140: Li Kui
Han Yi followed the address given by Shopkeeper Liu and arrived at an alley in Changle Ward.
This was Feng Yingying's residence, and Han Yi planned to scout it out first.
“System!”
He silently recited, preparing to check his information first.
“Name”: Han Yi (16/119)
“Realm”: Refining Blood (22/100); Sword Realm: “Ten Steps, One Kill”; Blade Realm: “Solid as a Mountain”
“Cultivation Technique”: Yang Yuan Skill (Incomplete, Trait: Rejuvenation, Minor Achievement 5/50, Can be improved); Jade Bone Skill (Mortal Rank, Traits: Strong Bones, Body Protection, Major Achievement, Cannot be improved)
“Martial Arts”: Ben Lei Palm Technique (Yellow Rank High Grade, Traits: Stone Crushing, Frenzied Strike, Minor Achievement (1/50), Can be improved); Flying Swallow Kick (Yellow Rank Low Grade, Traits: Swift Wind, Minor Achievement (9/50), Can be improved); Dual Blade Sword Kill (Profound Rank Low Grade, Traits: Focus, Dual Wield, Proficient (5/30), Can be improved); Yan Shen Technique (Yellow Rank Low Grade, Major Achievement, Trait: Bone Shrinking and Disguise)
“Essence Value”: 56
Then, he glanced at his overall stats again, '80~109'.
Today, when he came to Liu's Rice Shop, he only collected his regular silver and did not bring his Xuan Tie Sword, only his spiked gauntlets, but that should be enough!
“The second house on the left should be it…”
Han Yi quickly arrived in front of a black lacquered gate. He stopped, listened intently, and hearing no movement, he looked into the doorway.
Inside, Feng Yingying and Taoist Master Jiang Xiu stood in front of the main house, their faces full of resentment, seemingly whispering to each other.
‘I didn't expect both of them to be here; it saves me a lot of trouble!’
Han Yi reached out and pushed the gate; it wasn't locked. He paused slightly, then with a flash of his figure, he slipped through the open crack in the door.
“This time, we must ask the Hall Master to step in and severely punish that ignorant Liu family woman!”
Feng Yingying gritted her teeth and said viciously.
“Hmph, this business deal was messed up by you; you go talk…”
Jiang Xiu snorted coldly, speaking unhappily.
Just then, the two of them suddenly heard the sound of the door opening and quickly turned around to look towards the entrance.
Whoosh!
But then, their vision went black, and they lost consciousness, their bodies collapsing limply like noodles.
After Han Yi activated his Flying Swallow Kick, his speed was incredibly fast; how could two women, whose strength was merely that of ordinary people, possibly react in time? He casually patted the back of their heads, and they both fainted.
Thud!
Han Yi quickly caught their bodies and gently laid them on the ground.
“Who?”
‘There's actually someone in the room?’
Han Yi was startled; he hadn't detected anyone else inside the room.
Moreover, his movements were so subtle and swift, yet this person still noticed him. This person's strength was not weak; they must be a master!
How should he respond!
Han Yi's thoughts raced. He now felt like he was in a difficult position, unable to advance or retreat.
Bang!
Before Han Yi could make a decision, suddenly, the solid vermilion, gold-inlaid rosewood door instantly exploded, and a man rushed out from within.
The man was burly, dressed in a black and white tight-fitting suit, with a dark green cloth strip wrapped around his arm, and his sleeves rolled up, revealing his thick forearms.
After rushing out, he subtly glanced at Jiang Xiu and Feng Yingying lying on the ground, then narrowed his eyes and sized up Han Yi.
“Friend, is there some misunderstanding? I am Zhu Tong, a member of the Gushen Sect. Our sect usually only does good deeds like saving the dying and healing the injured, and eliminating evil, and we most avoid making enemies with others.”
This person, who called himself Zhu Tong, was quite polite, cupping his fists as he spoke.
“I, Li Kui!
“Oh, you’re not those scumbags from the Black Tiger Gang?
“Damn it, those dog scumbags dared to scheme against me in the gambling den!”
Since Zhu Tong didn't immediately resort to violence, Han Yi naturally responded in his disguised identity as Li Kui.
Zhu Tong's overall strength was '61~82', also a Martial Artist in the Middle Stage of Blood Refinement, close to the Late Stage of Blood Refinement.
Although Han Yi was confident he could defeat him, the main issue was that this was the opponent's territory. If he couldn't guarantee a decisive blow, and a fight broke out, the opponent's reinforcements would be endless, and he would be the one at a disadvantage, like an elephant being bitten to death by too many ants.
After comprehensive consideration, Han Yi had thoughts of retreating. After all, it was Li Kui who came knocking, what did it have to do with Han Yi?
‘Li Kui?’
Zhu Tong's eyes were deep; he had never heard of this person's name in the Changle Ward area.
But looking at this person's long breath, slow heartbeat, tall stature, and well-built muscles, his strength must not be weak, at least a Lianxue Stage Martial Artist.
‘But if someone with such strength and obvious physical characteristics were here, how could he be an unknown person?’
‘So, although this person is wearing a bamboo hat and his face is unclear, he must have given a false name!’
