The capital city lies deep within the imperial palace.
In the afternoon sun, a figure in a blue eunuch's robe cast long, slender shadows. Xiao Wuchen took a deep breath, gripping the waist token engraved with the characters 'Feng Chen' beneath his sleeves. This was the first time he had been allowed to leave the palace for personal reasons, rather than official business.
For the past ten years, he had practised the 'Purple Qi Comes from the East' technique daily. His internal energy swirled and condensed within him, reaching the peak of the early Qi Refining stage. However, achieving a breakthrough in internal energy required combat, practical merit and, most importantly, the fleeting moment of enlightenment gained in the face of death.
'The capital city... is indeed different from within the palace walls.'
The moment he stepped out of the palace gates, a cacophony of noise surged forth. The cries of vendors, the clatter of horses' hooves and the clamour of voices created a vibrant atmosphere unlike anything he had experienced within the palace walls. His slightly stiff steps quickly blended into the crowd, his gaze remaining calm and vigilant. Instead of heading to the bustling Zhuque Avenue, he turned into the Dongcheng District market area, a relatively complex place. This place was a melting pot of all sorts of people and the easiest place to accumulate merit points.
'Get out of my way! All of you, get out of my way!'
A rough shout suddenly shattered the market's clamour.
Xiao Wuchen looked up and saw a burly, muscular man with seven or eight henchmen, who were wielding knives and clubs and shoving vendors and pedestrians aside. The man wore a short black jacket, and the veins on his bare arms bulged. His skin was unusually hard, as if he were encased in iron armour.
This was Fang Xiong, the leader of the Iron Arm Gang.
He was grinning maliciously as he kicked over an old woman's vegetable stall, scattering leaves and dirt everywhere. The old woman lay on the ground, crying desperately, "Gang leader, spare my life! This is my only livelihood!'
"Spare my life? You're blocking my way; you're asking for death!' Fang Xiong strode forward, raising his iron arm — powerful enough to shatter stone tablets — as if to smash it down.
The surrounding people did not dare to speak out in anger, instead avoiding him as they were accustomed to the brutality of this local tyrant.
Xiao Wuchen stopped in his tracks.
His eyes narrowed slightly. He knew that Fang Xiong's evil deeds presented an opportunity for him to gain merit points. However, the Purple Qi cultivation technique within him was urging him to do good and eliminate evil in order to advance further.
"Stop!"
A clear, slightly immature voice rang out, drowning out the noise of the market despite not being loud.
Fang Xiong and his gang turned around in unison to see a handsome young man standing not far away, calmly watching them.
Fang Xiong was taken aback, then burst into deafening laughter. 'Haha! Where did this little eunuch come from? Look at your delicate skin and tender flesh. Which wealthy family's lost young master are you? You haven't even grown your hair yet, and you dare to meddle in your grandfather Fang's business?"
One of the gang members spat and shouted, "Get lost, kid! Otherwise, you'll feel the full force of the Iron Arm Gang!'
Xiao Wuchen ignored the gang members, his gaze fixed solely on Fang Xiong. He silently circulated the internal energy of his "Purple Qi Comes from the East" technique. The energy flowed through his meridians without leaking out; yet it brought his body to a state of extreme relaxation and sensitivity.
He knew that, in terms of strength, he was no match for Fang Xiong. Fang Xiong's hard skills were renowned, and a direct confrontation would undoubtedly result in defeat.
However, only softness could overcome hardness.
He spoke slowly, his voice growing deeper. "Oppressing the good is an unforgivable crime. You have broken the law.'
'The law? My fists are the law!'
Fang Xiong was utterly enraged. Without another word, he roared and charged at Xiao Wuchen like a raging bear. His 'iron arm', accompanied by a whistling sound, was aimed straight at Xiao Wuchen's head, ready to smash him to pieces!