"Enough, if you keep beating him, you'll kill him." Joe Di stepped forward just in time, stopping Aaron Jace from continuing to thrash Gray.
Aaron Jace followed Joe Di's command, kicking Gray aside. "You're lucky. If not for him, I'd beat you to death," he spat.
Joe Di approached Gray, who had lost both legs, and asked with a touch of concern, "You're not dead yet, are you?"
"I'm with the Vice-mayor, save me..." Gray managed to choke out, but before he could finish, blood gushed from his mouth.
Joe Di's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you really with the Vice-mayor?"
"That's right. Just don't touch me again, and you might save my life," Gray said, finally coughing out the last of the blood. He didn't believe Joe Di would spare him, but he had to offer hope to avoid angering him further.
The crowd sighed inwardly; concern and apologies were useless now. Everyone waited to see how the Vice-mayor would deal with this brazen shopkeeper once he arrived.
More people shook their heads in disbelief. Wasn't it a bit late to ask about Gray's backing now? Anyone with half a brain would have checked who he was before making a move.
Only a fool without any support would come here and openly demand Starlight Tea.
Joe Di let out a sigh of relief. "Then I have nothing to worry about."
With those words, Joe Di kicked Gray, sending him flying. Just as Gray was about to crash into the stone pillar beside the shop, Joe Di flicked his wrist, and a long blade shot from his hand, pinning Gray to the pillar.
Then, Joe Di turned to Lucky, who was still restrained, and gave him a swift kick. Another blade followed, piercing Lucky and nailing him to a stone pillar on the opposite side.
The crowd was stunned. What kind of apology was this? Was Joe Di trying to kill Gray faster, or was he just asking for his own death?
"How dare you!" An enraged shout echoed out as a gray-robed enforcer, Gong Yichi, rushed down and landed before Joe Di.
The scene fell silent. Most people recognized the newcomer as Gong Yichi, an enforcer from Cauldron Haven's Law Hall.
Gong Yichi was an Immortal King-level enforcer, infamous for his ruthlessness and for serving only those with powerful connections. Anyone taken away by him rarely returned, and so the cultivators of Cauldron Haven called him 'Gong Once' behind his back.
He glared at Gray, who was pinned to the pillar, trembling with fury, his face turning an iron shade.
Gray was the manager of Fortune Resthaven, a business owned by Gavin Jet, the Vice-mayor of Cauldron Haven. Now, Gavin Jet's subordinate had been nailed to the shop entrance by an outsider.
If Gavin Jet found out about this, Gong Yichi would be in serious trouble.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that…" Gong Yichi realized this was beyond his authority.
He raised his hand and sent out a message. Gavin Jet would have to handle this personally—maybe that would help ease the Vice-mayor’s anger.
"You, kneel!" Gong Yichi forced himself to calm down. As much as he wanted to break Joe Di’s limbs and nail him here, he dared not. It wasn’t the law he feared, but Gavin Jet’s displeasure. How the Vice-mayor chose to deal with this ant was not his decision to make.
Aaron Jace laughed, "What kind of enforcer are you? You show up and demand I kneel without asking anything. Are you here to disgrace Cauldron Haven? Do you know what I want to say? You’re bold, ordering your grandpa to kneel!"
Gong Yichi was taken aback. Was this attendant really so brazen? Joe Di was already on the Law Hall’s blacklist, just waiting to be dealt with—now even his attendant was so arrogant?
Did they have a death wish?
Gong Yichi frowned. Something didn’t add up. This pale-faced youth didn’t seem like a fool—why would he court death?
Wait…this pale face looked familiar…
"Well, when did my Fortune Resthaven manager offend someone, to end up nailed outside the inn?" A calm, measured voice rang out as a gold-robed man descended from the sky.
He wasn’t alone. Behind him stood a brown-robed man, who fixed his gaze on Joe Di as soon as he landed. "You again?"
