Spar

As the carriage pulled away from Huangshi County and drew closer to Anning County, the number of refugees on the road dwindled significantly.

Even the cries of jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards in the surrounding wilderness became sporadic.

The group's tightly wound nerves finally began to relax.

Thirty miles outside the city of Anning County, they reached the final rest stop.

Luo Houping glanced at the sky:

"We'll rest here for the night. We'll be back in Anning County by tomorrow evening."

Wang Youfang let out a sigh of relief:

"Finally, no more sight of those crazed refugees. It's much better around here!"

Li Chuan remained noncommittal.

The others felt a bit more at ease, their faces showing hints of smiles as they chatted and ate their dry rations.

Once they returned to Anning County tomorrow, a Bright Force martial artist would earn at least seven taels of silver for this trip.

That was more than two months' worth of salary!

Moreover, they hadn't encountered any danger, making it well worth the effort.

Li Chuan had no interest in joining their idle chatter and headed straight into the house.

"Uncle Luo, are these shields durable?" he asked while chewing on a piece of hard, dry flatbread.

Luo Houping tore off a chicken leg and handed it to him:

"Of course they're durable. These aren't ordinary wooden shields. Do you see those vines and leather ropes on them?

They've all been soaked in a special medicinal solution, making them exceptionally tough.

As long as you have enough strength, they can even withstand an attack from a Dark Force martial artist."

Luo Houping sighed with a touch of melancholy:

"Before, I tried to save some effort and used ordinary wooden shields. When we ran into a pride of lions, they couldn't hold up at all. A dozen people were killed or injured, and the horses were spooked and ran off."

Li Chuan sighed, "Those were accidents; they couldn't be helped."

After the two chatted for a while, shouts suddenly erupted from outside.

"Zhang Qiang, aren't you known as the 'Thunder-Striding Hand'? Go up there and spar with someone!"

"Let us see the famous Thunder-Striding Hand in action!"

Luo Houping smiled and explained:

"The nights are hard to pass, so everyone often finds some entertainment. But since they're all rough martial artists who can neither sing nor dance, they can only spar."

"Why don't you go and trade a few blows? It's a good chance to see various schools of martial arts. There are many people here who have traveled far and wide—some use blades, some use bows, and others use fists and palms."

Li Chuan thought about it; he really didn't know much about the techniques of other schools, and it wouldn't hurt to broaden his horizons.

He followed Luo Houping out of the wooden house and saw that several bonfires had already been lit.

Beside the fires, two men were grappling, trading punches and kicks in a lively display.

The rest of the group stood scattered around, watching.

The Thunder-Striding Hand truly lived up to his reputation, winning the bout with ease.

As the man who delivered the medicine, he was acquainted with many people.

A large crowd cheered and egged him on.

Luo Houping introduced him to the group:

"This is Li Chuan, a top student from the Pine Wind Martial Hall. Zhang Qiang, why don't you spar with him?"

Hearing this, everyone turned their gaze toward Li Chuan.

Since joining the medicine delivery team, Li Chuan rarely engaged in useless social interactions, often keeping to himself to practice his stances.

The fact that he enjoyed "special treatment" had made many people resent him.

Zhang Qiang, the Thunder-Striding Hand, was one of them.

He curled his lip:

"Boss Luo, my palm techniques aren't just for show. What if I hurt this 'top student' Li?"

Wang Youfang scoffed, speaking up for Li Chuan:

"If you ask me, you're the one who won't be able to beat him!"

Li Chuan said calmly:

"It's fine. Fists and feet have no eyes; if anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility for it myself."

Zhang Qiang was taken aback:

"You've got guts, but I won't hold back."

Li Chuan didn't say another word, simply stepping forward and settling into a fighting stance.

Aside from sparring with others at the Martial Hall, he had almost never engaged in a head-on, one-on-one life-or-death struggle.

The only two times he had killed anyone, he had won through sneak attacks.

Therefore, this left Li Chuan curious about exactly what level his strength had reached.

