Douluo Continent: My name is Yang Jian, and I achieved sainthood through my physical body

Many of these people had just woken up from their coma.

They looked at Yang Jian standing on the steps, at Miles lying half-dead on the ground, at the bloodstains left by the corpses, and at the dark mass of people outside the door, and they trembled with fear.

Yang Jian took out the Elder's Token, showed it to these people, and then said loudly, "I don't know who among you has done bad things and who hasn't, but the people of Gengxin City know."

"Now, let them identify them."

He turned around and waved to the people in line.

The first person walked in.

His gaze swept over the staff, then he pointed to a tall, thin man in the middle of the line and said, "Him, his name is Zhang Wang. He comes to collect protection money every month. If I don't pay, he'll smash all my pots and pans."

The man named Zhang Wang's expression changed, and his lips trembled as he tried to explain.

Yang Jian didn't give him a chance. She slapped him across the face, sending Zhang Wang flying. He crashed into the courtyard wall, coughed up blood, and collapsed to the ground, motionless.

The second person walked in.

He pointed to Old Man Liu, who was in charge of the warehouse, and said, "He, surnamed Liu, secretly sells the good metal to others and gives us inferior products, and still charges the same price."

Old Liu's legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground, crying and shouting that he was wronged.

Yang Jian walked over, looked down at him, and said calmly, "Innocent? Should I find a few more people to testify?"

Old Liu's crying stopped abruptly; his face turned deathly pale, and he was unable to speak.

Yang Jian raised his hand and slapped Old Man Liu, sending him flying.

The third person, the fourth person, the fifth person.

People kept coming in to report, pointing out each one.

Some staff members refused to admit it, loudly protesting their innocence and attempting to make excuses.

Yang Jian didn't waste any words, and slapped him across the face, and he immediately became obedient.

Some staff members tried to escape, but Yang Jian didn't even look at them. He casually flicked out a blade of energy, and the people were cut in half at the waist.

He knew that almost none of these staff members were innocent.

With someone like Miles as bishop, the entire synagogue became rotten from top to bottom.

But he still had to put on a show and give those who might actually be wronged a chance.

What if there is?

Even if there is only one, we must not kill the wrong person.

The identification process lasted for nearly an hour.

There were too many people reporting it, but fortunately everyone identified the culprits very quickly.

In the end, nearly half of the staff were beaten to death or seriously injured, and a number of people lay on the ground, groaning all around.

Several people, who were not identified by anyone, stood there, pale-faced and trembling.

Yang Jian walked up to those people and looked at them.

These people all looked honest and simple, some of them were very young, no more than seventeen or eighteen years old, and their eyes were full of fear.

"Weren't any of you reported?"

Yang Jian asked.

One of the older men mustered his courage, his voice trembling: "Sir, I... I was only transferred here last year. I've been tending to the flowers and plants in the backyard and have never had any contact with outsiders. I... I really haven't done anything wrong."

The others nodded in agreement, all saying they were either doing menial tasks, had just arrived, or had been excluded from the core power structure.

Yang Jian glanced at them but didn't ask any more questions.

He turned around, walked up to Miles, raised his foot, stepped on his neck, and pushed hard with his foot.

Click.

Miles' neck was broken, and his head was tilted to one side at an odd angle.

He died without even waking up or making a sound.

A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd. Some shouted their approval, some were moved to tears, and some hugged each other, jumping and leaping.

"it is good!"

"Die well!"

"Serves you right!"

Chapter 113 Good Youth

Yang Jian withdrew his foot and glanced at the staff members who had been beaten to death or maimed on the ground.

He focused his gaze on the few people who had not been reported.

"From today onwards, the Martial Soul Branch Hall of Gengxin City will be temporarily managed by you few. The position of bishop will remain vacant for now. I will send someone after I return and report to His Holiness the Pope."

"Just keep things running smoothly, clean this place up, and restore order to work. Is that alright?"

The group of people were stunned for a moment, then nodded repeatedly, their eyes filled with surprise and disbelief.

They never dreamed that one of them, who was in charge of the flowers and plants in the backyard, another who washed dishes in the kitchen, and another who guarded the gate, would one day be able to manage the entire branch hall.

"Don't worry, sir, we'll definitely do our best!"

The man in charge of the flowers and plants straightened his back and spoke firmly.

Yang Jian nodded, turned around and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the crowd outside the door: "Everyone, the matter has been resolved. Miles is dead, and the perpetrators have received their due punishment. Please rest assured, the Spirit Hall will not protect any bad person, nor will it wrong any innocent person."

