“So it's true that you were planning to call the Police Guard if needed, am I right, ReZhui?”

“It’s the law, ShiYan. They clearly damaged another’s property so that is enough justification and a lot of evidence to support their sentencing in prison.”

“Why bother, ReZhui? A few months later, those bastards would be free to roam, and the cycle repeats itself. In a way, the current system is flawed and would never work to progress. Hence, my way strikes two birds at once.

Through fear and respect, there is a deterrence which is much more lethal than a simple time in jail. That’s me. So, upon seeing how exposing themselves would bring a huge risk to their wellbeing to the point of being crippled like those two examples I sent, less of this stuff will happen.

Moreover, there is the benefit of easier dealing with the aftermath on my side. Without the Police Guard involved, Father would have no chance of finding out that his only daughter is out here knocking down men of crime. We are still keeping my martial arts a secret, correct?”

“...certainly, ShiYan. However, you did overlook several considerations. The current juridical system is one that has been practiced for over a few millennia by now. Surely, if that has continually persisted as our primary model, you cannot simply criticize and switch over on a whim. And the criminals, not all of them are pure evils and you clearly underestimate their willingness to change. But, what’s more unbelievable is your claim. Ultimately, your power to keep them at bay is so similar to a chance of being punished through prison time, that the only difference here is that you are limited by only yourself compared to the vast network of the Police Guard.

This is purely an emotional statement, ShiYan.”

“...”

“Or, you are gonna tell me next that you can pummel down fifty men simultaneously?”

“...”

Cooling down from her outburst, ShiYan pouted away from him.

“Well, I wasn’t really planning on making that a statement anyways.”

“Really? It totally looked like you did.”

ReZhui teased.

“...! How dare-”

“ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! Rein in the horses, you two quarrel-birds. Man, it was tough finding an opening there. Who even talks about that stuff at your age?! Leave some of that for the rest of us adults, haha!”

HuaYan, followed behind by WeiQi, interjected with a hearty voice. In unison, ReZhui and ShiYan turned to face their seniors.

“...”

While ReZhui quietly signaled a big thank you for breaking the tension, ShiYan had another astonished expression.

“...! ReZhui, is that…is that who I think it is?”

“Yes, ShiYan, we crossed paths earlier this morning on the way down the road and given how long it has been since our graduation, I suggested joining our dinner feast because why not? The more the merrier, aren’t I right, seniors?”

ShiYan pointed at the man with the goatee.

“Older Brother Wei?”

“Yep, that’s me, alright! What a strong pearl beauty you grew up to be, ShiYan.”

Then towards the woman beside him.

“Older Sister Tian?”

“What an unexpected surprise, it truly is. I’m sure we have lots to talk about once we dine in. Please take care of us, ShiYan.”

“Bless the heavens, it’s great to see you all stop by!”

Filled with excitement, ShiYan welcomed them with a big hug, squeezing the two of them within her petite, firm arms. Her head buried deep within the gap of their torsos.

“Arrgh, S-ShiYan, you may put us down…”

HuaYan tapped her shoulder repeatedly while WeiQi plainly accepted her gesture through the discomfort.

Watching this, ReZhui silently cursed back, recalling that ambush on their first encounter.

‘Take a taste of your own medicine, Older brother Wei!’

Eventually, ShiYan let them go, unaware about her own strength.

Thankfully, the two seniors never bothered that.

.

.

.

The restaurant was three stories tall and considerably narrower than the rest of the buildings nearby. Dark maroon tiles, structured like a pavilion roof, protruded outwards and upwards. At each pointed end, green jade dragons completed the design. The ground floor was supported atop a raised platform of polished stone that led up from the small flight of central stairs. On either side, there were potted flora and bushes like all the other front yards in the street. The walls were bricked and coated with white paint mixed with a hint of gray. Its texture was coarse and bumpy, giving a natural feel.

ReZhui looked above where the bronze double doors used to stand. Still intact from all that fighting was the large rectangular signboard. Glazed black wood and shimmering white marble, those two materials were crafted together to make an ornate piece that read out the words, ‘Little Stone Abode”.

Although the doors and windows were destroyed, there was plenty much to enjoy about the rest of the high-end restaurant. That is until the four of them reached the interior.

