Chapter 177: Tit for Tat

Li Yan took a step back, hiding within the crowd to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.

The recent chaos in the Commandant's Office could only be said to have subsided under pressure from all sides, but the root cause had not been resolved.

Struggles in officialdom are sometimes bloodier than in the martial world, and even more so in an office as notorious as the Commandant's Office; sometimes, there is simply no way out.

Both sides had already torn off their masks, and many had died because of it; in the end, there had to be a conclusion.

A temporary victory or defeat did not mean much.

For instance, whether the newly appointed Battalion Commander could tolerate Chang Xuan remained a question.

Therefore, the current calm could only be called temporary.

Li Yan had already inquired: the Battalion Commander before him, Feng Han, had a father who was once a leader in the Commandant's Office, so he could be considered direct lineage.

He held a deep grudge against Guan Wanche, believing the man was a villain who had climbed the ranks by bootlicking. The fact that he had been able to barge into the courtyard to make arrests earlier showed that he had investigated the relationship between Li Yan and Guan Wanche thoroughly.

It was hard to guarantee he wouldn't seize the opportunity to stir up trouble.

Sure enough, even though Li Yan tried his best to keep a low profile, the Battalion Commander Feng Han still spotted him. He didn't rush to speak, but instead gave a cold glance and said, "On the Lantern Festival, you lot are fighting in the streets, disregarding the law of the land. Do you want to go to the big prison and get a taste of life there?"

Xiong Baodong had a domineering personality, yet he was a smiling tiger. Upon hearing this, he immediately changed his expression and chuckled, "Commander, we are just following the rules, wanting to have a friendly competition with them."

"Who knew this bunch would be so lawless as to actually start hitting people? You must uphold justice for us commoners!"

"Oh?"

Battalion Commander Feng Han's eyes turned cold. "Since that's the case, arrest them all..."

"Wait!"

Just then, Gu Chenzi pushed through the crowd and walked over. He performed a Daoist salute and said in a deep voice, "This official, the ritual is not yet complete, yet you are here making reckless arrests. What great official authority you have!"

The Profound Heaven Sect Law Enforcement Hall...

A flash of wariness crossed Battalion Commander Feng Han's eyes. He said in a deep voice, "This bunch is disturbing the order; this official is merely here to..."

"The cause of the matter is not yet clear, what right do you have to make reckless arrests!" Gu Chenzi impatiently interrupted him, saying coldly, "Even if it is a brawl, it is a matter for the Chang'an County Magistrate."

"Today, your Commandant's Office is responsible for preventing martial world riffraff from causing trouble. Don't meddle in things you shouldn't!"

Gu Chenzi had seen everything clearly from the outside earlier and had long been unable to stand the sight of Xiong Baodong and Battalion Commander Feng Han, so naturally, his words were not polite.

"That's right, it was clearly them who came to provoke first!"

"Everyone has eyes, we've all been watching!"

"It's the New Year, and they're here bullying people with their power..."

The Chang'an commoners knew the nature of the Fire Bear Gang all too well, and many had suffered greatly at their hands, so they immediately began to clamor.

Among them were also some people from the martial world.

They were unwilling to clash with the Fire Bear Gang, but they had no problem being sarcastic and fanning the flames; the snide remarks they made were more unpleasant than the last.

Seeing the public resentment boiling over, Battalion Commander Feng Han's expression turned ugly.

"Let's go!"

With a cold snort, he led his men away on horseback.

"What are you all arguing about!"

Xiong Baodong, however, showed no fear. He shouted, then glared at his surroundings; wherever his gaze fell, the commoners hurriedly backed away.

Seeing no one dared to talk nonsense anymore, he then looked at Gu Chenzi, changing back to a grinning expression. "This Daoist, we are all following the rules. If you show favoritism, and something goes wrong with this ritual..."

"Are you threatening me?"

Gu Chenzi's expression turned ugly upon hearing this.

He knew the situation: that Drought Demon in the Chenghuangmiao was extremely fierce, and even with the help of the Chenghuangmiao's spirit soldiers and the situation in Chang'an, it was difficult to suppress.

