Making a Move

"Xiao Ran, are you all right? How did you get such a big gash on your back? Quick, quick, let's get you to the clinic."

Not long after Xiao Ran carried the three kids out of the woods, the village head and the others came to meet him. Seeing that the children were all safe and sound, the villagers finally let out the breaths they'd been holding.

Someone had wanted to ask Xiao Ran how he'd found them. They'd gone into the woods too, but it was full of thick white fog. They'd wandered around in there for ages, only to stumble back out in a daze.

They'd gone in several times, one after another, but in the end, they hadn't found a thing.

Before the village head could ask, though, the others noticed the huge gash on Xiao Ran's back and were immediately alarmed. They forgot all about asking questions and hurriedly called for someone to take him to the village clinic.

At this hour, ordinary clinics would have closed for the day. But things were different today. Worried that something might happen to the three kids, the village head had specifically asked the clinic doctor to stay late.

As it turned out, the three kids didn't need the clinic. Xiao Ran was the one who got to enjoy that special treatment first.

After checking the wound and confirming it wasn't deep, he gave it a few quick stitches, then disinfected and bandaged it himself.

After hastily treating the wound, Xiao Ran prepared to head home.

If he left now, he could still catch the bus into the city. Any later, and he'd have to wait until tomorrow.

"Xiao Ran, why are you in such a hurry to leave? We're hosting a banquet tonight. You can't go—the children's parents want to raise a glass to you."

The village head grabbed Xiao Ran by the arm, making it clear he had no intention of letting him go.

"Chief, look at me. I'm injured, so I shouldn't drink. If I get back to the city early, I can have the wound properly stitched up at the hospital. It wouldn't be wise to stay here. If it gets worse, that'll just cause more trouble."

After hearing that, the village head couldn't very well hold him back. He said earnestly, "All right, then. Be careful on your way back. If you start feeling unwell, come straight back."

Xiao Ran had the feeling the village head's words held some hidden meaning, but he wasn't explaining it, as if he had his reasons. Xiao Ran nodded. "All right, I understand."

Seeing that, the village head said nothing more and led the villagers off to the banquet.

Once the village head and the others had left, Xiao Ran prepared to head home too.

When he reached the stone marker at the village entrance, he glanced to the side. The old man who'd been hiding beneath it during the day had vanished.

Before he could leave the village, Xiao Ran's eyelids twitched. His eyes narrowed to slits as he looked at the figures in the shadows ahead. "I just heard the chief say he'd hired Chef Wang from the village to prepare a big feast tonight. Why aren't you guys there drinking? Are you waiting here to see me off?"

"See you off?"

Several men, including Xiao Jiahui, emerged from the shadows with clubs in their hands. Hearing Xiao Ran's words, they couldn't help laughing.

As they laughed, Xiao Jiahui's face suddenly hardened. He glared at Xiao Ran with hateful eyes. "Damn it, we've been waiting for you all day. We thought you weren't leaving."

Xiao Ran smiled faintly, though there wasn't a trace of amusement in his eyes. "Waiting for me? What, can't you bear to see me go?" His voice held a hint of mockery. He knew exactly why Xiao Jiahui had come.

If it hadn't been for Xiao Ran that day, his Cousin's Wife probably wouldn't have been able to withstand all the relatives' moral pressure. In the end, she might have been pushed into reluctantly agreeing, and this guy would have soared to success overnight.

But after Xiao Ran had made a scene earlier, his Cousin's Wife had brought out the will. Now his cousin's daydream had gone up in smoke. No wonder he hated Xiao Ran so much.

Xiao Jiahui sneered. "Cut the crap! I'm going to teach you a good lesson today and show you the rules of the Xiao family. Brothers, don't hold back—get him! Beat him hard!" Before he'd even finished speaking, he swung his club and charged at Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran shifted slightly to the side, easily dodging the clumsy attack.

His movement looked simple, but it was effortless and casual. He didn't take such a childish attack seriously at all.

In the past, he would've run for it. But things were different now. The enhancement from the [Corpse Stitcher] curse mark had greatly increased his strength and stamina, and the boost from Li Shang's Tiger Fist was more than enough to deal with this rabble.

After all, what he'd inherited wasn't just a set of Fist Techniques. It was all of Li Shang's memories and experience in combat, from the day he'd first started learning to fight.

