Chapter 42: Selling Flavor (Begging for Bookmarks)

  Now the Huang Li they caught up with was the "selling flavor" of the mixed children on this street. Tai Chang's footwork monopolized this bustling main street, and all the shops were transported by them to the train station, waterfront docks, etc. for large-scale transportation. Because the income is quite considerable, it has become a fat meat in the eyes of the mixed children, who want to compete for a share of the money.

  But wanting to get a signed contract is not an easy thing. The leader of the gang that controls this street, Hei Xin Lao Liu, is not a kind person. His subordinates are four powerful men who have practiced martial arts and are especially skilled at beating people up. Last year, someone named Li Da Tou sold flavorings here and suffered a brutal beating from the four men. He gritted his teeth and didn't make a sound, but in the end, he got the contract money, only to die three days later.

  This kind of scramble, Huang Li had never seen before, and he was quite curious. He paid the fare, shielding Zhen Niang and Niu Niu behind him, and stood on a metal trunk to get a better view.

  In front of the Tai Chang Foot Walking Gate, several armchairs were placed on one side, and eight elderly men wearing long gowns and horse jackets sat upright on the chairs. They all looked solemn and dignified. These few were already famous in the Mixian Gang as so-called prestigious predecessors who had come to preside over justice for both parties of "selling flavor".

  On their right side sat Hei Xin Lao Liu, with a tight face and not saying a word. Behind him stood four burly men - the Four Great Guardians. The Four Great Guardians were Pan Hei Ta, Er Hen Zi, Qiang Ga Zi, and Ma Pi Zhang, all notorious thugs in the underworld, each one tall and sturdy, with thick eyebrows and piercing eyes. Especially Pan Hei Ta, who had a blood-red scar from his left forehead to his right chin, making him look even more ferocious and terrifying.

  Along both sides were placed many benches, on which sat people wearing green jackets and trousers, with white aprons wrapped around their waists, blue cloth socks and flower shoes, and a jasmine flower tucked into their chest. They were all members of the Hunchback Gang's various factions, who had come to gain experience. Some of them sat on the benches, some stood with their hands on their hips, while others squatted on the benches. To their left sat people dressed in different attire and of varying ages, most of whom had some connection or acquaintance with the Hunchback Gang. They were invited by the Hunchback Gang to watch the ceremony. Further outside were uninvited onlookers, commonly known as "spectators". These people treated fighting as a form of entertainment, sometimes even cheering them on and shouting "Good job!" If no fight broke out, they would look disappointed and mutter: "Damn it, what a waste of time!"

  At this time, an old man sitting in the first row took out his pocket watch and looked at it, saying to Hei Xin Lao Liu: "The time has come!"

  The black-hearted old six nodded and waved his hand at the four golden strongmen behind him.

  The four mighty ones walked out with their heads held high, raising their voices in unison to shout: "Heaven is above, earth is below, I am the master who protects and blesses! There is no road on earth that leads to heaven, but the Buddha in heaven can ferry those who are destined to be together. Only those who are destined can become one family, sharing food, shelter, and wealth!" After finishing their chant, the four men clasped their fists and bowed towards the gate, shouting: "Welcome guests——"

  A young rascal, about sixteen or seventeen years old, suddenly stood up and bowed his hands to the older generation in front of him, saying: "The ancestors are above, I am not worthy, my whole body is itchy and unbearable, today I want to make a contribution. I hope the ancestors will forgive me."

  The elderly man at the front smiled and nodded slightly.

  The onlookers and those who came to watch the commotion suddenly became excited. It turned out that there was such a rule in the gang, before the main "seller" appeared, the younger gang members could rush ahead of him to "sell flavor". Of course, he would have to withstand a severe beating, but the person beating him would show mercy and not be as harsh as they were with the main seller. As long as he could endure the beating, he would not only gain face in the gang but also receive a substantial reward.

  After getting the old master's nod, the little rascal walked out and pointed at the four mahjong players, saying: "You four are the Four Great Heavenly Kings? Let me take a look..." He shook his head with an air of importance, "I don't think so. The first one looks like a sow, the second one looks like a mangy dog, the third one is worse than a pig or a dog, and the fourth one is not even as good as a pig or a dog."

  Among the onlookers, many immediately cheered. The young hooligan opened his mouth and scolded the Four Great Pillars, not because he had a grudge against them, but this was also the rule of the hooligan gang. Those who "sold flavor" absolutely could not be polite to those who were fighting, nor could they pretend to be friendly, otherwise they would be seen as timid. If those who "sold flavor" showed timidity, they would be looked down upon and even driven off the stage. The young hooligan scolding the Four Great Pillars was showing that he was a tough guy, he wasn't afraid of being beaten, not only did he not try to make friends with them but also scolded them, provoking them to hit harder when they fought.

  As soon as someone called out to the good boy, the hoodlum scolded even more fiercely: "Are you calling a pig and dog 'Golden Strength'? Don't get beaten! Are you going to welcome guests? How are you going to welcome them? I'll just lie down here, and no guest will be able to come in!"

  The little rascal said, with both hands holding the back of his head, his elbows protecting his temples, his two legs scissoring together to twist and protect his kidneys, and then he fell sideways at the door.

  The little rascal was quite particular about this, he covered his temples with both hands and clamped his legs together to protect himself, so that no one would accidentally hit him to death. The rules of the gang were that when dealing with a "taste seller", they could beat them up as much as they wanted, but they couldn't hit their vital parts, and they couldn't kill them on the spot, otherwise it would be troublesome to deal with the authorities.

  Lao San "Qiang Ga Zi", Lao Si "Ma Pi Zhang" pulled out sticks and axe handles, ready to fight, but were stopped by Pan Hei Ta, "Wait a minute, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, take a look..."

  The little rascal closed his eyes and waited for a while, but didn't see anyone make a move. He opened his eyes to find "Qiang Ga Zi" and "Ma Pi Zhang" staring at him with cold smiles.

  The little rascal looked around in confusion and asked: "What? Not fighting anymore?"

  "Qiang Ga Zi" sneered: "Youngster, you're lying in the wrong place. According to the rules, when you lie at the door, you should block the whole gate, but you only blocked more than half of it and left a passage for people to come and go. This isn't being clever, this is just pretending to be fierce! The four masters won't lay hands on you now."

  The little rascal also found that he was lying in the wrong position, and quickly moved his body down: "Grandpa is blocking the door now, you guys go ahead!"

  Qiang Ga Zi and Ma Pi Zhang rolled up their sleeves and walked forward, punching and kicking the little rascal's back.

  The little rascal shouted: "Damn it, Four Great Diamond Warriors! Don't you have any backbone? Your fists and feet are so weak and gentle, it feels great to be hit by you!"

  The onlookers cheered loudly: "Well done! Good fellow!"

  Qiang Ga Zi and Ma Pi Zhang exerted even greater force, striking the little rascal with increased ferocity. However, instead of showing a pained expression, the little rascal smiled and said: "You two, your punches and kicks are so weak they're embarrassing! They can't even compare to my old lady's massage skills! Why don't you just give up?"