Gao Manqing shot forward like a streak of lightning. Zhu Feng's right hand darted out, aiming straight for her wrist. With a sharp twist, Gao Manqing shook free and struck with her palm. Zhu Feng raised his hand to block—his movements swift and precise. In just a few exchanges, he suddenly thrust out a finger. With a muffled groan, Gao Manqing's acupoint was struck, and she collapsed to the ground.
Zhu Feng shouted, "Cui Long! Duan Kang! Seize the girl!"
The two acknowledged at once and stepped forward to bind her hands behind her back. The man with leopard-like eyes and a fierce visage was Cui Long, known in the jianghu as "Leopard-Eyes." The other, a rugged brute, was Duan Kang, famed as the "Divine Fist of Changzhou." Just as they were about to tie her up, Madam Li Jing, wife of the Huai'an Gang leader, shouted angrily, "You brazen bandits, how dare you!"
Before her words had even faded, she leapt forward, fists striking out. At the same instant, Zhou Jie also sprang into motion. The two met midair—palms clashing once—before both flipped back and landed.
Zhou Jie said, "Madam, why not surrender? Why persist in futile resistance?"
Madam Li Jing replied, "I would rather die fighting than be captured without a struggle!"
Zhou Jie shook his head, smiling dismissively. "Madam is of noble status. The Jiangnan Two Fiends mean to treat you with courtesy. We fear harming you, so we humbly invite you and your daughter to accompany us. What do you say?"
Li Jing felt puzzled. Were these men hired by enemies, or merely kidnappers seeking ransom? She demanded, "State your purpose plainly—why have you come?"
Zhu Feng suddenly laughed and stepped forward. "Madam, you're a clever woman. Since you ask, we'll be direct. Your husband dominates the southern grain transport trade and has amassed great wealth. We four have no other intention—we simply wish to borrow a sum of silver from Master Gao."
Hearing this, Li Jing relaxed slightly. At least they were not sworn enemies. Thinking to settle the matter with money, she softened her tone. "Among those of the jianghu, there is a tradition of mutual aid. How much do you lack for your journey?"
She thought to herself, Better to spend money and avert disaster.
The two fiends exchanged a glance and smiled. Zhou Jie raised a single finger. "Not much."
Li Jing assumed the price was reasonable given their reputation. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she nodded. "One thousand taels? Though a bit much, our gang can afford it."
At this, Cui Long and Duan Kang's expressions changed drastically. They looked toward Zhou Jie and Zhu Feng. Zhou Jie seemed to realize his gesture had been misunderstood. His expression darkened, and he cast a cold glance at Li Jing.
"Madam," he said slowly, "not one thousand… but ten thousand taels."
Each word fell heavily.
Zhu Feng lifted his chin slightly, watching her with a trace of mockery in his eyes. Li Jing froze, her face turning ashen. Zhu Feng couldn't help but laugh at her stunned expression.
In that instant, Li Jing's thoughts raced. Then anger surged. "Do you take the Huai'an Gang for a treasury? This is outrageous!"
Zhu Feng replied loudly, "Ten thousand taels is but a drop in the ocean for your gang."
Now truly enraged, Li Jing lost all restraint. "Then today, I'll risk my life to test the skills of the Jiangnan Two Fiends!"
Zhu Feng paused, then said, "Madam, you are worth more than gold—why go to such lengths? Master Gao has plenty of wealth. Why waste your strength?"
But Li Jing was beyond reason. "Money is not so easily taken. If you want it—defeat me first!"
She lunged forward, striking with a punch. Zhu Feng sidestepped, weaving left and right to evade. "Madam, we only seek travel funds—we do not wish to harm anyone!"
Her second strike went straight for his chest. She snorted coldly. "Then follow the rules of the jianghu! If you want me to surrender, it won't be easy!"
Seeing her persistence, Zhu Feng gathered his internal energy and unleashed a technique—Piercing Clouds, Splitting Stone. Redirecting her incoming strike, he dissolved her force, then suddenly dropped his elbow and counterattacked with a fierce palm strike, powerful enough to shatter stone.
Recognizing the danger, Li Jing dared not take it lightly and quickly retreated. Zhu Feng did not pursue but said sternly, "Madam, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty!"
Now slightly steadied, Li Jing saw Gao Manqing bound and burned with rage. "Release her! Do you not fear my husband, Gao Tai?"
Zhou Jie replied, "Fortune favors the bold. Master Gao is indeed renowned—one of the Twin Lords of Grain Transport. In the north, Xu Li of Xuzhou; in the south, Gao Tai of Huai'an. Both are famed throughout the jianghu. But we are in urgent need of money. Even if the heavens themselves stood in our way, we would still proceed!"
Zhu Feng, having failed to persuade her, grew irritated and barked, "Cui Long! Duan Kang! Take the Madam!"
The two acknowledged. Cui Long said, "Madam, don't force our hand."
Duan Kang shot him a glance and said coldly, "Enough talk. This woman has some skill. Only by defeating her will she submit."
Li Jing, proud and unyielding by nature, raised her brows and said fiercely, "Come at me together—I am not one to be trifled with!"
Before her words ended, she dashed forward, stepping into a left bow stance. Twisting her arm at the waist, she raised her palm—and with a sharp thrust, drove her right palm forward…