53: Chapter 53 Intimidation

Ye Jing never let his guard down.

Although the village had been peaceful for the past few days, he knew deep down that a storm might be brewing beneath the calm. He continued to practice diligently at home every day, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

He sent his two sons back to the martial arts hall first, letting them focus on their training with peace of mind.

Ye Jing also informed Zhao Yuanyi of the Zhenxiu Restaurant about the Tang Family's matters, asking him to keep an eye out and, if necessary, provide protection for the Ye family.

To this end, Ye Jing sold a significant amount of Mountain Delicacy Chicken to him at a low price, considering it a favor.

Until one night.

Zhang He suddenly visited, followed by Zhang Youqiang, who had a complex expression on his face.

As soon as he entered, Zhang He looked at Ye Jing with a face full of smiles. That kindness was so excessive that it gave Ye Jing an inexplicable sense of discomfort.

“Brother Ye! Long time no see!” Zhang He stepped forward proactively, his tone unnaturally warm. This beaming appearance was a world apart from his previous furious expression when the house was on fire. Ye Jing felt goosebumps all over and became even more alert.

“Landlord Zhang, visiting so late at night, what business do you have?” Ye Jing's tone was flat, without a hint of warmth.

Zhang He leaned in, rubbed his hands, and said, “Brother Ye, to be honest, I came today to discuss something with you. How about we cooperate to sell that golden spirit rice you grow?”

Upon hearing this, Ye Jing understood clearly but did not respond. He only watched coldly as Zhang He played nice.

This fawning face was even more nauseating to him than the previous angry one.

Seeing that Ye Jing didn't respond, Zhang He asked tentatively again, “Brother Ye, I know you've made a fortune with the golden spirit rice. I wonder which expert gave you guidance?”

Two consecutive probes aimed at the golden spirit rice and his own background. Ye Jing understood perfectly and said coldly, “Landlord Zhang, if you only have this to say, please leave.”

He could clearly feel that Zhang He’s visit was definitely not just for cooperation; there was certainly another scheme behind it.

Hearing Ye Jing issue an eviction notice, the smile on Zhang He's face vanished instantly. He threatened in a sinister tone, “Brother Ye, you should think it over carefully, lest you won't even have golden spirit rice to sell in the future.”

“What do you mean by that?!” Ye Jing's eyes sharpened, and he immediately glared at Zhang He.

Zhang He only gave Ye Jing a disdainful glance, with a hint of jealousy hidden in his eyes. He said stubbornly, “Nothing, I'm just kindly giving you a reminder. Since Brother Ye doesn't appreciate my kindness, then forget it!”

After saying that, he spoke no more and turned to leave with Zhang Youqiang.

“Stop!” Ye Jing suddenly shouted, his gaze as sharp as a knife. “You'd better not try any little tricks. The current Ye family is not something you can just push around!”

Zhang He’s footsteps paused. He turned around, the gloom on his face fading slightly, replaced once again by a fawning smile. “Brother Ye, what are you saying? We are fellow villagers; how could I try any little tricks?”

Despite his words, Zhang He’s eyes were a bit shifty.

Watching the two of them walk away, Ye Jing’s suspicions grew heavier. He immediately decided to follow them secretly to find out the truth. The night was deep and pitch black, perfect for tracking; Ye Jing was confident he wouldn't be discovered.

After leaving the Ye Residence, Zhang He led Zhang Youqiang straight toward a remote little grove outside the village.

As soon as they entered the grove, the fawning smile on Zhang He's face completely vanished, replaced by a face full of malice. He cursed immediately, “That damned old man Ye! How dare he speak to me like that!”

“Wait until I go back and report to Young Master Tang; he'll have what's coming to him!” Zhang He added, gnashing his teeth.

Ye Jing, hiding behind a tree not far away, heard these words clearly.

It turned out Zhang He was working for the Tang Family. No wonder he suddenly came to probe and even dared to threaten him.

At this time, Zhang Youqiang advised in a low voice, “Uncle, if we report back like this, will Young Master Tang be unsatisfied? He wanted us to find out the Ye family's background, but we didn't learn anything and were even kicked out by Ye Jing...”

