The faces of the Po brothers contorted simultaneously as they recognized the brutish voice. The shout coincided with the end of the performance, resonating throughout the entire tavern.
“Friend of yours?” Han Rui muttered nonchalantly, studying the contorted faces of the brothers, who shook their heads.
“Oh? An enemy then,” Han Rui said, understanding. “So, what are you going to do about...?” Before Han Rui could finish his statement, the brutish voice echoed again. “Po Ming, this is your last warning. Get your fat ass out here! Unless you want me to turn your brother into mincemeat!”
Po Ming and Po Wei shot up to their feet, eyes brimming with bloodlust. Before they could make another move, the voice echoed a third time.
“And you better have the rest of my money with you!”
Han Rui chuckled as he stood up. “I see what’s going on now. You two, come with me. I’m interested in this loudmouthed fella,” he said.
Han Rui approached the exit at a measured pace before stopping abruptly, then turned toward the Po brothers. “I don’t care what happened between you guys, and I’m really not interested in knowing either. Don’t do or say a word unless I tell you to. Okay?”
The duo nodded without hesitation.
The Po brothers exchanged glances, and they too quickly joined the mysterious peddler. However, the music kicked off as soon as the trio left the establishment, with no other customers willing to meddle in matters not concerning them.
Outside the inn, Han Rui's gaze fixated on a party of seven men clad in brown fur garments. Each wielded a saber in their preferred hand, with an array of daggers adorning their waists. Briefly surveying the group, Han Rui then shifted his attention to an overweight man sprawled on the ground, bearing numerous cuts and bruises. Chains secured his limbs, and a thick cloth stifled any attempt to speak.
Han Rui's focus on the youngest Po only lasted a moment before redirecting his attention to the sturdiest man among the group. He pressed his boot against Po Yan's protruding stomach, the blunt end of his blade resting on the man's shoulder.
“I was hoping you wouldn't show up,” Wu An remarked, stroking his goatee with his free hand. The one-eyed man sensed Han Rui's scrutiny and frowned. Who the hell is that, and why is he staring at me like that?
Initially, Wu An assumed Han Rui's exit coincided with that of the Po brothers; now, however, it appeared as though he led the ragtag group.
“Who are you?” Wu An asked wearily, his gaze fixed on the imposing figure.
“I'm their leader,” Han Rui replied softly, adjusting his clothes. “What business do you have with my boys? I hope you can provide a proper explanation.”
Po Yan sharply turned toward Han Rui, unable to conceal his astonishment. The last thing he remembered; Han Rui was planning to pilfer their belongings under the pretense of investment. When did we become his underlings? he wondered.
Po Ming and Po Wei shared a similar reaction to their younger brother. While they didn’t doubt the power of the unknown man, they considered his remark about being the unofficial fifth power in the city nothing more than a joke from a bored cultivator. However, now that he had willingly declared them to be his underlings, a subtle flame of hope and ambition lit up in the hearts of the brothers.
Thunderous laughter greeted Han Rui’s question as Wu An’s subordinates laughed with wanton abandon. Surprisingly, the leader's expression remained stoic as he stared intently at Han Rui.
Something feels off about this guy. He exuded confidence and nonchalance. Is he a cultivator or something? Wu An pondered as he observed the Po brothers standing behind Han Rui.
I can’t figure him out. For some reason, those guys look awfully calm too. That guy must be quite formidable. Thank heavens I didn’t come here alone, Wu An thought, turning toward the only person among his subordinates who didn’t laugh.
“Grandmaster Li, I think that person might be a cultivator. Can you please handle this?” Wu An asked subserviently, not daring to make eye contact with the seemingly ordinary man.
Shock clouded the eyes of the Po brothers as they watched the usually unruly man act so subserviently.
The man patted Wu An’s shoulder while wearing a gentle smile. He sighed softly before stepping forward. Simultaneously, his blade magically disappeared, and an ethereal breeze seemed to ruffle his clothes.
“You're overly cautious,” he remarked, approaching with lazy steps. “This guy may have a scary face, but his cultivation base is nonexistent. He's as mortal as they come. I'll handle him, but you'll only have three more wishes afterward.”
Wu An forced a strained smile, his bloodshot eyes shifting toward Han Rui and the brothers. “Thank you, Grandmaster Li,” he said.
Bai Li casually raised his hand without turning. The cultivator’s lazy walk paused within thirty feet of Han Rui and the brothers.
