The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 197 I've come to collect my debt!

"Silence!" The official's soft shout silenced the entire room. His back was ramrod straight, his gaze piercing the twenty young men, and his voice suddenly rose:
"Listen up, all of you!" His voice cut through all the noise, addressing only these young men on whom he had placed such high hopes: "I am now a fifth-rank judicial officer! An official appointed by the imperial court! If you wish to shed this commoner's skin and follow me on the path to high office—"

He paused briefly, each word ringing out like it was coated with iron filings, brimming with power: "Tongchifang is your training ground! Have you developed any real courage while following Instructor Shi? Today is the day you show your skills and prove your mettle! Hold on tight to your lives, show your courage! Go all out!"

Ximen Qing's gaze swept over the young faces, flushed with excitement and brimming with fighting spirit, as he offered the most tempting bait:
"Do a good job! Follow me, shed this muddy and dusty look, and one day you'll enjoy immense wealth and honor!"

This blatant promise, like a red-hot branding iron, burned the hearts of those twenty strong young men!

They had long been trained to be highly disciplined, and although their blood was boiling at this moment, not one of them made a sound. They simply gripped their sticks tighter, puffed out their chests, and shouted in unison, their voices like muffled thunder: "We are willing to die for you, sir!"

This unified and powerful response startled the sycophants, including Earl Ying, who instinctively suppressed their affected expressions and could only echo in hushed tones, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and complexity.

"Good!" Ximen Qing's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and without the slightest hesitation, he slashed down with his large, fan-like hand, shouting, "Go!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already mounted the tall, chrysanthemum-patterned steed. The silver-inlaid whip in his hand snapped crisply in mid-air. With a pull of the reins, the horse galloped off, kicking up a cloud of yellow dust.

He and Shi Wengong, who had been waiting nearby, moved with the speed of a leopard, grabbing a newly forged steel spear that gleamed with a cold, eerie light, its tip gleaming with a blinding cold light.

He and Dai'an nimbly mounted their horses, standing guard on either side of Master Ximen.

Those twenty or so strong young men, personally trained by Shi Wengong, were all full of vigor and courage, fearless and brimming with youthful energy, at the age when they had the guts of a leopard.

Upon receiving the order, he showed no fear on his face; instead, he was filled with excitement at the impending battle.

They all grabbed their fire-and-water sticks, showing no trace of the laziness of street ruffians, and trotted along, their footsteps echoing on the bluestone slabs, closely following in Ximen Qing's footsteps.

The footsteps were so precise and orderly, they even carried a hint of the fierce aura of a border army, making one's heart pound wildly in unison with each step.

Following this group were dozens of bandits and fierce guards whom Ximen Qing had kept for many years.

This group of men, with faces more ferocious than the clay demons in temples, and eyes as fierce as wild dogs starving for three winters, carrying broadswords, iron rulers, iron chains, spiked clubs and other weapons for killing, silently swarmed forward, a dark mass, like a cold wind carrying the stench of blood, or like dark clouds rolling in close to the ground, closely following the pack of wolves.

The entire group, a dark mass of forty or fifty people, exuded a murderous aura as they charged straight towards Tongchifang.

The gambling den at this time was no longer the same as it used to be.

It devoured several neighboring courtyards, connecting them into one sprawling complex. Its grand facade was eye-catching, with colorful silks hanging high and lanterns swaying. Inside, the sounds of sheng, xiao, and flutes filled the air day and night, making it one of the most notorious dens of iniquity in Qinghe County.

The guards at the entrance were all burly, thick-shouldered thugs with menacing faces, spitting and chattering idly with their hands on their hips.

Suddenly, a fierce-looking figure, shrouded in dust and smoke, loomed right under his nose, and he was instantly terrified.

The leader, forcing himself to remain calm, stepped forward and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Hey! Where did this madman come from? Don't you know where you are? This is the territory of Tongchilou in the capital. If you know what's good for you, get out of here!"

"The Capital City's All-in-One Restaurant?" The high-ranking official sat upright on his horse, looking down at the city, a cruel sneer curling at the corner of his mouth: "Do you know that this place is Qinghe County, Shandong?"