“What can I do? That old thing is completely stubborn now!” Zhang He waved his hand irritably. “The Tang Family only just found out the Ye family is growing golden spirit rice, which is why they sent us to test the waters. Who knew this Ye Jing had become so tough!”

“Zhang He, did the Tang Family send you?” Ye Jing's voice suddenly came from behind the tree, bone-chillingly cold.

Zhang He and Zhang Youqiang were startled and spun around, only to see Ye Jing standing silently behind them like a ghost.

“Ye... Ye Jing! How did you follow us?!” Zhang Youqiang pointed at Ye Jing as if he had seen a ghost, his voice trembling.

In an instant, Ye Jing moved.

He was now a First-Stage Martial Artist possessing nearly ten thousand catties of strength, no longer that weak old man from before.

His figure flashed, and he instantly charged in front of Zhang Youqiang, kicking him hard in the chest.

“Pfft—” Zhang Youqiang spat out a mouthful of blood, his body falling to the ground like a kite with a broken string, struggling to get up.

Zhang He was stunned by this sudden scene. After a moment of daze, he suddenly screamed, “A monster!”

He had just taken half a step to flee when a sharp axe blade was already pressed against his neck. The cold sensation made him freeze instantly.

“Don't move!” Ye Jing barked coldly, his tone devoid of any warmth.

Zhang He's legs trembled violently, his crotch already soaked with urine. He begged tremblingly, “Lord... Lord Ye, spare my life! I... I won't dare do it again!”

Ye Jing applied a slight force to his wrist, and the axe blade sank in another fraction. Blood immediately seeped from Zhang He's throat. “I'm asking you, what did the Tang Family send you to do? Tell me everything you know honestly, or I'll take your dog life right now!”

Zhang He was scared out of his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering. He stammered, “Lord... Lord Ye! It was the Tang Family people who found out you were growing golden spirit rice and sent us to find out your family's background... They, they also want to send people to kill you!”

“Send people to kill me?” Ye Jing's pupils constricted. He then reached out and grabbed Zhang He's neck, gradually increasing the pressure. “How many people did they send? When are they coming?”

“I... I don't know!” Zhang He was nearly suffocated, his face turning purple. “I'm just an errand boy. The Tang Family's plans would never be told to me... I really don't know anything else!”

“Don't know?” Ye Jing sneered, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes. “Since you're useless, keeping you is a waste!”

As soon as he finished speaking, his wrist twisted sharply, and the axe blade sliced inward. The powerful force instantly separated Zhang He's head from his body, and he couldn't even let out a scream.

Zhang Youqiang, lying on the ground, witnessed this bloody scene. He was so terrified that the blood in his body seemed to flow backward. He even forgot the pain of his wound and lay on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy: “Lord... Lord Ye! Don't kill me! I didn't want to harm you! Zhang He forced me!”

Ye Jing glanced at him, his gaze falling on Zhang He's corpse in the pool of blood, his eyes devoid of any pity.

He crouched down, staring at Zhang Youqiang, and asked, “Has Zhang He always been in contact with the Tang Family?”

Zhang Youqiang was already scared out of his wits. Trembling all over, he answered incoherently, “Yes... Yes! He often sold the rice he grew to the Tang Family's grain shop, and over time they got to know each other...”

“This time it was the Tang Family's Young Master who discovered you were growing golden spirit rice and sent us to check your family's situation. I really don't know anything else!”

“Heh, this Tang Family certainly knows how to make use of everything.” Ye Jing sneered, already having a general understanding of the situation.

The Tang Family's goal was the golden spirit rice. This probe was only the first step, and there would definitely be follow-up actions.

He picked up the axe and pointed it at Zhang Youqiang, saying, “Since you don't know anything, then take a message to Young Master Tang for me. Tell him exactly what happened here today, and let him weigh the consequences. The idea of taking the golden spirit rice is not so easy to carry out!”

Blood droplets on the axe blade slid down the cold iron surface, hitting the ground with a crisp sound. Each sound felt like a hammer striking Zhang Youqiang's heart, causing his whole body to twitch again.