Li Qingluo had not expected Wang Gang to say such a thing. From the very beginning, she had never considered leaving with Duan Zhengchun-not because she had fallen for Wang Gang, but because she simply could not accept sharing a husband with other women.
Her temperament was very much like Li Qiushui's. When Li Qiushui discovered that her husband was obsessed with a statue, she deliberately sought out other men to provoke him, ultimately driving Wuyazi to leave in anger.
If even a statue could make her jealous, how much more so several living, breathing women!
"Sister, don't say any more. The young master is angry right now!"
Rui'er stepped forward to support the swaying Li Qingluo and soothed her softly. "Explain it to him later, once his anger has cooled."
Rui'er led Li Qingluo to the corner. She and Ping'er had hidden there ever since Wang Gang entered, scared half to death. She glanced at Ping'er. The girl was staring fixedly at Wang Gang in a daze, probably frightened by his display today.
"Now that the bystanders are out of the way, Prince Duan, begin your performance!" Wang Gang lowered his head and carefully wiped the blood from his sword tip on the young man's clothes.
"Very well. The man you hate is me, Duan Zhengchun. I shall bring this to an end!" Duan Zhengchun used his sword to prop himself upright, drew a deep breath, then raised the blade across his neck. "Young Master Wang, after my death, I hope you will release my guard!"
"My lord..."
"No!" Li Qingluo cried. She was about to move when Rui'er wrapped her arms around her and whispered, "Don't anger the young master any further!"
Li Qingluo stiffened and turned her head, meeting Wang Gang's calm eyes, which held back a smoldering anger. Her lips parted, but she could not get the words out.
"A-Luo, in our next life, I will not miss my chance with you!" Duan Zhengchun smiled bleakly and swung his sword. Li Qingluo closed her eyes in anguish.
Clang!
No blood sprayed, nor did a corpse fall on the spot. An iron judge's brush had blocked the blade from his neck.
Wang Gang gave an almost imperceptible smile. Finally! How could letting you die be as entertaining as making you watch others die for you!
"This subordinate arrived late. Please punish me, my lord!" A young man dressed as a scholar swept up before Duan Zhengchun with swift steps, like a gust of wind.
"This subordinate was late in coming to your rescue. Please punish me, my lord!" Another young man appeared at the doorway, thickset and carrying two broad axes.
"You both came just in time. Why speak of punishment!" Duan Zhengchun's expression relaxed, and he smiled at Li Qingluo.
Wang Gang looked at them and smiled. "Three of the Four Great Guards have arrived. You truly bring glory to this humble abode!"
Gu Ducheng pointed an axe at Wang Gang. "Spare us your pretty words. You injured our lord and Brother Chu today. Cut off one of your arms, kowtow, and apologize, and we can spare your life!"
Wang Gang smiled without answering, then turned to Zhu Danchen. "You were the one who injured my elderly servant at the Spring Breeze Pavilion, weren't you?"
Zhu Danchen smiled faintly. "It was only a joke!"
Wang Gang pointed at Duan Zhengchun and Chu Wanli, who lay bloodied on the floor, and smiled. "It was only a joke!"
Seeing him turn Zhu Danchen's words back on them, Gu Ducheng flew into a rage. He raised his axe and hacked at him, cursing, "What is that old servant of yours? How dare you compare him to our lord!"
As Gu Ducheng approached, Wang Gang flicked Chu Wanli up with his foot, sending him toward the axe. Startled, Gu Ducheng hurriedly pulled his weapon back.
But Wang Gang followed behind Chu Wanli like a shadow and thrust his sword, only to find that Gu Ducheng's enormous axe shielded his vital points.
Wang Gang slashed upward at an angle, striking his shoulder. Fortunately, Gu Ducheng was tough and thick-skinned. He tore off a strip of clothing and hastily bound the wound, then yanked Chu Wanli aside and charged back into the fight as though nothing had happened.
Wang Gang's sword was fast and his footwork nimble. Each dodge and sidestep came with several casual thrusts, which Gu Ducheng could not block at all. He could only retreat again and again.
"My lord, I will help him!"
Zhu Danchen quietly sought Duan Zhengchun's permission. Once he received a nod, he attacked Wang Gang with his judge's brush.
Wang Gang dared not be careless. He could rely on his superior movement to toy with Gu Ducheng, but that would not work against the nimble Zhu Danchen.
He forced Gu Ducheng back with one thrust, then turned and stabbed at the approaching Zhu Danchen. His sword was longer than the brush, leaving Zhu Danchen no choice but to dodge. Just then, Gu Ducheng charged again. Too late to bring his sword back, Wang Gang struck out with his palm.
