Chapter Forty-Five: Tormenting Gao Haitian Once More

Li An had his reasons for listening so attentively to Gao Ba. Though he held the lofty position of magistrate, his subordinates were hardly impressive—the best among them merely initiates in the innate martial arts, still no match for Gao Ba. It wasn’t only that the strength of Gao Ba and the entire Gao family made them untouchable; each year, Gao Ba presented him with over a thousand taels of silver for his personal enjoyment.

Were it not for that silver, how could he live so freely and happily now? The official salary from the court, though not paltry, was by no means abundant. His standard of living was certainly better than most, but when it came to pleasures, there was little left for Li An to indulge in. Beautiful women and fine wine both demanded money. All those concubines he had married, his frequent visits to the pleasure houses—all were funded by Gao Ba’s generosity.

He might have wanted to line his own pockets, but there was no one coming to offer bribes. After all, Qiuhe Prefecture had little to offer; the usual dealings were small and trifling. And with bandit strongholds like Baishui Gorge and Tianmen Mountain looming nearby, the common folk were bled dry, leaving no surplus with which to curry favor with a magistrate who held little real power.

What’s more, under Gao Ba’s very nose, any profits would be his to claim first; Li An would never have the chance. His own family had long since fallen from grace, leaving him without powerful backing. Offending Gao Ba would mean losing even the annual tribute of silver, something he dared not risk.

Besides, Qiuhe Prefecture was beneath the notice of those in authority above; but should they one day remember him and strip him of his position, he’d have nowhere even to voice his complaints.

Back in the disciples’ section of the Luoyang Martial Hall, Chen Xiangru scratched his head sheepishly. Raising his voice, he said, “Heh, I’ve made a joke of myself in front of my fellow disciples and Sister Ma. My skills fell short, and I’ve brought shame to the Luoyang Martial Hall.”

Hearing this, Liang Zhenyun clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s nothing, brother. It was only one match. If it doesn’t work out this time, there’s always next time. Train even harder when we return, and you’ll catch up yet.”

“That’s right, Brother Chen! Don’t be discouraged. Xue’e believes in you! Keep at it!” added another.

“Yes, Brother Xiangru, we don’t blame you. It’s just that Bai Shui Martial Hall’s Bo Er is too skilled. That’s why you lost,” Xiang Yinglong consoled him from the side.

Soon, the morning’s bouts were drawing to a close. Among these sixty disciples, their abilities varied greatly, and most matches were decided in less than a few dozen moves, leaving plenty of time.

During this, the performance of Mao Ruolin surprised Luo Changning and the others. They hadn’t expected that the usually taciturn, almost invisible man possessed such skills. He utterly routed a disciple from the Divine Hand Martial Hall, turning Gao Ba’s face ashen and gloomy atop the grandstand.

Mao Ruolin, however, remained unfazed by the cheers, his expression as wooden as ever, as if the praise meant nothing to him.

“The next match is between Gao Haitian of the Divine Hand Martial Hall and Luo Changning of the Luoyang Martial Hall,” the judge on the platform announced loudly.

“Oh no, Brother Changning, how did you end up facing that tall, scrawny monkey with those beady dog’s eyes?” Ma Xue’e puffed out her cheeks in protest, clearly displeased with the result.

“It’s fine. Facing him gives me just the chance to teach him a lesson. Last time he got lucky, but that doesn’t mean I won’t go after him again,” Luo Changning replied, rising and heading for the ring.

Behind him, Liang Zhenyun looked worried. “Nothing will happen to Brother Luo, right? Gao Haitian may not be the strongest, but if he’s humiliated, Gao Ba will never let Brother Luo off.”

“It’s fine. If something happens, my father is still here,” Xiang Yinglong reassured.

Ma Qingyun, however, listened thoughtfully to Luo Changning’s words. Perhaps he should find out exactly what had transpired between Ma Xue’e, Luo Changning, and Gao Haitian. Anyone who offended his sister would never escape his wrath, for she was his only family in the world.

