Meeting

At this moment, the first man—who had only been lightly hurt because the youth had been nervous when making his first move—climbed up from the ground with an "Ow!" Before he had even stood properly, he threw back his head and howled:

"Who?! Which useless, down-and-out bastard dared to sneak-attack me?!"

"May your old mother's feet fester with sores! You dare provoke the Grand Duke..."

But when he focused his eyes, he saw all his brothers sprawled on the ground, screaming miserably. His heart clenched. Then he saw the blue-robed youth. Though his features were refined, the fierce and vast aura about him seemed to rush straight at his face. The man instinctively wanted to retreat, but with all the townsfolk watching, how could he bear to be scared off by a half-grown boy? Gritting his teeth, he whipped a gleaming dagger from his robes and lunged forward with an angry roar:

"Boy, take this!"

If the man had drawn his blade from the start, Wang Anfeng might have been afraid to seize the initiative. But by now, he had recovered from the nervousness of his first fight. His right foot stepped forward ahead of his left, and he turned left with the motion, evading the downward slash. Before the man's startled expression had faded, the youth's left hand had already seized his wrist. Internal force surged as he twisted sharply, while his right arm bent at the elbow and smashed into the man's abdomen. The two movements of the technique flowed with extreme proficiency. As his inner energy struck, the man let out a shrill scream. The long blade flew from his hand, but before it could hit the ground, the youth caught it and swept it into his grasp, flicking out a cold blade flourish.

Since childhood, he had raised pigs at the Master of the Martial Arts School's home. He did not know the methods for applying strength in their family's saber art, but putting on a convincing show was no problem at all. He also understood that evil men needed evil men to grind them down. With a flick of his wrist, the boning knife hummed and came to rest directly against the big man's throat. The man only felt a flash of lightning streak before his eyes, followed by an icy chill at his neck. The hairs on his back stood up as he trembled and shouted:

"Th-this... Young Hero, spare me! Spare me beneath your blade... This, this isn't our fault. It was, it was that Li family man who owed us money. We may have been a little rough... but murder demands a life, and debts must be repaid. Isn't that the law of heaven and earth? That's the rule everywhere, Young Hero..."

As he spoke, the man actually began to plead his own grievance. The dignified, refined middle-aged man beside him turned red with rage and cursed outright:

"Bullshit!"

"I only borrowed ten taels of patterned silver from you. When did it become a hundred taels? Young Hero, do not believe him!"

Seeing this, Wang Anfeng did not immediately pass judgment. Instead, he looked toward the many passersby gathered around to watch. Holding the long blade in his right hand, he raised his left before his chest and gave a slight salute. Pointing to the refined man, he called out, "Good people, I have only just arrived in this place. May I ask what sort of man this gentleman is?"

A jumble of voices rose from the crowd. "Mister Li possesses both virtue and skill—a miracle-working physician!"

"The gentleman is kindhearted. He often gives out porridge and treats the poor without charging a single coin."

There were countless such voices. The youth nodded slightly, then pointed again at the grim-faced man. "And what has this man's conduct usually been like?" The crowd fell silent for a moment before bursts of curses and laughter erupted. The man wanted to look around to see who was speaking, but the chill at the back of his neck suddenly intensified. Cold sweat beaded on his brow, and he did not dare move recklessly again. Wang Anfeng sheathed the blade and stepped back, saying evenly:

"Who is right and who is wrong is already perfectly clear."

Freed from restraint, the man staggered two steps forward, his legs somewhat weak. He knew his face had been utterly thrown away, and that money had likely gone down the drain as well. Humiliation and rage choked his heart, but he still did not forget to help his brothers to their feet. Just then, a young voice sounded behind him again:

"Stop."

"Y-you've gone too far!"

The big man clenched his teeth and turned to glare angrily at Wang Anfeng. But he saw the youth take a cloth pouch from his robes, weigh it in his hand, and casually toss it over without the slightest reluctance. The man caught it instinctively. It felt slightly heavy in his palm, and he knew there were silver and copper coins within. His expression froze. Wang Anfeng had already reversed the blade and planted it in the ground, saying:

"One matter is one matter. Under the laws of Great Qin, debts must indeed be repaid. There are ten taels of silver in that pouch, along with a little copper coin left over. Consider it medicine money for the injuries I caused you."

The man was stunned. These ruffians valued brotherhood among wanderers and fighters; otherwise, they would not have swallowed their humiliation and anger to help their brothers up before leaving. Looking at the youth before him, dressed in a coarse cloth short jacket, he could tell his family circumstances were ordinary. The marks on his hands showed that he was accustomed to hard labor. Yet his conduct carried something of the air of a martial hero who valued righteousness over profit. Ten taels of silver—he had given them away without hesitation. The man gritted his teeth, endured the pain, and clasped his fists.

"A fine man! We admit defeat this time. We accept your favor and count you as a friend!"

Yet Wang Anfeng shook his head.

"I returned the money only because I uphold moral law and respect fundamental reason. Do not misunderstand. If you commit evil again in the future, every time I see you, I'll beat you!"

After speaking, he smiled lightly and added in all seriousness:

"Of course, I won't short you on the medicine money."

"You!"

The crowd burst into laughter. The ruffians were both ashamed and furious, but the youth, though lean, possessed a stern and imposing bearing. The dagger before him seemed still to carry the lightning-like chill from before, and fear filled their hearts. Supporting one another, they covered their faces and fled. Wang Anfeng clasped his fists to the neighbors watching on both sides, then turned toward the refined man. Before he could explain why he had come, Doctor Li let out a long sigh. Weariness showed on his elegant face as he clasped his fists and said:

"Thank you for your trouble, Young Hero... I will go home, count out those ten taels of patterned silver, and give them to you."

Wang Anfeng stepped aside at once, not daring to accept the salute. He raised a hand and removed the Black Iron Wine Pot from his waist, saying warmly:

"Doctor Li, there is no need for this... Otherwise Uncle Li will surely complain about me for half the day."

The man froze slightly, then saw the wine pot in the youth's hand. Its base was black, covered in dense patterns carved with exquisite craftsmanship. His expression changed dramatically, and he could not help crying out:

"This is the Mystic Crystal Pot?!"

"Are you Elder Li's son? Or his disciple?! No... no, that's not right. You did not call him Father, but Uncle Li. Clearly, you are not his disciple either..."

Seeing the refined man's face filled with shock and delight, stripped of his former calm composure, Wang Anfeng felt somewhat reassured. It seemed he had not found the wrong person after all. He was also surprised that Uncle Li's circle of acquaintances was indeed so broad. Clasping his fists, he said, "Neither. Uncle Li was close friends with my father and treats me as one of his own younger kin, so he had me deliver this wine pot to you."

"Ah, why are you still calling me 'sir'? Elder Li's nephew is my nephew as well. If you do not find me objectionable, just call me Uncle Li."

Seeing the delight on the man's face, Wang Anfeng knew that the sight of this wine pot had made him forget even the threat from the big man just now. He did not stand on ceremony. Going along with it, he clasped his fists once more and said, "Uncle Li." Then he turned to the woman beside him, who had wiped away the tear tracks at the corners of her eyes. "Auntie."

Doctor Li's joy was impossible to conceal, and the woman felt great affection for Wang Anfeng, who had lifted their family out of trouble. Holding her child in her arms, she said gently, "Good child, come. Don't stand around outside any longer... Let's go inside first." The refined man slapped his forehead and said as if suddenly enlightened, "Right, right, right! Worthy nephew, come in and sit for a while. Xiuling, prepare some wine and dishes. I'll have a good drink with my worthy nephew."

As he spoke, he reached out, took hold of the youth's arm, and led him into the house. With no more excitement to watch, the crowd in the street scattered like birds and beasts. Only then did two constables, their hands on the saber hilts at their waists, hurry over to the street corner.