Chapter 29: Regret is too deep, damn it

Tian Heng clenched his fist tightly, so tightly that his fingernails were digging into his palms.

Inside, he felt a mix of sadness and indignation.

Why?

It took Tian Heng decades of hard training and fighting to achieve what he had today.

And yet, just a few days ago, the guy in front of him was nothing more than an ant that could be crushed at will.

And now, this guy could brazenly come and challenge him.

Just because he's handsome?

So every minute, Tian Heng felt the urge to smash Shen Lang's face to pieces.

But he couldn't!

So, Tian Heng pretended to be angry and said, "Thirteen actually offended Lord Shen? That's truly unforgivable. When he comes back, I will definitely break his legs!"

Shen Lang frowned and asked, "He's not here?"

"Yes, conveniently not here," Tian Heng smiled. "I sent him to Bailin City last night. He probably won't be back for a month or two."

"Ha!"

Shen Lang found it hard to believe such a coincidence, but since Tian Heng said he wasn't here, he couldn't investigate further.

"If he's not here, then forget it. But make sure to inform me when he comes back," Shen Lang said. "I won't rest until I break his legs. This grudge will not go unsettled!"

"Of course, of course," Tian Heng forced a smile.

"Goodbye," Shen Lang left directly.

The guards of the Earl's Mansion looked at the box of coins on the table, unsure whether they should take it.

Shen Lang said, "Take the money. It's a debt Tian Heng owes me personally, has nothing to do with the mansion."

The guards stepped forward, picked up the box of coins, and followed Shen Lang out.

As they were leaving, two guards exchanged a glance, wondering if the young miss had picked the wrong gentleman.

His shameless demeanor completely contradicted the values of the Earl's Mansion.

...

After Shen Lang left, the leader of the Black Cloth Gang, Tian Heng, could no longer contain himself. He smashed all the teacups on the table and stomped on the cups Shen Lang had used, turning them into porcelain powder.

"Someone, chop up the chair he sat on and burn it."

Instantly, two black-clothed gang members came in, chopped up the chair Shen Lang had used into kindling, and took it to the kitchen to burn.

"Father, don't be angry. Shen Lang's despicable behavior will surely be punished by Lord Xuanwu, who cherishes his reputation as if it were his own child. We might hear about Shen Lang's tragic end at the Earl's Mansion soon."

Tian Thirteen walked out.

Of course, he hadn't gone to Bailin City.

Tian Heng said, "I just can't believe it. How can a useless person transform into a dandy so quickly, so naturally, and learn without a master?"

He knew that Shen Lang was not useless, but saying so made him feel better.

"Just a fool who went from rags to riches, he'll never amount to much," Tian Thirteen sneered. "Look at his shameless face, he's not going to achieve anything significant."

Tian Heng said, "For the next few days, don't go out, just stay inside and handle things for the gang, don't show your face."

Tian Thirteen felt immense hatred inside but could only nod. "Yes."

However...

At that moment, just when Shen Lang had already left, he suddenly rushed back.

Tian Thirteen was startled and made a quick move to hide.

"Stop hiding, I see you," Shen Lang sneered. "Tian Thirteen, your speed is impressive, coming back from Bailin City in the blink of an eye, covering thousands of miles in a single second."

Tian Heng was on the verge of exploding with anger. This bastard, Shen Lang, not only shameless but also deceitful.

He had already left and yet he's making a surprise return?

Shen Lang looked at Tian Thirteen and said, "You led a dozen men to my house, broke in, and tried to capture my parents and brother. If it weren't for Jin Zhong's arrival, they might have suffered unimaginable consequences. I just want to break your legs, is that too much?"

Tian Thirteen's face twitched, and he looked at Shen Lang coldly.

Faced with someone with such a vengeful nature, begging for mercy was utterly useless, so he didn't bother hiding his resentment.

Shen Lang calmly said, "Master Tian, you promised that as soon as Thirteen returned, you would break his legs to vent my anger. Now, go ahead!"

Tian Heng closed his eyes.

He didn't want to do this.

Moreover, after seeing Shen Lang officially becoming a part of the Earl's Mansion last night, Tian Heng, who was full of anxiety, had immediately found a powerful backer.

The Prefect, Zhang Chong.

Of course, he had talked to Zhang Jin about it.

He had used a full thirty-five percent of the profits from five casinos to gain the protection of the Zhang family.

When he agreed to this condition, his heart was bleeding.

Because more than sixty percent of the annual profits came from the gambling houses.

But this gave him the power to protect himself and the courage to turn against the Count's Mansion.

He didn't want to completely break ties with Shen Lang.

But this unfilial person did not know how to back down.

...

Suddenly, Tian Heng's face changed abruptly, his eyes turned icy, and then he slammed his fist onto the table.