As for that person on the Northern Campaign, since the age of four, he no longer deserved to be called his father.

He had only Ma Xue’e, and would never allow anyone to harm her.

Gao Haitian, upon hearing the judge’s announcement, did not rise immediately. He popped more than a dozen grapes into his mouth before lazily heading for the stage. Halfway there, his pupils widened, fear and hatred twisting his face.

It was that scoundrel—the beggar who had offended him in Qingyang County! Who would have thought? He hadn’t gone looking for trouble, but here they were, meeting again. Hmph, it couldn’t be easier. Though he couldn’t best him in a fight, didn’t he still have his father? He’d have his father bring the whole martial hall to beat that beggar to death, teach him that some people were not to be crossed!

So that was why he was so arrogant, daring to strike Gao Haitian! All because he had the backing of Luoyang Martial Hall and Xiang Ao. Bah! What was that old Xiang worth? He wasn’t even fit to compare to one of his father’s hairs. If he riled up Grandpa Gao, even the Luoyang Martial Hall would get what was coming to them!

Thinking thus, Gao Haitian swaggered toward the steps of the stage, his beady eyes full of smugness, completely forgetting that his skills were no match for Luo Changning. All he could think about was having his father punish him.

The disciples below watched with contempt and resentment, but none dared show it, fearing to attract Gao Ba’s attention.

Still, they couldn’t help but think to themselves: Gao Haitian was a perfect specimen of a monkey—tall, thin, and dark, with broom-like eyebrows and dog-like eyes, ugly to the extreme. Yet he wore a look of utter self-satisfaction, making one sick to the stomach.

Regardless of the scorn below, Gao Haitian himself was thoroughly enjoying the moment, basking in what he imagined were gazes of admiration, as if victory was already his.

Rolling his beady eyes at Luo Changning, Gao Haitian sneered, “You filthy beggar, why don’t you just kneel down and beg Grandpa Gao for mercy, admit defeat!”

Luo Changning scoffed, “You’ll soon find out who’ll be begging for mercy. Let’s see what you’re made of in the ring.”

At these words, Gao Haitian’s face changed. He suddenly remembered how Luo Changning had beaten him a few months ago. Fear crept in, but catching sight of his father seated on the grandstand, his courage returned.

Putting on airs, he said, “Do you know who Grandpa Gao is?” He pointed toward Gao Ba. “See that? Gao Ba is my father—I’m the young master of the Divine Hand Martial Hall. If you don’t want trouble, kneel and surrender now, and maybe I’ll spare your pathetic life!”

The disciples below cursed Gao Haitian’s shamelessness in their hearts, but none would speak for Luo Changning. After all, Gao Ba was not someone they could afford to cross; self-preservation was the wiser path.

Ma Xue’e pouted, muttering angrily, “That ugly brute only knows how to bully others with his father’s influence!”

Xiang Yinglong chimed in, “He’ll only be smug for a moment. Just wait and see how Changning beats him, makes him cry for his daddy!”

“Exactly! That ugly brute is no match for Brother Changning. He’ll be the one surrendering,” said Chen Xiangru.

As the judge declared the match begun, Gao Haitian immediately lost his nerve. He knew he wasn’t Luo Changning’s equal and had hoped his father’s name would intimidate him. But the boy was stubborn and paid no heed to his father at all. Forced to go through with it, he braced himself.

He barely managed to throw a punch before Luo Changning seized his fist. With a sharp twist, Luo Changning wrenched his wrist, snapping it and sending Gao Haitian howling in pain.

“Aaah, it hurts! Grandpa Gao is dying! You filthy beggar, let go of me!”

Luo Changning snorted coldly, formed a fist with his other hand, and drove it straight into Gao Haitian’s abdomen.

Gao Haitian staggered, lost his balance, and crashed onto the iron-hard floor with a thud. He felt as if the bones in his back had shattered, and the pain left him with no strength even to curse Luo Changning.