Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting from Fist Technique Deduction
Chapter 86 - 74: Coincidental Encounter

Chapter 86: Chapter 74: Coincidental Encounter

"Old man, why is it so chaotic at the Huaizhou dock area?" Lin Yuan threw the man in the red robe in front of the old man and asked in a deep voice.

"Young hero, please wait a moment." The old man was startled upon seeing the man’s face.

He immediately glanced around outside the main hall, noticing that others had shut their doors and windows, with no one daring to approach.

After all, the Flying Fish Gang had committed many evils; now they were forcibly marrying a local girl, and a group of ruffians were inside drinking. No commoner dared to take a second glance. The Wang family had suffered miserably, but thankfully it hadn’t fallen upon them.

Wang old man shut the door and lit an oil lamp.

"Young hero, please sit. Allow me to prepare some food for you." The old man guided Lin Yuan to a seat at the table.

Then he had his daughter bring out fat fish, braised goose, and roast chicken from the back room, setting a table for Lin Yuan before sitting down with him.

"Young hero, you may not know, but there are three major gangs at the Huaizhou dock." The old man regained some strength, took a sip from his cup, and said, "The Flying Fish Gang, Lotus Gang, and Qingzhu Gang."

"Originally, the three were equally powerful, all under the control of the Hall Master of Huaining Hall. Although we commoners couldn’t escape paying tribute, we could barely survive." The old man’s face showed a trace of nostalgia, as if lamenting the humble yet peaceful life of the past.

"The situation changed when the former Hall Master of Huaining Hall passed away and the new Hall Master arrived." After a cup of wine, the old man’s courage grew, and he directly criticized the academy’s upper echelon.

"That bastard!" Wang old man cursed through gritted teeth.

Lin Yuan ate a few bites of fat fish; for folks living by the river, their fish cooking skills were not bad.

"What’s different now?" Lin Yuan asked after the old man finished cursing.

"Young hero, you may not know. Since this Hall Master came, the gangs have become increasingly worse; not only have the tribute payments multiplied, but if they see any commoner’s business thriving, they’d intervene. Anyone daring to refuse even slightly would face beatings and smashing, forced to sell their children."

"Just like with me, my daughter being forcibly married has become commonplace, especially with this Flying Fish Gang, they’re nothing but malicious." The old man’s voice was filled with anger.

"Thanks to the young hero’s rescue today, otherwise, my family would have been ruined." Wang old man took another drink, his heart filled with sorrow.

"Does no one from Huaining Hall intervene?" Lin Yuan asked in confusion.

"Those heartless bastards, they don’t care about our lives." Wang old man sighed, "Though I can’t read much, I’ve lived long enough to have some insight."

"The root of the chaos here is Huaining Hall."

Lin Yuan’s heart was stirred.

"Ao Daguang?" The image of the thin, elderly man flashed in Lin Yuan’s mind.

Initially, he had no particular impression of the old man.

But now it seemed that Ao Daguang was not as exemplary as he appeared.

"What do you plan to do in the future?" Lin Yuan’s pleasure in slaying the wicked had diminished greatly.

"For now, it’s best to leave this dock; I’m afraid it’s untenable." Wang old man sighed.

Lin Yuan nodded and remained silent.

After a few more bites,

Lin Yuan got up and threw the Flying Fish Gang members into the river to feed the fish.

Wang old man naturally waited for Lin Yuan to finish eating. He took the opportunity to have his daughter pack up their belongings and prepare a carriage. He and his wife left the place overnight.

With a splash.

After tossing the man in the red robe into the water and watching him get carried away by the river, Lin Yuan turned and left.

"The world is too difficult; only by improving one’s strength can one protect oneself. Otherwise, I would face the same suffering as Wang old man." A thought flashed through Lin Yuan’s mind.

"Instead of placing hope on the imagined rescue by masters, it’s better to trust in one’s own fists." At this moment, Lin Yuan felt his understanding of martial arts deepen.

"I only wish not to be oppressed and to live an ordinary life."

Lin Yuan’s face was somber as he walked towards his small cottage.

*******

"The other room is also empty." The skinny monkey searched multiple times, but didn’t find a trace of Lin Yuan, feeling very frustrated.

"Damn it! Did that brat sneak out to listen to music?" The flower-faced man cursed aloud, feeling displeased.

The few of them had come out in the middle of the night, searching tirelessly, only to find nothing. Naturally, they were quite annoyed.

"Damn it! I say, why not set this damn place on fire so the brat knows we were here?" The ruffian, with a violent temper, had malicious thoughts sprouting, and kicked a wooden chair nearby, smashing it to pieces.

"Don’t talk nonsense," came the steady voice of the Hall Master, who continued, "If we can’t find him today, there’s still tomorrow, no need to rush."

"Boss, that brat parties around every night while we wait day by day. It’s frustrating, frustrating." The flower-faced man frowned and complained.

Upon hearing this, the Hall Master looked at the flower-faced man with disapproval.

The latter suddenly felt a cold breeze, immediately shrinking his neck and not daring to speak further.

"Hmph!" The Hall Master snorted coldly, "Send someone to find out where that boy has gone tomorrow."

The Hall Master took steps toward the outside of the house.

"That will be all for today; you all return and wait for arrangements. Do not wander around aimlessly." The Hall Master sheathed his sword and instructed.

The ruffians, having no choice, followed him and left.

As they walked down several streets,

"Damn it, I heard Duan Quan, that bastard, went to marry a bride again today." Having nothing to do, the flower-faced man thought about not being able to visit the flower boat tonight and envy rose in his heart as he thought of Duan Quan holding a soft jade in his arms.

"That guy really is a bastard, ruining good families everywhere," another man cursed, "To bed with a bride, such a joy, and he doesn’t even call us."

"Who told him to have a good brother." The skinny monkey complained, "Our Hall Master fought fiercely with us to take over several streets and set up the hall."

"What skills does that Duan fellow have to be on par with our Hall Master, and also hold a hall master position? Really a bastard!" The skinny monkey muttered a few curses.

"Who told him to have a vice gang leader brother." The flower-faced man sneered, "Once this is over, I’m going to find a good family woman to brush up with and see what it feels like."

"Fools, always thinking about women," opened the Hall Master at the front, admonishing, "Why not focus on improving your skills to stand firm? Otherwise, you’ll end up feeding the fish in Huaijiang sooner or later."

The men couldn’t help but laugh at these words.

"Hehe, boss, haven’t you already broken through Condensing Yuan? Being a vice gang leader, following you gives us an easy living." The flower-faced man, adept at flattery, offered a compliment.

"Hmph! Lazy and idle!" The Hall Master, unwilling to let it go verbally, understood their personalities well after scolding them a few times.

Having been with him for many years, they were trusted subordinates.

After reprimanding, he consoled them, "Only you know about my break through in Condensing Yuan, don’t spread it. After all, the realm isn’t stable yet."

The Hall Master continued in a deep voice, "When the Yuan Power is solidified, and the realm stabilizes, I’ll fight for the vice gang leader position, and you’ll all have food from two more halls."

"Hehehe." They couldn’t help but smile widely.

As they chatted casually, the Hall Master in front gradually slowed his steps.

They all stopped, not understanding why the Hall Master halted.

Down the straight road, at the other end,

In the moonlight, a slender figure appeared slowly.

"Boss, who is that?" The skinny monkey asked in a low voice.

The Hall Master at the front didn’t respond.

The Hall Master didn’t speak.

He simply raised his hand gently, signaling everyone to stay quiet.

"He’s here!" The Hall Master’s eyes showed a fierce glint.