This is worth two to three million.
Where would they get the money to compensate now?
"Hmph, you still say it wasn't intentional? You're not leaving today unless you pay up! You, go find Steward Yan and have him come arbitrate."
The boss yelled.
Several martial artists immediately surrounded them, looking aggressive.
"What do we do, what do we do!"
Su Long was so distressed she started crying, looking to Hua Yue and Bai Hao for help.
"Young Master Bai, don't you have a backer? Hurry and invite him to save Su Long!"
The other young masters from Hongze City urged.
Bai Hao was a bit hesitant, but the current situation didn't allow him to be a coward. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to maintain his standing in this circle.
He said, "I don't know if he's here... I'll go see if I can find him!"
The boss didn't stop him.
He sneered, "Hmph, trying to call for backup, are we? Go ahead, I, Old Yan, have been around here for over ten years and haven't backed down from anyone!"
The martial artists beside him also wore confident smiles.
As the commotion grew larger,
more onlookers gathered.
A strong individual commented, "This 'Yan the Ghost' is at it again, trying to scam people. These young ones are clearly outsiders. Let them suffer a bit and pay their tuition! The underground trading market isn't a place for their casual strolls."
Su Long, Hua Yue, and the others heard these discussions.
If they still didn't understand, they would be idiots.
So, they had been tricked by this Boss Yan!
Soon, a commotion rippled through the outer edge of the crowd. Bai Hao, with an excited and smug expression, led a person in the uniform of an underground trading market supervisor.
"I didn't expect these young ones to know Li Fanpei. With Li Fanpei backing them, 'Yan the Ghost' probably won't be able to scam them this time."
The strong individuals nearby chattered, clearly recognizing the person Bai Hao brought.
"Greetings, Supervisor Li!"
"Supervisor Li, long time no see. How have you been lately?"
"Salutations to Supervisor Li. I have a small business matter recently, and I hope Supervisor Li can look after it."
Supervisor Li walked with a swagger, somewhat like a crab.
As he strode by, strong individuals frequently greeted and bowed to Li Fanpei.
Li Fanpei merely nodded faintly, appearing quite arrogant.
Bai Hao, following behind Li Fanpei, couldn't help but puff out his chest, feeling very proud and triumphant.
The hierarchy in the underground trading market was very distinct.
From top to bottom, it was divided into Protectors, Stewards, Supervisors, and Laborers.
Supervisors were already considered mid-level managers, holding a considerable status, and were typically the ones merchants and martial artists sought to curry favor with.
Bai Hao pointed at Boss Yan and said to him, "Brother Li, it's this unscrupulous merchant who's trying to scam us!"
Supervisor Li nodded arrogantly, then gestured with his chin towards Boss Yan, saying, "So it's you, Old Yan. The dragon king's temple is flooded by the dragon king's own forces; we are all family. For my sake, let's just let this one go!"
"Did you hear that! You damned monkey, you damned swindler, daring to scam us? Did you think we were easy to bully? Hurry up and apologize!"
With Supervisor Li's backing, Bai Hao became extremely arrogant, glaring at the boss and shouting.
"Young Master Bai is amazing! He actually brought a backer!"
Those young masters exchanged glances, filled with excitement.
"Hey, you scoundrel, did you hear what our Young Master Bai said? Hurry up, kneel and apologize! Then compensate us a few million, or we won't let you off!"
Those young masters acted as if they had turned the tables, hands on their hips, pointing at Boss Yan's nose and threatening him.
Even Su Long, who had been crying earlier, grew bolder, her eyes fixed on another exquisite jade pendant. "Young Master Bai, I want him to compensate me for this treasure!"
Young Master Bai generously waved his hand, "No problem, I'll handle it for you!"
The surrounding onlookers sneered and shook their heads.
Seeing these youngsters acting so smugly, and that woman even trying to target Boss Yan, they were truly lacking in discretion and didn't know when to stop.
Even Supervisor Li's expression showed displeasure.
Boss Yan had considerable connections within the underground trading market.
Even he was unwilling to provoke him.
And his relationship with Bai Hao was merely that of distant cousins, quite ordinary.
It was already generous for him to come out and support them.
