As he rushed toward his opponent, he took care to not be hit. While he had confidence in his toughness, the Mountain's brute strength was out of the charts – a hit could easily cause heavy damage.
Seeing Er Shan send a punch toward his head, Yueshi stepped sideways and barely avoided it. Then, he crouched a second later as the man's thick arm came lashing back at him.
Each of his moves had such power that the air whistled as his arm passed over Yueshi's head.
While Yueshi was trying to find an opening, Er Shan did not stop for even a moment.
While he knew his stamina was limited and that depleting his energy was dangerous, he couldn't give his opponent time to continue improving.
Yueshi was learning, mid-fight, how to better control his body and make use of his muscles, and if things continued like that, he would lose for sure.
Just as Yueshi dodged another strike, he watched the big man stomp against the ground with all his power. Dust rose and the ground cracked as tremors were sent in a four meters radius. 'Shit!' Because he had been side-stepping Yueshi lost his balance and fell on his butt.
The man's face became brutal as he used one of his legs to immediately stomp toward Yueshi. With a bang, another curtain of dust was raised, and another hole was left on the floor; fortunately, Yueshi had rolled out of the strike zone at the last moment.
Yueshi climbed back to his feet in a hurry while feeling cold sweat dripping down his back. However, taking the chance, he immediately lashed out with a kick toward his enemy's leg.
Er Shan hissed in pain from being hit, however, with his natural talents and his technique, Yueshi was not able to easily break his bones. Still, he was forced to take a step back, and Yueshi promptly sent another kicking flying at his belly.
This one easily made contact as the tall man was still recovering and had no time to put up his defense. However, Yueshi had not used any qi in the attack and, as a result, the man was merely sent staggering backward a few steps.
Yueshi took advantage of the momentum he was building and after dodging a punch, he immediately struck with one of his own. Following the dull, thumping sound, Er Shan was forced yet other two-steps back, his face crumbling in anxiety. By now, he was starting to regret never learning a speed-based technique.
However, there was no medicine for regret. As he sent another punch out, Yueshi jumped aside and easily dodged it, following with a low kick at the same leg he had hurt before.
Yueshi's qi was released like a torrent with this kick, sending a wave of pain through Er Shan's whole body. At that moment he knew, he'd fucked up. However, even if he wanted to do something there was nothing he could do.
The extreme pain and the damage caused to his leg sent him to the ground, falling on his knee. It was with a boom that something exploded right next to his head as he started to lose conscience. Yueshi had used his remaining qi to send a whirling kick at his opponent's temple, knocking him out cold and sending him flying sideways.
Watching the silvery luster disappear from his opponent's skin, Yueshi sighed. With a huff, he released a breath he did not even know he had been holding in and then sat on the ground, tired.
Soon after, he immediately started to gasp for air, the world spinning around him for a moment as his brain lacked oxygen. The battle had been truly burdensome for his body, even more so because he didn't know how to use his new power properly.
He was no fighter, so he knew he lacked good control over his body and also lacked battle experience. He had made quite a few mistakes, spent a lot of energy in each attack, and wasted some good opportunities… overall, he fought like a complete newbie.
Fortunately, his opponent was a slow ass, or else, he would have lost despite the difference in their cultivation.
Nonetheless, he had won.
After resting for some time and catching his breath, he looked at the fallen people. They had gone completely silent between the start of the fight and now – although he was not sure of when, exactly.
None of them expected that the might 'Mountain' would lose.
Meanwhile, as tired and dissatisfied with his performance as Yueshi was, he still had something to settle.
Walking toward the bigger group – the one that he had easily wiped out earlier – he stopped next to a black-haired fat man.
"If you tell me why you all have come here, then I may spare you." His words were cold and his eyes sharp, sending a chill down the man's back. Yueshi lacked the frightful aura of a torturer, but what they had seen so far was enough to scare them shitless.
"I will tell! I swear I will!" The man gave in as easily as that. "Boss said we were coming to teach a shit… certain brat a lesson!" He shouted hurriedly and then continued in a quieter voice, "we would just punch and kick you, in truth, we weren't thinking of killing you and the lass!" His voice seemed desperate and sorrowful, but Yueshi's expression did not change.
