Lady Li Jing, wife of the Huai'an Gang Chief, moved like an arrow loosed from the bow. With both sleeves sweeping outward, her movements were astonishingly swift, causing Cui Long and Duan Kang to inwardly tremble with alarm. Duan Kang twisted his waist and shifted his stance, retreating in a flash and barely evading the strike. Seeing this, Cui Long dared not be careless. He immediately circulated his inner power and, instead of retreating, met the attack head-on, striking toward Li Jing's shoulder.
The two exchanged blows in rapid succession. Li Jing's family martial arts were formidable indeed. Twisting her waist and stepping forward, she suddenly launched a flying kick. In an instant, she unleashed the technique "Fierce Tiger Pouncing on Prey." Her wrist bent into claws, fingers aligned like spears, swift beyond compare. Cui Long had never before witnessed such ferocious techniques. At once he found himself flustered and unable to defend properly, hurriedly sinking his shoulders to evade before leaping backward.
Seeing the danger, Duan Kang let out a sharp whistle and rushed forward at once. His palms whirled through the air, striking directly toward Li Jing. In the blink of an eye, Li Jing was facing two opponents alone. After several exchanges, Cui Long and Duan Kang pressed in from left and right, their movements perfectly coordinated, forming a combined assault.
Li Jing shifted from defense to offense. Her lotus-like steps crossed and turned as her graceful figure flashed through two changing positions. Yet no matter how agile and dragon-like her movements were, two fists could hardly withstand four hands. After more than ten additional exchanges, she found herself struggling desperately, defending one side only to leave the other exposed.
Suddenly she halted her movement and thrust both palms forward with all her strength. Cui Long and Duan Kang neither dodged nor yielded, striking forward with their own palms. Four palms collided with two resounding smacks. Li Jing staggered backward seven or eight steps. Darkness clouded her vision, sweetness rose in her throat, and a mouthful of fresh blood sprayed from her lips. Unable to remain standing, she collapsed heavily to the ground.
Just then someone shouted, "Madam Gang Chief, surrender now! How can you possibly defeat the four of us?" Seeing Li Jing already at the end of her strength and fallen to the ground, Zhu Feng could not help but call out.
Li Jing shot the four men a furious glare and snorted coldly. If this were a one-on-one contest, how could any of you be my match? Though rage filled her heart, she knew her opponents were truly powerful. Even according to proper martial rules, she would not necessarily have been able to defeat the Jiangnan Twin Fiends in single combat. She had already exhausted every ounce of strength and cunning before finally being defeated.
At that moment, a figure suddenly shot into the arena like lightning. Landing in the center, the newcomer swept his gaze across the scene and barked sternly, "What fiend dares commit violence upon sacred Buddhist ground?"
The Jiangnan Twin Fiends were startled by the youth's sudden appearance from above and exchanged uneasy glances. Zhou Jie said in a deep voice, "Who are you? The Jiangnan Twin Fiends stand here—what expert dares meddle in our affairs?"
By announcing their feared title, Zhou Jie naturally hoped to intimidate this newcomer. Zhu Feng snorted and barked, "Boy, who are you? Daring to interfere with the Jiangnan Twin Fiends—are you tired of living?"
The newcomer's eyes shone brightly as he stepped forward and cupped his fists respectfully.
"I am Li Jian, the new Chief of the Hall of Loyalty."
The moment those words were spoken, all four men of the Jiangnan Twin Fiends revealed looks of astonishment. Zhou Jie and Zhu Feng could not help but carefully size up the young man before them.
At the same time, Tan Wei and her companion arrived beside the field. Supporting the injured Li Jing, Tan Wei spoke disdainfully, "Even thieves should have principles. Your appetites are far too large. Demanding ten thousand taels in one breath—isn't that excessive?"
Zhou Jie's face darkened like frost as he sneered coldly, "Hmph. Ten thousand taels is the market price. Any less would not only insult Madam Gang Chief, but also demean the Jiangnan Twin Fiends!"
Meanwhile, Zhu Feng fixed his sharp gaze upon Li Jian. Filled with vicious pride, how could he possibly show weakness now? This fat prize already within reach was not something he intended to release. Thus he said heavily, "Lately the martial world has been spreading rumors: the new Hall Chief of the Hall of Loyalty possesses peerless martial arts, unmatched beneath heaven, even fighting the many experts of the Justice Alliance alone without losing…"
He paused briefly, his gaze turning icy cold before continuing in a deep voice:
"But is it truly so? Or merely exaggerated nonsense?"
The words first praised Li Jian lavishly, only to suddenly turn into mockery. Li Jian, however, remained calm and merely smiled, unconcerned. Yet Tan Wei was greatly displeased upon hearing this. She let out a cold snort and challenged them openly:
"We have long heard of the great reputation of the Jiangnan Twin Fiends. Yet seeing you today, you are nothing more than this! Bullying women and kidnapping people for ransom—you are merely petty thieves and gutter rats. What skill do you truly possess?"
Those words struck hard enough to leave one speechless. The faces of the Jiangnan Twin Fiends darkened immediately. Zhou Jie sneered, "What a sharp-tongued little girl. You truly underestimate the Jiangnan Twin Fiends. It seems you came here today deliberately seeking trouble."
Fearing Tan Wei might suffer at the hands of these vicious men, Li Jian quickly stepped forward and shouted at them, "Who exactly is causing trouble here? Bullying women and kidnapping for ransom—aren't the Jiangnan Twin Fiends nothing but river bandits and outlaws? Did she say anything wrong?"
Li Jian's words were outrageously arrogant. Zhu Feng instantly flew into a rage.
"Boy! Do you truly think the Jiangnan Twin Fiends fear you?"
Li Jian stared coldly at them without blinking.
"If you know what's good for you, then leave immediately today. Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll be receiving a severe beating."
When those words fell, an unnatural silence descended upon the scene.
At that very moment, an elderly man approached laughing loudly. It was none other than "Mad Westman," Situ Kong.
"The Jiangnan Twin Fiends are nothing but river bandits and petty thieves! If they truly had ability, they would have attacked long ago!"
As the saying goes: The more spectators there are, the livelier the monkey show becomes.
The moment those words rang out, Zhu Feng could no longer suppress his fury. After all, the Jiangnan Twin Fiends were renowned masters feared throughout the martial world—how could they submit so easily today? Catching sight of "Leopard Eye" Cui Long and "Changzhou Divine Fist" Duan Kang, inspiration struck him at once.
"Cui Long! Duan Kang! Show this brat our power!"
The two answered immediately and launched themselves toward Li Jian. Their palm winds roared like thunder as they arrived in an instant. Li Jian caught sight of the attack and smoothly shifted sideways with a slanting step. His body moved as slickly as a fish, causing both men's attacks to miss entirely.
Naturally unwilling to relent, the pair charged again with fists raised. Yet suddenly Li Jian stood perfectly still, seizing the exact moment to strike. Both palms shot outward.
Smack! Smack!
The two men had already been struck in succession. Each let out a miserable scream as they were sent flying backward, crashing heavily into the flower bushes together…