"My friend, since... since you say you have no grievance in your heart, why do you keep hitting him?"
Fu Luoyang, as a bystander, was the most perplexed. Seeing Ji Xiu strike again, he couldn't help but ask with a look of sincere curiosity. As he spoke, the stagnant air in the courtyard began to flow again.
The others looked at Fu Luoyang in disbelief: You call this "no grievance"? However, they also understood Ji Xiu. He was the son-in-law of the Sixth Miss. Madame Shen had acted tyrannically and caused the death of Wang Yuniang. It was only natural for Ji Xiu to strike back on behalf of his wife. But this Martial Arts Alliance young master... was he blind or just incredibly naive?
In the dead silence, Ji Xiu let out a soft sigh. He looked up, his face full of regret. "Young Hero Fu has a keen eye. To tell the truth, I indeed have no personal grievance against the Young Master. Madame Shen’s sins are her own; they have nothing to do with him. The reason I cannot help but strike him is out of righteous indignation."
He looked around the room with a look of disappointment. "As you all know, I once saved Master Shen’s life, which led to my marriage. Now, Master Shen has been gone for only a month, and the Young Master cannot even wait for the mourning period to end before dallying with concubines. Such unfilial behavior is a disgrace to the title of a son! It makes my blood boil."
He paused, then asked the crowd, "Think about it. If you just died and your son ran off to sleep with concubines, wouldn't you be angry?"
The faces of the onlookers turned solemn. Some even nodded in agreement. Of course, they'd be furious! They'd jump out of their coffins! Ji Xiu continued smoothly, "I know Master Shen’s spirit in heaven must be fuming. Therefore, I am merely disciplining the son on behalf of the father! Against the Young Master himself, I have no malice."
Fu Luoyang came to a sudden realization. "Brother Ji, you are truly a man of high integrity!"
With that sentence, Ji Xiu’s actions were defined. He wasn't seeking petty revenge; he was acting as a proxy for the deceased father. As for the fact that Ji Xiu was younger than the man he was hitting? No one mentioned it. When the Martial Arts Alliance speaks, the truth follows.
Ji Xiu smiled and cupped his hands. "Young Hero Fu, you flatter me."
Fu Luoyang hurriedly returned the gesture, insisting he was only stating the truth. The others were speechless. Ji Xiu found Fu Luoyang increasingly interesting—this "naive" young master was a breath of fresh air.
Within moments, the two had exchanged names and addresses and become "friends." Ji Xiu’s lips curled into a smile. "Since we are friends, Brother Fu, please help me bear witness to what comes next."
Behind Fu Luoyang, his subordinates tried to pull at his sleeves to get him away from this drama. Fu Luoyang glared them into silence, leaving them to watch their young master become a "knife" in someone else's hand.
Ji Xiu turned back to the Shen Young Master. "Since you cannot manage the Shen family, it is better to choose a more capable leader."
"Impossible!" the Young Master roared.
"You're dreaming!" Madame Shen added.
Ji Xiu sneered. "Whether it is possible or not is no longer up to you."
Ji Xiu looked at the trembling Manager He. "Manager He, please gather the elders of the Shen clan. Tomorrow, we shall select a new head of the Shen family!"
Manager He looked at Ji Xiu's cold eyes, gritted his teeth, and replied, "I will find them as soon as it is dawn."
Madame Shen was livid at the betrayal, but Manager He stood his ground. He knew Ji Xiu's martial arts were high enough to terrify the local magistrate. The Shen family was in decline; fighting Ji Xiu was suicide.
As the word spread, the Shen household fell into a feverish state. The concubines' sons, long oppressed by Madame Shen, felt a surge of hope. They lit candles and stayed up all night, plotting and hoping. Some even snuck out to the Yuelai Inn to pay their respects to Ji Xiu and Shen Lang.
…
The next morning, the Shen courtyard was packed with elders and clan members. Madame Shen and her son arrived last, trying to maintain an air of authority.
"Toads thinking of eating swan meat," Madame Shen sneered at the concubines' sons. "Do you think you're worthy?"
The Second Young Master, emboldened by the situation, shot back: "Better than a brother who dallys during mourning. At least we are filial."
Madame Shen’s face turned iron-blue. She ordered her butler to slap the Second Young Master, but in the ensuing scuffle, a servant accidentally knocked over an elderly clan elder.
"Stop!" the prestigious Second Uncle stood up, trembling with rage. "Madame Shen, we elders are still alive. The Shen family is not yours to rule!"
The Shen Young Master, seeing his mother losing, stood up and barked, "You old farts! My father respected you, but don't think you're actually important! I'll have you thrown out! This family is mine!"
Madame Shen gasped, trying to pull him back. "Shut up! They are your elders!"
But the damage was done. The elders were red-faced with fury. "You... you beast!"
…
At that moment, Ji Xiu, Shen Lang, and Ji Zian arrived. They were greeted by the managers, whose eyes were filled with fear and respect.
Ji Xiu walked in as Madame Shen was desperately trying to apologize to the elders. He interrupted her with a calm voice: "It certainly is lively here."
Madame Shen’s face turned seven shades of color. To be caught apologizing by the man she hated most was a bitter pill to swallow.
"Ji Xiu, you still dare to come here!"
Ji Xiu’s gaze was cold. "Why wouldn't I dare? I haven't murdered anyone, nor have I sought pleasure during mourning."
Madame Shen’s face froze. "Do not go too far..."
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