Chapter 1: The Entanglement of Fate and Enmity, Haicheng's Solitude

  The gap between men is not visible at ordinary times, but when things come to a head and face each other, the difference will be revealed. Li Huqiu and Zhang Tiejun were both trained by Hao Cui. Zhang Tiejun was eliminated, while Li Huqiu surpassed his master. The difference between them is like that of an eagle and a sparrow. Sparrows build their nests under the eaves or on tree branches, never leaving them, whereas young eagles, though not yet soaring into the sky, already have the air of swooping down from the heavens.

  Li Hu's pride, deeply rooted in his bones and blood, made him unwilling to be inferior to others. He practiced diligently and painstakingly, eventually honing his unorthodox skills. Zhang Tiejun, a mediocre sparrow, was no match for him.

  Li Huqiu grasped the wooden stick in Zhang Tiejun's hand with one hand, and stepped closer to trip up Zhang Tiejun's supporting leg. At this moment, all it would take was one punch to knock Zhang Tiejun to the ground. But just then he stopped. Because he suddenly saw Xiao Luoyan.

  Before Li Huqiu swung his fist to hit Zhang Tiejun's face, he subconsciously glanced around the crowd and found Xiao Luoyan. There were many onlookers in the surrounding area, but no matter who it was, as soon as they approached this circle, they would suddenly discover that Xiao Luoyan was there. A 16- or 17-year-old girl with a face like a painting, even her complexion was exaggeratedly similar, making it hard to believe that such a delicate and lovely person existed in the world. So, everyone who saw this little girl for the first time would feel as if they had suddenly seen her. Because this beauty is truly one-of-a-kind, seeing her afterwards would make people feel regretful, wondering why they hadn't looked over there earlier.

  Li Huqiu was stunned by the beauty of two women in one day, one big and one small. One was his mother, and the other would have a great fate with him in the future. Although he didn't recognize either of them now, it didn't stop him from admiring the former and being infatuated with the latter.

  Li Huqiu's appreciation for women has always been different from that of Hao Diaozi and Zhang Tiejun. Even when he was still in his mother's womb, he was the grandson of a minister, although he was born to be an orphan and drifted to his hometown, but he was still an eagle at heart. A young eagle may look like a sparrow, but it is still an eagle, its view of the world and its aspirations are not comparable to those of a sparrow.

  Such a pouring is the most sincere pouring. Pouring under the pomegranate skirt.

  His hesitation gave Zhang Tiejun an opportunity, an opportunity to pour himself in front of Xiao Luoyan's embroidered pomegranate skirt. So he was poured, and it would be better to say that he was poured under the beauty of Xiao Luoyan rather than being poured under Zhang Tiejun's fists. Just like a noble and beautiful unicorn, capable of rivaling the heavenly dragon, yet only infatuated with beautiful young girls.

  Li Huqiu fell to the ground at Xiao Luoyan's feet, his hands propping himself up, and when he lifted his head, he just happened to see the pomegranate flowers on Xiao Luoyan's cotton-padded jacket. His face was dirty, but his eyes were shining brightly. Xiao Luoyan smiled with her lips pursed and said, "He's coming to hit you." Li Huqiu said, "Do you like watching fights?" Xiao Luoyan nodded seriously and said, "I like watching you fight him, your movements are more beautiful than his, even the way you fall is more agile. Hehe." Li Huqiu suddenly jumped up, completely forgetting that he should have gone easy on this fight. He turned around and launched a combination of punches at Zhang Tiejun, knocking him down. When he turned back to look at where Xiao Luoyan had been standing earlier, she was already gone.