Instead…
Snap.
The crisp sound of bones being broken tingled against everyone's ears.
"Aaaarggh!" Then, the man's scream resounded like a cruel melody in the silent street. Yueshi was not foolish enough to believe that petty men like them would be content with just teaching him a lesson.
"You!" He pointed at another one. "Take his place and answer, and if you also lie to me…" He did not end his phrase, merely glancing at the guy bellowing in pain. The groaning people shuddered and, despite the fact Yueshi had a thin smile on his face, the group could not help but label him as the devil incarnated.
This was how hypocritical they were. However, despite seeing the fear in their eyes, Yueshi did not mind. As long as his conscience was clean, why would he care?
The man selected by Yueshi immediately shuddered, but, soon, went to say what Yueshi wanted.
"Boss… boss said he would break your bones and then throw you in the wilderness for the beasts…" He was sweating bullets by this point and seemed to wish to stop right there.
However, as he glanced upward and caught sight of Yueshi's frown, he continued with some hesitation. "He also said… we would fuck the girl in front of you, all together, and make her beg to be ravished by our dicks."
What followed was a brutal sound.
There was the echo of an air explosion as Yueshi sent a powerful kick, followed by the sound of bones cracking as his feet sunk into the man's face. Everyone could hear as the guy's jaw was totally broken, yet, before he could even have the time to scream, he fell to the ground without any sign of life.
Having confirmed everything, Yueshi's eyes were clearly shaken and his body swayed a bit making him almost tumble to the ground. For the first time since he arrived in this world, he got to experience true fear.
He felt his stomach churning and his head spin; his mouth, in what seemed like an instant, became completely dry. His nails dug on his flesh, making a jolt of pain attack him as they pierced his palm. Just thinking that if he had not won Xuehua would be, would be… "Bargh!" He retched on the spot.
Was it because she was the first person he had met after arriving in this world? Perhaps, it was because of the odd ways destiny worked its wonders; or maybe, it was merely because of her natural charm, her sweet kindness, and her gentle smile. Yueshi was strangely attached to Xuehua, in a way he could not comprehend or put into words.
The thought of what they wished to do with her scared him to the core and, also, lit a wave of even fiercer and terrifying anger inside of his heart. He had unconsciously disbelieved before, but right now he could not deny what they wanted to do anymore.
"It seems it's really time to take the trash out!" His voice was heavy as he gazed at them. Then, not even bothering to listen to their screams of help and pleas of forgiveness, he walked toward the man closest to him.
Crack… splash… bang!
It was almost like a well-coordinated orchestra of three men. The first made the sound of bones – more specifically skulls – cracking; the second made the sound of blood and brain matter splattering everywhere; and the third made the sound of the floor breaking as Yueshi's stomps completely crushed his fallen enemies heads, cracking the ground at the same time.
The orchestra played for a while and, somewhere in the middle, another man joined –Zhuo Kai groaned and screeched in pain and fear, giving his own contribution to the music.
"Don't come near me! Don't, please!" He continuously shouted with all his power, his throat becoming hoarse in the process. "Someone, anyone, help me! My brother will pay for anyone who does it! Please! Just please!" In the face of Death, he proved himself to be a complete coward.
Hearing him, Yueshi arched his brows but did not stop. He and Xuehua lived close to the boundary of the business district, so it was odd that no guards came even after all this commotion. Even if they did not care about the poor, the ruckus they had caused was far too big to just be ignored.
'That means his backer was capable of disposing of the nearby guards through unknown means.' It was easy to reach that conclusion. One way or another, that could be troublesome, even if he was a cultivator.
However, he would still not let go. The man dared to collude with others to try and sully his dear sister so there was no way Yueshi'd forgive him. So, with a mindset that said 'whatever happens, happens', Yueshi decided to not hold back in the least.
There was one simple and easy answer out of this predicament: power. As long as he became powerful enough, then it would not matter who this person's backer was at all. Not only that, if things came to it, with his third-layer cultivation, he was sure he could find himself a powerful backer, too.
