One Man Against a Gang, A Moment of Life and Death

Hongye Village, Main Headquarters.

When Sha Heihu received the news, he flew into a thunderous rage.

"What? Hall Master Yang is dead? A bunch of ants, how dare they resist!"

Qiu Yun and Yang He had fallen one after another, which was like having his right and left arms severed. Sha Heihu also hadn't expected that the mysterious strongman who killed Xiao Tian would actually dare to oppose him.

"Not a single person from Jinshui Town will be spared. Kill!"

In an instant, members from various halls gathered. Sha Heihu and Jin Buhuan led the troops, charging toward the town.

At the Iron Clothes Martial Arts School, everyone had packed up and mounted fast horses, breaking through along the most weakly defended path on the small road.

"You actually managed to rescue them." Li Qian saw Zhou Qiming and the others return, finding it hard to believe.

"Shut up. This is our benefactor." Chef Li shot his daughter a harsh glare.

If his daughter hadn't been so arrogant back then, they might have actually secured the marriage. Zhou Qiming was such a fine young man—far better than Xiao Tian in every way.

Li Qian was utterly stunned. This was the first time her father had spoken to her so harshly, and it made her feel wronged. Zhou Qiming must have just gotten lucky, taking advantage of the enemy's empty base. What was so impressive about that?

Meanwhile, Yuan Tieyi and Cheng Yu were greatly shaken. Yang He's skills were no joke, yet he had still fallen to Zhou Qiming. This kid's strength had improved again!

Not long ago, when they had tested his abilities, Zhou Qiming was only at the Muscle Cultivation Perfection level. In just over ten days, could he have already reached Minor Bone Forging Accomplishment?

Yuan Tieyi took a deep breath. The more he thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed. This kid's potential was astonishing. He could only regret being blind back then, missing the chance to invest in Zhou Qiming.

"Good to have you back." Seeing everyone safe, Xu Hailai let out a long sigh of relief.

But there was no time for complacency. No sooner had they emerged from the secret passage out of the city than they were blocked by the Jinsha Gang's men.

"Scatter and flee. I'll hold them off." Yuan Tieyi was resolute, determined to buy everyone time and opportunity.

He was the only one on the field at Bone Forging Perfection. For a short while, he could ignore his hidden injuries and burst forth with the strength of the Tendon Transformation level, enough to stall Jin Buhuan and the others for a moment.

As for the Jinsha Gang's Bone Forging hall masters beneath that level, it would depend on the fate of Cheng Yu and the rest. If they were lucky, they might escape the pursuit.

"Master, we'd rather fight them to the death!" Cheng Yu and Fang Hai were both unwilling to flee alone.

"No. The legacy of my Iron Cloth Skill cannot be broken. Do you want this old man to die for nothing?" Yuan Tieyi's muscles bulged, and his aura surged explosively, as if he had returned to his youth.

Rather than everyone dying together, it was better to leave behind a spark for revenge. Yuan Tieyi was decisive, sending everyone to safety.

In the town, the major forces had either been absorbed or annihilated. Only Zhang Tie from the Blacksmith Shop and a few craftsmen, the Cheng Family members, the tavern staff, and two or three disciples from the martial arts school remained.

For a moment, everyone was filled with respect and gratitude for Yuan Tieyi's courage.

"Hmph, old fool, none of you are getting away. You dared to kill my Jinsha Gang's men. Die."

Sha Heihu dismounted and walked over coldly, his entire body radiating an extremely terrifying fluctuation of internal energy.

"What? His aura is long and steady, his blood energy like a dragon—this is a master of internal cultivation!"

Yuan Tieyi stared fixedly, his heart trembling. The gap in strength was too great. This was trouble.

If it were just the Tendon Transformation Realm, it might still be manageable. But the opponent had mastered internal cultivation. How could he possibly fight?

Practice martial arts without cultivating internal energy, and you'll end up empty-handed in old age. A martial artist who has mastered internal energy won't see their blood energy decline too much with age. In fact, it only grows stronger over time, following an upward curve.

Coupled with Yuan Tieyi's hidden injuries, this battle was hopeless.