Ever since it was transported back, the coffin would clatter every night at the hour of the Rat, as if the thing inside was about to break the seal.

Precisely because of this, they had gathered a large number of demon hunters and needed to use this Lantern Festival ritual to suppress it; otherwise, trouble would arise on the road to Mount Huashan.

The top priority tonight was for the ritual to be completed smoothly!

What kind of guts did this bastard have?

"How would I dare?"

Seeing Gu Chenzi's unfriendly expression, Xiong Baodong hurriedly apologized with a smile, "The rules set by your sect—competing for the incense dharma flags—isn't that also part of the ritual?"

Beside them, Shopkeeper Wan's expression was also exceptionally gloomy.

He knew that this matter probably couldn't end well; even if they backed down today, the Fire Bear Gang would come looking for trouble later.

This bunch of guys were like bedbugs in Chang'an City; once they latched onto you, you couldn't shake them off. They were disgusting and annoying, and they wouldn't stop until they'd sucked a few mouthfuls of your flesh and blood.

It was precisely by relying on this kind of shameless, pestering style that they had risen step by step; after all, the lives of these people were worthless.

Either submit and be honestly squeezed dry.

Or use strength to beat them into submission!

Thinking of this, Shopkeeper Wan no longer hesitated. He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Since we are to follow the rules, then let's follow them properly."

"If you don't want rules, then we won't talk about them either!"

"Oh?"

Beside them, an old monk with a fierce face laughed, "What's this? If we don't talk about rules, are you going to use sorcery to kill people?"

"This Daoist is from the Law Enforcement Hall, right? Did you see that? He's threatening us, he's threatening us!"

"Enough nonsense!"

Gu Chenzi narrowed his eyes. "Where did you come from, monk? Where is your Buddhist certificate? Take it out and let me see!"

Upon hearing this, the big monk's head immediately shrank. "This... I forgot to bring it, tomorrow, tomorrow."

Saying this, he retreated back into the crowd, not daring to say another word.

"Of course we have to follow the rules."

Xiong Baodong hurriedly changed the subject, smiling, "It's getting late today. If we do it the civilized way, we'll probably miss the time."

"Let's just be straightforward and do it the martial way."

Saying this, without waiting for Shopkeeper Wan to answer, he looked directly at Li Yan and sneered, "Kid, weren't you quite majestic that night? Why are you hiding in the back today, not daring to speak?"

So he was aiming for me...

Li Yan immediately understood. He walked out from the crowd, the corners of his mouth curling up, and said indifferently, "Mainly because I'm afraid of scaring you to death. Big bear, how do you want to play?"

A flash of murderous intent crossed Xiong Baodong's eyes. He said in a sinister tone, "Of course, by fighting. I see you still have two flags left. Do you dare to bet them against me?"

Li Yan turned his head to look at Shopkeeper Wan, and seeing him nod in agreement, he then looked at Xiong Baodong, speaking without any politeness, "Big bear, I heard your Eight Extremities Fist has reached the Transformation Realm. Do you dare to let me witness it?"

"Fight me? You're not qualified yet!"

Xiong Baodong snorted, turned his head to look at a dead-eyed man beside him, and said meaningfully, "Guo Ai, you go and teach that kid a lesson."

"Fists and feet have no eyes, just don't kill him."

"Yes, Gang Leader!"

The dead-eyed man rolled up his sleeves and walked out.

Li Yan took one look and realized it was indeed a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road.

The person coming was none other than the one who had beaten Hei Dan in the street that day.

At this moment, Sha Lifei and Wang Daoxuan had also squeezed through the crowd.

Sha Lifei stepped forward and whispered, "Brother Yan, this guy is called Guo Ai, a 'Red Stick' of the Fire Bear Gang. He is good at Bagua Palm, at the peak of Dark Energy, and his hands are very dirty."

As they spoke, the crowd had already formed a large circle.

Seeing this, Guo Ai laughed, "Kid, what are you whispering about? You've offended my Fire Bear Gang, do you think you'll have a good night tonight?"

