Chapter 16

Go back the way you came.

Translation: "Return the way they came." Or "Go back the way they came." Since it's a short line: "Return the way they came." Keep as single line.

Qin Shu didn't waste a moment; he went straight to the Firewood-Fishing Workshop and handed the five-colored deer to Zhang Xiong's father.

Translation: "Qin Shuo wasted no time, heading straight to Firewood-Fishing Workshop and handing the five-colored deer over to Zhang Xiong's father."

Note: he didn't waste a moment, went straight to the Firewood-Fishing Workshop, and handed the five-colored deer to Zhang Xiong's father.

You… you actually hit a strange beast?

Translation: "\"You… you actually managed to hunt a strange beast? \""

Seeing the five-colored deer that had just died, its fur still glossy, Zhang Lin felt shocked.

Translation: "Seeing the five-colored deer before him, freshly dead and its fur still gleaming, Zhang Lin felt a surge of astonishment."

Since Zhang Xiong trained in martial arts, he kept close watch on news about strange beasts and naturally knew how rare their meat was.

Translation: "Because Zhang Xiong practiced martial arts, he also paid close attention to news about strange beasts, naturally knowing how rare their meat was."

In addition to being rare, the strange beast is highly alert, full of spirit, and hard for ordinary hunters to catch and kill.

Translation: "Besides being scarce, this strange beast is highly alert, full of spirit, making it difficult for ordinary hunters to capture and kill it."

Earlier, Zhang Xiong came to the shop and said that if Qin Shu came to sell the five-colored deer, he would pay him fifty taels of silver and have someone deliver the meat to the inner city.

Translation: "Earlier, Zhang Xiong had come to the shop and instructed, saying that if Qin Shuo came to sell the five-colored deer, he would give him fifty taels of silver and have someone deliver the meat to the Inner City."

He didn't think much of it then.

Translation: "He hadn't thought much of it at the time."

Although strange beasts are valuable, Blackwater City hasn't seen one in months.

Translation: "Although strange beasts are precious, Blackwater City hardly sees one even after several months."

The reason is that they are extremely rare and difficult to catch and kill.

Translation: "The reason is simply that they are too rare and difficult to catch and kill."

But now, Qin Shu has actually hit one, and brought it right to him.

Translation: "But now, Qin Shuo has actually managed to hunt one, and has brought it right before him."

"Come on, carry it to my place—I'll get you the money."

Translation: "\"Come on, carry it to my place, and I'll get you the money. \""

Zhang Lin, an experienced butcher, knows the value of the five-colored deer.

Translation: "Zhang Lin was a veteran butcher and knew the value of the five-colored deer."

To avoid drawing envy, he had Qin Shu sack the five-colored deer in a large bag before carrying it off.

Translation: "To avoid drawing envy, he had Qin Shuo sack the five-colored deer in a large hemp bag before shouldering it."

The two arrived at Peach Blossom Alley.

Translation: "The two arrived at Peach Blossom Alley."

Zhang Lin wrapped the silver in cloth and gave it to Qin Shu, then personally skinned and deboned the beast, rushing to deliver the strange beast's meat to Zhang Xiong.

Translation: "Zhang Lin wrapped the silver in cloth and handed it to Qin Shuo, then personally set to work, skinning and deboning, eager to deliver the strange beast's meat to Zhang Xiong as quickly as possible."

"Uncle! This hornbow was lent to me by Elder Brother Xiong for hunting; I'm heading into the inner city in a couple of days, so I'm returning it to you today."

Translation: "\"Uncle! This iron-tire bow was borrowed from Elder Brother Xiong for hunting; I'll be heading to the Inner City in a couple of days, so I'm returning it to you today. \""

Qin Shu took down the Zhang family's hornbow and handed it to Zhang Lin.

Translation: "Qin Shuo took down the Zhang family's iron-tire bow and handed it to Zhang Lin."

The spirit imprint of the divine archer inside the hornbow has already been refined by him, so it's time to return it to its rightful owner.

Translation: "The Divine Archer's Spirit Imprint within the iron-tire bow had already been refined by him, and it was time to return it to its rightful owner."

"I was wondering why this bow looked so familiar—turns out it was Ah Xiong who lent it to you."

