Ah San was no ordinary man. Although he walked with a limp, his willpower was remarkably strong. Through sheer determination, he had trained his leg techniques to surpass what they once were, and so his standards were naturally very high.
Although Xia Tian's earlier move had looked light and effortless, it contained the principle of redirecting force—a technique rooted in Tai Chi.
When Xu Decheng saw Xia Tian knock down two men in black at once, his curiosity about Xia Tian's teacher grew stronger.
He now understood why Xia Tian was so fearless: Xia Tian wasn't just an expert in appraising treasures—he also knew martial arts.
In truth, Xia Tian only knew three basic Tai Chi moves, which he had secretly learned from Fan Lao. But with his Clairvoyant ability, he could see an opponent's weaknesses. It was precisely by relying on his vision that he had managed to break Fan Lao's Tai Chi.
After Xia Tian dragged the two men to the ground, they quickly counterattacked. Although his previous strike had hurt them, they were Ah San's personal guards, and anyone trusted to serve at Ah San's side was far from weak.
The two attacked simultaneously from left and right, locking up Xia Tian's arms.
"They really aren't easy opponents," Xia Tian muttered as he retreated step by step, searching for an opening. His eyes moved rapidly, but the two men didn't give him any chance to counter—they pressed their attack relentlessly.
Suddenly, both men kicked at him. Xia Tian stopped retreating and lunged forward instead, grabbing one guard by the neck with his right hand and driving him to the ground before landing a punch squarely on his face.
The second man reacted instantly, striking toward Xia Tian's back. Xia Tian rolled across the ground, narrowly evading the blow.
Now it was one-on-one. Xia Tian twisted around and drove a punch into the man's thigh, then followed up with a double strike to his abdomen.
"Still think you can take me away?" Xia Tian looked at Ah San. He knew the man was a true expert—if it came down to a one-on-one fight, he wasn't confident he could win.
His eyes could identify Ah San's weak points, but his movements were far slower.
"Not bad," Ah San said, walking straight toward him. "But you're still too green."
His mission today was to bring Xia Tian back. "What's your relationship with Fan Zhuifeng?"
In Ah San's understanding, there was only one person in Jianghai City who practiced Tai Chi—Fan Zhuifeng.
Fan Zhuifeng was not a man to provoke. Aside from his powerful connections, his mastery of Tai Chi was nearly unmatched in Jianghai City.
"So much nonsense. If you want to fight, come on. I want to see how you plan to take me." Xia Tian clenched his fists, scanning his surroundings without missing a detail.
He knew that if he had to fight Ah San, his only chance was speed.
Hearing Xia Tian's words, Ah San smiled faintly.
Since Xia Tian refused to reveal his connection to Fan Zhuifeng, then even if there was one, it no longer mattered—he hadn't acknowledged it.
Seems trouble has finally found me. Pity my martial arts are still so poor. If only I'd learned a few more moves from Fan Lao that day, Xia Tian thought.
He knew his body had grown stronger since being transformed by the jade pendant, but he still had no idea how to cultivate properly—and he knew no real martial arts.
If he did, he wouldn't be feeling this sense of crisis now.
"Do you think you can stop me, Ah San? Even an immortal couldn't save you today." Ah San glanced coldly at Xia Tian, then turned to Xu Decheng. "You still haven't given up your crooked ambitions, have you? Be careful. Your good days are over."
Xu Decheng felt a chill in his heart.
Ah San's words made it clear—the Xu Family was going to move against him.
Given Xu Qinghua's trust in Ah San, if Ah San went back and reported today's events, the Xu Family would definitely take action.
"Xia Tian, we can't let Ah San leave here," Xu Decheng said urgently. "Otherwise, both of us will be in endless trouble."
He knew his own position. Though he had his own family business, compared to the Xu Family's power, it was insignificant.
"Hmph. You still don't know what's good for you." Ah San stopped in front of Xia Tian. "Do you think anyone's coming to save you? If someone can rescue you from my hands today, then I, Ah San, will bow my head and back away whenever I see you in the future."
He truly didn't believe anyone would come to their aid here.
Today, he intended not only to take Xia Tian away but also to eliminate Xu Decheng.
"So this is the infamous Crippled King, Ah San."
Three figures emerged from the alley.
They were all dressed in gray, faces masked, with a fiery cloud embroidered on their clothing.
"Liusha!" Ah San's expression hardened.
"Ah San, you're a capable man. Don't target Xia Tian again," one of the three said coldly.
