121. Bought a Crock of Soy Sauce

Because Ah Xing had never seen the Beast catch a bullet, he had no idea just how formidable the old man before him truly was.

The Beast, however, did not take offense at Ah Xing’s mockery. He was a martial arts fanatic and mentally unstable to boot, so he naturally cared nothing for such taunts.

"Master, would you mind punching me?" the Beast requested.

"Are you sick in the head?" Ah Xing looked at him with bewilderment. "Old man, you’re too old to be playing at being a gangster. You’re even dressed in a suit, but you don't even have an axe. What kind of Axe Gang member are you?"

The Beast let out a neurotic laugh, walked right up to Ah Xing, pointed to his own face, and said, "Punch me."

"If you keep this up, I’m actually going to hit you. Let me tell you, all those young guys lying around were taken down by me. Do you have any idea how strong I am?" Ah Xing gestured to the unconscious men scattered about.

"It’s precisely because you are strong that I want you to punch me," the Beast replied. "Don't worry, I can take it."

Before Ah Xing could continue to stall, Li Daniu shouted from the balcony, "Ah Xing, hit him with everything you’ve got."

Why pass up such a good opportunity? They weren't going to spend hundreds of moves sparring and wrecking the place just to end the fight. Li Daniu detested the Beast’s posturing—the way he would endure a blow only to tell his opponent their strength was sufficient but their accuracy lacking, or how he would resort to underhanded sneak attacks the moment he was truly outmatched. Li Daniu’s philosophy for dealing with such a man was simple: strike hard whenever possible, and if one person gets tired, tag in another.

"Everything I’ve got?" Ah Xing was confused by Li Daniu’s instruction. Li Daniu knew exactly what his full power was like; it wasn’t just a matter of hitting an old man—he could punch through an entire building. Could this old man really be a master?

The Beast heard Li Daniu’s shout, looked up, and was startled. *More masters? And there are three of them?*

Though mentally ill, he wasn't a fool. He hadn't yet gauged the depth of Ah Xing’s strength, but he knew it wouldn't be negligible. As for the three on the balcony, Li Daniu was an unknown, but he recognized the couple—they were legends of the underworld. In a one-on-one fight, he feared no one, but if all four ganged up on him, he would surely be overwhelmed.

Seeing Ah Xing preparing to unleash his full power and assuming a stance, the Beast grew anxious. He lunged forward, closing the distance in a flash, and struck Ah Xing with both fists. Ah Xing was sent flying, crashing through the doorway and slamming into the building in the courtyard, punching through two layers of walls.

*What the hell? How shameless!*

Li Daniu was instantly furious. Who acts like that? Saying "hit me" and then launching a sneak attack while the other person is still getting into position? That was his disciple! If Li Daniu knew that it was his own shout that had alerted the Beast and triggered the sneak attack, he might not have been so willing to take the blame.

Li Daniu and the Landlady and Landlord jumped down and helped Ah Xing up.

"Are you all right? I told you to hit him with everything you’ve got, why were you posing?" Li Daniu scolded.

"Cough, cough..." Ah Xing waved his hand to show he was fine. "Didn’t you tell me to use my full power? I have to build up my energy first, don't I?"

"Damn, you’ve grown wings, haven't you? Learning to talk back now? Full power isn't just about force; speed is crucial too," Li Daniu retorted, shutting him down.

"Alright, alright, stop acting like fools, both of you. You’re both rank amateurs. Today, we’ll show you what a real duel between masters looks like," the Landlady interrupted, stepping forward with her husband. They weren't just itching for a fight; they wanted to impress Ah Xing so they could eventually convince him to become their apprentice.

The Beast, thinking he had finished Ah Xing off, walked arrogantly into the middle of the courtyard.

"You two must be the legendary 'Heroic Couple' of the underworld, Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü," the Beast sneered.

The Landlady and Landlord stood in the center of the yard. Their usual boisterous demeanor had vanished, replaced by the unmistakable aura of true masters—a display meant entirely for Ah Xing.

"The Ultimate Killer, the Beast... how is it that you resort to sneak attacks even against a young boy?"

The Beast felt no shame at the derision. He laughed maniacally. "Kids need to learn the hard way if they want to grow up."

"Well said," the Landlord chuckled. "But since our boy suffered at the hands of an outsider, we elders naturally have to settle the score."

"Are you two planning to gang up on me?" The Beast glanced at Li Daniu standing in the back.

"What are you looking at, old man? Want to see all four of us beat you up at once?" Li Daniu shouted aggressively. Ganging up on the Beast was an achievement he’d been dreaming of since he arrived in this world; he wasn't about to back down now. It was easy to talk big when he had the numbers.

The Landlady waved a hand behind her. "Daniu, check the building to make sure no one else is inside. Things might get a bit rowdy."

The Landlord addressed the Beast. "My wife and I have always fought as a unit; the underworld knows this, so you can't say we’re bullying you. But rest assured, we won't let anyone else interfere."

The Beast let out another neurotic laugh. "Fine. Then let me witness your high arts."