“I'd rather not prey on the weak, but luck has run out for you,” Bai Li declared with a gentle smile. “I'll give you three a chance, though. Let's have a three-way battle. The victor will be spared. How does that sound?”
Wu An and his companions wore broad smiles, giggling softly.
“How about a counterproposal?” Han Rui suggested, a thin smile parting his lips.
Bai Li's brows shot up as his lips curved upwards. “Go on. I'm listening.”
Han Rui cleared his throat before continuing, “I guarantee you won't last more than two minutes in a battle with these two.”
Silence enveloped the area, mouths agape. Po Ming blinked in confusion, questioning the veracity of what he had just heard. Bai Li's face cycled through a spectrum of colors, Han Rui's words echoing in his ears. Involuntary twitches danced at the corners of his eyes and thin lips, a glint of murderous intent shadowing his gaze.
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Wu An stifled laughter, derisively staring at Han Rui. “I can't believe I was a little scared of an idiot like that. His suffering will more than make up for losing another wish,” he muttered.
The hush lingered for a full minute before Bai Li broke it. “So, why should I agree to such a wager?" But before the soft-spoken cultivator could complete his sentence, Han Rui tossed a sizable violet satchel in his direction.
Bai Li frowned, eyeing the seemingly ordinary bag. He turned to Wu An, and with a silent exchange, Wu An sprinted towards the bag, retrieving it on behalf of the cultivator.
Undoing the strings, Wu An peered inside. It feels cold. I wonder what's in... huh? No way!
Wu An's arms trembled uncontrollably as he raised his head, deepening Bai Li's frown.
“What's inside?” Bai Li inquired.
“Spirit stones,” Wu An stammered in a whisper.
Bai Li's eyes bulged as he alternated his gaze between the fidgeting man, Han Rui, and the purple satchel. Taking measured steps, he approached Wu An, peering into the bag. His eyes widened even more.
“I'm sure that's more than enough to convince you,” Han Rui said with a smile.
Bai Li took deep breaths to calm his frenzied heart, a wicked smile gracing his lips. “Haven't you heard the saying that a man shouldn't carelessly reveal his wealth?” He took a step forward, hands behind his back. “What's stopping me from taking this and your other possessions?” he asked, greed clouding his eyes.
Han Rui chuckled softly, his fingers gently rubbing his chin. “Why lust after so little when there's even more for you to gain?”
“Oh, there's more?” Bai Li muttered, a gluttonous desire warping his features. “Hand them over, and I'll grant you a peaceful death.”
Han Rui smiled wryly while shaking his head. “I can't believe such meager wealth has the power to corrupt you. Indeed, while birds die for food, men die for wealth.” He sighed, pointing eastwards. “I uncovered a spirit stone vein a few days ago. I'll disclose its location if you agree to my terms.”
“Enough of your nonsense!” Bai Li roared, a burst of qi engulfing the lanky man. “Tell me where it is right now, or I'll ensure you wish you were dead!”
Han Rui sighed again, reaching into his robes. He took out two black pills and tossed them to Po Ming and Po Wei. “Consume these, then go deal with that bastard. Understand?”
The Po brothers eyed the ominous-looking pills, then raised their heads toward Han Rui. They prepared to speak, but Han Rui cut them off before they could utter a word. “Eat them now, or I'll bring out my bat.”
Without hesitation, both men swallowed the pills.
“Good, now you're listening,” Han Rui suddenly paused, reaching into his robes a second time. A familiar bat with a silver sheen revealed itself, causing Po Ming and Po Wei to shudder in their positions.
“Don’t worry; the bat is only here in case you decide not to follow instructions. You won’t be doing that, right?”
The brothers vigorously nodded; their trembling eyes focused on the seemingly ordinary bat.
“All right then. Go beat that bastard, and don’t stop until I say so,” Han Rui said.
Po Ming and Po Wei exchanged tearful glances as they approached Bai Li, who had watched the exchange with incredulity.
“I don’t know who is more insane between you two and that ugly idiot,” Bai Li muttered. “Well, it doesn’t matter. I only need to get rid of you two after all.” Then, he turned his attention toward Han Rui. “I’m going to ensure you spend the rest of your life eating out of straw by the time I’m done with you. You’d wish you had given me what I wanted much earlier.”