  Zhang Tiejun and the other two were also seasoned fighters, quickly getting back up after being knocked down. Li Huqiu was still in a daze when the three of them pounced on him together, pinning him to the ground. Li Huqiu lost sight of his surroundings, his competitive spirit fading, and he covered his head with both hands, letting the three of them hit him. After a few blows, Zhang Tiejun stopped the two small thieves who were getting out of hand. Li Huqiu finally got up from the ground, and Zhang Tiejun dragged the two small thieves and ran towards the waiting hall outside. Li Huqiu chased after them, and Zhang Tiejun shouted while running: "Li Huqiu, do you dare to make a bet with us?" Li Huqiu shouted back: "I'm not afraid of you, say a place!" Zhang Tiejun shouted without hesitation: "Yangjiang Road, San Kongliu Park, the small martial arts arena next to the fake mountain. Whoever doesn't go is a coward!"

  Li Huqiu stood still, gazing at the disappearing backs of the three people. His wrist shook slightly, and a flying knife fell into his palm. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

  When Li Huqiu went to the riverside road, he took a detour back home and took a look at Little Swallow. He entrusted Zhang Manli: "Sister Manli, Little Swallow's life is bitter, her mother is gone, and her father is not a good person. If I don't come back today, from now on, she will be in your care. In the house where Xiao Yao lives in the south of the courtyard, there is a package hidden in the stove, with 100,000 yuan inside. Take it to buy a small house, and use the remaining money to start a small business. Raise Little Swallow well for me, and I will thank you for this life. In the next life, my younger brother will be your servant." After finishing speaking, he didn't allow Zhang Manli to refuse, nor did he listen to her questions. He turned around and rushed out of the gate like flying, running towards San Kong Liu Park.

  A lord who is not discreet loses his ministers, a minister who is not discreet loses his life. A person who is not discreet loses friends, a merchant who is not discreet loses wealth. If you want to defeat a great enemy, keeping secrets is the first step to success, and making your opponent unaware of your hostility is the best. These words were told by Hao Cui Zi one word at a time to Li Hu Qiu. Today's play will test which one performs better, the master or the apprentice!

  Inside the three willow park on Yangjiang Road. The old cripple and the big flagpole were listening to Zhang Tiejun's report to them.

  "Haoye, Qige, you can rest assured, just now the three of us did as you instructed, letting this kid take advantage of us. He's so arrogant that he can't even find his way north. This is a place where we often have fixed fights, and he definitely won't think that we're prepared."

  Da Qi Ganzi said: "Tie Jun, you must be mentally prepared. After it's done, I and Lao Hao have prepared a sum of money for you. You can run as far as you want, but don't come back when the wind dies down." Hao Cui Zi continued: "We're not just going to beat him up and that's it. We're going to kill him, chop him into pieces, put him in a sack, and throw him into the river. In the future, if we can't bear the consequences, we'll be discovered by Lei Zi. If we commit murder and dismemberment, it's a capital offense, punishable by death. You little brat mustn't be foolish later." Zhang Tie Jun nodded expressionlessly and said: "Two big brothers, please rest assured."

  Li Huqiu's figure appeared at the park gate, and the little thief who was watching the wind hurriedly ran in to report the news to the two old thieves. Hao Duanzi told others to hide and prepare, as soon as this kid enters the circle, they will surround him and beat him to death.

  On the small martial arts arena, Zhang Tiejun and two thieves who were frightened out of their wits stood there. The two thieves were clearly a bit absent-minded. As soon as they thought that someone would die here in a while, and they were one of the main culprits, they felt a wave of dizziness in their hearts. This was a capital crime punishable by beheading! Their most serious crimes before were just petty thefts. Li Huqiu's hands were inserted into his pants pockets, walking leisurely to the small path outside the martial arts arena, narrowing his eyes to look inside, and quickly scanning around. The three sides of the small martial arts arena were surrounded by woods, with a small path on the outside, and across from the path was a pond, flower beds, and artificial hills, all quiet and peaceful. Only Zhang Tiejun stood in the center of the small martial arts arena with two thieves waiting for him.

  Li Huqiu strolled over and walked into the center of the martial arts arena without hesitation. He said, "Zhang Tiejun, I'm here. How do you want to die?"

  The trees and grass in the forest were dense, with several ditches around them. Hao Qiu Zi and Da Qi Gan Zi were hiding here, watching Li Hu Qiu enter the circle. Hao Qiu Zi whistled, leading his men to climb out of the ditch. This guy was using two crutches, but his movements were still quite agile.

