Chapter Nineteen: Emptiness

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The Sea Old Owl?
The chief enforcer under Zhou Yunfu, the underground boss of Fengtian?
A notorious figure in Jiangcheng, specializing in the dirty work?
Madam Feng, who had been involved in the underworld herself, understood their identities the moment she heard the name, her face instantly turning pale, nearly drained of color.
Hook was just a street thug, unaware of the weight behind the name “Sea Old Owl.” Seeing both his ears bitten off by pigs, he was struck with terror beyond measure, his fear boiling into rage that he then unleashed on Jiang Xiaodao.
“You little brat, you think you’re untouchable because of your backing? If I’d known, I should’ve chopped you up right then!”
At these words, the corner of Jiang Chenghai’s mouth twitched as he turned around, his face instantly dropping.
Seeing this, Gong Baonan immediately kicked Hook to his knees.
Jiang Chenghai stepped forward with measured steps, nodded slightly, and said, “Not bad. He’s a tough one! Normally, I might hold you in higher regard, but you dared to bark orders at my son in front of me? If I’d kept quiet, how could I be a father?”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Jiang Chenghai drew a pistol from his sleeve and swung the butt hard against Hook’s mouth.
With a sharp crack, blood gushed from Hook’s mouth, and three or five front teeth flew out.
“Stop hitting him! If you keep going, someone’s going to die!” Madam Feng knelt beside them, begging tearfully.
But Jiang Chenghai showed no sign of relenting, smashing the pistol butt repeatedly until all of Hook’s teeth were knocked out before finally stopping.
Hook lay sprawled on the ground, his mouth a bloody ruin, gasping heavily, blood spurting from the corners of his mouth.
Madam Feng’s pleas went unheard, and her mind raced frantically, wishing she could call upon every contact she’d ever made. Suddenly, a bright idea struck her—she recalled a customer from her days as a black-market matchmaker.
“Brother Hai, please stop! I just remembered, I know your third sister, ‘Chuan Erhong.’ For her sake, could you spare us this time?”
Jiang Chenghai wiped the pistol butt clean, glanced at Madam Feng, and asked, “You know my third sister?”
Madam Feng’s eyes lit up as she nodded eagerly. “Of course! Xu Ruqing from Fengtian! I even did business with her once!”
Jiang Chenghai’s expression softened a bit. Looking down at the unconscious Hook, he decided it was enough and said, “Since you know my sister’s real name and it was my son who broke the rules first, let’s call today’s matter settled.”
Madam Feng felt as if granted a royal pardon and quickly kowtowed repeatedly. “Thank you, Brother Hai, for your mercy. Here are thirty taels. Please forgive any offenses.”
Jiang Chenghai waved his hand dismissively. “Keep your money. Weren’t you just after the cash?”
“Oh, brother, you’re teasing me! How dare I take your money? This was all a misunderstanding! It’s that damned old Cui who spoiled everything by not telling me about this kid sooner...”
“Take it or leave it!” Jiang Chenghai cut her off sharply.
“Wh-what sort of act is this?” Madam Feng sighed helplessly, glanced around, and finally fixed her gaze on Old Cui.