Without even glancing at the guard, he casually waved his hand toward the enormous, gleaming gold signboard of Tongchifang, his voice as cold as ice: "Smash it!"

Before he could finish speaking, Shi Wengong, who was standing next to Ximen Qing, suddenly pulled on the reins!
The horseman stood up and let out a long neigh.

In that split second, Shi Wengong, taking advantage of the horse's momentum, wielded his spear with lightning speed with one arm! The newly forged steel spear transformed into a black, venomous dragon, carrying a piercing whistle that cut through the air, and with a "whoosh," it pierced the very center of the three gilded characters of "Tongchilou" with unparalleled precision!

"Crack! Clatter—!" How domineering was the immense force contained within the steel spearhead?

The pine signboard, which was a foot and a half thick, was as if it were made of paper and clay. It was immediately pierced through and shattered into pieces!
Splinters of wood, gold leaf dust, and broken plaque frames rained down on the guards at the entrance like a downpour of hail, splashing them all over their faces and heads. The gold dust stung their eyes, and splinters pierced their flesh, leaving them in a sorry state.
The guards at the gate were so shocked by this swift and decisive action that they nearly lost their minds! One of them, seeing his livelihood destroyed, felt his blood boil and instinctively reached for the hilt of his knife.

Shi Wengong's eyes flashed with a fierce light. With just a slight flick of his wrist, the eighteen-foot-long spear moved like a scorpion's tail, its tip flashing like two cold stars. It was so fast that only a blur could be seen!
"Thud! Thud!" Two muffled thuds of flesh being torn apart almost overlapped! Immediately followed by two inhuman screams!
The two guards who were oblivious to their own mortality and used their swords were immediately stabbed in the shoulder sockets, leaving two bloody holes and exposing the white bone fragments!

The scalding blood spurted out with a "whoosh" and shot far away, turning half of his body into a blood-stained gourd in the blink of an eye.

The two men, like toads whose tendons had been pulled out, rolled on the ground screaming in agony, twitching and writhing amidst the splintered wood and gold dust. Their bodies and faces were covered in blood and dirt, and they could no longer get up.

The official didn't even blink. He reined in his restless horse and said, "Go tell your manager that Ximen Qing from Qinghe County has come in person today to 'pay his debt'!"

The echoes of Ximen Qing's words, "I've come to pay my debts," still reverberated among the broken wood chips of the signboard when the two heavy vermilion doors of Tongchifang were suddenly pushed open with a loud bang!

Like opening the cage of a ferocious beast, dozens, even nearly a hundred, burly men surged out and instantly formed a battle formation in the open space in front of the gate.

These men were all tough and burly, with bulging temples, fierce eyes, and bulging waists that clearly concealed weapons. They were obviously seasoned outlaws who had lived a life of violence and bloodshed, far superior to ordinary guards.

The two men at the front, one of whom was the manager Qian Bao, was pale and sweating profusely, clearly still shaken. He hurriedly ordered his men, "Quick! Carry those two useless things inside!"

Several servants hurriedly and frantically dragged the two guards, whose shoulders were pierced and who were writhing and groaning on the ground.

Beside Qian Bao stood a middle-aged man who looked to be in his early forties.

This man was not tall, but unusually sturdy, like an iron weight. He had a purplish-brown face, thick eyebrows, a wide mouth and a square nose, and especially his eyes, which shone with a sharp light when they opened and closed, revealing a ruthless glint in his calm demeanor.

Unlike Qian Bao, he didn't panic. Instead, he calmly clasped his hands in front of his chest, his voice booming, carrying the toughness unique to bandits.

"My name is Hong Wu. We are fortunate to be valued by our master and given the job of guards at this brothel. Master Ximen, I have long admired your name! However..."

His gaze swept over the scattered fragments of the signboard and the bloodstains on the ground. His brows furrowed slightly, and his tone turned cold: "Sir, what is the reason for your commotion today, injuring my men and smashing the facade of my Tongchi Fang? If this is 'paying a debt,' then this is far too outrageous!"

