Zhu Dali said, "A contest of taking punches it is. You go first!"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Let's get this straight first. Until all three punches are thrown, whoever moves is the other man's grandson! I'll hit you first. If you dare move before I finish my three punches, you and your brother are both my grandsons. Then, when it's your turn to hit me, if I move before you finish your three punches, I'll be grandson to both of you."
Zhu Dali thought it over and decided he did not seem to be getting the worse of the bargain, so he nodded. "All right!" He planted himself in a horse stance and stamped both feet down heavily. Crack, crack-another two bluestone slabs split beneath him.
Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly. Destroying public property so blatantly, and not a single urban enforcement officer comes to investigate. What kind of age is this? He loosened up his limbs. Qiqi came to his side and whispered, "Can you handle him?"
Hu Xiaotian whispered back, "When I make my move, be ready to run at any moment. Go back the way we came."
Qiqi blinked, apparently understanding.
Zhu Dali was already impatient. "Are you done yet?" he urged.
Hu Xiaotian smiled, walked slowly over, and raised his fist.
Zhu Dali let out a shout. "Hah!" Bring it on.
Hu Xiaotian drew a deep breath and lunged like a leopard, driving his raised right fist straight into Zhu Dali's lower belly. The punch carried all his strength and looked quite fearsome. Hu Xiaotian still had some confidence in his martial skills, and he also hoped Zhu Dali was all outward strength and inward weakness. Perhaps he could knock him flat with one punch.
Only after Hu Xiaotian struck did he realize that possibility did not exist