Free Web NovelChapter 48: Chapter 48: Rescuing the Beauty
Once again, it was the twelfth lunar month.
The nearby markets were bustling and prosperous.
Chen Li had sent his eldest son, Shouheng, to purchase more cattle. Accompanying him was Wang Da, a long-time farmhand who had herded for the Chen family for many years. They currently had thirteen head of cattle and estimated they needed about twenty more.
However, Chen Li had also instructed Shouheng to buy as many as possible, but not to accept inferior stock simply to fill the quota, nor to be swayed by low prices.
Chen Shouheng enthusiastically agreed and led Wang Da to a nearby market with great haste.
He had often herded cattle in his youth, so he was quite familiar with them. Furthermore, while Wang Da was only in his forties, he had been tending and raising cattle for the Chen family since he was a boy, making him even more of an expert.
"Young Master, look at this one." Wang Da pointed to a water buffalo not far away, with broad shoulders, a wide body, and a glossy coat. "A well-proportioned frame, solid hooves, and clear eyes. It’s built for work. Just looks a bit stubborn, will need some proper training."
Chen Shouheng moved closer for a careful look. He reached out to feel the buffalo’s back, then pried open its mouth to inspect its teeth.
He wasn’t as seasoned as Wang Da, but his eye for quality had improved considerably. Coupled with Chen Li’s prior instructions, he was exceptionally meticulous in his selections.
The two of them carefully selected the animals, haggled over prices, and visited three different markets. It took them two full days, but they finally purchased the twenty-odd head of cattle they needed.
Gazing at the more than twenty large, well-fed beasts snorting before them, they called over the few helpers they had hired. The group then herded the cattle and began the long journey home.
The herd moved slowly to the sound of thudding hooves and jingling bells.
After traveling for the better part of half a day, both men and beasts were weary, and they were still a good distance from home.
"Young Master, at this pace, I’m afraid we won’t make it home before dark. How about we stop for a bite to eat and a rest?" Wang Da suggested, wiping sweat from his brow.
Chen Shouheng glanced at the sky, then at the tired herd, and nodded in agreement. "Alright. Safety first."
As they rested, a slender figure gradually approached from behind them on the main road.
It was a young woman carrying a blue cloth bundle on her back. Her steps were somewhat hurried, and she looked travel-worn, as if on a long journey.
Her head was lowered. As she passed by the herd, she seemed startled by its size. She paused for a moment, then silently walked over to the side of the group, took out some dry rations, and began to eat quietly.
Chen Shouheng found himself subconsciously taking a few extra glances.
The woman had a graceful figure. Although she wore a faded, coarse-cloth dress, it could not conceal her natural beauty.
Her hair, as black as a waterfall, was tied in a simple bun, but a few strands had escaped, clinging to her sweat-dampened temples and adding a touch of disheveled charm.
After resting for a while, the group herded the cattle and prepared to set off again.
Seeing this, the woman also rose quickly. She quickened her pace slightly, moving to a spot not too far ahead of them, maintaining a certain distance as she walked in the same direction.
’She must be scared traveling by herself and wants the safety of a group.’ Chen Shouheng thought, not dwelling on it.
After they had traveled for another half a mile or so, two men suddenly appeared from a fork in the road ahead.
Both men were burly and fleshy-faced, with short blades hanging from their waists. They reeked of alcohol, and their shifty eyes made it clear they were up to no good.
When they saw the lone woman ahead, their eyes lit up like hungry wolves spotting fresh meat. They exchanged a look, then with lewd smiles, quickened their pace to catch up.
"Well now, who’s this pretty little thing? It’s dangerous traveling alone, let us escort you, eh?" one of them, a man with a thick beard, sneered, reaching out to touch the woman’s cheek.
The woman’s face drained of color. She cried out in alarm and hastily dodged away. "What... What are you doing? Get away!"
"Heh, feisty, aren’t we? I like that!" The other man, who had a scar on his face, took the opportunity to block her path, spewing a stream of filth. "We’re in the middle of nowhere, and it’s about to get dark. How about you come home with us?"
The woman was both frightened and furious. She tried to push them away, but the bearded man seized her by the wrist. The grip was so strong that tears of pain streamed down her face.