"Are you in such a hurry to die?" Li Yan also snorted, rolled up his sleeves, unhooked the knife from his sleeve, and handed it to Sha Lifei.

In this situation, naturally, it couldn't be a knife fight. According to the rules of a fist and foot competition, both sides had to show their sleeves to indicate no weapons were being used.

"Watch the move!"

Guo Ai was originally an expert in the greenwood path, and his actions were sinister and ruthless; how could he follow any martial arts rules? He lunged forward directly. This shout of "Watch the move" wasn't a courtesy, but a way to use sound to interfere—a truly old, sinister trickster of the martial world.

Li Yan had the Scent Perception ability, so this little trick of the opponent naturally couldn't deceive him. He twisted his body and shifted his shoulders sideways.

The fight with Yuan Ba earlier had been a friendly exchange between martial peers, where they stopped at the limit and held back.

Now, however, it was a life-and-death struggle, so the strategy was naturally different.

His sideways shoulder shift was a hallmark of the Red Fist stance; if the opponent had collected information on him, this was a trap.

Sure enough, Guo Ai fell for it. His body turned like a swimming dragon, his steps were like wading through mud, and with a flick of his palm, he swiped toward Li Yan's eyes.

This was called the "Ox Tongue Palm." It looked like a light swipe, but it could collapse Li Yan's eyes and nose bridge; if pressed firmly, it could even cause someone to faint instantly.

Of course, this move was also just a feint.

He had seen Li Yan's file; it was a family-inherited Red Fist.

Red Fist was good at close-quarters, tricky strikes, and would surely try to hook his wrist. As long as he moved, he could use the Bagua Swimming Dragon Steps to circle behind him and deliver a fatal blow.

This was how old martial world hands fought—without any hesitation.

!.

If one move could kill, they would never use a second.

However, he was the one who had fallen for the trap.

Although Li Yan had shifted his shoulders, he didn't try to hook or grapple; instead, he spread his arms and swung them directly from the inside out.

This move used Dark Energy. With a "whoosh," like a well pulley reversing, it arrived first despite starting later, carrying the sound of wind and thunder as it slapped toward Guo Ai's face.

Bullshit Red Fist!

Guo Ai knew he had been tricked and cursed inwardly.

His reaction was also extremely fast. He turned and twisted, his body following his steps, barely dodging Li Yan's strike, while simultaneously hooking his foot to kick at Li Yan's lower abdomen.

However, halfway through the leg lift, he immediately retreated.

It was Li Yan who had arrived first despite starting later; his second palm had already slashed over, and at the same time, his mouth emitted a cloud-thunder sound. Before Guo Ai could dodge or stand firm, the third fist had already smashed down like a Thunder God's hammer.

"Kid, you're still too green!"

Guo Ai had failed repeatedly and was now furious. He turned and shifted his steps, simultaneously flicking his palm violently upward.

Bagua Palm was born from the saber; this "Single Change Palm" was a single saber. The force was precise, slashing directly at Li Yan's wrist, intending to use his cultivation to shatter the wrist bone.

In the crowd, the master and disciple from Xiangchu Meishan were also there.

Seeing this move, Yuan Ba laughed, "This kid is done for!"

Bang!

Just as he expected, Li Yan's Dark Energy erupted, and with one punch, he smashed Guo Ai's palm away. Fist and palm collided, emitting a dull thud.

This strike left Guo Ai's defenses wide open.

Three loud bangs rang out.

Li Yan slashed left and smashed right, like two hammers, directly hitting Guo Ai's chest and collarbone.

Even at the peak of Dark Energy, these areas couldn't exert force. Only the sound of bone breaking was heard, and Guo Ai was smashed directly to the ground, vomiting blood repeatedly before fainting.

His lungs had been smashed; even if he still had a breath, he probably wouldn't last long before dying.

Li Yan didn't even look, retracted his stance, glared at Xiong Baodong, and said, "What are you standing there like a fool for? Bring the stuff here!"

