Yama Reborn
Chapter 44 - 42 [Li Qingshan]

Chapter 44: Chapter 42 [Li Qingshan]

Chapter Forty-Two Li Qingshan

In the afternoon, Chen Nuo skipped class entirely.

Wandering leisurely along the streets, it was now early spring. Although it was still a bit early for the spring blooms, some fashion-conscious girls couldn’t wait to switch to skirts.

Thus, one could spot some odd contrasts on the streets.

Some middle-aged and elderly people were still wrapped in thick cotton coats, while some exuberant young girls wore short skirts and high heels.

Watching those pale, delicate legs swaying on the streets...

Chen Nuo sighed. Ah! Young people don’t know how to take care of their bodies. When they get old... Hmm... So irresistible!

Chen Nuo simply found a McDonald’s, picked a seat by the window, sipped his Coke through a straw, and critically judged these young girls who didn’t know how to take care of themselves...

After more than an hour of this "criticism," Chen Nuo recalled that he hadn’t had a proper lunch.

Well, I feel like eating pan-fried buns now.

Thus, he left and headed to Tangzi Street.

Standing at the entrance of "Big Lei’s Vehicle Shop," Chen Yanluo’s eyes narrowed to slits again.

The roller shutter door was down and locked, but there was a large dent in it—clearly, it had been smashed.

Chen Nuo thought for a moment, then turned into the residential area and walked to the backyard.

The large iron gate was also locked.

Looking around and seeing no one, Chen Nuo lightly pressed on the iron lock with his hand. Then, he sprang high, effortlessly vaulting over the two-meter-tall iron gate.

Standing in the yard, he saw vehicles toppled and scattered across it. There were also some parts strewn on the ground.

The back door was locked, but Chen Nuo twisted the doorknob forcefully, and the handle, along with the lock, came right off in his hand.

He walked into the house and looked around in several rooms.

No one was there.

Chen Nuo picked up his phone to make a call, but after thinking about it, he put it down again.

Turning around, he stepped back outside.

For the next half hour, he wandered around a few second-hand vehicle shops on Tangzi Street. His face sported that adorable yet plain smile of a young person, feigning interest in buying a car as he casually chatted with several shop owners.

Half an hour later, Chen Nuo learned a name.

Li Qingshan.

Brother Lei was soaked in water.

The Qinhuai River was still bone-chillingly cold in early spring. Brother Lei’s hands and feet were tied, his clothes already soaked through. He was gasping for air while coughing violently.

This was a tributary on the south side of the Outer Qinhuai River, in the southern part of the city.

Here by the riverbank stood a small, two-story, old-fashioned building that looked rather gray. The second floor featured a sunroom with a spacious terrace, about seven or eight steps deep. A row of wooden railings ran along the side facing the river. This railing had a gap with an external staircase leading down to the riverbank, where a platform, about two to three meters wide, extended—perfect for fishing.

Li Qingshan was sitting on the sunroom terrace on the second floor.

In front of a Taishi chair was a tea table carved from a tree stump. On it was a set of tea utensils.

Picking up a teacup, Li Qingshan took a sip, his eyes squinting as if savoring the flavor carefully.

After a while, he said indifferently, "Ask him if he’s figured it out yet."

The middle-aged man standing by the railing nodded, turned his head, and shouted downstairs, "Master Shan asks, have you figured it out yet?"

On the fishing platform below, two or three young men stood there, holding a rope as thick as an egg, the other end tied to Brother Lei.

Brother Lei managed to catch his breath and, hearing the question, raised his head with a grieving expression, shouting loudly, "Master Shan, this isn’t right, you’re breaking the rules!"

Up on the terrace, the middle-aged man listened and turned back, saying, "Big Brother, he says..."

Li Qingshan snorted with a cold laugh. "I can hear."

As he said this, he shook his head. "He hasn’t figured it out yet. Keep him soaking."

The middle-aged man waved his hand towards the people below.

Someone kicked Brother Lei back into the river.

This tributary of the Outer Qinhuai River wasn’t actually very deep, especially during the dry season of early spring when the water was probably less than two meters deep. An adult falling in could splash around and struggle to the surface on their own.

But the problem was that Brother Lei’s hands and feet were tied. As he went in rigidly, his body twisted in the water.

After about a dozen seconds, the middle-aged man gave a signal, and the people on the platform below pulled the rope, dragging Brother Lei back up.

"Ask again, has he figured it out yet?" Li Qingshan laughed coldly and took another sip of tea.

Putting down the teacup, he slightly raised his left hand, lifting two fingers.

The middle-aged man quickly walked over, took a pack of 95 Imperial from the table, drew out a cigarette for Li Qingshan, then struck a match to light it for him.

Li Qingshan took a drag, satisfied, and exhaled smoke contentedly.

Li Qingshan, fifty-six years old, was a true veteran.

For many years, he had dominated the Shuiximen area. In his early years, he ran two bathhouses—whether they were legitimate or not was a matter for one’s own judgment.

Later, after a trip to Taiwan where he experienced some local entertainment, he was inspired. Upon his return, he thoroughly revamped his bathhouse business.

