Chapter 76: Another Strike

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“Advice?”

Yu Shen’s mastery of the Black Fiend Palm was still at the entry level, yet he was supposed to advise Zhuang Jin, who had already reached the minor achievement stage in the same technique?

Compared to Zhuang Jin, he merely had the advantage of greater experience in the fourth meridian. If their cultivation levels were equal, it would be excusable, but his martial skill was actually inferior. It seemed he had wasted his years in vain; especially when recalling his earlier pretense, his face flushed slightly with embarrassment.

However, taking advantage of this moment, Zhuang Jin pressed forward, launching a palm strike toward Yu Shen’s face. While cursing the younger man for his lack of martial ethics, Yu Shen hastily countered.

Swish, swish, swish!

Their forms tangled and shifted rapidly, the sounds of strength clashing and eroding echoing intermittently.

Not far away, Du Yunqi and the others halted, confronting the remaining five or six martial artists from the King of Medicine Gang. They all understood that the battle between Zhuang Jin and Yu Shen would determine the outcome. Tension filled their gaze.

With their own vision limited to the second and first meridian, they could barely follow the fight. If they were thrust into it, they would surely be defeated within a single move.

Soon, after their initial surprise, Du Yunqi and his companions were filled with joy—except for one with ulterior motives. In stark contrast, the King of Medicine Gang’s fighters were disappointed and uneasy, for Zhuang Jin and Yu Shen seemed evenly matched, and Zhuang Jin was beginning to suppress Yu Shen.

Yes, Zhuang Jin held the advantage!

Both were of the same cultivation realm. Yu Shen’s internal energy was slightly more refined, but not enough to overpower an opponent from a lower meridian. Yet one had minor achievement in the Black Fiend Palm, while the other only entry-level. Minor achievement meant striking two inches further with visible force than entry-level—every inch counts, let alone two.

At first, Zhuang Jin’s lack of experience made their contest seem equal, but as he adapted to the rhythm, he began to press Yu Shen clearly.

“Damn it, damn it!” Yu Shen cursed as he fought, unable to restrain himself. He could sense that Zhuang Jin’s internal energy was only just at the fourth meridian, yet his martial skill had reached minor achievement.

Yu Shen had broken through the fourth meridian years ago, yet his Black Fiend Palm was still stuck at the threshold between entry and minor achievement. Meanwhile, Zhuang Jin, a young man who had just reached the fourth meridian, had already surpassed him in technique. How was this reasonable?

Bang!

The two exchanged another palm strike, separating with a thunderous burst.

Yu Shen clasped his hands behind his back, trembling slightly, his fingers opening and closing. At this moment, he was already considering retreat. He stepped back swiftly and leaped away: “Such a talented youth—today I’ll grant you this honor. Next time, I won’t go easy on you... ah!”

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He departed as quickly as he had arrived, only to be sent flying back at the same speed.

...

“Deputy Fragrance Chief Yu, you’ve graced my Fortune Street with your presence. In my opinion, it’s best you stay today!” Along with this voice, a shadow appeared.

It was Duan Tao!

Last month, one of his squads had been ambushed, leaving only Jiang Wei alive. Cunning and shrewd, Duan Tao could hardly trust Jiang Wei completely. He had already launched a secret investigation and discovered Jiang Wei’s true nature. But thinking to use him as bait, Duan Tao played along, turning the tables on the King of Medicine Gang, intending to make a show of force, subdue the Brotherhood, and seize neighboring Prosperity Street.

That was why, when Zhuang Yutang approached him recently, Duan Tao went with the flow.

Zhuang Jin was not surprised to see Duan Tao. He had already suspected his involvement, and after Du Yunqi and Pan Zimo visited in recent days, was almost certain.

“Brother Zhuang, tonight you’ve given me a great surprise. But let’s save the idle talk for later—shall we deal with this man first?”

“Agreed!”

Zhuang Jin advanced on Yu Shen, joining Duan Tao in a pincer attack.

He cared nothing for the fact that he was stronger than Yu Shen, nor for the unfairness of numbers. After all, this was three hundred war merits at stake; Heaven’s gift unclaimed would be a loss.