Entering first, ShiYan told the group.

“Watch your step, there’s debris everywhere.”

“...”

And ReZhui clearly saw that.

Splattered fluids of wine, soups and sauces. Porcelain crockery and cutlery; clay pots and vases; and table top glass were all shattered into hundreds of tiny bits and pieces. Rows of round wooden tables and patterned chairs broke and splintered, to the point of irreparability. Several cracks and holes punctured overhead to their wooden gridded ceiling. Most of the low hanging lamps and lanterns were torn and crushed. Splattered blood stains, both large and small, had dried up, leaving the premise with an unpleasant maroon backdrop.

Taking his first steps in, ReZhui asked, “ShiYan, how about we stop by another place instead? I would rather not disturb the managers, after what has happened.”

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Leaping over a sweeped pile of glass, ShiYan replied sternly.

“I have already chosen this place today and shall stick with it. Such a barbaric brawl would never stop me now.”

She then pointed her finger up.

“Anyways, there’s always the second and third floor that remain untouched.”

“Well then, I leave that to the expert, ShiYan.”

“Hehe, you can count on me for tonight’s food. I vouch for their quality!”

“Lady ShiYan!”

“...!”

And as she said that, a frantic cry rang from across the main hall.

Sprinting up towards her was a short, plump man of equal height, and dressed in shimmering brown garments and a beige skirt. His round face was full of distress and tears as he knelt down close to her knees. Behind him, there were five staff workers that followed suit.

ShiYan, obviously shook by this advance, lashed out in annoyance.

“Owner?! W-what are you doing?”

“I, Jang HaoEr, and the rest of my employees sincerely thank Lady ShiYan and her entourage for their virtuous deeds in saving our restaurant!”

“W-...”

Declaring their gratitude, the owner then kowtowed three times, in unison with the other five staff members.

“What the hell? Owner, owner, please get up.”

She gestured openly.

With still a sobbing face, the manager bowed once more.

“Young Lady, you are too kind.”

“...!”

Blushing hard from the embarrassment, ShiYan managed to snap herself out of that, and complete the agenda. After all, it was already dinner time, and the skies were getting darker.

“Here you go, Owner!”

She slapped those money bags into his palms.

“...?”

Feeling the jingle in those purses, the owner looked up towards her, only to give off an even paler complexion.

“No…no, no, Lady ShiYan, w-we can’t take this. You are already too generous towards us. Anymore, and…”

He then got up and promptly gave the bags into her hands.

“Keep it for yourself, Lady ShiYan. You have done enough.”

“...”

However, that response does not sit well with her. Furious, she shoved the purses back to him, and clarified her stance.

“...! But-”

“Listen up, Owner. I only came here for great food, and that’s what I will be getting from you! Nothing else! Your kitchens are unharmed, along with your chefs. so after this, book me and my friends a good spot on the third floor. Get the waiters to fill in my order, serve us well, and I will return home later, after paying the appropriate prices just like any other customer.

No discounts, you hear me?!”

Although many would consider that a threat, ReZhui easily deemed it as a declaration of modesty and morality.

“Still-”

“And finally, Owner, that money was originally dirty money. However, given the circumstance, those bandits’ cash are rightfully yours to keep for repairs and restoration. So, use them wisely.

If there’s anything you wish to pay me back, it's making sure my efforts for this place do not go to waste. Understand?”

She demanded clearly.

“...”

For a while, the Owner simply stared at the bags in contemplation, but he eventually answered with a formal salute.

“It’s a promise, Lady ShiYan.”

His hands interlocked firmly.

The Owner’s reluctance finally waned away, and ShiYan perked up in satisfaction.

‘Mission accomplished!’ was what ReZhui assumed ran across her mind.

.

.

.

Afterwards, the Owner assigned a senior waiter to guide the group upstairs. Further towards the end where the entrance to the kitchen was, a flight of wooden stairs was situated at the corner. Outlined with animal carvings and sculptures, the consistency for luxury continued upwards.

Once ReZhui reached the second floor however, a surprised, delighted look was suddenly plastered over his face. Akin to when he first saw ShiYan, he also wondered about something else at the back of his mind, and his answer was now right in front of him.

