Chapter 27: Asking Despite Knowing the Answer

“Yes, young master!” The two robust attendants responded immediately, rolling up their sleeves and striding swiftly toward Changsun Chong and his companions.

Changsun Chong’s own attendants instantly stepped forward to shield him. However, the difference in their strength was overwhelming. After only a few moves, both of Changsun Chong’s attendants were subdued and pinned to the ground.

As fists rained down like a storm, the two could only clutch their stomachs and howl in pain, entirely incapable of protecting Changsun Chong any longer.

Seeing the situation turn dire, Changsun Chong, utterly furious, glared and pointed at Li Yi, shouting, “Li Yi! Tell your men to stop! I am Changsun Chong. I’d like to see who dares touch me today!”

But the two robust attendants ignored him completely. After kicking aside the men on the ground, they seized Changsun Chong and delivered a fierce beating.

The sound of blows echoed like the pounding of drums in an army camp. In just moments, Changsun Chong was left battered and bruised beyond recognition, sprawled on the ground like a dead dog.

“You… you…” Changsun Chong trembled with rage, his words slurred, muttering curses that no one could quite understand.

Li Yi, observing the scene, gave his attendants a subtle signal.

The two immediately understood, producing a handful of croton seeds they had prepared and forcefully stuffing them into Changsun Chong’s mouth. Only after he had swallowed them all did they cease their assault.

Now, Li Yi crouched down beside Changsun Chong, his tone stern as he frowned and asked, “Speak honestly. Who are you, really?”

“Li Yi… you damned well know who I am…” Changsun Chong glared at Li Yi, grinding his teeth.

But his battered mouth made his words indistinct.

Li Yi’s expression froze for a moment, leaning back in surprise, “What did you say? You mean your name is Li Fugui?”

Hearing the name “Li Fugui” again, Changsun Chong’s eyes widened in fury, nearly rolling back in his head.

He wished he could beat Li Yi himself right then and there, but his body was wracked with pain, leaving him powerless. Even lifting his head was exhausting, so he turned away in resentment, refusing to look at Li Yi again.

The two attendants, seeing Li Yi deliberately muddle things, could barely suppress their laughter.

Even Master Song was momentarily stunned, then remembered who Li Fugui was.

“That Li Fugui—isn’t he the young master’s foolish turtle? What a comparison…” Master Song’s mouth twitched, utterly speechless.

Changsun Chong, sprawled on the floor, nearly choked with rage upon hearing Master Song’s words.

At this moment, the commotion drew Manager Xu of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, who hurried over. Yet when he saw the scene before him, he was dumbfounded.

Manager Xu stumbled, almost falling before a quick-witted waiter caught and steadied him.

“Master Li, this… this…” Xu’s face was full of disbelief.

The man lying on the ground like a dead dog was none other than Changsun Chong, a frequent patron of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion—a young lord! Now, Li Yi had beaten him into a swollen, pig-faced mess.

Had Xu not known Changsun Chong was the honored guest in the celestial chamber, he might not have recognized him at all.

But with Changsun Chong on one side, and Li Yi on the other, neither was someone a mere manager could afford to offend.

Xu felt utterly helpless, casting a sympathetic glance at the fallen Changsun Chong, unsure whom to assist.

Li Yi noticed Xu’s dilemma and stood calmly, suddenly addressing him, “Manager Wang, I came to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion just now, only for this Li Fugui to try and strike me. Tell me, how should today’s matter be resolved?”

Xu was left speechless, his face twitching as he looked at Li Yi.

Though he didn’t know the cause of their conflict, Li Yi’s insistence on calling Changsun Chong “Li Fugui” was his clear signal to Xu: stay out of it.

Furthermore, he wanted Xu to help him throw Changsun Chong out of the pavilion.

This… how was Xu to maintain his standing in the capital after this?

Xu felt pierced through the heart. To rescue Changsun Chong would offend Li Yi; to leave Changsun Chong would offend Changsun Chong. For a moment, Xu was caught between a rock and a hard place, silent and unwilling to speak rashly.

“Ah, it’s hard to be a man…” Xu lamented bitterly. Never before had he felt so miserable.

Li Yi saw the conflict in Xu’s expression and frowned slightly. He had planned to do business here, but seeing Xu’s predicament, a sudden idea struck him.

“Drive Manager Xu and his staff out of my sight!” Li Yi signaled his attendants.

“Yes, young master.” The two attendants promptly escorted Xu and his staff out.

Xu, ever shrewd, noticed the attendants weren’t rough with him, and immediately understood Li Yi’s intentions. So, he struggled a bit for form’s sake, then allowed himself to be ‘forced’ out.

Inside the room, only Changsun Chong and Li Yi’s group remained.

“Who do these stray cats and dogs think they are, daring to touch those of the Li household?” Li Yi glanced at Changsun Chong on the floor, his tone indifferent. “Throw them out. Today’s beating suffices, but if I see them again, I won’t be so merciful.”

“Yes, young master!” The attendants swiftly tossed the three out with a loud thud.

They were careful not to truly endanger Changsun Chong’s life.

Meanwhile, downstairs, the troubled Manager Xu immediately sent people to escort Changsun Chong and his companions back to the Changsun household.

Only after his men had departed did Xu hurry upstairs.

“Master, I am grateful for your kindness today!” Xu bowed respectfully to Li Yi. “Please, enjoy yourself—drinks are on the house.”

“There’s no need for that. It’s a minor matter,” Li Yi waved him away, glanced at Xu, then turned and left with his people.

Their figures soon vanished from sight.

Xu finally breathed a deep sigh of relief, quickly instructing his staff, “From now on, whenever Master Li comes to the pavilion, give him the lowest possible price for anything!”

“Yes, manager.” The staff, though puzzled, nodded and committed it to memory.

After all, Li Yi was not someone they could afford to offend.

Meanwhile, on the road.

Master Song felt unsettled; Li Yi had merely ordered a beating for Changsun Chong, not rescued his family. After much hesitation, he finally summoned the courage to bow deeply to Li Yi, “Master, about my family…?”

“We’ll discuss it at home,” Li Yi replied with a faint smile.

“Uh, yes, master…” Master Song, full of confusion, could only follow Li Yi back home.