  "Li Huqiu, you little rascal, you're quite bold!" The old cripple moved swiftly upwards, but intentionally slowed down. "Everyone come up together and beat this little rabbit to death." This guy shouted the loudest, but ended up at the back of the pack. A flash of cold light appeared as Li Huqiu threw a flying dagger from his hand, striking the thigh of Er Qianguan, who was running in front. The guy let out a pained cry and fell to the ground. With one swift motion, another flying dagger appeared in Li Huqiu's hand, and he shouted: "Who dares come closer? I'll stab him in the throat!" Hao Cuizi yelled from behind: "Everyone get up, he only has three flying daggers, this little brat doesn't dare kill anyone."

  Li Huqiu's hand shook and a flying knife shot out, a cold light rushing straight at Hao Diaozi. Hao Diaozi was so scared that his soul almost left his body, thinking it was all over for him. But unexpectedly, he suddenly heard a "ding" sound in his ear, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Li Huqiu's flying knife stuck in his crutch. Li Huqiu said coldly: "This is a warning to you, if you dare to come at me again, my next knife will pierce your throat."

  The big flagpole led the crowd to block the direction of the small road leading out of the martial arts arena. Facing Li Huqiu's unpredictable flying knives, he didn't dare to show his head either, and stood in the crowd saying: "Li Huqiu, don't blame us for not being righteous, so many people beating you alone, it's really because you're too arrogant, you didn't leave any room for us seniors, you occupied Lao Canzi's house and territory, and snatched away Lao Er's woman, these two accounts you must settle today."

  Li Huqiu looked up at the sun, roughly around one o'clock. He threw the third flying knife in his hand to the ground and said with a smile: "Isn't it just that you want to beat me up to vent your anger? You two old guys still dare to kill me, come on, I'll stretch out my hands for you to tie up and beat, just leave me some breath." After finishing speaking, he really stretched out his hands and made a gesture of being helpless. Zhang Tiejun looked at Laoquezi and Daguibang, the latter two nodded at him, meaning that he should take action to bind Li Huqiu. Zhang Tiejun took out a set of soul hooks from his pocket and used the fine rope on the hook to tie up Li Huqiu's hands behind his back. Hao Quezi shouted: "Use the dragon binding rope to tie him up, and check if he has any more flying knives on him!"

  Zhang Tiejun bound Li Huqiu as instructed. Hao Cuizi watched from the side, admiring Zhang's skilled hands as he tied up Li Huqiu, feeling secretly pleased in his heart. Zhang Tiejun signaled to him that there were no flying knives on Li Huqiu's body. Only then did the old cripple walk calmly to Li Huqiu's face and slapped him with a loud smack. "You little rabbit, why aren't you arrogant now? You ruined one of my legs, I want your life in return, who do you think is more justified?" Li Huqiu glared at him, looking very surprised, then his face turned urgent as he said: "Hao Cuizi, are you trying to kill me? You're not human, you don't keep your promises!"

  Hao Diaozi burst out laughing and said: "Li Huqiu, all your skills were taught by me. To be honest, except for one trick that I didn't teach you, in other aspects you are better than me. If we didn't have such a deep grudge between us, I would really want to rely on you to support me in my old age. Unfortunately, it's too late to say these things now. Today is your day of death."

  Li Huqiu shouted: Wait a minute, I have a few words to say. You know my skills were already well-known, and in the past few years, I haven't been idle outside. The big cargo that was lost at Beizhan Station last time was also done by me. There's a jade pendant inside, and I showed it to Baoqing's big cabinet. He said it could be worth at least 1.5 million. Let me finish saying these words, even if I die, I can close my eyes in peace. Where are all these things hidden? I'll tell you everything.