"You?!"

Xiong Baodong felt a surge of evil fire rush to his head, but after looking at the expressionless Gu Chenzi beside him, he still snorted coldly, "What's the rush, kid? Do you dare to play another round?"

He originally had ten dharma flags and had lost two to Li Yan, which was barely enough, but the thought of the other party easily obtaining four made him feel extremely unhappy.

One had to know that each dharma flag represented a spot.

Although it was just an admission ticket to open the cellar, the things bought inside could be resold for a higher price.

Moreover, there were some things that money couldn't buy.

He not only had to provide spots to please the few retainers of the Li family, but the heterodox sorcerers around him also wanted them, not to mention he himself wanted to buy some to win people over.

So, the more dharma flags, the better.

"Another round?"

Li Yan sneered mockingly, "What kind of thing are you? Just because you say another round, I have to accompany you?"

Xiong Baodong sneered, "What, are you afraid?"

Li Yan glared, "It's not fear, it's that you're playing dirty!"

"You have so many dharma flags, using your subordinates to consume me one by one, isn't losing just a matter of time?"

"I've seen this kind of trick too many times, only a fool would fall for it!"

Many people around also realized what was happening.

"That's right!"

"It's unfair!"

"This is clearly a casino trick!"

To put it plainly, it was using one's wealth to suppress others.

The opponent had many dharma flags and many opportunities, and they were taking turns to consume him; as long as Li Yan lost once, he would lose everything, principal and interest.

The Fire Bear Gang was unpopular, so people naturally helped clamor.

Listening to the clamor and cursing around him, Xiong Baodong's expression gradually turned gloomy. He said indifferently, "Then tell me, how would it be fair?"

His voice was flat, containing hidden murderous intent.

"Simple!"

Li Yan laughed, "Don't send these messy people to consume me. Why don't you fight me yourself?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone around was dumbfounded.

They had thought Li Yan would take advantage of being in the right to stop while he was ahead, but they hadn't expected him to name Xiong Baodong directly for a fight.

Wasn't this looking for death?

Xiong Baodong rarely made a move, but that didn't mean he lacked a fierce reputation in the martial world.

This guy had killed his way out of blood and gore, was an Eight Extremities expert who had long entered the Transformation Realm, and no one knew how many souls he had under his belt.

Fighting him—was his brain broken?

Just then, another person walked out from the Fire Bear Gang's rear ranks. He had a broad face and thick lips, and wore a brocade robe with a white tiger pattern—it was none other than Qiao Sanhu.

He had joined forces with Xiong Baodong to advance further, join the Li family's fleet, and from then on, soar to success.

At such a critical moment, he naturally wouldn't stand by, but he also didn't want to be seen by the people of the Shangshan Dharma lineage, so he had been hiding in the ranks.

Seeing this situation, he sensed something was wrong and hurriedly appeared, coming to Xiong Baodong's side, whispering, "This person is a sorcerer, why are you risking your life with him? The dharma flags are enough for today, don't create extra trouble."

Xiong Baodong nodded slightly upon hearing this.

And Li Yan, seeing this, chuckled, "Oh, so the Fire Bear Gang has a 'Retired Emperor' behind the scenes. My respects, my respects."

"Xiong Baodong, if you can't make the decision, then get lost and let me talk to this Gang Leader."

"Hahaha..."

Li Yan's sarcasm made the people around burst into laughter.

Xiong Baodong now had no way out. He looked coldly at Qiao Sanhu, "I have my own judgment on this matter!"

He slowly unhooked his black fur coat, revealing knotted muscles and a body full of saber scars. His murderous intent continued to rise, like a wild beast, making the surroundings deathly silent.

Some of the timid ones were even so scared they backed away repeatedly.

Xiong Baodong's gloomy eyes, like a bear's, were full of coldness and bloodthirst as he looked around, "It seems Xiong has been living in comfort for too long, that any kind of trash dares to clamor at me..."

"Kid, make your move. I'll tear you apart today!"

The third update will be half an hour late.

(End of chapter)