From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

"The conditions are not difficult."

Li Hang stopped pretending and creating a stalemate. The oppressive aura around him vanished, and he offered the final "way out": "As long as you nod your head and comply with the charity." He stared straight at Zhu Hong and said, word by word, "Today's conflict wipes out all grudges between you and Ma Pan, along with all previous grievances. I will never mention them again."

He paused, his tone becoming more sincere:

"You're a promising candidate; you're bold and capable. If you agree to join the charity, you'll have someone to rely on and will thrive like a fish in water."

"how?"

"Not good." Zhu Hong scoffed, as if he had heard some absurd joke: "I came here just to draw a clear line." With that, he threw the few taels of interest from Uncle Liu onto the table.

From now on, we'll have nothing to do with each other.

The words fell, their echo still reverberating on the beam.

"You little brat! You still don't know your place?" Upon hearing this, Ma Pan, who was behind him, felt a surge of anger rush to his head. He abruptly sat up and pointed a finger at Zhu Hong:

"They're unrelated..." He spat a mouthful of phlegm onto the ground.

"You dare to draw up the rules on this White Dragon Boat? Who do you think you are, to dare to set up regulations here!"

Before the words were finished, a cold snort rang out.

The martial arts performer in black, who had remained silent as gold, suddenly parted his eyelids. Without shouting or glaring, his right arm snapped straight like a taut bow, transforming his palm into a blade, and slashed down diagonally without warning.

"Boom—Crack!"

The nanmu wood wine table in front of him cracked in the middle, scattering bowls and plates everywhere.

"Li Hang, why waste your breath?" He stood up and approached, his tall figure looming over Zhu Hong: "Some people are willing to die, so let's grant their wish."

Zhu Hong seemed oblivious to the intimidation, simply straightening his back:

"So you're really determined."

His voice was as cold as if it had been tempered:

"To settle a personal score with a constable who is also the head of the prefectural government?"

Upon hearing this, Li Hang's brows furrowed deeply, and the last trace of hesitation and unease in his eyes was replaced by irritation: "Even now, are you still going to wear this fake skin and keep pretending to the end?"

If he could, he really wouldn't want to take action.

The young man sitting opposite me had clearly spared my life during our last encounter, out of a sense of loyalty. Besides, he was still so young yet already possessed such skill; it would be such a waste and a great pity if he were to lose it.

"To keep up the act?"

A glint of light flashed in Zhu Hong's eyes.

yes……

Perhaps we should just keep pretending.

His mind raced, and he completely suppressed the waist token he was about to unfold.

Revealing the truth might quell the storm, but it's merely a hasty conclusion and won't truly make these long-established "local bullies" remember the pain. Only by pressing them hard and luring them to bare their fangs can the heinous crime of attacking and killing a government official be firmly and solidly nailed to their heads.

Then we can take a big bite out of them.

"They have eyes on their backsides; they don't recognize clothes or people."

Zhu Hong stood up, glanced indifferently at the crowd gathered around, and said calmly, "In that case, let's see who's the best!"

Before he finished speaking, he moved swiftly like an arrow released from a bow.

He slammed his left hand on the broken table in front of him, and as he spun around, his right hand grabbed the goose-feather saber lying across the edge of the table. Before the saber was fully drawn, there was a sharp "clang" sound, and a flash of bright light, like a vicious dragon emerging from its cave, tore through the warm candlelight and slashed straight at Li Hang's face.

It happened without warning, and it was both fast and ruthless.

"Are you really going to completely break off relations?!"

Li Hangwan never expected that the echo of the words "tear off the mask" was still lingering in the rafters when Zhu Hong's knife was already at his face.

His mind went blank for a moment.

This kid actually did this on the White Dragon Boat, right in front of me and Feng Qi.

Did they strike first?

"you……"

Li Hang pushed off the ground with his heels, staggering backward hastily, his teeth clenched, unsure of what further advice he could offer.

That last bit of "cherishing talent" in my heart has been crushed to pieces.