  Dà qí gān zi heard the number 1.5 million and suddenly came to life, he also squeezed forward, crowding in front of Li Huqiu. The old cripple's spirit was also lifted. Li Huqiu said: "Anyway, I'm also a person who is about to die soon, before I die, there are a few things I'd like to ask you, if you grant my wish, I'll tell you where the thing is hidden, and I also have 1 million yuan in savings deposits, all hidden together with the password."

  Hao Buzi gave him a cold look and instructed the little thief beside him, "Go have two people keep watch at the park gate. If there's any situation, come back immediately and call out." He then said to Li Huqiu, "If you have anything to ask, say it now. Also, I advise you not to waste time waiting for Old Chen's arrival. If you have something to fart, do it quickly. Otherwise, by the time he arrives, your corpse will be cold."

  Li Huqiu asked, "You've been so honest in front of me these days, are you pretending to be a fool and deceiving me?" The old cripple nodded slightly with satisfaction and said, "That's right, otherwise I would have been killed by you long ago." Li Huqiu exclaimed and said, "Your trick is played beautifully. I remember you taught me not to let the opponent see that I have hostile intentions. After learning from you, I completely forgot it, and my death was not unjust." Hao Cui's heart was pleased, and his impatient expression slightly reduced. The flagpole urged, "Little rabbit, stop 'twisting willows' (talking nonsense), hurry up and say where the things are hidden."

  Li Huqiu glanced at him disdainfully and said, "You don't even have this bit of patience. One look at you and I can tell you're a hothead. No wonder you've never been able to beat my master in the past. Alright, don't rush me, I still have one last wish unfulfilled. As long as I get to fulfill this wish, I'll immediately tell you where the hidden thing is."

  Hao Cuizi's face was cold as he said, "What wish? Speak, Master will fulfill it for you." His tone carried a hint of regret and admiration.

  Li Huqiu stared at him with both eyes and said: "In the underworld, I am also a thief. The absolute skills that I didn't learn in the world of yang, I want to bring them to the underworld. You perform again in front of me, take off your robe and yield, tell me the trick, and I will immediately tell you where the hidden things are."

  Hao Qiu's expression changed, staring at Li Huqiu's eyes, hesitating for a moment before nodding and saying "Alright, I'll help you". After that, he instructed others to retreat further away, not allowing anyone to eavesdrop or peek. Zhang Tiejun waved his hand and everyone followed him to back off, leaving only the flagpole as a target nearby.

  Only after the old cripple loosened his muscles did he suddenly use both arms to swing his body in front of the flagpole, throw away his crutches, stretch out his hand to grab the shoulder of the flagpole, and between his fingers, a faint white light flashed by. Li Huqiu saw it very clearly that it was a finger roll. The old cripple's other hand inserted into the waist of the flagpole, entered its inside, and then took it out. The entire action would require a high-magnification camera to see clearly. If a person's eyes hadn't undergone special training, they wouldn't be able to see it at all. Li Huqiu's eyes were wide with wonder. When the old cripple pulled his hand back, he had already taken the vest from inside the flagpole. And yet, the flagpole seemed completely unaware.

  The old cripple said: "The method of taking off the robe and yielding is what you just saw, apart from diligent practice, remember a robe and a yielding word, when you arrive at the underworld it will ensure that you can practice it, also I have to tell you, the greatest effect of this trick is not stealing others', but helping oneself escape, with this trick, even sixty-four kilograms of heavy iron chains cannot trap you."

  Li Huqiu nodded and said, "Indeed, you have a good technique. No wonder you can become the Thief King of Hua Xia. You truly deserve it. Alright, from today on, I'll take your place." As soon as he finished speaking, his hands, which were tied behind his back, suddenly became free. A white light flashed on his hand, and a flying knife appeared. With a flick of his wrist, the knife stabbed into the leg of the flagpole, hitting a vital spot. The flagpole fell to the ground in agony, its body shaking with pain.

  Li Huqiu snorted at him and said coldly, "This knife is for Manli sister, from now on you can be called Qi Gonggong on the Haicheng Road, on the condition that you can survive today." Then his hand flashed with white light again, and a fifth flying knife appeared.

  "It's your turn, you old cripple!"