But the actions of Bai Hao and the others were somewhat pushing their luck.
When Supervisor Li appeared, Boss Yan had initially intended to let the matter drop.
However, upon seeing Bai Hao and those young scamps acting so brazenly in front of him, his eyes narrowed.
If the tiger doesn't show its might, does it think I'm a sick cat!
When my backer arrives, you'll all regret this!
Just then,
a commotion arose from the rear of the crowd.
"Get out of the way, are you blind? Steward Huang is here! Make way for Steward Huang!"
The crowd parted.
A fat man, clad in the blue uniform of a steward, approached surrounded by many people.
The moment Boss Yan saw this fat man, his face lit up with joy. "Godfather! You've finally arrived!"
"Godfather, please help me arbitrate! This slut broke my precious item, and they brought Li Fanpei to back them. These little brats are even demanding I kneel and apologize to them, and pay them millions!"
Boss Yan slid on his knees, prostrating himself at the fat man's feet, crying and complaining, holding onto his leg.
"Hmph, you unscrupulous merchant finally knows fear!"
"Do you think this fatso can save you? We have Supervisor Li backing us. What the hell is this fatso compared to him!"
Those young masters were now extremely arrogant and confident, sneering dismissively.
Bai Hao turned his head and frowned, asking Supervisor Li, "Brother Li, who is this big fatty?"
*Slap!*
However, to his surprise, Li Fanpei backhanded him hard.
It stunned him completely.
The other young masters, as well as Su Long and Hua Yue, were also dumbfounded.
"Brother Li, why are you hitting me!"
Bai Hao, covering his swollen face, asked in confusion.
"Idiot, shut up!"
Supervisor Li cursed through gritted teeth.
When the fat man appeared, Li Supervisor's expression changed, realizing the situation was dire.
He hadn't expected Boss Yan's backer to be Steward Huang!
This was his direct superior.
He was desperately trying to figure out how to explain to Steward Huang.
Unexpectedly, Bai Hao and those suicidal little rascals dared to be so presumptuous in front of Steward Huang, spewing vulgarities!
Bai Hao even dared to call Steward Huang a big fatty, and Steward Huang was most sensitive about being called fat.
These damned fools.
It was one thing to act arrogantly in front of Boss Yan.
But provoking Steward Huang meant even he couldn't protect them.
Damn it, this was pushing him into a fiery pit.
These people, having lived so long, had no common sense?
This wasn't their Hongze City; this was Tianchu City, not a place where they could be arrogant and presumptuous!
"Supervisor Li, you're quite imposing. I'm not even worthy of carrying your shoes."
Steward Huang looked at Li Fanpei with a half-smile.
Li Fanpei trembled instantly.
He knew Steward Huang's smile all too well.
Every time he smiled like that at someone, it meant that person was about to face misfortune.
Li Fanpei no longer dared to hesitate and immediately knelt before Steward Huang.
"Steward Huang, please forgive us. These juniors have eyes but failed to recognize your eminence and have unintentionally offended you. Please be magnanimous and overlook their transgressions this time!"
Bai Hao, Su Long, and the others were completely bewildered.
Even if they were foolish, seeing Bai Hao's backer, Li Fanpei, kneeling and begging for mercy, they finally realized that this fat man was a truly powerful figure whom even Li Fanpei couldn't afford to offend.
They had truly caused a major disaster!
Bai Hao and the others' legs turned to jelly, almost wetting themselves from fear.
Su Long and Hua Yue also turned pale, their pretty faces ashen.
Boss Yan's sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced countenance displayed an extremely triumphant smile.
Let these little brats dare to defecate and urinate on his head; now they know fear.
Steward Huang's smile vanished, and he suddenly shouted sternly, "Forgive them? Where would that leave my reputation!"
This sentence almost gave Bai Hao and Su Long heart attacks.
Even Li Fanpei was sweating profusely.
"Little Yan, how much is the treasure these people broke?"
"Three million!"
Boss Yan replied.
"Hmm... then let them each pay six million!"
Boss Yan was overjoyed.
Six million each would mean tens of millions of taels of silver in compensation.
Although a large portion of it would be offered to Steward Huang, the remainder would be enough for him to live lavishly for the rest of his life.
