7: Chapter 7 Showdown Outside the Cave

When Yun Song arrived outside the Mine Cave, the entrance was already packed tightly, surrounded by layers upon layers of people.

He stood on tiptoe to look, only to see two groups of people confronting each other not far from the entrance.

One side was led by the Man in Bamboo Hat, with four people standing shoulder-to-shoulder beside him.

The other side had ten people, led by a burly man with knotted muscles, his black martial outfit stretched tight.

His thick eyebrows were like twisted centipedes, and a cruel, cold sneer hung at the corners of his mouth, revealing yellow, jagged teeth.

Messy hair covered his fierce face; his bronze skin was like rock scorched by fire, and his large, bell-like eyes were filled with malice and greed.

The Man in Bamboo Hat had a steady gaze and spoke first to break the deadlock: "Lang Xiao, you and I are both men leading brothers to make a living. Leave some leeway in your actions so we can meet again in the future."

Lang Xiao grinned, a flicker of cunning flashing in his eyes: "I don't want to burn bridges either, but I've recently added a few subordinates, and there really aren't enough Spirit Stones to go around. Give me fifty Miners, and we'll call it even."

The Thin Man beside him suddenly flushed, his eyes wide with rage: "Lang Xiao, your appetite is too big! Fifty Miners? Do you think this Mine Cave is your backyard? Do you really think we're so easy to bully?"

Lang Xiao was not angry, still wearing a mocking expression: "Let's both take a step back; harmony brings wealth."

"I've calculated it. Fifty Miners can produce two thousand five hundred Spirit Stones a month. If you give me one thousand Spirit Stones every month, this matter will be settled. How about it?"

Yun Song was shocked to hear this while in the crowd, and he suddenly realized the truth.

Both sides treated the Miners as tools for profit.

No matter which side won, the Miners would have to pay an extra fifty Spirit Stones every month.

This mining area, which originally carried the hope of survival for everyone, had long since become a piece of "fat" to be exploited by the powerful.

He couldn't help but sigh deeply in his heart: truly, wherever there are people, there is Jianghu!

He looked up at the gray sky and mused to himself.

"If the Immortals of the Tianhua Sect knew about the chaos here, would they intervene to settle the dispute?"

Thinking of this, he silently prayed in his heart: "Fight, it's best if you both end up hurt! Then I can save those fifty Spirit Stones every month."

The Man in Bamboo Hat stared fixedly at Lang Xiao, his expression grave: "I have long heard that the fist technique you created is powerful; today, I would like to experience it."

Lang Xiao held his head high and replied: "This 'Wolf Shadow Fist' of mine was created by observing the habits of wolf packs."

"Ten years ago, I was defeated by your Gale Leg. For these ten years, I have practiced day and night, and today is the perfect time to challenge you again!"

Before the words died away, the eyes of the Man in Bamboo Hat changed abruptly. He exerted force beneath his feet, and his figure shot toward Lang Xiao like an arrow from a bowstring.

The distance of two zhang was covered in an instant. He stomped fiercely on the ground, sending gravel flying, and used the recoil to leap into the air.

His legs kicked out in succession like a gale and rainstorm, with overlapping shadows of kicks.

Lang Xiao's waist twisted like a nimble snake, his palms transformed into sharp claws, and he met the attack like a hungry wolf pouncing on prey.

"Bang, bang!"

The sounds of fists and feet colliding were endless. In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged a dozen blows.

The Man in Bamboo Hat used the momentum to flip in the air, retreating three zhang like a flying swallow, and landed steadily. The sharp pain from his soles made him frown slightly.

Every time he had stomped to exert force just now, he had endured a tremendous recoil.

Lang Xiao forcefully endured the waves of intense pain coming from his fists. When he had blocked the Gale Leg earlier, that domineering impact force had spread along his arms, shaking his joints until they were sore and numb.

But there was not a trace of pain on his face. Instead, he grinned, revealing his yellow teeth, his eyes full of smugness, and his tone carried undisguised triumph.

"Hehe! How about that? I haven't wasted these ten years! Your Gale Leg can't do anything to me now, can it?"

A trace of approval flashed in the eyes of the Man in Bamboo Hat: "Lang Xiao, you have improved quite a bit; to think you could take that move of mine head-on."