Chapter 74: The Dark Street

Figures flashed in the darkness of the backstreet, making it feel like a movie set. Having recently participated in actual combat, Lou Cheng had developed a habit of making quick decisions. The moment he recognized Wang Xu, he was ready to help without a second thought.

In the past, he would have been timid and jittery, just like Jiang Fei. Even if the man being hunted was his childhood friend, he wouldn't have dared to get involved. Being reckless could get his family into trouble. At best, he could call the police. But now, after the Warrior Sage Challenge Tournament, he was confident and calm, his progress in martial arts and mental state was tremendous.

How could he stand by and watch his friend get killed? He couldn't.

In a split second, Lou Cheng took off his down jacket and threw it at Jiang Fei. "Hide yourself!" he said in a quick, low voice.

Jiang Fei was too shocked and frightened to react. Seeing Lou Cheng run off, he felt a sense of danger and wanted to stop him, but fear kept him from speaking. How could Cheng be so reckless? In front of him were three guys with knives! What should I do?

While Jiang Fei panicked, Lou Cheng was already making a plan. He checked his surroundings, making sure there were no cameras. Although there were dim lights coming from the houses, he hid in the darkness, lowering his weight and moving in a zigzag pattern. He was calm. He had faced many dangerous situations in the ring, where victory and defeat hung in the balance, and his Jindan had failed. He had to consider the consequences. If he was caught on camera or remembered by reporters, it could get him and his family into trouble.

Lou Cheng moved with particular caution, his eyes fixed on the three men. Despite having defeated a Professional Ninth Pin, he never underestimated his enemies. In the body refining stage, there was an old saying that even a martial expert couldn’t stop a kitchen knife. The men had knives, and he had just recovered from the boomerang effect of his power. He had to be careful. In the ring, referees protected fighters, but here, in real combat, people got hurt or killed.

He knew he couldn't stand back. Once involved, he had to take down at least one man as soon as possible to make the fight easier.

The night was dark without moonlight or starlight. Wang Xu and his pursuers were focused on the chase and didn't notice Lou Cheng approaching. In the darkest part of the backstreet, Lou Cheng suddenly sped up, covering the last ten meters in a few big strides. He came up on Wang Xu's left side, his eyes on the first man's knife. Wang Xu felt a ghost running past him.

The first man, seeing Lou Cheng, grinned and chopped at him with his knife. At that moment, a flash of lightning struck Lou Cheng’s mind, and a fire ignited in the dark. He channeled a downward hot flow from his spine into a burst of strength, pushing his speed to the ultimate level. The man misjudged his speed and distance. In an instant, Lou Cheng was in front of him, warding off the attack with both hands and grabbing the knife-holding wrist. At such a close range, the long knife was useless.

Lou Cheng twisted his waist and launched a knee kick, which landed squarely on the man's stomach. Bang! The man’s eyes teared up, and his nose ran. He was about to fall when Lou Cheng grabbed him with one hand and twisted his wrist, breaking it. In less than a minute, he had taken down one man.

The other two men, seeing what Lou Cheng had done, widened their eyes. The second man rushed at him, and the third, instead of chasing Wang Xu, turned to face Lou Cheng as well.

Without rushing, Lou Cheng straightened his back and used the man he was holding to distract the second man. He then slid to the left, ready to strike a vital point. The third man slashed at Lou Cheng without hesitation. Lou Cheng’s spine moved like a dragon, and he shifted his weight, pulling his body back. With a round footwork, he moved behind the third man in the opposite direction. His impressive footwork would have made people believe there was a ghost in the dim alley.

He lowered his weight into a steady stance. In his mind, snow-covered mountains collapsed, and white streams rolled down. He used this force to launch a downward attack with his right arm. Pang! His fist landed on the man’s shoulder with a crunching noise, and the man’s shoulder collapsed. He cried out in pain, dropping his machete and writhing on the ground. The Mighty Mega Avalanche had taken down another one.

The only man left was freaked out. He gave up on saving his friends and fled, waving his machete wildly. Lou Cheng pretended to chase him, making footstep noises that scared the man even more. The man ran off into the darkness without looking back.

Hearing the scream, Wang Xu stopped, shocked and puzzled. He turned back to see the three men either on the ground or gone. The dark alley was silent. "Who is that?" he asked subconsciously. Jiang Fei, who had been hidden in a dark corner, was also stunned. Did I just see a superman? No way, how could Cheng become a superman! The dim light from his phone, which he was about to use to call the police, reflected in his face. Now there was no need.

Lou Cheng returned to the lit area, keeping an eye on the two men groaning on the ground. He signaled for Wang Xu to stay quiet. Wang Xu, bewildered, forgot the cuts on his back. He thought he was in a bizarre dream, that he had been stabbed and was fantasizing before death. Is that Cheng? Lou Cheng was just a good student who didn't fight, a nerd. But it was exactly Lou Cheng who had taken down three men with knives in a few breaths, men who were likely Amateur Sixth or Seventh Pin fighters. Was that a dream? I even promised to teach him a few moves... The pain brought him back to reality. He followed Lou Cheng’s hand gestures and ran off into the next alley.

Lou Cheng went back to their original spot and dragged the stunned Jiang Fei out of the alley. He didn't want his innocent friend involved. Lou Cheng met Wang Xu two alleys over. "Do you have a shelter?" he asked.

Wang Xu, covering his wounds, said in a trance, "Yeah, I can go there to handle my wound."

"Go ahead. I'll leave you alone, and we'll talk later," Lou Cheng said firmly, making it clear he wanted nothing to do with the mobs. What happened was him saving a friend.

Wang Xu nodded and sighed. "If I can settle all the problems, I will talk to you soon." He then disappeared into the night.

Lou Cheng shook his head, a mix of feelings washing over him, and hurried away. When they were back in the neighborhood of Old Liu Barbeque, Jiang Fei was still shaken, peeking at him from time to time in the car.

"I mean, feel free to check on me, but stop peeking," Lou Cheng said, putting on his down jacket.

"You know the person who was being hunted?" Jiang Fei asked, trying to sound casual.

"Yep, he's my childhood friend." Lou Cheng kept his reply simple.

Jiang Fei didn't care about the answer. His eyes wide, he asked, "Cheng, when did you become a superman? I remember our last match, and I crushed you with my weight." In high school, martial arts was taught in P.E. class, and they competed for fun.

"Have I already told you that I joined the Songcheng University Martial Arts Club and kept practicing every single day?" Lou Cheng said, lifting his chin. "Just drive, so we can go home earlier."

Jiang Fei started the car, muttering doubtfully. "I thought you went to the Martial Arts Club for girls. How long have you been there? A couple of months?"

"When two goals are set, I aim to achieve both," Lou Cheng said. He was feeling down because of Wang Xu and was in no mood to brag about the tournament.

Before driving off, Jiang Fei gave him another careful look in the dim light of the car. His best friend looked tired, his body leaner, and his face more chiseled. His lips were pinched with an air of calmness and confidence that made people unconsciously follow his lead.

"Cheng, you seem to be more mature..." Jiang Fei failed to find the right word to describe how he felt. He had said the same thing during dinner, but this time the meaning was completely different.

Lou Cheng smiled. "I hope you mean that well."