Chapter 157: Third Master Feng?

In the end, Zheng Zhi took a deep breath, while her gaze firmed up.

“Daoist Master Yanchu, you saved my life. I shouldn’t trouble you further... but right now, I truly can’t go on like this. I want to divorce Sun Ping.”

Though gentle and virtuous by nature, Zheng Zhi was clearly a woman who had her own opinions.

Li Yanchu smiled faintly. “Congratulations, you’re out of the sea of suffering.”

His earlier words had actually been somewhat leading.

While it’s often said

it’s better to ruin ten temples than destroy one marriage

, Li Yanchu had no respect for men who could gamble away even their wives. That crossed every line.

Of course, if Zheng Zhi still held hope for Sun Ping, he wouldn’t have said more. Everyone had their fate; who knows, perhaps the couple was secretly deeply in love.

“Kindness of heart can ruin your life,” Li Yanchu said. “Don’t come to your senses now, only to get confused again later. I’ll give you a sum of silver to help with the divorce. You deserve a man who will truly cherish you. Once this is over, don’t cling to false hope and repeat your mistake.”

For some reason, when Li Yanchu looked at this woman named Zheng Zhi, she felt familiar. He had once known a friend who had shown mercy again and again, only to meet a tragic end.

“I will follow your guidance, sir,” Zheng Zhi replied softly.

After that, the rest was simple.

Li Yanchu didn’t go directly to that gambling den owner, Third Master Feng.

Instead, he called on Head Constable Wang from the county office, and the head of a major local gang.

He and Head Constable Wang were well-acquainted, and Li Yanchu had solved many cases involving malevolent spirits in Wei City, even saving Head Constable Wang’s life more than once. There was no need for words.

The gang boss, on the other hand, was completely overwhelmed.

“Daoist Master Yanchu actually asked me for help!?” Mr. Jiang, head of the Kuaiyi Hall, was overjoyed. It felt like good fortune had dropped out of the sky. “What virtue or ability do I, Jiang Tie[1], have to deserve this?”

When the three of them arrived at the Six Gates Gambling Den, the burly enforcers stationed at the entrance froze in place for a moment before they rushed inside to report.

Moments later, a middle-aged man in embroidered robes came hurrying out.

“Head Constable Wang!”

“Hall Master Jiang!”

“Daoist Master Yanchu!”

As one of the most notorious street thugs in Wei City, Third Master Feng still had some measure of street smarts. But right now, he was extremely nervous.

“Am I dreaming? What the hell is going on?”

Head Constable Wang was a figure of both governmental and underworld awe in Wei City. In his youth, he'd earned his fearsome reputation by cutting down dozens of ruthless bandits with nothing but the sword in his hand.

He was a high-ranking official with a fearsome reputation.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Under his command were three classes of constables and several hundred

yamen

officers and local militia. Third Master Feng couldn’t even get close to the low-ranking officers, let alone someone like Head Constable Wang.

As for Hall Master Jiang... Third Master Feng had barely even seen him before.

The Six Gates Gambling Den held some sway in its local neighborhood, but in the grand scheme of Wei City, it was a speck of dust; it was insignificant.

They were affiliated with the Green Tiger Gang, which itself was a subordinate branch of Kuaiyi Hall, and Jiang Tie was the top boss of Kuaiyi Hall.

Third Master Feng? He was nothing.

Then there was this Daoist Master Yanchu, a figure of divine reputation in Wei City, who was regarded as an honored guest even by the county magistrate. Rumors had it that not only was his Daoist skills unfathomable, his martial arts were also shockingly formidable! Big shots like the Five Lakes Gang’s second-in-command and the infamous thief Liang Qi had all been taken down by him.

Now Third Master Feng stood there frozen, trembling. He had no idea what kind of fortune or misfortune had brought these three heavyweights together to his little gambling den.

Finally, it was Li Yanchu who broke the silence.

“Third Master Feng, I came today for a matter concerning Sun Ping,” he said calmly.

Third Master Feng jolted violently.

Sun Ping!?

That damn fool actually had connections this powerful!?

His legs instantly went weak. With a forced grin, he stammered, “Daoist Master Yanchu, just call me Xiao Feng, or Xiao San[2]. I really can’t bear the title of ‘Master’, you’ll scare me to death.”

He trembled as he spoke.

