Brother Ji Lost Both Wife and Soldiers

The fish market was Kowloon City's largest seafood wholesale market. Fishing boats brought their catches here after returning from sea, where they were processed and sold wholesale. There were several large sheds and over a hundred seafood shops. It was currently the market's slow period, and only a scattered few people remained inside—some sleeping, some playing cards.

Hao Shuai and Ip Man entered one of the sheds. After asking for the location of Li Hong Ji Fish Market, they headed straight inside. At the moment, Hongmen members were gathered around a table playing cards.

When the people in the fish market saw Ip Man and Hao Shuai enter, they threw down their cards and shouted at Ip Man, "You're his master?"

Hao Shuai was about to answer, but Ip Man stopped him. "That's right. Brother, I think this was just a misunderstanding. We can talk things over calmly, can't we? Could you release my disciple first?"

Ip Man always handled matters with reason and propriety. But reason depended on the situation. The other side clearly had no intention of letting this go. How could a few words from Ip Man possibly settle things?

"Let him out," Zheng Weiji told one of his men. The lackey immediately opened the lid of the water tank, pulled Huang Liang out of the water, and shoved him toward Hao Shuai and Ip Man.

"Junior Brother, are you all right?" Hao Shuai stepped forward to support Huang Liang. Knowing a brawl was about to break out, he untied the rope around Huang Liang's hands first so he would not become a burden later.

"Senior Brother, I'm fine!" Huang Liang moved his somewhat numb wrists and answered stubbornly.

"Ah Liang, why did you injure someone?" Ip Man asked Huang Liang sternly.

"He wanted to spar with me using his hands, but he wasn't good enough to beat me. How is that my fault?" Huang Liang said righteously.

Huang Liang was really too straightforward. He did not even consider the occasion. Saying right in front of so many lackeys that Zheng Weiji could not beat him was practically forcing Zheng Weiji to lose face. Ip Man was strong enough that it was not a problem, but if it had been someone else, they would all have been finished today.

Sure enough, the moment Zheng Weiji heard Huang Liang's words, he flew into a rage and led his men forward to surround them.

"Don't be so impulsive. You're all young men. When people spar, a few minor injuries are unavoidable. Another day, I'll pay your master a special visit and explain everything clearly. May I ask who your master is?" Ip Man still hoped to resolve the matter peacefully.

"Why should I tell you who my master is? Anyway, he's stronger than you." Zheng Weiji was just as bad at talking as Huang Liang. That one sentence immediately made Ip Man's face turn cold. He was clearly angered.

"Enough talk. Did you bring the money or not?" Zheng Weiji continued courting death.

"No. I advise you to think this through carefully and not act rashly." Hao Shuai also preferred not to fight unless necessary.

"Get them!" Unfortunately, all their goodwill was answered with only those three words.

Zheng Weiji probably thought his superior numbers had Ip Man and the others dead to rights. Sadly, he did not understand the terror of a Half-step Hua Jin master and a cheat-user.

"Junior Brother, protect yourself." Seeing that a fight was unavoidable, Hao Shuai told Huang Liang to take care of himself, then lunged forward. Facing two lackeys charging at him, he deflected and countered in one smooth motion, knocking both men to the ground in an instant.

On the other side, freed from the burden of Huang Liang, Ip Man took down five or six lackeys in just a few moves.

Seeing that his lackeys could not handle them, Zheng Weiji overestimated himself and charged at Ip Man. He was sent flying back with a single move.

"Chop them!" Humiliated and enraged, Zheng Weiji directly ordered his men to grab weapons. The lackeys immediately drew machetes and seized clubs as they rushed toward the three men.

"Master, catch." Hao Shuai took out the twin blades from his storage space and tossed them to Ip Man. "Master, fight our way toward the entrance. Don't hold back, or we'll all get hurt." Hao Shuai was afraid Ip Man would show mercy like he had in the movie and put them in a difficult position.

He then took four telescopic batons from his storage space, gave two to Huang Liang for self-defense, and kept two for himself to use like twin blades.

Hao Shuai was afraid he would be unable to hold back, and he also feared Huang Liang would get carried away, so he did not dare use blades.