Li Daniu, denied his group fight, didn't lose heart. If the couple was defeated, he would still have his chance.

"Ah Xing, go check the building," he ordered.

"Master, didn't the Landlady tell you to do it?"

"I am your master!" Li Daniu glared. Truth be told, the building was already empty; most of the residents worked during the day, and the Landlady had already had Ah Gui and the Tailor escort the others to safety when the Axe Gang arrived.

Ah Xing had no choice but to do a sweep. Once he confirmed it was empty, he returned to Li Daniu’s side.

By now, the couple and the Beast were locked in a fierce exchange. Overall, just as in the film, the Beast held the upper hand.

"Master, the Landlord and Landlady don't look like they’re holding up. Should you step in before they get killed?" Ah Xing murmured. With his current perception, he could clearly see the tide of the battle.

"Me go? Why don't you go?" Li Daniu glared at him.

Ah Xing put on an innocent face. "I’m injured! I was sent flying ten meters just a moment ago and hit a wall."

"Bullshit. You think I don't know you? You’re perfectly fine." Li Daniu didn't buy it for a second. Ah Xing’s physique was extraordinary, and he had the Nine Suns Divine Art now. Once the ninth level was mastered, the internal energy automatically defended the body; as long as the energy wasn't exhausted, it was essentially an impenetrable suit of armor.

The combatants, all masters of the highest order, had keen senses and heard the bickering. Enraged, the Landlady broke away from the fight. While her husband occupied the Beast, she struck the stone rim of the courtyard well with a single punch.

*Boom!* The brick and mortar shattered, revealing a bronze bell hidden inside. The Landlord immediately flashed to her side and hoisted the bell.

Not only was the Beast stunned, but even Li Daniu was taken aback. He knew the couple had this technique, but he never expected a bell to be hidden in the well. Moreover, the Landlady hadn't used her Lion’s Roar until now, choosing to unleash her ultimate move immediately.

Li Daniu couldn't know the Landlady's frustration. As a veteran of the underworld, she had tested the Beast for dozens of moves and realized her standard Lion’s Roar was useless. If she hadn't wanted to impress Ah Xing, she would have let Li Daniu step in; after all, the Beast wasn't an enemy she and her husband were destined to defeat.

The Beast sensed something was wrong. Realizing they were unleashing a massive technique, he immediately dropped to the ground, channeled his Toad Style, and prepared to end the fight in one blow.

The scene became absurd: the Landlord held the bell like a megaphone, the Landlady stood behind the opening inhaling air, and the Beast crouched opposite them like a giant toad.

Before Ah Xing could even laugh, two deafening roars erupted—one from the Landlady, and one from the Beast.

As the Landlady roared, a visible shockwave burst from the bell toward the Beast. Simultaneously, the Beast launched himself forward with his limbs, flying toward the couple like an arrow released from a bow.

With a thunderous collision, the couple’s ultimate weapon was shattered by the Beast. Both were knocked back three steps, while the Beast, his clothes in tatters, landed back in the center of the courtyard.

*Wait? Why hasn't the Beast fallen?*

Li Daniu watched the Beast crouched in the yard. He looked battered, but his spirit was fierce and sharp—entirely different from the Beast who had collapsed from this move in the movie. The difference was clear: in the movie, the Beast hadn't channeled his Toad Style when hit by the roar.

Seeing the Beast prepare to attack the couple again, Ah Xing rushed into the fray to intercept him.

The Beast, now acting entirely like a wild animal, could only emit guttural croaks. Interrupted by Ah Xing, he pushed off the ground with his limbs and slammed into Ah Xing’s stomach. This time, instead of just sending Ah Xing flying a few steps, he drove him through a dozen walls before finally coming to a stop.

With a sinister cackle, the Beast returned to the center of the courtyard, this time aiming his gaze at Li Daniu.

*Is this the "Invincible under heaven, speed is the only path to victory" philosophy?* Li Daniu was certain that even if he had been in Ah Xing’s position, he wouldn't have been able to react to that impact, let alone strike back.

As the Beast aimed his head toward him, Li Daniu didn't have time to be disgusted; he prepared to use the Buddha’s Palm.

But before he could even channel half his energy, Ah Xing, resilient as a cockroach, intercepted the Beast once more.

This time, prepared, Ah Xing unleashed the Buddha’s Palm the moment the Beast left the ground. His speed was faster than Li Daniu’s energy circulation. The Beast was struck by the palm and sent flying backward instantly.

However, just like in the movie, the Beast took the hit without even spitting blood; he was simply dazed. Just as the Beast regained his senses and prepared to strike, Ah Xing’s next palm landed. This one had been charged longer and was even more powerful than the last.

The impact sent the Beast flying, and the residual force shattered the building behind him. Having taken two direct hits, the Beast finally coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed, unable to rise.

"Master, I didn't kill him, did I?" Ah Xing asked, now feeling a lingering fear. He hadn't wanted to take a life.

"It’s fine. At worst, he’s crippled," Li Daniu sighed. He hadn't even had the chance to step in before the Beast went down.

Besides, whatever happened to the "descent from the heavens"?