Chapter 41: Hosting a Banquet
Just as Li Dafa sank into despair, his gaze suddenly fell upon Wu Dahu, who was unconscious on the ground. His eyes glinted as a plan instantly formed in his mind.
Seizing the moment before Liu Ergou could make his move, he hastily ordered the underlings he had brought with him, "Hurry up, wake Wu Dahu for me!"
The underlings behind Li Dafa didn't dare object. They immediately stepped forward, delivered a heavy slap to Wu Dahu's face, and dragged away the other lackey lying beside him.
After a few more slaps, Wu Dahu woke up.
However, the moment he regained consciousness, Li Dafa turned to two of his underlings and said, "Quick, break his leg! Apologize to Brother Gou!"
The two didn't hesitate. With a sickening CRACK, they brutally snapped Wu Dahu's leg.
Wu Dahu shrieked in agony, clutching the shattered limb. His cries were pitiful.
Liu Ergou watched this unfold without a word, his expression unreadable.
Seeing that this was effective, Li Dafa quickly added, "Break one of his arms, too!"
The moment he spoke, the other two moved. There was another sharp SNAP of breaking bone as Wu Dahu's arm was twisted and broken.
By now, one of the man's arms and one of his legs were completely mangled. The underling couldn't bear the immense pain any longer. His eyes rolled back, and he passed out cold.
Only then did Li Dafa force a smile and say, "So, Brother Gou, can we let this go now? We truly didn't know who we were dealing with!"
"Rest assured, I promise this will never happen again!"
However, Liu Ergou just stroked his chin. "I feel like something's still missing."
"Last night, when they were harassing my sister-in-law... heh..." At this, Liu Ergou let out another cold laugh.
That cold laugh was all Li Dafa needed to understand. He whirled on Wu Dahu's last remaining underling and bellowed, "Do you not understand what Brother Gou means? Get over here and kneel, now!"
The man didn't dare hesitate. He scrambled over and fell to his knees with a THUD before Liu Ergou.
Without any further instruction from Li Dafa, he knew exactly what to do. Wu Dahu's last underling began kowtowing repeatedly, his forehead striking the dirt floor. "I'm sorry, Brother Gou! It was a moment of foolishness! We never should have done it!"
"Please forgive me! I know I was wrong, Brother Gou!"
He didn't kowtow for long, but within minutes, his forehead was raw and bloody. Blood trickled down his dirt-streaked face.
It was only then that Liu Ergou gestured with his hand, signaling for him to stop.
Then, Liu Ergou turned to Li Dafa.
"Li Dafa, this is the last time. I don't want there to be a next. If it happens again, I guarantee I will make you suffer so much you'll be begging for death."
Hearing that Liu Ergou was letting him off, Li Dafa breathed a long, shaky sigh of relief.
"Yes, yes! Brother Gou, rest assured! If anything like this happens again, you won't even have to say a word. I'll find the nearest utility pole and run headfirst into it myself!"
Hearing this, Liu Ergou snorted coldly and turned to close the door, planning to go back inside and get something to eat.
Just then, however, Li Dafa suddenly called out to him.
"Wait a moment, Brother Gou!"
"What is it?" Liu Ergou frowned, looking back at Li Dafa.
Seeing this, Li Dafa quickly explained, "It's like this, Brother Gou. Since I've offended you so many times, you should at least give me a chance to properly apologize, right?"
"Tonight, I've reserved a table at the biggest restaurant in town! It's all on me, a formal apology. Please, honor me with your presence!"
Hearing this, Liu Ergou let out a cold laugh. "Hah, so you're calling for backup."
"If you ask me, if you were going to get help, you should have just brought your backup here directly instead of setting up some treacherous banquet!"
Hearing this, Li Dafa waved his hands frantically.
"Brother Gou, you misunderstand! What backup? You're so skilled that even if Master Zhang San himself were to step up, he might not be your match!"
"This is truly just an apology. Please don't overthink it!"
Seeing Li Dafa's sincere expression, Liu Ergou pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"Fine, I accept. You tell me the time."
Li Dafa immediately handed over a business card. "Brother Gou, please. You just tell me whenever you have time, and I'll immediately send a car to pick you up!"
"I won't disturb you any longer. I'll be on my way!"
With that, Li Dafa turned and left, his lackeys dragging the two unconscious men behind him.
Liu Ergou was left standing there alone. He looked down at the business card in his hand and couldn't help but shake his head with a small smile before heading back into his room.
When Liu Ergou checked the time, he slapped his forehead in frustration. It was already past ten in the morning, nearly eleven.
He had actually missed today's practice of the Physical Cultivation Technique.
How infuriating! This can only happen once. I can't let myself be so careless in the future!
As the old saying goes, the morning is key to the day. I have to get out of bed on time!
With this in mind, Liu Ergou silently set a new rule for himself: wake up early every day to practice the Physical Cultivation Technique, without fail!
Back in his room, Liu Ergou ate a simple meal. His thoughts soon turned to his sister-in-law. Grabbing a kettle and some food, he hurriedly left home and headed for the family's field to find Xu Yulan.
「A short while later, Liu Ergou arrived at the family's field.」
He saw Xu Yulan wearing a straw hat and a short-sleeved shirt, busy weeding. The scorching sun beat down on her, causing a delicate sheen of sweat to form on her skin. Her fair complexion seemed to glow with a seductive luster, making Liu Ergou involuntarily swallow hard.
My sister-in-law is so beautiful. If my older brother hadn't come back last night, maybe I would have...
Liu Ergou quickly shook his head to clear the thought.
What am I thinking in broad daylight? And out in the open, too. It would be a huge loss of face if anyone saw me looking like this.
Collecting himself, Liu Ergou hurried towards his sister-in-law, shouting as he ran, "Sister-in-law, I'm here to help!"
By the time the words left his mouth, Liu Ergou was already at Xu Yulan's side, taking the hoe from her hands. He then led her to the edge of the field to rest.
"Sister-in-law, you take a break. I'll handle the rest of this!"
"First, have some water and rest," Liu Ergou said, pouring a cup of water and handing it to her.
Xu Yulan looked startled for a moment before accepting the cup.