"I've promised my master to bring him back. What are you Liusha people planning? If you'll give me some face today, I won't short you on money."
Ah San knew exactly what kind of organization Liusha was. For an assassin group like that, money was everything.
"This time, we can't give you that face. Xia Tian is under the leader's personal protection."
"Fine. I, Ah San, admit defeat today," Ah San said through gritted teeth.
He couldn't afford to offend Liusha—not only were its members all elite killers, but even if he managed to kill these three, Liusha would never stop hunting him.
Xia Tian had remained silent the entire time.
Everything unfolding before him felt surreal—scenes like this belonged in movies, not real life.
At that moment, he finally realized that his world had already changed beyond recognition. None of this had appeared suddenly; it had always been lurking around him.
He etched the name Liusha deep into his mind.
These people clearly weren't good. They must have had a reason for helping him.
Ah San was dangerous, but at least he was straightforward. Liusha, on the other hand, was a mystery.
No one did something for nothing—and they hadn't even asked for money to protect him.
The Xu Family was one of Jianghai City's four great clans; they had no shortage of wealth.
An organization that didn't want money must be after something far more valuable.
But Xia Tian couldn't think of anything he possessed that was worth that much.
No one could possibly know about the ancient Buddha relic. Aside from that, there was only the blood jade bracelet.
But while the bracelet was valuable, the Xu Family certainly didn't lack such treasures. So Liusha's motives must lie elsewhere.
Ah San pulled his two injured men up and drove off.
"Who are you people?" Xia Tian asked the three in gray.
"Xia Tian, find the keepsake your father left you—a scroll."
"Don't play tricks. We have hundreds of ways to kill you."
"Seven days. If you can't find it, we'll make your life worse than death."
They spoke so only Xia Tian could hear, then vanished into the alley, leaving behind Xia Tian, Xu Decheng, and the fallen guards.
Though Liusha was an assassin organization, they never created unnecessary trouble—that was the only reason Xu Decheng was still alive.
"Brother Xia Tian, where are you headed? I'll give you a ride," Xu Decheng offered respectfully.
After witnessing what had happened, he knew Xia Tian was no ordinary person.
Even Liusha had intervened to protect him—clearly, there was someone powerful backing him.
"Alright. Tianhe Grand Hotel," Xia Tian replied. He was heading there for his cousin's birthday.
Although the earlier events had delayed him, he had to hurry—his cousin had asked him to pose as her boyfriend.
"Tianhe Grand Hotel? A banquet? Do you need me to help buy a gift?" Xu Decheng didn't bring up the Liusha matter again.
He knew such things were secret—Xia Tian's secrets. The less he knew, the safer he'd be.
Xia Tian didn't ask him about Liusha either. From Ah San's reaction, the organization was clearly very secretive. He still had no idea what scroll they wanted from him.
His father had never given him anything like that.
Liusha had given him seven days—he had to either find the scroll or become strong enough to resist them. The latter was almost impossible.
"It seems I'll have to return to the old mansion tomorrow," he thought. The mansion hadn't been sold after his father's death, but he had never gone back.
"Oh, and it's my cousin's birthday. I already have a gift—the bracelet from earlier." The blood jade bracelet would make a perfect present.
Its effects were remarkable, especially for women—it enhanced beauty, nourished the body, and slowed aging. Even at forty, his cousin could still look like she was in her twenties if she wore it long enough.
"How could I forget? That blood jade really is an excellent gift," Xu Decheng said with a smile.
Just then, Xia Tian's phone rang.
"Cousin, I'll be there soon."
"Alright, alright, Qingxue, I get it. I'm destined to be your human shield forever."
"Where am I supposed to get flowers for you?"
"Fine, I'll think of something."
He hung up.
Xu Decheng chuckled after overhearing. As an old Jianghu man, he could tell what was going on. "Brother Xia Tian, let me handle the flowers. You go ahead—I'll have them delivered to you soon."
"Haha," Xia Tian laughed awkwardly. "Then thank you, Elder Brother Xu."
"Don't call me Old Master Xu. If you don't mind, call me Elder Brother Xu," Xu Decheng replied casually.
"Haha, then thank you, Elder Brother Xu." Xia Tian smiled. He knew someone like Xu Decheng could be very useful in the future.
Before long, the car pulled up at the Tianhe Grand Hotel.
The hotel was bustling with activity, a sign at the entrance reading: Happy Birthday, Ms. Ye Qingxue! The doorway was decorated beautifully for the celebration.