Ambush of an E-rank Martial Artist
Two more assailants lunged at Xu Zhong from his side. His expression darkened as he swiftly extended his right hand, grasping the wrist of the thug who had been struck. With an assertive squeeze, a bone-crushing crack echoed.
Xu Zhong successfully crushed the thug's wrist bone while he was crying out in pain.
Among his martial techniques, both the Thunder Fist and Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms consisted of offensive maneuvers and enhanced Xu Zhong's combat skills.
He deftly lowered his body, narrowly avoiding an attack from behind. Then, he retreated into the grip of another thug. Cleverly, he planted his hand on the thug's forearm and employed his shoulder as a pivot to exert pressure.
Another stifled groan ensued as the thug's arm drooped limply.
Honestly, even Xu Zhong hadn't anticipated that his combat prowess would be this formidable.
These hooligans likely possessed the average combat strength of beginner F-rank martial artists or individuals with a vitality of around 90. It might have posed a minor challenge if he had encountered them just yesterday.
"Tell me, who sent you?" Xu Zhong approached the hooligan leader with a sinister grin.
"No!" The thug seemed fiercely loyal to his martial arts comrades and preferred death to divulging information.
"Oh, well then."
Huh?
"Aren't you supposed to threaten me again and extract the answer?"
It would be somewhat awkward for me to come right out with it…
Xu Zhong opted not to waste any more words and slapped the hooligan's face.
[Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms Proficiency +10]
Huh!
Xu Zhong chuckled. It seemed he was still a bit too gentle, but it was his face. He couldn't bear to exert too much force.
Yet, for this particular hooligan, it made no difference.
With that thought in mind, Xu Zhong delivered three consecutive slaps.
[Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms Proficiency +10]
[Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms Proficiency +10]
[Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms Proficiency +10]
The thug's visage contorted grotesquely from Xu Zhong's relentless assault. Blood and teeth scattered from his mouth, and he pitted to the ground.
It appeared there were no firearms, which was a relief.
Xu Zhong had always been wary of the possibility of the assailants being armed with guns. Now, it seemed his concerns had been unwarranted.
Indeed, the Red British Alliance and the three major armies enforced strict weapon control regulations.
Originally, martial artists were deemed a potential security risk. Maintaining public order would become a monumental challenge if firearms were unrestricted.
"Let's attack together! Take him down!"
Upon witnessing their leader's situation, the hooligans grew discontent and charged at Xu Zhong one after another, wielding their weapons.
At that moment, the trajectory of the iron rod, the speed of the incoming punches, and the glint of cold steel…
All too sluggish. These hooligans proved woefully inadequate against the Xu Zhong of today!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each assailant received three resounding slaps, and Xu Zhong's proficiency was continuously updated with the announcement [Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms Proficiency +10].
One by one, the hooligans were battered by Xu Zhong's overwhelming slaps. Some of the weaker ones were even sent flying with all their teeth missing.
This marked Xu Zhong's first genuine brawl. The closest he had come before was sparring with his sister. Now, this was a true test of his combat abilities.
At this juncture, the hooligans were utterly terrified. To them, that slender figure appeared as a sophisticated and refined demon. No, even a demon seemed a hundred times more appealing.
After approaching the hooligan leader, Xu Zhong bestowed two more thumbs-ups, further increasing his proficiency. He expressed with satisfaction, "Sigh, why must it come to this? I have no appetite for fighting. My hands are getting dirty."
However, at that very moment, a surge of imminent danger swept over Xu Zhong.
Instinctively, he raised his right arm to block.
Xu Zhong felt as though solid steel had struck his arm. He staggered and nearly lost his balance.
Do they still have a backup plan?
Xu Zhong's heart sank.
"You managed to block my attack?"
On the opposite end of the alley, a figure slowly approached. While this person appeared ordinary in attire and demeanor, their face was concealed by a black mask, and their entire form remained cloaked in shadows, with only a pair of unblinking eyes visible.
This attire…
Gotham?
A surge of apprehension coursed through Xu Zhong.
The newcomer exuded an aura vastly different from the earlier hooligans, signaling a considerable disparity in strength.
It seemed that the other party had indeed prepared a backup plan.
However, the camera clutched in the person's hand took Xu Zhong by surprise.
He began by spitting disdainfully at the group of hooligans. "A bunch of worthless scum."
Then, he directed his attention toward Xu Zhong. "Young Master instructed us to capture an image of you being torn to shreds. Little did I expect you to progress so rapidly. Judging by your vitality, it's around 150 points. Tsk, tsk, tsk."
That person smiled sinisterly.
Xu Zhong let out a slow breath of relief. "Young Master" could only refer to Xiahou Chi.
The person carefully positioned the camera on a nearby trash can, aiming it squarely in Xu Zhong's direction. It was evident that they intended to document the unfolding events.
Xu Zhong narrowed his eyes. The newcomer's strength didn't appear to be overpowering. If martial artists above D-rank acted recklessly within the city, it would undoubtedly attract the Nighthawks' attention.
Despite the Xiahou Family's influence, they remained wary of the Red British Alliance. Consequently, this martial artist was likely no more than an E-rank.
However, even at E-rank, his vitality had surged to an impressive 1,000 points, which was a level far beyond Xu Zhong's capabilities.
The man advanced steadily toward Xu Zhong, who suddenly felt like prey targeted by a formidable predator.
In the next instant, accompanied by a series of explosive movements, the black-robed individual vanished from their original position.
Xu Zhong was horrified to discover that the other person's speed was several times greater than his own!
Compounded by the fact that there was a wall behind him, escape was not an option.
The other party was undoubtedly an E-rank martial artist.
F*ck…
Xu Zhong cursed.
The dagger in the black-clad figure's hand gleamed with malice.
"Damn it!"
Xu Zhong's expression twisted in frustration.
The intention to kill him was unmistakable. Otherwise, they wouldn't have left an E-rank martial artist behind to clean up the mess.
Sigh… in this world, good and evil were never purely defined. Human nature is inherently complex.
Moreover, Xu Zhong understood that even if he were to perish and the Xiahou family were implicated, there would be no lasting repercussions.
On one hand, the Xiahou family was a powerful entity with deep roots and vast influence. The Red British Alliance wouldn't jeopardize their relationship with the Xiahou family over him.
Even with his sister, Xu Yun'er, it was impossible.
On the other hand, whether it was the Lin Corporation, the Xiahou family, or other aristocratic families, they all shared close ties with the Red British Alliance.
Having lived through two lifetimes, Xu Zhong possessed a keen sense of prudence and diplomacy. He recognized that no legal recourse could dissuade the black-clad adversary he now faced.
He was alone in this struggle.