Super Soldier in the City

Just as the drink went down and emotions began to stir, a shout suddenly came from outside. Everyone stopped, and people at other tables turned their heads to look. They saw a dark mass of people approaching from the village entrance, at least twenty or thirty, maybe even more, as there were more following behind. These people came in a huff, looking irate.

Li Yifei frowned; there was no need to guess who had arrived. Zhang Tianxing put down his wine glass and swallowed the wine in his mouth, his face looking somewhat displeased. When he acted against Lang Yonggan and his son, he anticipated the other side would not let it go, but he didn’t expect them to bring people over so quickly. He had initially thought he might at least intimidate Lang Yonggan a bit.

The ones coming were Lang Yonggan’s three sons, who had called a bunch over. That’s how it was in this place—folkways were fierce, and sometimes two villages could erupt into brawls over a bit of land or water. As long as it involved interests, everyone would charge forward.

So it was no surprise to Zhang Tianxing that the other side could rally so many people. His parents were shocked, though. Even if the wedding couldn’t proceed, it was supposed to be a day of celebration. If it ended in a fight causing injury or death, it would be terrible.

The People of Zhang Family were also in a panic. They stood up from the table, instinctively looking at Zhang Tianxing.

Li Yifei calmly put down his wine glass and stood up. The other brothers did the same. Although no one spoke, watching the crowd approach from afar, they all exuded a strong killing intent, though it wasn’t genuinely murderous. If the other side dared to make a move, then... it would undoubtedly be a brutal one-sided massacre. Without killing, they could still make the other side face punishment.

Zhang Tianxing looked back, feeling a warmth in his heart, and laughed, "It’s nothing, I’ll take a look. Brothers, keep drinking!"

"Let’s go together. We missed it when the marriage was called off. Now that we have enough people, let’s see what they want!" Dumb Guy said with a steady voice.

Skinny Monkey sneered and said, "They want to bully my brother? They’ll have to see if we agree. The wedding’s already off; for those who come looking for trouble, we won’t be polite!"

Zhang Tianxing originally wanted to refuse but found himself saying, "Alright, brothers, come with me to meet them. Mom, Dad, keep eating and drinking, don’t worry."

After speaking, Zhang Tianxing walked out. Passing by other tables, he said a few soothing words, telling everyone to continue eating and drinking, not to worry about this matter.

"Tianxing, don’t... make a big deal out of it!" Zhang Tianxing’s father urged.

"Rest assured, we’ll handle it!" Zhang Tianxing nodded.

It was evident the other side was seeking trouble, as many held weapons—hoes, shovels, sickles, or sticks. Their expressions were fierce, as if they were poised to fight to the death.

Zhang Tianxing limped ahead, followed by Li Yifei and others, all unhurriedly walking over. Not only did they see Lang Yonggan, but also the beaten second son. At a glance, there seemed to be about thirty people on the other side, with a group of women and children following not far behind, as if the whole village had been mobilized.

Zhang Tianxing even saw his erstwhile fiancée, a burly but rather improper woman. Seeing the other side, a mocking smile tugged at Zhang Tianxing’s lips.

"Zhang Tianxing, get your ass over here!" The shout came from a short, stout man, Lang Yonggan’s eldest son, a thug himself, though not as influential as his second brother. The saying goes, a father and son fight side by side; when the brothers heard Lang Yonggan and his son got beaten, they couldn’t stand idle.

So this scene unfolded, with him brandishing a machete, glaring murderously at Zhang Tianxing while the second brother looked puzzled, wondering why there were so many unfamiliar faces behind Zhang Tianxing. He had never seen these formally dressed people, all in suits and ties.

"Lang Duo, if I were you, I would turn around and leave now instead of barking like a dog here!" Zhang Tianxing said coldly, limping a few steps forward.

"Are you calling me a dog?" Lang Duo, Lang Yonggan’s eldest son, repeated and immediately cursed, "You must be sick of living, huh? You think you’re something just because you brought a few friends? How dare you insult me!"

"Big brother, stop wasting time with him, let’s get down to business!" the second brother, Lang Xing, said. His eyes were venomous, glaring at Zhang Tianxing, still uneasy after suffering under them, thinking that with more people, they’d have an advantage.

Lang Yonggan squinted, noticing that Zhang Tianxing’s parents hadn’t come out. This felt insulting to him. He snorted and said to Zhang Tianxing, "Zhang Tianxing, can you represent the Zhang Family?"

"Why not? Lang Yonggan, what is it, I thought you were here to return the bride price. It seems you’re not planning to return it, huh?" With his brothers around, Zhang Tianxing reverted to his former self. Against opponents of this caliber, he had no need for politeness, tilting his head and narrowing his eyes as he spoke, infuriating Lang Yonggan.

