In a large courtyard within the Black Mountain Stronghold, Duan Hu materialized in a flash of brilliant light.
"I—I got ganked? Are you kidding me? I'm one of the Fourth Celestial Calamity!"
His loud shout woke three of the stronghold's dozing guards.
"Another intruder!"
"Damn, not a pretty girl. Send him straight to the Feces Hall!"
"Right! Seize him and haul him off to the Feces Hall!"
Without giving him a chance to explain, the three stronghold guards rushed forward and gave Duan Hu a vicious beating.
Duan Hu had now reverted to his true self—just an ungraduated college student. He was no match for mountain bandits who reveled in violence, and he was soon beaten black and blue, crying for his parents.
A moment later, Duan Hu was dragged before an outhouse.
The wooden door of the outhouse creaked open, and Ma Changgui walked out, hitching up his pants. He glanced at Duan Hu, who was sprawled on the ground, and said, "Well now, look what we have here. A tenderfoot!"