"You should never have messed with her." Coldly speaking, Yueshi lifted his foot… then, the sound of the ground cracking echoed a few times as he stomped again and again. First, he crushed the man's legs, then his hands and arms. Then, before ending everything, he turned his third leg into meat paste. In the end, the man was a broken mess of snot and tears as his head was crushed.
After dealing with Zhuo Kai, Yueshi noticed he had a sheathed dagger hanging on his waist. Taking it, he made his way toward the last man alive – the mountain-like Er Shan. His breath was short, faint, and heavy, but he was still alive. However, soon enough all traces of life disappeared from him as a dagger pierced his head and brain.
'Now, where to dispose of the bodies?' Yueshi sighed, feeling his head throb. He was just a single man and no matter how strong he was, it would take at least a few trips – a few trips carrying bodies inside of a town. 'Well, it's still early.' Seeing the moon hanging in the sky, without any traces of her counterpart, he smiled.
It had been a long and tiring night, but soon, very soon, he would be able to rest.
He remembered there was a river that cut the city in half and decided to throw them over there. Even if they were found, who would link their dead to him?
Like that, eventually, the moon disappeared from the sky and the sun took its place.
During the night, the streets were desert, absolutely void of people. However, just as the sun appeared on the horizon people started to leave their homes to work or to hunt; and with that, the silence then gave way to the bustling chatter and banter that the townsfolk was used to.
The sole exception was the streets belonging to more mature and sexual entertainment. With the coming of the first rays of light, the streets became less crowded as the pleasure and companionship establishments bade farewell to their drunken, and satisfied, customers.
In his office, Zhuo Feng was silent as he examined a few papers. Accounts, information, letters of all sorts and origins… he was a hardworking man that would never leave his work for others to do. Thanks to his nature, the Pleasure Paradise bloomed to become what it was today.
Knock, knock, knock…
His eyes left the accounting book and went toward the door, he then asked whoever it was to enter. His expression was heavy and hard, but seeing a beautiful and gentle woman on the other side of the door, his eyes softened.
"What is it, Hao'er?" When he spoke with his brother, his voice was distant and aloof; however, when speaking with this woman, one could hear a tinge of gentleness in it.
"Brother Feng, I bring you some bad news." Her words made him frown. Nodding, he signaled for her to continue. "A few bodies were found in the sewer's entrance. One of them has been confirmed to be your brother's bodyguard, Er Shan. We believe your brother is also among the deceased."
Looking at her boss and friend, Meng Hao saw his brows arch into a deep frown as his eyes glowed with unknown emotions. "I have already asked a few men to take the body back to your manor upon confirmation... and to make sure Aunt Zhuo does not learn of it. Moreover, the body's condition… is not the best."
Inwardly, she sighed. She had been acquainted with the two brothers for many years and knew them as well as she knew herself. The younger brother was outstanding, charismatic, and smart, meanwhile, the older one… was a spineless coward and a troublemaker that only knew how to rely on his younger brother.
To not talk about his lecherous ways and the disgusting glances he sent her.
'Maybe things are better this way.' Although that sounded a bit cold and ruthless, Meng Hao knew better than anyone that Zhuo Kai had been dragging his brother down all those years.
"Hm, thank you, again." He muttered after a long while, not only because of the way she dealt with things but, above all, for always being there. "You can send everyone home and close down for today, I… will go see mother."
She shook her head, surprising him. "I will tell Old Bai to close the place and go with you." She sighed softly. "We know I am better at comforting people than you." He wanted to turn her down since it was his family's problem. However, he could see the worry in her eyes and also knew she had the purest of intentions, so he agreed in the end.
After she left, he got up from his chair and walked to the window. Staring at the sky his eyes glowed sharply. 'Even if you were wrong and even if you were an asshole, you were still my brother. Tell me, why did you have to end that way?'
He then wondered about what had happened. Maybe, someone was protecting the siblings from the shadows, or, perhaps, it had nothing to do with them at all. He decided to observe, but had no plans to make any move at all – after all, he wasn't some almighty and omnipotent brothel owner.
Shaking his head, he sighed. The one who carried the same blood as him had died today, and there was no doubt their mother would break down in tears.
Ah, he really hated the stifling sensation in his chest.