Chapter 55: Shock, Power of the Stars

Half a year ago, Jiang Shiren had given him a sum of money as a token of gratitude.

According to the agreement they reached at the time, this act could also be seen as a charitable deed benefitting the villagers. Thus, Li Xitian did not refuse this unsolicited gift but accepted it gladly.

What he had not expected was that, months later, the other man would use this as leverage to try and exert pressure on him.

Li Xitian sighed softly, then spoke in a slow, measured tone:

“Yes, I did accept your gift then.”

“However, that twenty thousand yuan never actually ended up in my own pocket.”

“In the end, I handed it all to Li Chao as compensation for the injury he suffered in the construction accident.”

“Li Chao is the man in our village who was unfortunately hurt during that incident.”

Jiang Shiren was briefly taken aback by these words, but soon a sly smile curled on his lips as he replied:

“The money was given to you!”

“What happened afterward doesn’t interest me.”

“But today, I’m staying right here. If—for any reason—the village chief refuses to sign the contract, don’t blame me for making this matter public!”

“The sum may not be large, but it’s enough to tarnish the reputation and prestige you’ve built over the years, old chief!”

Li Xitian’s gaze sharpened, locking onto Jiang Shiren with intensity. Inwardly, he thought, “This Jiang Shiren is truly a cunning one, resorting to such tactics to threaten me.”

“Old chief, there’s no need to hesitate any longer.” A trace of pride flickered in Jiang Shiren’s eyes. “You have no choice left—just sign the contract, and you’ll receive ample reward.”

Li Xitian fell silent for a moment, cursing Jiang Shiren’s craftiness under his breath.

He knew he could not let Jiang Shiren’s scheme succeed, but neither could he allow harm to come to his villagers.

“Jiang Shiren, don’t think you can scare me.” Li Xitian’s voice grew firm. “I won’t sign your contract, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Jiang Shiren burst out laughing. “Old chief, you’re too naive. You think refusing to sign means I can’t make you comply? Let me tell you, I have plenty of ways to force your hand.”

Li Xitian’s expression darkened, well aware of Jiang Shiren’s influence and how difficult it would be to oppose him alone.

But he also knew he could not let Jiang Shiren’s plot come to fruition.

Jiang Shiren, brimming with confidence, silently exulted that his plan was proceeding smoothly. “Hmph, Li Xitian, you think I have no means to deal with you? Let’s see how you counter this.”

Li Xitian drew a deep breath and spoke with unwavering resolve: “Jiang Shiren, don’t think you can push me with such methods. I will not yield to your threats.”

Jiang Shiren sneered, “Li Xitian, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Sign the contract, and everything will go smoothly.”

After a moment of silence, Li Xitian replied slowly, “Jiang Shiren, don’t think I don’t see your true intent. This contract is not in the village’s best interest. I will not sacrifice my people’s welfare for short-term peace.”

Jiang Shiren’s face clouded with anger. “Think carefully about the consequences, Li Xitian. If you refuse to sign, I’ll see to it your reputation is utterly destroyed.”

A glint of determination flashed in Li Xitian’s eyes. “I’m not afraid. I believe the villagers will understand my decision.”

Jiang Shiren ground his teeth in frustration, cursing inwardly, “That stubborn old man—looks like I’ll have to use my final card.”

He thought, “Li Xitian, you refuse the easy way, so you’ll have to learn the hard way. Does he really think he can stop my plans?”

Li Xitian, too, was lost in thought, fully aware of Jiang Shiren’s underhanded methods, but resolute in his duty to protect the village and its interests.

He turned to Jiang Shiren. “Threats won’t make me yield. You will not prevail.”

A ruthless glint flashed in Jiang Shiren’s eyes. “Don’t push me, Li Xitian.”

Li Xitian straightened his back. “I’m not afraid. Do your worst if you must.”

Jiang Shiren hardened his heart. He would resort to his final measure and show Li Xitian just how formidable he was.

Li Xitian steeled himself for the challenge ahead, knowing he could not afford to falter.

Just as the tension thickened and the air seemed to freeze, a figure burst through the door like a bolt of lightning, shattering the silence.

Li Chao, a man who had honed his body through the Star Tempering Technique, entered with an imposing presence, his gaze fierce and unwavering as he fixed it on Jiang Shiren, a cold smile playing about his lips.

“I thought you were merely callous,” Li Chao’s voice was deep and resonant, each word hammering at Jiang Shiren’s confidence, “but to think you begrudge even a paltry sum for compensation, and now you threaten the old chief? Do you really believe a few dirty bills make you invincible?”

His words sent a shockwave through the room.

Having refined his senses through cultivation, Li Chao’s hearing and sight far surpassed ordinary folk. Passing by, he had heard everything inside.

Learning the truth about his compensation during his illness, a storm of anger and gratitude surged within him, compelling him to burst in and expose Jiang Shiren for who he truly was.

