"Let us formally introduce ourselves, we're the Clothed Bandits, " said the bulky man leaning into a mocking bow, "And this is a robbery," The bulky man added before signaling his taller and skinny companion to circle their prey.
Wei Kun's stomach growled. Bubbles build up in his digestive tract as he thought of the confrontation that was coming. This would be the his first time fighting, if he could even manage that.
His eyes caught the malevolent glint emanating from the bulky man's eyes. The deep scar dividing the bulky man's face only diminished his chances of victory. From the way the goon was staring at him, he new if he made any move he'd be pounced on.
The bulky man smacked his lips at the sight of the trembling kid. This brat had at least six gold coins on his person. That was over six hundred silver coins, their largest loot yet.
The two goons circled Wei Kun and blocked all his avenues of retreat. There wasn't much room to escape since it was an alleyway. Both exits, the front and the back had been blocked. Of course the sky was another option, if only he could fly.
But only immortals could do that and the goons knew that.
From their vast robbing experience they had grown an eye to distinguish between a sheep and a tiger. Not mention the goofy face, the lad had when he received the coins was a dead giveaway, he was wearing a plain khaki robe. He certainly an unaffiliated member like themselves.
Wei Kun's heart beat faster as the clothed bandits inched closer towards him. He was outnumbered and unarmed, he saw no hope in surviving. But he couldn't die here, not without completing his mission. That's right!
Hundreds of his tribesmen were cheering their champion from the underworld. Hoping, he'd gain the strength to avenge them. He could not fall here.
His face continued to portray a frightened expression but in the back of his mind, a plan was already taking form. All till now he'd been fearless in front of death because he was an ant aiming for the mountain peak but now that a hill was before him, he actually cowered. Did he only dare to take revenge for his tribe because it was impossible?
No!!
His right hand moved in protest, forming an arc towards his back. The skinny youth was caught off guard by the new development and bore the full weight of Wei Kun's elbow.
Soon after feeling the impact, Wei Kun struck the wall with his right leg and used the leverage to jump into the air. His right fist folded as he unloaded his momentum on the dazed bulky goonwith his right fist.
"What?" The bulky man snapped back into reality only to be face a large fist heading his way. There was no time to dodge, however his was not as inexperienced as the skinny goom. His fighting instincts kicked in and he moved his body backward, increasing the distance between him and the attack. He wanted to offeset the impact.
But, Wei Kun was no ordinary mortal and his physique was almost equal to an early body tempering cultivator.
The punch connected and the goon felt the brunt of Wei Kun's full strength. His nose, like a horse pipe that had been opened sprayed a crimson liqui onto the dry walls of the alleyway and some even splashed on Wei Kun's robe.
"Little brat!" Charged the skinny youth that had been sneak attacked by Wei Kun's elbow.
Wei Kun's heart remained calm, even though he never fought, he'd spectated a few brawls among his tribesmen. In his free time he'd recall the brute moves and analyse the pattern. Once, twice, thrice and eventually he came with a few insights of his own. Today he'd put them to the test.
At the moment the skinny youth's fist was gonna land on the back of his neck, he grabbed it with his left hand and pulled him forward before kneading him in the gut.
Crack!
A sound something cracking sounded and soon the skinny youth vomited a very nauseating mixture.
Wei Kun was gonna finish him with another knee, when his ears buzzed. He stopped his legs and threw the skinny youth to his left. Then a stream of blood splashed on his face.
The youth's arms had been severed, had he continued with his attack that would have been his head instead. He thought as he looked at the bulky man holding a trembling blade.
The bulky man's face twisted in anger at the sight of his disciple. A moment ago, he'd wanted to retrieve his blow , but he only knew half of the technique; the attacking part. Now a seedling he had natured for years was destroyed just like that.
His blade shook, resonating with his raging heart, but he suppressed his impulse to attack and stared at the young lad before him. It was clear from his unrefined skin that he had not undergone marrow cleansing and couldn't be a cultivator.
(Body Tempering, Stage One – Marrow Cleansing, Stage Two -- Bone Forging...)
Yet he had managed to penetrate his defenses. He wiped the remnant blood on his nose. He had heard of geniuses that could content with cultivators while in their mortal states, something about heavenly physiques. Now he had encountered one of those monsters.
