"Ah! This..."
A few ruffians exchanged glances and unconsciously took two steps back.
It seemed they hadn't expected Bai Qi to actually make a move, and with one punch, he knocked Wang Laizi flat.
He beat him until blood sprayed from his face, extremely miserable.
Without even saying a word of warning, truly lacking martial virtue!
"Heh heh..."
Wang Laizi lay sprawled on the ground, limp as mud, seemingly out of breath.
Only his occasionally twitching body indicated that he was still alive.
"How did Bai Ahqi become so fierce?"
"I heard from the folks at the dock yesterday that he learned martial arts from Old Liang at the East Market Shop!"
"No wonder! That punch was so vicious, like a hammer crashing down, feels like half a life was beaten out!"
The onlookers were also shocked.
The Bai Ahqi they remembered was a well-mannered kid.
He greeted everyone he met, always wearing a sincere smile, like the boy next door growing up, quite affable.
But the Bai Qi before them clearly carried a fierce air, like the Black Water River in winter, chilling to the bone.
Those ruffians, who bullied the weak and feared the strong, felt a shiver down their spines and were scared stiff when stared at fixedly.
"What? No one dares to make a move?"
Qi blood surged through his arms, muscles swelling and heating up, giving Bai Qi a strength far greater than usual.
He exhaled long and slow, his gaze sweeping over the burly figures of a few ruffians.
The solid foundation laid by the eight segments of skills, combined with the refined Qi blood from the Golden Core Great Strength Skill, made him not fear this bunch of scoundrels at all.
"Let me be clear, Wang Laizi made it clear just now, the ten taels of silver debt is pinned on me.
Whoever's got the guts, come to me for it.
If anyone dares to cause trouble for Uncle Changshun's family again..."
Bai Qi paused, grinned, and said:
"The Black Water River today, falling in for a soak is quite uncomfortable, think hard about it."
Is he threatening us?
A few ruffians licked their dry lips, exchanged glances, and no one spoke up.
That thought of wanting to regain some face gradually faded away.
"Not the same! Bai Ahqi has changed greatly!"
Looking at Bai Ahqi, tall and with broad shoulders and long legs, they inexplicably thought of Brother Quan.
It's like all martial artists who have practiced boxing and kicking have a very unique spirit and energy.
The once meek and mild Bai Ahqi now displayed an intimidating sharpness.
All those who had been through the Martial Arts Hall and come out as inner disciples were like this.
"Brother Qi, it's all a misunderstanding! Wang Laizi falsely claimed that Uncle Changshun was encroaching on his fish trap, and that's how he caught the Ghost Pattern Fish, we were just here for support."
"Yeah, actually I'm not that familiar with Wang Laizi, we've only had a meal together!"
"Brother Quan often mentions your name, Brother Qi, we're all family here! Let it go!"
The ruffians put on smiles, bending slightly at the waist, altering their previous aggressive stance, and began speaking kindly.
"Even vicious dogs tuck their tails against fierce wolves... Yangquan is the wolf, and the ruffians are the dogs.
I've only just mastered controlling my Qi blood, just enough to chase away the vicious dogs.
When I've fully refined my power and become a practitioner, then I can contend with fierce wolves!"
Bai Qi lowered his eyelids, watching the ruffians change their faces, his heart as clear as a mirror.
Without his skills and developed martial prowess, his fate facing Wang Laizi probably wouldn't have been much better than Uncle Changshun's.
"Brother Qi, in my opinion, just cross off the ten taels of silver, let it go!"
"The Black Water River is so vast, everyone fishes based on their own skill, there's no reason to say that catching good stuff is encroaching on his fish trap!"
"Yes, yes, Brother Qi, have mercy!"
The ruffians' eyes darted around, searching for ways to extricate themselves.
They're stuck now, with layers of villagers outside watching the commotion, it's difficult to just sneak away.
"So you're Brother Quan's guys? You should've said so earlier, in the Fish Market East District, all the fishermen respect Brother Quan!"
Bai Qi chuckled, his face returning to a friendly demeanor, as he walked to a tall, burly ruffian with tattoos on his arms:
"You just slapped my brother Xiaotou?"
The tall, burly ruffian felt apprehensive, this guy wasn't taller than him by half a head, yet had an indescribable strange aura, very frightening.
He chuckled dryly and said,
"Brother Qi, I was also just working for Brother Quan..."
Bai Qi gestured, calling to Xiaotou,
"Come here! Give him back two slaps, and the account is settled!"
Xiaotou, with his half-swollen cheek, stared blankly, as if he hadn't heard clearly.
But when he met Ah Qi's eyes, it was as if he received great encouragement, and he indeed stood up and walked towards the tall, burly ruffian.
"This..."