Jiang Shiren’s face turned ashen. He had never imagined his threats would be unveiled so directly, nor that his authority would be challenged so brazenly.

He narrowed his eyes, trying to discern this uninvited guest’s identity, his voice threatening, “Who are you to meddle in my affairs?”

Li Chao laughed, his tone dripping with contempt and ridicule. “The one who’s here to teach you a lesson!”

Before the words had finished, he strode forward, swift as the wind, and with a single kick sent Jiang Shiren—chair and all—flying across the room, crashing heavily to the floor in a scene both shocking and dramatic.

“Agh!” Jiang Shiren cried out, clutching his stomach in agony, stunned at Li Chao’s formidable skill—he was utterly powerless before this man.

“You... who are you?” Jiang Shiren gasped through the pain, a trace of fear in his eyes and bitter regret gnawing at his heart.

Li Chao sneered. “Who I am is irrelevant. What matters is how you intend to make things right with the old chief.” His gaze bore down on Jiang Shiren, radiating authority.

The old chief looked at Li Chao with tears glimmering in his eyes, grasping his hand tightly. “Thank you, my boy.”

Li Chao smiled and shook his head. “There’s no need for thanks. I merely did what was right.”

Turning to Jiang Shiren, his tone grew severe. “Listen well: handle the compensation yourself. If you dare try any more tricks, I won’t let you off so easily!”

The anger that had been smoldering within Li Xitian now erupted like a volcano, impossible to suppress.

Reeling from the blow, Jiang Shiren barked at his stunned bodyguard in fury, “What are you standing there for?”

“Get him! Beat him!”

“I’ll take full responsibility for whatever happens!”

His rage was palpable. The sheer audacity of a mere villager striking him was an affront to his authority, igniting his wrath.

The bodyguard—a burly, well-trained man—responded without hesitation, striding toward Li Chao with clenched fists, each blow carrying tremendous force.

To be struck by one of those punches would be disastrous.

Witnessing this, Li Xitian paled, terror-stricken, and shouted desperately, “Chao, get out of the way!”

But Li Chao stood unmoving, as if detached from the scene, his face utterly unafraid, making no attempt to evade. This left everyone present in utter disbelief.

Jiang Shiren, seeing this, smirked coldly. Inwardly, he mocked Li Chao as a reckless fool, already picturing him sprawled on the ground, begging for mercy.

But in the next instant, something astonishing happened.

All eyes fixed on the impending clash. Just as the bodyguard’s fist was about to land on Li Chao’s abdomen, Li Chao finally moved.

His reaction was lightning-fast, his precision uncanny, leaving everyone gaping in astonishment.

With a deft twist, Li Chao slipped aside like a water snake, easily dodging the bodyguard’s powerful punch.

In that fleeting moment, he used his shoulder to ram into the bodyguard’s chest with explosive force.

A resounding “bang!” echoed through the room. The bodyguard felt an irresistible force slam into his chest, as if struck by a massive hammer. He staggered back seven or eight steps before barely regaining his balance, gasping in pain and disbelief.

Gritting his teeth in frustration, he snatched up a wooden stool and charged at Li Chao with renewed fury, determined to redeem himself.

But for Li Chao, the renewed assault was little more than a futile gesture.

He smiled faintly, shaking his head in mild exasperation.

Then, raising his arm slowly, his fist clenched with a power that seemed to draw from the very earth and sky.

A thunderous crash erupted as Li Chao’s fist, swift as lightning, shattered the stool into a spray of splinters, then continued forward, driving straight into the bodyguard’s chest.

The blow sent the man flying like a severed kite, crashing into the distant wall with a heavy thud.

The crowd watched, stunned and open-mouthed, unable to believe that this seemingly ordinary villager possessed such astonishing strength and skill.

Amidst the falling splinters, Li Chao’s fist struck with the force of a thunderbolt, sending the bodyguard hurtling into the cold wall and raising a cloud of dust.

The bodyguard collapsed to the floor, blood trickling from his lips, struggling in vain to get up.

Having dispatched the bodyguard, Li Chao casually shook out his wrist and, with unhurried steps, walked toward Jiang Shiren.

At the sight, Jiang Shiren involuntarily let out a low, guttural gulp. Cold sweat drenched his back, and he could hear his own heart pounding in terror.

“What... what do you want?” he stammered, trying to conceal his fear behind a trembling voice.

“I warn you—don’t do anything rash, or else…” Jiang Shiren’s tone was laced with panic, his teeth chattering audibly, betraying his deep unease.

Li Chao merely chuckled, his smile laced with scorn and derision.

He raised his hand and, without hesitation, slapped Jiang Shiren across the face with crisp finality. “Oh? Or else what?”

The blow left Jiang Shiren dazed, his bravado faltering as he bellowed, “How dare you strike me again!”

“Listen!” he tried to assert his authority, “I’m well-acquainted with Chief Liu at the township police station. You’ll answer to the law for this!”

To Li Chao, these words were nothing more than the feeble struggles of a drowning man.