I, the Reborn Villain, After Nine Lifetimes of Simping Over the Empress, Crushed the System and Escaped - Chapter 4:

Chapter 4: The Crazy Town

At the border between the Heavenly Dominion Empire and the Ziyuan Empire, there was a lawless region that belonged to one of the seven great sects of the Eastern Continent of the Xianwu Realm—the Azure Cloud Sect. Within this territory stood a special town called Qingyang City.

The people of Qingyang City were simple and honest. 

The residents worked from dawn to dusk, living busy but steady lives. Neighbors supported one another in times of need. In this world where martial strength reigned supreme, such a harmonious environment was rare.

Although Qingyang City was considered small compared to imperial benchmark cities, compared to ordinary towns it was a metropolis, with a population of over one million. Because it was located in a lawless region, the Azure Cloud Sect had naturally brought it under its jurisdiction.

Being a righteous sect, the Azure Cloud Sect imposed little on the city. Aside from collecting food, medicinal herbs, and ironwork from the City Lord’s Mansion on fixed dates each month, they rarely interfered. At most, they would visit every year or two to look for talented children to take as disciples, which was considered an honor for the families. 

With the Azure Cloud Sect’s protection, Qingyang City flourished. Merchants and commoners from various nations settled there, boosting the city’s prosperity.

Of course, while the Azure Cloud Sect defended the city from barbarian tribes or demonic beasts, they did not intervene in the affairs of ordinary mortals. Because of this, beneath the city’s prosperity, gangs thrived. These gangs extorted protection fees, fought in the streets, and silenced people permanently when needed.

Still, the gangs operated within limits. As long as they did not disturb the Azure Cloud Sect, they coexisted in relative peace. But in the past three months, things had changed. Protection fees and street extortion had nearly vanished. The reason was simple: the dozens of gangs that once plagued Qingyang City had been annihilated. Only three remained, their territories clearly divided, and they no longer disturbed the peace.

The three surviving groups were: East Street’s Wuwei Martial Hall, led by Feng Xiunian, a 3rd grade Spirit Gathering Realm cultivator; West Street’s Yangwei Dojo, led by He Yishou, also at the 3rd grade Spirit Gathering Realm; and finally, a newly founded underground fighting arena, barely three months old, called the “Fight Club,” unmistakably established by Shen Zhao.

Four months earlier, Shen Zhao had fled the imperial capital and settled here. Free from the system’s constraints, he truly let himself go. The first thing he did upon arriving in Qingyang City was to clean up its chaotic underworld.

His method was simple and brutal. Standing atop a plaza where gangs had gathered, he declared, “I’m not targeting anyone, but whether you’re standing or sitting, you’re all trash.”

Someone shouted back, “I protest! Surely the ones lying down don’t count as trash?” 

Shen Zhao smirked, “Correction—you’re all trash.” 

Another man roared, “Fine! Wait and see!”

The gangs, furious, temporarily set aside all grudges—be it blood feuds or rivalries over women—and agreed to deal with this arrogant nobody. The next day, they rallied over a thousand men to “have a word” with Shen Zhao.

To Shen Zhao, it was a small matter. He fought alone, one punch per man, beating over a thousand thugs until they regretted ever being born. 

He taught them the hard way that “if you didn’t even finish middle school, you’d best not try your hand at society.”

After that battle, Shen Zhao’s reputation spread. The defeated thugs, shaken to their core, abandoned the underworld and sought honest livelihoods. Almost overnight, Qingyang City’s gangs vanished, ending years of extortion and violence.

City Lord Lu Zhantian was so overjoyed that he nearly awarded Shen Zhao a medal for being a “model youth.” Meanwhile, Feng Xiunian of the Wuwei Martial Hall and He Yishou of the Yangwei Dojo, realizing Shen Zhao’s extraordinary aura, did not challenge him. 

Instead, they paid personal visits and together formed an alliance—the “Sinful Alliance.” Naturally, Shen Zhao became its leader, having defeated thousands with his fists.

Thus began a new chapter in Qingyang City’s underworld, one even more lawless than before.

Yet some still refused to submit. One such man was Chen Ruhai, leader of the Chiron Gang. Today, he wanted to test this twenty-year-old alliance leader and see what weight he truly carried.

Inside the Fight Club, four gang leaders sat around a table enjoying hotpot. 

