Don't let Brother Kuang's fierce demeanor when he was dressing down Tang Long's fiancé fool you.
When it came to Jiang Chen, he couldn't muster an ounce of that ferocity. Back when he'd tried to rob Jiang Chen on the road, he'd nearly died at Jiang Chen's hands — twice.
The first time, Jiang Chen hadn't wanted to make enemies and had held back as a warning.
The second time, Jiang Chen had gone for the kill, only to be saved at the last moment by Senior Brother Yi Qiansui.
Having escaped death, Brother Kuang had forgotten about the whole affair within days. He never expected to cross paths with Jiang Chen in a place like this.
"Out of the way!" Brother Kuang growled. "Kid, you've offended Senior Brother Liu, and he's come to the Royal Capital too. If you know what's good for you, scram while you still can!"
"Hand it over," Jiang Chen said flatly.
"Hand what over?" Brother Kuang played dumb.
"Cut the crap. The Dark Spirit Wood."
"Dark Spirit Wood? I have no idea what you're talking about! Now move aside, or I'll report you for highway robbery!" Brother Kuang sneered. "This is Qianlan Southern Palace territory. Qianlan Northern Palace and Qianlan Southern Palace are branches of the same tree, close as family. Believe me, I only need to raise my voice and hundreds of Southern Palace disciples will swarm you."
Brokuang was quite the expert at borrowing someone else's thunder. Problem was, he'd apparently never entered the trading area and had no idea what had just happened inside.
"Branches of the same tree? Close as family?" Jiang Chen smiled with contempt. If they were truly that close, why would Lord Bei have ordered a Northern Palace disciple beaten to death on the spot?
"I don't want to waste breath. The Dark Spirit Wood — are you handing it over or not?"
Brother Kuang looked at Jiang Chen, then at the young woman, and wondered if the two of them knew each other. What was this kid's background? How could he be acquainted with some down-on-her-luck woman? She looked like she was from the absolute bottom of society. How important could this kid really be?
With that thought, Brother Kuang steeled himself. "Don't you dare slander me. I do have a piece of Dark Spirit Wood — I dug it up myself from deep in the mountains. Who do you think you are? Why should I hand anything over to you? You want to commit highway robbery in the Royal Capital? Is there no law?"
This guy was a classic case of the thief crying "Stop thief!"
"The thief is shouting about theft!" Jiang Chen's brow creased slightly, but then he smiled. "Very good, very good. I've been wondering what excuse to use to settle old scores. You've gone and solved that problem for me."
"You… what are you going to do?" Brother Kuang's face changed drastically.
"Do what?" Jiang Chen stepped forward. "Highway robbery, if I recall correctly, is punishable by immediate execution. Brother Feng, does the kingdom's law have such a provision?"
Feng Yan opened his mouth, intending to mediate, but a thought flashed through his mind and he said instead: "The kingdom's law does indeed have such a provision. But Brother Jiang…"
"If the provision exists, then it's simple!"
Jiang Chen smiled carefree, stamped both feet, crossed his fists, and unleashed a double strike.
One fist bloomed like a hundred flowers opening. The other pressed down as though all living things were retreating into hibernation.
It was the martial essence of the Kurong Shenquan.
Brother Kuang's strength had always been far below Jiang Chen's. With Jiang Chen bearing down on him, his courage crumbled by another three shades.
Under these inconceivable fists, Brother Kuang didn't even have time to react. His chest took both blows head-on, and he sprayed a mouthful of old blood as he flew backward like a kite with its string cut.
Jiang Chen landed lightly in front of Brother Kuang and reached out to retrieve the Dark Spirit Wood.
Suddenly, a sharp command came from behind: "Hold!"
Whoosh — six Dragon Tooth Guards in pale yellow robes shot in like arrows.
The six Dragon Tooth Guards formed a circle around Jiang Chen.
"Who are you? How dare you kill someone in the streets?" one of them barked.
"Reporting, sir — this man committed highway robbery. I acted in self-defense to reclaim my own property."
"Highway robbery? What evidence do you have?"
"He has a piece of Dark Spirit Wood in his clothing — that's the physical evidence. The owner of the Dark Spirit Wood is right here — she's the witness."
"You're the witness? Are you certain this is the man who robbed you of your Dark Spirit Wood?" The guard pointed at Brother Kuang's corpse.
Tang Long's fiancé looked at Jiang Chen with overwhelming gratitude, bit her lip, and nodded firmly. "Yes! It was this villain — he stole my Dark Spirit Wood!"
Since a life was involved, the Platoon Commander of the Dragon Tooth Guards couldn't simply take their word for it. On top of that, his keen eye had recognized the dead man as a disciple of Qianlan Northern Palace. This matter clearly couldn't be settled on one-sided testimony.
He ordered: "A life hangs in the balance. The rights and wrongs cannot be decided on your testimony alone. You'll have to come with us to Dragon Tooth Guard headquarters. Once the matter has been thoroughly investigated, your innocence — or guilt — will be established. If the facts don't match your story, then it's the capital crime of murder, and you will pay with your life."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Going back with you is no trouble. But you'll have to let me say a few words first."
Jiang Chen knew that now that the Dragon Tooth Guards had shown up, refusing to go with them would be open defiance of the law — and would inevitably lead to an even bigger conflict.