Lang Yonggan stomped his foot, cursing, "Damn you... you’ve pissed me off. Forget the bride price; if I don’t smash your Zhang Family today, I won’t bear the name Lang!"

"Dad, don’t get mad. This guy thinks he’s tough with a few outsiders. With so many of us, we can surely take down the Zhang Family—just you wait and see the show!" the third son, Lang Bu, said.

Lang Yonggan finally calmed down a bit, snorted and said, "Hit them, hit them hard!"

"No rush!" His eldest son, Lang Duo, walked out a few steps, waving the knife in his hand, and loudly said to the people behind Zhang Tianxing: "Today, the Lang Family has business, and there’s no grievance with you all, so if you step aside now, you’ll still have time. I promise not to harm you."

Li Yifei and the others pretended not to hear, giving no reaction. Lang Duo paused for a moment, surprised by their toughness, sneered, and continued: "Great, it seems you are prepared to advance and retreat with Zhang Tianxing, so don’t blame us for being ruthless!"

Zhang Tianxing nodded and said, "What, still thinking of killing a few?"

"Blades and swords have no eyes, who can predict the outcome?" Lang Duo tilted his head, looking roguish.

Zhang Tianxing nodded and said, "Then whoever gets hurt on both sides shouldn’t demand compensation anymore, this rule is decent."

In the past, during disputes over land and water resources, similar situations occurred. After brawling on both sides, each took responsibility for their own injuries; not being able to win was one’s own fault, not the other’s.

Lang Duo said, "Fine!"

"Zhang Tianxing, we’re here now, and we might not necessarily need to fight, but you hit my dad and my second brother, we need to talk about this. Just because we don’t become in-laws doesn’t mean we have to be enemies, right? You did disgusting things in the city, your character is rotten, and still want to falsely accuse my father and sister? Your way of doing things is really shady." The third brother, Lang Bu, stood up, starting to play as the good-guy.

Better not to fight if possible, if these people get hurt or anything, it’s troublesome, however Zhang Tianxing didn’t appreciate it at all, smirked dismissively.

Lang Bu continued, "Kneel down and apologize to my father and second brother, compensate for the emotional damage and medical expenses, and today’s matter will be over, just like you said, our two families will not interact anymore!"

"Still want compensation for emotional damage?" Zhang Tianxing smirked faintly, then heard the other party speak matter-of-factly: "Of course, you hit people, and we are here to reason with you. If you don’t pay, then we might as well have a match."

"What about the bride price?"

"You still want bride price after all this? Are you out of your mind, so unclear-headed?" Lang Bu said.

Zhang Tianxing sighed, turned back to look at his brothers, and said: "Boss, brothers, lend a hand later, these people have weapons, be careful, even cutting clothes is troublesome, they can’t afford to compensate!"

Li Yifei smirked softly and said, "Alright, thirty-four men in total, and eight of us, each takes four, I’ll handle the extra two."

Actually, if Li Yifei wanted to, he could handle those thirty-four alone with ease, but now it’s a group effort with the brothers, Li Yifei wouldn’t hog it all, it’s better for everyone to share the task.

"Good, I’ll take eight! Haven’t fought for a long time, bullying those new recruits every day gives no satisfaction, today let’s have a showdown with these troublemakers!" Dumb Guy clashed his fists together, creating a thumping sound, with a slightly fierce expression, wearing a suit today, already tall and strong, he looked like a small mountain without the suit. Among the villagers who came to help on the other side, some subconsciously swallowed, fearing this fight would be tough, especially dealing with that big guy over there.

"Good, good!" Lang Duo gripped the knife in his hand, pulled out a strip of cloth from his pocket, wrapped it around in circles, this was to prevent the knife from slipping, and also an act to intimidate others. Usually, when he develops to needing a knife with others, this alone can scare the opponent, seemingly proving he’s going to get ruthless and desperate.

However, at this moment, the eight people opposite had no reaction, Skinny Monkey pointed at him directly and said, "This guy is mine, dares to raise a knife against us, if I don’t beat him till his mom doesn’t recognize him, then my skills are for nothing."

"Fine, he’s yours, those few burly ones over there, I’ll take them!" Dumb Guy said in selection.

They finished choosing, and these selections were not casually said, once the chaotic battle started, whoever was selected was the one to be hit, this was the rule, unless under special circumstances, they wouldn’t lend a hand elsewhere.

Alcohol-induced excitement hit, and the eight felt like they returned to their initial days in the army, full of fighting spirit, some got fatter, some neglected training, but that determination planted deep within had not disappeared, stimulated by this group of troublemakers opposite, even Li Yifei felt his blood boiling.

Really going to fight? People of Lang Family hesitated, they often intimidated like this, usually, the opponent is cowardly, yet today’s Zhang Tianxing suddenly toughened up, making them uncomfortable, Lang Duo gritted his teeth, holding the knife and said, "You chose to fight, so don’t blame me for being unkind!"