At the head sat Shen Zhao, focused on eating, chewing a piece of mutton straight from the pot without caring for appearances. Across from him sat He Yishou, small and stick-like, who looked like a matchstick man, enthusiastically urging Chen Ruhai, seated beside Shen Zhao, to eat more.

On Shen Zhao’s right sat Feng Xiunian, a burly man in his forties, nearly two meters tall, weighing over 100 kilograms. He wore an eyepatch over his left eye, had Peppa Pig tattooed on his left arm, a magical girl tattoo on his right, and a charcoal sketch of a grim celebrity across his chest. His appearance was both intimidating and bizarrely down-to-earth.

After a few rounds of wine, Chen Ruhai smiled at He Yishou and Feng Xiunian. “I’m new here. I hope you two brothers will take care of me. Don’t worry, I know the rules of the road. As long as you give me a place at the table, I’ll repay you generously.”

From the start, Chen Ruhai had only spoken with them, ignoring Shen Zhao. To him, this young man could not possibly be a real leader—surely just a puppet propped up by the two veterans. Such a small fry, he thought, was nothing to fear. And besides, he couldn’t lower himself to ask favors from a junior.

He Yishou glanced at Shen Zhao, who was still focused on cutting steak, and chuckled. “Boss Chen, no need to be so polite. Since you’re one of us, of course we’ll look after you. But rules are rules. If you want to establish yourself here in Qingyang City, you’ll need our Alliance Leader’s approval. Better ask him. If he agrees, everything will be fine.”

Feng Xiunian lit a cigar Shen Zhao had given him, exhaling a ring of smoke. “He’s right. This matter depends on our Alliance Leader. If something goes wrong later, someone has to take responsibility. Better to discuss with him directly.”

Chen Ruhai sneered. “You two old hands in the underworld really mean to obey a junior?”

The two exchanged a mocking glance. Clearly, they already knew Chen Ruhai was doomed. Shen Zhao was not someone to offend.

Yet Chen Ruhai, oblivious, glanced at Shen Zhao and said with disdain, “I suppose Alliance Leader Shen has no objection, right?”

Shen Zhao ignored him, calmly eating his steak and sipping wine. 

To Chen Ruhai, this only confirmed his belief that Shen Zhao was a puppet. He said coldly, “It’s good for young men to have ambition, but the underworld isn’t for everyone. Don’t think Qingyang City’s Azure Cloud Sect backers can keep you safe. Life is far more complicated than you think.” He pointed at the sandbags around the Fight Club and mocked, “Do you think setting up a few toys makes you a big shot? Power is what really matters here.”

Shen Zhao swallowed his last bite of steak, wiped his mouth with a napkin, then beckoned Chen Ruhai closer with a smile.

As soon as Chen Ruhai leaned in, Shen Zhao slapped him hard across the face. 

“Crack!” 

Chen Ruhai’s mind went blank. Before he could react, another slap came, swelling half his face until it looked like a basketball.

Shen Zhao did not stop. 

Slap after slap landed, each one heavier than the last. “We’re eating here, and you just won’t shut up. Who let you add your own script? I’m here to enjoy hotpot, not listen to an old fool whining. Do you think I don’t exist?”

After seven or eight slaps, Chen Ruhai’s teeth flew out, condemning him to a future of bland meals. 

Though he was a Spirit Gathering Realm cultivator, he could not muster a shred of spiritual energy. Instead, with each strike, his power drained, his cultivation visibly falling.

He Yishou and Feng Xiunian sensibly turned their heads away, pretending to admire the decorations.

After ten slaps, Chen Ruhai collapsed like a beaten dog, his face swollen beyond recognition. Shen Zhao rolled up his sleeves and stood, saying, “Don’t bring stray dogs like this onto my turf again, unless you no longer want to survive here.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” the two men quickly ordered their underlings to check Chen Ruhai. If he was dead, they’d bury him in some forgotten spot. If alive, they’d toss him into the river to fend for himself. 

They also commanded their men to wipe out the Chiron Gang entirely.

Once it was handled, Shen Zhao said, “The Guangyuan Auction House’s people should be arriving soon. The goods are ready. He Yishou, handle the pricing. Feng Xiunian, keep an eye out. More forces have been appearing around Qingyang City lately. If anything unusual happens, inform me at once.”

The two replied, “Rest assured, little brother. Leave it to us.”