Chapter 326 - 252: A Tooth for a Tooth, Blood for Blood (Part 2)

Chapter 326: Chapter 252: A Tooth for a Tooth, Blood for Blood (Part 2)

Just as the ambitious Ono Shunyu prepared to move against Flower Square, Ota Masayuki received the news.

Ota Masayuki, seated at his table and calmly waiting for the ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’ to finish cooking, merely offered a cold smile. He then spoke to the ronin warrior who had brought the report.

"I know. Thank you for your trouble."

As soon as he finished speaking, someone from behind immediately handed over a purse of money.

The ronin warrior’s face lit up as he took it. He then rose and departed.

Ota Masayuki turned back, his attention returning to the gently steaming clay pot.

He, however, remained composed. But the old steward behind him, who had served him for many years, was growing restless.

"My lord, do you think Ono Shunyu can succeed in this operation?"

Without even looking up, Ota Masayuki said coolly, "Impossible."

"Why? Is Flower Square really that strong?"

"It’s not because of Flower Square. It’s because of Wu Liangchen." Ota Masayuki shifted into a more comfortable position, a look of deep apprehension crossing his face.

"I’ve realized he’s grown stronger. I knew he wouldn’t let things go after he returned, but I never imagined his revenge would be this swift and this ferocious."

"The loss of fifty-six East Sea Warriors, a Firearms Team among them, and they couldn’t even touch the hem of his clothes before being wiped out. Such a loss... I’m sure Ono Shunyu is nursing quite a headache right now."

At this, Ota Masayuki’s face filled with scorn and disdain.

"A pity that fool wouldn’t listen. I warned him then: the Monarch has come to annex all of Great Yan. His Majesty intends to become the ruler of all, not some bandit who relies on brute force to pillage."

"But he wouldn’t listen and insisted on provoking Wu Liangchen. Well, look where that’s gotten him. Now he has a tiger by the tail. Every eye in the Huangpu Guard is on him. If he dares show the slightest hint of weakness, the advantageous position he worked so hard to build will vanish completely."

"So, regarding this matter, your intention is..." the old steward said, his expression thoughtful.

Ota Masayuki didn’t answer directly. He merely gazed at the pot before him, where the famous Huangpu dish ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’ was simmering, and spoke coolly.

"To enjoy the most authentic ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall,’ one must let it simmer for at least six hours."

"I’ve already been waiting for over four hours. I hope the result will not be a disappointment."

The old steward was startled for a moment, but then he understood the unspoken meaning and quietly withdrew.

’He understood the meaning between Ota Masayuki’s words.’

’This matter had nothing to do with them. As the highest commander of the Huangpu Guard, Ono Shunyu would have to take full responsibility.’

’As for his master, rather than worrying about such trifles, he should be more concerned with whether the ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’ about to be served would be delicious.’

Just as Ota Masayuki had predicted, when the news spread, the entire underworld of the Huangpu Guard erupted.

"You gotta hand it to Master Wu, he’s a real badass. The moment he’s back, he crushes the morale of those Little East Sea punks. Truly incredible," someone said in admiration.

"See? I told you those Little East Sea bastards wouldn’t be running wild for long! Master Wu would never let them. With the old man here, every last one of them will be sent packing sooner or later. You all didn’t believe me then, but you believe me now, don’t you?" someone said smugly.

But these optimistic voices represented only a small minority. Far more people were deeply worried about what would happen next.

After all, the situation was complicated. The East Sea people would obviously not let this go.

Especially with those massive ships still floating out at sea. Many had personally witnessed the spectacle of thousands of cannons firing in unison.

Firepower of that magnitude was simply beyond what any person could withstand.

Not even Master Wu.

So, no one knew what would happen.

Among them were also the more ’prudent and experienced’ types, who secretly shook their heads, believing Wu Liangchen had acted far too rashly.

True, Old Man Bai’s death was tragic, but he was, after all, just a commoner who sold wontons. Was it really necessary to cause such an uproar over him?