Ximen Da Guanren sat upright on his horse, looking down from a high position.

A cold smile played on his lips as he slowly said, "Hong Wu? No problem. I always do things one thing at a time. I'm here today for two reasons: to repay the money and to collect a debt."

"Debt collection?" Hong Wu raised a thick eyebrow, his eyes gleaming even brighter. "My Tongchifang is an open and transparent business, with every detail recorded in tiny characters in the ledger! I wonder which old debt you're referring to, sir? And from which rat hole did you dig it up?"

"Which one?" Ximen Qing laughed as if he had heard something extremely funny, but then his smile vanished abruptly, and his eyes swept across Hong Wu's face like sharp blades.

He said no more, only lazily waving his hand towards the crowd behind him.

Then, Ying Bojue, Xie Xida, Chang Shijie, Zhu Shinian, Sun Guazui and other "crippled" people, like actors who had received a command, immediately squeezed out from the gaps between the strong young men and bandits behind them, groaning and moaning.

They walked unsteadily, supporting each other, as if a gust of wind could blow them over.

The blood-stained rag on Ying Bojue's head was tilted even more crookedly, Xie Xida's arm, which was hanging in a sling, swung like a swing, and Chang Shijie was practically dragging his "zongzi foot" as he moved. Zhu Shinian's face was covered with plaster, and Sun Guazui coughed violently as if he wanted to cough up his lungs.

This group of filthy scoundrels, like a pile of mangled flesh just dug out of a mass grave, collapsed haphazardly on the messy open ground in front of the all-consuming shop, groaning "Ouch!" and "It hurts so much!" one after another, a vivid picture of torture in hell!

Master Ximen slammed his riding whip down on the pile of rolling gourds on the ground, his throat tightened, and he shouted sternly:

"Hong Wu! Open your eyes and take a good look! Your Tongchifang is truly ruthless! You've ravaged my sworn brothers into this inhuman state! Broken tendons and bones, internal injuries, now some are paralyzed, some are crippled, some are even covered in excrement and urine on the bed and can't move! Shouldn't this bloody debt of life be repaid with interest?!"

Hong Wu frowned, his gaze sweeping over Ying Bojue and the others. Their "scars" and miserable appearance made him unsure of what to do. He really didn't remember such a thing happening.

Seeing this, Qian Bao quickly leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words in a very low voice.

After hearing this, Hong Wu's expression changed several times, and his cheeks puffed out slightly.

Having spent so much time in the outlaw world, how could he not understand that the other party was using this as an excuse to extort money? He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, clasped his hands in a fist salute again, and lowered his voice:

"Master Ximen, so this is what it's about. Forgive my poor eyesight, there may have been some misunderstandings and conflicts in the past, but... I wonder how you intend to settle this score?"

The official said calmly:
“Since you are a reasonable person, then it’s easy to talk! My sworn brothers, though not born of the same mother, are closer than blood brothers! We used to kowtow to each other and share the same pants! Now you have ruined me like this, it’s as if you’ve ripped flesh and removed bones from my body!”

“Now they’re either paralyzed or crippled, their excrement and urine are all flowing down their crotches, their lives are basically over in chamber pots! Which one of them doesn’t have an old mother crying her eyes out in the main hall, and a hungry baby crying for food on the bed? Hong Wu, you count the debts for me on your fingers, how should we calculate it?”

He paused, as if doing mental arithmetic, then held up five fingers, shook them, and said decisively, "In the world of outlaws, loyalty is paramount! To harm my brothers is like to break my arm! For your sake, Hong Wu, I won't ask for more—ten thousand taels! Ten thousand taels of silver to help my brothers and their families, to buy them food and medicine to keep them alive, isn't that too much to ask?"

Upon hearing this, both Hong Wu and Qian Bao's eyelids twitched!
Ten thousand taels!

This is outrageous! It's even more outrageous than what we, the gambling den owners, are doing!

Before they could object, the official's lips curled into a cold smile again as he slowly added, "Oh, right. I owed you 1,600 taels of silver in gambling debts at your place. I'm a man of my word; paying back debts is a matter of course! This debt will be settled today!"

