Making a Move

"Xiao Ran, are you okay? What's that big gash on your back? Quick, quick, let's get you to the clinic."

Not long after Xiao Ran carried the three troublesome kids out of the woods, he was met by the Village Head and others. Seeing the three children safe and sound, the villagers' heavy hearts finally felt at ease.

Some had wanted to ask how Xiao Ran found them. They had also gone into the woods, but the thick white fog inside had disoriented them, and after wandering around for a while, they had stumbled out again without finding anything.

They had gone in several times, but in the end, they found absolutely nothing.

Before the Village Head could ask anything, others noticed the large gash on Xiao Ran's back. They were immediately startled and forgot about asking questions, rushing to send Xiao Ran to the village clinic.

At this time of day, regular clinics would usually be closed, but the situation was unusual. Fearing any accidents with the three troublesome kids, the Village Head had specifically instructed the clinic doctor to wait.

As it turned out, the three troublesome kids didn't need the doctor, but Xiao Ran was the one enjoying this special privilege.

After examining the wound and confirming it wasn't deep, he simply stitched it up, disinfected it, and bandaged it himself.

After a hasty treatment of his wound, Xiao Ran prepared to go home.

If he went back now, he could still catch the bus to the city. If he left any later, he would have to wait until tomorrow.

"Xiao Ran, why are you in such a hurry to go back? We're having a banquet tonight, you can't leave. The children's parents want to toast you."

The Village Head grabbed Xiao Ran's arm, clearly not intending to let him go.

"Village Head, you see I'm injured and shouldn't be drinking. If I go back to the city early, I can get the stitches done properly at the hospital. It's not appropriate to stay here; if the wound gets infected, it'll be more trouble."

With Xiao Ran saying this, the Village Head couldn't delay him any longer and said earnestly, "Alright then, be careful on your way back. If you feel unwell, come back immediately."

Xiao Ran felt that the Village Head's words had a hidden meaning, but he didn't explain it clearly, as if he had some concerns. He nodded, "Okay, I understand."

Seeing this, the Village Head didn't say anything further and led the villagers to the banquet.

After the Village Head and the others left, Xiao Ran also prepared to go home.

As he walked to the stone tablet at the village entrance, he glanced sideways and saw that the old man who had been hiding under the stone tablet during the day was gone.

Before he could even leave the village entrance, Xiao Ran's eyelids twitched. He narrowed his eyes into slits, looking at the few people in the shadows before him and said, "I just heard the Village Head say that Chef Wang from the village is making a feast tonight. Why aren't you guys going to the banquet and waiting here to see me off?"

"See you off?"

From the shadows, Xiao Jiahui and a few others emerged, carrying clubs. Upon hearing Xiao Ran's words, they couldn't help but laugh.

As they laughed, Xiao Jiahui's expression suddenly tightened, and he glared fiercely at Xiao Ran. "Damn it, we've been waiting for you all day. I thought you weren't leaving after all."

Xiao Ran smiled faintly, but there was no amusement in his eyes. He said calmly, "Waiting for me? What, are you guys reluctant to see me go?" His voice carried a hint of mockery, and he knew exactly why Xiao Jiahui was there.

If it hadn't been for Xiao Ran during the day, his cousin's wife would have likely been unable to withstand the moral bombardment from so many relatives. If she had been unable to refuse, she might have reluctantly agreed, and this guy would have soared to success.

But because of his commotion during the day, his cousin's wife had produced the will, and now his cousin's daydream had vanished into thin air. It was no wonder he hated Xiao Ran so much at this moment.

Xiao Jiahui sneered, "Stop the crap! I'm going to teach you a good lesson today, so you know the rules of our Xiao family. Brothers, don't hold back, attack him together, beat him hard!" Before he finished speaking, he suddenly swung his club and charged at Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran shifted his body slightly, easily dodging the clumsy attack.

His movements seemed simple, yet they were effortless and casual, completely disregarding this childish display.

If it were in the past, he would have run away long ago. But now, it was different. Not to mention the boost from the Corpse Stitcher Curse Mark, which greatly improved his strength and stamina, even the enhancement from Li Shang's Tiger Fist was enough to deal with these insignificant pests.

He had inherited not just a set of boxing techniques, but all of Li Shang's memories and experiences of fighting since he started practicing martial arts.

Facing the encirclement of several people, every step he took seemed perfectly calculated, always skillfully avoiding or neutralizing attacks with minimal movement just as they were about to land.

