With a thunderous crash, the Water-Fire Cudgel snapped in two. Master Hu was sent flying by the shockwave, crashing through half an earth wall.
The courtyard fell silent in an instant.
Everyone was stunned.
Sun Wukong put away his staff and stood before the young man.
"Get up. I, Old Sun, will stand up for you."
The young man looked up, his face bruised and swollen.
"Sir... sir, you are..."
"Enough nonsense." Sun Wukong bent down and hoisted him onto his shoulder. "Let's treat your leg first."
Master Hu crawled out of the rubble and spat out a mouthful of bloody phlegm.
"You... you dared to hit me?!"
Sun Wukong sneered.
"You're exactly who I meant to hit."
Master Hu's face turned ashen.
"Brothers! Get him! Beat this monkey to death!"
Seven or eight thugs rushed in from all sides, blades and clubs raining down together.
Sun Wukong snorted.
The Golden Staff whirled into a blur of light.
"Bang, bang, bang, bang—"
The screams became one unbroken chorus.
In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, people were sprawled all over the ground, groaning and unable to get up. Master Hu's face was battered and swollen, his right arm hanging limp, the bone clearly broken.
He lay face-down on the ground, his voice trembling.
"You... you just wait! My father is the town constable! You're dead!"
Sun Wukong planted a foot on his back.
"I, Old Sun, have fought even the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals. You think I'm afraid of one constable?"
Just as he was about to land another blow, Tang Monk's voice came from behind him.
"Wukong! Stop!"
Tang Monk had arrived at some point, his face grim.
Sun Wukong turned back.
"Master, this thug was bullying people! I—"
"Stop!" Tang Monk's