He lightly traced a line with his finger, as if manipulating abacus beads: "Ten thousand taels of compensation, minus this sixteen hundred taels of gambling debt... You Tongchifang, give me another eight thousand four hundred taels of cash, and we'll be even! Hong Wu, am I fair enough?"

Upon hearing this, a deathly silence fell over the entrance to Tongchifang. The only sounds were the more forceful groans of "ouch" from Ying Bojue and the others on the ground, and the sharp, clear sound of a drop of blood, not yet congealed, falling onto the bluestone slab from the tip of Shi Wengong's steel spear.

Upon hearing Ximen Qing's "fair" calculation, Hong Wu's face turned from purple to green, and finally to a grimace. The last trace of appeasement in his eyes vanished, replaced by icy rage and the arrogance characteristic of outlaws. He stared at Ximen Qing on horseback, his voice strained and harsh, as if forced through clenched teeth:
“Master Ximen, it seems that today you are neither here to repay your debt nor to collect it with sincerity…” He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately, each word ringing out: “You’ve come here on purpose to cause trouble and ruin my beggar’s livelihood!”

"Beggar's Den?" Ximen Qing raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Is that your name?"

He then threw his head back and burst into laughter, the sound echoing in front of the messy doorway, filled with unbridled mockery: "Hahaha! Hong Wu of Huaziwo, you're not so stupid after all!"

Hong Wu's chest heaved as he suppressed his rage and said in a deep voice, "I, Hua Ziwo, am hired by my master to guard the entrance of this all-consuming establishment; it is my duty! Today, I may have to offend you, sir!"

Although he spoke with a strong tone, his gaze swept over the dark mass of men behind Ximen Qing, especially the blood-dripping spear in Shi Wengong's hand.

Ximen Qing leisurely tapped his palm lightly with his riding whip, as if teasing his prey: "Oh? Where is your boss? Since this is a matter of life and death, why not invite the person in charge to come out and speak? Hiding in the back is not the behavior of a hero."

Hong Wu's facial muscles twitched, and he forced a cold smile: "You flatter me, sir! It's the rule of the outlaws that guarding the house is our duty. If we have to trouble our master with everything, what use are we?"

His gaze was like a knife, sweeping sharply over the twenty or so strong young men behind Ximen Qing, whose steps were synchronized but whose faces still bore a hint of youthful immaturity. A smirk of undisguised contempt curled at the corner of his mouth.
"My lord, these fledglings behind you? They're probably still smelling of milk! I'm not bragging, but these raw eggs won't last three rounds against my brothers!"

Before he could finish speaking, Hong Wu's eyes flashed with a fierce light. He swung his hand downwards like a cleaver, and roared, "Take him down! Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"

"Roar—!" The dozens of bandits behind him, who had been unable to restrain themselves any longer, unleashed their weapons like tigers released from their gates! Broadswords, iron rulers, water-splitting spears, hook-and-sickle spears, chain hammers... all sorts of strange weapons gleamed coldly, carrying a bloody, bandit-like aura, and whipped up a gust of evil wind as they rushed straight towards the official's group!

In particular, those twenty or so young men were the easiest targets in their eyes, and they instantly became the main targets for "greeting"!
The Earl Ying and his companions, who had been lying paralyzed between the two sides, were so frightened by the sight of the other side rushing towards them that they quickly got up and rushed back into their own ranks.

"Form ranks!" Just as Hong Wu's men lunged forward, Shi Wengong, who had been silent like the shadow of the high-ranking official, suddenly let out a thunderous roar! This voice carried an unquestionable ironclad rule of the battlefield, instantly piercing through the chaotic noise!
Although the twenty or so young men, who were new to the battlefield, had hearts pounding, palms sweating, and even a hint of instinctive fear on their faces, the orders had been etched into their bones by Shi Wengong's rigorous training over the past few months, which was like that of a hellish demon!