After continuously dodging the clubs in their hands, Xiao Ran seized an opportunity, let out a low roar, and suddenly accelerated, like a tiger descending from the mountain, charging straight at one of them.

He used the "Pounce" technique from Tiger Fist. This move was incredibly swift, reaching the opponent in an instant.

The man was in a panic and tried to raise his club to block, but it was too late. Xiao Ran struck his chest with a palm, sending him flying backward and crashing to the ground.

Xiao Jiahui and the others stared in shock as their companion fell to the ground, clutching his chest and groaning in pain.

But Xiao Ran didn't give them a chance to recover. He turned and charged at them.

His gaze was as sharp as a knife. He swept his leg low, and the man felt a sharp pain in his leg, losing his balance and falling heavily to the ground. Then, Xiao Ran spun around and slapped backward.

One person, who had been trying to hide behind Xiao Ran and strike him from behind, didn't expect Xiao Ran to suddenly turn around. Before the palm even reached him, he felt the powerful gust of wind sting his face. The man was stunned by Xiao Ran's speed and fierce attack and instinctively raised his club to block.

"Crack!!"

The three-finger-thick club was directly snapped in two. The palm, with its remaining force, sent the man flying and unconscious to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, four or five people were left, with only Xiao Jiahui remaining.

Xiao Jiahui's scalp tingled. Wasn't this kid working at the funeral home? Why would he need to practice martial arts? Who was he preparing for?

These questions flashed through Xiao Jiahui's mind, but in the next second, he couldn't think about the answers. Only two words echoed in his mind: "Run!"

But as he lifted his leg, his feet wouldn't obey. He didn't run out; instead, his legs crossed, and he fell flat on his face.

Seeing his pathetic state, Xiao Ran couldn't help but laugh.

He stepped forward, grabbed the guy by the collar, and lifted him off the ground.

"Ah, don't do anything! Hitting people is illegal!!" Xiao Jiahui screamed and was about to yell for help.

But as soon as he opened his mouth, Xiao Ran raised his hand and slapped him twice.

"Slap! Slap!!"

The two slaps made Xiao Jiahui's head ring. He immediately felt his cheeks burning hot, as if they were about to swell up.

"A good-for-nothing like you dares to think about taking advantage of a widow's misfortune? If you succeeded, how would that mother and daughter survive?"

"No, no, don't hit! I was wrong, stop hitting me, I was wrong."

Seeing Xiao Ran's displeased tone, Xiao Jiahui trembled all over, terrified of another beating from Xiao Ran. He quickly begged for mercy.

Xiao Ran looked at his cowardly appearance with utter disdain. He lost even the interest to beat him again and kicked him away. "I'll be back in a couple of days. If I hear you've even thought about targeting Cousin's Wife's family again, I'll break your dog legs!"

Xiao Jiahui, lying on the ground clutching his stomach, didn't dare to utter a sound upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Xiao Ran patted the dust off his hands and turned to walk out of the village. Once he reached the village entrance, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh, feeling an unprecedented sense of comfort from the inside out.

It was as if he had vented all the regrets and frustrations he had left in the Lost City.

He couldn't help but ponder, "I didn't expect beating people to be so stress-relieving."

As if by inspiration, Xiao Ran felt light and in a great mood. Looking up, he saw the bus heading to the city slowly approaching.

"Well, this way I can vent my anger and head home without delay. It's much more cost-effective than attending a banquet."

After a moment of emotion, Xiao Ran waited for the bus to stop, quickly got on, paid his fare, found a comfortable seat, took out his phone and earphones, and with a piece of light music, he watched as the bus drove forward, gradually disappearing at the end of the road.

"Click!"

The flame of a lighter illuminated a face covered in a full beard. As the flickering light of the flame danced, the man slowly walked out from the green belt. He looked in the direction Xiao Ran's bus had departed and casually took a walkie-talkie from his pocket.

"It's confirmed. This kid has most likely joined. Log it and let's wrap up and go home."

A moment later, a crackling signal came from the walkie-talkie: "Boss, that kid was pretty ruthless. Two people had broken ribs, one had a fractured leg. Are we going to intervene?"

The man exhaled a smoke ring and asked, "Did he use a Cursed Object?"

"No."

"Then why should we care? It's not a violation, and we're not intervening. Give the local authorities a heads-up. If these people report it, just treat it as disturbing the peace. We're not law enforcement, don't try to manage everything when you're bored. Let's wrap up!"

Sorry, I overslept yesterday.