"I was wondering why this bow looked so familiar—turns out it was Ah Xiong who lent it to you." (Note: "Ah Xiong" is a nickname for Zhang Xiong; we keep as "Ah Xiong".)

Zhang Lin laughed as he took the hornbow, hung it back on the courtyard wall, and sighed:

Translation: "Zhang Lin took the iron-tire bow with a smile, rehung it on the courtyard wall, and sighed:"

"It would be good to get into the inner city sooner!"

Translation: "\"It would be great to get into the Inner City sooner! \""

"To be frank, if you hadn't come today, I was already preparing to close the shop and move to the inner city."

Translation: "\"To be frank, if you hadn't come today, I was ready to close the shop and head to the Inner City. \""

"Are you not going to open the meat shop anymore?" Qin Shu exclaimed in surprise.

Translation: "\"You're not going to reopen the meat shop? \" Qin Shuo exclaimed in surprise."

Zhang Xiong's family meat shop is very famous in Firewood-Fishing Workshop, doing booming business with many regular customers.

Translation: "Zhang Xiong's family meat shop, located in Firewood-Fishing Workshop, was very famous, booming with business, and had many regular customers."

At other stalls, a single pig takes a whole morning to sell.

Translation: "At other stalls, a single pig would take an entire morning to sell."

But Zhang Xiong's family sells at least three pigs' worth of meat each day, and it sells out quickly.

Translation: "But Zhang Xiong's family sold at least three pigs' worth of meat every day, and it would quickly sell out."

One could say his family's meat shop is practically a money tree.

Translation: "One could say his family's meat shop was practically a money tree."

"Sigh! There's nothing we can do; lately this strange illness has been rampant, and even a case has appeared in Locust Tree Alley—you know that?"

Translation: "\"Sigh! There's nothing to be done; lately this strange disease has been raging fiercely, and even a case has turned up in Locust Tree Alley—you know that? \""

"What? Locust Tree Alley has it too?"

Translation: "\"What? Locust Tree Alley has it too? \""

Qin Shu's heart jumped.

Translation: "Qin Shuo's heart jolted."

Locust Tree Alley is just a row of houses away from his home in Yellow Mud Alley—too close.

Translation: "Locust Tree Alley is just a row of houses away from his home in Yellow Mud Alley—too close for comfort."

"Yeah! If it weren't for that, I wouldn't want to close my meat shop either."

Translation: "\"Yeah! If it weren't for that, I'd hate to close my meat shop. \""

Zhang Lin's face showed utter anguish.

Translation: "Zhang Lin's face showed his anguish over the loss."

Firewood-Fishing Workshop is one of the largest trading markets in Blackwater City, and it's the most profitable shop for the Zhang family.

Translation: "Firewood-Fishing Workshop is one of the largest trading markets in Blackwater City, and also the most profitable shop for the Zhang family."

If it weren't for the rampant strange illness, given Zhang Lin's nature, he would never consider closing shop.

Translation: "If it weren't for the rampant strange disease, given Zhang Lin's temperament, he would under no circumstances consider closing shop."

Leaving Peach Blossom Alley.

Translation: "Leaving Peach Blossom Alley."

Qin Shu had fifty taels of silver in his pocket, but felt no joy—only urgency.

Translation: "Qin Shuo had fifty taels of silver in his pocket, but felt no joy—only urgency."

"Enter the inner city! We must enter the inner city right away!"

Translation: "\"To the Inner City! We must get there at once! \""

He made up his mind, not wanting to waste a moment.

Translation: "He had made up his mind and did not want to waste a moment."

Earlier he still felt that the strange illness was far from him, and he had time to prepare.

Translation: "Before, he had felt that the strange disease was still far off, leaving time to prepare."

But now the strange illness has spread to Locust Tree Alley, just two alleys away from his home—too dangerous.

Translation: "But now, the strange disease has spread to Locust Tree Alley, only two alleys away from his home—far too dangerous."

Early the next morning.

Translation: "The next morning."

The siblings finished breakfast, picked up their bundles, and hurried toward the inner city.

Translation: "After finishing breakfast, the brother and sister picked up their bundles and hurried toward the Inner City."

