Chapter 204: It

At both ends of the open space, two groups stood clearly separated, and behind them were rows of bicycles parked.

The white breath exhaled by the crowd was quickly torn apart by the northwest wind.

A passerby who saw the scene, unphased, curled his two hands and hurried away to avoid getting splattered with blood later.

The two sides were ten meters apart, and neither spoke first; before the fight began, they sized each other up.

Obviously, the Grand Courtyard group, having numerical superiority, projected a stronger aura than the opponents.

Then, during the standoff, they surveyed what gear the other side carried; if they had board bricks, there was no need to worry too much.

That thing hit on the back causes little feeling, but on the head it would at most need a few stitches.

What truly mattered were those wielding three‑pronged bayonets; that weapon stuck into flesh makes a bleeding hole that won't stop.

Such people are the greatest threat; once fighting starts, three or five must surround them, with two in front drawing fire while two behind smash them with board bricks.

When the standoff time elapsed, both sides exchanged harsh words, aiming to pressure the opponent and boost their own morale.

Wu Zhekun still wore his signature officer's coat, holding a hollow steel pipe in his hand.

"Grandson, you've brought few people today; don't talk about bullying you. Now kneel on the ground, each of you call us 'Grandpa', and I'll spare your dog's life."

The Grand Courtyard group burst into laughter.

In a clash, morale matters; seeing the opponent pressed back, Lu Cheng also had to raise his own spirit.

"Enough fucking nonsense, all the guys who should be here are here; as long as they're tough men, I want to ask you, why didn't Qin Shou show up? Is he a coward?"

Lu Cheng deliberately brought up Qin Shou, saying Wu Zhekun could come today only to stand up for Qin Shou, but the man himself didn't show, so the Grand Courtyard group naturally had complaints.

Once grievances arise, they affect the troops' morale.

As expected, after those words, the opposite side grew restless, and Wu Zhekun became somewhat hesitant.

Today, the one who truly should be here is Qin Shou; everyone gathered so tightly to avenge him.

It started off fine, but who knew that this afternoon Qin Shou claimed he had matters at the workshop and wouldn't come.

Wu Zhekun suddenly got angry, but even if angry, both sides had agreed that breaking the appointment would ruin their standing in Si Jiu Cheng.

To avoid losing face, Wu Zhekun claimed he wasn't a soldier, yet still kept the appointment; brotherly loyalty comes first.

"He—he injured his head, he's in the hospital."

Wu Zhekun could only use that excuse to temporarily soothe the big guys.

But Lu Cheng didn't give him that chance, continuing to mock.

"A cut on the head, what a little thing—truly not a man! He didn't show up himself, so you have to lead the charge; I even despise him on your behalf."

Seeing Lu Cheng's sharp tongue, his side grew even more restless, and Wu Zhekun suddenly got flustered.

"Don't disrupt morale here; if you've got real knives and guns, fight a real battle. I'll be the first to lead. Today, whoever chickens out, that son of a bitch."

Wu Zhekun truly was a man; his bold, leading words instantly steadied the morale.

Unfortunately the two sides were opponents; otherwise Lu Cheng would have gladly made such a friend.

After the harsh words, both sides rummaged from the canvas bags on their chests, pulling out gear; they had everything, with board bricks as the main force.

Besides board bricks, there were chains, wooden sticks, iron rods, steel pipes, military spikes, and knives.

Those with fighting experience would tie their gear to their arms with straps to prevent it from slipping or being snatched.

Once the gear was out, the fight was set; as a board brick flew out, it was like a spark dropping into a powder keg.

"Fuck them, go kill them."

Someone shouted, and the two groups instantly turned into a chaotic melee.

The frozen ground was churned into dust by dozens of feet.

Curses, roars, groans of pain, the thuds of gear hitting cotton‑padded jackets, all wild, driven by a desire not to lose face.

Occasionally bricks cracked in two, shards flying everywhere; luckily it was winter and everyone wore thick cotton‑padded jackets, so the board bricks' effect was greatly reduced.

Those without board bricks used fists; the Grand Courtyard side was numerous, two people pressed down on one.

Lu Cheng wielded a bicycle chain, very handy; he swung at anyone, and when it struck a body, the cotton jacket tore open, stuffing flying everywhere.

He whirled the chain in a circle; within two meters, no one dared approach Lu Cheng, and though the jacket buffered it, the strike still burned hot.

At first Lu Cheng was pressing the Grand Courtyard people, but in less than two minutes, due to numbers, his side was quickly overrun.

Lu Cheng had to turn back to rescue, and seeing two people pinning one, he kicked in.

"Lu Cheng, hurry, save me!"

Lu Cheng turned his head; Zhao Bin, holding a three‑pronged bayonet, was the immediate focus, now surrounded by five people.

Lu Cheng sprinted over, kicked a man to the ground, flung his chain, and the wounded man clutched his thigh and let out a howl.

"Lu Cheng, we can't, we're too few here, we can't win!"

The situation on site was indeed being pressed by the Grand Courtyard side; mainly because Xiao Piqiu didn't show up today, otherwise it wouldn't be this bad.

Losing would mean losing face; from now on, when meeting the Grand Courtyard, they'd have to keep their heads down.

"Even if we can't win, we must fight; we can't chicken out."

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Zhao Bin also snarled, "Kill them, I'm gonna stab two today, shock them."

Just as Zhao Bin leaned on Lu Cheng, a sudden jingling of bells rang out.

Zhao Bin looked puzzled; the arriving group seemed unfamiliar.

"Lu Cheng, who's that? Are they here to help us?"

Lu Cheng turned back and was also surprised.

"Guo Tuzi?"

The newcomer was Guo Tuzi, who earlier stole a handgun from the bathhouse; he rode not a bicycle but a cargo three‑wheeled cart, seven or eight of them arrived, with over thirty people crammed in the frames.

Lu Cheng kicked a man over, then looked at Guo Tuzi arriving nearby; clearly not passing by, he got off the cart and began brandishing an Iron Shovel.

"So he's here to fight too?"

Lu Cheng was full of doubt; that Guo Tuzi brought so many people here—what side does he intend to attack?

Anyway, Lu Cheng knew he had no real connection with Guo Tuzi; when he asked the others, they all said they didn't know him.

So they're here to help the Grand Courtyard?

Already at a disadvantage, if Guo Tuzi were to join the Grand Courtyard's group, the blue camp would only have the chance to flee in panic.

However, the next scene made Lu Cheng feel a surge of joy.

He saw Guo Tuzi and his group, brandishing Iron Shovels, say nothing and charge straight at the Grand Courtyard's people, smashing anyone they saw.

The situation on the spot reversed in an instant.