In the center of the two opposing groups, two unarmed youths were engaged in a martial arts bout. One was stout but steady on his feet, his punches and kicks powerful and forceful—this was none other than Wang Dapang, a good friend Han Li had made in the past. Despite his bulky frame, Wang Dapang was surprisingly agile. With each shout, his fists cut through the air with a fierce whoosh, radiating an imposing aura. The other combatant was a short, nimble youth who moved like a swift rodent. Instead of blocking Wang Dapang’s attacks, he continuously dodged and weaved, evidently trying to wear down his opponent’s stamina before launching a counterattack.
Seeing his friend engaged in a martial contest, Han Li naturally felt inclined to support him.
After watching for a while, Han Li noticed that Wang Dapang maintained his fierce momentum. Though Han Li knew little about martial arts, he could tell that his friend wouldn’t be defeated anytime soon, so he relaxed a bit.
He glanced around, hoping to find someone to ask about what was happening.
Not far from the tree he was perched on, he spotted a youth by a rock, gesturing excitedly while muttering to himself: “Punch his head! Kick his waist! Ah! So close! Yes, yes, kick his butt, harder…”
Completely absorbed in the fight, the youth seemed to be rooting for Wang Dapang.
Han Li found him amusing and slowly climbed down from the tree, approaching him.
“Brother, do you know the people fighting? What’s this all about?” Han Li asked with an earnest expression.
“Of course I do! Is there anyone Little Abacus doesn’t know? They’re fighting because… Hey! Who are you? I’ve never seen you before. Are you a new disciple? But new disciples won’t be admitted for another half year. Who exactly are you?” The youth, initially eager to answer, suddenly grew wary upon realizing he had never seen Han Li before.
“I’m Han Li, a friend of the valiant Wang Dapang fighting over there,” Han Li replied seriously.
“A friend of Wang Dapang? I know all his friends, and you’re not one of them!” the youth remained suspicious.
“Oh, I’ve been in seclusion for the past few years and haven’t been around. It’s natural you wouldn’t know me,” Han Li said, mixing truth with fabrication.
“Is that so? So you were admitted four years ago. I never thought there’d be someone within the mountain that I, the Know-It-All, wouldn’t know.” The youth glanced at Han Li’s attire and seemed to believe him.
After exchanging a few more words, the youth couldn’t resist sharing the details of the duel with Han Li.
“Junior Brother, you have no idea—this is all caused by a beauty. It all started…” True to his self-proclaimed title of Know-It-All, Little Abacus recounted the entire story in detail.
It turned out the conflict involved two people: Wang Yang, Wang Dapang’s cousin, and Zhang Changgui, the son of a local bank owner. Both were disciples of the Seven Mysteries Sect, though one was an outer disciple and the other an inner disciple.
Though they lived in the same town, their paths would never have crossed if not for a girl from a neighboring town who had been betrothed to Wang Yang since childhood. However, some time ago, while she was out, she caught the eye of Young Master Zhang, who was passing by on his way home. Under Zhang’s lavish financial persuasion, the girl and her parents relented, breaking off the engagement with Wang Yang and returning his betrothal gifts to marry Zhang Changgui instead.
The news of the girl’s change of heart due to greed for wealth dealt a heavy blow to Wang Yang, who had been deeply infatuated with her. Overwhelmed by despair, he eventually took his own life by drowning in a river.
The tragedy might have ended there, but Wang Dapang, who had been close to his cousin since childhood, refused to let the matter rest. He confronted Zhang Changgui and challenged him to a duel, with the loser having to serve tea, bow, and apologize.
Though arrogant, Zhang Changgui knew he was slightly inferior to Wang Dapang in martial skills. He insisted that friends could also participate, with the overall outcome determining the winner. Wang Dapang agreed without hesitation. Zhang, leveraging his wealth, spent generously to recruit skilled disciples from wealthy families to his side. Wang Dapang, though not rich, had extensive connections among the sect’s middle and lower-class disciples, many of whom volunteered to help him.
As a result, many sect disciples came to watch and cheer, forming two clearly opposed and hostile factions.
From the youth’s tone, Han Li gathered that the tension between wealthy disciples and those from middle or lower-class backgrounds had intensified, drawing such a large crowd to witness and take sides.
“You’re here to support Wang Dapang too, right? If they don’t play by the rules, we’ll jump in and teach these young masters a lesson they won’t forget!” the youth chattered incessantly.
Han Li smiled wryly. The conflict between these two factions had little to do with him, and it was hard to say who was right or wrong in this matter. After years of meditation and Qi cultivation, his once impulsive fervor had long since faded. Besides, he had never trained in martial arts or weapons and stood no chance against any ordinary disciple. He decided to watch the fight and then return quietly to the valley.
“Great!” the youth suddenly exclaimed with delight.
Hearing this, Han Li turned his attention back to the arena. Wang Dapang’s opponent had finally failed to dge in time and was struck squarely on the forehead by Wang’s hefty fist, collapsing unconscious.
Immediately, one group of onlookers cheered loudly, while the other side grew visibly upset.
Wang Dapang, looking immensely pleased, cupped his fists in salute to the crowd and then swaggered back to his side, his earlier ferocity entirely gone.
Two people from Zhang Changgui’s side stepped forward to drag the unconscious disciple back.
Then, one combatant from each side emerged again—one wielding a blade, the other a sword.
Both seemed hot-tempered. Without a word, they raised their weapons and clashed in a flurry of ringing strikes.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage