The Heavens: Man Covers the Heavens, Refines Treasures to Become an Emperor

"Don't blame us for being impolite; we'll smash up your lousy shop and make sure you can't survive in Yanxia City!"

Gu Liang was so angry that he trembled all over.

"Black Snake! You've gone too far! We bought this shop with our own hard-earned money! Why should we give it to you? You want more money? I can give you more! But the shop, absolutely not!"

As he spoke, he reached for his money pouch.

"Pah! Who cares about your stinking money!"

Black Snake spat a mouthful of phlegm onto the ground, shoved away Gu Liang's hand that was handing him money, and said viciously.

"I want the shop today! You won't give it to me? Brothers, smash it!"

"Smash!"

"Abandoned him!"

Several thugs who had been holding back for a long time immediately rushed forward, shouting. One of them, a burly man with a pockmarked face, swung his fist, which was as big as a sandbag, and smashed it hard toward Gu Liang's temple with a whooshing sound! If this punch landed, he would be seriously injured if not killed!
A hint of despair flashed in Gu Liang's eyes!
However, just as that fist was about to touch Gu Liang!

A slender, seemingly not very strong hand appeared out of thin air like a ghost and gripped the pockmarked strong man's wrist with perfect precision!

"Crack!"

A sharp, teeth-grinding cracking sound suddenly rang out!

"Ow!!!"

The savage grin on the pockmarked man's face instantly turned into a twisted pain, and he let out a bloodcurdling scream!
He felt as if his wrist bones had been crushed by iron clamps!

Before he could react, the owner of that hand, Jiang Xuan, with icy eyes, flicked his wrist, and a surge of immense power erupted!
"boom!"

The burly man with pockmarks, whose massive body weighed at least two hundred pounds, was flung away like a tattered sack, crashing heavily onto the bluestone pavement seven or eight zhang away. He immediately lost consciousness, his wrist twisted at an eerie angle.

This sudden turn of events left the entire room in a deathly silence!

All the thugs were stunned, staring in horror at Jiang Xuan's sudden appearance and his unconscious companion on the ground.

Black Snake was both shocked and furious, pointing at Jiang Xuan.

"Where did this little bastard come from! Daring to meddle in the Black Snake Gang's business? You're asking for death!"

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Xuan's figure had already appeared in front of him as if by teleportation.

Black Snake felt a blur before his eyes, and a terrifying gust of wind rushed towards him!

"Snapped!!!"

A resounding slap landed squarely on Black Snake Brother's face!
Jiang Xuan did not use his spiritual energy to deliver this slap, but with his physical strength now tempered to the extreme, it was something that no ordinary thug could withstand!
"puff!"

Black Snake was sent flying through the air as if he had been struck by a charging bull, his mouth spun and sprayed with blood mixed with several broken teeth! Half of his face swelled up at a visible speed, resembling a pig's head, blood streaming from his mouth and nose. He crashed heavily to the ground, groaning and unable to get up.

quiet!
Deathly silence!

The remaining thugs, witnessing the miserable state of their leader and strongest henchman, were terrified! They looked at Jiang Xuan as if he were a demon from hell!

"roll!"

Jiang Xuan coldly uttered a single word, his gaze sweeping over the remaining trembling thugs.

"Mom!"

"Run!"

"The idea is prickly!"

The remaining people dared not linger. They scrambled away, not even caring about their unconscious companions, and fled the scene in a panic, leaving behind only a few blustering but cowardly words that drifted away in the wind.

"Kid! You wait! The Black Snake Gang won't let you get away with this!"

"Don't run away if you have the guts!"

Jiang Xuan completely ignored the wailing of those defeated dogs and walked up to Gu Liang, who was still in shock.

"Brother Jiang... Jiang Xuan?!"

When Gu Liang saw who it was, his face instantly lit up with unbelievable joy, and his voice trembled.

"It really is you!"

"it's me."

Jiang Xuan nodded, his brows furrowing slightly as he looked at Gu Liang's pale face and trembling body.

"It's not convenient to talk here, let's go inside."

Gu Liang then seemed to wake from a dream and nodded hurriedly.

"Yes! Yes! Brother Jiang Xuan, please come in!"

He quickly opened the shop door and welcomed Jiang Xuan inside, then swiftly closed the door as if to shut out all outside prying eyes.

The shop is simply furnished but well-organized, displaying antiques, jade artifacts, and miscellaneous items, reflecting Gu Yanping's consistent meticulous style.

Gu Liang led Jiang Xuan to a quiet inner room, served him tea, and his face still showed lingering fear and gratitude.