Bai Li readied himself, staring at the approaching duo like a hawk awaiting its prey. Meanwhile, Po Ming and Po Wei engaged in a hushed discussion as their legs carried them forward.
“Brother, what are we going to do? What did he feed us, and how are we supposed to beat a cultivator when we don’t know any martial arts?” Po Wei whispered, with less than twenty feet between themselves and Bai Li.
“How the hell am I supposed to know? Let’s just try to twist his dick or something. If we're lucky, he’ll kill us in the first blow, or maybe he’s testing our allegiance or something,” Po Ming replied, dread contracting his features.
The duo halted, standing approximately ten feet from Bai Li, both adopting a defensive posture. Despite having ingested the mysterious black pill, they felt no immediate change. However, they understood the imperative nature of Han Rui's command and couldn't afford to disobey.
“Are you both ready to meet your end?” Bai Li murmured, emanating a menacing aura. The man's arms were surrounded by a concentration of qi as he took on a tiger stance.
“We're in trouble,” Po Ming and Po Wei muttered simultaneously.
Bai Li surged forward, propelled by the explosive force of his qi. Wu An and his subordinates eagerly anticipated the impending confrontation, their expressions contorted with delight.
In a flash, Bai Li stood before the Po brothers, a powerful paw strike aimed at their necks. "Die!" he roared, determined to crush their necks.
Wu An and his companions grinned broadly, while Po Yan struggled, attempting to free himself from his restraints. Han Rui, on the other hand, leaned against a pillar, observing the unfolding scene with little interest.
However, as Bai Li's fists approached, Po Ming and Po Wei exchanged puzzled glances. Confusion etched their faces as they observed the cultivator’s seemingly sluggish movements.
“Brother, is it just me, or is this guy ridiculously slow?” Po Wei muttered.
“Is he intentionally trying to make things extra flashy?” Po Ming muttered, subconsciously turning to Han Rui.
“What are you looking at me for? This is getting boring already. I’m going inside. You three should come find me when you’re done.” Han Rui’s voice filled the ears of the duo as he returned to the tavern.
Po Ming and Po Wei turned toward Bai Li again, and his fists were still several inches away. The duo adjusted their position, circling the cultivator while mentally counting down the seconds.
A thunderous whipcrack echoed, followed by a deafening boom in the area. A dust cloud shrouded the space where the Po brothers had stood moments ago.
Wu An erupted into laughter while clapping. “Congratulations, Grandmaster Li. Those fat…” He suddenly paused, noticing the bound Po Yan had disappeared.
He rubbed his eyelids excessively. Are my eyes deceiving me? Where the hell did he go? He turned left and then right, but there was no trace of Po Yan.
Meanwhile, Bai Li stood in the same position, staring at the emptiness in front of him. Like Wu An, he was just as confused and searched for answers. Not only had the Po brothers disappeared, but Han Rui too was nowhere to be found.
Suddenly, laughter reverberated into the air, forcing the assailants to turn toward their rear. Bai Li and Wu An stared blankly at the reunited Po brothers. Po Yan gently lay on Po Wei’s shoulder while Po Ming laughed with wanton abandon.
Wu An was left in utter bewilderment, questioning how they had ended up in this situation. Bai Li's reaction surpassed his own, his expression darkening with an unsettling intensity.
Without hesitation, the cultivator exerted all his strength, propelling himself eastward. However, a chuckle reached him the moment he took his first step.
“Where do you think you're going?” Po Ming materialized in front of the cultivator with uncanny speed.
Bai Li, panicking, attempted to evade the smiling man. Yet, Po Ming's hands swiftly moved toward the man's groin, aiming for a sensitive region.
“Please, just wait a moment,” Bai Li pleaded, cold sweat trickling down his face. “Let's talk about this...”
A twist followed by a crack, and a mournful scream reverberated through the area. Bai Li convulsed, frothing at the mouth, his eyes rolling inward. Despite the agony, Po Ming's hand remained firmly in place.
Meanwhile, Po Wei had successfully incapacitated Wu An and his companions simultaneously, leaving them sprawled on the ground, unconscious.
“Brothers, what the hell is going on?” Po Yan asked.
No one was more bewildered than him; after all, he knew his brothers well, and neither of them possessed the martial prowess or talents to execute what they had just demonstrated. Yet, their attackers lay unconscious on the ground.
“We’ll take later, we need to go see our benefactor right now,” Po Ming said, barely able to contain his excitement.