That night.
On Changle Street, Lü Cang, reeking of alcohol, left the restaurant.
He looked about forty, with a scholarly appearance and wearing a long robe, more like a scholar than an external perfection martial artist.
"Changping City is indeed nice, it's a paradise…"
With a flushed face, he happily walked towards the inn where he was staying, his demeanor leisurely and clearly in high spirits.
"That Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall won't last long."
"Go again tomorrow, kick their plaque directly, I don't believe that kid can endure, hehe…"
As he was lost in thought, he suddenly stopped while passing through a secluded alley.
"Who's there?"
A few meters away, a tall figure stood in the shadows, its features unclear, seemingly just a silhouette.
Lü Cang's heart tightened, instantly sobering up significantly, secretly raising his guard.
"You're Lü Cang?"
A stable and powerful voice came through, unexpectedly young.
The figure slowly turned around, eyes like lightning, fixed on him: "I'm here waiting for you, to settle some trouble."
Lü Cang felt uncomfortable under the gaze, frowned, and said, "You're standing up for Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall?"
"Yes."
The figure took two steps forward, standing under the light, allowing Lü Cang to see his face.
Zhang Yao's expression was calm, waving to him: "Come, lend a hand."
"…Alright!"
Lü Cang squinted, suddenly shouted fiercely, stepped forward, and launched an attack first.
"Pa!" "Pa!"
His movement was as swift as a galloping horse, crossing the two-meter distance in one step, his arms like boneless willow branches, changing angles to strike down, creating explosive sounds in the air.
"Boom!"
Zhang Yao's punches were stable and powerful, easily dispersing his arms.
The two exchanged blows like lightning, seven or eight rounds in a single breath, onlookers could only see phantom images.
After a few moments, the more Lü Cang fought, the more frightened he became. Not only was he unable to gain any advantage, but he also felt a sense of unfathomable depth.
The young man in white was clearly equal in speed, reaction, and strength to him, yet always slightly faster, slightly stronger, suppressing him completely.
"His combat experience is so rich? Martial arts so pure? This is impossible…"
Thoughts whirled rapidly in his mind, causing him to lose focus for an instant.
In that instant, Zhang Yao seized the opportunity, smashed his guard with a punch, and another punch directly hit his chest.
"Thud!"
After a dull thud like a drumbeat, Lü Cang staggered back, couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning pale.
"You, you…"
He gasped twice, staring intently at Zhang Yao.
"What I just used was the Great Vajra Fist from Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall."
Zhang Yao maintained his calm expression, speaking softly: "Today, I am just giving you a lesson."
"If there's a next time, I'll take your life."
Lü Cang's face instantly showed a trace of ferocity, but it quickly disappeared as he spoke in a low tone: "I understand… You are Zhou An's closed-door disciple—Zhang Yao!"
"It's widespread in Changping City that your martial arts are average, yet you're ruthless, often leaving no survivors."
"Never thought, the world underestimated you, your martial arts have long reached perfection!"
Zhang Yao raised an eyebrow, responding: "I don't care about such trivial fame."
In recent years, he served as a tributor to the Governor's Mansion, naturally also doing a lot for the Wang Family.
Some dirty and tiring tasks, of course, didn't fall to tributes like them. He was responsible for resolving thorny troubles, inevitably leading to killing.
"Spit!"
Lü Cang spat out a bloody curse, staring at him with a trace of threat in his voice: "You better think it through, you're no longer part of Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall, is it worth standing up for them?"
"I have Thunder Martial Arts Hall backing me, your martial arts are high, but can they surpass Zhao Donglai's 'Thunderbolt Celestial Saber'?"
"Heh…"
Zhang Yao chuckled lightly, speaking leisurely: "Quite unluckily, Mr. Zhang has many friends in the martial arts, and specially inquired at Thunder Martial Arts Hall."
"The treasure you contributed at most allowed Hall Master Zhao to tacitly approve your actions, whether you succeed is down to your own abilities, failure means you aren't capable enough!"
Lü Cang's face instantly changed, subconsciously taking a step back.
"Scram."
Zhang Yao waved his hand, turned to leave.
Lü Cang's face was gloomy as he stared at his departing figure, unconsciously reaching for his waist.
"…Damn it!"
After hesitating slightly, he gritted his teeth, quickly drawing a soft sword from his belt.
Shimmering like autumn water, Lü Cang rushed forward, stabbing towards Zhang Yao's life gate acupoint, the sword light flickering and trembling like a whip.
He had nothing left. If he couldn't take down Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall, it would mean giving away his ancestral treasure for nothing.
"Die!"
Lü Cang's expression turned ferocious, filled with killing intent.
And at that instant, his eyes widened in disbelief, witnessing an unimaginable scene.
"Swish!"
Zhang Yao turned around instantly, as if he had eyes on his back, reaching for the soft sword with incredible speed.
At that moment, the speed he displayed was twice as fast as when he threw punches earlier, making it nearly impossible to see even a trace of residual images.
"Crack!"
The shimmering long sword was firmly grasped in Zhang Yao's palm, remaining unmoving regardless of the struggle, the sharp blade failing to break open his skin.
Lü Cang's body stiffened instantly, revealing a look of disbelief:
"Your martial arts…"
His voice was harsh and hoarse, like it leaked from his throat.
"Crack!"
With an expressionless face, Zhang Yao applied slight pressure, crushing the long sword into fragments, followed by a fist with his five fingers together.
"Thud!"
The sound remained as weighty as striking a copper bell, Lü Cang's body flew backward, spewing blood mixed with internal organ fragments.
There was still a hint of vitality as he was midair, but upon landing, he was dead.
"You don't know when to relent."
Zhang Yao withdrew his fist, his face cold, turning to leave the dark alley.
......
Two moments later.
Inside the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall.
"Master."
Zhang Yao sat at the edge of the bed, holding Zhou An's hand, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted.
His medical skills were decent, having checked Zhou An's pulse, yet Zhou An's condition was dire, his body nearly like a sieve, riddled with wounds.
Based on his assessment, it was likely that Zhou An wouldn't survive this winter.
"Cough, cough…"
Zhou An coughed violently twice, weakly smiling while comforting him: "It's alright, I've lived enough in this life, without much regret."
As he spoke, he deliberately shifted the topic, asking: "Is that trouble solved?"
"Resolved."
Zhang Yao nodded slightly, replying: "He won't come seeking trouble with Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall anymore."
"I knew, you kid were hiding your true skills…"
Zhou An chuckled heartily, coughed twice more, then curiously asked: "Did you defeat him or force him to leave Changping?"
Zhang Yao answered: "No, Master, he's dead."