Chapter 20: A New Reward—Master-Level Bajiquan

“Is that really so funny? Or are you just using laughter to hide your nervousness?” Sun Changying sneered coldly.

Yang Chen immediately responded in a timid tone, “Ah, it’s all been detected by Director Sun. I really am using laughter to cover up my panic. How about this: you come collect the debt, and I’ll sell some assets to repay you 30 billion immediately. Deal?”

Sun Changying laughed heartily. “Good to know you’re scared… But the key question is, do you have the authority to sell those assets?”

“Why not give it a try? My life still matters to them, don’t you think?” Yang Chen replied.

Sun Changying exhaled deeply, pride evident in her voice. “Alright then, go ahead and try. Repay me the 30 billion as soon as possible.”

Yang Chen promptly refused, “No way! Why should I repay debts I cleverly tricked you into?”

Sun Changying was speechless.

What on earth is this guy thinking?

Just bored and messing around late at night?

At that moment, the system issued a notification.

“The host refuses to repay the debt to Changhui Group. System rewards the host with Master-level Baji Quan, effective immediately.”

Suddenly, countless tiny figures appeared in Yang Chen’s mind, practicing the moves of Baji Quan. Seconds later, everything returned to normal.

This reward was excellent; indeed, some self-defense skills were necessary.

Sun Changying immediately cursed, “Are you sick? Huh? You are definitely sick, and seriously at that!”

Yang Chen laughed joyfully. “Yeah, do you have medicine?”

“Alright, alright, just you wait. You just wait!” Sun Changying said in frustration and hung up immediately.

Yang Chen put away his phone. Chen Xi quickly asked, “What happened? Was it Zhang Lei? Did he threaten you?”

“No, that small-time player isn’t worth threatening me. Eat up; finish quickly, and I’ll take you home,” Yang Chen said with a smile.

Chen Xi nodded and then asked, “So should I just report to your villa tomorrow?”

“That’s right! I have an important matter to handle tomorrow, so you must be there before 8 o’clock,” Yang Chen replied.

Chen Xi hurriedly nodded and sped up eating her skewers.

A few minutes later, all the customers at the barbecue stand suddenly stood up and left.

Yang Chen sensed something was wrong, turned around, and saw Zhang Lei and Zhang Tao approaching with a group of people, their faces fierce.

Chen Xi also sensed the danger and tried to pull Yang Chen away.

Yang Chen held her back, smiling. “There’s no point running from them with you. Better to save your energy. You hide in the crowd; I’ll handle them.”

The barbecue stall owner’s wife saw the situation worsening and hurried over to Zhang Lei’s group. “Gentlemen, this is a small business that can’t bear any trouble. Please show mercy and don’t fight here. We have elderly and children to care for during the day and rely on this night stall to earn a little money.”

Zhang Lei pushed the owner’s wife aside arrogantly. “If we break your stuff, we’ll pay for it! Bystanders, stay out of the way. If blood splashes on you, we’re not paying for your clothes!”

The stall owner, who was grilling skewers, quickly pulled the owner’s wife aside. The fight was inevitable; no point getting involved.

Zhang Lei and Zhang Tao had bandages wrapped around their heads, looking ridiculous.

Yang Chen laughed. “Did you have to show up so promptly?”

Zhang Tao pointed to his head. “I’m here for revenge!”

“Brothers, this bastard right here—teach him a lesson to the death. Sun Dong will take all responsibility. Go ahead boldly!” Zhang Lei shouted.

The thugs rushed at Yang Chen. Chen Xi anxiously jumped and shouted, “Yang Chen, watch out!”

Yang Chen was unafraid. He engaged them head-on, knocking one down with a rising elbow, and another with a fierce tiger-claw strike to the forehead. The man passed out immediately.

Baji Quan is known for its fierce power; when mastered, a single move can take down an opponent, leaving no chance for a second attack.

With the system’s reward, Yang Chen’s Master-level Baji Quan had that effect—one elbow, one palm, one fist, and one thug was down for good.

The onlookers began murmuring.

“That’s Baji Quan. I saw it in movies, but this looks even fiercer than on screen.”

“No kidding, really one punch per guy!”

“The saying ‘Eight extremities control the universe’ is truly well-deserved. I didn’t expect someone in our era could master Baji Quan so well. I thought traditional martial arts had become just show.”

“This is so cool. If I knew this martial art, I’d walk sideways wherever I go. Anyone who dares to look at me twice, I’d have to teach them a lesson. Everyone must know I can do Baji Quan.”

…

Amid the crowd’s chatter, Yang Chen swiftly knocked down several thugs. The remaining few retreated in fear.

A few thousand a month isn’t worth risking one’s life.

Zhang Lei urged anxiously, “What… what are you waiting for? Attack! Damn it, don’t chicken out, attack!”

Yang Chen kicked a stool, hitting Zhang Lei. Zhang Lei fell to the ground, nearly losing consciousness.

Yang Chen approached him and slapped his left cheek hard, instantly waking him.

Zhang Lei clutched his head, pleading, “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me… I’m here under Director Sun’s orders. I’m just following orders. Don’t hit me—hit Sun Dong; he’s the mastermind.”

“Go back and tell Sun Changying I will definitely take revenge!” Yang Chen said.

“Okay, okay. I will definitely pass your words to Director Sun. Can you please stop hitting me?” Zhang Lei said fearfully.

Yang Chen smiled, stood up, and kicked Zhang Lei’s butt.

Zhang Lei got up and ran away without looking back.

With Zhang Lei gone, the thugs quickly carried their unconscious comrades and fled.

Zhang Tao tried to escape but was knocked down by the stool Yang Chen kicked.

“Don’t bother Chen Xi anymore. She’s my secretary now. If you disrupt her work, you’ll be ruining my affairs,” Yang Chen said calmly.

Zhang Tao’s face turned pale. He hurriedly nodded, “Okay, okay, I won’t bother her again.”

Yang Chen nodded. “Compensate the boss, then you can leave.”

Zhang Tao hurriedly took out all his money, threw it on a nearby table, and sprinted away.

Chen Xi ran over, admiringly saying, “Yang Chen, you’re amazing! So many of them and none could beat you. Why didn’t you show this back when you were in school?”

Yang Chen laughed off, “Never had the chance to show off. Let’s go, I’ll take you home.”

Chen Xi nodded and quickly called the owner’s wife for the bill.

The owner’s wife was still shaken and said, “No… no need. It’s on us. And… please accept the money from that gentleman earlier. We don’t need compensation; the stool isn’t worth much.”

“Then consider this your barbecue money. The rest is my tip,” Yang Chen said with a smile, then left with Chen Xi.

They got into Yang Chen’s Phantom in the parking lot and followed the GPS to Chen Xi’s home.

Chen Xi rented a room in a rundown urban village to save money. It was quite far from both Yang Chen’s place at Jiangcheng Bay No.1 and the Sihai Group. Without a vehicle, her daily commute took at least two and a half hours.

“Tomorrow, let’s move out of here. I’ll have logistics arrange a company dorm for you. Or, if you’re comfortable, you can move into the villa. There are more rooms there, and it’ll be easier for you to assist me,” Yang Chen said.

“Ah? Assist me…” Chen Xi blushed and lowered her head.