"Bang!"

Instantly, the incredibly sturdy redwood table was shattered to pieces.

At the same time, two martial warriors from the Count's Mansion drew their swords and stood in front of Shen Lang.

Regardless of what they thought inside, as long as Shen Lang was in danger, they would fight to the death for him.

"Tian Heng, you should not go too far!" Shen Lang coldly retorted.

Of course, he couldn't possibly break Tian San's legs, not because he had deep feelings for this adopted son, but because it would affect his reputation.

Tian San was sent by him to handle things, to capture Shen Lang and his family.

If he broke Tian San's legs due to pressure from Shen Lang, he would lose his authority. Who would dare to serve him in the future?

He would be humiliated throughout the entire Xuanwu City.

"Tian Heng, it was your own promise. How can I be accused of going too far?" Shen Lang sneered.

Tian Heng retorted, "Shen Lang, it's better to forgive and forget. Spare the rod and spoil the child."

Shen Lang said coldly, "When I was weak and powerless, and you were planning to kill me and my family, did you ever think about forgiving and forgetting?"

Tian Heng stared at Shen Lang and said, word by word, "But you're not truly powerful, just taking advantage of your position."

Having torn off the veils, Tian Heng no longer concealed the truth, "Indeed, you have become a son-in-law of the Count's Mansion, and I dare not lay a hand on you. But you're just a superfluous son-in-law of the Count's Mansion, with a position only slightly higher than a servant. You cannot control me."

Tian San added, "Moreover, the Count loves the people like his own children. You, a newly appointed son-in-law of the Count's Mansion, behave arrogantly. The Count could not spare you. In order to rectify the family reputation, he might even resort to extreme measures against his own kin. Your enjoyment won't last long."

Tian Heng continued, "The Count is a very principled person. My influence is not within the jurisdiction of the Count's territory. I am a thousand-battalion officer of the Xuanwu City, under the jurisdiction of the City Lord's Mansion. As long as I don't offend the Count, he won't do anything to me. I don't want to provoke you, Shen Lang, but it doesn't mean I'm afraid of you!"

In a sense, Tian Heng's words were completely reasonable.

Now that Yue Kingdom is implementing new policies, the Count's actions have become increasingly low-key and restrained. Unless it's within his jurisdiction, he won't interfere in local military and political affairs, otherwise, it would only lead to trouble.

The Prefectural Governor's Mansion and even the Governor's Mansion have countless eyes watching, waiting for the Count's Mansion to make a mistake.

Tian Heng said, "Shen Lang, I was originally going to give you face, and we could have been friends. But you have gone too far, disregarding the face I've given you. Don't blame me for tearing off the veil."

Shen Lang also put away his smile and said, "Tian Heng, I'll ask you once more, are you willing to break Tian San's legs?"

Tian Heng sneered, "If you want to do it, do it yourself, or let the martial warriors of the Count's Mansion do it."

Shen Lang do it?

How could that be possible? He couldn't possibly beat Tian San.

Let the martial warriors of the Count's Mansion do it?

Even more impossible!

These two warriors would protect Shen Lang at the cost of their lives, but they would never obey his orders to harm someone.

Shen Lang looked at the two, just testing the waters.

These two martial warriors directly avoided his gaze, making it clear that Shen Lang could not order them.

"Shen Lang, it was peaceful before, so why make it like this?" Tian Heng smiled coldly. "It's all about saving face."

Mulan once said that Shen Lang could slap Tian Heng without resistance, and he might even offer his face helplessly.

However, breaking Tian San's legs would be like breaking Tian Heng's arm, beyond his limit.

So Tian Heng turned against him!

Shen Lang's face tensed, then suddenly he broke into a big smile.

"Tian Heng, Chief Tian!"

"Shen Lang, Master Shen!"

Shen Lang glanced at the sky outside and said, "It's getting late today, I have to visit my parents, let's talk about it tomorrow."

"What about tomorrow?" Tian Heng smiled.

Shen Lang said, "Tomorrow I will have you break Tian Shisan's legs in front of me and swallow back the words you said today."

"Hahaha..." Tian Hong laughed, "What a big talker you are. You are just a son-in-law of the Earl's Mansion, so don't boast. Pretending to be someone you're not. You want to overpower me? Daydreaming!"

Shen Lang said, "Well, tomorrow will come soon enough, and we will see then, Master Tian."

Tian Hong said, "I'll be waiting!"

Shen Lang smiled kindly and said, "Master Tian, see you tomorrow."

Today, hardly any progress was made.

Tomorrow, Tian Hong will know what real agony feels like, regretting it so deeply that he'll spit blood!

Note: Thanks for the generous reward from Baiwei Sui Xin, and thanks to the reader from the Book City for the reward of 15,532,8853 coins.