Qin Sheng was almost beaten to the graveyard due to being betrayed by Gu Xiaobo. However, things were different this time, for he had Qin Changan behind to support. But Zhuang Zhou and Nan Gong, who were appointed to protect Qin Sheng by Qin Changan, didn’t plan to make efforts on anybody else.
Then, it was still hard to say who would be the winner of this fight, Chu Sikong or Chang Baji?
Chang Baji drove on the road. He felt something wrong the moment he turned to a byway since there was noise coming from there. He frowned, feeling worried, for he tried to call Qin Sheng, but nobody answered.
Chang Baji dropped the phone. When he raised his head and looked forward, Chang Baji braked right away. Some huge stones blocked the road. Chang Baji then realized that this was a trap. But when he tried to back the car, he found that he was blocked from the backside by another car. That car stopped several meters away behind and trapped his car in between the stones and that car. Now it was impossible for Chang Baji to go.
Chang Baji sighed for he knew what was going on. But he didn’t expected that those people had even chased them to Hubei province. He didn’t bother to think about what was wrong, but focused on dealing with the present crisis. Those people were obvious fully prepared, aiming at stopping him from going to help Qin Sheng. But Chang Baji never gave in easily.
Chang Baji got off the car slowly and calmly, and then he saw a middle-aged man standing in front of those stones. That man was not tall and didn’t have a big physique. He just stood there with his two hands at his lower back. A big light behind him made his shadow long on the ground, showing his character of being extremely calm to any unexpected incidents.
“What a dangerous person!” thought Chang Baji.
“I’ve been waiting you here for a long time. There you are,” said the man and slowly stepped forward.
Chang Baji squinted and asked, “Who are you?”
“Chu Sikong.” Chu Sikong was quite a straight person, and he introduced himself without hesitation.
Chang Baji’s complexion was clouding. He said, “Mr. Chu, working for Third Master Wu. Of course I’ve heard of you, but I’ve never expected that I would meet you here. I’m not sure whether it’s lucky, or not.”
“Never mind, Mr. Chang. I’ve been staying in Zhejiang and Jiangsu province for a couple of years, and I haven’t met someone deserving to be my rival for long. You know those old men, they would never risk anymore. But recently, I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Chang. People say you’re a very capable person, especially in martial arts. That’s why I’m here. I hope you can teach me a martial arts class today,” said Chu Sikong politely and obviously didn’t mean to offend. There were rules in this circle, and Chu Sikong was not that kind of person who did not obey the rules.
Chang Baji grinned and said, “Mr. Chu, save the lecture. We both know you’re coming to stop me from saving Qin Sheng, and I guess you’re not the only one here for this.”
“Those conflicts are none of my business. I’m coming to have a competition with you only. Please forgive me if I ruin your arrangement.” Chu Sikong was so polite, as he always was, that Chang Baji even found himself rude if he disagreed with Chu Sikong.
But considering the critical condition that Qin Sheng was in danger and would possibly die at any time, Chang Baji had no choice. He took off his coat, with one leg stepping forward and the other bending and his two palms spreading to create a preparation pose of martial arts. Chang Baji, confronting with Chu Sikong, said, “If you insist, then just come.”
All of a sudden, Chu Sikong, who was always calm and indifferent, exuded fire-like desire from his eyes. He looked like a hungry beast that was swooping down to its prey. Chu Sikong kicked a stone on the ground to Chang Baji, who tossed his head, dodging easily. The stone fell on the windshield and broke it.
In a second, Chu Sikong rushed toward Chang Baji as fast as lightning, while Chang Baji, having a rare ferocious face, fought back without hesitation.
The war began, which was equal to the one taking place when Mars collided with Earth.
At the riverside…
Gu Xiaobo kneeled on the ground, with a pale complexion. He was covered with dirt all over his body and with tears all over his face. Gu Xiaobo, with one hand on his chest, tried to take a breath. He finally realized that he had no choices and no ways to retreat. If he hesitated more, he would suffer more in the future.
Thus, Gu Xiaobo made up his mind to stick on this way to the end. He stood up slowly and said to Gu Qingyang, “Qingyang, don’t blame me. I have to live, and I want to become somebody, so this is my only choice. Why do we risk our life for Qin Sheng? If not, we can lead a better life.”
Gu Qingyang was violently raged. He screamed to ask, “You son of b*tch! How dare you? How can you do such things since Brother Qin was so good to us? Don’t you fear that Senior Uncle Chang and our Master will kill you if they know what you’ve done?”
But Gu Xiaobo cared nothing any more. He laughed and said, “Senior Uncle Chang? I’m afraid he can’t manage this while handling his own things. After all, he still hasn’t appeared. As for our Master, he won’t know this if you don’t tell him.”
“You son of b*tch! It’s too late for me to figure this out,” Gu Qingyang cursed again, feeling deeply worried about Chang Baji.
