
If the other party sought revenge later, Chen Xiaobo would face it with Chen Jiuyang.
The few thugs who had accompanied Chen Jiuyang and Chen Xiaobo earlier were also bewildered. Who exactly was this man?
He had beaten their boss and dared to sit there confidently, waiting for the boss to find someone for revenge.
"Bold!"
The teahouse owner, covering his face with a sinister look, stared at Chen Jiuyang.
Before long, a car stopped at the teahouse entrance. The teahouse owner hurried out to meet it. A moment later, the crisp sound of leather shoes echoed slowly through the teahouse hall.
The teahouse owner lost his earlier arrogance, becoming as docile as a quail.
Chen Jiuyang slowly turned around from his chair. There was no disappointment in his eyes, only a sigh, "Magistrate Hong, you have truly disappointed Chen."
Standing beside the teahouse owner was indeed Hong Baichuan, the magistrate of Ziyang County. This man had been present when Chen Jiuyang was enfeoffed as a Marquis, even congratulating him and inviting Chen Jiuyang to invest in Ziyang County, asking Chen Jiuyang to contribute to its economy.
Chen Jiuyang had thought he was a good official. He might be a good official, but everyone has flaws.
"Clunk!"
Upon seeing that the troublemaker was Chen Jiuyang, Hong Baichuan's heart sank. He smiled, "Isn't this Marquis Xuanyang? What wind blew you here?"
Chen Jiuyang smiled slyly. Was Hong Baichuan pretending not to know, or was he trying to cover this up, preventing them from falling out?
In this small Ziyang County, the most powerful figures were ostensibly Hong Baichuan and Chen Jiuyang himself, followed by the martial arts sects in Ziyang County.
Hong Baichuan clearly intended to smooth things over and avoid a confrontation with Chen Jiuyang. In Ziyang County, one represented the civil authority, and the other, the military.
The latter spoke with a stern voice, "Magistrate Hong, what is your relationship with this man? Do you know he runs a teahouse here for gambling and even swindles people out of their hard-earned money?"
Hong Baichuan's expression changed slightly, and he forced a smile, "Marquis Xuanyang, there might be some misunderstanding here. I have no connection with this person, please do not misunderstand."
Did this Chen Jiuyang intend to be so reckless and fall out with him? However, this teahouse owner was merely his nephew. It wouldn't be worth falling out with Chen Jiuyang over him.
Hearing Hong Baichuan's words, the teahouse owner's face completely changed. What did he mean? His own uncle couldn't afford to offend this young man?
Who exactly was this young man?
He was just an ordinary person in society, completely unaware of the existence of martial artists who achieved the level of Marquis.
The teahouse owner immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Chen Jiuyang looked at the two men before him and slowly smiled, "A teahouse owner can summon a county magistrate with a single phone call. Magistrate Hong, are you trying to bully Chen for being young and ignorant, or are you intentionally trying to deceive me, Marquis Xuanyang?"
By the end of the last sentence, Chen Jiuyang's voice had turned cold and stern.
Hong Baichuan's expression shifted several times. The Fengshan incident had shaken the entire Feng Province. As the magistrate of Ziyang County, how could he not know about it? When Chen Jiuyang was suspected of going berserk and entering the mountains, he had even mobilized the Six Doors constables of Ziyang County to search for Chen Jiuyang in the mountains.
He didn't understand much about martial arts matters, but he understood officialdom. He knew that Chen Jiuyang's wife, Lin Yuexian, was the legitimate daughter of Lin Xianxing, a high-ranking official in the Dragon Country.
Lin Xianxing's influence was immense, capable of inviting the Sword Bearers from Longjing and scaring away Zhou Fangzun, who held the title of King of Zhennan, forcing him to leave Feng Province and dare not trouble Chen Jiuyang.
Yes, Chen Jiuyang, as Marquis Xuanyang, had an unfathomable future. If Ziyang County was in chaos, and someone attacked Lin Xianxing, then Chen Jiuyang, to protect his reputation, would naturally manage Ziyang County properly.
He had inadvertently run into trouble.
Moreover, he was merely a seventh-rank magistrate. With a dragon in the abyss and a tiger nearby, how could he dare to be presumptuous?
Hong Baichuan took a deep breath, then turned around, raised his hand, and slapped the other side of the teahouse owner's face, reprimanding sternly, "You scoundrel, you've been abusing my influence in Ziyang County."
"Slap—"
The teahouse owner's other cheek was struck, and blood and teeth flew out.
Hong Baichuan cupped his fists and bowed to Chen Jiuyang, "Marquis Xuanyang, this is due to my poor supervision. My nephew has committed such illegal acts within Ziyang County. I will now call the Six Doors constables to arrest him. According to the laws of our Dragon Country, he will face his due consequences."
Chen Xiaobo was also dumbfounded. The magistrate of Ziyang County wasn't protecting his own nephew but was instead terrified of Chen Jiuyang like a tiger?
Was his cousin really that awesome?
Chen Jiuyang sneered. This Hong Baichuan was indeed skilled in officialdom. He didn't plead for mercy but instead handled the matter impartially. If he had pleaded, both the teahouse owner and Hong Baichuan would have faced more trouble, as it would have given Chen Jiuyang a reason to act.
Truly, shallow waters breed many turtles.
"Above are the heavens, below are rivers and seas. In the light, there is the law, in the dark, there are spirits." Chen Jiuyang said, "Everything must have a beginning and an end."
"Magistrate Hong, you've been in Ziyang County for quite some time. I'll give you three days to sort out your own affairs cleanly."
"Otherwise, with the law in place and duty calling, don't blame me for being impolite."
"Xiaobo, let's go."
After Chen Jiuyang left with Chen Xiaobo, Hong Baichuan revealed a bitter smile. Chen Jiuyang had shown him some consideration out of respect.
"Notify the Six Doors."
As they walked out of the teahouse, Chen Xiaobo's face flushed with excitement and he exclaimed, "Cousin, you're too awesome! If I use your name from now on, can I walk sideways in Ziyang County?"
Chen Jiuyang looked at him with a half-smile, "Using my name, you can not only walk sideways in Ziyang County but also in Fengcheng."
"Holy crap, that's awesome!" Chen Xiaobo gasped.
"Slap—" Chen Jiuyang slapped him directly across the face, his voice stern, "Chen Xiaobo, you disappoint me greatly. If you abuse the Chen family's reputation and act recklessly, I will be even harsher."
"If you are bullied, I will stand up for you, but if you break the law and act disorderly, I will be the first to deal with you."
Chen Xiaobo looked at Chen Jiuyang with a hint of fear in his eyes.
"Scram!" Chen Jiuyang roared, and Chen Xiaobo, covering his face, left.
Although Chen Jiuyang was now Marquis Xuanyang and held great power, with many people wanting to curry favor with him, Chen Jiuyang would not act recklessly or break the law. If he did, what would be the difference between him and Zhong Zhuiwu or Xi Butui?
This was not what Chen Jiuyang desired.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Applause sounded, and several martial artists, dressed in martial robes and exuding an imposing aura, walked out from nearby.
"Well done, Marquis Xuanyang, for upholding justice and acting impartially. You truly command our admiration."
"Is Marquis Xuanyang's action a form of wandering through the mortal world to comprehend the martial path? If so, we can help you."