The man drew closer.
Jiang Xun held the rubber baton across his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins, every hair on his body standing on end.
The knife swept toward him. He twisted aside and swung the rubber baton at the man's wrist, but the man pulled his hand back fast and slashed backhand toward his ribs. The tip grazed his sleeve, ripping the fabric open.
"Quick on your feet."
The man spun the knife handle and advanced again.
Jiang Xun fought as he retreated, edging along the wall toward the door.
When his back met the cold brick wall, he darted right. The man drove his knife into the plaster, spraying brick chips across half his face.
While the man was pulling the knife free, he swung the rubber baton at his knife hand with all his strength.
The blow landed solidly. The folding knife flew from his hand, bounced twice on the concrete, and rolled into a corner.
The man grunted and staggered back half a step, clutching his wrist. Jiang Xun kicked him in the chest, knocked him flat, then turned and rushed for the door.
It was almost dark, and the streetlights in the urban village had yet to come on. Filthy water pooled in the potholes.
Jiang Xun stumbled along, clutching his side. Every step tugged painfully at the bruises on his lower abdomen.
The pursuing footsteps drew closer behind him.
He did not look back, gritting his teeth as he ran toward the alley entrance. His vision began to blur. The light at the entrance seemed to drift closer, then farther away; no matter how hard he ran, he could not reach it.
He burst out of the alley and braced himself against a utility pole to catch a couple of breaths. Out of