An Explanation

Bald Zhang and Wang Kui exchanged a glance. They recognized the name Zhao Feng. In fact, the Three Harmonies Gang had a certain understanding of the formal and registered disciples at all the major martial arts schools in the county town. Zhao Feng was indeed Huo Shan's registered disciple.

When Huo Shan had first come to the county town to establish his martial arts school, he had paid his respects and shown his skills. He was undeniably a true Transformation Force master—even Bloodhand Gu Ming of Black Cloud Stronghold had to be wary of him. Since Zhao Feng had come to their door and displayed his techniques, he was making his background clear: Huo Shan stood behind him. Naturally, they did not dare act rashly.

And if he had revealed his techniques, then he was Huo Shan's personal disciple. Could he already be a Dark Force practitioner?

"Martial Artist Zhao, what brings you to our gang?"

"Zhao has come to pay a visit and ask Gang Leader Zhang for an explanation," Zhao Feng said.

"Hmph! Our gang has no grudge against you, yet you came here to challenge our school and injured my men. And now you demand an explanation from us? Even if you are School Master Huo's disciple, I must first demand an explanation from you." Bald Zhang roared.

His wording was clever, framing this conflict as a challenge to their school rather than a fight to the death. His subordinates had been injured, so no matter what, he had to demand an explanation first.

"Gang Leader Zhang, please name your terms." Zhao Feng raised one hand into an opening stance and nodded.

Bald Zhang charged forward in a single stride, swinging both fists. "Tiger Roar Fist!" His iron fists struck out in succession, whipping up fierce gusts that sounded like a roaring tiger.

Zhao Feng remained unhurried. He reached out his hand—Coiling Dragon Hand! He accurately seized Bald Zhang's right fist, then gave it a light twist.

"Coil!" A surge of coiling Dark Force violently penetrated his body. Bald Zhang twisted in agony, curling up like a lobster. The muscles in his arm bulged high, twisted like a rope.

"Gang Leader!" the gang members shouted, about to grab their weapons and surround him.

"Don't move!" Wang Kui shouted. Zhao Feng was indeed a Dark Force expert.

"Martial Artist Zhao, you may stop. We concede," he said.

Zhao Feng gave a slight nod. With a release and a push of his hand, Bald Zhang staggered swiftly backward, clutching his shoulder and baring his teeth in pain. The shock on his face could not be concealed.

"Martial Artist Zhao, please, let us speak inside." Bald Zhang forced himself to calm down and gestured for him to enter.

Under the watchful eyes of the knife-wielding gang members, Zhao Feng calmly entered the main hall.

Once host and guest had taken their seats, Bald Zhang dismissed the others and said, "May I ask what Martial Artist Zhao means by coming to our gang for an explanation? Our gang does not seem to have offended you."

"Did Feng Second Tiger come looking for you two?" Zhao Feng asked directly.

Bald Zhang and Wang Kui exchanged another glance. "How did Martial Artist Zhao know?"

"His older brother, Feng Dahu, was the mortal enemy of you two. Everyone in the county knows that."

"Since he came to avenge his brother, you two would naturally be the first people he sought out. I simply do not know why he came after me." Zhao Feng's voice turned cold.

"I have no grievance with him, and his brother's death had nothing to do with me. Why would he put this debt on my head? Shouldn't you two give me an explanation?"

"This has nothing to do with us. We were not the ones who killed his brother. Besides, before today, we did not even know you, Martial Artist Zhao. There was even less chance of us shifting this matter onto you," Bald Zhang hurriedly said.

They had investigated who might have attacked Feng Dahu, but after several days there had been too many suspects, and they could not be bothered to continue.

"Regardless, you two cannot be entirely uninvolved in this matter. So we would be better off cooperating," Zhao Feng interrupted.

"How would we cooperate?" Bald Zhang and Wang Kui asked, somewhat surprised.

"I presume you two also want Feng Second Tiger to disappear for good. It is simple. Your gang finds his hiding place, and leave the rest to me."