"So it’s Master Dui. Joe Di greets Master Dui." Joe Di cupped his fists respectfully to the brown-robed man.
Master Dui gave Joe Di a cold glance but said nothing. As the Hall Master of Cauldron Haven, if he had to intervene in every dispute, he’d have collapsed from exhaustion by now.
The only reason he came last time was because he received a direct order requiring his presence. For a minor shopkeeper to summon him was unheard of. To this day, he still didn't know who had sent that order.
This time, however, it involved Gavin Jet, so he had to come. Though his position was equal to Gavin Jet’s, in terms of strength, he was slightly inferior.
Joe Di greeted Master Dui out of courtesy, unaware that the Hall Master’s previous appearance was not due to his own actions. Had he known, he wouldn’t have bothered with the formal greeting.
Aaron Jace laughed, "You all act so arrogant! I’m the one who beat him up—he tried to steal our Starlight Tea. Gavin Jet, if you’re not convinced, come at me! I may not be as bold as you, but if I frown, I’ll take your surname!" He nearly pointed at Gavin Jet and Master Dui’s noses as he spoke.
At that moment, Gong Yichi finally remembered who Aaron Jace was, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Gavin Jet’s rage was instantly extinguished. He too recognized Aaron Jace, and a chill ran through his heart.
(Irrelevant system message skipped.)
Even as Vice-mayor of Cauldron Haven, Gavin Jet knew that Marlon Jace, the Palace Master of Star Demon Palace, could crush him like an ant if he wanted to.
Master Dui also realized the truth—Aaron Jace was Marlon Jace’s only son. No matter how influential Gavin Jet was, he couldn’t compare to Marlon Jace. Now, Master Dui finally understood who had sent the order during Joe Di’s previous incident.
"So the Young Palace Master himself has graced Cauldron Haven. My apologies for the neglect, it’s inexcusable," Gavin Jet quickly cupped his fists in greeting, ignoring his own lackeys.
Aaron Jace chuckled, "Cauldron Haven isn’t yours, Gavin Jet. We’re both just doing business here. You talk like you’re the owner and I’m some outsider—have you no shame?"
Gavin Jet’s fury burned inside him, but he dared not make a move against Aaron Jace. Killing Aaron Jace might be easy, but escaping Marlon Jace’s wrath would be impossible.
Master Dui hurried to change the subject, "Young Palace Master, it’s been a long time since you visited Cauldron Haven. I didn’t expect you to build such a thriving business here—congratulations!"
Aaron Jace replied, "I’m just helping my brother. If you want to congratulate someone, congratulate Joe Di. He’s the true master behind the Starlight Teahouse."
Master Dui’s eyes flashed with surprise as he turned to Joe Di. "So you’re Joe Di, the one who stirred up all the commotion in Cauldron Haven lately?"
Joe Di smiled and cupped his fists. "Master Dui flatters me. I’m just a humble shopkeeper."
Master Dui snorted, "Humble, are you? You’ve caused quite a stir for a mere shopkeeper."
Gavin Jet’s expression darkened. He gave Joe Di a cold look, but said nothing. Even if he wanted to settle scores, now was not the time.
The crowd watched in awe. Who would have thought the shopkeeper was so well-connected?
Some quietly decided to avoid the Starlight Teahouse from now on. Offending Joe Di meant offending Aaron Jace—and by extension, Star Demon Palace.
Just then, Holly Chance arrived, bringing a Tier-Three Starspire Tea Tree as a gift for Joe Di.
Joe Di thanked Holly Chance and accepted the tea tree with a smile. The crowd’s envy was palpable—this was no ordinary gift.
Gavin Jet and Master Dui exchanged glances, realizing that Joe Di’s connections ran deeper than they’d imagined.
With the crowd dispersing, Joe Di returned to his shop, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Today’s events had solidified his status in Cauldron Haven.
From now on, no one would dare underestimate the master of the Starlight Teahouse.
(End of Chapter 391)