His bloodshot eyes met the determination on Wei Kun's face and without saying a word, he shot forward. Cultivation usually began and a young age, mostly around fifteen and sixteen years. Even though this youth looked more than twenty, he could not risk the chance of him getting accepted into a sect or meeting an eccentric Taoist. Because then, he'd have resources and training that he, would not have. The lad would improve by leaps and bounds while he'd remain at the early stage of yhe body tempering realm.
The bulky man's blade slashed the air and shot towards Wei Kun. Still feeling the strength was not enough, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes and his veins bulged. He'd already formed enmity with lad and seeking forgiveness would only bite him in the back, so he didn't hesitate to urgent his full power even if it meant killing a talent in his cradle. Weeds must be eliminated by the roots!
Seeing the slash heading for him, Wei Kun chose not to retreat and lowered his head and used the wall behind him as leverage and speared the bulky man in the gut. Such a crude move was an insult to martial arts, but effective.
The bulky man was caught off guard and was slammed to the ground. He tried to urge his hand to slash the young lad away from his stomach but his arm kept on hitting the lad's ribs.
Wei Kun had arched his back, while wrapping his arms on the bulky man's neck. In this position the blade would keep hitting air and the most damage the bandit could do was hit his ribs with his arms. In simple terms, he'd created a Blindspot. The goon would remain in his vice and continue to struggle while slowly losing air, by then he'd be the last man standing.
Soon the bandit began losing his breath and realized the trick. He threw the blade into the distance and double punched Wei Kun in the stomach.
Twin Punch Technique!
Wei Kun was sent flying. With a bang he slammed into the wall and coughed a large amount of blood.
"Your bones are very tough," the bandit said. He couldn't help but acknowledge the youth. That punch was a technique of a powerful technique he found in a tomb and was his killing move. Many body tempering experts had perished from on hit. The lad's lungs should've collapsed at the least but he only coughed up blood. The heavenly physique was truly a miracle.
"Such a pity you had to meet me, a mid-body tempering master," the goon said while sighing as if he truly felt pity for Wei Kun, and continued, "Give Up, you might've had a chance if we met a few months earlier but now that I've become a bone forging expert..."
While he was 'guiding' Wei Kun, a shocking scene was taking place below Wei Kun's clothes. The blood flowing from Wei Kun's mouth and down his chin, was slowly getting sucked by the red strand tied around the dusty gourd. It was the same gourd he'd bought from the old merchant.
The gourd's cap remained sealed but the red strand seemed to possess a life of its own and created an invisible suction force that made the blood disappear upon its contact.
Meanwhile, outside the Wei Kun's clothes, the bandit was still lecturing Wei Kun and at this point he had already reached for the blade he had thrown away earlier.
Wei Kun remained seated, with his back leaning on the wall. Naturally he hadn't been enlightened by this 'compassionate' goon. He had seen through this ploy a long time ago, but made no move and chose to recover his breath instead.
Though his tough bones had not cracked under the attack, his lungs had however suffered a huge shock that almost made the blood flowing in his veins to reverse. Now seeing the blade back in the goon's hand he knew that he could no longer rest.
As he struggle to stand on his feet, he recalled the little she-devil that had made the bet with him. His trembling eyes turned cold upon the memory, if he had the chance he had to personally return this good lesson she'd taught him.
His feet had only touched the ground for a few breathes when his lungs failed again to take in the air and almost made him collapse if it weren't for the wall behind him.
Today, he personally felt the terror of the legend called a cultivator and it was even a goon at that, Bai Kun's Realm should be way higher than this lowlife. What hopes did he have to take revenge, if he can't even beat the lowest of scum in the cultivation world?
"Heh, back on our feet hey," the bulky man chuckled, he had expected this much of the heavenly physique. An explanation he'd given to Wei Kun's heaven defying constitution and strength.
"Well, this is where it ends!" He roared, swinging his blade. This time the attack would sever the youth's head.
However, the instant he moved, something shocking happened. His protruding hand stopped just a few inches from Wei Kun's neck.
The bandit's hand trembled and refused his urging. The blood in his arm froze and moments later the blade dropped onto Wei Kun's lap.