The latter felt countless eyes on him, and the solid shame of this made his face flush red.
"Brother Qi, is this really necessary... spare those you can!"
Bai Qi remained expressionless, as if he hadn't heard.
The simplest yet most brutal way to deal with ruffian bullies is to establish rules with fists.
You have to be ruthless, make them truly afraid, and only then will they have a heart of fear in the future.
Don't dare to come looking for trouble again!
The burly rascal clenched his fists, his tattooed arm twitching, continued to grit his teeth and said with a smile:
"Brother Qi, it was Wang Laizi who offended you, it has nothing to do with us... A person lives with dignity, no need to step on me like this!"
Bai Qi glanced over and said calmly:
"So, you're not convinced?"
"I..."
The burly rascal was about to speak but felt a strong gust of wind blow in his face, suppressing all the nonsense he wanted to say.
Five firm fingers reached out, like tightening iron clamps over him.
Suddenly pinching that face, pressing down fiercely!
Thud!
No sophisticated moves, solely relying on quicker reflexes and greater strength, Bai Qi smashed the intimidating burly rascal into the yellow mud.
After controlling his Qi blood, ordinary strong men are simply not his match.
"Now, are you convinced?"
The burly rascal saw stars, landed heavily, his bones seemed to fall apart.
He looked up at the tall figure shrouding him, seemingly completely frightened, his lips trembling:
"Brother Qi! I'm convinced! Truly convinced this time!"
Bai Qi raised his chin, instructing Xiaotou to act:
"Teach him a lesson, let him know the fishermen of the Black Water River also have spirit! Aren't the cowardly ones to be trampled underfoot!"
"Yes!"
Xiaotou nodded vigorously, tears in his eyes, squatted down and swung his palm left and right, delivering two loud slaps.
Very satisfying!
After slapping, Xiaotou felt incredibly happy, even the swelling on his cheek didn't hurt much.
Seeing the rest of the ruffians shrink back in fear, Bai Qi knew the rules were set and waved his hand:
"Get lost, remember to carry your man away, don't leave him here as an eyesore!"
He wasn't afraid that these people would complain to Yangquan, with his moderate fishing skills and the Golden Core Great Strength Skill that could refine power.
Who can become a practitioner sooner is hard to say.
Moreover, forming connections with Old Liang and Liang Sanshui father and son.
Staying in the Fish Market East District, he doesn't fear being hindered.
It's also a substantial source of confidence and reliance.
"Quickly! Quickly!"
The ruffians carried the seemingly paralyzed Wang Laizi on their backs, running off without a trace.
And just like that, the farce dispersed.
The crowd cheered and applauded.
"Ah Qi really has skills!"
"Won't call him Ah Qi anymore? Brother Bai Qi!"
"So young, already the pillar of the family at the helm!"
"Not easy, finally reached the day for achievements!"
The villagers commented in amazement.
Thinking it might be time to go home and pay respects to the Dragon King, worship the ancestors.
Hoping their children can also be blessed and enlightened like Ah Qi.
Through the neighborhood gossip, the matter at Changshun's family today will likely soon appear in Black River County's taverns and shacks.
Bai Ahqi's name will gradually grow prominent.
"Be bold when necessary, endure when needed, knowing when to advance, when to retreat, that's a true veteran of the Jianghu.
Always being a shrinking turtle, others might think you're easy to bully.
It's unnecessary to always endure, it won't bring real benefits."
Bai Qi's mind was restless, he reached out to help Uncle Changshun, then instructed Xiaotou to fetch a physician.
Wang Laizi's malicious kick hit right at the waist, the injury wasn't light.
If medicine isn't taken to dispel the blue and black bruises, it could leave lasting damage.
Hearing words like "getting medicine" and "fetching a physician," Uncle Changshun suddenly found strength and grabbed Bai Qi, speaking hesitantly:
"No! I'm fine, lying down for a while will be okay.
Ah Qi... don't waste money!"
Bai Qi was momentarily stunned, then held Uncle Changshun's rough hands full of calluses:
"Uncle Changshun, the covered boat is saved, there's no problem with livelihood, life will be better.
But if you fall, what will Auntie and Xiaotou do?"
Uncle Changshun remained silent, gently closed his eyes, raised his hand to cover his dark face.
His shoulders shook slightly, but no sound was heard.
Unable to eat meat, afford medical treatment, or support the family.
Can only sell labor to barely fill a belly, being bullied everywhere.
A lifetime lived numbly, died numbly.
Seems living just for the sake of living.
This is the most realistic situation of the lowly households in Black River County.
"Xiaotou, take some money and call the physician for a house visit, remember to let him bring some medicinal wine for treating bruises and injuries."
Bai Qi reminded.