Head Constable Wang and Kuaiyi Hall’s Jiang Tie stood nearby, completely expressionless while silently watching Third Master Feng.

It was terrifying. In truth, they didn’t even know who Third Master Feng was. Though he might’ve strutted like a feared and powerful figure in front of commoners, they didn’t even know his name, and no one knew who he was.

Li Yanchu, never one to stand on ceremony, said calmly, “Mr. Feng, I’ve settled Sun Ping’s gambling debts. His wife intends to divorce him. From now on, she’s no longer his wife, and I’d like you to drop this matter as well. Does that sound reasonable to you?”

Third Master Feng was terrified to the core[3].

He thought to himself bitterly,

I only acted on a moment of lust and set a little trap for that poor scholar Sun Ping. I wanted to mess around with his wife, and now I’ve ended up provoking three absolute titans.

“I... I don’t need any repayment!” Third Master Feng stammered, panic rising in his voice. “To be honest with you, Daoist Master Yanchu, this whole thing was my fault. I acted without decency, and I deserve to die. I schemed against Sun Ping and had my eyes on his wife. I’m not even human! I know I was wrong, truly! I beg you, don’t hold it against me. From now on, I’ll be a proper, law-abiding person and truly mend my ways!”

Third Master Feng was quick on the uptake. He could tell immediately that the two men flanking Yanchu saw through his pathetic little scheme at a glance.

You think I actually care about that money? I'd have to be tired of living!

Li Yanchu shook his head slightly. “Mr. Feng, what you did damages your karma. It's better you don’t pursue things like this in the future. Still, you need to take this silver, otherwise it looks like I’m forcing you to suffer a loss.”

Third Master Feng opened his mouth to refuse again.

Head Constable Wang’s voice turned stern. “He told you to take it, so take it. You think Daoist Master Yanchu is being polite with you?”

Third Master Feng quickly nodded and stammered, “Yes, yes, of course! I just thought it was... you know, ill-gotten gains. How could I dare take money from Daoist Master Yanchu? But since Head Constable Wang insists as well, then I’ll humbly accept.”

In truth, Third Master Feng had already made up his mind; he’d find an opportunity later to return the money. In fact, he’d send back even more.

The Kuaiyi Hall leader, Jiang Tie, gave a cold laugh. “Third Master Feng, do you know what to do after all this?”

Third Master Feng’s heart nearly gave out on the spot. Cold sweat poured down his forehead.

“I do, I do!” he cried. “Rest assured, Hall Master Jiang. I swear I’ll never again bother Sun Ping’s wife. I’ll never do anything like this again!”

He wasn’t stupid. Li Yanchu himself was already a major figure in Wei City, and now he’d brought along top dogs from both the government and the underworld. It was obvious he was here to settle this matter once and for all.

Both Head Constable Wang and Jiang Tie had made their positions very clear that they were backing him, and this matter ended here.

Even after the three of them left, Third Master Feng still felt like he was dreaming. He was still in awe that the Head Constable of Wei City, the leader of a major gang, and a real-life immortal Daoist Master had just visited him.

His brawny, vicious-looking thugs had to help their boss, who was now limp with fear, back into the gambling den.

Outside, Li Yanchu turned and cupped his fists toward Jiang Tie of Kuaiyi Hall.

“Thank you, Hall Master Jiang. I apologize for troubling you with such a small matter.”

Jiang Tie looked deeply honored. “Not at all, not at all! If you ever need my help, just say the word. It would be my greatest honor!” He returned the gesture with both hands.

Li Yanchu then had someone find Sun Ping and settled the matter thoroughly. He also gave Zheng Zhi a sum of silver and helped her leave, for good.

1. 江 (Jiāng) literally means “river,” evoking images of flowing water, vastness, and persistence. 铁 (Tiě) means “iron,” suggesting strength, resilience, and unyielding determination. To me, 江铁 gives the impression of someone steady, enduring, and strong-willed like an unbending iron river. ☜

2. In Chinese, adding “小” (little) before a surname or ordinal, as in 小冯 Xiao Feng, which means “Little Feng”, or 小三 Xiao San, which means “Little Third”, conveys humility, informality, or politeness. ☜

3. The literal translation is, "Feng San's liver and gallbladder were both shattered", a Chinese idiom expressing extreme fear. ☜