Bai Hao, Su Long, and the others turned deathly pale with fear.
If they were asked to gather three million, their families could barely afford it.
But paying six million each would not only bankrupt them but also take half their lives.
Especially Su Long and the other two or three whose families were not as wealthy; they would have to sell everything they owned to scrape together this enormous compensation.
"Little Li, you should know the rules of our Dark Martial Hall's underground trading market. If they can't pay, they leave their lives behind."
Steward Huang said with a cold smile.
Supervisor Li, sweating profusely, quickly nodded, "Steward Huang, don't worry, I understand, I understand. I'll make them pay!"
"You damn fool, you've caused me such a huge mess. Hurry and notify your family to come and redeem yourselves! I can't cover for you this time."
Supervisor Li angrily turned back and yelled at Bai Hao.
Bai Hao and the others' last shred of hope vanished.
Even Supervisor Li couldn't afford to offend Steward Huang. Who could save them now?
Su Long's eyes went dark, and she collapsed onto the ground.
Bai Hao knelt before Steward Huang with a thud, begging, "Your Excellency Steward, please show mercy! We were blind and offended you. We deserve to die, but six million... it's simply too much. Can it be a little less? It's not that we won't pay, it's just that we truly cannot afford it."
Steward Huang's eyes, hidden within his fleshy folds, darted around, lingering on the alluring curves revealed by Su Long as she knelt on the ground. He then greedily glanced at Hua Yue's beautiful and striking face.
He suddenly smiled and said, "I can waive this six million compensation..."
Bai Hao and the others were overjoyed!
But Steward Huang's next words sent them plunging into an ice cellar.
Steward Huang pointed at Su Long and Hua Yue and said, "As an exchange, these two women are mine!"
Looking at the greasy, lecherous Steward Huang, Hua Yue and Su Long were utterly terrified.
Su Long kept shrinking back.
Hua Yue was also greatly alarmed.
"Young Master Bai, save us!"
Su Long cried out to Bai Hao for help.
However, Bai Hao ignored them, instead fawningly saying to Steward Huang, "Steward Huang, you truly have discerning taste! These two girls are the most beautiful women in our Hongze City, known as the Twin Beauties of Hongze City!"
Hua Yue and Su Long's eyes widened, unable to believe that Bai Hao would say such a thing.
"You...!"
"What about me! It's your honor that Steward Huang fancies you."
Saying this, Bai Hao quickly got up and moved far away.
The other young masters from Hongze City were the same.
Although the surrounding people cast looks of contempt and disdain,
they couldn't afford to care about that now.
Better a dead comrade than a living friend.
To protect themselves, they could only sacrifice Hua Yue and Su Long.
Besides, this disaster was originally caused by Su Long.
If she didn't take the blame, who would?
It was just a pity that Hua Yue was implicated.
"Hahaha! You few youngsters are quite sensible. Good, then you may leave. These two women will be my attendants."
Steward Huang laughed heartily.
"Run!"
Hua Yue grabbed the dazed Su Long and prepared to flee.
However, the strong individuals of the underground trading market immediately surrounded them. The weakest were at the peak of the Qi Refining realm, and there were even some Profound Gang realm experts among them.
With only Hua Yue and Su Long's cultivation at the Qi Refining realm, they were practically trapped with no escape!
Steward Huang's eyes, hidden within his fleshy folds, shot out lustful glints. He eagerly reached out with his large hands towards Hua Yue and Su Long.
Boss Yan and the other strong individuals from the underground trading market also felt a slight thrill.
These two women were indeed beautiful.
When Steward Huang grew tired of them, they could still have a turn!
Bai Hao and the others looked ashamed and turned their heads away, unable to bear watching.
Just then,
a faint voice suddenly came from outside the crowd.
"Stop!"
The voice was not loud.
However, it clearly reached everyone's ears.
The crowd automatically parted, creating a path.
A grey-haired youth, dressed in simple cloth, resembling a scholarly neighbor, walked over.
Steward Huang couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, looking towards the source of the voice with a hint of menace.
He shouted indignantly, "Which blind fool dares to meddle in your Lord Huang's business!"