Between Blackwater City's inner and outer cities lies a moat; to enter the inner city, one can only cross the stone corridor bridge.

Translation: "In Blackwater City, a moat lies between the inner and outer cities, and the only way to enter the inner city is via the Stone Covered Bridge."

The siblings passed through the corridor bridge street and arrived before the stone bridge.

Translation: "The brother and sister passed through the Covered Bridge Street and arrived before the Stone Bridge."

They discovered a long queue already formed here, stretching out of sight, with everyone waiting for inspection.

Translation: "They discovered that a long queue had already formed here, stretching out of sight, everyone waiting for inspection."

Zhang Xiong had previously said that the inner city was under lockdown.

Translation: "Zhang Xiong had previously said that the inner city was under martial law."

Everyone entering the inner city must undergo inspection to prevent anyone from bringing the strange illness inside.

Translation: "All those entering the inner city had to undergo inspection to prevent anyone from bringing the strange disease inside."

Qin Shu had prepared for this in advance and moved slowly with the crowd.

Translation: "Qin Shuo had prepared for this in advance, moving slowly with the crowd."

"Yo~ isn't that Shu brother and Lan sister?"

Translation: "\"Yo~ isn't that Shuo Brother and Lan Sister? \""

"What are you doing with all those big and small bundles so early in the morning?"

Translation: "\"What are you doing up so early with all those big and small bundles? \""

Just then, a somewhat frivolous voice came from the side, teasing.

Translation: "Just then, a somewhat frivolous voice came from the side, tinged with teasing."

Qin Shu turned his head—who else could it be but Qian Biao and his two little lackeys?

Translation: "Qin Shuo turned his head to look—who else could it be but Qian Biao and his two little lackeys?"

"What's it to you?"

Translation: "\"What's it to you? \""

Qin Shu's attitude was cold; he glanced at the three of them and then looked away.

Translation: "Qin Shuo's attitude was cold; he glanced at the three of them, then withdrew his gaze."

Qin Lan unconsciously leaned toward Qin Shu, as if recalling something unpleasant, her face turning pale.

Translation: "Qin Lan unconsciously leaned toward Qin Shuo, as if recalling some unpleasant memory, her face turning slightly pale."

"Brother, why don't we go back first and try again tomorrow?"

Translation: "\"Brother, why don't we head back for now and try again tomorrow? \""

Qin Lan said softly.

Translation: "Qin Lan said softly."

She had long been harassed by Qian Biao and two others, already had a psychological shadow; now, as soon as she sees the three, she feels ill at ease all over, very flustered.

"It's fine, big brother's here, don't be scared!"

Qin Shuo lightly patted Qin Lan's arm, signaling her to relax.

If it were before, Qin Shuo would prefer to avoid trouble; perhaps he'd steer clear of these three ruffians.

But now is different from before.

Qin Shuo, who has cultivated a strength of a thousand jin, has nothing to fear from them.

Moreover, they are moving into the inner city today to study martial arts, so they have nothing to fear from the ruffians' retaliation.

So, even knowing that Qian Biao and his two companions will cause trouble, Qin Shuo has no intention of backing down.

"Hah! What's it to me?"

Qian Biao gave a cold snort, a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Shuo kid, it's been a few days, your tone has gotten big!"

"Come on, let's go over there and chat, just the two of us brothers!"

Saying that, he reached out to put his arm around Qin Shuo's shoulder.

This place is crowded and noisy, and up ahead there are county officials checking pedestrians.

Although Qian Biao is overbearing, he also knows this isn't the place to do business.

"Get lost, don't touch me!"

Qin Shuo raised his hand and knocked away Qian Biao's outstretched arm, giving him a cold stare.

Their eyes met, and Qian Biao's heart involuntarily trembled.

What's going on?

How can this kid's gaze be so fierce?

Is this still the weak scholar I know who can't shoulder a burden or lift a thing?

He looks like a leopard that's angry but not attacking, making people's hearts race.

"Hold on, I'm the tyrant of West City District—how could I be intimidated by a country bumpkin's glance?"

A feeling of shame rose from Qian Biao's heart, then turned into anger.