With twin blades in hand, Ip Man wielded Wing Chun's Eight-Cutting Blades with tremendous force. Hao Shuai also used his telescopic batons like twin blades, constantly familiarizing himself with the Eight-Cutting Blades forms as the two protected Huang Liang and fought their way toward the entrance.

Just as the three reached the entrance, they saw a group of dockworkers rushing over from the opposite side with bamboo poles. Their leader was Ip Man's old acquaintance, Jin Shanzhao.

Jin Shanzhao recognized Ip Man as well and immediately said that Ip Man and the other two could leave first while he handled the rest.

Hao Shuai knew it would not be that simple. Sure enough, a fat man known as the best fighter arrived with a large group and blocked Ip Man's path. The newcomer was Hong Quan's successor, Hong Zhennan.

After arriving, Hong Zhennan first looked over his disciples. Seeing that every one of them was injured, he realized they had encountered formidable opponents. Fortunately, the other side had shown mercy. Only then did he ask Zheng Weiji what had happened.

Being in the wrong, Zheng Weiji naturally did not dare tell the truth. He could only force himself to claim that Ip Man and the others had come to cause trouble.

Hong Zhennan did not immediately deal with Ip Man and the others. Instead, with just a few words, he suppressed Jin Shanzhao until the man could not even lift his head, then dismissed him to the side.

After sending Jin Shanzhao away, Hong Zhennan turned to Ip Man and asked, "Which school are you from?"

"Master Hong, greetings. I am Ip Man, of the Foshan Wing Chun School." Ip Man clasped his fists, neither servile nor overbearing. "The cause of this matter is as follows: my disciple sparred with your disciple. My disciple did indeed strike too heavily and injure your disciple! However, he—"

The moment Hao Shuai heard this, he knew it was over. Master, you just said in front of seventy or eighty people that Hong Zhennan's disciple could not beat your disciple. Did the man not have any pride? Never mind that they already held the advantage—even if Hong Zhennan were at a disadvantage, he would still fight them to the bitter end!

Hao Shuai was utterly speechless. He truly wanted to go back and find a copy of The Art of Language for Ip Man to study properly.

Sure enough, Hong Zhennan directly interrupted Ip Man, questioning why he had not followed the rules. He then explained the rules for opening martial arts schools in Hong Kong and demanded that Ip Man come to Denan Teahouse in three days for a challenge match.

While the two masters faced off, Xu Shichang squeezed through the crowd with two men. He nodded at Hao Shuai and moved behind him. Hao Shuai had asked Xu Shichang to bring these two men before setting out.

"Enough talking! Martial arts schools have their rules, and police stations have theirs. You injured people in a fight, so I have to deal with it. One, two, three—three punks. Cuff them and take them away!" The other fat man who had arrived with Hong Zhennan, Fat Cat—no, Fat Bo—ordered his subordinates.

Clap, clap, clap. Hao Shuai applauded. "Since when did you get to decide the rules of Hong Kong's police force?" He then turned to the bespectacled, refined man in a suit who had arrived with Xu Shichang. "Lawyer Chen, if a police officer openly bends the law for personal gain and favors one side, can I sue that officer?"

Lawyer Chen stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and said with a smile, "Of course. As long as the money is in place, I can guarantee a one hundred percent chance of winning."

At that moment, Fat Bo recognized the refined man as the famous Lawyer Chen of Kowloon City, Hong Kong. Since beginning his career, he had never lost a case. He was a ruthless figure who gave all police and judicial personnel headaches.

"I'm not handling this matter anymore!" Fat Bo immediately lost his nerve and prepared to slip away with his men.

"Wait, Inspector. As a law-abiding citizen, I would now like to report a crime." Hao Shuai stopped Fat Bo.

"What crime are you reporting?" Fat Bo asked in confusion.

"I'm reporting Mr. Zheng Weiji here for leading people to kidnap my Junior Brother Huang Liang, extorting my master Ip Man, and gathering a crowd to assault others." Hao Shuai pointed at Zheng Weiji.

"Kid, watch your mouth, or I'll chop you up." The moment Zheng Weiji heard Hao Shuai's words, he exploded in fury.

