Chapter 33 - 32: The Fist Strikes Like a Tiger, Drawing Trouble Eastward (Please Follow)

Chapter 33: Chapter 32: The Fist Strikes Like a Tiger, Drawing Trouble Eastward (Please Follow)Outer city. The conflict between the Green Snake Gang and the Black Water Gang over territory grew increasingly severe. Approximately half of the displaced civilians within Qu She Alley had already moved out. Most fled to alleys governed by other gangs. Although they had to pay more Copper Coins initially, at least their lives were secure. They no longer had to fear encountering members of the Black Water Gang and suffering a beating whenever they went out, unlike the previous two months. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. Returning to Qu She Alley. Seeing that light still shone from Old Man Li’s window, Jiang Shu didn’t hurry home but knocked on the door first. It had been six months since his arrival in Pingling County. Old Man Li was truly the only person who asked for nothing in return and treated him kindly. Now that he had become an official disciple of the Famished Tiger Martial Arts Academy, he would be eligible for household registration the next day and could move into the inner city. In any case, he ought to inform Old Man Li. It’s just that I currently practice Two Realms Shuttle, a secret I can’t reveal. Plus, having just become an official disciple and already having asked Old Master Qiu to resolve my household registration issue, I feel embarrassed to make any further requests. Once I become a Martial Artist, if the opportunity arises, arranging a small house in the inner city for Old Man Li wouldn’t be any trouble at all. Rain drenched Jiang Shu, and his brow furrowed. As a Martial Artist who practiced the grand circulation of qi and blood throughout his body, by concentrating, he naturally discerned more than one set of breathing sounds inside the room. Moreover, despite the light being on, his several knocks had gone unanswered. Could there have been an accident? Just as Jiang Shu considered breaking in, the door creaked open. Old Man Li’s face appeared, his expression contorted as he said, "What child is this, knocking at the door for no reason? This old man is about to sleep!" "Old Master Li, what are you talking about?" If it had been anyone else, Jiang Shu, sensing something amiss, would have left immediately. A man of honor stays away from danger. But since it was Old Man Li, he pretended to understand nothing, pushed the door open, bypassed Old Man Li, and walked into the room. A single oil lamp burned dimly. A faint smell of blood permeated the room. A stranger, a robust middle-aged man, lay on Old Man Li’s bed. His exposed arms were covered in injuries from which blood flowed. He had a full beard, and well-developed muscles were visible beneath his short garment. Though lying down, his gaze was fiercely fixed on the doorway. Only when he saw Jiang Shu did he relax and slowly sit up. "Old Li, what’s this young man’s name? Quite handsome. Come here and talk," the middle-aged man said, his gaze transfixed on Jiang Shu’s striking face as his mood lightened, speaking uncontrollably. "Zheng... Hall Master Zheng..." Old Man Li’s legs quivered as fear once again took hold. He wasn’t afraid for himself, but rather that Jiang Shu, not knowing any better, would accidentally offend this truly dangerous person: Zheng Kun, Hall Master of the Poison Tooth Hall from the Green Snake Gang! He had been injured in today’s battle against the Black Water Gang. Claiming that both the Hall and the gang quarters were unsafe, he had come straight to Old Man Li’s place. Old Man Li tended to him wholeheartedly, not daring to show a hint of negligence. He had hoped that by nightfall, after a good night’s sleep, everything would be alright. Unexpectedly, Jiang Shu had arrived. This... Having swept floors in the Poison Tooth Hall for so long, Old Man Li certainly knew what kind of person Hall Master Zheng was. Jiang Shu... He clenched his teeth, about to say something. But then he saw Jiang Shu standing at the doorway, staring straight at Zheng Kun. "Hall Master Zheng? The Hall Master of the Poison Tooth Hall from the Green Snake Gang?" "Oh, you recognize me?" Zheng Kun said, a smile blooming on his face as his body relaxed even more. To evade his pursuers, he hadn’t stayed at the Poison Tooth Hall, nor had he gone to the gang’s headquarters or sought out his lovers. Instead, he had slipped into the home of Old Li, the unnoticed sweeper, to quietly heal his wounds. As long as the Black Water Gang members couldn’t find him, he would recover in a few days and fear no one. He had thought he would be bored for a while, but it seemed fate was kind to him. Knowing his boredom, it had even unexpectedly sent such a handsome young man his way. He suddenly remembered that just two months ago, some gang members had told him there was a rather good-looking youngster in Qu She Alley. He had assumed it was just a fabrication by those gang members trying to curry favor. But it turned out to be true. What a pity. If I had known sooner, I could have come earlier and enjoyed myself. "I recognize you," Jiang Shu said, his tone indifferent. He gently pushed Old Man Li toward the door and walked towards Zheng Kun. Although Zheng Kun was puzzled by Jiang Shu’s behavior, he couldn’t help feeling pleased as he watched Jiang Shu slowly approach. "Come here, let this master have a good look at you." Zheng Kun’s eyes narrowed, and he couldn’t resist fantasizing about what was to come. However, just as he was about to immerse himself in his thoughts, a cold voice suddenly rang in his ear: "I didn’t seek you out, yet you came looking for death yourself?" As the words fell, Jiang Shu’s qi and blood mobilized. With a force of nine hundred pounds behind his fist, he struck out, the punch fierce and chilling. Lying on the bed, Zheng Kun had no chance to dodge. He hastily tried to parry with one hand but was struck hard by Jiang Shu’s fist. BANG! CRACK! His arm fractured, and the wounds on it split open at once, blood gushing out like water. Jiang Shu’s fist was bloody. When the first punch didn’t suffice, he delivered another. "You... Are you from the Black Water Gang?" As a Hall Master, Zheng Kun’s combat experience was vast. He rolled off the bed abruptly, creating a few steps of distance between himself and Jiang Shu in the cramped room, narrowly avoiding the second punch. Drenched in cold sweat, he couldn’t believe that this seemingly graceful youth was, like him, a Martial Artist circulating a great amount of qi and blood throughout his body! No, that’s wrong. Such a young Martial Artist couldn’t possibly be from the Black Water Gang. I know all the Hall Masters of the Black Water Gang, and none possess such fierce killing moves. Could he be an official disciple from one of the inner city martial arts academies? But which of those official disciples would come to the outer city? And who would want to kill me on sight? Terror gripped Zheng Kun’s heart. He wanted to run, but Jiang Shu blocked his path, and behind him was only a mud wall. Jiang Shu offered no answer to Zheng Kun’s question. Instead, he instinctively moved, channeling strength from his entire body into one punch. This was a small technique he had comprehended from the Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength. Now is the perfect time to test it! This punch was as fierce as a tiger! The thick scent of blood filled the room. Jiang Shu, his heart filled with killing intent, felt his qi and blood surge relentlessly. BANG! BANG! Already injured, Zheng Kun couldn’t withstand Jiang Shu’s assault. One punch landed on his nose, blood spurted, disfiguring his face. Another punch struck his teeth, knocking out his front ones and rendering him speechless. Zheng Kun collapsed, unable to struggle, only to see the final punch aimed straight at his forehead! BANG! In an instant, darkness consumed him. Jiang Shu retracted his fist and stood. At his feet lay Zheng Kun, blood pooling around him, like a dead dog, breathless.