"You think I'm giving you face, huh?"

"I'll count to three—either come with me to talk over there, or… I'll beat you here until you're spitting teeth, your choice!"

Qian Biao, ashamed and angry, glared with wide eyes at Qin Shuo.

Qin Shuo glanced at him like he was an idiot, turned his head, and continued moving forward with the crowd, ignoring his futile barking.

Seeing Qian Biao's fierce expression, the people nearby all stepped away, fearing trouble.

This action undoubtedly emboldened Qian Biao and his gang's arrogance.

"Kid, my elder brother Biao is asking you a question—are you deaf?"

A lackey beside Qian Biao stepped forward, blocking the path of Qin Shuo and his sister.

"Brother!"

Qin Lan shrank back in fear, trembling and on the verge of tears.

Qian Biao and his two companions are hulking; in terms of build, they are nearly twice Qin Shuo's size, like three humanoid brown bears.

To onlookers, Qin Shuo may not be short, but he is still somewhat frail, far less formidable than Qian Biao's trio.

Just as everyone thought Qin Shuo would surely yield and back down,

Pa!

Qin Shuo struck in zero frames.

A heavy slap landed on the burly man blocking his front.

The tremendous force sent the sturdy youth staggering.

Everyone was stunned.

Qin Lan was utterly dazed; besides shock, a wordless fear welled up in her heart.

"Brother fought back!"

"What do we do? They'll beat him to death."

Her face was filled with panic, as if the sky had collapsed.

"Damn it!"

Chen Qiang, the one who got hit, was both shocked and angry.

He didn't know where this bamboo‑like kid got such strength—one slap sent him flying.

Right now, his head buzzed like a swarm of bees, as if struck by a bear's paw, stars flashing before his eyes, his face burning with pain.

He wanted to strike back, but his vision blurred, his mind turned to mush, he felt dizzy and completely dazed from the blow.

"Kid, you dare to strike?"

Seeing Chen Qiang knocked flat by a slap, Qian Biao's other lackey glared, eyes wide, charging forward with murderous intent.

In Wang Meng's view, Chen Qiang had suffered a sneak attack earlier, which is why he fell for this kid's trick.

Now that he himself is striking, he's sure he can make this kid cry for his parents.

"You son of a bitch, dare to hit my brother—I'll skin you alive today."

Wang Meng cursed under his breath, strode forward in two‑step strides, clenched his fist, and smashed it toward Qin Shuo's face.

Given Wang Meng's build, taking on two or three adult men is no problem.

After all, his height and weight are such that a mere charge could inflict serious injury.

Moreover, against Qin Shuo—tall but lanky, a bamboo stalk without fat—one punch could fell a whole group.

Yet the scene he imagined—one punch leaving Qin Shuo's face a bloody mess—did not happen.

Just as the fist was about to hit Qin Shuo's face, Qin Shuo struck first, seizing the opponent's wrist and leaving him unable to move an inch.

With arm strength of a thousand jin, that is absolutely a super strongman among ordinary people.

It's like the world boxing champion Tyson facing an ordinary person—the latter's strength is utterly negligible.

"Ah! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts… let go… you let go!"

Wang Meng's face changed dramatically; the excruciating pain in his wrist felt as if his bones were about to be crushed, bean-sized beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his face turned deathly pale.

He was shocked in his heart.

Qin Shuo's grip was too strong; no matter how he struggled, he could not break free from the hold.

"Let go of me!" Wang Meng roared angrily.

He swung his left fist toward Qin Shuo's head, trying to force him back.

However, it was all in vain.

Qin Shuo opened his right hand, once again seized Wang Meng's left wrist, and twisted both hands outward with force.

"Crack!"

A grating bone‑breaking sound rang out on the street.

Wang Meng's both arms were wrenched by Qin Shuo until they dislocated and broke.

But before he could even cry out, Qin Shuo kicked him in the belly, sending him flying sideways.

"Ah!"

A pig‑slaughtering wail echoed down the long street.

Everyone was stunned.

This youth, who did not look particularly sturdy, actually possessed such strength.

Kicking Wang Meng, who weighed over three hundred jin, like a torn sack and sending him flying several meters, he was nothing short of a freak.