"Oh, and add threatening others as well. No problem, Lawyer Chen?" Hao Shuai asked.

"No problem. I will file suit for you as counsel for the victim." Lawyer Chen remained smiling.

"What evidence do you have that he kidnapped and extorted anyone?" Fat Bo could no longer remain calm. Fighting was one thing; kidnapping and extortion were another entirely.

"Of course I have evidence. Guang Yao, give me the camera." Hao Shuai turned to the other young man who had come with Xu Shichang.

"Yes, Brother Hao." Zhou Guangyao stepped forward, took the camera from around his neck, and handed it to Hao Shuai.

"Lawyer Chen, this camera recorded the process of my master and me coming here to ransom someone. That counts as physical evidence. As for witnesses, my fellow disciples all saw their people come to our door and extort us. The neighborhood residents can testify too. Is that enough evidence to prosecute? By the way, what is the sentence for kidnapping and extortion?" Hao Shuai handed the camera to Lawyer Chen and asked.

"Under Hong Kong law, kidnapping another person for the purpose of extorting property carries a sentence of between five and ten years' imprisonment, along with a fine. If the circumstances are severe, the sentence is over ten years or life imprisonment." Lawyer Chen recited Hong Kong law expertly.

Hong Zhennan, Fat Bo, and their people all changed expression upon hearing Hao Shuai's words. Zheng Weiji in particular nearly collapsed when he heard the words "life imprisonment." His legs went weak, and he almost fell to the ground.

"What do you want?" Hong Zhennan asked in a low voice, no longer as forceful as before. After all, the evidence against his disciple was in their hands, yet he could not simply abandon him. Otherwise, once people lost heart, the group would be difficult to lead.

"It's fine if you want me not to prosecute. First, Brother Ji must tell everyone the full cause of this matter. Second, he must publicly apologize to my Junior Brother and pay one thousand dollars in compensation for emotional distress." Hao Shuai raised two fingers at Brother Ji.

Brother Ji had no choice. Losing face was better than going to prison. He could only recount the entire matter truthfully. When he admitted that he had originally arranged a one-on-one fight and forbidden anyone else from interfering, but after failing to beat Huang Liang, he and his fellow disciples had swarmed Huang Liang, knocked him down, and captured him, Hong Zhennan was so angry that his asthma nearly flared up. His fine disciple had completely disgraced Hongmen.

Brother Ji then publicly apologized to Huang Liang and scraped together one thousand dollars for him. After that, under Hong Zhennan's lead, the group slunk away in disgrace.

Fat Bo also hurriedly fled with his two subordinates.

Hao Shuai knew Hong Zhennan was a good man, so he had not intended to make things difficult for him. He simply could not stand Zheng Weiji and wanted to teach him a lesson. After this, Brother Ji probably would not dare go to the Wing Chun martial arts school to cause trouble like he had in the movie.

After Ip Man and the others thanked Jin Shanzhao, they saw off Lawyer Chen, who had received double his legal fee. Only then did the group return to the Rooftop Martial Arts School.

"Xiao Shuai, thank you. We really relied on you this time. Otherwise, this matter would not have been so easily resolved," Ip Man said sincerely.

"That's right! Thank you, Master and Senior Brother. Otherwise, I don't even know whether I would have come back alive." Huang Liang was also deeply grateful.

"You're my master, so there's no need to be polite with me." Hao Shuai spoke to Ip Man, then instructed Huang Liang, "Junior Brother, don't be so impulsive in the future. Use your brain and think things through."

"Master, Senior Brother, I won't be reckless again. What should we do with these one thousand dollars?" Huang Liang promised, then took out the thousand-dollar compensation and asked.

"Take two hundred dollars to nourish yourself properly. Use the rest to rent a more spacious place. Once Master wins the challenge match in three days and can officially open the martial arts school, we'll move there." Knowing Huang Liang was not well-off either, Hao Shuai directly gave him two hundred dollars. He told him to use the remainder to rent a martial arts school, since more and more people were coming to learn martial arts and the rooftop was no longer suitable.

"Do as your Senior Brother says!" Ip Man also knew the rooftop could no longer hold so many people, so he agreed with Hao Shuai's suggestion.