Chapter 51: Clearly Trying to Extort

Xu Mo had absolutely no recollection of Zhang Black Dog, so he was momentarily taken aback, then turned to ask Qin Wooden, “Wooden, who is this man?”

Qin Wooden was also caught off guard by the question. “Master, if you don’t know him, how would I?”

Xu Mo then turned back, sizing up Zhang Black Dog. “And you are?”

Zhang Black Dog was very surprised. In the past, if Xu Mo had seen him, he would have immediately taken a detour to avoid him. But now Xu Mo dared to act as if he didn’t even exist. The only explanation, Zhang thought, was that Xu Mo had come into money and grown bolder.

“Well, Xu Mo! You’re really putting on airs now that you’ve made it, and you even dare to ignore your Grandpa Zhang!” Zhang Black Dog sneered coldly.

No sooner had he spoken than someone at his side shouted, “Xu Mo, enough with your act in front of our brother Black Dog! You think you’re someone now?”

Hearing this, Xu Mo finally realized that this must be the notorious local ruffian, Zhang Black Dog.

A wave of disgust welled up in Xu Mo as he cast a cold glance at Zhang’s face. “So, you’re Zhang Black Dog!”

By now, Zhang Black Dog had lost interest in pointless banter. He gave a look to one of his companions, who nodded, then immediately collapsed at Xu Mo’s feet, clutching his belly and wailing, “Aiyo! I’ve been hit! Assault in broad daylight...”

With that, the bystanders all turned to look. Xu Mo and his companions instantly became the center of attention.

Zhang Black Dog stood akimbo and said, “Xu Mo, my brother was talking to you nicely, so why did you hit him without provocation?”

“That’s right! We greeted you out of goodwill, so how could you just attack someone?” others chimed in.

Soon, more voices echoed in Xu Mo’s ears.

Xu Mo took in the scene in silence, but his brow furrowed deeply. So this was the trap laid for him.

Qin Wooden, never having faced such a situation, grew flustered and shouted, “My master didn’t hit anyone! He just fell over by himself! We didn’t even touch him! They’re framing my master!”

Xu Mo patted Qin Wooden’s shoulder gently and said calmly, “Wooden, these people are clearly trying to extort me. Don’t waste your breath.”

Qin Wooden fell silent, glaring angrily at Zhang Black Dog and his cronies.

Zhang glanced at his companion on the ground and said, “Xu Mo, all these witnesses saw you injure him. Are you still going to deny it?”

Xu Mo didn’t rush to reply, his expression steady.

Zhang Black Dog went on, “Never mind anything else. You hurt someone, so you have to pay for medicine at least! Otherwise, you’re not leaving! Am I right, everyone?”

As soon as he finished, the men beside him loudly voiced their agreement.

By now, the crowd had grown, and many recognized Zhang Black Dog and his gang for the scoundrels they were. Zhang’s “Am I right, everyone?” was meant to incite the crowd, hoping to get some support from the unwitting onlookers.

But the crowd did not react as he expected. They dared not speak out, only whispered among themselves from a distance. Most voices were sympathetic toward Xu Mo, some shaking their heads and sighing that he had the misfortune to provoke Zhang Black Dog.

Xu Mo gave a cold laugh. “So, all this trouble just to extort money?”

Zhang Black Dog replied shamelessly, “Xu Mo, you hurt someone, so you must pay for medicine. That’s only right!”

“You want money? Name your price, then...” Xu Mo said.

Qin Wooden was shocked and tugged Xu Mo’s sleeve. “Master, he’s extorting us! We can’t give him money!”

Xu Mo turned and whispered, “Wooden, don’t say anything. I know what I’m doing.”

Qin Wooden fell quiet.

Zhang Black Dog, feeling smug, thought Xu Mo wasn’t so tough after all—just a little intimidation and he’d cave.

“Ten strings!” Zhang demanded.

At this, the crowd exploded.

“Ten strings? That’s outrageous!”

“Yeah, that’d last me years...”

“My god, Zhang Black Dog really dares ask for anything...”

Xu Mo calmly drew a silver ingot worth ten taels from his robe and dangled it in front of Zhang Black Dog.

The sight of the silver made Zhang’s eyes shine, and he instantly regretted not asking for more. He stepped forward, hand outstretched, thinking, I’ll take the ten taels now, and after I rough him up a bit, I’ll squeeze more out of him!

But just then, Xu Mo tucked the silver safely back into his robe.

Zhang Black Dog’s face darkened with rage. “Xu Mo, are you looking for trouble? Daring to play tricks on your Grandpa Zhang!”

Xu Mo looked around, then raised his voice. “Zhang Black Dog, isn’t it money you want? Fine! Not just ten strings, even a hundred I could give you!”

Zhang Black Dog was secretly puzzled, not sure what Xu Mo was up to.

Xu Mo continued, “Listen carefully, Zhang Black Dog. If you kowtow three times, the ten taels of silver are yours. If you kowtow three more times, I’ll give you another ten taels. How about it? Quite a bargain, isn’t it?”

Zhang Black Dog was stunned, then erupted in fury. “Xu Mo, you really don’t know what it means to die!”

With that, he pointed at Xu Mo and shouted, “Brothers, get him!”

At his command, his men rushed at Xu Mo, even the one pretending to be injured leaping up to join the fray.

Seeing the fight about to start, Xu Mo quickly stepped back and shouted, “Wooden, they’re all yours!”

Qin Wooden had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Without hesitation, he charged forward and began to brawl with the gang.

Soon, the street was filled with screams and wails—the cries of Zhang Black Dog’s lackeys.

Zhang had brought five men, but in the blink of an eye, only he was left standing. The rest were sprawled all over the ground, groaning in pain.

Never in his wildest dreams did Zhang Black Dog imagine this youth could be so terrifying—taking down five men single-handedly, and with such ease.

Realizing he was now alone, Zhang Black Dog began to panic. He started backing away in tiny steps, clearly trying to escape.

Xu Mo would not let him get away so easily. He shouted, “Wooden, don’t let him run!”

Startled, Zhang Black Dog turned and fled.

Qin Wooden dashed after him. “He’s not getting away, master!”

Before he finished speaking, he’d already caught up to Zhang Black Dog, grabbed him firmly by the collar, and with a single yank, sent him flying.

With a pitiful yelp, Zhang Black Dog crashed heavily to the ground, limbs splayed, a picture of abject misery.

Just then, someone in the crowd began to clap and cheer.

The sound quickly spread, and soon the street rang with thunderous applause and shouts of approval.

Zhang Black Dog and his gang had been bullying and running amok in the city for years, earning everyone’s deep hatred. Now at last, someone had stood up to them—a moment that filled the people with joy and satisfaction.

Lying on the ground, Zhang Black Dog was seeing stars, his back throbbing with pain. Suddenly, someone came over and, without a word, straddled him.

Zhang Black Dog looked up and saw Xu Mo, and shrieked in horror, “Xu Mo, you dare—”

Before he could finish, Xu Mo’s fist smashed into his nose.

Then, Xu Mo rained punches on him like a downpour.

Once again, the street was filled with wailing and howls!