Almost as a conditioned reflex, when faced with the ferocious men rushing towards them, they did not panic and scatter as Hong Wu had expected. Instead, as if drawn by invisible threads, they instantly formed several tight small triangular formations, three to a group, back to back and shoulder to shoulder!
The polished, eyebrow-high whistle clubs in their hands were raised in unison, their sharp iron tips pointing diagonally forward, forming a menacing forest of spears!

"Stab!" Shi Wengong's second command was like a death knell!
"Kill—!" A roar, a mixture of fear and excitement, erupted from the throats of about twenty people!

The three batons form a group, not fighting individually, but advancing and retreating together!

The bandit leader, relying on his agility, crouched down to try and slip into the formation, only to see three cold stars, accompanied by a fierce wind, stabbing towards him without any regard for who was first!

The angle was tricky, completely blocking his space to dodge left or right!

He hurriedly swung his knife to parry, knocking one aside with a clang, but another grazed his ribs, leaving a bloody mark, and the third one pierced his thigh solidly!
"Ah!" the man cried out in pain and staggered backward.

His companion behind him swung a chain hammer, trying to break through the formation, but was blocked by three batons from another group!

The advantages of long weapons are clearly demonstrated in confined spaces and in coordinated operations!
These outlaws may have far more experience in one-on-one combat than these young men, but when suddenly faced with this simple military formation that was unreasonable and only sought to assassinate in unison, they were forced into a state of panic and confusion!

The club, like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, doesn't aim for a fatal blow, but rather for a swift, accurate, and coordinated thrust and retraction! It specifically targets the joints of the limbs and vital points of the chest and abdomen!
In an instant, the sounds of "plop," "crack," and "ouch" filled the air! Several bandits who had rushed too fast were forced to retreat repeatedly by the uniform and continuous barrage of spikes, and were injured.

Hong Wu's seemingly fierce attack was actually held back by these twenty or so "raw eggs" using the most clumsy yet effective method! They stood stubbornly like several solid reefs amidst the chaotic waves.

However, inexperience is still inexperience. One of the young men was overjoyed to see that he had pierced the enemy's shoulder with his spear, so he slowed down his movements by a fraction, and a gap appeared in the formation.

A seasoned outlaw wielding the Water Splitter seized the fleeting opportunity, slipping into the fray like an eel, and thrusting the Water Splitter toward the young man's abdomen like a venomous snake!
"Watch out!" his companion exclaimed, but it was too late to rescue him!
At this critical moment! "Hit!" A cold shout rang out, and a flash of dark light arrived first! "Pfft!" Shi Wengong's spear, like a venomous dragon emerging from the sea, pierced the wrist of the man wielding the Water-Splitting Thorn with unparalleled precision!

The man screamed in agony as his weapon flew from his hand! Shi Wengong flicked his wrist, and the spear shaft swept horizontally like an iron whip, striking another bandit who was trying to take advantage of the situation in the waist and ribs, sending him flying!

"Hold your ground! The three of us are one, we live and die together! Anyone who dares to retreat even half a step, I will personally send him on his way!" Shi Wengong's voice was like that of the deepest hell, cold and piercing, carrying an overwhelming stench of blood.

He rode his horse darting between several small formations, his spear transforming into a death warrant; wherever danger arose, there would be the terrifying, chilling glint of his steel-tipped spear! Every strike was accompanied by bloodshed!
He was not only the commander, but also a death knell and a stabilizing force hanging over everyone's heads!
Ximen Qing sat upright on his horse, observing coldly.

He watched as his "newbies," after their initial panic, gradually regained their composure under Shi Wengong's suppression and bloody demonstration. A glint of excitement flashed in his eyes. In just a short time, with ample rice and meat, these greenhorns, like seedlings fully saturated, displayed such ferocious strength!

Hong Wu watched this unfold, feeling as if a bucket of snow had been poured over his heart. His own men, who were usually quite skilled, were being forced into a state of helplessness by a group of inexperienced youngsters using a near-rogue-like "group stabbing" tactic. Coupled with Shi Wengong's elusive and deadly spear and the opportunistic attacks from Dai An and other bandit thugs, the situation was gradually turning against them!

Hong Wu felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and his heart trembled.

