Strike to Kill

Wei Luo had not expected that before the goods even arrived, their own people would be the ones to start fighting.

Before long, the two found an open patch of ground. After loosening up, they assumed their stances.

When Yao Song learned of this, he hurried over in a panic and tried to dissuade them.

"Instructor Feng, don't get angry with a young man. We're all in the same boat—wouldn't fighting hurt the harmony between us?"

However, Feng Sihai merely glanced at Yao Song before pointing at Liu Changle's nose.

"Third Master Yao, among martial artists, strength has always decided rank. Today, I must let him see whether I truly am 'a cut above'!"

Seeing that even Yao Song could not stop them, Yan Dashun immediately looked regretful.

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have run my mouth. The Yao Family hired so many outsiders this time—Feng Sihai must think the main family looks down on him. That's why he's using us to plant his flag!"

Yan Dashun and the other blade-men often did this sort of work and had seen plenty of courtyard guard leaders like Feng Sihai, so they quickly guessed the reason.

Wei Luo thought that made sense too, but the two clearly would not rest until a victor had been decided.

Feng Sihai was also at the first stage of blood and qi training, but he had practiced martial arts for many years. He was certainly stronger than Liu Changle, who had only recently entered the first stage.

Wei Luo did not even need to simulate it to know that Liu Changle would definitely lose.

Still, it would be good to let the kid hit a wall. Otherwise, with his headlong temperament, he would suffer a huge loss sooner or later.

Seeing that the two were about to fight, Yao Song could only speak up.

"Since you insist on sparring, deciding the winner will be enough. Don't injure each other too badly. If we run into bandits later, we'll all bear the consequences."

Yet when Feng Sihai heard this, a strange glint flashed through his eyes. Without turning his head, he said, "Don't worry, Third Master. Even if we encounter bandits, there's nothing to fear!"

With that, he struck Liu Changle with his palm.

Feng Sihai's sleeves snapped in the wind, showing just how heavy and powerful that palm strike was.

Liu Changle knew he could not meet it head-on, so he immediately used Whirling Force to block and deflect it.

But the second palm came swiftly. With his advantage in blood and qi, coupled with years steeped in palm techniques, every one of Feng Sihai's strikes was exceedingly difficult to withstand.

Before long, Liu Changle was at a disadvantage. He could only barely neutralize the palm force while occasionally launching a counterattack.

But Feng Sihai casually dispelled every counterattack. None of them had any effect.

Soon, the two fought their way into the thicket.

Crack!

Feng Sihai's palm nearly snapped a tree in half at the waist.

Liu Changle's heart jolted at the sight. This bastard Feng Sihai is afraid he truly intends to kill me.

Wei Luo, watching from the side, gradually noticed that something was wrong as well.

Nearly every one of Feng Sihai's moves targeted Liu Changle's vital points. He had no intention of holding back in the slightest.

Seeing Liu Changle struggling desperately to hold on, Wei Luo moved and immediately slipped into the fight.

"Die!"

With an angry roar, Feng Sihai's palm instantly turned crimson as he drove it toward Liu Changle's chest.

He was completely confident that this strike could shatter Liu Changle's heart.

Liu Changle felt the threat of life and death, but his defenses were wide open now. There was no turning the tide.

It was the first time in his life that he had come so close to death.

At that critical moment, a fist shadow shot in from the side.

"Stop!"

Wei Luo's fist aimed straight at Feng Sihai's temple. If that punch landed solidly, even someone at the second stage would die.

Feng Sihai flew into a rage. He had been just a hair away from killing Liu Changle.

But now, he had no choice but to withdraw and leap several meters back.

"Kid, what do you mean by this?"

"Nothing. We concede."

Wei Luo's voice was cold.

Feng Sihai frowned, wanting to say something more, but Yao Song hurried over to smooth things over.

"Instructor Feng, since the victor has already been decided, let's end it here."

Now Feng Sihai had no reason to fly off the handle. He could only toss out a couple of half-hearted threats before turning and leaving.

"Wei Luo, that old bastard went too far! I only cursed him a couple of times, and he actually wanted to kill me!"

