Immortal Cage - Chapter 59: Handling Matters Broadly
In the Poisonous Nest, a large group of people quickly gathered after a short while.
Yu Lie had been working in the Poisonous Nest for several months, not only getting along with others but also establishing himself as a small leader, becoming familiar with everyone. Therefore, when other young workers saw Yu Lie and the round-faced youth, there was no need for explanations from Radish Head and others. Speculations and discussions arose among the crowd:
"This guy, Old Yu, didn't waste any time getting into action today, truly bold!"
Some took pleasure in others' misfortune: "By acting like this, isn't his position as good as gone? Daring to fight in the workplace, he might end up losing more than just his job, maybe even his skin."
Some were cautious, advising those around them to keep quiet: "Shh! Just watch, don't speak too much. If Yu Lie dares to be so impulsive, there might be someone backing him up."
Buzzing sounds filled the air, especially at this time when many young workers had just started their shifts. Almost everyone was too lazy to work and hurried over to join the commotion. Even the idlers from the neighboring two households of the Poisonous Nest heard the commotion and came over for a look.
Yu Lie stood in the middle of the scene, looking calm and composed, leaving people puzzled.
Radish Head and others gathered around him, anxiously asking, "Yu Head, what should we do now? You really know that old man, go quickly and make amends!"
Old Hu interjected hastily, "No, Yu brother must stay here. Otherwise, if something happens and he can't be found, the consequences will be worse. Xiao Luo, you go help Yu brother make amends!"
Radish Head immediately nodded, then looked towards Yu Lie, waiting for his instructions.
Apart from Old Hu and Radish Head giving Yu Lie advice, the other two tall and stout young workers also wore worried expressions as they looked at Yu Lie.
Upon hearing their words, Yu Lie's eyes softened slightly.
Although when he first arrived at the Poisonous Nest, his group of colleagues seemed unreliable, after months of getting along, Yu Lie found that their characters were decent, at least none of them were backstabbers.
Therefore, facing Radish Head and others' concern, Yu Lie clasped his hands towards the four of them and said in a calm voice, "Rest assured, everyone, I shouldn't have any trouble."
Upon hearing this response, the worried expressions on Radish Head and the others' faces lessened, with Old Hu even sighing in relief, "I knew it, Yu brother has a methodical way of doing things, he won't act recklessly."
However, they still suggested that Yu Lie should go and make amends immediately, urging him on.
As the group quietly discussed, a cry of pain rang out once again:
"It hurts so much! Du Tou, you finally came."
It was the round-faced young worker whom Yu Lie had kicked over, now wailing in pain.
Pointing at Yu Lie, he shouted, "This scoundrel, I just asked him to do some work, and he hit me out of nowhere. He hit me! I didn't even touch him, not even a finger!"
Yu Lie looked at the man and chuckled, "Tsk! Your voice is so loud, even louder than slaughtering a pig. It seems I held back with my kick, couldn't even puncture your lung."
This teasing remark immediately caused laughter among the onlookers.
Not willing to suffer further humiliation, the round-faced youth, who was just a subordinate, blushed and scurried away, fearing another beating from Yu Lie.
At this moment, the person Yu Lie was waiting for, Du Liang, finally emerged from the depths of the Poisonous Nest.
With a stern expression, hands behind his back, accompanied by a few young workers, Du Liang scanned the surroundings, causing the laughter to subside.
However, upon seeing Yu Lie, Du Liang's stern expression softened slightly.
He smiled at Yu Lie and said, "It's been over ten days, Yu brother, where have you been making your fortune?"
Yu Lie had taken a break to make a breakthrough in his cultivation, but apart from helping his female neighbor, he hadn't revealed much to others. Some speculated he was cultivating, while others thought he was up to no good. Few would guess he was making a breakthrough.
Seeing Du Liang come out, Yu Lie simply nodded towards him without saying a word.
"A guy named Yu!" a young worker immediately stepped forward and scolded, "Du Tou asked you a question, don't you have a mouth?"
Du Liang stopped the person behind him, first whispered a few words to the onlookers, letting them know what had happened. The round-faced youth also approached Du Liang, pointing at Yu Lie and loudly complaining, "Du Tou, it was this guy who attacked me, it's unjust. I didn't touch him, nor did I retaliate!"
After listening to a few words, Du Liang showed an understanding expression.
Unexpectedly, his face turned cold, and instead of reprimanding Yu Lie, he scolded the round-faced youth, "You ungrateful fellow, I only assigned you to manage Yu brother's duties for a few days, and you caused such trouble? Always causing problems, don't you have any shame?"