Almost simultaneously.

"Hmph, good advice is useless against a fool."

Feng Qi snorted lightly, his voice devoid of any warmth: "Li Hang, what are you hesitating for? Make your move!" With that, he moved sideways like a ghost, his knuckles bending into hooks, aiming at Zhu Hong.

Zhu Hong's eyes sharpened, and he did not insist on pursuing Li Hang.

He twisted his waist and turned to the side, the knife following his body, and with a backhand slash, the blade flashed like a bolt of lightning, sweeping towards Feng Qi's waist and abdomen.

"Hmph, nothing special!"

Feng Qi neither dodged nor avoided, but raised his leg to meet the blade head-on with his knee. A clang rang out as metal struck metal. It turned out that he had protective gear hidden under his trouser leg.

The force of the recoil caused Zhu Hong's arm to tremble.

"Was it a turtle's offspring that was cast into the water?"

He scoffed coldly, his sword thrust unabated, and swung it again: "All you've got is a turtle shell to pretend you're tough."

"A tortoise shell is sturdier than your deadly fancy knife."

Feng Qi's knee deflected the blade, and a fierce grin spread across his face: "Little brat, let's see how long you can keep up your act!" Before he finished speaking, he lowered his waist and hips, and his iron fist pierced straight for Zhu Hong's heart, each move a desperate, deadly strike.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged several moves.

Li Hang stood to the side, steadying himself, his heart churning with turmoil and inner turmoil.

"Li Hang, aren't you going to make a move!"

Feng Qi's shout brought him back to reality.

now:

There's no other choice...

After a moment's hesitation, the pity in Li Hang's eyes vanished completely, and a low shout escaped his throat: "All of you, make your move!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he plunged into the fray, delivering a powerful kick to Zhu Hong:

"Now that things have come to this, you have no choice but to act recklessly."

Upon hearing their elder brother's command, the seven or eight burly men wielding sticks shouted in unison and brandished their short jujube wood sticks, blocking Zhu Hong from both sides. Although they lacked profound martial arts skills, their superior numbers and experience in group combat gave them the advantage, leaving Zhu Hong struggling to defend himself.

"What? What's that noise?"

The clash of knives and sticks, along with shouts and screams, created a terrifying scene.

Merchants who were drinking, gambling, and chatting in the cabin all turned to look at the noisy area, and those in the nearby private rooms even peered in.

Their faces showed a mix of surprise, excitement, and annoyance.

He shouted:

"A fight has broken out! People are fighting!"

The young men in fine clothes were so happy that they forgot to put down their wine cups.

"Hey, it's that constable. Why is he making a scene at the White Dragon Boat?" someone asked, squinting with interest.

"Who knows why they attacked, but..."

A young man with a cane in his mouth chuckled and chimed in, "I knew today's trip wasn't in vain; it's just added another amusing anecdote to gossip."

"..."

"Oh my goodness, what's going on here?"

Madam Sai, lifting her skirt, led a few capable thugs and slowly made her way up the stairs. Her usual sweet smile was still on her face, but her eyes had lost their warmth.

His eyes first swept over the flashing swords and shadows.

Blood was drawn; Li Hang and Feng Qi's gang were ambushing and killing the "official."

"So it was this kid."

She understood.

Mother Sai shook her head, casually withdrawing her gaze, a lazy smile playing on her lips:

"Gentlemen—"

She leaned over the railing, a glimpse of her snow-white skin flashing as she looked at the guests peering into the corridor: "You lot, don't startle the young ladies." Her voice was soft and drawn out, lingering and penetrating their ears: "It's just a few people playing around, catching a 'fake constable.' The methods may be a bit wild, but..."

Mother Sai pursed her red lips and chuckled softly:

"Isn't this the kind of 'true nature' we need in this place?" After saying that, he quickly made several hand gestures behind his back, his hand hidden in his sleeve.

The thugs were all quick-witted and understood immediately. They strode towards the stairwell and blocked the passageway.