Chapter Twelve: The Ruthless Child

Qin Qiong strode forward boldly, his step landing precisely on the swollen bump atop Qi Guoyuan’s foot. A sharp crack resounded, and in an instant, the courtyard of the Wang’s inn in Taiyuan fell silent, as if all the birds had scattered. Qi Guoyuan, blindfolded, cried out in alarm, his face contorted with terror as he gasped for breath and staggered backward several steps.

“Such nerve!” A group of burly men surged forward, ready to tear Qin Qiong to pieces, but the leader, their chief, suddenly exclaimed in surprise. He noticed that Qi Guoyuan’s foot, planted firmly on the ground, showed no sign of pain; in fact, it appeared to be healed. Though the foot was still somewhat swollen and red, the egg-sized lump had vanished.

“Hold!” The chief reached out to halt his men, stepped forward, and yanked the black cloth from Qi Guoyuan’s face, then asked with concern, “Brother, your foot...?”

“It’s fine! It doesn’t hurt anymore, big brother, it doesn’t hurt!” Qi Guoyuan stomped his foot forcefully on the ground several times, then broke into laughter, calling out, “Big brother, my foot is healed!”

Upon hearing this, Qin Qiong finally relaxed. Just moments before, when those men were about to attack, he had been tense—his skills could protect himself, but shielding Yun Hao would have been difficult. This child was generous and righteous, having paid the inn’s bill for him and resolved his crisis. If Yun Hao were hurt because of him, Qin Qiong could never forgive himself.

“Kid, well done! You know bone-setting?” Qin Qiong clapped Yun Hao on the shoulder in approval.

“I don’t actually know bone-setting, sir. I once saw a rural barefoot doctor do something similar. Qi Guoyuan’s injury looked a lot like that one, so I took a chance. It was your strength that did the trick. I just stumbled into it by luck—you’re the real master.” Flattery never goes amiss. Qin Qiong, destined to be immortalized among the heroes of the Lingyan Pavilion, was someone whose favor Yun Hao needed to secure.

As the two spoke, the chief and Qi Guoyuan approached them, and without another word, both bowed deeply.

“Gentlemen, today my brothers acted rashly. You have saved my brother’s foot, and the grudge ends here. But your kindness, we shall never forget. Please, hero, leave your name—Xie Yingdeng will surely repay you generously.” The chief clasped his fists and introduced himself.

Yun Hao was stunned—so this was the famed Xie Yingdeng, known as the divine marksman. In ancient times, he was the equivalent of a sniper!

He studied Xie Yingdeng closely—the man had a slender waist and a sturdy, broad back, his arms muscular and rough. Yun Hao also noticed, with keen eyes, that the skin on Xie Yingdeng’s face and body differed in tone, as though he’d oiled himself like a bodybuilder. It dawned on him that this was a disguise.

They were notorious bandits, after all, and would naturally change their appearance when out in public. Otherwise, being recognized would spell trouble. As for their purpose in coming to Luzhou, others might not know, but Yun Hao did. Eight miles west of Luzhou stood the Two Sages Manor, home to a figure even more notorious—a mafia boss, the overall leader of all brigands, Shan Xiongxin, known as the Red-Haired Deity.

While Yun Hao pondered, Xie Yingdeng had already summoned the “Four Tigers of Eastern City.”

Having witnessed Qi Guoyuan’s injury, the Green-Eyed Tiger sensed trouble and tried to slip away, but was blocked by underlings. Now, forced before Qin Qiong and Yun Hao, the four were so terrified they dropped to their knees in unison.

“Hero, you are a true hero! We brothers were blinded by greed—please forgive us. We’ll kowtow and beg for your mercy; treat us as nothing, and let us go!” With that, the four knelt and knocked their heads against the ground repeatedly.

Qin Qiong, disdainful of these scoundrels, folded his arms and regarded them coldly. Xie Yingdeng said nothing, waiting for Qin Qiong to speak. The atmosphere grew tense.

“Master Qin, the Green-Eyed Tiger and our brothers go way back...” Qi Guoyuan, straightforward by nature, seeing Qin Qiong silent, stepped forward to speak.

“Master Qi, you seem a decent man. Why mix with such scum who bully the innocent?” Yun Hao, knowing Qin Qiong was not one for words and seeing Qi Guoyuan intent on defending the Four Tigers, immediately spoke up in rebuttal.

“Little brother...” Qi Guoyuan looked at Yun Hao in confusion.

Yun Hao proceeded to recount, in detail, how the Four Tigers had harassed his mother, attempted to abduct her in broad daylight, and then attacked Qin Qiong, only to be taught a lesson. As he spoke, the faces of Xie Yingdeng and Qi Guoyuan grew darker. Though they’d heard of the Four Tigers’ questionable behavior, they hadn’t realized how vile they truly were. Among brigands, there were rules—never oppress the innocent. The Four Tigers had flagrantly violated the code of chivalry.

“Master Qi, you heard it yourself. If you doubt me, ask at the cattle and horse market. Two or three hundred people must have seen it. Go and inquire, and you’ll know the truth!” Seeing their grim faces, Yun Hao stopped talking.

“Ha! You four wretches dared commit such deeds—not only breaking our code, but nearly tarnishing the reputations of me and Brother Xie!” Qi Guoyuan’s face flushed red as a bride’s veil. With a kick, he sent the Green-Eyed Tiger sprawling face-first into the mud, right where he’d just washed his foot. The Green-Eyed Tiger was covered in mud and water, utterly disgraced.

“This young man, since they harassed your mother, how they are dealt with is your call. Our brothers will not interfere!” Qi Guoyuan turned away, refusing to look at the Green-Eyed Tiger’s sorry state.

“Not interfere? It was my idea to treat your injury, and now you want me, a child, to beat or scold them? Isn’t that just scratching their itch?” Yun Hao pointed at Qi Guoyuan.

“What do you propose?” Qi Guoyuan asked helplessly.

“You help me break their legs, and that will settle the debt for healing your foot. How about it?” Yun Hao hated these bullies most of all—they preyed on honest folk, but when faced with someone stronger, they turned to jelly. Leaving such men in the world would only bring harm to countless good people.

Qin Qiong, Xie Yingdeng, and Qi Guoyuan all turned to look at Yun Hao. None of them had expected a child to harbor such ruthless intent—ready to break a man’s legs at a word. What sort of child was this?