"I will never forget your great kindness, young master!"

"Young master, you are the benefactor of our Gengxin City!"

"I'm kowtowing to you!"

A large group of people suddenly knelt down, a dark mass stretching from the bottom of the steps all the way to the end of the street.

Yang Jian didn't say anything, waved his hand, walked through the crowd, and walked out of the gate of the Martial Soul Branch Hall.

The two guards standing at the door saw him come out, their legs went weak, and they knelt down as well.

Yang Jian ignored them and walked straight toward the blacksmiths' association.

……

In the side hall of the blacksmiths' association, Lou Gao had already arranged for tea to be prepared.

The finest Yunwu tea leaves, with their emerald green color, slowly unfurl in boiling water, releasing a delicate and subtle aroma.

Yang Jian picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea was slightly bitter at first, but sweet in the aftertaste; it was good tea.

"President Lou, I'd like to discuss the specific arrangements for the Blacksmiths Association after it joins the Spirit Hall with you," Yang Jian said, putting down his teacup.

Lou Gao sat opposite him, his hands on his knees, leaning slightly forward, listening attentively.

"First of all, the name and structure of the Blacksmiths' Association will remain unchanged, and you will still be the president, with full authority over internal affairs. The Spirit Hall will not send anyone to interfere, nor will it plant any spies."

"Secondly, from now on, the prices of all metals traded in Gengxin City will be jointly determined by the Blacksmiths' Association and the merchants. The Spirit Hall will not interfere, but will only be responsible for maintaining order and preventing anyone from engaging in forced buying and selling."

The tall building's eyes lit up.

These two conditions were even better than he had expected.

He originally thought that Yang Jian would at least ask the Spirit Hall to send someone to guide the work, or ask for a share of the profits.

Unexpectedly, Yang Jian didn't ask for anything and didn't interfere in anything.

"Third, when necessary, the Blacksmith Association will need to forge a batch of standard equipment for the Spirit Hall. Of course, we won't let you work for free; you will be paid in full."

"Fourth, members of the Blacksmiths' Association who are interested can apply to join the Spirit Hall's forging department and enjoy the benefits of the Spirit Hall. It is not mandatory and is entirely voluntary."

Lou Gao's breathing quickened.

He remained silent for a moment, seemingly processing the conditions Yang Jian had offered.

Then he stood up and extended his right hand.

"Young Master Yang, on behalf of the Blacksmiths' Association, I hereby formally join the Spirit Hall!"

Yang Jian stood up and shook hands with him.

Their hands were clasped together.

They then discussed the details for over an hour.

From the specific responsibilities of the blacksmiths' association to the quantity and types of equipment to be forged, to the pricing mechanism for metal prices, to the management and treatment of personnel, everything was discussed in great detail.

Yang Jian displayed a maturity and patience beyond his years, knowing when to yield and when to stand firm.

Lou Gao has been operating in Gengxin City for decades, and has met and dealt with countless people.

He considered himself to be very good at judging people, but he couldn't see through Yang Jian.

There was no greed, no cunning, and no arrogance typical of those in positions of power in the boy's eyes; his gaze was calm and profound.

After the discussion, Lou Gao hosted a banquet to entertain Yang Jian.

The dishes are local specialties of Gengxin City: roasted lamb leg, braised pork knuckle, steamed sea bass, and a large pot of steaming hot mutton soup.

Yang Jian ate to his heart's content, drank two bowls of soup, and ate three lamb legs, his mouth dripping with oil.

Lou Gao sat opposite him, watching him eat with a smile, while barely touching his own chopsticks.

He's getting old and has a poor appetite.

By the time we finished eating, it was completely dark.

Yang Jian bid farewell to Lou Gao and returned to the hotel alone.

The night in Gengxin City was very quiet. There were few pedestrians on the streets, and only the occasional clanging sound from the blacksmith's shop echoed in the night.

Yang Jian pushed open the door to Zhu Zhuqing's room. The room was dark, with only moonlight streaming in through the gaps in the curtains.

Zhu Zhuqing sat on the bed with her eyes closed, practicing the Two Nine Mysterious Techniques.

Her breathing was steady and long, her chest rising and falling slightly, and her long black hair was draped over her shoulders, gleaming softly in the moonlight.

She was so engrossed in her cultivation that she didn't even notice Yang Jian coming in.