"Let me go! Help! Help me!" she cried out desperately. Her struggles grew more frantic, and she managed to bite down hard on the bearded man’s wrist.
"Damn bitch, you’re asking to die!" ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
The bearded man cried out in pain and flew into a rage, swinging his hand back and delivering a heavy slap across the woman’s face.
SLAP!
A crisp sound echoed.
The woman staggered from the blow. Half of her face instantly swelled and reddened, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. Her vision went black. With a cry of pain, her body went limp and she began to fall backward.
The scar-faced man seized the opportunity, stepping forward and, with a vicious grin, delivered a sharp chop to the back of her neck.
The woman let out a muffled groan and lost consciousness completely, collapsing bonelessly to the ground. Her dark hair fell in disarray, hiding half of her swollen face.
"Damn it. She chose the hard way." The bearded man spat, bending down to pick up the unconscious woman.
"Stop!"
Chen Shouheng had already noticed the commotion up ahead, his brow tightly furrowed.
Seeing the two men knock the woman unconscious and prepare to abduct her, a blaze of fury erupted in his heart. With a roar like a crack of thunder, he shot forward like an arrow released from its bow.
The two thugs heard the shout and turned. When they saw it was just a youth, who, despite his imposing manner, was all alone, they sneered.
"Where did this brat come from, sticking his nose in his elders’ business? Piss off, or we’ll take care of you too," the bearded man snarled, paying Chen Shouheng no mind.
The scar-faced man was even more direct. Seeing that Chen Shouheng was advancing instead of retreating, he cursed, "You’re courting death," and threw a punch straight at his face.
Chen Shouheng saw the fierce attack coming. With a shift of his feet, he easily sidestepped the blow. At the same time, his right palm shot out like lightning. He executed a Tiger Claw Hand, swiftly and precisely locking onto the man’s wrist.
It was a strike fueled by anger, and it carried immense force.
"Huh?"
The scar-faced man hadn’t expected the youth to be so agile, his technique so sharp. To his astonishment, his wrist was caught. He felt a massive force, and his entire arm instantly went numb and weak, as if the bones were about to be crushed.
"Damn it, he’s a trained fighter."
Seeing this, the bearded man dropped the unconscious woman and charged with a roar. His fist, large as a bowl, whistled through the air as it aimed for Chen Shouheng’s back.
Unflustered by the danger, Chen Shouheng pulled and then pushed the scar-faced man’s arm, using him as a shield against the bearded man’s fist.
THUD!
The bearded man couldn’t stop his momentum in time and slammed his fist hard into his companion’s shoulder. The scar-faced man screamed in pain; it was nearly dislocated.
"Fuck!"
The bearded man cursed furiously. A vicious glint flashed in his eyes as he drew the short blade from his waist. The cold steel sliced downward. The scar-faced man, having recovered, coordinated with him in a pincer attack.
After a brief exchange of blows, Chen Shouheng realized their fighting style had no structure at all. They clearly hadn’t studied martial arts and were likely just common bandits. He immediately stopped holding back.
He had already achieved Great Success in Marrow Refining. And though he had not yet grasped the Fist Intent of his Tiger Subduing Fist, he had mastered its essence.
Facing two short blades, he showed no fear. His movements were like a tiger descending a mountain—dodging, spinning, and repositioning. He used his fists, palms, elbows, and legs in an overwhelmingly fierce offensive, each strike aimed at a vital point.
WHAM!
A heavy punch struck the bearded man’s knife-wielding wrist. The short blade clattered to the ground.
CRACK!
A precise side kick slammed into the side of the scar-faced man’s knee. He cried out in agony and crumpled to his knees.
In a few swift moves, he had beaten the two seemingly ferocious thugs until they were black and blue, groaning on the ground and unable to get up.
"Scram!"
Chen Shouheng coldly spat out a single word, the chill in his eyes making the two men feel as if they had been plunged into an icy cavern.
As if granted a grand amnesty, the two men scrambled away. They didn’t even bother to retrieve their blades, simply helping each other up and fleeing wretchedly into the forest, disappearing in an instant.