"Brother Jiang Xuan, we really owe you a lot today! If you hadn't shown up in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

Jiang Xuan waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down, and asked.

"What exactly happened? Where's Uncle Gu? How did you get involved with these thugs?"

A hint of sadness flashed across Gu Liang's face when his father was mentioned.

“My father is still in Donglin City dealing with some final matters of his business. He won’t be able to come over for a while. I will be in charge of the shops in Yanxia City for the time being.”

He sighed, his face showing resentment and helplessness.

"As for these people... they're not just ordinary thugs! They're members of a local gang called the 'Black Snake Gang' in Yanxia City, who usually just collect protection money and bully others. But this time... they're clearly after our Jin Yutang!"

Gu Liang's eyes were filled with worry.

“Brother Jiang Xuan, as you saw, they don’t want money at all; they just want to force us to give up our shops! I suspect… there must be someone behind them! It’s very likely one of the other big merchants in Yanxia City! Although our Jin Yutang has only been here for a short time, thanks to the channels and reputation my father has built up over the years, our business is doing quite well, especially in buying and selling some rare and precious spiritual materials, which has touched the interests of some people… I’m worried that this is just the beginning, and those people won’t let it go.”

Jiang Xuan listened quietly, his fingers lightly tapping the table. Gu Liang's analysis was consistent with his previous judgment.

This is by no means a simple street extortion, but a malicious suppression under the guise of business competition.

Seeing the undisguised worry and helplessness in Gu Liang's eyes, Jiang Xuan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and calmly said, "Leave this to me."

Gu Liang suddenly looked up and saw Jiang Xuan's calm yet incredibly reliable face. An indescribable warmth instantly welled up in his heart, and his nose even felt a little sore.

He seemed to see again the unknown boy in Donglin City who was willing to help him out of trouble and speak up for him.

“Brother Jiang Xuan…” Gu Liang’s voice was choked with emotion.

He knew that Jiang Xuan was different now; he was famous throughout Yanxia City and possessed great strength.

But he knew even better that Jiang Xuan was willing to take on this trouble not because of his reputation, but because of that unchanging...friendship.

He is still the same warm-hearted Jiang Xuan who was always willing to stand up for his friends!
Gu Liang shook his head with a wry smile, his face full of helplessness.

“Brother Jiang Xuan, I appreciate your kindness. However… we are newcomers and know nothing about the intricate relationships between the various forces in Yanxia City, or how deep this water really is. We don’t even know who is behind the ‘Black Snake Gang,’ let alone find out who is really behind all this trouble.”

He picked up his teacup, took a sip to moisten his slightly dry throat, and continued.

"Actually, this trip to Yanxia City was my father's idea."

The old man had grand ambitions. He saw the potential and status of Yanxia City as the capital of the Southwest Province, and planned to move Jin Yutang's flagship store there, using it as a foundation and springboard to expand his business throughout the entire Southwest Province!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan's eyes flashed with surprise. When Gu Yanping was in Donglin City, Jin Yutang was already quite large, but he hadn't expected Gu Yanping's ambition to be so vast, directly targeting the entire province's market!

Gu Liang's tone was filled with respect for his father.

“My father said that Yanxia City is the hub of the southwest, a place where merchants gather, information flows freely, and resources converge. Setting up a headquarters here will not only allow us to access a wider range of trade routes, but more importantly, it will make it easier to attract truly capable business and repair talents! Only with a sufficient talent pool can Jinyutang have the confidence to expand throughout the province.”

He paused, his eyes twinkling.

"Moreover, my father seems to have found a... a very unusual path to development! If it works, perhaps... perhaps not only in the Southwest Province, but Jin Yutang's influence could truly spread throughout the empire, and even... expand to more distant places!"

These words shocked Jiang Xuan. Gu Yanping's ambition and vision truly far surpassed those of ordinary businessmen! He was no longer content with being a local tycoon, but harbored ambitions to become a cross-regional business giant! No wonder he had threatened the interests of local powers.

"Uncle Gu, what a spirit!"

Jiang Xuan praised sincerely.

Gu Liang's bitter smile only deepened.

"We've got the ambition, but trouble has followed. Before we've even gotten a firm foothold, we've already been targeted. I'm worried this is just the beginning; what's to come..."

Before the words were even finished, an even more intense commotion suddenly erupted outside Jin Yutang's tightly closed shop! Even more arrogant shouts and banging on the door followed!

"Get out of there, you people inside!"

"Gu Liang! And that little bastard who hit someone! Get out here and face your death!"

"Brothers of the Black Snake Gang! Old Qian is here in person! Let's see if you still dare to be arrogant!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The heavy shop door was violently shaken by the impact, as if it would be smashed open at any moment.

