Chapter 4: Zen Pummeled The Stewards
Zen was so excited that he could barely sleep for more than half an hour.
The following morning, Zen was made to wear the leather armor before being escorted from the cellar in handcuffs.
Now that he had entered the bone refining level, his body produced a qualitative change. Although subtle, the change could be noticed in the way he walked. His gait was more relaxed, more coordinated, and more labor-saving for him.
If it hadn't been for the cuffs that limited his movements, Zen felt as though he could have made a run for it.
Zen was surprised when he saw that instead of the Martial Arts Hall, the guards were taking him elsewhere.
Although the Luo residence occupied a large area, it was planned well. In addition to the Martial Arts Hall, the residence had a Council Pavilion, Planting Park, and Weapon Refining workshop. Everything was well-planned and built in the vestibule part of the residence.
Zen looked around as he walked. He remembered that this path led to the inner area of the residence. Once they reached, the guards guided him down a narrower path that seemed to lead to the backyard of the Luo residence!
Zen's brow wrinkled, but he did not say anything. 'Let's wait and see where they are taking me, ' he thought.
Zen had not been to the backyard in a long time. He quietly observed the changes as he walked. The houses for his uncles and their families had been added to the Luo residence, along with several pavilions, and open halls. Once outside, Zen noticed that they had even made a few ponds, built bridges over them, and added a waterside pavilion pool.
The workmanship for these new buildings was exquisite. Each new building had high roofs supported by intricately carved beams. Dragons painted in gold glimmered under the early morning sun.
After seeing what his uncles had done to the residence, Zen could not help but wonder. Although the Luo's were a rich family, only the stronger people survived in this world. For a warrior, glory and wealth should be the last things to think about. If a family like his was content with the present glory and wealth and didn't pursue something more important, it wouldn't end up well surely.
Therefore, he believed that the Luo Clan would be ruined by his uncles sooner or later.
After the guards led Zen through a garden with a pond, they guided him through a narrow passage that led to a second yard.
There he saw two people enjoying tea.
When Zen looked carefully, he realized that one of them was Darren, the steward who had disappeared for two days. The other person was dressed in rich, satin clothing. He looked much older than fifty. Zen raised a brow as he recognized the second man to be Grey Huang. At one point, he too, had been a servant in the Luo Clan.
Grey Huang's wife had been the nanny to Andrew Luo. He was Zen's younger uncle's oldest son. Grey Huang was very good at patronizing. Perhaps that was what finally led to the elevation in his status within the Luo Clan.
From what Zen had heard from the gossip of the guards, his two uncles had been growing in influence and power. Since Grey Huang worked for them, his status had risen as well. He was a senior steward in the Luo Clan now. Since Grey was ambitious and thought highly of himself, he didn't pay much attention to Luo's collateral relatives.
Zen had heard about his arrogance before.
From where he was standing, Zen could hear what Darren said to Grey Huang,“ This house awarded by Master Andrew really is a masterpiece. If my memory serves me right, the jade dragon carved on the door plaque is made from corundum seed. That is very good material, right?”
Grey Huang chuckled and replied,“ Only you would notice this kind of things. If you look carefully, you'll see other treasures aside from this jade dragon. The roof has been designed with encaustic tiles. And that copper lion statue was made by the best craftsmen of C County...”
Darren appreciated each artifact. It seemed as though no expense had been spared. Thoughtfully he said to Grey,“ Your house is perfect, but it lacks one thing.”
“I have everything I want in my house. Why do you say something is lacking?” Grey Huang replied proudly.
Darren chortled as he replied,“ You lack capable servants. You need someone who is smart and hardworking. Someone knowledgeable enough to help you with your daily diet. I have just the right person for you!”
“Really? Who is this person?” Grey Huang asked out of curiosity.
Darren pointed toward the yard's entrance and said,“ Grey, look!”