Faced with several attackers, Xiao Ran seemed to calculate every step perfectly. Just as an opponent's attack was about to land, he'd deftly dodge it or deflect it with the slightest movement.

After dodging several clubs, Xiao Ran spotted an opening and let out a sharp shout. His body suddenly accelerated, like a fierce tiger charging down a mountain, and lunged straight at one of them.

He used the "Pouncing Stance" from Tiger Fist. The move was so swift that he was in front of his opponent in an instant.

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

Xiao Jiahui and the others stared at their companion, who was sprawled on the ground, clutching his chest and howling in pain. They couldn't help looking stunned.

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

His gaze was as sharp as a blade. A sweeping kick struck one man, and a burst of pain shot through his leg. He lost his balance and crashed hard to the ground. Xiao Ran spun around and slapped backward at the same time.

One man had been planning to sneak up behind Xiao Ran and club him from behind. But Xiao Ran suddenly turned around and swung a slap at him. Before the palm even reached him, the forceful gust of wind stung his face. Stunned by Xiao Ran's speed and fierce attack, the man instinctively raised his club in front of him.

Crack!

To his shock, the three-finger-thick club was smashed in two. The slap still had enough force behind it to send the man flying to the ground, where he passed out.

In the blink of an eye, four or five men had been reduced to just Xiao Jiahui.

Xiao Jiahui's scalp went numb. Didn't this guy work at a Funeral Home? Why would he need to learn Fist Techniques? Who was he trying to defend himself against?

The questions flashed through Xiao Jiahui's mind, but the next second, he had no time to think about the answers. There were only two words in his head: Run!

But when he lifted a leg, his foot wouldn't obey him. He didn't run at all. Instead, his feet tangled together, and he sprawled onto the ground, face-first.

Seeing how useless he was, Xiao Ran couldn't help laughing.

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

"Ah! Don't do anything stupid! Hitting people is against the law!" Xiao Jiahui shrieked and was about to shout for help.

But the moment he opened his mouth, Xiao Ran raised his hand and slapped him twice across the face.

Smack! Smack!

The two slaps made Xiao Jiahui's head ring. His cheeks immediately turned red and hot, as if they were about to swell up.

"You worthless piece of trash. You were still thinking about marrying into that family and taking everything they had. If you'd gotten your way, what would have become of that mother and daughter?"

"D-don't hit me! I was wrong! Please stop!"

Seeing Xiao Ran's hostile expression, Xiao Jiahui trembled all over. Afraid Xiao Ran would beat him to a pulp, he hurriedly begged for mercy.

Seeing what a coward he was, Xiao Ran looked at him with disdain. He'd lost all interest in beating him again, so he kicked him to the ground. "I'll be back in a couple of days. If I hear you're still going after my Cousin's Wife's family, I'll break your damn legs!"

Xiao Jiahui lay on the ground, clutching his stomach. At that, he didn't even dare let out a peep.

Only then did Xiao Ran brush the dust off his hands and turn toward the village exit. Once he'd left the village, he let out a long breath. For the first time, he felt completely at ease, from head to toe.

It was as if he'd finally vented all the frustration and regret he'd carried away from the Lost City.

He couldn't help thinking, I never knew beating people could be such a stress reliever.

As they said, good fortune came to those in good spirits. Xiao Ran felt light and cheerful. When he looked up, he saw the bus to the city trundling toward him.

"Well, I got to vent and still made it home on time. That's way better value than going to the banquet."

After a sigh, Xiao Ran waited for the bus to stop, then hurried aboard and dropped in his fare. He found a comfortable seat, took out his phone and earphones, and listened to a soft tune as the bus drove ahead, gradually disappearing down the road.

Crack!

The lighter's flame illuminated a face covered in a thick beard. As the flickering light danced across it, the man strolled out from the greenery. Watching the bus carry Xiao Ran away, he casually pulled a walkie-talkie from his pocket.

"It's confirmed. That kid has most likely entered the ranks. Make a note of it. We're done here—let's go home."

A while later, a crackling signal came through the walkie-talkie. "Boss, that kid hit pretty hard. Two men have broken ribs, and another has a broken leg. Should we do anything?"

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

"No."

"Then why would we? He didn't break any rules, so we don't get involved. Give the local authorities a heads-up. If those guys file a report, have it handled as disorderly conduct. We're not a law-enforcement agency. Don't go sticking your nose into everything. We're done here!"