Gu Xiaobo continued to try to persuade Gu Qingyang. “But Qingyang, it’s not late for you to make another choice. If we cooperate to kill Qin Sheng, then Brother Feng will absolutely reward us a lot. And we will get a chance to start our business in Shanghai. A promising future will be waiting for us. Qingyang, if you stick to that, then I won’t let you leave. If I do, I’ll die.”
Qin Sheng stared at Gu Xiaobo confusedly. He was surprised by the change happening to Gu Xiaobo, who used to be an excellent young man. Perhaps this was the difference between Gu Xiaobo and Gu Qingyang. The latter was always firm to his faith, but Gu Xiaobo had lost his ego due to all those temptations.
Gu Qingyang sniggered and said, “I’ll never do that. Unlike you, I’m a real man. From now on, we’re not brothers anymore. If you want to kill me, then you have to try hard.”
“Don’t you remember that you’ve never beaten me for all these years?” asked Gu Xiaobo, feeling upset. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill Qin Sheng, but Gu Qingyang, who was the only one he recognized as his brother. If he killed Gu Qingyang, he would feel sad about this for his whole life.
As Gu Qingyang had made up his mind to risk his life, he said, “Today will be different.”
Gu Qingyang was extremely angry but still rational. He kept in his mind that these people targeted Qin Sheng. It was Gu Xiaobo’s betrayal that pushed Qin Sheng into such a predicament. Anyway, he would try all his best to protect Qin Sheng to leave this place safely.
Gu Qingyang stepped back a little and stood in front of Qin Sheng. “Brother Qin, go! I’m watching your back. If I die, if you can, take revenge for me.”
People were born to be similar and then were shaped by different experiences. However, only in such hopeless situations could their true selves show out whether they were a hero or a coward.
At this very moment, Gu Xiaobo disappointed Qin Sheng, but Gu Qingyang moved Qin Sheng.
Qin Sheng shook his head and said, “Xiaobo, I’ve lived a life not too long, but not too short either. I’ve experienced everything one might experience in his life, especially death. Maybe today is the last day of my life. But Qingyang, I’m not the kind of person that can leave you behind and escape alone.”
Gu Qingyang was almost too worried to speak. “Brother Qin, not this time. We shouldn’t waste our time on arguing. If we linger on, then we’ll both die. But if one of us leave, the other can still take revenge. You have to go now. It’s my duty to eradicate this bastard for our Master.”
Qin Sheng approached Gu Qingyang and suddenly grabbed his arm. “I’m not leaving you here.”
Then, Gu Qingyang and Qin Sheng turned back and jumped into the river at once. Qin Sheng was a wise person, who would never resort to frontal attack in such a dilemma. Since he had tried so hard to reach Hubei province, he would not give up at this moment. What he said to Gu Qingyang before was to confuse his enemies.
Feng He’s face darkened. He thought he had settled this down and never expected that Qin Sheng would escape this way. He grinned and said, “Qin Sheng’s so naive. How can I let him escape so easily? Go and get him!”
Hearing his words, Feng He’s underlings all jumped into the river to chase after Qin Sheng and Gu Qingyang. Their task today was to kill Qin Sheng. If Qin Sheng escaped, they would be punished.
Feng He didn’t jump as the others did. He said to Gu Xiaobo, “You know what will happen to you if they leave alive. If you can kill them, I, on behalf of the Yan family, promise you a bright future in Shanghai. You’ll become a member of the Yan family. Even your Master will be afraid of you.”
Hearing the promise from Feng He, Gu Xiaobo was firmer to his choice, deciding that he wouldn’t let Qin Sheng leave alive. He clenched his fists, hesitating a little, and then dived into the river. Feng He followed Gu Xiaobo, jumping into the river and chasing after the two people.
Nan Gong and Zhuang Zhou had detoured to avoid running into Chu Sikong. They were hiding in the forest nearby now and seeing what had happened. They also knew that Chu Sikong and Chang Baji were fighting.
“What should we do now?” Nan Gong asked Zhuang Zhou.
Zhuang Zhou was still calm and said, “What should we do? Jump into the river after them. Wait for a chance. Go and get them. Then our Young Master can leave.”
“What about Chang Baji?” asked Nan Gong, frowning.
Zhuang Zhou giggled and said, “Don’t underestimate Chang Baji. He is much more capable than you expect. It’s hard to say who, Chang Baji or Chu Sikong, will win.”
Nan Gong felt relieved after hearing these words.
“Let’s go, or we’ll lose them.” Zhuang Zhou sneered, looking at those people struggling to chase Qin Sheng, their prey, in the river. But they had no idea that they were the real prey in this hunting game.
When those people almost faded away and would not find that someone was following, Zhuang Zhou, who was still very careful, bent his back and slowly approached the riverbank.
Nan Gong complained a few words for the delicate dress she wore. It was such a cold day and the river water would be even colder. It was really terrible to let a delicate woman stay in the freezing river water.
Anyway, their Young Master had chosen this way, so they had no other choice now.