Besides, Yu Shen had thought Zhuang Jin had just broken through the fourth meridian and tried to bully the young with his age, showing no concern for martial ethics.

“Commander Duan, I’ve lost tonight. Please, grant me mercy... Leave room for retreat, so we may meet again in the future... What, you say I’ll have no future? This is intolerable... Young man, this is between me and Commander Duan; step aside, we’ll settle it ourselves... ah, despicable, you young man lack martial ethics, ambushing an elder...”

Yu Shen’s composure shattered as he cursed, showing none of his earlier masterly demeanor. Now he struggled to suppress his injuries while barely holding off the two attackers, soon finding himself in grave peril.

—He had already fled after a fierce battle, his spirit somewhat relaxed, and as he leapt into the air, his old strength was spent and new strength not yet born. At this juncture, Duan Tao struck quickly and ruthlessly, inflicting a serious wound. Now, beset by two opponents at once, his situation was dire.

In truth, Zhuang Jin with his minor achievement in Black Fiend Palm and Duan Tao in peak condition, either alone could threaten Yu Shen’s life. Facing both together, his doom was certain.

Soon, Zhuang Jin spotted an opening, striking Yu Shen’s back with his palm. As Yu Shen turned to retaliate, Duan Tao delivered another blow to his forehead, crushing his skull and sending him crashing lifelessly to the ground.

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Thus, a Deputy Fragrance Chief of the King of Medicine Gang, a fourth meridian martial artist... was slain!

Zhuang Jin was slightly surprised to see Yu Shen truly die. He hadn’t expected to keep him here, but reality had given him a pleasant surprise. The death of a fourth meridian martial artist added the finishing touch to this night’s grand feast, making it all the more complete.

“A fourth meridian martial artist is worth three hundred war merits. Even if the kill was joint, that’s plenty to share. Plus the four third meridian fighters before, and the joint kill with the iron caltrops... Even after handing some over to the public pool, by the rules, after all calculations, I’ll get seven or eight hundred war merits tonight!”

Wealth—absolute wealth overnight!

At this moment, Du Yunqi and the others were finally able to breathe freely at Yu Shen’s death. The night had been full of twists and turns, and only now did their hearts settle. They felt the thrill of surviving disaster, and recalling their earlier kills, felt secure and jubilant. Their gratitude toward Zhuang Jin was boundless, and they prepared to pursue the remaining King of Medicine Gang members.

—Earlier, as Duan Tao appeared and the struggle with Zhuang Jin, Duan Tao, and Yu Shen unfolded, the remaining five or six King of Medicine Gang fighters had already begun to retreat. Their side still had strength, but numbers were lacking, and Du Yunqi and Pan Zimo kept their guard up against Jiang Wei, so they dared not pursue.

“Don’t chase fleeing enemies, it’s unnecessary!” Zhuang Jin called out, spotting a somewhat familiar figure in the distance.

“Yes, there are important matters ahead; no need to waste effort on small fry.”

Duan Tao spoke, turning warmly toward Zhuang Jin: “Haha, Brother Zhuang, you are truly gifted, breaking through the fourth meridian so quickly and joining our ranks. Let Yu Shen’s head serve as your congratulatory gift—all war merits from his death will be credited to you!”

“By the way, yesterday a ninth-rank clerk from the yamen tried to bribe me to appoint you to night duty. I played along on the surface, but tonight, after you left the post, I secretly kept watch. When those King of Medicine Gang fighters appeared, I intended to intervene, but you handled it yourself—truly astonishing.”

“That little ninth-rank clerk is bold indeed. Later, I’ll introduce you to District Guardian Xing to ensure justice is served and the clerk dismissed.”

Now, Duan Tao addressed Zhuang Jin as “Brother Zhuang,” showing none of the posturing or tests of obedience from their first meeting at the month’s start, nor the arrogant promises, nor the harsh reprimands of the afternoon. Instead, his attitude was subtly deferential, even offering Zhuang Jin a share of the spoils.

...