Du Liang then stepped forward and delivered two resounding slaps to the round-faced youth's face.
The round-faced youth's cheeks immediately swelled up, making him look even more like a pig's head.
"Just because there have been more fish catches recently, I let you take care of Yu brother's duties. It's only been a few days, and you've made Old Hu and the others look exhausted, as if they've been working all night. How come you're the only one looking fresh, without a hint of fishy smell? Don't mention Yu brother, if I had known about this, I would have dealt with you as soon as I entered the room!"
The damage caused by Du Liang's two slaps seemed even harsher than Yu Lie's earlier kick.
The round-faced youth, holding his face, looked dazed and incredulous.
Yu Lie, who was listening to the conversation, also stared at Du Liang with a puzzled expression.
After being stunned for a while, the round-faced youth finally showed a tearful expression, "I-I didn't provoke him..."
Du Liang furrowed his brows and scolded, "If you didn't provoke Yu brother, would he hit you?"
"Ah!" a voice exclaimed.
It was Radish Head, who couldn't help but exclaim upon hearing Du Liang's words.
The other two tall and stout young workers also chimed in, "Du Tou is reasonable!" "Du Tou is right!"
Seeing the round-faced youth, who had oppressed them for days, being reprimanded by Du Liang, and with Yu Lie standing there, their confidence soared, feeling a sense of satisfaction!
Not only Radish Head and the others, but even the other onlookers, were quick to join in, some genuinely hating the round-faced youth for oppressing his subordinates, while others were simply flattering Du Liang.
Surprisingly, Yu Lie, the main person involved, still had a strange look in his eyes, though his expression had returned to calm.
Old Hu, standing next to Radish Head, simply rubbed his hands, keeping a low profile without exclaiming or causing a commotion.
After the scolding, Du Liang looked at Yu Lie again, smiling as he said, "Offending Yu brother, the recent influx of fish catches has indeed been substantial. If you don't mind, someone must oversee the duties of Yu brother. After some deliberation, I've appointed this person to take charge."
Pointing at the round-faced youth, he continued, "I mishandled this matter, causing trouble for all of you."
Yu Lie narrowed his eyes.
Seeing Du Liang's attitude, everyone present thought that today's incident was about to be settled, with Yu Lie being treated leniently.
The discussions continued, with some speculating that the rumors about Yu Lie having a powerful backer might be true.
Radish Head, feeling bewildered, and Old Hu, whose expression had changed, both stood there with their mouths open, unsure of what to say.
Only the round-faced youth, upon hearing this, felt elated, inwardly thinking, "Haha, following the rules! By following the rules, Yu's fate is sealed, and the position of head is definitely mine."
With a sincere expression, Du Liang extended his hand towards Yu Lie, saying, "Yu brother, I'm sorry. The rules in the workplace are strict, and fighting without reason requires a visit to the authorities. The town's ghost soldiers are watching everything, and I have to follow the rules."
As the black aura swirled, a chilling sensation spread, causing most people in the vicinity to feel a chill.
Ghost soldiers were the town's apprentices, collecting Yin energy and souls to create puppet soldiers. They lacked much intelligence but could see and hear things, specializing in inspecting the town inside and out.
Throughout the town, there were various ghost soldier puppets and jars placed, so whenever something happened, people could summon the ghost soldiers nearby to inquire and investigate.
Apart from their investigative duties, for lower-ranking and junior workers, their vitality was weak, and the presence of ghost soldiers was terrifying. They couldn't easily come into contact with them, as it could lead to a severe loss of vitality, causing a serious illness.
Only mid-level and higher-ranking workers with strong vitality could resist the chilling aura of the ghost soldiers and not fear them.
After summoning the ghost soldiers, Du Liang's actions made the young workers take a step back, fearing the chilling presence.
The discussions fell silent!
Radish Head was dumbfounded, and Old Hu's expression changed, both of them standing there with their mouths agape, unsure of what to say.
Only the round-faced youth, upon hearing this, felt elated, inwardly thinking, "Haha, following the rules! By following the rules, Yu's fate is sealed, and the position of head is definitely mine."
Du Liang, with a sincere expression, extended his hand towards Yu Lie, saying, "Yu brother, please come with me to the authorities to explain what happened. It's just a formality, and I will do my best to ensure a lenient handling of the situation."
Yu Lie looked at him with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
It seemed that Du Liang's handling of the dispute today left no room for objections from anyone.
However...