Chapter Ten: Seeking Vengeance

Yun Hao stepped outside and saw the courtyard crowded with more than twenty burly men, their figures looming ominously. Wang Xiao’er, acting like some petty interpreter for the invaders, pointed to the main room where Yun Hao, his mother, and Qin Qiong were staying. His demeanor was as despicable as could be, an utter disgrace.

Among the throng, Yun Hao recognized the “Four Tigers of East City.” These four men watched Qin Qiong emerge from the house with cold, sinister expressions.

Earlier that day, the brothers had gone to the livestock market, hoping to earn some easy money, but unexpectedly encountered a hidden boss. Not only were they beaten and humiliated, but three of them, led by the Blue-Eyed Tiger, nearly lost everything they had. To endure such disgrace would mean they could no longer hold their heads high in Luzhou City.

Determined to reclaim their honor, the four immediately summoned reinforcements. As seasoned troublemakers in Luzhou, they managed to gather two or three dozen men in no time. Even if they couldn’t kill their opponent, they could certainly scare him.

Seeing so many enemies, Yun Hao’s heart was filled with anxiety. After all, two fists could hardly fend off so many hands. Even though Qin Qiong was a famed hero, he had only recently recovered from a serious illness and was still weak. If they couldn’t defeat him, exhaustion would surely bring him down. Should Qin Qiong fall, life would be hard for Yun Hao and his mother. What could they do now? Cold sweat broke out along Yun Hao’s back.

The leader of the men, towering eight feet tall and just as broad, his neck invisible, his face hidden by a wild, dark beard, barked, “That yellow-faced fellow, how dare you bully my brothers today? I am Qi Guoyuan, Third Master of Shaohua Mountain, and I never change my name. State your name, or you’ll die nameless under my fists.” In the fading light, Yun Hao thought the man resembled a black gorilla.

Qi Guoyuan—the name sounded familiar, but Yun Hao couldn’t quite place it.

“My name is neither necessary nor worthy for you to know. Aren’t you just bandits from Shaohua Mountain? As it happens, I intended to arrest you, and here you are at my doorstep. Will you all attack at once, or will you face me alone?” Qin Qiong, famed for his tile-faced golden mace, had pawned it recently to pay for meals owed at Wang Xiao’er’s inn. Seeing so many enemies, he dared not be careless. He grabbed two thick door props—crude, but serviceable as weapons.

Qin Qiong held himself in high regard. Now, fallen to such a state, blocked in his own yard by ruffians, he was too ashamed to reveal his name. Yet he looked down on his adversaries, barely giving them a glance.

“Good, you have some courage. But I wonder if your skills match your bravery. Today, your Grandfather Qi will teach you a lesson. The rest of you, stay put and watch how I handle this reckless fool.” The black gorilla Qi Guoyuan stepped forward, facing Qin Qiong with arrogant disdain. Clearly, he did not take Qin Qiong seriously.

“Big Brother Qi, this man is skilled. I think we should all attack together and see how tough he really is. Can one man defeat so many of us?” The Blue-Eyed Tiger spoke up, knowing firsthand Qin Qiong’s prowess. He and his brothers had been swiftly beaten by Qin Qiong, and while Qi Guoyuan was the Third Master of Shaohua Mountain, his true strength was uncertain.

If Qi Guoyuan were injured for their sake, the debt would be great, requiring constant favors in the future. Blue-Eyed Tiger was wary—bandits from Shaohua Mountain were notorious outlaws, and who knew what crimes they might commit someday. If the authorities pursued them, it could implicate him as well. Better to swarm Qin Qiong and cripple him, thus avoiding such a heavy obligation.

“Stop your whining. If you can’t beat him, it’s your own failing. Let me show you the strength of Qi Guoyuan!” Qi Guoyuan scorned Blue-Eyed Tiger’s defeatist attitude. In his eyes, these local hoodlums were nothing special. Were it not for a friend's request, he would never bother with them, and his words turned sharp.

Seeing Qi Guoyuan unmoved, Blue-Eyed Tiger sighed inwardly, hoping Qi Guoyuan would triumph and beat the yellow-faced man senseless. If not, the situation would only worsen, and he regretted involving the Shaohua Mountain bandits. It seemed unlikely things would end peacefully tonight.

Qin Qiong admired Qi Guoyuan’s courage—though outnumbered, Qi dared to challenge him alone. It showed not only confidence in his own skills, but a touch of chivalry.

Qin Qiong tossed away the door props, clasped his fists toward Qi Guoyuan, and said, “A true man—please!” He assumed a stance, feet firmly planted, one hand forward, one back, fists shaped like tiger claws—the opening move of the North Chan Sect’s Mighty Vajra Fist from Mount Wutai.

Qi Guoyuan saw Qin Qiong discard his makeshift weapons, and respected him for it. Under normal circumstances, the outnumbered would use any means necessary, yet Qin Qiong chose to fight bare-handed. Clearly a heroic figure, and should Qin Qiong prove himself, Qi Guoyuan would gladly mediate and resolve the matter. He doubted the “Four Tigers of East City” would dare defy him.

The two men locked eyes. Qi Guoyuan roared, and his fist thundered toward Qin Qiong.

Seeing the ferocity of the attack, and knowing his own strength was not yet fully recovered, Qin Qiong wisely deflected Qi Guoyuan’s force with skillful technique.

At the same time, Qin Qiong pressed his arm down and leaned his shoulder in, using Qi Guoyuan’s momentum to push him aside.

Qi Guoyuan was startled—he instantly recognized Qin Qiong as a true expert. Without hesitation, he flexed his arms and unleashed his signature move: Iron Line Fist, swinging across to strike Qin Qiong’s waist.

Qin Qiong shouted, “Good move!” and performed an Iron Bridge defense, bending his body as Qi Guoyuan’s iron fist swept past his cheek, the wind stinging his skin. Qin Qiong thought to himself: Qi Guoyuan is indeed skilled.

“Ha!” Qi Guoyuan, seeing Qin Qiong’s Iron Bridge technique, grew fierce. He lifted one leg and brought it down in a powerful “Splitting Mount Hua.” If it landed, it would surely break bones.

Qin Qiong, with nowhere to dodge, steeled himself. Despite his recent illness, he launched both fists straight ahead.

In midair, fist and foot collided with a thunderous crash.