"Heh, This Seat has just broken through, and you'll be my first victim. Old fool, you should feel honored."

Sha Heihu laughed heartily, utterly carefree.

A few years ago, he still had to hide his strength and act weak in front of the Iron Clothes Martial Arts School. But after receiving resources from the Hantian Army, he no longer needed to pretend. This was the change that strength brought.

For a moment, everyone was filled with despair. Facing a Tendon Transformation martial artist who had mastered internal energy, even Hall Master Yuan couldn't buy much time. They were doomed.

Yuan Tieyi barely mustered his courage, leaping forward to unleash his killing move. Strong or weak, he would only know after fighting.

With the Iron Cloth Force empowering him, his training uniform became as hard as steel, billowing and cutting through the wind, causing the air to tremble and crack.

At the same time, Yuan Tieyi was decisive. He activated all his Great Tendons, enduring the pain of his injuries, and tapped into the foundation of the Tendon Transformation Realm.

"Iron Stone Fist!"

The old man threw a full-force punch, reaching the Tendon Transformation level. Even a martial artist of the same realm would have their bones broken and tendons snapped if hit.

"A mantis trying to stop a chariot. Watch my Tiger Fiend!"

Sha Heihu shook his head in disdain. Fifty years of Black Fiend Skill internal force surged like a tide, and in an instant, he slashed out with the Black Tiger Soul Severing Blade.

This blade technique was the most ordinary, but with the addition of his profound internal force, it became extraordinary, like a sharp Precious Weapon that could cut through gold and iron.

With a shiiing, even the few stray blade energies that leaked out had already cut through Yuan Tieyi's skin and membrane, instantly drenching him in blood.

"Tiger Fiend! Tiger Might!"

Relying on his physical advantage and his endless internal force, Sha Heihu swiftly slashed two more times.

Yuan Tieyi was already struggling to hold on, and now he was struck as if by lightning. His hardened body was broken like an eggshell, and he flew back spewing blood.

"How infuriating—if only I were ten years younger." Yuan Tieyi coughed up mouthfuls of blood, his face as pale as gold paper. He was completely finished this time. He had never expected the other party's internal cultivation to be so terrifying.

Spending the same amount of time, internal cultivation yielded far less in the early stages than Hardening Arts, and without talent, it was extremely difficult to even get started. He had no idea how Sha Heihu had managed to cultivate it.

"What, Hall Master Yuan has already lost?"

"It's over, we're all going to die. Is this the strength of the Tendon Transformation Realm?"

"How hateful! We paid the Protection Fee, so why won't the Jinsha Gang let us go?"

The crowd was filled with fear, dejection, and despair. Even Yuan Tieyi couldn't withstand a single blow from him, let alone ants like them at the Muscle Cultivation or Skin Grinding level.

The Jinsha Gang's lineup was too powerful, inspiring utter hopelessness.

"Gang Leader, if we send these Body Tempering Martial Artists to the Hantian Army, King Chaotian might find them useful." Jin Buhuan suggested from the side.

Chao Ritian's martial talent was astonishing, and he commanded the Five Great Heavenly Generals. To improve and deduce martial arts, he often used Body Tempering Martial Artists for demonic experiments. Yuan Tieyi's flesh might even come in handy.

"Good, I'll cripple their limbs first, so they don't get unruly." Sha Heihu sneered coldly, stepping forward like a fierce tiger.

Suddenly, a figure carrying a blade stood in front of the crowd. An iron-like giant hand seized Sha Heihu's shoulder, pressing down like a great mountain, forcing the latter's feet to sink into the bluestone road, unable to move a single step forward.

And that single step was like an insurmountable chasm.

"It's Qiming!"

"Heavens, Qiming, get out of the way! This guy isn't someone you can handle."

"Even Hall Master Yuan lost. Don't be reckless."

Cheng Yu and Xu Hailai were both extremely worried, issuing urgent warnings.

"Step forward, and you die." Zhou Qiming's voice was cold, leaving only his back to the crowd.

He too wanted to know—was his own martial art at the Three Layers of Breaking Limits more formidable, or was the other party's internal cultivation deeper?