Seeing Li Chuan standing motionless, Thunder-Striding Hand gradually lost his patience.

The muscles in his thighs bulged as he stomped and pushed off the ground, his entire body lunging toward Li Chuan like an arrow released from a bowstring.

His right palm moved with extreme speed, even breaking the sound barrier with a sharp whistle.

Yet Li Chuan, standing opposite him, seemed not to have reacted at all.

Watching the broad palm about to slam into Li Chuan's face, everyone couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.

If this strike landed true, the victim would be bedridden for at least half a month!

Unexpectedly, Li Chuan merely frowned.

In his eyes, this Thunder-Striding Hand seemed somewhat "weak."

With a slight sidestep, Li Chuan easily dodged the lethal palm strike.

Thunder-Striding Hand's face filled with shock; he had not expected Li Chuan's movements to be this fast.

At this moment, his old momentum was spent and his new strength had yet to arise, leaving a massive opening in his chest.

Li Chuan did not miss the opportunity and immediately twisted his torso.

Following that, his left fist slammed into Thunder-Striding Hand's chest like a cannonball.

"Crack!"

Bright Force erupted!

Thunder-Striding Hand was instantly sent flying, sliding dozens of meters across the ground before barely coming to a stop.

He suppressed the sweet taste of blood rising in his throat and said in shame and anger:

"I am inferior in skill!"

But no sooner had he finished speaking than he let out a "wah" and vomited a mouthful of blood.

The area below the stage fell into dead silence.

No one had expected Li Chuan to be this formidable, defeating Thunder-Striding Hand with a single punch.

Moreover, he had looked so relaxed and effortless, like an old man playing with a child.

However, since no one was familiar with Li Chuan, only Wang Youfang cheered for him.

Li Chuan was also somewhat stunned, looking at his own fist.

I didn't expect myself to be this strong?

It makes sense... my life force is nearly fully accumulated, and my Through-Arm Fist is not far from reaching Great Success.

Li Chuan went on to fight three more opponents in succession.

Some used sabers, some used swords, and there was even one who used a bow.

Yet without exception, none of them lasted more than three moves against him.

Having tested his strength and gained an understanding of the fighting styles of various schools, Li Chuan yielded his spot.

"You have all been delivering medicine for days and are not in your best state; my victory was merely a matter of luck," Li Chuan said, cupping his hands in a salute.

Li Chuan's words finally drew a round of applause.

Everyone knew this was just polite rhetoric, but they still felt very comfortable hearing it.

The gazes they directed at Li Chuan no longer held the previous hostility and exclusion.

In their place were awe and respect.

After stepping down, Wang Youfang hurried over, his face full of shock:

"When you first started delivering medicine, your strength was about the same as mine. How did you get so strong in just a few months? Honestly, what kind of medicine did you take!"

Li Chuan said indifferently:

"That I have reached this day is entirely due to my own hard work!"

Wang Youfang opened his mouth, feeling that something was off, but he didn't know how to refute it.

As they chatted, the atmosphere around the campfire gradually grew heated.

Perhaps because Li Chuan had warmed up the crowd, those who went up afterward were more uninhibited.

The fights became increasingly spectacular and entertaining.

Luo Houping, standing by and watching, had a calm expression, but a glint flashed in his eyes.

Wang Youfang suddenly began rubbing his fingers incessantly:

"A-Chuan, do you feel like it's getting quieter nearby?"

"It is a bit. The sounds of birds and beasts seem to have vanished. Why does this feel so familiar?" Li Chuan frowned, trying to recall when he had encountered such a scene before.

Wang Youfang's expression was grave.

"Only when they encounter a beast far more powerful than themselves do other animals dare not make a sound."

Li Chuan's heart sank.

He remembered.

It was the same scene when the White-Browed Ape, a creature comparable to a master of Dark Force, appeared during his first medicine delivery!

The next moment.

An ape's arm lunged suddenly from the thicket!