"This is no rabble!" he thought to himself, his voice filled with despair. The formation was terrifyingly orderly, and when they charged forward with their spears, they seemed to fearlessly advance, utterly unafraid of being struck by swords and axes.

Especially that guy named Shi Wengong, his marksmanship... cunning and ruthless, full of murderous intent, how could an ordinary guard instructor possess such skills?!

"Master Ximen! What exactly do you intend to do?!" Hong Wu's bull-like eyes were fixed on the man on horseback with a cold smile on his face. He felt that this matter was strange and far from being a simple case of causing trouble and seeking revenge. He was afraid that he had run into a huge disaster!

Hong Wu's roar, "What exactly does Master Ximen intend to do?" still lingered in the air.

The official merely tilted his head slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, his voice flat and indifferent, as if discussing the cost of firewood and rice for the day: "No problem, no problem. It's just—debts must be repaid."

These few words, so light and casual, are like boiling oil poured into a raging fire!
Hong Wu's last shred of reason instantly turned to ashes! His face was contorted with bulging veins, like earthworms, and his eyes were bloodshot. With a clang, he drew the thick-backed ghost-headed saber from his waist, its gleaming blade pointing directly at Ximen Qing. A beastly roar rolled from his throat: "Damn it! Brothers! Charge together! Chop these bastards to pieces!"

"kill--!"

The remaining bandits, spurred on by their leader's reckless rage, were completely disregarded and went all out, no longer caring about the formidable gun formation.
One by one, they brandished their weapons and charged forward like a flood that had burst its banks, recklessly and madly!
This time, he showed no mercy and every move was aimed at taking lives. He was clearly using a desperate, life-or-death fighting style!

"Hold on!" Shi Wengong roared, his voice like a thunderclap in mid-air!

The warhorse beneath him took a nip at his bridle, reared up, and let out a long neigh that ripped through the air!
The twenty or so young men, who had just been subdued by Instructor Shi's ruthless and bloody suppression, now saw this group of desperate men attacking even more fiercely and ruthlessly. Their initial fear was replaced by a surge of desperate courage!
When they were pressed against Shi Wengong's menacing steel spear, their eyes turned red!

All that could be heard was a series of grinding teeth and howls like those of wild beasts, which brought the "three men bound together by one rope, to life and death" doctrine that Instructor Shi had been instilling in them every day to its fullest extent!

The forest of spears formed by the batons didn't retreat; instead, they met the oncoming blade head-on with a fierce thrust! "Stab!" "Kill—!"

This attack was like a newly sharpened iron knife, recklessly and fiercely charged!

Although their movements were still somewhat stiff and their coordination occasionally faltered, their reckless, all-out effort to thrust forward together actually managed to hold back the bandits' overwhelming, desperate charge!
It looked like several stubborn rocks covered with barbed wire, which were smashed into the churning, turbid waves!
Poof! Click!
The iron-clad rod, whistling through the air, pierced deep into flesh, snapped bones, and produced a dull, cracking sound that made one's molars ache!

The few burly men at the forefront were immediately struck by three or four clubs at the same time! Their screams were heart-wrenching, and they rolled to the ground like gourds, clearly not going to live!

However, the real Grim Reaper is not these naive children!
Just as the gun formation barely withstood the onslaught, Shi Wengong moved! He spurred his horse like a dragon, galloping swiftly around the chaotic outer battle!
The steel spear in his hand seemed to possess a spirit, transforming into a deadly, venomous python of dark light! There were no fancy moves, only three words: fast! accurate! ruthless!

Phew!

A man who was wielding a broadsword had blood spurting out more than ten feet from his throat, and he collapsed to the ground without uttering a sound!
Click!
Another man wielding a hook-and-sickle spear had a gaping, bloody hole pierced through his chest by the spear tip. Hot air hissed out of his chest as he fell straight down!
puff!
One of the men who tried to sneak up on the flank of the younger man was pierced straight through the back by a spear, the tip of which, along with a trail of blood, emerged from his chest!