Grey Huang turned in the direction where Darren was pointing and saw Zen. Standing in handcuffs was the former, famous young master of the Luo Clan. How could he not recognize Zen?
Zen heard what Darren and Grey Huang were talking about. His blood boiled at Darren's suggestion. 'How dare those two dogs take such liberties?'
Although Zen was a slave, Darren had no right to offer him as a servant to a steward in the Luo Clan. Grey's family name was not even Luo! Zen was very offended.
Even the collateral relatives in Luo Clan did not dare to be too unreasonable in front of him, after all Zen was still the oldest son of the oldest branch of the Luo Clan.
'How dare Darren urge Grey Huang to take him as a servant?' he thought.
Grey Huang studied Zen from head to toe. A smile filled his old wrinkled face. “Employing this kid to take care of my diet is not a bad idea. But will my master, Master Andrew be okay with it?”
“Don't worry, Grey, you take care of all the affairs of the Luo Clan. You can easily dispatch Zen from the Martial Arts Hall and reassign him to your residence. Zen is an insignificant slave now. Being beaten at the Martial Arts Hall as a punchbag everyday is his only purpose here. It will be more convenient for him to be your servant. His worst job will be cleaning fecal matter.” Grey Huang couldn't help but smile at the thought.
People like Grey Huang who had climbed from the bottom of society to the top, took their reputation seriously. And now, the former young master of the Luo Clan was going to clean his dirt. It was indeed an interesting proposal. Grey Huang nodded to show his agreement.
“You won't be sorry!” Darren said with a smile when he saw Grey's reaction. Then Darren nodded and stood before ordering one of the guards to escort Zen in.
However, Zen was rooted to his spot. He was reluctant to move a muscle till Darren's men attempted to push him.
Although these people had strength, they could not move Zen who had reached the bone refining level.
Zen's feet were like a wedge smashed by a hammer, deeply nailed to the ground. The servants used all their strength, and yet, they couldn't move Zen. Their bodies were covered in sweat with the effort. They even panted as though out of breath and energy. Seeing this, Darren said,“ Zen, I am giving you a chance to serve Grey. It's better than being beaten every day. Don't be difficult!”
A fierceness flashed in Zen's eyes. He took a deep breath and contracted his ribs. Since he had reached the bone refining level, he could muster his energy to retaliate. He stood still and directed his energy out like thunder. The ground shook violently, like an explosion. All the servants, including Grey and Darren covered their ears as a loud pitch followed the tremors.
“Grey Huang! Darren Fang!” Zen shouted. “Even if my uncle, Bryson Luo were here, he wouldn't dare to ask me to be his servant. You two are merely servants in the Luo Clan. You have the guts to be so arrogant? I do not know who gave you the courage to dare to think of such nonsense.”
Zen's power scared Darren and he took a step back. Grey Huang stood still.
Darren had intentionally brought Zen here. His purpose was to let Grey Huang deal with Zen. When he saw Zen's angry face, he knew he was close to success, because Grey's biggest taboo was others trying to disrespect him. Zen was definitely in real trouble now.
Grey Huang stood motionlessly. He seemed calm. With narrowed eyes he said,“ Zen, do not forget your situation now. You are a servant not the young master. Perrin is the young master now. It is your honor to serve me.”
“Shut up!”
Zen forcibly pushed the servants that had grabbed him.
Grey Huang patiently witnessed Zen's struggle before asking,“ Do you want to rebel? In accordance with the Clan's rules, you will be executed for rebelling.”
Zen laughed loudly while walking forward. He sneered,“ Family rules? How can an outsider like you dare to talk about my family rules in front of me? Let me teach you what my family's rules are!”
As Zen readied himself to beat Grey Huang, he maximized his strength.
“Zen, don't you dare! If you hit me, Master Andrew will never let you go. Besides, you are just a powerless punchbag in the Luo Clan. Aren't you afraid of being beaten to death?” Grey Huang said calmly.
“Ouch!”
The sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the yard. Zen slapped Grey across the face. There was no restraining him now. He took another step forward, grabbed Grey's collar and hit him across the face a few more times.
Grey Huang's wrinkled face paled with Zen's onslaught. The former young master's fingerprints were clearly imprinted on Grey Huang's half swollen face. With each slap, a fine spray of blood had burst out. Zen smiled as he noticed that Grey's face now looked like a pig's, swollen and red. Darren's whole body trembled when he saw what happened.
“According to the Luo Clan's rules, those who talk a lot of nonsense and reproach others with no evidence shall be punished.”
“Ouch!”
“According to the Luo Clan's rules, those who oppress others and are conceited shall be punished.”
“Ouch!”
“According to the Luo Clan's rules, those who sow discord and turn matters upside down shall be punished.”
“Ouch!”
“”According to the Luo Clan's rules..."
“Ouch!”
Every slap was so hard that it made Grey Huang spit blood. Darren was trembling by now.
It was so terrible...
Darren and Grey were surprised. Zen had been a slave for such a long time. He had been obedient and he had quietly swallowed all insults. How dare he slap Grey?
What they hadn't thought of was that Zen was not being obedient. He simply chose to be non-fussed about the insults.
Hearing all the commotion, several children of the Luo Clan gathered in the yard. They witnessed Zen's actions. Each one of them was equally surprised.
Grey had acted in an outrageous way due to his connection to Andrew Luo. He was delusional enough to believe himself to be equal to a master in the Luo family. Some of these children had been bullied by Grey Huang, but they hadn't retaliated because of his current position.
Grey Huang was unaware of how much he was hated by the people who served him. He was equally oblivious to the hatred these children felt toward him. Today, someone had decided to teach him a lesson.
But...
these children, though young, were capable of understanding that arrogance was related to allegiance and support. Grey Huang had grown arrogant because of his relationship with Andrew Luo.
Although Grey Huang behaved arrogantly in front of other people, when in the presence of the second branch and the third branch of the Luo Clan, he behaved in an extremely humble manner.
Regardless, it was not appropriate for a slave to beat the steward in this way.
Zen was in big trouble now. Everyone knew that what Zen had done would lead to his death.
Zen slapped Grey a few times before stopping. Grey Huang's face was by now, a bloody and badly mutilated mess. Even his neatly tied hair had become a mess of blood and tissue.
Grey Huang weakly opened his mouth to threaten Zen after his unfortunate beating. “You, you wait and see how...”
Before Grey Huang could finish, Zen slapped him on the face again. Grey Huang fell to the ground.
After teaching Grey Huang a lesson, Zen's gaze turned toward Darren.
Upon realizing his fate, Darren could not help but tremble. “Zen Luo, keep in mind that you are just a slave.” Darren yelled and stepped backwards.
“What's wrong with being a slave?” Zen stalked Darren slowly as he spoke.
“Don't you dare to offend me! My position is higher than yours!” Darren shouted in an attempt to deter Zen.
“What is a low position? What is a high position? My family name is Luo. Even though I am a slave, I'm still a Luo! And you forget that my fist is stronger than yours. I am above you! My strength is more than yours. I am above you! My Kung Fu is better than yours. I am above you!”
Zen forcefully muttered from between clenched teeth as he took meaningful and threatening steps toward Darren. He lashed out quickly and grabbed Darren. Having reached the bone refining level, Zen had gained more confidence. His strength had grown as well. Zen felt the power run through him as he raised his hand to strike Darren.
The slap was so hard, and the sound of the impact so loud that even the onlookers were terrified.
Once Zen had beaten Darren, he threw him toward Grey Huang. Both servants screamed in pain as their bodies collided. Zen lifted his chin in superiority as he said,“ Let today be a lesson to you both. Remember to respect other people not just their positions!”
Then he turned around and walked away. The Luo children and servants who had crowded around the three men to watch the spectacle, immediately cleared a path when they saw Zen heading for the door.