The county town was so vast that Zhao Feng could not possibly find Feng Second Tiger's hiding place alone. But the Three Harmonies Gang was different. As far as he knew, the current Three Harmonies Gang had nearly made all the other gangs in the outer city submit to it. Their reach extended everywhere. Finding one man's hiding place would not be difficult.

"Fine. It's a deal." Bald Zhang and Wang Kui exchanged glances, then agreed almost without hesitation.

Although Feng Second Tiger had broken through the window and fled last time, and had not caused them trouble for the moment, he remained a grave threat to both of them. Whether or not they had killed Feng Dahu, Feng Second Tiger would still come to settle the score with them sooner or later.

Third Chief Cao Yuan could not remain in the gang forever. They had submitted to Black Cloud Stronghold, not hired them as bodyguards.

Since Zhao Feng wanted to kill Feng Second Tiger, they were naturally glad to see it happen. It was also a good opportunity to eliminate a major threat.

At the Huo Family Martial Arts School.

The howling of fist winds mingled with the dull collisions of force, sounding almost like metal and stone striking each other.

"Junior Brother, watch out!" Wei Yuan shouted. With a move of Fierce Tiger Ramming Mountain, his fist came down like thunder, driving straight toward Zhao Feng's chest. Zhao Feng wrapped his arms around in an expansive motion, supple yet concealing strength, and used Embracing the Moon to deflect most of the blow. Yet the Dark Force that passed through still struck toward his chest.

But at that moment, the point of Zhao Feng's raised left elbow suddenly snapped downward. It was short and swift, striking Wei Yuan's wrist.

"Inch Force!" Wei Yuan felt his arm go numb and hurriedly retreated.

He was secretly astonished. How long had it been? Junior Brother Zhao had already learned the combination of emptiness and sinking that their master had spoken of. During their exchange, he had been building momentum all along, waiting for the right opportunity to unleash Inch Force—and he had done so with the tip of his elbow. It shattered the force carried through Wei Yuan's fist.

In a life-or-death fight, once his wrist had been struck by Inch Force, he would have lost the initiative. If Junior Brother Zhao had immediately pressed the attack, things would not have looked good for him. So many disciples were watching nearby.

Though he did not want to admit it, aside from the depth of their inner force, Junior Brother Zhao had already surpassed him in combat technique and fist forms.

"Good, good!" Wei Yuan said, taking a deep breath.

At that moment, he was certain that Junior Brother Zhao was no ordinary man. His exceptional comprehension alone made Wei Yuan immensely relieved—relieved that he had not acted foolishly last time, relieved that he had not misjudged him, and relieved that he had chosen to befriend him.

"Come! Junior Brother, let's go to Hongxing Tower! We should celebrate." Wei Yuan was in high spirits.

Nine Virtues Ward, inner city. Hongxing Tower, one of the finest restaurants in Big Stone County, stood here.

After Wei Yuan and Zhao Feng stepped down from their carriage.

Wei Yuan did not hurry inside. Instead, he stretched his arms and eagerly pointed around them.

"Junior Brother, do you notice anything different?"

Zhao Feng looked around and found that whether they were shops or residential courtyards, the buildings here all felt newer, cleaner, and more imposing. Many passersby wore silk and satin, dressed even more exquisitely than people elsewhere in the inner city.

"This area is the heart of the inner city, not far from the county yamen. This is prime land, worth every inch in gold. A single residence here can easily be worth several hundred taels of silver."

"Hongxing Tower is a four-hundred-year-old establishment. It even has branches in the prefectural city. The beast meat here tastes better, and they have good wine too."

After entering Hongxing Tower, they found it bustling with voices and packed with customers. Business was excellent.

As the two prepared to go upstairs, a woman in a white embroidered long dress suddenly came down from above. She was beautiful, with her dark hair gathered in a lightly coiled bun and her skin fair and smooth. She stood out among the crowd, carrying a packed food box in her delicate hands.

"Huh, Cousin Xiangling?" Wei Yuan froze for a moment upon seeing her, then immediately greeted her.

The newcomer was none other than his distant cousin, Xue Xiangling.