Trouble with the Zhao Family (middle)

Seeing the men chasing after him, Qin Yan curled his lips into a faint smile.

With his speed of 1.6, he led them along at his own pace, as easily as if he were walking dogs.

Qin Yan knew this forest far better than they did, and it took him hardly any effort to shake them off.

"That little bastard Qin Yan is like a rabbit. Split up and find him."

Zhao Wen led the others through the forest in search of him, but the lush vegetation blocked their view, making him even angrier.

Crack!

"Aah! My foot!"

Qin Yan crept closer under cover of the trees and swung his long-handled brush knife hard, bringing the back of the blade straight down on the ankle of Zhao Jia, the fifth of the Zhao brothers.

The blow hadn't broken the bone clean through, but it had definitely cracked it. There was no way it would heal in less than a month or two.

Having struck his target, Qin Yan retreated without the slightest hesitation.

"Fifth brother!"

Zhao Wen and the other two cousins hurried to Zhao Jia's side and looked at his bleeding ankle.

A sense of foreboding instantly settled over the three of them.

That Qin Family kid was definitely not as simple as he looked. In such a short time, he had already taken down three of them.

They had never dreamed that a half-grown kid could be so underhanded.

"Brother Wen, what do we do now? We're at too much of a disadvantage in these woods."

The two men who had come along were frightened as well. Qin Yan had struck viciously: the bone in Zhao Jia's ankle was exposed. If he had used a little more force, the leg might have been crippled.

The boy's viciousness had truly scared them, and they were terrified of being his next victims.

"Back!"

The veins bulged on Zhao Wen's forehead. He wanted nothing more than to flay Qin Yan alive, but he understood that if they stayed, even he might not be safe.

The two men lifted Zhao Jia between them and started retreating toward the mountain path.

"Did I say you could leave?"

A figure slowly appeared in front of the four men, blocking their way.

"Qin Yan!"

Seeing who it was, Zhao Wen forced the name out through gritted teeth.

"Brother Zhao Wen, it's been a long time. I didn't expect you to recognize me."

Qin Yan's voice was teasing, and he showed no intention of stepping aside.

Zhao Wen glanced at the long-handled brush knife resting on Qin Yan's shoulder, and a trace of wariness flashed in his eyes.

He knew that half-grown boys like this had little sense of restraint when they struck. If this wasn't handled well, one or two people could easily die.

He felt a faint trace of regret for agreeing to his sister's request to deal with this matter.

Second brother, fifth brother, and their cousin Zhao Sheng had all suffered because of it.

The kid before him was bold and meticulous, and his methods were exceptionally underhanded. If they mishandled this, trouble would likely follow.

"Didn't fourth sister say this kid was honest and good-natured? How is he so cunning and ruthless?"

He had met Qin Yan before, but the change was far too great.

Zhao Wen's expression shifted constantly.

"Qin Yan, what exactly do you want?"

"What do I want?" The smile vanished from Qin Yan's face. "You came looking for trouble with me to vent Zhao He's anger, and you're asking me what I want?"

Qin Yan slowly walked toward the three men.

"Three against one, and you think we can't beat you, kid?"

Seeing how arrogant Qin Yan was, Zhao Wen's face darkened. Even as he spoke, the three men couldn't help backing away.

One careless move against that brush knife in Qin Yan's hand could cost them their lives.

A sharp light flashed in Qin Yan's eyes, and he planted the brush knife straight into the ground.

"I won't bully you, either. Let's fight barehanded!"

Qin Yan stepped forward, spread his hands, and made a provocative gesture.

So arrogant!

The same thought occurred to all four Zhao men at once. They put Zhao Jia on the ground, and the other three exchanged glances.

"You said it, so don't blame the three of us for ganging up on you, kid."

Zhao Wen spoke in a sinister tone while charging quickly at Qin Yan.

"Good!"

Qin Yan gave a sinister smile. Zhao Wen's heart jolted, and a bad feeling came over him.

Just as he had suspected, Qin Yan suddenly flung out his arm, sending a graceful arc of lime powder flying from his sleeve.

The three men had been prepared. They quickly raised their arms to shield their eyes and blocked the sneak attack.

At the same time, Qin Yan used the momentum of his turn to snatch up the long-handled brush knife behind him. He turned again, lowered his body, and swept it low.

A burst of agony shot through Zhao Wen's left calf. Unable to support himself, he quickly fell to the ground.

I let my guard down!

Zhao Wen's heart sank. A gust of wind swept past him, and two muffled impacts and his cousins' screams rang out almost simultaneously.