Only after everyone had dispersed did Liu Changle say this through ragged breaths. He had truly been frightened badly just now.

"Dog bastard! Once I reach the second stage, I'll definitely get even!"

Wei Luo rolled his eyes, somewhat helpless.

He had thought Liu Changle would change after experiencing this, but instead, the very next sentence out of his mouth was another curse.

However, Wei Luo was not too concerned about Liu Changle. It was Feng Sihai who struck him as deeply wrong.

Liu Changle was indeed rather punchable, but Feng Sihai would not go so far as to beat him to death on the spot, would he?

Even if, as One-Ear had said, Feng Sihai wanted to plant his flag, defeating Liu Changle would have been enough. Why did he need to strike to kill?

After returning to the tent, Wei Luo pondered for a moment, then activated the Great Thousand Revelation and began a simulation.

[Escort Simulation]

[Time required: two hours]

"Great Thousand Revelation, begin simulation!"

Later that night.

The camp was utterly silent, save for the faint crackling of the campfire.

"Who's there?!"

A shadow flickered at the edge of the camp, and the Yao Family guard on night watch immediately grabbed his long blade.

"It's me. Don't be nervous."

The shadow stepped into the reach of the firelight. It was Feng Sihai.

The Yao Family guard immediately kicked his companion, opening his eyes wide to signal that he had not been slacking off.

The sleeping sentry rubbed his eyes a couple of times. Once he saw who it was, his heart turned bitter.

He had just fallen asleep and had already been caught. Wouldn't he get a vicious scolding and have his monthly pay docked?

But the furious rebuke he had imagined never came. Feng Sihai merely told the two not to make the same mistake again, then left with his hands behind his back.

Not far into the forest, Feng Sihai stopped beside a pile of scattered rocks.

After looking around, he walked to a large boulder.

When he shifted the boulder aside, there was a note beneath it.

"Everything is ready; all that's missing is the east wind!"

Seeing the message on the note, Feng Sihai revealed a savage smile.

For this grain shipment, the Yao Family had staked most of their fortune. Three whole boatloads of grain and rice could sell for a thousand taels.

His plan was to work in concert from within and without, then take this fat chunk of meat in one vicious bite!

He crushed the note in his palm and tossed it aside before turning to leave.

But after taking just two steps, he abruptly stopped and sharply looked toward a certain spot.

"Who's there?!"

"If you don't come out now, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

Rustle, rustle~

The silence lasted for a full half minute before a field mouse suddenly darted out through the dead leaves.

Feng Sihai watched the field mouse disappear before turning and leaving.

Only long after he had gone did the sound of breathing emerge from behind a distant pile of rocks.

Two figures stood up. They were Wei Luo and Yao Song.

Yao Song panted heavily. Wei Luo had nearly smothered him just now.

"Third Master Yao, do you believe it now?"

By then, the simulation of this escort mission had already concluded.

Wei Luo had also learned all of Feng Sihai's secrets, including the weaknesses in Feng Sihai's palm techniques, where his hometown was, how many people were in his household, and what he did when he was lonely...

After obtaining the result of the simulation, he had gone straight to Yao Song and shown him that note.

At first, Yao Song had refused to believe it. Now, he had no choice but to believe.

"How could he do this?! My Yao Family has always treated him with courtesy, and the pay we gave was not little. Yet he actually colluded with outsiders!"

"No wonder our Yao Family's goods encountered trouble on the last few runs. There was an insider!"

Yao Song cursed for a long while before finally cupping his hands toward Wei Luo in plea.

"Brother Wei, if not for your divine calculations, I'd probably still be kept in the dark.

"But it looks like Feng Sihai has already arranged everything. What should we do?"

Wei Luo had first approached him directly and said that Feng Sihai had a problem.

Then he had brought Yao Song here and accurately found that boulder.

At first, Yao Song had not believed Wei Luo. Now, he only felt that Wei Luo's cunning was almost demonic.

But Wei Luo had long since understood Feng Sihai's entire plan. He merely smiled calmly.

"Fight fire with fire!"