He set up a three or four-story building. The first floor was for dining, and the second floor had private rooms. He continued the bathhouse business on the third floor, where he also opened a card room.

This became an all-in-one venue for dining, drinking, and entertainment.

Consequently, his business boomed.

His establishment was called Wind Shelter Hall, and people on the streets began to call Li Qingshan "Hall Master."

After the success of one location, he opened a branch a few streets away.

It continued to boom.

Profits soared.

This man started as a street vendor with little education. However, after establishing himself, he developed a taste for the old-fashioned. Tired of wearing suits for years, he now preferred traditional Chinese attire and had over a dozen sets made from fine fabric. Bored with leather shoes, he intentionally switched to cloth ones.

Then, a couple of years ago, the government developed an antique street in this area, and Li Qingshan also got himself a shop, selling some crafts.

No one knew if it made money, but it remained open.

This small building was his own den. He would usually drink tea here—the display shelves along one wall were lined with various curios and antiques.

Since the old man liked to show off, there were naturally people below him who would flatter him.

As for why they went after Brother Lei?

Pretty simple.

Brother Lei’s car dealership was acquired after he clung to a powerful figure while in jail; he started it with that figure’s backing upon release.

Tangzi Street and another territory belonged to that powerful figure.

Unfortunately, that powerful figure had gone back to prison a while ago...

And this time, he had truly fallen—rumor had it he received a sentence of over a decade and wouldn’t be out anytime soon. As a result, his underlings scattered, and his power structure collapsed.

Li Qingshan’s territory was just across the street from Tangzi Street, and he had long coveted the business of selling second-hand black-market cars.

He hadn’t made a move before because that powerful figure was around, but now he naturally wouldn’t be polite.

Tangzi Street was a den for black-market car deals. Brother Lei’s car dealership had the best location on the entire street; it was the biggest shop and the most well-known.

But Li Qingshan had never thought highly of this Bald Lei—too timid! With such prime real estate, the business was run like crap, barely scraping by with meager profits.

Putting it simply, Li Qingshan wanted Brother Lei’s shop.

Sure, he could have found another spot on Tangzi Street to open a new one, grown it larger, and then slowly edged Brother Lei out with a mix of legitimate and shady dealings, both overt and covert.

But that would be a waste of time.

Hall Master Li didn’t have that kind of patience.

So, he opted for a once-and-for-all solution.

The car dealership’s storefront and the house and yard behind it were all Brother Lei’s property, with ownership deeds.

Therefore, they brought Brother Lei over to "negotiate" the sale of his shop and house.

The old man was quite ruthless, only willing to pay the price of an ordinary residence, not a penny more.

Brother Lei had been dunked several more times and was obviously much softer now.

No longer daring to talk tough, he was pulled up again, his face pale, his body shivering in the wind. "Master Li, Lord! No more, please, no more! Show some mercy! I don’t dare hold onto the shop anymore... But at least give me a little more! I have a whole family to feed."

His hoarse words reached the old man upstairs, who smiled.

Just as he was about to speak...

CRASH!

The wooden side door burst open!

The two men guarding outside were sent flying in with the door, crashing to the ground, unable to get up.

A man in a leather jacket and a helmet strode in!

Inside the room, three or four young men were caught off guard. After a moment of shock, they cursed and charged toward him.

The young men down on the platform who were holding the rope also scrambled up the steps.

Poor Brother Lei hadn’t even steadied himself on the platform when one of the youngsters holding the rope let go.

"Hey! Hey! Hey!?"

SPLASH! Brother Lei was back in the river.

"Wait," Li Qingshan suddenly waved his hand, even as his men surrounded the helmeted intruder.

A vicious smile appeared on his face. "What’s your background? It’s been years since someone dared to play rough with me."

He leaned forward with an imposing air. "My friend, do you have anything to confess first?"

Chen Nuo pondered for a moment, his eyes scanning the room...

Shoot, couldn’t see a safe.

He shook his head. "We can talk after the fight."

Li Qingshan’s heart sank, a fierce look glinting in his eyes. "Get him!"

A few seconds later.

BANG!

A figure flew straight over the second-floor railing, tracing an arc before dropping into the water!

Then another...

And another!

Figures continued to plunge into the river from the second-floor terrace.

Li Qingshan was stunned!

There were seven or eight men in the room, all of them capable fighters.

When the most capable among them, the middle-aged man, went up, he was grabbed by the neck, slammed to the floor, and then kicked straight out. His body smashed through the wooden railing and he fell into the river...

Li Qingshan’s cigarette butt dropped from his hand!

Seeing everyone around him gone, Li Qingshan took a deep breath, squeezing out a smile. "My friend, there’s no need for violence." After a pause, he said, "I think we can talk..."

"No, you don’t," Chen Nuo cut him off, stepping forward, grabbing Li Qingshan, and tossing him over the railing.

SPLASH! Hall Master Li plunged headfirst into the river.

Leaning over the railing, Chen Nuo looked down.

He shouted, "Brother Lei! Hold on, I’m coming to get you."

Brother Lei: "BLUB BLUB BLUB BLUB BLUB..."

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.