Qin Yan moved extremely fast, and his attacks were impossible to guard against.

Nearly all six of them had been caught by his tricks. Every one of them lay on the ground, unable to fight back.

Lying on the ground, Zhao Wen could dimly make out Qin Yan's movements. Unlike a street thug's brawling, his attacks and defenses were well-founded and methodical.

The two cousins had already passed out from the pain.

Those moves were far too underhanded.

Qin Yan shook the remaining lime powder from his sleeve, unable to keep the corners of his mouth from rising.

It had been a little shameless, but at least he hadn't been hurt.

He had soloed six opponents without taking a hit. A brilliant record!

Qin Yan felt the abundant stamina in his body. His strength of 1.6 had far exceeded his expectations.

He narrowed his eyes and waved away the drifting lime dust.

"Zhao Wen, your Zhao Family wants to back Zhao He up, but I, Qin Yan, am not someone you can push around.

"The affairs of our Qin Family aren't yours to meddle in.

"Remember, I'm only warning you once.

"Next time, I won't be as lenient as I was today. You'd better not close your eyes, because I'll make sure your Zhao Family's chickens and dogs know no peace."

Qin Yan looked at Zhao Wen, who lay on the ground clutching his foot, his face contorted with pain. His voice was icy.

"You despicable little bastard! All you know how to do is ambush people. If you've got the guts, fight us fair and square."

Seeing his brothers brought down by sneak attacks, Zhao Jia's eyes turned red with anger, and he couldn't help cursing.

Qin Yan answered him with a merciless sneer. Pointing at his own head, he said, "Put that pig brain of yours to use. Six of you couldn't beat me alone. The gap between us is a little too big. You don't actually think you can beat me, do you?"

Paying the fool no further attention,

Qin Yan turned and headed out of the mountains.

"Zhao Wen, remember what I said today."

Hearing this, Zhao Wen watched Qin Yan's departing back with a bitter expression and resentment in his heart.

The kid was far too arrogant.

At the same time, fear rose in his heart. When it came to underhanded tactics, the kid had easily played them for fools.

If he had been one of the ruthless men in the underworld, they would probably all be dead by now.

He was young, yet he acted with such ruthlessness and decisiveness!

Deep down, Zhao Wen truly didn't want to provoke the kid.

Back on the mountain path!

Qin Yan saw Zhao He and two of the Zhao brothers.

"Qin Yan! Why is it you? Where are my eldest brother and the others?"

Seeing Qin Yan safe and sound, Zhao He's heart sank. She first backed away several steps and fell to the ground, fear instantly appearing in her eyes.

"Qin Yan, you despicable, shameless bastard! Once I recover, I'll break both your arms and both your legs!"

Zhao Wu, whose eyes and groin were now in terrible pain, roared savagely.

The little bastard had nearly made him less than a man.

"Break my arms and legs? I'm afraid you won't get the chance."

Hearing Zhao Wu's threats, Qin Yan's gaze turned cold. Zhao Wu dared threaten him to his face.

If that wasn't courting death, what was?

"Qin Yan, what are you doing?"

Watching Qin Yan draw steadily closer, Zhao He grew even more terrified.

Crack!

Without the slightest mercy, Qin Yan brought the back of the blade down directly on one of Zhao Wu's legs.

"Ah, second brother!"

Zhao He let out a scream. One of Zhao Wu's legs had been smashed clean through. Veins bulged all over him from the pain, and he lay on the ground screaming his heart out, tears and snot streaming down his face.

He no longer looked anything like the man who had been shouting threats so viciously a moment ago.

"Zhao Wu, remember this: if you don't have the ability, don't bark like a dog. Next time, I'll do more than break your dog legs."

As for Zhao He, she had wanted to have someone break his legs.

Qin Yan's eyes were icy as he slowly walked toward her.

"Qin Yan, what are you doing? I'm your sister-in-law!"

Zhao He's voice trembled as she backed away again and again.

Qin Yan sneered and stepped on her calf. Tears and snot immediately streamed down Zhao He's face from the pain.

"My dear sister-in-law, I heard you wanted to break my legs. I'm the sort who always pays back the slightest grudge!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Qin Yan stomped down hard and broke Zhao He's calf, leaving her rolling around on the ground in pain.

"Qin Yan, you beast!"

Back in the village!

Qin Yan headed straight for the old village chief's house and worked up his emotions.

Tears welled in his eyes.

"Old village chief, help! The Zhao Family is trying to kill me!"