With a flick of his wrist, Shi Wengong sent the man and his gun flying several steps away!
He spun around on his horse, his spear following his movements. With a flash of cold light, someone would die on the spot. He specifically targeted those cunning individuals who wanted to break through the formation, or leaders with some influence. His spear showed absolutely no mercy!

That swift and decisive killing was exactly like a farmer harvesting wheat in June, his sickle falling with a thud as the wheat stalks fell!
Hot drops of blood dripped from the tip of the spear, forming a winding, glaring crimson line on the bluestone slab!
Hong Wu's eyes widened in fury! He brandished his knife, intending to charge at Shi Wengong, but was forced back by two desperate blows from his staff!

Just as he was terrified by the killing of his men, something even more astonishing happened!

The group of guards and thugs behind Ximen Qing, who had originally just been waving flags and shouting like wolves, suddenly pounced on him with howls, like hyenas that had smelled blood! And what they were carrying were not any proper weapons!
"Watch out for grandpa's magic weapon!" one of the guards grinned maliciously, raising his hand to throw several packets of quicklime powder at the heads of several bandits!
"Ah! My eyes!" A piercing scream rang out.

"Catch him in the net!" Another guard flicked his wrist and threw out a fishing net with barbs, instantly trapping a burly man wielding a chain hammer. The more he struggled, the tighter the net became!

"Trip him down!" Several ropes with barbed wire swept across the ground, tripping several bandits who stumbled and fell, only to be immediately pinned down by grappling hooks and iron rulers!
Some people even pulled out crossbows and fired arrows through the crowd, aiming specifically at the thighs and arms!
These methods are insidious, despicable, and utterly devoid of any code of honor. They are nothing more than the low-down tactics of street brawls, swindling, and fraud!
But in this chaotic brawl, it produced a surprising effect!
Shi Wengong's elusive and deadly spear moved erratically around the perimeter, while the infantrymen's desperate spear formation held the line in the center. Adding to this, the guards, like hyenas, tore at the flanks with underhanded tactics—

With the three forces attacking from both sides, the remaining will to resist of the bandits instantly melted away like a snow lion facing a fire!

Hong Wu felt a chill rush from his tailbone straight to the top of his head!

He looked at the bizarre and terrifying scene before him: in the middle were those young men with sticks, their ranks were strict, and when they stabbed each other, they were as cold and ruthless as a military formation.
On the outer perimeter was Shi Wengong, that killing star, his horse circling and his spear skills were divine, killing people as easily as cutting grass.
On both sides were the thugs who used every means possible to protect the property: throwing lime, hurling nets, tripping people up, and firing arrows.

These three distinct and bizarre forces, combined together, acted like a highly efficient killing millstone, crushing his brothers, who considered themselves masters of the martial arts world, to dust!
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the area in front of Tongchifang was filled with cries of despair! Dozens, nearly a hundred, bandits lay dead or wounded, scattered haphazardly across the ground like felled wheat.

Hong Wu's heart sank, as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and his hand holding the knife trembled uncontrollably.

"Damn it! My beggar's den, Hong Wu's, is quite a name in the capital! I have twice as many brothers under him! How... how could it be defeated like autumn leaves swept away by the wind, like clouds being swept away by the wind..."

Blood soaked through the bluestone slabs, and the air was filled with a strong stench of blood and the pungent smell of quicklime.

Groans and screams rose and fell, and there was no trace of the fierce and menacing appearance they had shown before.

Only the drops of blood from Shi Wengong's spear tip continued to tap the ground slowly, like the ticking of a water clock.

With a flick of his wrist, the steel-tipped spear slashed through the air with a whoosh, leaving a trail of blood!
The blood dripping from the tip of the spear, like splattered cinnabar, fell onto the bluestone slab, leaving a few glaring scarlet spots.

Immediately, Shi Wengong raised the chilling tip of his spear at an angle, aiming it precisely at Hong Wu, who was still in shock behind the formation!
A drop of thick, viscous blood still clung to the tip of the spear, trembling precariously, like a viper flicking its tongue.
"I am Shi Wengong from Huayin, prepare to die!"

(End of this chapter)