The floor plan had a similar layout to the ground level. Rows of round tables with additional features such as artwork and plants decorating the ends. Thankfully, the holes beneath them haven’t penetrated to the second level, which shows the building’s durability.

Not only that, the other customers absent below were all actually residing upstairs with whatever scraps of food they could escape with, amidst the crossfire. About five groups of people were present here, ranging from friend cliques to entire family gatherings. Despite the ruckus experienced earlier, they could be seen eating naturally to the remains of their dishes along with some new orders for replacement.

After all, this class of people could afford several rounds in a single sitting. But, of course, in a hastily made retreat upstairs, there was only so much that one could do to make it out unharmed so several of them already had first aid applied to them. Cloth bandages and slings, and washes of alcohol and warm water, were administered professionally. And the one who did it all for these solely money-educated folk faced ReZhui and the group at the right time, just as the individual got up from finishing a scraped knee. Wiping off the forehead’s sweat, they then made eye contact.

ReZhui’s glimmering onyx eyes met the gaze of a sparkly icy blue pair.

An unusual characteristic around these parts of the Bai river basin.

“No way, it seems I was right to not judge otherwise!”

ReZhui smiled proudly.

“It’s been quite a while, isn’t it, Eddi?”

Donning a simple dark brown QiPao that fell to his ankles with five black knots for buttons on the right, the youthful teen also wore a chalk white garment as the inner layer, and finally, a light tan robe with wide, long sleeves that fitted perfectly for his now slim and tall frame. His pants and shoes were a typical matt black and his collars on top were fastened tidily. A dark leather belt was also strapped around his waist, beneath the QiPao with several small utility pockets attached firmly and concealed. Overall, it was a getup of the utmost decorum.

Complementing those icy blue eyes within grown rectangular outlines that was loosely reminiscent of Hunter’s eyes, Eddisson’s blonde hair, having recovered from years of caking it with mud and ash, was now a golden yellow hue. The front curled up naturally and parted into two sides further to the right. This curliness became less apparent as the hair reached over his ears where a singular, long braid fell near his waist, instead. However, since Eddisson’s hair was naturally wavy, the ends curved outwards like a hook.

A chiseled jawline was slowly carving out its shape and his Adam's apple was the most pronounced. Similar to his eyes and jaw, his face also grew more angular, shaping into a long rectangle over the past half decade. The signs of his previous childhood neglect and malnutrition were nowhere to be seen, and he could not be thankful enough for it.

Grinning softly, Eddisson rushed forward with his arms spread wide open, and ReZhui gladly returned the gesture.

“ReZhui!”

A tough thud sounded as they collided into a hug.

Their arms interlocked with one another, deep in embrace.

It was a brotherhood beyond the ties of blood.

Several slaps on each other’s backs and hearty laughter, ShiYan and the others watched on with warm-felt expressions. Eventually, the two teens released themselves, full of vigour.

“I was wondering where you were when I saw ShiYan show up outside. So, you were here after all, huh?”

ReZhui cheerfully commented. At the moment, Eddisson was only slightly taller than him, purely due to having a longer neck and legs.

“Well…everything happened so suddenly when ShiYan and I just sat down on our table. Getting everyone to safety was much harder than it appeared to be.”

Eddisson rubbed the back of his head.

“So, the two of you split up? Or…”

“Eddi immediately set up an illusion to temporarily disorient the bandits for most of the others to make their escape. Once that’s done, the two of us started beating the crap out of those scumbags with him as my support!”

ShiYan punched her palm with a smirk.

“I see.”

“But, of course, everything had to come crashing down when you changed course towards the second floor, Eddi! I remember telling you specifically to do the casualty check after we thoroughly empty them clean so what gives, when you suddenly disappear, leaving your beloved sister to fend for herself all alone, huh!?”

From that smooth transition into a short outburst, Eddisson averted his gaze from her. His ears burnt red.

“A-about that, I just thought it was plenty enough for them…”

“What! Argh, just how many excuses can the two of you make up?”

“Again ShiYan, Eddi and I both know how skilled you are, so-”

“That’s besides the point, you brutes!”

“...!”