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Old Cui silently nodded.
He knew Jiang Chenghai’s temper all too well—black and white, clear and distinct.
Jiang Xiaodao broke the underworld code, Jiang Chenghai accepted the blame; Jiang Xiaodao got beaten, Jiang Chenghai would repay the debt.
To Jiang Chenghai, these were two separate and clear matters.
Madam Feng had no choice but to grit her teeth and accept the money. She then walked over to Hook, softly calling, “Hook, let’s go.”
But Hook had long since lost consciousness, lying on the ground, breathing heavily and roughly.
Madam Feng wiped away her tears. “Old Cui, are you just going to stand there? Come help me carry Hook onto the donkey cart!”
Old Cui glanced at Jiang Chenghai and, receiving permission, stepped forward to assist.
Guan Wei, seeing Madam Feng sobbing, couldn’t resist teasing, “Old lady, don’t cry! Now that this kid’s lost his teeth, he’ll serve you better—more comfortably!”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Madam Feng’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment, having nowhere to hide, she reluctantly climbed onto the donkey cart and headed home.
By the time this farce ended, dawn was breaking.
Jiang Chenghai sat back down on the bench and beckoned Jiang Xiaodao over. “Son, feeling better now?”
Jiang Xiaodao’s expression was dull; he stood there for a long while, saying nothing, his mind blank.
After all, he was only thirteen, naturally headstrong, yet witnessing Hook’s ears being bitten off had clearly shaken him.
This was different from facing a gun barrel, where sheer desperation and a fierce will could carry you through. But seeing someone ripped apart like livestock required a cold, ruthless heart.
Jiang Xiaodao suddenly recalled what Sixth Uncle Guan Wei had said: the two pigs in the yard were meant for business!
The greenwood underworld was no place for children’s play.
The louder the scene in the open gate, the bloodier it was behind the closed doors.
“Nephew, scared?” Gong Baonan and Guan Wei joked nearby.
Jiang Xiaodao instinctively puffed out his neck and shouted, “Who’s afraid of whom, son of a bitch!”
Gong Baonan continued snickering, “You *are* a son, after all!”
“Enough, Old Seven!” Jiang Chenghai scolded, then pulled Jiang Xiaodao into a hug with a smile. “Son, you’re still young, it’s okay to be afraid. But remember—because you’re afraid, you have to be ruthless. The more afraid you are, the tougher you must be. When you become ruthless enough, others will be the ones who fear you.”

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Jiang Xiaodao nodded. “I understand! If you’re not ruthless, you won’t stand your ground!”
“Right. And if your Seventh Uncle dares to tease you again, you beat him up!”
“But I can’t beat him!”
“Then it’s your own fault for being weak!” Jiang Chenghai chuckled. “So, you have to learn and train. Otherwise, you’ll suffer if you take on a job beyond your skill.”
Jiang Xiaodao pondered this seriously.
“All right!” Jiang Chenghai slapped his thigh. “Time to head back and rest. Old Cui, thanks for your hard work. Once I’m done with my business, I’ll thank you properly.”
“Brother Hai, you’re just mocking me!” Old Cui smiled quickly. “But I can’t go back to Madam Feng’s place now, and neither can Xiaodao.”
Jiang Chenghai turned to Jiang Xiaodao. “Son, you should go home these few days. You caused trouble, and now Old Cui has nowhere to stay. You should let him crash at your place for a few nights.”
Jiang Xiaodao said, “Going home is fine, but didn’t you forbid me from going back?”
Jiang Chenghai explained, “I’ve mostly settled my affairs. You should go back now. Remember, don’t cause more trouble, and listen to Old Cui. Hurry before dawn and get going!”
Jiang Xiaodao was confused but followed Old Cui back to the southern city.
As soon as they entered the room, Old Cui yawned and stretched.
“Xiaodao, I need to catch some sleep first. We’ll go begging again in the afternoon. Ah, getting old, can’t keep up the pace anymore!”
Jiang Xiaodao blinked. “My mother died right where you’re lying.”
“Ah?” Old Cui was unsettled and shifted away from the bedhead. “Ignorance is no crime, don’t hold it against me!”
Within moments, Old Cui was snoring.
Jiang Xiaodao tried to nap too but tossed and turned, never feeling at ease.
After over two hours of restlessness, he suddenly remembered the source of his unease. Quietly, he crept to the edge of the kang bed, lifted two bricks, and peered inside—completely empty!
The foreigner’s head was gone!
Chills ran down Jiang Xiaodao’s spine, and just as panic was setting in, he felt his ear itch.
Turning around, he saw Old Cui smiling slyly at him.
“Xiaodao, what treasure are you hiding here?”