The third lunged from the right. Chen Hao released the wooden club in his left hand, spun, and whipped a kick into the monkey's waist.
The monkey flew sideways as though it had been hit by a car, snapped a roadside sapling as thick as a bowl, and hit the ground. It struggled twice, then lay still.
The remaining monkeys retreated a few steps.
The largest Cangyou Monkey at the very back finally moved. It pushed its companions aside and walked up to Chen Hao.
It lowered its head, its dark red eyes fixed on Chen Hao, and the gurgling in its throat turned into a low roar.
It raised its wooden club and brought it down on Chen Hao.
Chen Hao did not dodge. He raised a hand and caught the club. The blow delivered with all the strength of a three-and-a-half-meter-tall giant monkey was like a noodle in his grip.
Holding one end of the club, he pulled down, dragging the giant monkey forward and off balance. He released the club and struck its chest with his palm.
The force of that palm strike sent the giant monkey flying as though it had been hit by a cannonball. Its feet left the ground, and it flew several meters backward, crashed down, rolled twice, and slammed into a large rock.
The rock shattered. The giant monkey lay embedded in the rubble, a palm-shaped dent sunken into the crescent-shaped marking on its chest.
The giant monkey struggled twice but failed to stand. Whimpers rose from its throat, as though it were begging for mercy.
The remaining monkeys finally broke and scattered, sprinting into the depths of the forest. Some climbed trees and leaped between the crowns, sending leaves cascading down.
Others plunged into the bushes, leaving only the sound of