Breaking the Deadlock!

"There's no need to thank me. After all, you and I are cousins! All right, now do as I say and sign this contract first."

After Lu Qiming finished speaking, he took a contract from inside his robe and had a Caobang Disciple deliver it to Lu Feng.

Lu Feng took the contract and glanced over it. Its contents naturally required him to transfer his position as a Constable of Qinglu County to his cousin, Lu Qiming, unconditionally.

Lu Feng wasn't surprised in the slightest. But after reading it, he tore the contract to shreds right in front of everyone.

At the sight of this, Lu Qiming and Li An both gave him icy looks.

Lu Qiming immediately sneered. "Lu Feng, you're asking to die. Since that's the case, don't blame me for showing no mercy. Seize him!"

At his words, the Caobang Disciples surrounding them immediately charged forward.

Lu Feng's gaze turned cold. He swept his leg out, knocking the first attacker to the ground.

Then he shouted, "How dare you! You actually dare to assault an official in broad daylight!"

At this, some of the more timid Caobang Disciples faltered, afraid to advance.

Li An immediately called out, "Brothers, don't listen to him! After today, he won't be a Constable anymore. All of you, get him! Just leave him breathing!"

Rallied by Li An, the Caobang Disciples once again charged forward.

Seeing how lawless these men were, Lu Feng stopped holding back and unleashed a series of palms at the attackers.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In an instant, several men at the front were sent flying.

Most of the Caobang Disciples were Martial Artists below the Third Rank. How could they withstand Lu Feng's attacks?

Those he struck either died on the spot or collapsed with grievous injuries.

As he kept attacking, more and more Caobang Disciples fell across the street.

At the sight of this, Li An and Lu Qiming, on the opposite side of the street, grew more and more grim.

Lu Qiming turned to Li An. "Great Chieftain Li, Lu Feng's already reached the Sixth-Rank Martial Artist level. You'll have to deal with him yourself if we want to take him down."

Li An gave a slight nod. Then, with a single burst of speed, he appeared in front of Lu Feng and punched straight at his face.

Smack!

Just as the fist was about to land, a hand like iron suddenly caught it.

Li An's gaze sharpened, and he felt a flicker of surprise.

He hadn't expected Lu Feng to catch his punch head-on.

Just as Li An tried to pull his fist back, he realized Lu Feng had clamped down on his right hand. He couldn't wrench it free at all.

Lu Feng's lips curved slightly. "Heh. Great Chieftain Li, since you dared to attack me, I'll settle both old and new scores with you today."

As he spoke, he raised a hand and struck with his palm. Li An narrowed his eyes and immediately punched to block it.

Bang!

Fist and palm collided. Li An was sent staggering backward, his striking fist throbbing with pain.

Once he steadied himself, Li An blurted out, "Lu Feng! You're not a Sixth-Rank Martial Artist—you're a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist!"

Lu Feng looked at him as if he were an idiot. "When did I ever say I was a Sixth-Rank Martial Artist? Hmph, enough talk. Take this palm!"

Lu Feng leaped straight toward Li An, then unleashed a flurry of palms, his hands moving like phantoms.

Though Li An had been at a disadvantage just now, he was a genuine Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, with plenty of combat experience.

Facing Lu Feng's relentless assault, Li An immediately used his signature fist technique to defend himself.

For a while, the two traded blows back and forth in the street.

The Caobang Disciples couldn't get involved in their fight at all, and even Lu Qiming, standing nearby, was stunned by Lu Feng's strength.

Yesterday, he'd gone to Lu Feng's home to cause him trouble. Back then, Lu Feng had only revealed Sixth-Rank Martial Artist strength. It seemed he'd still underestimated him.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

By now, Lu Feng and Li An were locked in a fierce struggle. But anyone with a sharp eye could see that Lu Feng still hadn't used a single Martial Skill. He was countering Li An's signature fist technique with nothing but ordinary moves.

Li An was both horrified and under immense pressure. He was a veteran Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, and the fist technique he used was a mid-tier Martial Skill.

Yet even that hadn't forced Lu Feng to use a Martial Skill.

That was enough to tell him Lu Feng was far stronger than he was.

Seeing that he couldn't take Lu Feng down, Li An had already started thinking about retreating.

But how could Lu Feng let him go so easily? After gauging Li An's true strength, he stopped testing him. He darted forward and shouted,

"Cloud-Dispelling Palm, Fourth Style: Mountain-Overturning Sea-Crushing!"

His palms struck together like mountains and seas crashing down. Li An immediately used his signature fist technique to hold them off.

But the moment his fists met Lu Feng's palms, a terrifying force blasted him—and his fists—back through the air.

Crack!

Pfft!

Li An was sent flying backward, coughing up blood. Both his arms had been broken by that single palm strike.

Lu Qiming and the other Caobang Disciples, standing some distance away, were all stunned by the sight.

It took Lu Qiming a long moment to react. Then, without a word, he turned and ran.

Lu Feng suddenly gave a cold laugh behind him. "Heh, cousin! We're not finished yet. Why are you in such a hurry to run?"

As he spoke, Lu Feng shot after him. Lu Qiming glanced back and was so terrified he nearly lost his soul.

Just as Lu Feng was about to catch him, Lu Qiming suddenly spun around and flicked a dagger from his sleeve.

A green sheen glimmered on the dagger. It was clearly poisoned.

But Lu Feng had been prepared. He dodged to the side, avoiding the dagger.

Then he leaped up and struck Lu Qiming with a palm. As a Sixth-Rank Martial Artist, Lu Qiming wasn't about to sit idly by, so he raised his fist to meet it.

Bang! Lu Qiming clutched his arm as he was sent flying backward.

Before Lu Qiming could get up, Lu Feng planted a foot on his chest. Lu Qiming howled in pain.

"Ow! Lu Feng, get off me!"

Looking down at Lu Qiming screaming beneath his foot, Lu Feng merely stared at him coldly. "Cousin, why are you running? Weren't you just telling me to cripple one of my arms?"

Lu Qiming glared at Lu Feng, his face twisted with venom. "Lu Feng, you'd better let me go. My father won't spare you!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

A glint of cold light flashed in Lu Feng's eyes. He raised his foot and stomped hard on Lu Qiming's right arm.

Crack! Lu Qiming's right arm was crushed on the spot.

"Ah!"

The excruciating pain drew another scream from him.

At that, Lu Feng slowly lifted his foot and said, "Cousin, remember this lesson. If you dare provoke me again, the consequences won't be as simple as losing an arm."

After he finished speaking, Lu Feng turned back toward the street and grabbed Li An, who was lying on the ground. He dragged him toward the yamen like a dead dog.