‘Therefore, injuring my people and leaving a false name, hiding his identity, this Li Kui must have deliberately come to cause trouble, it's definitely not a misunderstanding as he claims!’
It's no wonder Zhu Tong could become a Hall Master; in just a few breaths, he had guessed the whole story almost perfectly!
“If I say, since it's a misunderstanding, then I'll be leaving!”
Seeing Zhu Tong remain silent for a long time, Han Yi feigned impatience and made to leave.
Whoosh!
“Don't rush, friend!”
Zhu Tong's movement technique was also quite impressive; he quickly stepped in front of Han Yi, blocking his path, and closed the gate with a backhand.
“Friend, since you've come from afar, why don't you sit for a while and wait until those two over there wake up to verify the truth?”
Zhu Tong pointed at Jiang Xiu and Feng Yingying lying in the middle of the courtyard and said sinisterly.
He was playing a clever game; this was a stronghold of the Gushen Sect in Changle Ward. If he delayed long enough, many helpers would naturally arrive, making it easier to capture Li Kui!
“Damn it, I, Li Kui, go wherever I want!”
Han Yi feigned impatience and lifted his leg to leave.
Bang!
Zhu Tong extended his thick arm, blocking Han Yi's path.
“A good dog doesn't block the way; take your dirty hands off me!”
Han Yi's eyes widened, completely embodying the image of a brute.
However, Han Yi sighed inwardly, seeing this stance, Zhu Tong clearly did not want him to leave, and his previous words were just an excuse...
The stronger and weaker would have to be settled in a fight!
“Hmph, hmph…”
“Friend, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Are you feeling guilty?”
Zhu Tong sneered. Seeing the hasty behavior of this burly man named Li Kui, he was now even more certain that there was something problematic about Li Kui!
“Who are you calling a thief?”
Han Yi grew agitated and yelled loudly.
“I already said it was a misunderstanding, I mistook the person, take your hand away!” His voice rose again.
“Misunderstanding… Friend, I think you're deliberately looking for trouble!” Zhu Tong's face turned cold. With things having come to this, this Li Kui was still being stubborn.
In broad daylight, in his own courtyard, with two living people, how could he possibly mistake them? Besides, this Li Kui, wearing a bamboo hat and masked, clearly came prepared, and still claims it's a misunderstanding?
It was clearly an excuse!
‘The delay has been long enough. Although this Li Kui is strong, he's not very smart. Who would wear a mask and use a fake name when doing something like this? In broad daylight, it only makes people more suspicious!’
‘However, no matter how strong he is, he's probably not much different from me, just a muscular brute. I'll take him down first!’
Zhu Tong settled his Qi in his Dantian and slowly adopted a stance, his feet subtly forming an inverted V-shape. With that previous collision, he had already tested this person's strength.
‘Damn it!’
Han Yi cursed inwardly. He had already seen Zhu Tong's subtle movements. Clearly, this fight today was unavoidable.
Most importantly, Zhu Tong had just locked the black lacquered gate. This must be...
He must be waiting for reinforcements, treating Han Yi as a turtle in a jar!
‘Since that's the case, then a quick battle it is!’
Han Yi's vigilance increased once more.
“Damn it, I already said a good dog doesn't block the way, and you're still blabbering here, refusing to let me pass. You must be a vicious dog!”
Even in this situation, Han Yi tried his best to maintain Li Kui's persona as a muscular brute, so that others would underestimate him.
“A vicious dog deserves a beating!”
Han Yi's eyes suddenly widened, and he lunged forward.
An iron palm, fiercely struck towards Zhu Tong's chest.
Coincidentally, Zhu Tong had also taken a firm stance and gathered his strength.
“I knew you weren't a good person!”
“Rolling Stone Fist!”
Zhu Tong grinned ferociously. The power of his punch traveled from the ground beneath his feet to his body, then concentrated in his fist, making it incredibly powerful.
Boom!
The two exchanged a direct blow.
Fist met palm, and both took a step back, showing surprise on their faces.
Although Han Yi had only used sixty percent of his strength in that palm strike as a test, Zhu Tong had managed to block it.
Just now, he felt Zhu Tong's fist was like an iron hammer, a surge of great force erupted upwards and hit his palm, forcefully blocking his Thunder Palm.
Zhu Tong was also surprised.
He had taken a firm stance just now, and this Rolling Stone Fist was delivered with stored power, yet he couldn't gain the upper hand.
As a Hall Master of the Gushen Sect, he immediately realized that the opponent's strength was comparable to his own.
Whatever Li Kui's purpose was, this person was definitely a troublesome enemy!
Immediately, Zhu Tong took a step back and slowly began to circle Han Yi.
“Friend, may I ask if you are from the Ba Da Sect or the Plum Blossom Hall?”
He spoke cautiously, his tone suddenly softening.
Not long ago, the Gushen Sect suddenly changed its strategy of developing in seclusion. The high-level members of the sect requested them to expand into Changle Ward.
Although Changning Ward was similar to Changle Ward and had no major forces governing its territory, it was mostly inhabited by merchants and wealthy households, making it much richer than Changning Ward, which was a slum.
Therefore, there were also many small, powerful forces present here.
The Ba Da Sect and the Plum Blossom Hall were the two tough nuts the Gushen Sect had encountered since entering Changle Ward!