"Careful!" Duan Zhengchun shouted.
Gu Ducheng did not understand, but he still held his axe before him as a shield.
Clang!
With a light ring, sparks flashed across the axe head. Gu Ducheng staggered backward, secretly alarmed.
Wang Gang advanced after him. Cold gleams flashed, adding several more wounds to Gu Ducheng's body. A sudden rush of wind came from his side, and Wang Gang raised his hand and struck. Zhu Danchen hurriedly dodged, not realizing that the palm strike was merely a feint. Wang Gang had not used the Flame Blade at all.
This is bad!
Zhu Danchen cried inwardly. He was in midair, too late to dodge, and in a flash, he saw the sword thrust toward him.
Clang!
The sword veered aside, sliding obliquely past his body. In his desperation, Duan Zhengchun had disregarded his injuries and used the Solitary Yang Finger.
Just then, Gu Ducheng charged again. Wang Gang had barely moved to meet him when the judge's brush arrived as well. The three became locked in a tangled fight, none able to break away.
The three women in the corner watched with pounding hearts. A faint blush colored Ping'er's pretty face. She remembered telling Wang Gang outside the Emerald Bamboo Pavilion that he could not beat her. She had never imagined he was so formidable.
But he didn't fight me that day, and he even told me to be more ladylike. Could he like ladylike girls? Yes, he must. The books all say, "A graceful, virtuous maiden is a gentleman's fair match." He's a gentleman, so naturally he likes ladies.
"Ah!"
While Ping'er's thoughts wandered, Wang Gang was wounded. His clothes tore across his back, and blood stained the white fabric red, painfully stark.
"Sister, hurry and help the young master!"
Ping'er cried out anxiously, only to be met with Li Qingluo's conflicted gaze.
"Why won't Sister help the young master? They're husband and wife!" Ping'er turned to Rui'er.
Rui'er wanted to explain the situation and tell her not to speak carelessly, but when she opened her mouth, she did not know what to say. She could only remain silent.
"Ah!"
Ping'er looked at them both, but neither responded. Seeing Wang Gang at a disadvantage, she grew anxious. Steeling herself, she took Li Qingluo's sword from the wall and rushed forward.
"Ping'er!" both women exclaimed.
Hearing movement behind him, Gu Ducheng turned and swung his axe. When he saw it was a girl, he hurriedly checked his blow and blocked her sword, saying urgently, "What are you doing, little girl! Can't you see we're dealing with a villain!"
"You're the villains!" Ping'er thrust again. "You broke into my home to commit violence!"
"We're not villains. Our lord came to see your young lady!" Gu Ducheng explained as he blocked. He could not bear to strike the little girl and only wanted to persuade her to leave as quickly as possible!
Seeing him defend without attacking, Ping'er made her sword moves even fiercer. "You came to steal the young master's wife. He wouldn't let you, so you attacked him! And you still say you're not villains!"
"Uh..."
Gu Ducheng was at a loss for words, unsure how to explain.
"Ping'er, come back!" Li Qingluo seized Ping'er and scolded her. "Why are you charging in and making trouble!"
Ping'er said aggrievedly, "Sister, how can you refuse to help your own husband and help outsiders instead!"
"Go back! Another word and I'll smash your mouth!" Li Qingluo snapped in shame and anger, but those words also brought her to her senses. All these people were fighting because of her.
"Stop..."
Li Qingluo was just about to tell everyone to stop when the situation abruptly changed.
Wang Gang knocked Zhu Danchen aside with his sword, but instead of pressing his attack, he turned and hurled the sword like a javelin at Duan Zhengchun.
Gravely wounded, Duan Zhengchun certainly could not dodge. Zhu Danchen leaped after the sword, exerting every ounce of strength. He barely caught up and knocked it aside with his brush-and at that moment, the Flame Blade arrived.
Boom!
Zhu Danchen flew backward, crashing into Duan Zhengchun and sending him flying as well.
Wang Gang had been gathering power for this Flame Blade for a long time. Even when he had fallen into a disadvantage and been injured, he had held back, waiting for this very opportunity.
He stepped forward and picked up his sword, then turned and struck the charging Gu Ducheng with his palm. Looking at Zhu Danchen, whose chest was charred black and whose mouth spilled blood, he said coldly:
"Whether a joke is funny depends on the person it's played on! To me, you're just a joke now too. Do you find it funny!"
Zhu Danchen opened his mouth, but only spat out a mouthful of bloody foam.
Wang Gang turned and smiled at Ping'er. "You did well. Thank you for helping me!"
A rosy blush spread over Ping'er's cheeks.