And now, for the sake of one old man, he had made an enemy of the mighty East Sea nation. In their eyes, Wu Liangchen’s actions were utter folly.

And just as he became the subject of all this attention, Wu Liangchen returned to Flower Square.

When he appeared before the crowd, even Third Brother Xie jumped in shock.

He was covered head to toe in blood, as if he’d just been pulled from a vat of it. The sight was terrifying.

He carried a bundle on his back, from which blood dripped down. DRIP. DRIP. DRIP. No one knew what was inside.

"Xiao... Xiaowu, are you... are you okay?" Third Brother Xie asked, his voice full of shock and uncertainty.

"I’m fine. It’s not my blood," Wu Liangchen replied coolly, then strode toward the mourning hall.

By now, Old Man Bai’s body had been prepared for burial. Although they dared not hold a grand funeral, the room had been appropriately arranged for mourning.

When Wu Liangchen reached the memorial altar, he took the bundle off his back and emptied its contents.

It was several human skins, drenched in blood but otherwise perfectly intact—hands, feet, and even the faces were all there.

The crowd that followed him into the mourning hall erupted in a commotion. After all, the sight was beyond horrifying.

Wu Liangchen, however, seemed oblivious. He simply stacked the human skins before the altar, then looked up at the body on the funeral bed and said coolly,

"Old Man Bai, these are the skins of the men who killed you. There are a few more I haven’t found yet. But don’t you worry. I swear that within three days, I will have the skins of every last one of them. I’ll peel them off and lay them here, before your altar, to avenge you."

"By the way, my knife work is excellent. They were all still breathing until the very end. The pain they suffered was far greater than yours. Does that make you feel any better?"

As he finished, Wu Liangchen smiled.

But that smile, combined with his blood-soaked body and the stacks of human skin before the altar, was utterly chilling.

"Get hot water and fresh clothes ready for me," Wu Liangchen said over his shoulder.

Third Brother Xie nodded immediately. "It’s already been prepared."

"Good!"

Wu Liangchen turned and left to bathe.

After he was gone, Wen Yunlong and Yan Feng crept closer. They first examined the human skins carefully, then exchanged a look, seeing the same shock and admiration reflected in each other’s eyes.

From the moment Wu Liangchen left to the moment he returned, barely two hours had passed, yet he had already done something so earth-shattering.

’Is this the power of a man destined for great things?’

Meanwhile, as Wu Liangchen bathed and changed, Bai Erya was in a small, fragrant courtyard, her patience at its end. She snapped at the young followers blocking her way.

"Get out of my way! If you don’t move, believe me, I’ll tell your Brother Xiaowu all about this!"

The young followers looked miserable, but they didn’t dare defy her outright. They could only try to placate her.

"Miss Bai, it’s not that we’re trying to keep you here. It’s just... the situation outside is delicate. Third Brother gave us strict orders not to let you leave this alley."

"Fine. I won’t go out," Bai Erya snapped, truly furious now. "But you have to tell me where my father went. Why isn’t he back yet? Just tell me that, and I’ll turn right around and go back inside. How about it?"

Not having seen her father by now, a terrible feeling had begun to grow in Bai Erya’s heart.

The fact that she had been stopped every time she tried to leave only deepened her suspicion, and so, she had finally erupted.

How could the young followers dare tell her the truth? They were racking their brains for an excuse to placate her when a gentle voice sounded from behind them.

"Erya, don’t make things difficult for them."

Hearing that voice, Bai Erya froze, her body trembling as she looked up in disbelief.

Wu Mengchan, who was beside her, cried out in delighted surprise, "Brother?"

Yang Lian’Er, standing by the door, frowned slightly and murmured to herself,

"’Looks like things have ended badly for Uncle Bai.’"

The young followers, looking immensely relieved, immediately stepped aside, bowing respectfully.

"Brother Xiaowu!"

Wu Liangchen gave a slight nod, then walked over to Bai Erya. He spoke softly.

"Come. I’ll take you to him."