Though Fang Lin's warnings about evil spirits left lingering fears, Li Pingcan's journey had been smooth sailing so far. Apart from the initial novelty, the monotonous wilderness scenery quickly dulled the youths' excitement, with no signs of the so-called dangers materializing. Even the roadside inns they stayed at were familiar establishments, clearly prearranged and reported. The bloodthirsty battles whispered about in martial circles seemed unlikely to occur on this escort mission.
After all, how much true drama exists in ordinary life? Isn't most of it just social niceties and steady operations?
On the evening of the fourth day, the group stopped at a somewhat dilapidated Taoist temple, securing their horses and carts before lighting a bonfire inside the building for rest. Li Pingcan studied the simple map's markings - just two more days until they reached Longquan County.
The outbound trip took six days, while the return would only require four. First because traveling light without cargo increased speed, and second because their planned return route cut through mountain paths to save time. However, this shortcut appeared to be known only to the Weiyuan Escort Agency - the route Zhou Enxian had taken them two years ago during training had been different.
The mountain night wind carried an eerie chill, making the watchmen's necks ache as it swayed the bonfire flames, stretching their shadows long and thin outside. Sounds of clashing fists and excited youthful cheers echoed from the courtyard.
"Are the escorts sparring again?" Li Pingcan's interest stirred. Escort missions were dull affairs - requiring full daytime vigilance without alcohol or outlets for pent-up energy, creating considerable tension. Evening sparring sessions became the perfect release.
Practicing martial arts until dripping with sweat brought wonderful relief - refreshing both body and mind! It also helped escorts familiarize themselves with each other's techniques, establish rankings, and understand how to coordinate during real conflicts.
Following several escorts outside, Li Pingcan saw two figures - one young, one mature - already locked in fierce combat within a branch-marked circle. The fighter was Li Chao, fifth oldest among the brothers from Peach Blossom Village. His straightforward personality manifested in aggressive offense, swift defense, and disciplined footwork, revealing exceptionally solid fundamentals.
Yet youth remained his disadvantage.
"You Chang's mantis leg technique remains impressively swift. He's older - no shame losing to him," Fang Lin patted Li Chao's shoulder encouragingly, while stealing an amazed glance at Li Pingfu. Though the youths rarely won matches, each displayed remarkable talents that, with proper training, would blossom into formidable abilities. That Li Pingfu could gather so many capable youths at his age marked him as truly exceptional!
Fang Lin recalled his own mediocre skills at twenty.
Meanwhile, Li Pingcan observed intently, absorbing practical combat insights from others' exchanges. Even to his eyes, their movements seemed slightly sluggish with overly telegraphed intentions, making counters easily predictable. Still, many average minds could equal a genius - this made for decent entertainment!
After You Chang won with his mantis leg technique against another escort, Li Pingcan noted its advantages: swift, energy-efficient footwork enabling agile maneuvering and opportunistic strikes, granting You Chang exceptional endurance.
Having won twice consecutively, You Chang withdrew to spectate. Next, second brother Xie Xiaodao showcased his throwing knife mastery - hitting every target within fifty paces, drawing escorts' praise.
Xie Xiaodao proudly slung an arm around Li Pingfu's shoulders. "Pretty accurate, huh? All thanks to big brother's teaching!"
"That impressive?" Fang Lin smiled at Li Pingfu. "Why not give it a try? You Chang's mantis legs and Wang San's southern fist are famous techniques in our agency - even I must stay alert against them."
"Alright." Li Pingfu agreed, having grown eager after watching so many matches.
"Go big brother!" Li Pingcan cheered, sparking an eruption of support from other youths:
"Defeat Escort You and avenge us!"
After exchanging names, Li Pingfu didn't rush to attack. Knowing You Chang's legs posed the greatest threat, he remained steadfast as a mountain, making it difficult for the escort to find openings. Moreover, You Chang's consecutive wins would naturally make him more aggressive.
"I can't show fear against some rookie," You Chang thought, having long heard of Li Pingfu's reputation and eager to test him. He feinted straight punches before suddenly whipping his right leg like a mantis limb toward Li Pingfu's knee.
This technique combined blinding speed with single-leg flexibility, allowing instant transitions between offense and defense. Confident Li Pingfu couldn't track the kick's afterimage, You Chang committed fully.
Li Pingfu dropped his arms in a "monkey fishing the moon" posture.
His forearm blocked the hook kick before seamlessly transitioning into a grab, perfectly capturing the "mantis leg."
You Chang's scalp prickled - with his leg caught, defeat was inevitable.
"You didn't guard your upper body?" He asked incredulously. Normally people protected their chest and head against apparent punches - why break convention?
Li Pingfu shook his head. "I did guard - by knowing you'd attack my lower body."
You Chang was speechless. Were modern youths all so monstrously perceptive?
Big brother's showing off brilliantly! Li Pingcan grinned. Even without blocking, Escort You's fists likely couldn't penetrate Li Pingfu's blood qi energy, since the escort specialized in legs rather than punches. But this "prediction" made for far more spectacular viewing!
Seeing the mantis technique fail, Wang San entered the circle. Short but densely muscled across arms, abdomen and legs, he clearly relied on brute strength.
Li Pingfu's excitement surged - his underground fighting experience made him prefer direct, bone-crunching exchanges.
The clash came instantly.
No feints this time - just fists colliding violently. Li Pingfu's punch halted momentarily as overwhelming force surged through his arm, tendons and bones crackling under the impact. Compared to the mantis legs, this southern fist packed substantially more power!
But strength alone wasn't enough.
Li Pingfu's left fist shot toward Wang San's face with terrifying speed, leaving afterimages as acceleration compounded its force, creating a shrill whistle through the air.
Wang San attempted to counter but couldn't match the rhythm, his disrupted timing leaving him vulnerable to a chest strike. This signaled grave danger - his opponent's tempo far surpassed his own!
Sure enough, within moments Wang San absorbed successive blows to shoulders, chest and forearms - all non-lethal areas, clearly showing mercy. Recognizing inevitable defeat, he conceded.
"True heroes emerge from the young! I respectfully admit defeat!"