Gu Liang's face turned deathly pale instantly.

Oh no!
They're here again! And...and they brought backup!

He stood up abruptly, a hint of determination and panic flashing in his eyes.

Jiang Xuan remained seated, his expression calm, though his eyes turned slightly cold.

"Help? Who are they?"

"I heard them calling him 'Old Qian'..." Gu Liang's voice trembled slightly.

"Azure Light Pavilion! It's very likely someone from Azure Light Pavilion! Azure Light Pavilion is a truly first-rate power in Misty Cloud City! Its businesses span pills, spiritual materials, restaurants, pawnshops... deeply rooted and incredibly powerful!"
They have many experts in their pavilion! Brother Jiang Xuan, this time... this time we're really in big trouble! How about... how about you try the back door first..." He subconsciously tried to pull Jiang Xuan back, worried that he would suffer a loss if he acted impulsively.

"Azure Light Pavilion?"

Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly, but a playful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"A first-rate power? Interesting. No need to worry."

He put down his teacup and slowly stood up.

"Let's go out and take a look."

Looking at Jiang Xuan's calm yet cold expression, Gu Liang felt his panic subside somewhat. He gritted his teeth and followed.

"squeak"

Gu Liang had just cracked the shop door open when the people outside burst in.

Hurala!
The group of thugs who had fled in panic earlier returned, now all strutting around with smug grins on their faces, as they escorted the two men in.

The leader was a burly man in black, nicknamed "Black Snake," whose face was swollen like a pig's head and whose mouth was stained with blood.

At this moment, he seemed to have found his pillar of support. Pointing at Jiang Xuan, he gritted his teeth and accused an old man beside him who was wearing a brocade robe, had gray hair, and a thin face.

"Old Qian! It's him! It's this arrogant little bastard! He's the one who injured our brothers, and... and he hit me too! He completely disregards the Black Snake Gang! He doesn't even respect the Azure Light Pavilion! You must do us justice!"

The elderly man beside him, referred to as "Old Qian," had his hands behind his back, his chin slightly raised, and his eyes held a condescending scrutiny and a hint of impatience. He was clearly a respected figure sent by the Biguang Pavilion to handle this matter.

He was about to reprimand them when his gaze casually swept over the "ignorant little bastard" he was pointing at...

When his gaze fell upon Jiang Xuan's young, calm face, which even carried a faint, almost imperceptible smile...

hum!
Old Qian was struck as if by an invisible thunderbolt! The arrogance and impatience on his face froze instantly! His pupils suddenly contracted to the size of pinpoints! His body trembled uncontrollably! His expression was exactly like someone who had seen a ghost in broad daylight!
This face… he knew this face all too well!
Just a few days ago, on that rainy night, he was ordered to deal with the trouble of the robbery of Biguang Pavilion's goods. In the distance, he saw the young man in front of him, like a god of death descending to earth, shuttling through the rain. With a wave of his hand, the enemy fell like straw. His cold and ruthless eyes and thunderous methods made even this old hand who had seen many storms feel scared!

What impressed him even more was the epic showdown that shook the entire city just a few days ago at the Yanxia City Arena!
As one of the representatives of the Azure Light Pavilion, he was in the private room! He had witnessed firsthand how this young man cleaved through the hellish landscape like a god amidst thousands of ghostly figures, and how he forced the genius of the Huang family in the capital to admit defeat in humiliation! That gleaming battle blade and that storm-like figure were already deeply imprinted in his mind!
Jiang Xuan!

The seemingly ordinary young man before us is Jiang Xuan!

He is the nemesis who even managed to thwart the "praise-to-death" tactics of Little Swordsman Xie Yutang and caused the powerful clans of the capital to stumble!

Those idiots from the Black Snake Gang! How dare they mess with this guy?! And they've dragged themselves into this mess?!

A chilling coldness instantly shot from the soles of Qian Lao's feet straight to the top of his head, making the hairs on his body stand on end and his scalp tingle!
"Bastard thing!!!"

A roar filled with shock, anger, and boundless fear suddenly erupted from Old Qian's mouth!
All his composure and self-control vanished at that moment!
Under the astonished, bewildered, and ghost-like gazes of everyone, Old Qian suddenly turned around, swung his arm, and with all his might, slapped the already swollen half of the face of the black-clad man "Black Snake Brother" who was waiting to watch the show!
"Snapped!!!"

This slap was harder and louder than the one Jiang Xuan had given him before! It contained all the power of Elder Qian's shock and rage! (End of Chapter)